“烏の涙” translates to “Tears of the
Eyebrows” according to Google Translate, but I’m sure we’re losing some nuance
there. Not so with side A’s “子供の寂しさが聞こえるか?,” which runs through the algorithm at a
healthy “Can You Hear the Loneliness of Your Child?” This is especially
poignant nowadays with detained families at the U.S./Mexican who are separated
from their children, and indeed the j-card of Shiroishi’s new tape on American
Damage is emblazoned with “Let the migrant children go home to their families.”
I couldn’t agree more. Rapidly fingerpicked acoustic guitar and spoken
entreaties are balanced by restrained notes and whispers. Shiroishi is vigilant
and ready to offer advice and assistance.
Like the A-side, side B’s “夢が消えちゃっても一人じゃない” translates pretty cleanly to “Even If Your
Dream Has Disappeared, You Are Not Alone,” another ten-minute
fingerpicked-guitar-and-vocal runthrough. Talk about a cutting-room-floor GY!BE
title, though! It too connects with additional j-card text, here “Beyond Stone,
Beyond Timeliness, Beats a Steady, Universal Heart.” Riding at times a more
Morricone-esque vibe, Shiroishi ends the track delivering a heart-wrenching
vocal, perhaps a message of hope to anyone the track is intended for. As such,
it closes the powerful “烏の涙” on a glowing note.
--Ryan
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