First up, like a lot of demo CDs these days, this is very nicely packaged and the recording is definitely at the cleaner end of lo-fi. Both the songs on this CD keep you on your toes, plotting an erratic yet assured course through several tempo changes. Opening track, "Bluesy" lives up to its name with a strong opening guitar hook, then reels you into a more traditional alt-rock verse, shifting gears at will as it builds to a chorus that's pure 2Tone.

Slower and less schizophrenic, "Suiren" is actually in many ways the stronger of the 2 tracks. Sounding like it was plucked straight from Weezer's back catalogue (think "Undone") it flips back and forth between the contemplative tone of the verses and the leisurely noise assault of the chorus. The musicianship is confident and what the vocals lack in punch, they make up in character.

Water Skater can be found on the web at http://www.saturn.dti.ne.jp/~amenbo/ and the CD will set you back one of those big, shiny 500 yen pieces, or the equivalent in coinage of lesser denomination. -Ian Martin, May.09.04

Bluesy (Demo)