The Maker Speaks
The Renaissance
The End of the Dark Ages of the Alfee?
The End of the Dark Ages of the Alfee?
I believe that most of you have ever heard the Renaissance in some historical classes. The end of the Dark Ages. The beginning of modern times. This is not a historical class, but let me give a little lecture for just a while now. It helps you to get what the Renaissance (The Alfee's 1984 studio album) is, I suppose.
Why do they call it the Dark Ages? First of all, I explain about it. Europe in medieval times was in churches' power. People had nothing to believe in other than religion. They could learn nothing but theology since churches had to keep their dignity. What? It is very simple and all right, are you saying? In those days, forbidden was learning about science, art, history, math, biology and astronomy: every study but theology. That let them make no progress. Their world had been still for hundreds of years. Is it practicable for you (living in the present) to picture that world vividly? Today you are never without a progression. So they call it the Dark Ages doubtlessly. Then revival of studies, art and literature was a historic great event in Europe. It was the Renaissance.
The Alfee is a Japanese pop music trio who made their major debut in 1974, consisting of Sakurai Masaru, Sakazaki Konosuke and Takamizawa Toshihiko. The leader had been taken by Sakazaki till 1982 when Takamizawa replaced. Today he's in charge of the leader. He's written most of the Alfee songs. Why did Sakazaki stop leading them? While he'd been the leader, they didn't make a hit at all. Of course, they had also produced some good songs under the leadership of Sakazaki, but their business had been dull like a butterfly without wings or a wolf without fangs. And it began to go well as soon as Takamizawa assumed the post. He loves heavy metal and hard rock. The Alfee got to hard rock along his taste although they have not defined themselves as a rock band.
Anyway, they reached to stardom after close to a decade of adversity. Still today, many people love and trust them. In this 45 years, they have been active without suspension and dissolution, though countless bands appeared and soon disappeared like lovers of Hikaru Genji. Why have they been so loved by many? I will advert to it later. Let us turn it back to the first half of 1980's. They saw the light after the long dark times. I suppose, therefore, that they named their 1984 studio album the Renaissance. The end of the dark ages. The beginning of the flower. They felt so, I think.
What? Do you feel kind of pity for Sakazaki? Don't worry. He's still playing (his favorite) acoustic guitar on the stage. No matter how hard rock they play, his taste does not fade away. As mentioned above, the Alfee have not defined themselves as a rock band. It means that the Alfee plays any kinds if people long for. They always face the general people. It might be a clue to listen to the Renaissance. It might let you understand why they could be popular and why people have supported them for a long time. Listening is believing, you know.
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Released on July 5, 1984 Pony Canyon |
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01. 孤独の美学 02. 愛の鼓動 03. 真夜中を突っ走れ！ 04. 二人のSEASON 05. 星空のディスタンス (Long Version) 06. GATE OF HEAVEN 07. 鋼鉄の巨人 08. NOBODY KNOWS ME 09. STARSHIP -光を求めて- 10. 永遠の詩 ※Blue lines are my recommendations. Produced by the Alfee |
The Alfee is a Japanese pop music trio who made their major debut in 1974, consisting of Sakurai Masaru, Sakazaki Konosuke and Takamizawa Toshihiko. The leader had been taken by Sakazaki till 1982 when Takamizawa replaced. Today he's in charge of the leader. He's written most of the Alfee songs. Why did Sakazaki stop leading them? While he'd been the leader, they didn't make a hit at all. Of course, they had also produced some good songs under the leadership of Sakazaki, but their business had been dull like a butterfly without wings or a wolf without fangs. And it began to go well as soon as Takamizawa assumed the post. He loves heavy metal and hard rock. The Alfee got to hard rock along his taste although they have not defined themselves as a rock band.
Anyway, they reached to stardom after close to a decade of adversity. Still today, many people love and trust them. In this 45 years, they have been active without suspension and dissolution, though countless bands appeared and soon disappeared like lovers of Hikaru Genji. Why have they been so loved by many? I will advert to it later. Let us turn it back to the first half of 1980's. They saw the light after the long dark times. I suppose, therefore, that they named their 1984 studio album the Renaissance. The end of the dark ages. The beginning of the flower. They felt so, I think.
What? Do you feel kind of pity for Sakazaki? Don't worry. He's still playing (his favorite) acoustic guitar on the stage. No matter how hard rock they play, his taste does not fade away. As mentioned above, the Alfee have not defined themselves as a rock band. It means that the Alfee plays any kinds if people long for. They always face the general people. It might be a clue to listen to the Renaissance. It might let you understand why they could be popular and why people have supported them for a long time. Listening is believing, you know.
・THE ALFEE OFFICIAL WEBSITE (Japanese)
The Best Year of My Life
The Beginning of the End of Off Course
Ninkimono-de Iko
The Popular Undertaken by Southern All Stars
