X Japan - Jealousy (1991) - Diversified but too tame and directionless - 75% (03/11/11)

X Japan's third full length album is probably their most diversified and yet most accessible record. The band has lost some identity on this record and tries to adapt to a slightly more European or American heavy metal and hard rock sound with tracks like the entertaining and dynamic "Desperate Angels" and the commercial hard rock anthem "Joker" that make me a little bit think of Twisted Sister. These songs would have been two excellent single choices for a market outside of Japan.

On the other side, X Japan deliver once again what they already did on their first two ouputs. We have a couple of solid speed metal tracks like the addicting "Stab Me In The Back" and some emotional but too stereotypical standard ballads such as the overlong filler "Voiceless Screaming". The closing piano and string ballad "Say Anything" adds a more epic and symphonic touch to the sound of the band and does a much better job. This is a very touching track if somewhat cheesy and the band convinces on its classic terrain. The problem is that they can't always keep up with the quality of the band's previous hits and feel a little worn out at some points. A true X Japan fan will still enjoy those songs, though.

There are not too many new things to doscover. The most stunning track is without a doubt the surprising and atmospheric gothic sound collage "Love Replica" that was largely influenced by the unforgettable late guitar player Hide. While the idea is intriguing, the song still feels like an alien filler on the record and sounds somewhat unfinished. It's the same thing for the opening instrumental interlude that finishes in a weird hurry. But X Japan always had strange ideas and it's not the first time that they put experimental and unfinished song excerpts on regular studio records. In comparison to previous experiments, the new ones are rather short and a little bit too tame to truly surprise in the end.

From that point of view, the band mixes new Western sound influences with their classic speed metal tracks and hard rock ballads plus a few weird experiments. This is quite diversified and presents us everything one could like about this band but there is a little glimpse of genius and innovation missing to really make this record shine after all. My final rating seems to be severe as this is without a doubt an enjoyable record but it doesn't have the same uniqueness of the two previous works and feels a little bit directionless.