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With the translation of "Ai no Souretsu," at last, we have completed translations for all the songs on Atom Miraiha No. 9. You can go check them out over at This is NOT Greatest Site. For the first time in our history, not only have we written extensive translation notes for each and every song on the album, but each set of English lyrics is also singable with the original melody. If I do say so myself I think a lot of them came out very well in that regard, so I encourage you all to try singing them.
I probably wouldn't have written so many translation notes, but for the fact that I keep hearing from you readers about how much you love the notes and how much you wish there were more of them. Thus, I endeavored to deliver. This was all for you, folks. So if you enjoyed the notes and the translations, please leave us a comment on this post to let us know. We spent far more time translating this album than any other and we'd love to hear your reactions.
And when you need a break from Atom Miraiha, go ahead and listen to this tribal ambient deep house DJ set "SOL," by DJ Nu. Cum uh Sol Nu indeed.
Also, check out this video of Auto-Mod performing their song "Toki no Souretsu" at the most recent edition of the Toki no Souretsu concert series, held on March 21st, 2015 at Koenji High. For those of you who don't already know, the backing vocalist is counter-tenor drag queen Selia, who also did backing vocals on Buck-Tick's album Tenshi no Revolver, on the tracks "Mr. Darkness and Mrs. Moonlight" and "Revolver."
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Also, if you liked Buck-Tick's "Ai no Souretsu," check out London After Midnight's "Sacrifice"...
...and Sawada Kenji's "Toki no Sugiyuku Mama ni." This guy was one of Sakurai's favorites growing up, and a clear influence. He's old now, but have a look at him when he was young and beautiful, and dig that leather mesh costume!
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Oh yeah, and here's "Quiereme Mucho."
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Thank you Cayce for your work and dedication! Can I ask you what Ai no Souretsu is about? In the past few days, Acchan-chan said fans have to take it line for line. After finishing reading your translation I began pondering why is Atsushi singing about desiring to be invited somewhere? Where does he want to go on a trip? Who is he speaking to?
ReplyDeletePeople are seriously having trouble interpreting Ai no Souretsu? I think it's the most transparent, simple and unequivocal song on the album. I don't think Sakurai was even attempting to be mysterious, either. It's about the way death steals away the people we love.
DeleteTo the extent that it's a farewell to any specific person, it seems to me that it's a farewell to Ken Morioka, with whom the Buck-Tick members have been friends since their early 20's, who died suddenly and unexpectedly at the young age of 49 earlier this year (note that Fujii Maki wrote the arrangement as a guest of Buck-Tick.) Wouldn't be surprised if there's a bit of a thought for David Bowie in there as well.
The "it's still early, take me with you" stanza is a reminder to people that those of us who aren't dead yet still have time to fall in love and go on adventures and we should be doing that rather than grieving. "Tabidatsu," the verb Sakurai uses in these lines, is one he's used before when he's sung about new beginnings and flying off on the journey of life. See "Taiji" and "Galaxy."
I only recognise Sawada Kenji because of Oshin star Yuko Tanaka. Was a fan of that series.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the translation and the notes especially. It helps us understand the lyrics and makes us ponder about love, life, death and its procession while listening to the beats of the "parade". It sounded like rain in the beginning and dimmed out at the end. The lyrics, the music and arrangement are just perfect.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your work, you're always the best!
ReplyDeleteThank you for translations, at first I couldn't tone in with the album (first two songs sounded too sci-fi for me), but after reading the lyrics I grew to like the album :) I like the rock and all but the last two songs were sorrowful, almost made me cry at the end of New World.I felt that Sakurai always kept one foot in the other world and it scares the hell out of me :(
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your great work <3 Without you we wouldn't understand even half of the greatness of the BUCK-TICK's lyrics.
ReplyDeleteLove, love your translations, and especially for Atom Miraiha No. 9, and all your translations notes. The Kyoto Rohm Theater performance of their 2016 tour (December) was my first and so far only chance to see Buck-Tick live, and it was really memorable. So from this old lady in the U.S., thanks again for all you do.
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