0079-0088

0079-0088 defines pop/rock: the genre is about taking raw rock elements and using them to construct accessible, listener-friendly compositions, and there's no one to rival Gackt in the ability to do this, possibly not just in Japan, but in the rest of the world as well. It makes even more sense, seeing that 0079-0088 is a Gundam album, based on songs used in the credits of this insanely popular anime meta-series — some written by Gackt himself, some covered by him. It even comes complete with some spoken word samples, but, on the whole, the album religiously adheres to the soundtrack principle — entertain and emotionally captivate without demanding immediate attention. It's nominally hard rock, but the guitar riffs are carefully trimmed in power and balanced with danceable rhythms and keys in the background, their function being to support and emphasize Gackt's smooth, sleek, unnaturally heartfelt voice. It's artificial, no doubt about it — what else to expect from songs about giant battle robots piloted by troubled teenagers? But it's the aural equivalent of the latest Japanese achievement in technology — exceptionally well done, moderately diverse, if not groundbreaking (see the acoustic guitar of "Kimi ga Matteiru Kara," flute in "Mind Forest" or a touch of tough in "Dybbuk") and generally impressive as hell.