I Wanted to See Those Parallel Lines Too
Writing this might upset some ELLEGARDEN fans,
but I finally listened to their new album The End Of Yesterday — their first in sixteen years — just this month (April 2024).
My first impression was that it didn’t have the same alternative edge, raw intensity, or that invincible feeling I found in ELEVEN FIRE CRACKERS.
Maybe “lacking” isn’t the right word. Maybe ELLE didn’t lose it — maybe I just can’t sense it the way I used to.
Whatever the reason, the first listen didn’t quite land.
Let me be clear: I’m not a critic. I’m a huge fan.
When ELLE went on hiatus, I remember sitting at my desk at work, feeling like I could cry.
When the HIATUS and MONOEYES started, I devoured everything like a man possessed.
Takeshi Hosomi’s music has saved me more times than I can count. He has spoken the words I couldn’t say myself.
Sixteen years is longer than I ever imagined.
I discovered ELLEGARDEN when I was working part-time at a video editing company,
before going freelance — maybe thirteen or fourteen years ago.
It wasn’t exactly in real time. It was about a year before they went on hiatus.
I knew about them during the Salamander and Jitterbug era,
but for some reason, I never listened back then. (That feels strange now.)
I wanted to photograph a band like this.
When I first started as a photographer — and because I played music myself — I wanted to shoot live shows.
Through introductions and pitching,
I ended up photographing various bands and even doing a bit of work for music magazines.
I was lucky enough to shoot overseas artists too, like Orianthi, Michael Jackson’s former touring guitarist.
For me, ELLEGARDEN was the band that made me think,
“I want to do photography.” Even if I couldn’t become a musician, I wanted to be involved in music somehow.
I never really admired photographers.
This might sound strange coming from a photographer,
but I never had much admiration for photographers as a group.
Many seemed like “difficult people” who talked endlessly about ideology and theory — things I’ve never been interested in.
Even well-known photographers in my own field…
I know almost nothing about them.
In short, that world never appealed to
Sixteen years passed, and naturally, I’m no longer a beginner.
Anxiety.
Impatience.
Fear.
And still, the desire to move forward.
Those feelings from back then were tied to ELEVEN FIRE CRACKERS.
And this time, when I listened to the new album again,
every track hit me in a different way.
Mountain Top, Strawberry Margarita, 10am.
Each one resonated deeply with where I am now.
Place your bets or cash out
ELLEGARDEN – 10am
That one line says everything.
If you’re not willing to play, step off the field —in work, in life.
I wanted to see those parallel lines too.
Even if ELEVEN FIRE CRACKERS had remained a legend, that would have been beautiful in its own way.
I wanted to see that parallel world too.
But the fact that a matured ELLEGARDEN and a matured me could meet again — that feels like a gift.
Once again, thank you for coming back.
ELLEGARDEN, thank you — now and always.
