I was able to acquire a physical copy of Walrus' 光のかけら from a pre-covid trip to Japan and have finally gotten around to re-uploading it to this channel which I have admittedly neglected for too long.
This is a FLAC rip (compressed for YouTube) straight from the original CD and adds an entire new sonic dimension to an already celebrated album.
It's my absolute pleasure to re-upload this Japanese shoegaze/alt-rock classic from 2000. Hope to see you all again soon.
*no website or purchase/download information available*
Released in 2000, 光のカケラ (Hikari no Kakera) is what I consider to be the magnum opus of Japanese shoegaze/post/alternative rock band Walrus. Not to be confused with several other bands of the same name, Walrus take a unique approach to shoegazing by fusing it with alternative and post rock, creating songs of considerable length and breadth. The profile on last.fm states that they were formed in 1997 with lead vocalist/guitarist Akitomo Tanaka writing most of their material. Fitting comfortably in the international shoegaze lull of the late 90s-mid 2000s, Walrus toured with bigger names such as Cruyff in the Bedroom, and appeared at the 2000 Fuji Rock Festival (footage on Youtube if you're interested). Their last (self-titled) album was released in 2004.
On a personal note, I recall clearly the first time I listened to Dyed - the first track I heard by the band. I cried.
Tracklist:
1. 00:00 EXIT
2. 3:44 Hikari no Kakera - 光のカケラ
3. 9:45 Toneriko -トネリコ
4. 16:39 Iro no aru Basho e 色のある場所へ
5. 21:13 Spit
6. 24:59 Tsuki - 月
7. 29:45 Min - 眠
8. 35:17 Wade
9. 40:13 Orange
10. 43:23 Matataki -マタタキ
11. 49:41 DYED
Original audio quality: FLAC (compressed for Youtube)