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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Jul 14, 2008 22:33:56 GMT -5
HAPPY HOURMichie's wonderful farewell album! 1998 attic records by licence from Universal Victor SK: Naoko & Atsuko Yamano with Michie Nakatani Songs & music by Naoko Yamano, unless otherwise specifiedThe first thing that you'll notice is the charming cover art by famous Japanese cartoonist Yashimoto Nara (representing Naoko on the front cover and the other two on the back), inside the liner notes are photos of the band in the 70s look they used on the promo tour for the album (previously, they had a 60s look). Frankly, the gals never looked better...despite the slightly silly outfits! The playlist for this CD starts with the great song Shonen Knife planet, and it only gets better with Konnichiwa, the hard driving song they begin their concerts with. This album features mainly faster songs ranging from their usual pop-punk to the nearly hard rock, such as His Pet. I myself just love SKs pattented "food songs" and, there's 5 to choose from here! As with so many SK CDs, there's a couple of rather comedic songs, the best one being Fish Eyes (If you havent heard it, i can't describe it...it's just toooo strange!) This album was the last one featuring Michie on bass, she quit the band at the end of the '99 Happy hour tour; but, you can say she left at the top of her game; this is a killer album!  1/2 (of 5) Playlist:SHONEN KNIFE PLANET KONNICHIWA COOKIE DAY HOT CHOCOLATE SUSHI BAR FISH EYES BANANA CHIPS DOLLY JACKALOPE GYOZA CATCH YOUR BUS PEOPLE TRAPS HIS PET DAYDREAM BELIEVER (All songs sung in English)  
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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Jul 16, 2009 6:13:17 GMT -5
Liner art for Happy Hour (I'm not really sure the "cowgirl" look really works for Naoko here; but, Michie never looked better!!)  Naoko  Atsuko  Michie  |
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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Jul 16, 2009 6:29:34 GMT -5
 HAPPY HOUR Song Review SHONEN KNIFE PLANET / KONNICHIWAI lumped the first 2 tracks together because they flow into each other without a break in between The first track (Shonen Knife Planet) is a true introduction to the album as it's a bit of a departure(This album was probably the first time SK explored music styles besides the familiar...they would go much further in later albums like Strawberry Sound and Genki Shock); SKP is most notable for the hyper-loud drum beats; it's ironic that Atsuko would soon be taking over the bass, just as her drumming was becoming truly "World Class". At the end of the track, the fade has barely begun, when Konnichiwa comes in, at full high decibels; this is the song that now begins their concerts; and it's a wonderful, loud thank you (in advance) to their fans, welcoming them to the show, and promising to entertain, as only SK can do! |
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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Jul 17, 2009 1:02:40 GMT -5
HAPPY HOUR Song Review- COOKIE DAYThere are 2 versions of this song, one which starts with (I presume) Naoko calling to a dog named "Cookie" , and Cookie answering with a bark, and another Cookie-less version; either way, this is another of SK's trademark "Food Songs" that make them so endearing to their fans (Besides, who SAYS that every song out there, has to be about love anyway?) The song begins "Sugar sugar candy in my mouth....Stay home watch TV...." and the song itself is sugar candy for the ears, no hidden messages, no drama, just a cute song about how a bored Naoko realises the most important goal in her life on a hot lazy day is to eat some cookies, while pondering over the "little things" in life, such as sending a friend a postcard |
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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Jul 17, 2009 17:53:02 GMT -5
HAPPY HOUR Song Review- HOT CHOCOLATEThe food songs continue with "Hot Chocolate" (Pronouced Chaw-ko-layte, in this case); A fun, quick-paced song about every woman's other love, chocolate! The lyrics are almost sinful in their obvious lust for the dark brown liquid that always makes a cold winter night something special, among them: "....Let's go surfing on a tidal wave of chocolate.....stirring up the very very sweet foam....mel mel mel mel mel mel , mel---ti---ing!!!! Everybody, let's jump in, take a swim...hot chocolate!..." I'm getting my trunks on now!  |
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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Jul 17, 2009 18:07:01 GMT -5
HAPPY HOUR Song Review- SUSHI BARAs I mentioned, Happy Hour features 5 "food songs", so, the fact that there's 3 in a row here, shouldn't be too jarring. For me that's a good thing, cause I love SK's food songs, and Sushi Bar (AKA Sushi Bar Song) is one of the best! One of only a handful of SK songs with a male voice on it, it's also one of the fastest, punkiest songs that Naoko ever wrote; seen live in concert, playing this song, in true headbanger fashion , the girls look as if they are going to jam their foreheads into their mics, but, that's what makes this tune so great.....I call it the Hyper-food song!!!! The song's main story is told in English, however, the names of the sushi dishes are yelled out in their Japanese names such as Anago, Uni, Toro, Natto and Unagi.....the last 2 are bean-paste and eel (The others...I have no idea!), then the song goes on to name others; all at a lightning pace, which makes it a great song for the serious headbanger, with a taste for exotic Japanese food! ...ironically, I love this song, but, I personally hate sushi!  |
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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Jul 18, 2009 18:33:15 GMT -5
HAPPY HOUR Song Review- FISH EYES(writer Michie Nakatani) A punny song with some real inSIGHT As mentioned before, this is a very weird song, even by SK standards; Michie wakes up and finds that she has "fish eyes" (Watching too much anime there, Michie?); I love the line :"...I went to school and all my friends were shocked; they asked me questions, they were so eager to learn my new VIEWS..." Which of course could be taken as her new insight, or, just her sight, with the new eyes, period! hahaha This song is either a shallow pun, or something very deep.......only Michie knows for sure! (I always thought this song would make a great anime music video; since most girls in anime DO have fish eyes! ) |
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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Jul 21, 2009 18:37:08 GMT -5
HAPPY HOUR Song Review- BANANA CHIPSMy second favorite food song! Banana chips for you, banana chips for me...... A happy, peppy tune that makes everyone I've played it for, smile. The hard-driven guitar and bass lines, not to mention Atsuko's precise drumming, show just how far the band had come from the 712 days. The vocals in this song are Naoko at her very best; and, the video, featuring the girls in Yashimoto Nara style (as on the CD covers) CG animation, will blow you away! : www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wa95CvhESQ |
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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Jul 21, 2009 18:49:27 GMT -5
HAPPY HOUR Song Review- DOLLY
Hypnotic SK!
Named after Dolly, the first sheep ever cloned, this is a dreamy little song about counting sheep, before you sleep (1 sheep 2 sheep, 3 sheep, for my sleep....). Gentle guitar is combined with what sounds (to my totally untrained ears) to be tom-tom drums and quiet bass lines, for a very calming song that you can really get into, if you just let the tune take you away.
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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Jul 21, 2009 19:03:54 GMT -5
HAPPY HOUR Song Review- JACKALOPE(words and music by Michie Nakatani) A cute bouncy tune about Michie's quest to find the mythical Jackalope (truly a mythical beast proported to live in Texas; half rabbit, half antelope, and total bunk!). This song features a kind of 60s psychadelic sound with indian inspired keyboard playing and, not surprisingly, for a song written by bassist Michie, the bass is prominent over the lead guitar, throughout. Since this was the next to last song by Michie, on her last album, you could say she left on a "high" note! JACKALOPE RIDING ACADEMY NEAR AUSTIN TEXAS  ] |
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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Jul 24, 2009 1:45:31 GMT -5
HAPPY HOUR Song Review- GYOZA (My favorite food song)
"IT'S TASTY HISTORY!" So goes the best line of this tasty, hard driving food song about traditional Chinese meat dumplings, Gyoza. The guitar riffs (inspired by traditional Chinese music) that start the song, set the mood , then give way to a hearty rock beat and Michie's "fuzz" bass with just a smidgen of Chinese music in the backbeat; the song is a musical treat for any SK fan, with a liking for Chinese food....or just for a great tune!!
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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Aug 16, 2009 0:48:37 GMT -5
HAPPY HOUR Song Review- CATCH YOUR BUS(words and music by Michie Nakatani)
This is a nice short mid-tempo song which is basically about "finding your own way" in life " No doubt something Michie had in mind as she was about to leave the band! (Sadly)
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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Aug 16, 2009 0:56:30 GMT -5
HAPPY HOUR Song Review- PEOPLE TRAPSWhether this refers to the gas attacks in Tokyo subways, or just the hazards of today's lifestyles isn' t really obvious here but, the bouncy beat and great vocal work by Naoko (with very subtle BG singing by Michie in her soft "girlie" voice) here make this a pleasant song; nicely complimented by Atsuko's keyboard playing (thank goodness for overdubbing ) and drums. |
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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Aug 16, 2009 1:02:47 GMT -5
HAPPY HOUR Song Review- HIS PET
One of the "hardest" songs by SK, this song seems to be influenced by 80s metal with just a touch of the psychadelic sound, mainly in Michie's fuzz bass playing ; Astuko uses more cymbols here than she usually does, but, all in all, it still says SHONEN KNIFE.....and that is a GOOD thing!
ps. As with this entire CD, Naoko's vocals are at their very best here!
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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Aug 16, 2009 1:06:04 GMT -5
HAPPY HOUR Song Review- DAYDREAM BELIEVER(Words and music by John C. Stewart)
The old Monkees song is given the Shonen Knife treatment....and it works nicely, TY.
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