 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Blotto
Singles Collection 2004-2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Tracklist |
|
|
|
|
|
01. 東京ブラザーズ (Tokyo Brothers)
02. モニー・モニー・モニー (Mony, Mony, Mony)
03. TV/DV
04. 黒い海 (Kuroi Umi)
05. 世界をハメろ (Sekai wo Hameru)
06. イカれたブギー (Ikareta Boogie)
07. #13
08. 青い闇 (Aoi Yami)
09. ネオンボーイズ・ファンクラブ (Neon Boys Fan Club)
10. ノーボーイ・ノークライ (No Boy No Cry)
11. コックニーナイト (Cockney Night) |
|
|
|
|
|
Review |
|
|
|
|
|
A slightly over-the-hill coworker of mine once shook her head in confusion when she heard me listening to some Screeching Weasel song on the radio. Compared to some of the other music I listen to, I considered the song pretty harmless, possibly even accessible enough for someone her age to like. I tried to explain to her, "It's just like any oldies song, just faster." The same thought crossed my head listening to the Stance Punks' third album, Howling Idol. Rock & roll hasn't really changed much since the 1950's and 1960's. Sure, it's become a bit faster and a lot more distorted, but the poppy chord progressions remain, as do the oohs and ahs we all love. The songs on Howling Idol are far from original or innovative, but they're at least a bit enjoyable because of an energetic and passionate performance on the Stance Punks' part.
Stance Punks have come close to writing some really good songs in the past but have always fallen just a bit short. Vocalist Tsuru's rough croon is as enjoyable as it ever was, but the music behind him hasn't ever been too compelling. Howling Idol shows a band that has definitely improved their craft, in albeit subtle ways. Their first album, the self-titled Stance Punks, had a few too many songs dragging on longer than three minutes, a long time for a simple pop song. Howling Idol's running time is trimmed down quite a bit to my satisfaction. Songs like "Tokyo Brothers" and "Sekai wo Hamero" are brisk and Ramones-like in their simplicity, and promptly both end at the 2:27 mark before running out of steam. I also found a few more memorable hooks on Howling Idol than I remember hearing from Stance Punks in the past. "#13" is possibly the catchiest song on the record, with a nice dynamic between the guitars and vocals. "Mony Mony Mony" opens up with a cool riff doubled up by both the bass and guitar and swells up into a satisfyingly rowdy chorus that comes crashing down in a sea of chants.
Despite my initial pessimism, Howling Idol proved itself to be a fun record. For the thousands of rock & roll fans to come in the future, there will be dozens if not hundreds or thousands of records like Howling Idol to listen to, but for the kids going to Stance Punks shows now, it's probably a great soundtrack to growing up. |
|
|
|
|
|
back to reviews |
|
|
|
|
