Do we all ask ourselves this question? If he didn't look like that would the music still move us?
I first saw Hyde on July 4th of last year when I watched Moonchild with my husband. He reminded me of a friend I had in high school--same way of moving, same half smile, same low voice. I kept repeating it all through the film, "He reminds me of Kevin, he reminds me of Kevin." I also made the random comment that if the two leads weren't gay one or both of them had experience wearing dresses. God, help me, I really did. So after the film I did what I always do after films, I went to IMDB. And found out they were popstars. Quick Google search and I saw they really did wear dresses though not perhaps in the way I imagined! Went to some sharing download sites, grabbed some music and videos. Gackt--well my husband thought him the most beautiful, but I kept coming back to Hyde. Much of what I found was L'Arc stuff--pop or mild rock--amusing but not life changing. Then I found some Roentgen and was fascinated. THEN I saw Kasou and Forbidden Lover. And there it was--I had to hear everything, see everything with the strange, exotic, angelic voiced creature. Something about the combination of the voice--the resonance, the range--with the passion he poors into it and the theatrics as well. To this day, I can't decide which it is, the look or the music. The whole package? I do know that I am indifferent to some L'Arc songs until I see them live, and even songs I like are made better by watching him sing (unless he loses the notes--vocal coach, Hyde).
12 comments:
Great essay, Novel!
Moonchild was my first exposure to Hyde, too. Ikuni had become interested in Gackt and wanted to see it.
I liked the movie but I have to admit I was not immediately taken with Hyde. Knowing he was a rock star, I was impressed with his sensitive performance, but I had no interest in finding out more about him (and I blame that, now, on the blonde hair; it took a while for that look to grow on me).
Ikuni, however, was totally smitten, and she asked for the Otakan Smile concert DVD for her birthday. When she got it I sat down and watched it with her. HELLO. Just who was this dynamic performer who possessed such an expressive voice with such ungodly range and who was also so drop dead freakin’ gorgeous?!!?
Well, needless to say, I’ve been a fan ever since, soaking up every bit of music, information and YouTube videos that I can find (or afford, in the case of CD’s).
I absolutely cannot wait to see him live in San Francisco.
P.S.
Also, must add that my interest in Hyde skyrocketed when I found out he was only a few years younger than me (still hard to believe sometimes that he's 37-yrs-old!).
Correction: I did not "want" to see Moonchild I was friggin HELLBENT on seeing Moonchild. (Yeah, was a raging Gackt fanatic at that stage in my J-Rock obsession)
It's weird, I got Moonchild for Gackt and yet was floored by Hyde's outstanding and breathtaking performance (oh, and the fact that the boy is beautiful).
Rebirth went from having a round-the-clock slot in my CD player to being stuck on the shelf under my brand-spankin' new Smile CD Case (the actual CD itself was getting burned to a freakin' crisp from too much repeating in my stereo, I swear if it were a record I'd have burned the grooves off it).
So yeah, it would seem Moonchild's responsible for a great many Hyde converts. Thank you Gakuto-san.
P.S. I like Hyde's blonde hair. Granted, he's better with black or brown hair but I have a soft spot for the blonde. Makes him look like an Angel or a Doll.
Yeah, I have a weak spot for the blonde too--because of Kevin. He was a spiky blonde when I first met him.
Watching him live is so astounding. Say what one will about his being off key occasionally, he has ALWAYS given an amazing show, from Claustrophobia on.
Hope we can get close enough for him to sweat on us.
That reminds me, if Hyde ever gets a vocal coach I will cry and then fly over to Japan and beat him with a stick...not really, but you get my meaning. I think the fact that his voice is untrained is fantastic and I want it to stay that way. Hyde's not allowed to go all Gackt on me.
I like the fact that his voice is untrained, too. It gives it a human quality.
Still, when he occasionally gets "pitchy" in lives it does make me wince a bit.
His recent live performances of Season's Call, though, sound great to me. And I love how open his voice is.
Are you guys fans of David Sylvian? I think I've asked that before. His vocal trajectory is similar to Hyde's. Started out wanting to be punk to combat his beauty. Gave up and went pop, and now, in his 40's is able to do whatever the hell he wants. In the early days he was pretty screechy in concert, then when Japan went pop he was still raw but had better control. When we saw him live a couple of years ago he still had all the vocal variance we loved but enough control to completely fill the club. I was blown away (and actually surprised)by how good his voice was live. I know what you mean about rigorous training--Hyde's gasps and strains are what we love (as opposed to Gackt), but just a little breath control and ear training might help. I think he may be getting some or finally remembering to practice since he sounds so good on the Awake concert.
Oh, and I know what you mean about too much play on the cd player. I'm going to have to rip copies or I'll destroy my originals.
I think it's adorable when Hyde runs out of breath. Like during "Perfect Blue" on the GRAND CROSS concert. Sugoi kawaii!
Again, he better not be getting vocal training. I mean, the fact that he's untrained is one of the many things that makes him so great...and so cool. It also gives me hope since I haven't never really had any real vocal training myself (I tend to not count the 9 classes of musical theatre I take every year as real vocal lessons).
P.S. Oh, and just watch, if he does get/is getting vocal training now haters are going to start saying, "his voice is too trained!" instead of "his voice isn't trained enough!" [insert big roll of the eyes here]
A little ear training wouldn't hurt. Although, actually, it seems he goes a bit flat when he's nervous (thinking of the opening song on the Smile Otakon DVD). It's hard to get on top of a note if you're not relaxed.
About David Sylvian, I was just introduced to him a few weeks ago. Someone told me about his new project Snow Borne Sorrow by Nine Horses. I listened to a few songs and liked what I heard.
Didn't you say that Hyde was influenced by him?
Ok, I'll put my two cents in on how I came to love the music/the man Hyde. I started as an anime junkie about 8 years ago. From there I got hooked on anime soundtracks, and then I moved on to Jpop. Long story short, I bought Japan for Sale Volume 4..and Ready Steady Go was on it. I shamefully admit, at first the song didn't do anything for me...but when I saw the picture of L'Arc in the insert, I said to myself "who is this super hot guy in this group? " Immediately I did major net surfing finding out all I could about Hyde. I was hooked! But I have to say I don't just love his pretty face, I honestly think he is a truly talented artist as well. Since then, I think I have bought just about anything and everything Hyde related on the net I could. Yeah, I have a bit of an addiction I must admit.
Enjoyed reading your comment, Patty!
I like Ready Steady Go but it's not one of my favorite songs of theirs. Although, I do love how they performed it live in Baltimore, especially when Hyde jumped up on the speaker and had to stop singing for a second.
I heard Hyde long before I ever saw him, and I didn't initially think he was attractive, I mean, sort of, but not really. Basically, I was a diehard L'arc fan before becoming a fan of Hyde himself. I still am a diehard L'arc fan. I love all four of them.^^
He has an amazing voice for being untrained (though he has admitted to some in recent years), and really his lack of training only shows in the sometimes off-pitch he gets in lives.
At least, now. Back when they were starting out, it was painfully obvious how untrained he was.
So, basically, for me, Hyde's music has always taken precedence. (and, ugh, I'm glad that acting bug of his wore off. -_-;)
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