When you build your reputation as a guitar virtuoso, people expect you to be able to actually play the guitar. It's pretty simple really.

Album Rating: 3.0

Doesn’t help that Ichika has been chummy with Marcin for awhile now. He just needs to drop the gimmicks and trap beats. His best material is when it’s just him playing the guitar, that’s it.

I like Charles Berthoud's take on it. "I think the bigger creators on these channels do have a bit of a responsibility to set the standards for everyone else. I'd just like him to be more honest with his audience."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WASqUP_xEQM

It does explain why I have to see fan covers to see Illusory Sense played in full. Always thought that was really weird but it's because he can't play it in full lmao

why are the strings so loud on the title track like they overpower the fuck out of the guitars most of the time. like i lost track of the guitars during the climax several times but maybe im just dumb

I think more importantly, what the flying fuck is the moon's elbow?

Probably some crater or other geographical feature on the moon some fuckin nerd thought looked like an elbow if they squinted

I'd bet a soda somebody used chat gpt to come up with that title

Kinda a niche comparison, but I remember when a similar scandal happened years ago with Al Mumin and The Haarp Machine. The dude couldn't play his riffs live and people caught it on video--all after his ego had swelled far beyond its limits.

Do I still really enjoy their album "Disclosure"? Absolutely--the music is great. But just like this guy, it's a transparency issue. If you're going to claim that you are a skilled musician, you better have the skills to back it up. Don't lie to people about what you can or cannot do. Make music all you want but just be honest about it.

almost makes you wonder if these people are even writing their own music or just having someone (or AI) generate a MIDI track they can layer a guitar over to mime to. who knows, still sad lying to people like this though.

I always wonder how many metalcore drummers can actually play the double kick stuff thats on the record. Like, some of that stuff is ridiculously hard.

you know who definitely could was spencer pruitt. mfer was a machine.

I don't doubt ichika can play like a motherfucker, but only in bits and pieces

By that logic I can play guitar like a motherfucker, but only in bits and pieces.

Album Rating: 3.0

I first found out about Ichika when he did that guitar solo feature on Earthists’ Resonating Light and been following his work ever since. Ichika definitely didn’t do himself any favors by labeling some videos as a “live” performance when they were obviously not.

yeah this wouldn't even be an issue if he wasn't claiming to be something he's not. but there's the rub.

Bummer if he's really been "miming," but his punch ins sound leagues above what I could probably do. I have his first signature guitar too - at least it plays well and is plenty real!
This feels like pleasant enough guitar elevator music... but not much else. The vocal tracks are pretty bad. Although I will always dig some Yvette.

I rate Yvette and I'm glad she's started singing more. Her instrumental stuff was nice but very samesy.

"Bummer if he's really been "miming," but his punch ins sound leagues above what I could probably do."

Yeah that's the thing that sucks and I'm sure it's already been said a bunch, but he's already a pretty great guitarist. He's shown that he can play, I'll just never understand writing something above your ability. Lack of honesty hurts so much in the long run

Couldn't care less if the guy struggles to perform live, as long as the songs are compelling.

The songs are not compelling.