ADOLESCENCE OF AN ANCIENT WARRIOR

Yes the vocals are awful, sounds like the singer simply cannot sing and/or has no tool for singing. This circumstance would seemingly make any listener lower the rating of the album. On the other hand, the so-called voice of Murata-san is only a little worse than Peter Gabriel's. And all the world praises Gabriel as a great vocalist, lots of younger singers try to imitate him... OK if so, then we must consider Murata's vocal quite acceptable and not influencing on the album rating. As for the melody making, arrangements, instrumentation, album construction, performance and musicianship, I'd say all are top or close to top. Please pay special attention to Low-Value Counting Clock, I think no other 1980s artist developed the traditions of Genesis' Foxtrot so properly and nimbly. And please pay VERY special attention to the last two minutes of Low-Value Counting Clock, that theme is really a great find, it could make the album good even if the remaining music on the album was mediocre. But the other four tracks are also fine. Inventive, often unexpectedly developing, and very traditional, very Foxtrotesque if you allow. I'm not sure that traditionality is always a merit. Rather otherwise. However, the band Ataraxia, during its short creative life, knew very well how to be traditional and distinctive at the same time.