Life Cycle (Sakerock album)

Life Cycle (Japanese pronunciation: [ɾaꜜiɸɯ saꜜikɯrɯ]) is the second studio album by Japanese instrumental band Sakerock. It was released on June 8, 2005, as their first full album under indie label Kakubarhythm. All four members share writing credits, though the majority of tracks were written by leader and guitarist Gen Hoshino and bassist Kei Tanaka. With the departure of keyboardist Takuji Nomura, the band shifted the center of their melodies to trombone played by new member Kenta Hamano, who had previously served as a supporting member on flute and sax. Four guest performers are featured on the album, including tapdancer and actor Mirai Moriyama. Themed around daily life, it is an exotica album that incorporates elements of jazz, Latin, and American folk music.

The album was preceded by a double A-side single, "Ana o Horu" / "2, 3-nin", on January 11, 2005. Upon the release of Life Cycle, Sakerock performed a tour in western Japan and held shows at the Club Quattro live house, which was compiled onto the DVD Gūzen no Kiroku in November 2005. Though it did not chart, the album was received positively by music critics, who enjoyed its style and fusion of genres. A lyrical cover of "Ana o Horu" was recorded by Hoshino for his debut solo album Baka no Uta in 2010, and also featured on that album's touring effort.