Feb
25
2009

ACIDMAN carves with the sense

Feature Top Story By Shay

ACIDMAN electrified fans when the PV for “CARVE WITH THE SENSE” showed up in early February. Now the charging process is complete with the release of the single on February 25th.

“CARVE WITH THE SENSE” hits hard & fast and considering the band’s more recent foray into the softer, ‘flowing’ side, the single is even more energizing. The b-side, “Freak Out -Second Line-” (a softer, different rendition of the song from 2004′s Equal LP) mellows out — like many other ACIDMAN b-sides — and returns some tranquility to the release.

This is the trio’s second single since the April ’08 release of their sixth full-length album, LIFE. It’s remarkable how after 12 years of playing together, vocalist/guitarist Nobuo Oki (大木伸夫), bassist Masatoshi Sato (佐藤雅俊), and drummer Ichigo Urayama (浦山一悟) still manage to mix things up like this. Well, perhaps it’s not that large a ‘mix up’ like that which is the result of experimentation. Instead, the change most likely comes courtesy of ACIDMAN reaching into their bag of tricks accumulated over the years and piecing together some of the shards that made some of their earlier material so memorable.

“CARVE WITH THE SENSE” ruptures ahead of finding some reserve despite a beating bass drum. Before it can gather itself the song progresses and bursts into an unforgettably rousing chorus. Lines and bars are delivered amid adamant chants.

ACIDMAN can pretty much pull off anything they want to. Whether they’re going for chaotic raucousness or graceful serenity, the band consistently achieves their goal. Even rock luminaries can stray near a resonant rut though. “CARVE WITH THE SENSE” shatters the overall veil of composure and flow that blanketed the band’s last two albums.

The last time I remember feeling this invigorated from an ACIDMAN single was with the legendary “world symphony” back in 2005. ’07′s “REMIND” came close and was a great combination of power and beauty but wasn’t the same type of song.

It’s good to hear that ACIDMAN still have the raw, crazy sound in ‘em but also, it’s comforting to still connect with their more ethereal side. The two tracks on “CARVE WITH THE SENSE” are very different yet appropriately good for their respective sides.

It’s good to be an ACIDMAN fan circa early 2009.

Watch the PV for “CARVE WITH THE SENSE”:

Buy “CARVE WITH THE SENSE”

6 Responses to “ACIDMAN carves with the sense”

  1. By lops-sama on February 25, 2009 at 3:39 am

    Yeah! Ashiddoman! Great article Shay! =D
    I love the single! Both tracks are great!
    It’s good to be an ACIDMAN fan circa early 2009 *thumbs up*

  2. By Shay on February 25, 2009 at 4:04 pm

    Thanks =) Your compliments & approval on an ACIDMAN article mean a lot. Yeah, I love how both tracks on the single are so good despite being so different. ACIDMAN b-sides are usually like that though so no surprise at all. ^^

  3. By Retro on February 25, 2009 at 9:25 pm

    Nice article. :D It’s great to see ACIDMAN get some love.

    I still haven’t gotten to hear Freak Out-second line-, but their b-side tracks are always amazing, so I look forward to when I can finally listen to it.
    Loved CARVE WITH THE SENSE. I wonder if they’ll be announcing a new album anytime soon~

  4. By Shay on February 25, 2009 at 10:02 pm

    Hi Retro!! Thanks & I felt I had to give ACIDMAN some love after hearing this release =)

    You’re definitely right about Freak Out-second line-, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.

    As for a possible album announcement, I wouldn’t be surprised =P Two singles & almost a year since the last one, perhaps they’ll have another single and then a new album. 14 or 15 months after LIFE might be about right? Maybe, maybe not though. I love to anticipate but I do sometimes wish they were a little less formulaic with release dates =P Oh well, can’t complain about new ACIDMAN releases lol

  5. By Masato on February 26, 2009 at 7:00 pm

    Proud to be fan of Acidman since the Sekitou single! :) They are amazing ever since. CARVE WITH THE SENSE shows that songs like Zouka ga warau and world symphony are still a part of what Acidman are eager to make!
    Still most of my probs go to Freak out -second line- as the line “Freak Out” sang with such a calm and beautiful voice, sounds epic for me.
    Best single so far.
    Hope that “migration 1064″ or “Ima, toumei ka” will be one of the next -second line- edits.

    Great website you have!

  6. By Shay on February 27, 2009 at 12:11 am

    Heck yeah Masato!! That’s going quite a ways back =) You’re absoluetly right about CARVE WITH THE SENSE showing the still got ‘it’ in ‘em. haha you’re defininetly right about “Freak Out”…so soft, so calm. I love the second line edits they’re doing and can’t wait to hear which one they’ll do next.

    Thanks and I hope to see you around again =)

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