You probably have noticed that every CD that I have reviewed has been positive. This is not to say that every Japanese album I've listened to this year has been that great. Let's look at some of my biggest disappointments of January-July 2008!
March 5 saw the release of Asian Kung-Fu Generation's newest album in almost two years: "World World World." After the release of their last singles "After Dark" and "Korogaru Iwa, Kimi ni Asa ga Furu" I had very high hopes for this CD. Unfortunately those hopes turned into despairs. Sure the songs were okay, but the flow and style were quite dull in comparison to their previous albums. Not only that, but many of the songs lacked the variety seen in "Sol-fa" and "Fanclub." It was as if AKG were trying too hard to keep the average fans entertained instead of expanding their horizons towards new listeners. Unless you are a hardcore fan of Asian Kung-Fu Generation, I cannot recommend this album. (However, their recent EP "Mada Minu Ashita ni" has what "World X3" lacked. If only they replaced half of the album with the songs featured on the EP.)
In late 2007 POLYSICS released the CD single for the song "Rocket," their best song in recent memory. Before the release of their 2008 album "We Ate the Machine" the fans were told to expect a new, exciting sound from the quartet. What I heard, sadly, were some of the most annoying songs these ears were forced to hear. Granted, "Pretty Good," "Pony to Lion" and "Kagayake" had some good sounds, but tracks like "Kikai Tabechaimashita," "Mind Your Head," and "Digital Coffee" were too noisy to bear. Now I am for bands expereimenting with their music; but this had to have been the first time I had wished that a group would stick to what they know best instead of trying something different. POLYSICS is already a standout band, so there should have been no need for them to go forth with trying to widen their surroundings.
My final disappointment appeared in the form of FLOW's "Isle." Their last singles "Colors," "Answer," and "Fuyu no Amaoto / Night Parade" were all really good, but many of the tracks lacked the fun that FLOW is well-known for. In fact half of the time they sounded like one of those shitty boy bands out from Johnny's Entertainment. (NOTE: If you've never heard of this Japanese boy band company, then I envy your ignorance.) Their previous album "Golden Coast" was filled with radio-worthy tracks. "Isle," though, is too sappy for its own good. It made me want to fly to Japan myself and slap the band members silly for blindly taking the wrong path on this album. (Where's Rick Rubin when you need him? Seriously, if he could help Linkin Park make their best album yet, then he should have no problme getting FLOW back on track!)
These three great bands have all hit creativity speed bumps this past year. Let's hope that by next year these music powerhouses will keep their heads straight, and their minds well-tuned to some better song choices next time around.
This is King Baby Duck: Ain't born to lose, baby; I'm born to win. I'm so Goddamn slick, baby, it's a sin!
March 5 saw the release of Asian Kung-Fu Generation's newest album in almost two years: "World World World." After the release of their last singles "After Dark" and "Korogaru Iwa, Kimi ni Asa ga Furu" I had very high hopes for this CD. Unfortunately those hopes turned into despairs. Sure the songs were okay, but the flow and style were quite dull in comparison to their previous albums. Not only that, but many of the songs lacked the variety seen in "Sol-fa" and "Fanclub." It was as if AKG were trying too hard to keep the average fans entertained instead of expanding their horizons towards new listeners. Unless you are a hardcore fan of Asian Kung-Fu Generation, I cannot recommend this album. (However, their recent EP "Mada Minu Ashita ni" has what "World X3" lacked. If only they replaced half of the album with the songs featured on the EP.)In late 2007 POLYSICS released the CD single for the song "Rocket," their best song in recent memory. Before the release of their 2008 album "We Ate the Machine" the fans were told to expect a new, exciting sound from the quartet. What I heard, sadly, were some of the most annoying songs these ears were forced to hear. Granted, "Pretty Good," "Pony to Lion" and "Kagayake" had some good sounds, but tracks like "Kikai Tabechaimashita," "Mind Your Head," and "Digital Coffee" were too noisy to bear. Now I am for bands expereimenting with their music; but this had to have been the first time I had wished that a group would stick to what they know best instead of trying something different. POLYSICS is already a standout band, so there should have been no need for them to go forth with trying to widen their surroundings.My final disappointment appeared in the form of FLOW's "Isle." Their last singles "Colors," "Answer," and "Fuyu no Amaoto / Night Parade" were all really good, but many of the tracks lacked the fun that FLOW is well-known for. In fact half of the time they sounded like one of those shitty boy bands out from Johnny's Entertainment. (NOTE: If you've never heard of this Japanese boy band company, then I envy your ignorance.) Their previous album "Golden Coast" was filled with radio-worthy tracks. "Isle," though, is too sappy for its own good. It made me want to fly to Japan myself and slap the band members silly for blindly taking the wrong path on this album. (Where's Rick Rubin when you need him? Seriously, if he could help Linkin Park make their best album yet, then he should have no problme getting FLOW back on track!)These three great bands have all hit creativity speed bumps this past year. Let's hope that by next year these music powerhouses will keep their heads straight, and their minds well-tuned to some better song choices next time around.
This is King Baby Duck: Ain't born to lose, baby; I'm born to win. I'm so Goddamn slick, baby, it's a sin!
Labels: Asian Kung-Fu Generation, FLOW, J-POP, J-PUNK, J-ROCK, J-VOLUTION, King Baby Duck, Polysics
