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712
May 20, 2018 16:10:29 GMT -5
Post by Mikado AKA Shoknifeman on May 20, 2018 16:10:29 GMT -5
712 (The best of the early SK albums, in my opinion) OGLIO RECORDS USA, 2005 (Re-release) originally released in Japan in 1988, USA 1991 SK: Naoko Yamano, Atsuko Yamano & Michie NakataniThe cover art is a charming bit of naive art by former bassist Michie Nakatani, of the 3 girls standing on a moon-like planet with Atsuko carrying a heart shaped handbag, Naoko carrying melons and Michie a shopping bag with a large French bread sticking out.....strange? Perhaps, but, what's inside is the REAL treat! Its starts with (of all things) a pseudo-rap(Shonen Knife), but, soon gets much better With several fun songs like Lazybone, Diet Run and Blue Oyster cult (not actually about the same named band, but, about food poisoning!).they also tackle a couple of John Lennon songs (Rain & Luck of the Irish) and several fast and frenetic numbers, the most frenetic being Michie's extremely weird White Flag! (I prefer fast songs, so, this CD is right to my taste!) out of 5 Playlist SHONEN KNIFE LAZYBONE DIET RUN BLUE OYSTER CULT RAIN THE LUCK OF THE IRISH MY FAVORITE TOWN (OSAKA)* FAITH HEALER REDD KROSS WHITE FLAG SUPERSTAR* EXPO '90 FRUIT LOOP DREAMS THE MOON WORLD* BAGGS* LAZYBONE (live) BLUE OYSTER CULT (live) *Japanese
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712
May 20, 2018 16:12:03 GMT -5
Post by Mikado AKA Shoknifeman on May 20, 2018 16:12:03 GMT -5
712 Song Review- SHONEN KNIFE This self-named "song" is kind a pseudo-rap meant to introduce people to the band and gives a bit of background on SKs influences....if you like rap (I hate it); and want to learn about the band, then, this one is for you!
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712
May 20, 2018 16:13:36 GMT -5
Post by Mikado AKA Shoknifeman on May 20, 2018 16:13:36 GMT -5
712 Song Review- LAZYBONEClassic SK lyrics with a lot of really strange guitar; this novelty tune talks of how Naoko is totally tired of working in an office and having to deal with people who annoy her (She worked as an "Office Lady*" along with Michie before they decided to make their band "professional") This song is fun and peppy , even if the lead guitar is a little primitive (Of course, they were still learning at the time ) * Pretty much what we call a "receptionist"/"Girl Friday"
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712
May 20, 2018 16:15:03 GMT -5
Post by Mikado AKA Shoknifeman on May 20, 2018 16:15:03 GMT -5
712 Song Review- DIET RUN While much of this upbeat song is in Japanese, the gist is that Naoko is worried that she's getting fat, and complains about the look of her thighs, belly and chin; all while mentioning all the fattening foods she loves to eat!! ( Incidentally, today, she's very trim and beautiful for a woman of 50!) I love this song! (Actually, there's really no clunkers on this CD....well...Just the first track (I hate Rap))
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712
May 20, 2018 16:32:30 GMT -5
Post by Mikado AKA Shoknifeman on May 20, 2018 16:32:30 GMT -5
712 Song Review- BLUE OYSTER CULT Named for the legendary punk band BLUE OYSTER CULT, this jumpy song is actually about Naoko's battle with food poisoning by bad oysters! (Sort of a NEGATIVE "food song") This song features a quiet lead guitar and Michie's bass set rather loud and Atsuko's very good drumming ( Even at this early date); the harmonies are perfect, and the song as a whole, will remind you why you love this band so much!
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712
May 20, 2018 16:36:27 GMT -5
Post by Mikado AKA Shoknifeman on May 20, 2018 16:36:27 GMT -5
712 Song Review- RAINAs you may know, the Beatles were a big influence on SK (And pretty much anyone else ) and here, they tackle the first of 2 John Lennon songs (RAIN & THE LUCK OF THE IRISH); nothing much to add except that Naoko nails the vocal here (Which is a bit surprising) and the girl's background singing is right ON! Better than the Beatles? Maybe not, but, a really nice cover! (Well, that's my opinion, at least... most SK fans seem to dislike it, for some reason)
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712
May 20, 2018 16:37:57 GMT -5
Post by Mikado AKA Shoknifeman on May 20, 2018 16:37:57 GMT -5
712 Song Review- THE LUCK OF THE IRISHThis song is a rarity for SK as the lead singer is MALE (Jeff McDonald, who does a very credible job of sounding almost perfectly, like a young John Lennon here), and Naoko lends a hand to the lead vocals; the other girls do a great job of the BG vocals. The song is a protest song against Great Britain's involvement in Ireland...I have no idea if Naoko is this political, or just liked the song . Anyway, the song is easily the most produced on the CD; with accoustic guitar, fuzz bass and tamborine all well played; truly a well-done track for SK, at this early date of their career.
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712
May 20, 2018 16:41:20 GMT -5
Post by Mikado AKA Shoknifeman on May 20, 2018 16:41:20 GMT -5
712 Song Review- MY FAVORITE TOWN (OSAKA)
Not to be confused with the song of the same name by Mikabomb, this song is Naoko's little tribute to her home town of Osaka Japan, and it begins with a rather high pitched bass track, then just becomes a jumpy little ditty with a steady beat. While most of the song is in Japanese , it's fun to sing along with the english chorus, while someone plays the spoons; in all one of my fave cuts!
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712
May 20, 2018 16:43:06 GMT -5
Post by Mikado AKA Shoknifeman on May 20, 2018 16:43:06 GMT -5
712 Song Review-FAITH HEALERMy favorite cut on this CD, Faith Healer is a cover of a song by a band named Big Dipper*, and frankly, this is one of those times that the cover has the original beat by a mile! Michie's loud fuzz bass combines well with Naoko's guitar (along with some rather strange overdubs that can be heard in the BG) to make this sound a bit "experimental" , but, the overall effect is charming and much better than the sum of it's parts! Besides that, its sharp, fast beat makes it one of the best "singalong" tunes on the CD! I loooooooooooooooooove it!!!!! *Just in case you'd like to compare, here is the original by Big Dipper: www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhjFnlqDEG8
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712
May 20, 2018 16:48:13 GMT -5
Post by Mikado AKA Shoknifeman on May 20, 2018 16:48:13 GMT -5
712 Song Review- REDD KROSS My second fave on this CD, this song is dedicated to the LA cult punk band REDD KROSS (Who returned the favour with a song called Shonen Knife!) ; And Naoko tries to explain what she loves about them, the song is fun, and the HEY HO LET'S GO!(s) really make the song....mind you, this song is even better when you watch the kooky promo video!* (Keep in mind, this was back before the girls got their makeovers ) * www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvugnxiV6p8&feature=PlayList&p=2BA3853218A40BDD&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=28
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