I preordered the new album. It's going to rock. I'm pretty tired of Abnormalize and I'm kinda irritated that two of merely nine songs are ones I've already heard before, but the short clips from before the broadcast of the Beautiful Circus video sounded pretty cool.

The new record is out! As expected, it's a chaotic maelstrom of badass power rock. This band does not disappoint.

[quote="ThinlineTele"]The new record is out! As expected, it's a chaotic maelstrom of badass power rock. This band does not disappoint.[/quote]

Yes, it is super badass. My ears were destroyed again! I don't know how they do this album after album. Still a Sigure Virgin was awesome, but this is even more extreme and fast paced. And the progressive nature of their music keeps on going.

Also, am I the only that noticed that 345's bass work has gotten a lot more intricate in general, even from the last record? There was a lot of impressive playing going on here. I love the intricate lines. It reminds me once again, rock musical can be as tastefully dense as some really complex classical musical, and still keep its edge. Call me impressed.

Could use more stylistic evolution, they've fallen into a sort of trope of themselves at this point, like the pillows (but musically way more ballsy, of course). Still good, but after TK's solo album, I know they can go to even more awesome places and want to see it.

I think that TK is basically using his solo work for his more experimental tendencies, while Sigure is focusing on straight-up rock. I think this is a good approach, since the intricate compositions of Flowering wouldn't work as well in a trio format and without the extra instrumentation. Honestly I can't decide whether I like i'mperfect or Flowering more, they're both killer albums.

I'd rather hear Sigure do one thing well from one album to the next instead of selling out (their music is more instrumentally complex than ever) or trying ill-advised attempts at other styles that don't match their band.

If you are improving upon something with every release, I see no need to change styles just cuz. In my opinion, there are many sounds and choices of attack on this album that aren't present in any of Sigure's previous works. As long as they can continue to build on what they have without becoming stale (very far from stale, imo, except for maybe the expectant vocal attack, which hasn't changed much), I'm fine with the overall style staying in the same ballpark.

Those instrumental parts are starting to get pretty epic, imo. Like, for real epic.

TK has a new solo release, Contrast. Not surprisingly, it's really good, especially the first three tracks. You can watch most of the music video [url=http://youtu.be/H-N6tj9pvwE]here.[/url]

I still love i'mperfect. I think I like it more than Sigure Virgin at this point. Beautiful Circus is such an absolutely killer song, Monster is close behind, all the songs are great, really. Sigure's one of the only bands that consistently impresses me with every single release.

Alright, let's get caught up:

TK's Unravel single: Haven't listened to this in forever. Can't remember what any of the songs sound like. Enough said.

TK's Fantastic Magic: Some really great songs, other really boring songs. On the plus side, this feels like he's at least trying to do some different stuff from before, which isn't bad.

Enigmatic Feeling: I still like this one a lot. Much better song than Abnormalize. However, B-side Dynamite Nonsense sucks.

Who what who what: Another really solid single. Feels like a much better take on what the band attempted with Illusion Is Mine.

Es or S EP: Sounds like a rehash of stuff from Sigure's last two albums, but it's executed so well that I don't mind too much. Mirror Frustration and Karma Siren rock.

Earlier albums: I still love i'mperfect. Sigure Virgin has some boring tracks, but the others remain flat-out awesome. Even though I think just A moment gets off to a somewhat weak start, my opinion of this album has really improved over the past few years. It probably has the most nuanced pacing of any Sigure release.

[quote="ThinlineTele"]Enigmatic Feeling: I still like this one a lot. Much better song than Abnormalize. However, B-side Dynamite Nonsense sucks.[/quote]
Pretty much exactly how I felt about this. Abnormalize was cool for a while, but Enigmatic Feeling is a much more solid song IMO.

I haven't listened to the new album yet, but really ought to. Even when they're not breaking new ground, Ling has really sick and ferocious interplay going for them.

Also, not sure which is my favorite these days, #4, Inspiration is DEAD, or Just A moment...they're kind of standout albums in their own way, in my opinion.