I know L'arc-En-Ciel is a very popular band in Japan, probably to the point of having an overrated status. Lately, however, I've been listening to them, and I'm fairly impressed. They may be a little flamboyant, but the guitarist's tone is incredible and I think HYDE is one of the greatest vocalists in Japan. What do you guys think?

[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVDn2kqEWKE[/url]

[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUFnsOzBdlw[/url]

Hyde definately has a great voice.

I don't like the... timbre of Hyde's voice.
L'arc~en~Ciel just isn't the kind of band I like

Occasionally I'll listen to Lies and Truth, Daybreak's Bell, or (their best song) Caress of Venus, but they're nothing special.

Before I got into the pillows, L'arc was one of my favorite bands. I still occasionally listen to them.

My favorite songs include New World, Stay Away, Driver's High, Blurry Eyes, Lost Heaven, and Link.

EDIT: Also important to add, I don't really like them much at all anymore.

^The only worthwhile thing about L'Arc these days is Ken and Tetsu's prowess at their respected instruments and their songwriting (SHINE was actually a decent song and Ken is pretty much the best songwriter out of the 4). Other than that Yukihiro will never live outside of Sakura's shadow and Hyde is going to end up running the band into the ground since him pitching his god awful VAMPS songs as L'Arc songs is inevitable and its highly unlikely that Ken or Tetsu will be able to polish those turds well enough to make them into something listenable, let alone likable. In my opinion the only good thing they could do is to get off their high horse and get Sakura back, if only for their 20th anniversary. Perhaps then they'll find that spark that once made them a truly impressive band.

Anyways in my opinion their best albums would probably have to be Tierra and REAL (every song in my opinion was solid on that album but unfortunately there is very little love for REAL). My fave songs would have to be Jojoushi, twinkle, twinkle, Bravery, Ibara no Namida (Hyde's ONE GOOD SONG), and White Feathers.

Apparently, these guys are headlining Madison Square Garden in March.

[quote="Tidusauron12"]Apparently, these guys are headlining Madison Square Garden in March.[/quote]

The first Japanese band to headline an event there, and L'arc-En-Ciel is who they pick.

[i]Seriously?[/i]

[quote="Spike"][quote="Tidusauron12"]Apparently, these guys are headlining Madison Square Garden in March.[/quote]

The first Japanese band to headline an event there, and L'arc-En-Ciel is who they pick.

[i]Seriously?[/i][/quote]
Makes sense to me.

L'arc-en-ciel is probably the most popular Japanese band among foreigners and one of the few who would be able to draw enough fans to play at such a large venue. Who else would be able to do it? Probably Ayumi Hamasaki, AKB48, X-JAPAN.
Sadly, this is the kind of Japanese music that is most popular in America. Personally, I'd take L'arc-en-Ciel over the others.

It could be much worse. At least it isn't Gazette, Dir en grey or any of those other terrible visual groups that are popular in America.

I like a couple of their songs, so at least there's that. That said, I would not go see them play, even if I had free tickets. They've turned into a bunch of losers, in my eyes. Can't stand most of what they do these days. If it was Ajikan I might have to make the voyage. Ajikan has been sexy live, recently.

[quote="Mafu"]Who else would be able to do it? [/quote]

AKFG, and a much better job of it.

[quote="Spike"][quote="Mafu"]Who else would be able to do it? [/quote]

AKFG, and a much better job of it.[/quote]
AKG doesn't have anywhere near the foreign fanbase of L'arc-en-Ciel. I could imagine them playing at some kiddie American anime convention, but not to a crowd of 20,000 people.

Can L'arc fill Madison Square Garden? I know they've got more than a few world tours under their belt, but still.

Anyways, it's true. They have much more international success than most Japanese bands. But they still suck. lol

L'Arc's first concert in America was attended by about 12,000 people. Madison Square Garden's concert capacity is about 20,000, so I think they could fill it easily.

I don't particularly like L'Arc-en-Ciel, but I think it's pretty logical and obvious that they would be chosen over other Japanese bands to perform at Madison Square Garden.

I'm not really a fan, but I love their song 'The Fourth Avenue Cafe'. Good stuff.