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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Jul 9, 2008 16:51:41 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 1991SK: Naoko Yamano, Atsuko Yamano & Michie Nakatani The 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!) This CD is quickly becoming my fave after Let's Knife!  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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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Aug 16, 2009 1:18:26 GMT -5
712 Song Review- [glow=red,2,300]SHONEN KNIFE[/glow]
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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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Mar 31, 2010 2:16:32 GMT -5
712 Song Review- [glow=red,2,300]LAZYBONE[/glow] Classic 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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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Mar 31, 2010 2:22:27 GMT -5
712 Song Review- [glow=red,2,300]DIET RUN[/glow]
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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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Apr 1, 2010 0:04:46 GMT -5
712 Song Review-
[glow=red,2,300]BLUE OYSTER CULT[/glow]
Named for the legendary punk band BLUE OYSTER CULT, this jumpy song is actually about Naoko's battle withfood 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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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Apr 1, 2010 0:05:16 GMT -5
712 Song Review- [glow=red,2,300]RAIN[/glow] As 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! |
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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Apr 1, 2010 0:05:42 GMT -5
712 Song Review- [glow=red,2,300]THE LUCK OF THE IRISH[/glow] This 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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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Apr 1, 2010 0:09:34 GMT -5
712 Song Review-
[glow=red,2,300]MY FAVORITE TOWN (OSAKA)[/glow]
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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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Apr 1, 2010 0:21:50 GMT -5
712 Song Review- [glow=red,2,300]FAITH HEALER[/glow] My 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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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Apr 1, 2010 0:38:44 GMT -5
712 Song Review- [glow=red,2,300]REDD KROSS [/glow] 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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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Apr 10, 2010 1:38:39 GMT -5
712 Song Review- [glow=red,2,300]WHITE FLAG[/glow] Apparently named for a punk band (That I've never heard of), this "song" written by Michie and Steve Davis, is....well...... frenetic, frenetic, frenetic, frenetic...YAY!!!! |
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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Apr 10, 2010 1:41:49 GMT -5
712 Song Review-
[glow=red,2,300]SUPERSTAR[/glow]
While I can't understand many of the words, this song has a solid beat and features some nice Spanish guitar and Michie's loud deep basslines...great song!
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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Apr 10, 2010 1:47:43 GMT -5
712 Song Review-
[glow=red,2,300]EXPO '90[/glow] (Michie-Steve Davis)
Michie's lamentation about the band trying to see the 1990 Expo in Japan, only to find it closed! deffinately one of my fave cuts on the album!
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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Apr 10, 2010 1:50:40 GMT -5
712 Song Review-
[glow=red,2,300]FRUIT LOOP DREAMS[/glow]
Apparently, when Naoko goes into her own little dream World, she dreams of a land of fatty and sugary snacks, presided over by Toucan Sam! Personally, not my fave.
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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Apr 10, 2010 1:57:47 GMT -5
712 Song Review-
[glow=red,2,300]THE MOON WORLD[/glow]
Another song by Michie (I'm not sure if shes the one singing though), and one of my faves on the album; the song is catchy and bouncy and the arrangement is probably the most sophisticated one on this early album (Not that I'm an expert on such things). It sounds as if all 3 girls are singing in this one, and, while the harmonies aren't nearly as "tight" as they would become in later albums, this song showed the promise SK would fulfill in later albums.
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)
) 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!
. 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.