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Tracklist |
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01 - Machi wa Furusato
02 - JET MAN
03 - DON QUIJOTE
04 - Akatsuki-no Santa Maria
05 - Kyouseishiryoku 0.6
06 - Haishafukkatsu no Uta
07 - Yasude no kamen to Manuketa Otoko
08 - Yofuke to Rousoku no Akari
09 - Daitokyo bokujyou
10 - Gaitou ni Akari ga tomoru mae ni
11 - Madobe |
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Review |
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The Auteur Theory, originated by French film critic Francois Truffaut, states in part that a bad film from an established director is better than a great film from a bad director. Eastern Youth's last five albums, dating back to 1997, have established them as one of Japan's best and most consistent bands. In comparison to their previous work, Don Quijote is a bit disappointing, but I'd still challenge any other Japanese rock band to make something as good. Eastern Youth are the premier auteurs of Japanese rock.
Given the fact that I've enjoyed the glut of work they've released over the last eight years, I wouldn't say that Eastern Youth's sound has grown tired, but that the songs on Don Quijote just happen to be the weakest batch yet. Eastern Youth's familiar style of poetic, melodic-punk, anchored by singer Hisashi Yoshino's passionate vocals, is the same as ever. In fact, "Jet Man" and title track "Don Quijote" are classic Eastern Youth. "Yasude no Kamen to Manuketa Otoko" is a great song too, aside from the chorus of "whoas" that brings back unwanted memories of Listerine commercials.
The results are mixed when Eastern Youth does stray from their usual style. "Kyouseishiryoku 0.6" isn't that appealing with its acoustic guitar and piano at first, but the ambient flood of noise halfway through the song is pretty stirring, adding a bit of charm to the song as it winds back down. Similarly, the dreamy and plodding closer "Madobe" is quite moving.
If I seem to be badmouthing Don Quijote at all it's not because I didn't enjoy it, but because I expect Eastern Youth to come back with even better stuff in the future. Eastern Youth has double duty to serve to make up for all the consistently underwhelming bands out there. |
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