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Blotto
Singles Collection 2004-2007 |
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Tracklist |
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01 - あいさつ
02 - 霧の浮舟
03 - マグカップの相談
04 - 755℃
05 - trente un
06 - 十七歳の虹
07 - ゼロ G
08 - ビルの屋上で
09 - 気分屋ブブン
10 - AD HOC HOLISM(SLIGHTLY CHANGED VERSION)
11 - 走るナマケモノ |
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Review |
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I've always thought that one of the most important elements of a successful band was a vocalist that was as precise as he was passionate, maybe even focusing a bit more on the latter. If their performance comes out flat and devoid of feeling, then it becomes very easy for my attention to dwindle and for me to lose interest in the music. I never had that problem with Husking Bee. Isobe Masafumi, vocalist for said punk band, has one of the most powerful voices I've heard in a punk rock band, highlighted by a subtle and oddly effective croak that does nothing but amplify the passion that he puts behind his words. So when I heard about his solo project, Corner, I was very intrigued.
Corner's only album, Hashiru Namakemono (meaning Running Sloth), features Isobe Masafumi flexing his songwriting muscle, going for soft acoustic guitars and sweet melodies instead of the edge that he commanded in Husking Bee. Mirroring the colorful booklet art which features a montage of cartoon animals, the first track "Aisatsu" glides by with a child-like innocence, subdued and never reaching a full climax. Two acoustic guitars play off each other wonderfully as Isobe delivers a vocal performance quite different from the high-octane singing present in Husking Bee. The passion is there, no doubt, but presented differently and more suited to mellower music. Isobe also collaborates with a wide range of artists, such as Ikuko Harada and mito from the indie pop act clammbon. Harada delivers backup vocals on the second track, "Kiri no Ukifine", another sweet ditty where both male and female vocalists are complemented by acoustic guitars, cello and a wurlitzer.
On "775°C," Isobe abandons singing entirely, focusing solely on some backup singing as he allows guest musicians Saya Matsuoka on vocals and Yoichi Fuuji on guitars to take the reigns of this song. They handle it quite well, which results in another happy acoustic number, more so because of the commanding presence of a female vocalist. The entire album is not all acoustic folk songs, though. Isobe throws us for a few twists, such as on the more rocking "Mug Cup no Soudan," or the dub-influenced cover of "AD HOC HOLISM," a song originally by THE STYLES. There is even some hint of electronica, with "ZERO G" adding everything from synthesizers to trumpets to even a spoken word section into the mix.
There is an impressive amount of variety to be found in Isobe Masafumi's songwriting on Hashiru Nakemono. Channeling the passion he commanded so skillfully in Husking Bee, Isobe delivers it in a completely different manner. Replacing edge with innocence and a sense of almost childlike naivety, Corner brings us a different side of Isobe, led more by acoustic guitars, a folk spirit and a desire to experiment with his songwriting. With the break-up of Husking Bee in early 2005, Corner has been touring again, opening for acts like Art-School and playing in the Rock in Japan Festival. It will be interesting to see if Isobe takes up the pen and the guitar once more for a second Corner album. If Hashiru Nakemono is any indication, I would welcome any more material from this act with open arms. |
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