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{{Infobox single |
{{Infobox song
| Name = Sen to Rei
| name = Sen to Rei
| Cover = Sentorei.jpg
| cover = Sentorei.jpg
| Alt = A park at night time with stylized white dots in the foreground.
| alt = A park at night time with stylized white dots in the foreground.
| Caption =
| type = single
| Artist = [[Sakanaction]]
| artist = [[Sakanaction]]
| Album = [[Shin-shiro (album)|Shin-shiro]]
| album = [[Shin-shiro (album)|Shin-shiro]]
| Released = {{start date|2008|11|12}}<br /><small>(see [[#Release history|release history]])</small>
| released = {{start date|2008|11|12}}
| recorded = 2008
| Format = [[CD Single]], [[Paid download|digital download]]
| Genre = [[new wave music|new wave]], [[rock music|rock]]
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = [[New wave music|New wave]], [[rock music|rock]]
| Language = [[Japanese language|Japanese]]
| length = {{Duration|m=3|s=51}}
| label = [[Victor Entertainment|BabeStar Label]]
| Length = {{Duration|m=3|s=51}}
| Label = [[Victor Entertainment|BabeStar Label]]
| writer = [[Ichiro Yamaguchi]]
| Recorded = 2008
| producer = Sakanaction
| prev_title = [[Night Fishing Is Good]]
| Writer = Ichiro Yamaguchi
| prev_year = 2007
| Producer = Sakanaction
| next_title = [[Native Dancer (song)|Native Dancer]]
| Last single = "Night Fishing Is Good"<br/>(2007)
| next_year = 2009
| This single = "'''Sen to Rei'''"<br/>(2008)
| Next single = "[[Native Dancer (song)|Native Dancer]]"<br />(2009)
| Misc =
}}
}}


{{nihongo|"'''Sen to Rei'''"|セントレイ||"1000 & 0"|lead=yes}} is a song by Japanese band [[Sakanaction]]. It was released as a [[paid download|digital download]] on November 12, 2008, and on December 10 was released as the band's first physical [[CD single]].<ref name="Release">{{cite web | title=サカナクション新曲タイトルにちなんで千円ライブ | url=http://natalie.mu/music/news/10908 | publisher=Natalie |date=November 12, 2008 |language=Japanese | accessdate=February 17, 2015}}</ref>
{{nihongo|"'''Sen to Rei'''"|セントレイ||"1000 & 0"|lead=yes}} ({{IPA|ja|seɴ to ɾeː}}) is a song by Japanese band [[Sakanaction]]. It was released as a [[paid download|digital download]] on November 12, 2008, and on December 10 was released as the band's first physical [[CD single]].<ref name="Release">{{cite web | title=サカナクション新曲タイトルにちなんで千円ライブ | url=http://natalie.mu/music/news/10908 | publisher=Natalie |date=November 12, 2008 |language=Japanese | accessdate=February 17, 2015}}</ref>


== Background and development ==
== Background and development ==


''Shin-shiro'' was the band's first album after joining the main [[Victor Entertainment]] roster and signing a contract with management group Hipland Management.<ref name="RockingOn">{{cite web | url=http://ro69.jp/feat/sakanaction_201109?p=3 | title=特集 サカナクション | language=Japanese |author=Shinji Hyogo |publisher=Rockin' On Japan |year=2011 | accessdate=February 17, 2015}}</ref> In Spring 2009, the band moved to Tokyo from Hokkaido.<ref name="Excite-pt1">{{cite web | url=http://www.excite.co.jp/music/close_up/0901_sakana/ | title=サカナクション インタビュー | language=Japanese |author=Masaki Mugikura |publisher=Excite |date=January 1, 2009 | accessdate=February 26, 2015}}</ref> The album was primarily created by band members in vocalist Ichiro Yamaguchi's apartment in [[Kawasaki, Kanagawa]].<ref name="SakanaLocksRecreation">{{cite web | url=http://www.tfm.co.jp/lock/sakana/index.php?blogid=4&archive=2012-12-10 | title=レクリエーション | language=Japanese |author=Ichiro Yamaguchi |publisher=Tokyo FM |date=December 12, 2012 | accessdate=February 24, 2015 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20150224043756/http://www.tfm.co.jp/lock/sakana/index.php?blogid=4&archive=2012-12-10 |archivedate=February 24, 2015}}</ref>
''Shin-shiro'' was the band's first album after joining the main [[Victor Entertainment]] roster and signing a contract with management group Hipland Management.<ref name="RockingOn">{{cite magazine |url=http://ro69.jp/feat/sakanaction_201109?p=3 |title=特集 サカナクション |language=Japanese |author=Shinji Hyogo |magazine=[[Rockin' On Japan]] |year=2011 |accessdate=February 17, 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217183812/http://ro69.jp/feat/sakanaction_201109?p=3 |archivedate=February 17, 2015 }}</ref> In Spring 2009, the band moved to Tokyo from Hokkaido.<ref name="Excite-pt1">{{cite web | url=http://www.excite.co.jp/music/close_up/0901_sakana/ | title=サカナクション インタビュー | language=Japanese |author=Masaki Mugikura |publisher=Excite |date=January 1, 2009 | accessdate=February 26, 2015}}</ref> The album was primarily created by band members in vocalist [[Ichiro Yamaguchi]]'s apartment in [[Kawasaki, Kanagawa]].<ref name="SakanaLocksRecreation">{{cite web | url=http://www.tfm.co.jp/lock/sakana/index.php?blogid=4&archive=2012-12-10 | title=レクリエーション | language=Japanese |author=Ichiro Yamaguchi |publisher=Tokyo FM |date=December 12, 2012 | accessdate=February 24, 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150224043756/http://www.tfm.co.jp/lock/sakana/index.php?blogid=4&archive=2012-12-10 |archivedate=February 24, 2015}}</ref>


Before the band had moved to Tokyo in the spring of 2009, the song "Adventure" was originally planned to be the leading single from the album, in the place of "Sen to Rei".<ref name="Towerw2-pt4">{{cite web | url=http://tower.jp/article/interview/2009/01/15/100041046/100041049 | title=サカナクション(4) | language=Japanese |author=Mayumi Tsuchida |publisher=Tower Records |date=January 15, 2009 | accessdate=February 26, 2015}}</ref> "Adventure" was written by Yamaguchi to consciously give the band a more accessible sound.<ref name="HotExp3">{{cite web | url=http://www.hotexpress.co.jp/interview/sakanaction_090121/sakanaction_article03.html | title=『サカナクション』 SPECIAL INTERVIEW | language=Japanese |author=Tetsuo Hiraga |publisher=Hot Express |date=January 21, 2009 | accessdate=February 26, 2015}}</ref> Yamaguchi had intended to make music that blended underground and "high entertainment" pop music sounds on the band's first two studio albums, ''[[Go to the Future]]'' (2007) and ''[[Night Fishing (album)|Night Fishing]]'' (2008), however found that the band was predominantly seen as more underground than pop.<ref name="VictorSenInt">{{cite web | url=http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/chvi/sakanaction/ | title=INTERVIEW | language=Japanese |author=Hiroko Takahashi |publisher=Victor Entertainment | accessdate=February 26, 2015}}</ref><ref name="Bounce">{{cite web | url=http://www.bounce.com/article/article.php/4828 | title=スペシャル サカナクション | language=Japanese |author=Mayumi Tsuchida |publisher=Victor Entertainment |date=December 11, 2008 | accessdate=February 26, 2015 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20081217124233/http://www.bounce.com/article/article.php/4828 |archivedate=December 17, 2008}}</ref> Yamaguchi realized that in order to balance underground and "entertainment"-based pop music styles better, he needed to add more entertaining aspects.<ref name="Bounce"/><ref name="Towerw1-pt3">{{cite web | url=http://tower.jp/article/interview/2009/01/08/100041042/100041044 | title=サカナクション(3) | language=Japanese |author=Mayumi Tsuchida |publisher=Tower Records |date=January 8, 2009 | accessdate=February 26, 2015}}</ref> Yamaguchi considered "Adventure" the first step towards this sound, and challenged themselves to develop their popular sound more in "Sen to Rei".<ref name="HotExp3"/><ref name="Bounce"/> "Sen to Rei" became crucial to the creation of ''Shin-shiro'', as the band created the entire album in response to the song, considering what aspects of Sakanaction's sound should listeners who had heard "Sen to Rei" hear, in order to experience all of Sakanction.<ref name="Towerw2-pt2">{{cite web | url=http://tower.jp/article/interview/2009/01/15/100041046/100041047 | title=サカナクション(2) | language=Japanese |author=Mayumi Tsuchida |publisher=Tower Records |date=January 15, 2009 | accessdate=February 26, 2015}}</ref>
Before the band had moved to Tokyo in the spring of 2009, the song "Adventure" was originally planned to be the leading single from the album, in the place of "Sen to Rei".<ref name="Towerw2-pt4">{{cite web | url=http://tower.jp/article/interview/2009/01/15/100041046/100041049 | title=サカナクション(4) | language=Japanese |author=Mayumi Tsuchida |publisher=Tower Records |date=January 15, 2009 | accessdate=February 26, 2015}}</ref> "Adventure" was written by Yamaguchi to consciously give the band a more accessible sound.<ref name="HotExp3">{{cite web | url=http://www.hotexpress.co.jp/interview/sakanaction_090121/sakanaction_article03.html | title=『サカナクション』 SPECIAL INTERVIEW | language=Japanese | author=Tetsuo Hiraga | publisher=Hot Express | date=January 21, 2009 | accessdate=February 26, 2015 | archive-date=March 7, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307041819/http://www.hotexpress.co.jp/interview/sakanaction_090121/sakanaction_article03.html | url-status=dead }}</ref> Yamaguchi had intended to make music that blended underground and "high entertainment" pop music sounds on the band's first two studio albums, ''[[Go to the Future]]'' (2007) and ''[[Night Fishing (album)|Night Fishing]]'' (2008), however found that the band was predominantly seen as more underground than pop.<ref name="VictorSenInt">{{cite web | url=http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/chvi/sakanaction/ | title=INTERVIEW | language=Japanese |author=Hiroko Takahashi |publisher=Victor Entertainment | accessdate=February 26, 2015}}</ref><ref name="Bounce">{{cite web | url=http://www.bounce.com/article/article.php/4828 | title=スペシャル サカナクション | language=Japanese |author=Mayumi Tsuchida |publisher=Victor Entertainment |date=December 11, 2008 | accessdate=February 26, 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217124233/http://www.bounce.com/article/article.php/4828 |archivedate=December 17, 2008}}</ref> Yamaguchi realized that in order to balance underground and "entertainment"-based pop music styles better, he needed to add more entertaining aspects.<ref name="Bounce"/><ref name="Towerw1-pt3">{{cite web | url=http://tower.jp/article/interview/2009/01/08/100041042/100041044 | title=サカナクション(3) | language=Japanese |author=Mayumi Tsuchida |publisher=Tower Records |date=January 8, 2009 | accessdate=February 26, 2015}}</ref> Yamaguchi considered "Adventure" the first step towards this sound, and challenged themselves to develop their popular sound more in "Sen to Rei".<ref name="HotExp3"/><ref name="Bounce"/> "Sen to Rei" became crucial to the creation of ''Shin-shiro'', as the band created the entire album in response to the song, considering what aspects of Sakanaction's sound should listeners who had heard "Sen to Rei" hear, in order to experience all of Sakanction.<ref name="Towerw2-pt2">{{cite web | url=http://tower.jp/article/interview/2009/01/15/100041046/100041047 | title=サカナクション(2) | language=Japanese |author=Mayumi Tsuchida |publisher=Tower Records |date=January 15, 2009 | accessdate=February 26, 2015}}</ref>


The single was the group's final release with BabeStar Label, before they moved onto [[Victor Entertainment]]'s main roster. It was also the start of their relationship with stylist Hisashi "Momo" Kitazawa.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://white-screen.jp/?p=9540 | title=北澤“momo”寿志と田中裕介が語る、サカナクションのMV「バッハの旋律を夜に聴いたせいです。」 | language=Japanese |publisher=White Screen |date=August 19, 2011 | accessdate=February 26, 2015}}</ref>
The single was the group's final release with BabeStar Label, before they moved onto [[Victor Entertainment]]'s main roster. It was also the start of their relationship with stylist Hisashi "Momo" Kitazawa.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://white-screen.jp/?p=9540 | title=北澤"momo"寿志と田中裕介が語る、サカナクションのMV「バッハの旋律を夜に聴いたせいです。」 | language=Japanese | publisher=White Screen | date=August 19, 2011 | accessdate=February 26, 2015 | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427232811/http://white-screen.jp/?p=9540 | archivedate=April 27, 2015 }}</ref>

== Composition ==
{{Listen |filename=Sakanaction - Sen to Rei.ogg|title="Sen to Rei"|description=Critics noted the changing vocals in the chorus of "Sen to Rei", and praised the song's dynamic sound.| format=[[Ogg]]}}

"Sen to Rei" is a song recorded in [[common time]], with a major key of E and set at a tempo of 132 [[beats per minute]].<ref name="Sakanaensemble2007">{{cite book |title=Sakana Ensemble 2007-2009 |author=Sakanaction|year=2012 | language=Japanese |publisher=Doremi Music Pub. Co., Ltd |publication-date=September 12, 2012 |pages=170–183 |location=Tokyo |isbn=978-4285134674}}</ref> It begins with an [[instrumental]] [[introduction (music)|introduction]], including guitars, bass guitars, keyboards and drums, with a strong "guitar rock" sound mixes with synthesizers.<ref name="Sakanaensemble2007"/><ref name="RockinOn"/><ref name="CDJ"/> The verses begin with a chord progression of C{{music|sharp}}m-A-Am-E, while the chorus begins with an Am-Emaj<sub>7</sub>-G{{music|sharp}}m-E-A progression.<ref name="Sakanaensemble2007"/>

The song's lyrics are written entirely in Japanese. The song's protagonist walks around at night-time, [[jet lag]]ged after a night flight and "escaping the saddening night".<ref name="Sakanaensemble2007"/> He discovers he can see an "intertwined world" after counting to 1,000 on his hand.<ref name="Sakanaensemble2007"/> The final [[stanza]] of the lyrics discusses spatial dimensions: how "on the other side of 1000 and 0, and lines and points" he is a layered world, connecting him to another person.<ref name="Sakanaensemble2007"/>


== Writing and production ==
== Writing and production ==
[[File:Tesseract2.gif|thumb|The song was inspired by Yamaguchi's ideas on [[four-dimensional space]] (pictured: a [[tesseract]]).]]
{{Listen |filename=Sakanaction - Sen to Rei.ogg|title="Sen to Rei"|description=Critics noted the changing vocals of the chorus of "Sen to Rei", and praised the song's dynamic sound. |format=[[Ogg]]}}

"Sen to Rei" was composed by Yamaguchi on the acoustic guitar, and was originally a much more sad and sentimental song.<ref name="ListenInterview">{{cite web | url=http://listen.jp/store/musictopics_2369.htm | title=話題のテクノ・ロックバンド、サカナクションが3rdアルバム発表! | language=Japanese |publisher=Listen Japan | accessdate=May 3, 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100323042034/http://listen.jp/store/musictopics_2369.htm |archivedate=March 23, 2010}}</ref> For ''Shin-shiro'''s album sessions, vocalist Yamaguchi tried a different approach to creating songs: after making the basic melody and lyrics, he assigned each of the members of Sakanction to a create a demo for one song each, and then developed the songs together.<ref name="HotExp2">{{cite web | url=http://www.hotexpress.co.jp/interview/sakanaction_090121/sakanaction_article02.html | title=『サカナクション』 SPECIAL INTERVIEW | language=Japanese | author=Tetsuo Hiraga | publisher=Hot Express | date=January 21, 2009 | accessdate=February 26, 2015 | archive-date=December 26, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226024203/http://www.hotexpress.co.jp/interview/sakanaction_090121/sakanaction_article02.html | url-status=dead }}</ref> Kusakari was working on "Sen to Rei", and was the fastest to finish her demo, and the only member to bring a fully completed demo to her meeting with Yamaguchi.<ref name="Towerw3-pt1">{{cite web | url=http://tower.jp/article/interview/2009/01/22/100041050 | title=サカナクション | language=Japanese |author=Mayumi Tsuchida |publisher=Tower Records |date=January 22, 2009 | accessdate=February 26, 2015}}</ref> Yamaguchi asked Kusakari to make a "guitar rock"-style song, and asked her to make a song that teenagers would enjoy listening to.<ref name="Towerw3-pt1"/><ref name="Barks-yoji">{{cite web | url=http://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000045831 | title=サカナクション、「セントレイ」は4次元妄想プレイ | language=Japanese |publisher=Barks |date=December 21, 2008 | accessdate=February 24, 2015}}</ref>


The demo that Kusakari produced was much more rock than Yamaguchi had intended, as Yamaguchi had wanted to balance pop music with Sakanaction's underground dance sound.<ref name="VictorSenInt"/><ref name="Barks-yoji"/> Eventually the band created a hybrid sound for the song, mixing guitar-based rock and [[electronica]].<ref name="Barks-yoji"/> The process of creating a guitar-based rock song reminded Kusakari of her teenager years before joining Sakanaction, when she performed in rock and punk bands in Sapporo.<ref name="Towerw3-pt1"/> One of the techniques used by the band to make the song more pop was to increase the tempo to 138 BPM.<ref name="VictorSenInt"/> Yamaguchi initially felt embarrassed that the band were able to create such a pop song, however after the song's release found that the band's audience responded well to the style, the band integrated the pop style found on "Sen to Rei" into the band's music, eventually becoming a central part of Sakanaction's musical identity.<ref name="ExciteInterviewID">{{cite web | title=サカナクション インタビュー | url=http://www.excite.co.jp/music/close_up/interview/1008_sakanaction/ |language=Japanese | author=Yuichi Hirayama |date=August 6, 2010 | publisher=Excite Japan | accessdate=August 29, 2015}}</ref>
For ''Shin-shiro'''s album sessions, vocalist Yamaguchi tried a different approach to creating songs: after making the basic melody and lyrics, he assigned each of the members of Sakanction to a create a demo for one song each, and then developed the songs together.<ref name="HotExp2">{{cite web | url=http://www.hotexpress.co.jp/interview/sakanaction_090121/sakanaction_article02.html | title=『サカナクション』 SPECIAL INTERVIEW | language=Japanese |author=Tetsuo Hiraga |publisher=Hot Express |date=January 21, 2009 | accessdate=February 26, 2015}}</ref> Kusakari was working on "Sen to Rei", and was the fastest to finish her demo, and the only member to bring a fully completed demo to her meeting with Yamaguchi.<ref name="Towerw3-pt1">{{cite web | url=http://tower.jp/article/interview/2009/01/22/100041050 | title=サカナクション | language=Japanese |author=Mayumi Tsuchida |publisher=Tower Records |date=January 22, 2009 | accessdate=February 26, 2015}}</ref> Yamaguchi asked Kusakari to make a "guitar rock"-style song, and asked her to make a song that teenagers would enjoy listening to.<ref name="Barks-yoji">{{cite web | url=http://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000045831 | title=サカナクション、「セントレイ」は4次元妄想プレイ | language=Japanese |publisher=Barks |date=December 21, 2008 | accessdate=February 24, 2015}}</ref><ref name="Towerw3-pt1">{{cite web | url=http://tower.jp/article/interview/2009/01/22/100041050 | title=サカナクション | language=Japanese |author=Mayumi Tsuchida |publisher=Tower Records |date=January 22, 2009 | accessdate=February 26, 2015}}</ref>


The demo that Kusakari produced was much more rock than Yamaguchi had intended, as Yamaguchi had wanted to balance pop music with Sakanction's underground dance sound.<ref name="Barks-yoji"/><ref name="VictorSenInt"/> Eventually the band created a hybrid sound for the song, mixing guitar-based rock and [[electronica]].<ref name="Barks-yoji"/> The process of creating a guitar-based rock song reminded Kusakari of her teenager years before joining Sakanaction, when she performed in rock and punk bands in Sapporo.<ref name="Towerw3-pt1"/> One of the techniques used by the band to make the song more pop was to increase the tempo to 138 BPM.<ref name="VictorSenInt"/> Yamaguchi's lyrics for the song were inspired by space and space in the style of the manga ''[[Galaxy Express 999]]''.<ref name="Bounce"/> He based his lyrics on his ideas of what [[four-dimensional space]] would be like, considering the fourth dimension to be imagination running inside minds. The use of a large number and a number used to represent nothingness in the title "Sen to Rei" was meant to express the relative difference between each spacial dimension: changing from a single point, to a line, to a 3D object.<ref name="VictorSenInt"/>
Yamaguchi's lyrics for the song were inspired by space and space in the style of the manga ''[[Galaxy Express 999]]''.<ref name="Bounce"/> He based his lyrics on his ideas of what [[four-dimensional space]] would be like, considering the fourth dimension to be imagination running inside minds. The use of a large number and a number used to represent nothingness in the title "Sen to Rei" was meant to express the relative difference between each spatial dimension: changing from a single point, to a line, to a 3D object.<ref name="VictorSenInt"/>


The band created the three tracks on "Sen to Rei"'s physical single to complement each other, in the style of an [[extended play]] more so than a stand alone single track with [[B-side]]s.<ref name="Bounce"/> While "Sen to Rei" was written attempting to bridge popular and underground sounds, "Ame(A)" was written as a stright pop song, and "Modokashii Hibi" as an underground song.<ref name="VictorSenInt"/> "Ame(A)" was an attempt by the band to create a "pop Sakanaction" sound, where Yamaguchi attempted to create story-like lyrics, and the band worked on a 1970s [[kayōkyoku]]-inspired retro sound.<ref name="VictorSenInt"/><ref name="Bounce"/> "Modokashii Hibi" featured aspects of the band's sound that were not present in "Sen to Rei" that they wanted to show off to new listeners.<ref name="Bounce"/> The recording features the sound of a metal bucket that Yamaguchi purchased. Part way through recording, the bucket's handle broke off, and this sound as well as Iwadera laughing were included in the final mix of the song.<ref name="VictorSenInt"/>
Originally the band did not intend to release "Sen to Rei" as a physical single, but during its production they realized that the song was more appropriate to be released as a single, rather than simply as an album track.<ref name="ListenInterview"/> The band created the three tracks on the physical single to complement each other, in the style of an [[extended play]] more so than a stand-alone single track with [[B-side]]s.<ref name="Bounce"/><ref name="ListenInterview"/> While "Sen to Rei" was written attempting to bridge popular and underground sounds, "Ame (A)" was written as a straightforward pop song, and "Modokashii Hibi" as an underground song.<ref name="VictorSenInt"/> "Ame (A)" was an attempt by the band to create a "pop Sakanaction" sound, where Yamaguchi attempted to create story-like lyrics, and the band worked on a 1970s [[kayōkyoku]]-inspired retro sound.<ref name="VictorSenInt"/><ref name="Bounce"/> "Modokashii Hibi" featured aspects of the band's sound that were not present in "Sen to Rei" that they wanted to show off to new listeners.<ref name="Bounce"/> The recording features the sound of a metal bucket that Yamaguchi purchased. Part way through recording, the bucket's handle broke off, and this sound as well as Iwadera laughing were included in the final mix of the song.<ref name="VictorSenInt"/>


== Promotion and release ==
== Promotion and release ==


The song was first unveiled during the band's festival performance at the [[Rising Sun Rock Festival]] in [[Otaru]] on August 16, 2008.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000045090 | title=サカナクション、初シングル「セントレイ」レコ発ツアー決定 | language=Japanese |publisher=Barks |date=November 20, 2008 | accessdate=February 24, 2015}}</ref> The song was promoted on the [[Toyama Television]] program ''BBT Music Selection'' as its opening theme music, and was put into heavy rotation by the [[Nippon TV]] music program ''Music Fighter''.<ref name="CDJSen">{{cite web | url=http://artist.cdjournal.com/d/-/4108092092 | title=サカナクション / セントレイ [限定] | language=Japanese |publisher=CDJournal | accessdate=February 24, 2015}}</ref> The song was put into heavy rotation by music stations across Japan in December, and the music video in heavy rotation by MTV Japan.<ref name="VictorNews">{{cite web | url=http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/-/Information/A020936.html | title=Information | language=Japanese |publisher=Victor Entertainment | accessdate=February 24, 2015 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20081218152619/http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/-/Information/A020936.html |archivedate=February 24, 2015}}</ref> Sakanaction made radio appearances in December, on [[FM Osaka]], [[FM802]], FM Hokkaido and FM North Wave, and were featured in the November and December issues of the magazines ''B-Pass'', ''Nikkei Entertainment!'', ''Kansai Walker'', ''Musica'' and ''Rockin' On Japan''.<ref name="VictorNews"/>
The song was first unveiled during the band's festival performance at the [[Rising Sun Rock Festival]] in [[Otaru]] on August 16, 2008.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.barks.jp/news/?id=1000045090 | title=サカナクション、初シングル「セントレイ」レコ発ツアー決定 | language=Japanese |publisher=Barks |date=November 20, 2008 | accessdate=February 24, 2015}}</ref> The song was promoted on the [[Toyama Television]] program ''BBT Music Selection'' as its opening theme music, and was put into heavy rotation by the [[Nippon TV]] music program ''Music Fighter''.<ref name="CDJSen">{{cite web | url=http://artist.cdjournal.com/d/-/4108092092 | title=サカナクション / セントレイ [限定] | language=Japanese |publisher=CDJournal | accessdate=February 24, 2015}}</ref> The song was put into heavy rotation by music stations across Japan in December, and the music video in heavy rotation by MTV Japan.<ref name="VictorNews">{{cite web | url=http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/-/Information/A020936.html | title=Information | language=Japanese |publisher=Victor Entertainment |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081218152619/http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/-/Information/A020936.html |archivedate=December 18, 2008 }}</ref> Sakanaction made radio appearances in December, on [[FM Osaka]], [[FM802]], FM Hokkaido and FM North Wave, and were featured in the November and December issues of the magazines ''B-Pass'', ''Nikkei Entertainment!'', ''Kansai Walker'', ''Musica'' and ''[[Rockin' On Japan]]''.<ref name="VictorNews"/>


To promote the single, Sakanaction performed two live concerts in the same day at the Cube Garden in Sapporo: {{nihongo|Rei Live|REI(零)LIVE}} in the afternoon and {{nihongo|Sen Live|SEN(千)LIVE}} in the evening of December 20, 2008.<ref name="VictorNews"/> Following the theme of naming the live concert after the song title, Sen Live had an entry fee of 1,000 yen, while Rei Live was free for entrants who applied with a form attached to the "Sen to Rei" single.<ref name="Release"/><ref name="VictorNews"/>
To promote the single, Sakanaction performed two live concerts in the same day at the Cube Garden in Sapporo: {{nihongo|Rei Live|REI(零)LIVE}} in the afternoon and {{nihongo|Sen Live|SEN(千)LIVE}} in the evening of December 20, 2008.<ref name="VictorNews"/> Following the theme of naming the live concert after the song title, Sen Live had an entry fee of 1,000 yen, while Rei Live was free for entrants who applied with a form attached to the "Sen to Rei" single.<ref name="Release"/><ref name="VictorNews"/>


The song is a frequent part of Sakanaction's live concert sets, and live recordings of the song have been released by the band six times: in the bonus track on the "[[Aruku Around]]" (2010) single featuring audio of three songs from the ''Sakanaquarium 2009'' concert in Sapporo, twice on their ''Sanakaquarium 2010'' DVD set, as performed at the ''Kikuuiki'' tour final at the Shinkiba Studio Coast on May 15, 2010 and at their [[Nippon Budokan]] concert on October 8, 2010, as well as on their ''Sakanaquarium 2011'' video album, ''Sakanaquarium 2012 "Zepp Alive"'' digital live album and their ''Sakanatribe 2014'' video album releases.
The song is a frequent part of Sakanaction's live concert sets, and live recordings of the song have been released by the band six times: in the bonus track on the "[[Aruku Around]]" (2010) single featuring audio of three songs from the ''Sakanaquarium 2009'' concert in Sapporo, twice on their ''Sanakaquarium 2010'' DVD set, as performed at the ''Kikuuiki'' tour final at the Shinkiba Studio Coast on May 15, 2010 and at their [[Nippon Budokan]] concert on October 8, 2010, as well as on their ''Sakanaquarium 2011'' video album, ''Sakanaquarium 2012 "Zepp Alive"'' digital live album and their ''Sakanatribe 2014'' video album releases.

The song was compiled as the opening track on ''Getting Better 15th Anniversary presents Getting Roll: Rock Anthem Mix'', a CD mixed by rock DJ Minoru Katahira celebrating fifteen years of the Getting Better rock event.<ref>{{cite web | title=【CD】Getting Better 15th Anniversary presents Getting Roll~Rock Anthem Mix~ | url=http://tower.jp/item/2732719/VERSUS--JAPANESE-ROCK-VS-FPM--SELECTED-AND-NON-STOP-MIXED-BY-FPM |language=Japanese | publisher=Tower Records Japan | accessdate=April 21, 2015}}</ref> Both "Ame (A)" and "Modokashii Hibi" were compiled on the ''Tsuki no Namigata'' disc of the band's compilation album ''[[Natsukashii Tsuki wa Atarashii Tsuki: Coupling & Remix Works]]'' (2015).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://natalie.mu/music/news/152770 |title=サカナクション"月"のコンセプト作にメンバーREMIX&山口一郎初監督MV |publisher=Natalie |language=Japanese |date=July 3, 2015 |accessdate=July 4, 2015}}</ref>


== Music video ==
== Music video ==


The music video for the song was directed by Keitaro Toyoda.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.spaceshowertv.com/search/detail.cgi?mu=0070447&ch=0 | title=セントレイ | language=Japanese | publisher=Space Shower | accessdate=February 17, 2015}}</ref> It features all five members of Sakanaction performing the song in the dark. This is followed by scenes of the camera moving towards a bright light source, with the band members juxtaposed onto the beams.
The music video for the song was directed by Keitaro Toyoda.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.spaceshowertv.com/search/detail.cgi?mu=0070447&ch=0 | title=セントレイ | language=Japanese | publisher=Space Shower | accessdate=February 17, 2015}}</ref> It features all five members of Sakanaction performing the song in the dark. This is followed by scenes of the camera moving towards a bright light source, with the band members juxtaposed onto the beams. Toyoda was inspired to create the video after hearing of the song's themes, and depicted the band travelling from the first to the fourth dimension. Yamaguchi asked Toyoda to specifically emphasize the rock and human aspects of the song and the band, rather than the electronic sound.<ref name="SakanarchiveBooklet">{{cite AV media notes |title=Sakanarchive 2007—2011: Sakanaction Music Video Collection (Limited Edition) |others=[[Sakanaction]] |year=2011 |language=Japanese |publisher=[[Victor Entertainment]] |location=Tokyo, Japan}}</ref>


== Critical reception ==
== Critical reception ==


Sakiko Okazaki of ''Rockin' On Japan'' praised the song's high-pitched synthesizers, fast-paced guitars, groovy bass and heart-hitting drums, and felt the song expressed the vigor of Sakanaction.<ref name="RockinOn">{{cite web | url=http://ro69.jp/disc/detail/15712 | title=新章を告げる音 | language=Japanese |date=December 8, 2008 |author=Sakiko Okazaki |publisher=Rockin' On Japan |date=January 20, 2008 | accessdate=February 24, 2015}}</ref> ''CDJournal'' reviewers felt "Sen to Rei" expressed loneliness, and praised the new Sakanaction-style guitar rock, as well as their ever-changing style. The reviewers were impressed with Yamaguchi's chorus vocals, which changed from "subtle and tender to hopeful and empowered", and called the song a "fast-paced killer tune".<ref name="CDJ">{{cite web | url=http://artist.cdjournal.com/d/-/4108111335 | title=サカナクション / シンシロ [限定] | language=Japanese |publisher=CDJournal | accessdate=February 24, 2015}}</ref> They noted that the song was not very "showy", however felt that despite this, Sakanaction still expressed a "high quality hybrid" sound.<ref name="CDJSen"/>
Sakiko Okazaki of ''[[Rockin' On Japan]]'' praised the song's high-pitched synthesizers, fast-paced guitars, groovy bass and heart-hitting drums, and felt the song expressed the vigor of Sakanaction.<ref name="RockinOn">{{cite magazine | url=http://ro69.jp/disc/detail/15712 | title=新章を告げる音 | language=Japanese |author=Sakiko Okazaki |magazine=[[Rockin' On Japan]] |date=January 20, 2008 | accessdate=February 24, 2015}}</ref> ''CDJournal'' reviewers felt "Sen to Rei" expressed loneliness, and praised the new Sakanaction-style guitar rock, as well as their ever-changing style. The reviewers were impressed with Yamaguchi's chorus vocals, which changed from "subtle and tender to hopeful and empowered", and called the song a "fast-paced killer tune".<ref name="CDJ">{{cite web | url=http://artist.cdjournal.com/d/-/4108111335 | title=サカナクション / シンシロ [限定] | language=Japanese |publisher=CDJournal | accessdate=February 24, 2015}}</ref> They noted that the song was not very "showy", however felt that despite this, Sakanaction still expressed a "high quality hybrid" sound.<ref name="CDJSen"/> Kuniko Yamada of ''Bounce'' praised the song's "sprinting feeling", and noted how Sakanaction were comfortable with creating more standard "guitar rock" songs as well.<ref>{{cite web | title=【CD】シンシロ<期間限定価格盤> | url=http://tower.jp/item/2510025/%E3%82%B7%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B7%E3%83%AD%EF%BC%9C%E6%9C%9F%E9%96%93%E9%99%90%E5%AE%9A%E4%BE%A1%E6%A0%BC%E7%9B%A4%EF%BC%9E |language=Japanese | author=Kuniko Yamada | publisher=Tower Records Japan | accessdate=April 21, 2015}}</ref> Entertainment Media Kulture named "Sample" as one of Sakanaction's early signature songs, feeling that the uptempo song positively worked against Sakanaction's prior image as a band.<ref name="Kulture-pre-break">{{cite web |url=http://kulture.kola.jp/articles/344 |title=「サカナクション」ブレイク前の名曲を歌詞で追う! |language=Japanese |work=Entertainment Media Kulture |publisher=Recruit Holdings |year=2015 |accessdate=December 26, 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226105311/http://kulture.kola.jp/articles/344 |archivedate=December 26, 2015 }}</ref>


In reviewing the single as a whole, Sakiko Okazaki described the B-sides as having "room temperature dance beats", and felt that they sounded fresh, in comparison to the highly powered "Sen to Rei".<ref name="RockinOn"/>
Reviewing the single as a whole, Okazaki described the B-sides as having "room temperature dance beats", and felt that they sounded fresh, in comparison to the highly powered "Sen to Rei".<ref name="RockinOn"/>


== Track listings ==
== Track listings ==


{{track listing
{{tracklist
| headline = Digital download
| headline = Digital download
| collapsed = no
| total_length = 3:51
| total_length = 3:51


Line 69: Line 79:
}}
}}


{{track listing
{{tracklist
| headline = Single
| headline = Single
| collapsed = no
| all_writing = [[Ichiro Yamaguchi]]
| all_writing = Ichiro Yamaguchi
| total_length = 12:29
| total_length = 12:29


Line 78: Line 87:
| length1 = 3:51
| length1 = 3:51


| title2 = Ame(A)
| title2 = Ame (A)
| note2 = "Rain(A)"
| note2 = "Rain (A)"
| length2 = 3:31
| length2 = 3:31


Line 86: Line 95:
| length3 = 5:07
| length3 = 5:07
}}
}}
{{track listing
{{tracklist
| headline = Limited edition bonus track
| headline = Limited edition bonus track
| collapsed = yes
| total_length = 16:45
| total_length = 16:45
| title4 = Yoru no Higashigawa ('Night Fishing Is Good' Tour in Sapporo)
| title4 = Yoru no Higashigawa ('Night Fishing Is Good' Tour in Sapporo)
Line 94: Line 102:
| length4 = 4:16
| length4 = 4:16
}}
}}

==Personnel==

Personnel details for the song were sourced from ''Shin-shiro'''s liner notes booklet, while music video personnel were sourced from ''Sakanarchive 2007—2011: Sakanaction Music Video Collection''.<ref name="SakanarchiveBooklet"/><ref name="Booklet">{{cite AV media notes |title=Shin-shiro |others=[[Sakanaction]] |year=2009 |language=Japanese |publisher=[[Victor Entertainment]] |location=Tokyo, Japan}}</ref>

'''Sakanaction'''
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
*All members&nbsp;– arrangement, production
*Keiichi Ejima&nbsp;– drums
*Motoharu Iwadera&nbsp;– guitar
*Ami Kusakari&nbsp;– bass guitar
*Emi Okazaki&nbsp;– keyboards
*Ichiro Yamaguchi&nbsp;– vocals, guitar, lyrics, composition
{{div col end}}

'''Personnel'''
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
*Toshihiko Fujimi&nbsp;– executive producer
*Kentaro Ishikawa&nbsp;– [[Artists and repertoire|A&R]]
*Satoshi Kamata&nbsp;– executive producer
*Tatsuya Nomura&nbsp;– executive producer (Hip Land Music Corporation)
*Masashi Uramoto&nbsp;– mixing, recording
*Wataru Woka&nbsp;– A&R
{{div col end}}

'''Music video personnel'''
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
*Cromagnon<!--クロナニヨン-->&nbsp;– production company
*Kenji Ishida<!--石田賢治-->&nbsp;– hair, make-up
*Hisashi "Momo" Kitazawa<!--北澤“momo”寿志-->&nbsp;– stylist
*Masaya Nakahara<!--中原昌哉-->&nbsp;– cameraman
*Sakanaction&nbsp;– cast
*Takashi Sugai<!--菅井高志-->&nbsp;– producer
*Keitarō Toyoda<!--豊田京太郎-->&nbsp;– director
*Kazuhiro Yokobori<!--横堀和宏-->&nbsp;– lighting
{{div col end}}


== Chart rankings ==
== Chart rankings ==
Line 100: Line 144:
!Peak<br/>position
!Peak<br/>position
|-
|-
|Japan ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' Adult Contemporary Airplay<ref>{{cite web | title=Japan Billboard Adult Contemporary Airplay | url=http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=adult_airplay&year=2008&month=12&day=29 | work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |language=Japanese | date=December 24, 2008 | accessdate=January 22, 2015}}</ref>
|Japan ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' Adult Contemporary Airplay<ref>{{cite magazine | title=Japan Billboard Adult Contemporary Airplay | url=http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=adult_airplay&year=2008&month=12&day=29 | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |language=Japanese | date=December 24, 2008 | accessdate=January 22, 2015}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|45
| style="text-align:center;"|45
|-
|-
|Japan ''Billboard'' [[Japan Hot 100]]<ref name="BillboardPeak">{{cite web | title=Japan Billboard Hot 100 | url=http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot100&year=2008&month=12&day=22 | work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |language=Japanese | date=December 17, 2008 | accessdate=January 22, 2015}}</ref>
|Japan ''Billboard'' [[Japan Hot 100]]<ref name="BillboardPeak">{{cite magazine | title=Japan Billboard Hot 100 | url=http://www.billboard-japan.com/charts/detail?a=hot100&year=2008&month=12&day=22 | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |language=Japanese | date=December 17, 2008 | accessdate=January 22, 2015}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|9
| style="text-align:center;"|9
|-
|-
Line 115: Line 159:
!Amount
!Amount
|-
|-
|''Oricon'' physical sales<ref name="OriconSales">{{cite web | title=オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」 | trans_title=Oricon Ranking Information Service 'You Big Tree' | url=http://ranking.oricon.co.jp | work=[[Oricon]] |subscription=yes | accessdate=December 18, 2014}}</ref>
|''Oricon'' physical sales<ref name="OriconSales">{{cite web | title=オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」 |trans-title=Oricon Ranking Information Service 'You Big Tree' | url=http://ranking.oricon.co.jp | work=[[Oricon]] |url-access=subscription | accessdate=December 18, 2014}}</ref>
|align="center"|6,000<!--6,253-->
|align="center"|6,000<!--6,253-->
|}
|}
Line 129: Line 173:
|-
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Japan]]
|rowspan="3"|[[Japan]]
| {{start date|2008|11|12}}<ref name="Release"/><ref>{{cite web |title=セントレイ |url=http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/-/Discography/A020936/VEAML-22686.html |language=Japanese |publisher=Victor Entertainment |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20100327022541/http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/-/Discography/A020936/VEAML-22686.html |archivedate=March 27, 2010 |accessdate=February 22, 2015}}</ref>
| {{start date|2008|11|12}}<ref name="Release"/><ref>{{cite web |title=セントレイ |url=http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/-/Discography/A020936/VEAML-22686.html |language=Japanese |publisher=Victor Entertainment |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327022541/http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/-/Discography/A020936/VEAML-22686.html |archivedate=March 27, 2010 |accessdate=February 22, 2015}}</ref>
| ringtone, digital download
| ringtone, digital download
|rowspan="3"|[[Victor Entertainment|BabeStar Label]]
|rowspan="3"|[[Victor Entertainment|BabeStar Label]]
Line 141: Line 185:
| rental CD single
| rental CD single
|-
|-
|rowspan="1"|[[South Korea]]
| [[South Korea]]
|{{start date|2009|04|13}}<ref>{{cite web | url=http://music.bugs.co.kr/album/181863 | title=セントレイ (Sentorei) |publisher=Bugs | language=Korean | accessdate=February 17, 2015}}</ref>
|{{start date|2009|04|13}}<ref>{{cite web | url=http://music.bugs.co.kr/album/181863 | title=セントレイ (Sentorei) |publisher=Bugs | language=Korean | accessdate=February 17, 2015}}</ref>
|digital download (EP)
|digital download (EP)
| J-Box Entertainment
|rowspan="1"|[[Neowiz]] Internet
| {{n/a}}
|rowspan="1"|
|}
|}


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist|2}}
{{Reflist|2}}


{{Sakanaction}}
{{Sakanaction}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sen to Rei}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sen to Rei}}
[[Category:2008 singles]]
[[Category:2008 singles]]
[[Category:2008 songs]]
[[Category:2008 songs]]
[[Category:Japanese-language songs]]
[[Category:Songs in Japanese]]
[[Category:Sakanaction songs]]
[[Category:Sakanaction songs]]
[[Category:Songs written by Ichiro Yamaguchi]]
[[Category:Songs written by Ichiro Yamaguchi]]

Latest revision as of 19:12, 9 August 2024

"Sen to Rei"
A park at night time with stylized white dots in the foreground.
Single by Sakanaction
from the album Shin-shiro
ReleasedNovember 12, 2008 (2008-11-12)
Recorded2008
GenreNew wave, rock
Length3:51
LabelBabeStar Label
Songwriter(s)Ichiro Yamaguchi
Producer(s)Sakanaction
Sakanaction singles chronology
"Night Fishing Is Good"
(2007)
"Sen to Rei"
(2008)
"Native Dancer"
(2009)

"Sen to Rei" (Japanese: セントレイ, "1000 & 0") (Japanese pronunciation: [seɴ to ɾeː]) is a song by Japanese band Sakanaction. It was released as a digital download on November 12, 2008, and on December 10 was released as the band's first physical CD single.[1]

Background and development

[edit]

Shin-shiro was the band's first album after joining the main Victor Entertainment roster and signing a contract with management group Hipland Management.[2] In Spring 2009, the band moved to Tokyo from Hokkaido.[3] The album was primarily created by band members in vocalist Ichiro Yamaguchi's apartment in Kawasaki, Kanagawa.[4]

Before the band had moved to Tokyo in the spring of 2009, the song "Adventure" was originally planned to be the leading single from the album, in the place of "Sen to Rei".[5] "Adventure" was written by Yamaguchi to consciously give the band a more accessible sound.[6] Yamaguchi had intended to make music that blended underground and "high entertainment" pop music sounds on the band's first two studio albums, Go to the Future (2007) and Night Fishing (2008), however found that the band was predominantly seen as more underground than pop.[7][8] Yamaguchi realized that in order to balance underground and "entertainment"-based pop music styles better, he needed to add more entertaining aspects.[8][9] Yamaguchi considered "Adventure" the first step towards this sound, and challenged themselves to develop their popular sound more in "Sen to Rei".[6][8] "Sen to Rei" became crucial to the creation of Shin-shiro, as the band created the entire album in response to the song, considering what aspects of Sakanaction's sound should listeners who had heard "Sen to Rei" hear, in order to experience all of Sakanction.[10]

The single was the group's final release with BabeStar Label, before they moved onto Victor Entertainment's main roster. It was also the start of their relationship with stylist Hisashi "Momo" Kitazawa.[11]

Composition

[edit]

"Sen to Rei" is a song recorded in common time, with a major key of E and set at a tempo of 132 beats per minute.[12] It begins with an instrumental introduction, including guitars, bass guitars, keyboards and drums, with a strong "guitar rock" sound mixes with synthesizers.[12][13][14] The verses begin with a chord progression of Cm-A-Am-E, while the chorus begins with an Am-Emaj7-Gm-E-A progression.[12]

The song's lyrics are written entirely in Japanese. The song's protagonist walks around at night-time, jet lagged after a night flight and "escaping the saddening night".[12] He discovers he can see an "intertwined world" after counting to 1,000 on his hand.[12] The final stanza of the lyrics discusses spatial dimensions: how "on the other side of 1000 and 0, and lines and points" he is a layered world, connecting him to another person.[12]

Writing and production

[edit]
The song was inspired by Yamaguchi's ideas on four-dimensional space (pictured: a tesseract).

"Sen to Rei" was composed by Yamaguchi on the acoustic guitar, and was originally a much more sad and sentimental song.[15] For Shin-shiro's album sessions, vocalist Yamaguchi tried a different approach to creating songs: after making the basic melody and lyrics, he assigned each of the members of Sakanction to a create a demo for one song each, and then developed the songs together.[16] Kusakari was working on "Sen to Rei", and was the fastest to finish her demo, and the only member to bring a fully completed demo to her meeting with Yamaguchi.[17] Yamaguchi asked Kusakari to make a "guitar rock"-style song, and asked her to make a song that teenagers would enjoy listening to.[17][18]

The demo that Kusakari produced was much more rock than Yamaguchi had intended, as Yamaguchi had wanted to balance pop music with Sakanaction's underground dance sound.[7][18] Eventually the band created a hybrid sound for the song, mixing guitar-based rock and electronica.[18] The process of creating a guitar-based rock song reminded Kusakari of her teenager years before joining Sakanaction, when she performed in rock and punk bands in Sapporo.[17] One of the techniques used by the band to make the song more pop was to increase the tempo to 138 BPM.[7] Yamaguchi initially felt embarrassed that the band were able to create such a pop song, however after the song's release found that the band's audience responded well to the style, the band integrated the pop style found on "Sen to Rei" into the band's music, eventually becoming a central part of Sakanaction's musical identity.[19]

Yamaguchi's lyrics for the song were inspired by space and space in the style of the manga Galaxy Express 999.[8] He based his lyrics on his ideas of what four-dimensional space would be like, considering the fourth dimension to be imagination running inside minds. The use of a large number and a number used to represent nothingness in the title "Sen to Rei" was meant to express the relative difference between each spatial dimension: changing from a single point, to a line, to a 3D object.[7]

Originally the band did not intend to release "Sen to Rei" as a physical single, but during its production they realized that the song was more appropriate to be released as a single, rather than simply as an album track.[15] The band created the three tracks on the physical single to complement each other, in the style of an extended play more so than a stand-alone single track with B-sides.[8][15] While "Sen to Rei" was written attempting to bridge popular and underground sounds, "Ame (A)" was written as a straightforward pop song, and "Modokashii Hibi" as an underground song.[7] "Ame (A)" was an attempt by the band to create a "pop Sakanaction" sound, where Yamaguchi attempted to create story-like lyrics, and the band worked on a 1970s kayōkyoku-inspired retro sound.[7][8] "Modokashii Hibi" featured aspects of the band's sound that were not present in "Sen to Rei" that they wanted to show off to new listeners.[8] The recording features the sound of a metal bucket that Yamaguchi purchased. Part way through recording, the bucket's handle broke off, and this sound as well as Iwadera laughing were included in the final mix of the song.[7]

Promotion and release

[edit]

The song was first unveiled during the band's festival performance at the Rising Sun Rock Festival in Otaru on August 16, 2008.[20] The song was promoted on the Toyama Television program BBT Music Selection as its opening theme music, and was put into heavy rotation by the Nippon TV music program Music Fighter.[21] The song was put into heavy rotation by music stations across Japan in December, and the music video in heavy rotation by MTV Japan.[22] Sakanaction made radio appearances in December, on FM Osaka, FM802, FM Hokkaido and FM North Wave, and were featured in the November and December issues of the magazines B-Pass, Nikkei Entertainment!, Kansai Walker, Musica and Rockin' On Japan.[22]

To promote the single, Sakanaction performed two live concerts in the same day at the Cube Garden in Sapporo: Rei Live (REI(零)LIVE) in the afternoon and Sen Live (SEN(千)LIVE) in the evening of December 20, 2008.[22] Following the theme of naming the live concert after the song title, Sen Live had an entry fee of 1,000 yen, while Rei Live was free for entrants who applied with a form attached to the "Sen to Rei" single.[1][22]

The song is a frequent part of Sakanaction's live concert sets, and live recordings of the song have been released by the band six times: in the bonus track on the "Aruku Around" (2010) single featuring audio of three songs from the Sakanaquarium 2009 concert in Sapporo, twice on their Sanakaquarium 2010 DVD set, as performed at the Kikuuiki tour final at the Shinkiba Studio Coast on May 15, 2010 and at their Nippon Budokan concert on October 8, 2010, as well as on their Sakanaquarium 2011 video album, Sakanaquarium 2012 "Zepp Alive" digital live album and their Sakanatribe 2014 video album releases.

The song was compiled as the opening track on Getting Better 15th Anniversary presents Getting Roll: Rock Anthem Mix, a CD mixed by rock DJ Minoru Katahira celebrating fifteen years of the Getting Better rock event.[23] Both "Ame (A)" and "Modokashii Hibi" were compiled on the Tsuki no Namigata disc of the band's compilation album Natsukashii Tsuki wa Atarashii Tsuki: Coupling & Remix Works (2015).[24]

Music video

[edit]

The music video for the song was directed by Keitaro Toyoda.[25] It features all five members of Sakanaction performing the song in the dark. This is followed by scenes of the camera moving towards a bright light source, with the band members juxtaposed onto the beams. Toyoda was inspired to create the video after hearing of the song's themes, and depicted the band travelling from the first to the fourth dimension. Yamaguchi asked Toyoda to specifically emphasize the rock and human aspects of the song and the band, rather than the electronic sound.[26]

Critical reception

[edit]

Sakiko Okazaki of Rockin' On Japan praised the song's high-pitched synthesizers, fast-paced guitars, groovy bass and heart-hitting drums, and felt the song expressed the vigor of Sakanaction.[13] CDJournal reviewers felt "Sen to Rei" expressed loneliness, and praised the new Sakanaction-style guitar rock, as well as their ever-changing style. The reviewers were impressed with Yamaguchi's chorus vocals, which changed from "subtle and tender to hopeful and empowered", and called the song a "fast-paced killer tune".[14] They noted that the song was not very "showy", however felt that despite this, Sakanaction still expressed a "high quality hybrid" sound.[21] Kuniko Yamada of Bounce praised the song's "sprinting feeling", and noted how Sakanaction were comfortable with creating more standard "guitar rock" songs as well.[27] Entertainment Media Kulture named "Sample" as one of Sakanaction's early signature songs, feeling that the uptempo song positively worked against Sakanaction's prior image as a band.[28]

Reviewing the single as a whole, Okazaki described the B-sides as having "room temperature dance beats", and felt that they sounded fresh, in comparison to the highly powered "Sen to Rei".[13]

Track listings

[edit]
Digital download
No.TitleLength
1."Sen to Rei"3:51
Total length:3:51

All tracks are written by Ichiro Yamaguchi

Single
No.TitleLength
1."Sen to Rei"3:51
2."Ame (A)" ("Rain (A)")3:31
3."Modokashii Hibi" (もどかしい日々, "Irritating Days")5:07
Total length:12:29
Limited edition bonus track
No.TitleLength
4."Yoru no Higashigawa ('Night Fishing Is Good' Tour in Sapporo)" (夜の東側, "East of the Night")4:16
Total length:16:45

Personnel

[edit]

Personnel details for the song were sourced from Shin-shiro's liner notes booklet, while music video personnel were sourced from Sakanarchive 2007—2011: Sakanaction Music Video Collection.[26][29]

Sakanaction

  • All members – arrangement, production
  • Keiichi Ejima – drums
  • Motoharu Iwadera – guitar
  • Ami Kusakari – bass guitar
  • Emi Okazaki – keyboards
  • Ichiro Yamaguchi – vocals, guitar, lyrics, composition

Personnel

  • Toshihiko Fujimi – executive producer
  • Kentaro Ishikawa – A&R
  • Satoshi Kamata – executive producer
  • Tatsuya Nomura – executive producer (Hip Land Music Corporation)
  • Masashi Uramoto – mixing, recording
  • Wataru Woka – A&R

Music video personnel

  • Cromagnon – production company
  • Kenji Ishida – hair, make-up
  • Hisashi "Momo" Kitazawa – stylist
  • Masaya Nakahara – cameraman
  • Sakanaction – cast
  • Takashi Sugai – producer
  • Keitarō Toyoda – director
  • Kazuhiro Yokobori – lighting

Chart rankings

[edit]
Charts (2008) Peak
position
Japan Billboard Adult Contemporary Airplay[30] 45
Japan Billboard Japan Hot 100[31] 9
Japan Oricon weekly singles[32] 35

Sales and certifications

[edit]
Chart Amount
Oricon physical sales[33] 6,000

Release history

[edit]
Region Date Format Distributing Label Catalog codes
Japan November 12, 2008 (2008-11-12)[1][34] ringtone, digital download BabeStar Label VEAML-22686
December 10, 2008 (2008-12-10)[35][36] CD single, limited edition CD single VICB-35013, VICB-35014
December 17, 2008 (2008-12-17)[37] rental CD single
South Korea April 13, 2009 (2009-04-13)[38] digital download (EP) J-Box Entertainment

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "サカナクション新曲タイトルにちなんで千円ライブ" (in Japanese). Natalie. November 12, 2008. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
  2. ^ Shinji Hyogo (2011). "特集 サカナクション". Rockin' On Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on February 17, 2015. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
  3. ^ Masaki Mugikura (January 1, 2009). "サカナクション インタビュー" (in Japanese). Excite. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  4. ^ Ichiro Yamaguchi (December 12, 2012). "レクリエーション" (in Japanese). Tokyo FM. Archived from the original on February 24, 2015. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  5. ^ Mayumi Tsuchida (January 15, 2009). "サカナクション(4)" (in Japanese). Tower Records. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  6. ^ a b Tetsuo Hiraga (January 21, 2009). "『サカナクション』 SPECIAL INTERVIEW" (in Japanese). Hot Express. Archived from the original on March 7, 2014. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g Hiroko Takahashi. "INTERVIEW" (in Japanese). Victor Entertainment. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g Mayumi Tsuchida (December 11, 2008). "スペシャル サカナクション" (in Japanese). Victor Entertainment. Archived from the original on December 17, 2008. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  9. ^ Mayumi Tsuchida (January 8, 2009). "サカナクション(3)" (in Japanese). Tower Records. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  10. ^ Mayumi Tsuchida (January 15, 2009). "サカナクション(2)" (in Japanese). Tower Records. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  11. ^ "北澤"momo"寿志と田中裕介が語る、サカナクションのMV「バッハの旋律を夜に聴いたせいです。」" (in Japanese). White Screen. August 19, 2011. Archived from the original on April 27, 2015. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  12. ^ a b c d e f Sakanaction (2012). Sakana Ensemble 2007-2009 (in Japanese). Tokyo: Doremi Music Pub. Co., Ltd (published September 12, 2012). pp. 170–183. ISBN 978-4285134674.
  13. ^ a b c Sakiko Okazaki (January 20, 2008). "新章を告げる音". Rockin' On Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  14. ^ a b "サカナクション / シンシロ [限定]" (in Japanese). CDJournal. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  15. ^ a b c "話題のテクノ・ロックバンド、サカナクションが3rdアルバム発表!" (in Japanese). Listen Japan. Archived from the original on March 23, 2010. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
  16. ^ Tetsuo Hiraga (January 21, 2009). "『サカナクション』 SPECIAL INTERVIEW" (in Japanese). Hot Express. Archived from the original on December 26, 2015. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  17. ^ a b c Mayumi Tsuchida (January 22, 2009). "サカナクション" (in Japanese). Tower Records. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  18. ^ a b c "サカナクション、「セントレイ」は4次元妄想プレイ" (in Japanese). Barks. December 21, 2008. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  19. ^ Yuichi Hirayama (August 6, 2010). "サカナクション インタビュー" (in Japanese). Excite Japan. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  20. ^ "サカナクション、初シングル「セントレイ」レコ発ツアー決定" (in Japanese). Barks. November 20, 2008. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  21. ^ a b "サカナクション / セントレイ [限定]" (in Japanese). CDJournal. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  22. ^ a b c d "Information" (in Japanese). Victor Entertainment. Archived from the original on December 18, 2008.
  23. ^ "【CD】Getting Better 15th Anniversary presents Getting Roll~Rock Anthem Mix~" (in Japanese). Tower Records Japan. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
  24. ^ "サカナクション"月"のコンセプト作にメンバーREMIX&山口一郎初監督MV" (in Japanese). Natalie. July 3, 2015. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
  25. ^ "セントレイ" (in Japanese). Space Shower. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
  26. ^ a b Sakanarchive 2007—2011: Sakanaction Music Video Collection (Limited Edition) (Media notes) (in Japanese). Sakanaction. Tokyo, Japan: Victor Entertainment. 2011.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  27. ^ Kuniko Yamada. "【CD】シンシロ<期間限定価格盤>" (in Japanese). Tower Records Japan. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
  28. ^ "「サカナクション」ブレイク前の名曲を歌詞で追う!". Entertainment Media Kulture (in Japanese). Recruit Holdings. 2015. Archived from the original on December 26, 2015. Retrieved December 26, 2015.
  29. ^ Shin-shiro (Media notes) (in Japanese). Sakanaction. Tokyo, Japan: Victor Entertainment. 2009.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  30. ^ "Japan Billboard Adult Contemporary Airplay". Billboard (in Japanese). December 24, 2008. Retrieved January 22, 2015.
  31. ^ "Japan Billboard Hot 100". Billboard (in Japanese). December 17, 2008. Retrieved January 22, 2015.
  32. ^ "セントレイ". Oricon. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
  33. ^ "オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」" [Oricon Ranking Information Service 'You Big Tree']. Oricon. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
  34. ^ "セントレイ" (in Japanese). Victor Entertainment. Archived from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  35. ^ "セントレイ<初回生産限定盤>". Tower Records Japan. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
  36. ^ "セントレイ<通常盤>". Tower Records Japan. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
  37. ^ "セントレイ" (in Japanese). Tsutaya. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  38. ^ "セントレイ (Sentorei)" (in Korean). Bugs. Retrieved February 17, 2015.