OVERALL RATE: 8/10

GENERAL: ELLEGARDEN�s newest album, RIOT ON THE GRILL, was released on 04.20.05 and runs approximately 30 minutes with a total of ten tracks, three of which were released as singles or b sides. As is common with ELLEGARDEN, seven of the ten songs are completely in English. I would say that this song is worth it, even if it�s only half an hour worth of music. But it�s not like it�ll burn a hole in your pocket anyway, just 2400 yen (approximately $20).

Red Hot: This song is pure ELLEGARDEN in terms of lyrics. The subject deals with everyday life and how the speaker can�t seem to grow up, even though he knows he is supposed to. He just simply wants to have fun with the situation that he�s in and doesn�t seem to be able to do any better than just live in the moment.

Monster: As much as I like understanding the lyrics of songs, I tend to enjoy ELLEGARDEN�s Japanese songs. I can�t say much as to what I think of the lyrics, but the song reminds me of Jitterbug or Starfish, something along that line in terms of sound.

Snake Fighting: In my opinion, this isn�t a very good song. It�s dark(er) and heavy for an ELLEGARDEN song, but I do like the use of a filter. The lyrics also seem mediocre and I just didn�t really like it much. He�s, �just a snake fighting a snake� as the song puts it�

Marry Me: Another ELLEGARDEN song that tells a story. The speaker is at a wedding and wants to ask the bride if she would marry him instead of her groom. The refrain is funny in that you find out what the speaker lacks and what he thinks is important to the opposite sex. �Won�t you marry me if I could be a rich a guy, won�t you marry me if I could be very handsome, won�t you marry me if I could be a tall guy,� etc.

Missing: One of their singles and the second song that is in Japanese. I liked this song when it was released as a single, and as far as I can tell, nothing was changed when it was put on the album. The focus is drawn to the drums during the verses since the guitar plays single notes. Hmm, nothing much else to say about it.

Bored Of Everything: My favorite on this album. I liked the lyrics (simple everyday things), the rhythm with which the words are spoken, and the melody. Another simple thing that gets my attention is the refrain. Basically Hosomi uses the same structure, but will change a couple of words. For example: �So many things I have let go, no doubt wanna do something else� and �So many things I left undone, no doubt wanna be someone else.� These are very simple and basic poetical use of parallel sentence structure, but I enjoy it nonetheless.

TV Maniacs: Another single that doesn�t seem to be changed from its original release. The topic of this song, the disillusionment of an avid TV fan. Another lyrical device Hosomi uses is juxtaposition. Now I don�t know if he consciously puts it in there, happens upon it by luck, or I just read too much into it, but I like the juxtaposition in the refrain: �I know it�s true, nothing�s real,� and �I know it�s true, so many lies.�

Niji: The third song of the album with Japanese only lyrics. Once again, I don�t really know what he is saying in this song, but the fact that it�s in Japanese makes it that much more appealing to me. The fact that it sounds pretty good adds to its enjoyment factor.

I Hate It: Not really. In this song, the speaker hates it when �you� isn�t around, but is trying to figure out if it�s a dream or reality in which the speaker has lost what I can only figure is a girlfriend. That�s basically it, not much to it, not much to like about it either.

BBQ Riot Song: The last track of the CD and seems reminiscent of a song from Bring Your Board. This song gives the meaning behind the title �RIOT ON THE GRILL.� It�s time to enjoy summer, go to the beach and have a barbeque cook out. Don�t be a slave to your papers, throw those homework papers on the grill and start your own little riot on the grill.

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