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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Apr 17, 2010 23:12:09 GMT -5
BRAND NEW KNIFE 1997 Big Deal records/ MCA Victor SK: Naoko & Atsuko Yamano with Michie Nakatani The follow-up to Let's Knife, this album was a revelation to many fans who began to see how much the band had matured since the 712 days; it begins with an Explosion, and ends One Week later.  A mix of both slow and fast songs, the album has many moods and subjects, my fave cuts are ESP and Loop di Loop, however, this CD has something for any Knife Collector! Much of the CD has a kind of psychedelic feeling to it, particularly Wonder wine, Magic Joe and Tower of the Sun; the fun side of SK is once again represented by ESP &Frogophobia. For metalheads, there's the really weird Buddah's face and for the merely hyper, One Week! All in all, a really good effort with something for everyone....don't let the bunnies on the cover fool you! While all 13 main tracks are in English, there are several bonus tracks in Japanese! (Unfortunately, they never did this for the North American market again!)  out of 5   Playlist:EXPLOSION WIND YOUR SPRING THE PERFECT WORLD E.S.P. LOOP DI LOOP WONDER WINE MAGIC JOE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES TOWER OF THE SUN KEEP ON ROCKIN' FROGOPHOBIA BUDDHA'S FACE ONE WEEK (The album then has several Japanese versions of the same songs ) All songs written by Naoko Yamano unless noted otherwise
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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Apr 26, 2010 1:18:11 GMT -5
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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Apr 28, 2010 2:08:45 GMT -5
BRAND NEW KNIFE ~ Song review
[glow=red,2,300]EXPLOSION[/glow]
One of my fave cuts on the album, it begins with Atsuko setting the beat, to Naoko's excellent guitar (She had SO improved by this time) and litterally explodes into a great little rocker; Naoko's short guitar solo in the middle of the song, makes it worth the price of admission....The girl's fun and energy really comes out in this one!
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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Apr 28, 2010 2:13:06 GMT -5
BRAND NEW KNIFE ~ Song review
[glow=red,2,300]WIND YOUR SPRING[/glow]
A "ballad with a beat", this is one of my fave "slow" SK songs; and I don't think you'll find many songs where Naoko sounds so sweet! (Not to mention how well she and Michie harmonise here!)
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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Apr 28, 2010 2:17:22 GMT -5
BRAND NEW KNIFE ~ Song review
[glow=red,2,300]THE PERFECT WORLD [/glow]written by Michie Nakatani
Like the previous song , this is a "ballad with a beat", expressing deep feelings of love and caring (truly, Michie was a GREAT songwriter, and this is one of her very best); enhanced beautifully by Michie's "little girl" voice!
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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Apr 28, 2010 2:18:45 GMT -5
BRAND NEW KNIFE ~ Song review [glow=red,2,300]ESP[/glow] One of my favorite songs from "Brand New Knife", ESP has some of the best harmonizing the band ever did; and soft but fast guitar playing that blend well with Naoko's voice (Sung a bit softer and at a slightly higher key than her norm); all-in-all a wonderful little song with a great (insane) video that has the frenetic movement of the Ramones "I wanna be sedated" video, along with the band spoofing "Idol singers", science fiction and Japanese monster movies: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5nNemCZVds |
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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Apr 28, 2010 2:23:00 GMT -5
BRAND NEW KNIFE ~ Song review
[glow=red,2,300]LOOP DI LOOP[/glow]
My very favorite song on this CD, it just exudes summer love at an amusement park; which let's face it, is a kind of "ride" all on it's own! Interestingly, it was written by all 3 of the girls, together! (But, Michie is singing lead here; and is in her best voice!)
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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Apr 30, 2010 1:12:05 GMT -5
BRAND NEW KNIFE ~ Song review
[glow=red,2,300]WONDER WINE[/glow]
A peppy, poppy little number with great harmonies and a pretty good (slightly psychedelic) guitar solo by Naoko!
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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Apr 30, 2010 1:16:02 GMT -5
BRAND NEW KNIFE ~ Song review [glow=red,2,300]MAGIC JOE[/glow] And now for something a little MORE psychedelic; Naoko's tribute to a toy robot, the guitar solo really has that late 60s George Harrison type sound, combined with a futuristic theme. (A little Rubber Soul anyone?*) *A Beatles album from their psychedelic era |
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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Apr 30, 2010 1:19:49 GMT -5
BRAND NEW KNIFE ~ Song review
[glow=red,2,300]FRUITS & VEGETABLES[/glow]~ Written by Michie Nakatani
A soft sweet song by Michie, promoting good health...a great "car song" << A song to put on the car sound system on a long ride. In an interview, Michie said that she was feeling depressed and so she started to eat fruits and vegetables and it made her feel better, and inspired the song! The song itself, was sung by Atsuko, on this CD.
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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on Apr 30, 2010 1:28:06 GMT -5
BRAND NEW KNIFE ~ Song review [glow=red,2,300]TOWER OF THE SUN[/glow] A lovely tribute to the sculpture that symbolized the 1970 Expo held in Osaka Japan, this song features some of Naoko's best voice work; truly a wonderful song! From Wiki: The Tower of the Sun is an artwork created by Japanese artist Tar¨ Okamoto. It was known as the symbol of Expo '70 and currently is preserved and located in the Expo Commemoration Park in Suita, Osaka, Japan. The tower has three faces on its front and back.  |
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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on May 1, 2010 22:49:53 GMT -5
BRAND NEW KNIFE ~ Song review
[glow=red,2,300]KEEP ON ROCKIN'[/glow]
Beginning slowly with Michie's bass lines and Atsuko's hard beats, the song starts with Michie and Naoko singing softly in harmony, then hits an up tempo rock beat, with Naoko upping her energy; only to change tempo once again, and thus it goes throughout the song. This tribute to rock and roll is truly one of the best songs on an album full of great songs.
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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on May 1, 2010 22:56:16 GMT -5
BRAND NEW KNIFE ~ Song review [glow=red,2,300]FROGOPHOBIA[/glow] by Michie Nakatani While we all know about Naoko's problems ( fear of spiders, a problem with direction & obssession with her hair and weight), this song give us a little glimpse of Michie's greatest fear.....frogs! A fun song  |
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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on May 1, 2010 23:10:41 GMT -5
BRAND NEW KNIFE ~ Song review
[glow=red,2,300]BUDDHA'S FACE[/glow]
Ok, this one is just plain weird.....part trancendental experience, part angry GF song and just slightly psychedelic (with a touch of heavy metal), this song is Naoko at her most mysterious.....maybe it only makes sense to her! Not really a bad song at all, just weird!
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Post by mikado-AKA-Shoknifeman on May 1, 2010 23:15:43 GMT -5
BRAND NEW KNIFE ~ Song review
[glow=red,2,300]ONE WEEK[/glow]
Naoko's salute to her everyday life; a sweet song with an ending to wake you UP!
the album then features featured songs from the album in the original Japanese:
EXPLOSION
WIND YOUR SPRING
E.S.P.
WONDER WINE
FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
TOWER OF THE SUN
FROGOPHOBIA
A nice way to end a great album!
Mikey
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A mix of both slow and fast songs, the album has many moods and subjects, my fave cuts are ESP and Loop di Loop, however, this CD has something for any Knife Collector! Much of the CD has a kind of psychedelic feeling to it, particularly Wonder wine, Magic Joe and Tower of the Sun; the fun side of SK is once again represented by ESP &Frogophobia. For metalheads, there's the really weird Buddah's face and for the merely hyper, One Week! All in all, a really good effort with something for everyone....don't let the bunnies on the cover fool you! 
