1 post tagged “go rock!”

GO!GO!7188 is one of my favorite Japanese bands these days, and for a number of reasons: the depth and complexity they manage to bring to a band that, I must often remind myself, is a three-piece rock set; the fusion of unmistakable surf-rock, traditional Japanese scales and enka/kayokyoku; their often quirky, coquettish lyrics; the clear influence of Shiina Ringo on lead singer Yuu's own vocal talent. Yes, there are plenty of reasons to like this band, but "subdued introversion" is not something that would've been on my list... until now.

In other words, "569" is a lot of rock, but peppered with just a tiny bit more introspective quiet than one might expect.  Take track 5, "Sekai no shasou" (世界の車窓 - "The world's car window."), where a chorus of soaring guitar and harmonies turns this jaunty 6/8 number into a clear blue sky. Or track 6, "Nemuri no asase" (眠りの浅瀬 - "Shoals of Sleep"), which, despite being a rock song, carries you on its subtle harmonies and blend of surf rock, spatial vocal delay, and pentatonic chorus -  this one's my favorite track, and reminds me of some of EGO-WRAPPIN'S more space-oriented stuff.

This album takes a little getting used to - you won't necessarily fall for it at first listen - but it definitely joins the pantheon of excellent GO!GO! fare. Now, in my opinion, of the band's five previous full-length albums (Ryozetsuran, Dasoku Houkou, Gyotaku, Tategami, and PARADE - not counting the cover album "Tora no Ana"), only "Ryozetsuran" has stood out as anything less than perfectly crafted. But all the same, 569 still takes a different sort of direction; still great rock, but at times, a little softer, a little more private.

And, at other times, it's the same ol' schtick: sassy, sophisticated, yet simple rock by two tiny, cute Japanese girls and their rad-dude drummer. And it makes sense that the album title, "569" is a cheap Japanese pun that is read "ごろっく", or "GO ROCK!" And the rock songs get a little dirtier; Track 2, "Nounai Travel" (脳内トラベル - "Travel within the brain") is plain-up dirty-sounding ska, track 4 "Sannin no Boogeyman" (３人のブギーマン - "3-person boogeyman") is a two-step number remnant of Shiina Ringo's "meisai," and track 7, "Rock Star ni natta nara" is tongue-in-cheek groove with an absolutely amazing chorus/refrain. But it's track 8, "Chain" (チェーン) where this album really stands out, owning us all with a fuzzy bass-driven groove in 11 (and, for the record, it's not the pretentious kind of polymeter, either - there's no sonic jam-band masturbation gracing this track, I assure you). And all that's ignoring the awesome that is the album's two flagship songs from their summer single - "Manatsu no Dance Hall" (真夏のダンスホール) and "I'm Lucky Girl" (アイムラッキーガール), which are both completely excellent - the former, a sweet surf-rock number and the latter, a schizophrenic, quirky upbeat rock.

All in all, this is a great album from a great band. I'd put up a few songs for your sampling pleasure, but Vox is keeping me from doing so.

-Tommy