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Blotto
Singles Collection 2004-2007 |
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Tracklist |
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01 - Himitsu
02 - Kenka Jotou
03 - Keshou Naoshi
04 - Superstar
05 - Shuraba (adult ver.)
06 - Yukiguni
07 - Kabuki
08 - Blackout
09 - Tasogare Naki
10 - Toumei Ningen
11 - Tegami |
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Review |
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When Tokyo Jihen's debut album Kyoiku was released, it drew mixed reactions, even among the most hardcore Shiina Ringo fans. Some declared it a triumph in experimental rock, yet others were let down by the tin-can production. Listening to Kyoiku was like stepping in those fun houses at a carnival, the ones with mirrors lined up everywhere that distort everything in all sorts of different ways. Some people are heavily amused by these attractions while others regard them as petty annoyances. It all comes down to personal taste. But if Kyoiku was a carnival house of mirrors, then Tokyo Jihen's sophomore album, Adult, is an after-hours jazz lounge. Sleek, clean and smooth.
It should be noted that two of the original members of Tokyo Jihen, guitarist Hirama Mikio and keyboardist HZM, had left the band prior to this album. Hirama and HZM were two bombastic performers, which in turn made Kyoiku sound like a musical power struggle, with heavly distorted keyboards and guitars trying to wrestle away the spotlight from Ringo's trademark vocals. Adult introduced their replacements, Ukigumo on guitar and Izawa Ichiyou on the ivories, two relatively unknown musicians. Did they fill in the (considerably large) void left behind by the previous members? With flying colors.
Adult starts off with "Himitsu" and kicks up the jazz and the groove into high gear from the get-go. If anyone had doubts about the new members and their abilities to mesh with Shiina Ringo, then this song here should erase the doubts. Pianist Izawa Ichiyou is all over the place here as the song continiously builds up tension, releases it and builds it up again to great effect. The guitars, instead of trying to take over the song, stay comfortably in the background and allow the band to shine as a cohesive whole instead of as individual parts fighting for attention.
This trend continues for the rest of the album, which is certainly good news. "Keshou Naoshi" creates a very relaxing mood as guitarist Ukigumo adopts a bossa nova style that compliments Tokyo Jihen's remarkable rhythm section perfectly. The trumpets in the middle of the song, guest performed by Tabu Zombie of the indie jazz outfit SOIL & PIMP SESSIONS, elevate the song even further. The Adult version of single "Shuraba" takes the song in completely different direction, eliminating the abrasive overproduced pop elements and replacing them with jazz and a full band sound. "Yukiguni" immediately beings back memories of Ringo's masterpiece solo album Karuki Zaamen Kuri no Hana as cascading pianos introduce the darkest track of the album. It's tracks like "Yukiguni" and "Tasogare Naki" that truly showcase how much the band has improved. Restraint on the part of the band allows them to fall into a consistent groove, and this in turn makes Shiina Ringo's already amazing vocals sound even better. Even the filler track "Kabuki," which reintroduces the heavily distorted sound from Kyoiku, serves its role perfectly, bridging the haunting "Yukiguni" to the playful and latin-flavored "Blackout" while briefly allowing each instrumentalist to show off his skills with a series of solos.
The title of Tokyo Jihen's sophomore album is definitely symbolic. While their debut album did have its individual moments, Adult is one huge moment all in its own. Tokyo Jihen have truly grown up into a more mature and enjoyable band. While the presence of the original members will be missed (especially live), it was a sacrifice necessary for the band to produce an album as impressive and exciting as Adult. |
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