Gackt - The Seventh Night: Unplugged

By Stormraven24


Artist: Gackt
Title: The Seventh Night Unplugged
Type: Album
Release Date: 05/26/2004
Price: 3150 Yen

My Rating

Songs - 9/10
Transitions - 8/10
Length - 9/10 (57:25)
Song Quality - 10/10
Overall - 9.5/10

Review

This is a very nice change from the pure studio recordings that Gackt has done over the years. Every song has a more down-to-earth feel than his previous albums due to the simple fact that he and his band use acoustic instruments. Some are lent more power when a minimum of instruments is used, as is the case with Last Song where it’s only Gackt and the piano. There are some aspects of the album that seemed odd to me (abrupt endings and transitions, for example), but I really really liked this CD! After listening to Mars first and then this album, I have to say that Gackt’s songs have greatly improved, especially now that he has narrowed his voice to a semi-constant pitch and tone, unlike Mars where I was unsure if it was still him singing.

Track Listing

1) Kimi no Tame ni Dekiru Koto
This is a very cute, very innocent-feeling song. At the beginning of the final repetition of the chorus, you can clearly hear Gackt’s energy that he normally keeps so reserved. 10/10

2) Mind Forest
A slow-paced song that showcases Gackt’s ability to go from laid back to passionate with his music. The chorus has a little more vigor than the rest of the song and it ends kind of quickly, but it’s still a good listen. 9/10

3) Kimi ga Matteiru Kara
Another slow-paced track that evokes more emotion than the previous track (in my opinion). 10/10

4) Hoshi no Suna
Another moving song that fits well with the previous two tracks. IT almost sounds as if he is really close to tears near the end. However, slow songs are beginning to get repetitive on the album. It also ends quite abruptly for my taste. It’s a beautiful song, but I’m ready for some more up-beat pieces at this point. 9/10

5) Kono Daremo Inai Heya de
This is where the album begins to take on a more energetic pace. It’s still pretty laid back, but it’s slightly faster-paced and more passionate than the previous tracks. He really goes all-out in the final minute of the song, both vocally and on the piano. My only problem was that the final seconds of the piano seemed like overkill and there is a delay before the next track begins that was strange. 8/10

6) U+K
A relatively short (the shortest on the album at 2:29) instrumental piece that reminds me of a classical composition. It gives off a very sweet air that is missing from most of the other tracks (the rest are more bittersweet if anything). It seems to be a bit out of place among all the other songs, especially being placed before the next track, but knowing of Gackt’s love of classical music it really didn’t surprise me that he included it here. 9/10

7) Papa Lapped a Pap Lopped
I have no idea what Gackt was thinking when he came up with that title (from what I understand, he has said that an American would know what it meant; I’m American born-and-bred and I have a couple theories as to what it means, but I have no real clue), but this is a high-energy piece that gets everybody hyped-up for the next track. It also has a very passionate, erotic quality that is enhanced with the wonderful Spanish-sounding guitar. It’s a bit short at just under three minutes, but it’s definitely one of my favorites from Gackt. 10/10

8) Mirror
This wasn’t one of my favorites from Gackt when I first heard it, but after hearing this version (complete with audience participation) I now appreciate it a little more. After listening to it multiple times, I realized that it was nice to see a change in this direction for Gackt. His livelier songs are some of my favorites as it wouldn’t seem odd if you were to hear them in a club or at a party (I love songs like that). This is one of those songs. 9/10

9) Uncertain Memory
Opening with very deep chords and launching into the song with little vocal build-up beforehand, this isn’t one of my all-time favorites, but it’s still a good song for the album. More emotion from Gackt in this track makes it a decent listen, but not necessarily one that I’d put on repeat. 8/10

10) Kimi ga Oikaketa Yume
Another sweet-sounding song that is another of my favorites from Gackt. This is the longest piece on the album at 7:05, and one that I can listen to over and over again, as well as the next track. 10/10

11) Last Song
This song is for anyone who says that Gackt can’t show emotion through his songs. While the studio version is more of tear-jerker (especially the video), the acoustic one is just as powerful and poignant. It is a very beautiful, haunting, moving piece that is a great ending for the album. The final notes on the piano also serve to make this song as gorgeous as it is. 10/10

Where Can You Buy the CD?

YesAsia

CD Japan

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