L'Arc~en~Ciel Album: “True [Japan]”

This album is a showcase of the band's talent as I see it. Some of their most diverse and unique songs came from this album and all the songs are fantastic. It'd be their best album if it weren't for "Tierra" (surprisingly even better!)

However, this is the band at their lightest and most playful. Many of the songs are quite "pop" and some go a little too far perhaps ("I Wish", I'm looking at you). But nonetheless, the quality and care in every song is astonishing. Even the b-sides to the singles for this album were all really good - it was like the band just couldn't screw up at this point.

While all the songs are good, the three singles are my favorite. "flower" is absolutely classic and one of their best songs ever; the melody is simply timeless. It received the most votes of any song when fans voted for their favorite singles for "Clicked Singles Best 13", meaning it's probably the most popular L'Arc song ever.

"Lies and Truth" has an extended ending on the album and it's even better than before. This is a really catchy pop tune by ken featuring string and horn accompaniment, making for one of the most memorable melodies the band has ever put out. "kimi ga mienakute, mienakute, nando mo yobikakeru yo..."

"kaze ni kienaide" has been altered as well from the single. The sound has been cleaned up a bit and the guitar intro was removed, for reasons unknown. I really loved that intro, I wish they would've kept it. But otherwise, this song is as great as ever. In an otherwise dry time for him, tetsu made this one masterpiece of a song.

Of the non-singles, "Caress of Venus" is my favorite. This is a really catchy dance number, but with serious tones overlapping it (like all L'Arc songs that seem happy at first). Melody is not forgotten and this ends up being one of their finest pop songs ever. Way to go ken.

The rest are all great, too. It's hard to go without mentioning "good morning Hide" or "Fare Well", but I'll try to keep this short. Basically, this IS L'Arc~en~Ciel. This is them at their peak. Even though it's almost an entirely pop album, few of their "serious" albums have the same high level of quality.

Whether you're a new or old fan make "True" a part of your collection. You simply can't go without it and call yourself a L'Arc fan.

I own every CD by L'Arc~en~ciel and True is definately my favorite. It is the last album with Sakura still in it as a band member, so it has a little bit of their earlier music style. Personally I like the earlier L'Arc songs better--like the albums Heavenly and Tierra (Dune is ok), I prefer them over Ark, Ray, and Real. True is sort of in the middle chronologically, so L'arc is more developed as a band, but not quite influenced as much by new pop styles that they've developed recently. Kaze ni Kienaide, Fourth Avenue Cafe, Caress of Venus, Flower, and Lies and Truth are great songs. If you like L'Arc, you definately have to get this CD!!!

L'Arc~en~Ciel has to be my favorite band and this was another great album... It gave me a little taste of nostalgia for their old days. Most of the songs on the album have a sort of poppish-rock flavor without being too sickly sweet... ^_^" Pretty different from their newer stuff but it's all great. Hyde's voice especially stands out and I would argue that he's one of the best singers I've heard (regardless of language or country). I thought the very best songs were Farewell, Flower, Kaze ni kienaide, and I wish... and then I was completely captivated by Dearest Love. Right from the beginning, it grabbed me with its ethereal quality and dazzled me through the incredible vocals (no surprise), the violin solo, and the gorgeous falsetto at the end. *____* Probably my favorite L'Arc song to date... This is a great album, with some of L'Arc's classics... don't miss it!

how L'Arc has managed to stay in the music business and continue to put out excellent music. On this cd "True" every band member has a hand in something either in the making of the music or writing the lyrics for a particular song. Sadly, this was the last L'Arc-En-Ciel album with Sakura in it. But just like all previous cds that i've bought by them. They continue to grow and spread their wings as a band with some fine music. Just listen to Fare Well and Caress of Venus or Flower for evidence of that growth.

It does have a light, playful feel to the album. It doesnt detract from the cd overall and its actually a good thing. Because you get to see L'Arc express themselves in a different way this time around on True. It is one of their earlier cds but it still holds its weight against their later work which i rather enjoy quite a bit personally. Regardless if you decide to either buy this cd, one of their other cds (Ray, Tierra) or one of L'Arc-En-Ciel's later cds (Smile, Awake or their latest Kiss). You simply can't go wrong with whatever you decide to buy, but be prepared because once you get on the L'Arc express.

You won't want to stop it at anytime. Excellent overall cd and 10 songs chock full of fun, expressive and energy filled music.

If you got here by accident, you are so lucky to know a great Japanese rock band, L'Arc-en-Ciel. This album, True, is one of the coolest CDs which they produced ever. All songs will let you know how beautiful their songs are. I would recommend "Fare Well","Round and Round","flower","Lies and Truth" and you will like more!!! Hyde(Vocal) sings softly and sometimes powerfully. He uses quite beatiful falsetto in the songs. "True" will take you to a visionary world with its beautiful melody. I can assure you that it is "true".