BOAT- Soul Thrash Train (1999)

This is a very interesting album, not only that, but this is a band from Japan that I can't really seem to find any bio on.  I have looked online, went through many different links, and even had Firefox translate Japanese pages for me, all to little avail.  Now, I have found pages that list this album, and others that they have their discography, but I can't seem to find any info. on the band itself, that's why you will see very few, if any, links in this post, regarding the band itself.  (So if you read this, please post a link if you find any background info.)

Boat is from Japan, sings in Japanese, and that's pretty much all I know at this time.  Like my usual precursor, I have no idea how I stumbled across these guys, more than likely, and I'm 100% sure this is how it went, I was browsing different users' files on Soulseek and decided to go ahead and try it.  I pride myself in being able to describe what genre(s) a band falls into, for the most part, but for some reason BOAT just seems to escape labeling.  But let me try nonetheless:  Imagine a poppy Japanese band, with the usual shoegaze style female vocals, playing standard Japanese Pop music, then completely switch that up, for every single track; seriously every track!  Every track, out of the 13, are pretty different from the rest; the style changes, the tempo/timing changes, the vocals change, pretty much everything is different, as you go from song to song on the 35+ minutes this release has.  (pop, punk, rock, experimental rock, noise rock, etc.)  I really want to find out more about these guys, and I have plans on getting their other 4 releases to see what they are like as well. 

After reading through this, I feel like my review of this band/album is lacking quite a bit, but this is one of those, and I know I've said this before, bands that you have to check out for yourself.  I really enjoy music, and when you mix in music form other cultures that switches things up so drastically, it's usually a hit with me.  Depending on where you live, you might be able to find this in a store, but more than likely you'll need to look online or download it, if you want to check them out; which you should. 

Official score- 3.75/5

Kenjihyakkei- Viva Koenji (1997)

So where to start with Kenjihyakkei? Well they are Japanese, classified as RIO-Rock In Opposition and Zeuhl, but that's just the beginning. This is truly one band that you just have to hear for yourself, honestly.  If I was to attempt to begin a description of this group, I would start with rock, then throw in some metal, add male/female vocals, mix in multiple effects on multiple different instruments all surrounded by off-beat time signatures, leads, rhythms and mix that in a pot, cook it on high, then take it off the stove and let it cool.  So that sounds crazy, right? Actually it's not that crazy at all, if you are acquainted with RIO.  Koenjihyakkei is just one of many RIO projects, yet one of the better.

Viva Koenji is the 2nd release by Kenjijyakkei and, out of the ones that I have heard, probably my favorite.  The production is really good, even though the average user might just consider it crazy unstructured noise, it is actually really well put together and has a great flow to it.  10 tracks with a running time of a little under an hour, this can be trying to complete, in one fell swoop, but if you're a fan of this style, it'll be really easy to digest.  I will say that even within their unconventional style, the tracks end up running together when you listen to them; which is good and bad at the same time, so let me explain.  When the tracks all run together, I have a tendency to not be able to see the differences in what they are pushing across the table to me as a listener, but on the other side of the coin, having them run together shows a stream-lined approach to the release; so pick your poison.  

With at least 5 solid members, and others that show up throughout this album and others, I would suggest this to someone who is adventurous and likes new things.  Kenjihyakkei throws everything at you, most of the time all at once, and with so many things going on as you listen to the album, this is a really good place to test the waters. If you use a file sharing program, or you have a certain site that shares music, you might start there; due to this not being readily available in a lot of areas, but if you can score it used, get it!

Official Score-3.5/5

Asa Change and Junray- Tsu Gi Ne Pu (2003)

I would like to start out that I really like Asa Chang & Junray.  When I first discovered this project, some years ago, it was a mainstay for me for quite some time.  In fact, I used to play music while I slept and had a big playlist that would go throughout the night, and I can still remember my wife telling me she would hear these guys start playing and it would kinda creep her out.  (I still laugh when I think about that.)

As you might guess, Asa Chang & Junray are from Japan, and I won't go into it, but take a second and look at some of the info. that there is online about them.  So, with us not getting too much into the band, or the other things that Asa Chang is into, let's get into a review of this album.

5 tracks, actually considered a mini-album by their label, but usually referred to as an E.P., so it is rather short. This is a dark yet rhythmical electronic release with live drums; a total gem in the electronic/experimental field.  Lots of layers of sounds followed with additional layers of beats, both live and electronic covered with mood setting Japanese vocals and vocal rhythms.  I am trying to find some actual descriptive words for this review, but in all honesty, this is a project that I recommend to listen to in order to get their full effect.  The only drawback for this album is that you have to be a fan of Japanese music, experimental/electronic music and/or a combination of all 3 to enjoy this to the fullest extent.  I love experimental music, and really enjoy any type of music that can make me want to listen to it, again and again, in order to find out everything that is going on within each track.  Do what you can to find this and if you're not a fan of this style, then try it anyways- you should have more of an open mind.


Official Score-3.75/5
(I scored this right under 4/5 due to the fact that it does apply only to a certain niche of the listening community; but if I'm not being objective, 4/5 for sure.)