File: IMG_0316.jpg (1.9 MB)

1.9 MB JPG

Tonight's listen:

Happy End - Kazemachi Roman

The sophomore album by this short-lived Japanese folk-rock group is widely regarded as their best. Happy End were among the first rock bands to sing entirely in Japanese, making their music infinitely less embarrassing than the Engrish "group sounds" acts preceding them. Of course this means I have no idea what they're singing about, but it sounds very introspective and wistful. Stylistically these guys are most akin to CSNY (with less emphasis on harmony) and associated west-coast acts like Buffalo Springfield. That said, they do break the mold by incorporating shades of country and some jammy near-psych here and there. Just to make sure I lose any critical credibility whatsoever, I have to say that a couple of the softer numbers sound like especially beautiful Animal Crossing themes set to lyrics. Member Haruomi "Harry" Hosono would go on to become somewhat of a ubiquitous figure in Japanese popular music, almost like a Brian Eno without the activism. I'm in no position to declare Kazemachi Roman one of the greatest Japanese albums ever as it's sometimes called, but it's probably the best of the dozen-or-so I own.

9.0/10

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZQQlzCqqNs