Porn to my Ears: Porno Graffiti’s “Hitomi no Oku wo Nozokasete” (Review)

Porno Graffiti has been getting busy for over 11 years now. With eight full-length albums under their belt and numerous singles, the rock group released their milestone 30th single this February, titled “Hitomi no Oku wo Nozokasete,” (“Let me Look Deep Into Your Eyes”) which acts as the theme song for the Japanese drama Shukumei 1969-2010.

I don’t claim to be a Porno Graffiti expert, as, in fact, I’ve only heard a few of their songs from the Fullmetal Alchamist and GTO, but I did look into some of their music before reviewing this single, and I am quite impressed with what I hear. Porno Graffiti doesn’t really sound like your typical Japanese rock group, as many of their songs feature unique ethnic elements and a pop-like sound that sets them apart from other groups, and “Hitomi no Oku wo Nozokasete” is no different.

Hit the jump for our review of Porno Graffiti’s latest single.

“Hitomi no Oku wo Nozokasete” opens briefly with poppy piano chords and a rock organ ala Maroon 5 before violins jump in, quickly changing direction from pop rock to almost Celtic music. The guitars and rock percussion keep the piece grounded in the rock genre, but the violin work definitely creates a different kind of sound. Strings and bells join in during key moments to lend a “starry” edge of Akihito Okano’s rapid-fire vocals, which are mixed in perfectly with all of the instruments. The chorus section has a nice swing to it (the song’s waltzy time signature will have you swaying along), and the bridge section brings back the poppy piano chords from the intro before Haruchi Shindo launches into a sexy guitar solo. It’s definitely an impressive track, and probably my favorite that I’ve heard from the group.

The B-side, titled “Rainbow,” takes a heavier approach which chugging guitars, awesome synth arpeggios, and Okano screaming vocals. Despite the grungy rock elements, the synth accents keep the piece light and airy, which fits with the title of the track. The pause Okano inserts after each phrase creates a nice flow as he builds from almost whispering to full-scream. The song fades out with the synth arpeggio and the sound of a heartbeat.

Despite this being the group’s 30th single, it’s pretty bare. The packaging isn’t much to look at, and there aren’t even instrumental versions of the two tracks (not that you’ll miss them). Still, there are two great singles here from this incredibly prolific rock group from Japan. There are still limited quantities available at CD Japan if you’re interested.

Are you familiar with Porno Graffiti’s 11 year history? What do you think of “Hitomi no Oku wo Nozokasete” and “Rainbow?”