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Blotto
Singles Collection 2004-2007 |
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Tracklist |
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01 - 死者列車 (Shisha Ressha)
02 - 蠅とイチゴ (Hae to Ichigo)
03 - 夏の名残り (Natsu no Nagori)
04 - 右脳ガム (Unou Gum)
05 - アンダレイ (Andarei)
06 - 又、夢。 (Mata, Yume.)
07 - 太陽の子供達 (Taiyou no Kodomotachi)
08 - 夢遊旅行 (Yumeu Ryokou) |
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Review |
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A band with a dedicated fanbase splits up. Yet, before the fans can mourn too much, a new band or solo project is formed featuring the frontman. We've heard this story before with Sunny Day Service, Thee Michelle Gun Elephant, Husking Bee, and a plethora of other bands. Add Mugen Minus to the list. Led by ex-COCK ROACH frontman Endo Jinpei, Mugen Minus' debut, Shinda Hazu no Boku no Tabi has much in common with Isobe Masafumi's first album with the CORNER moniker. They both leave much (or all, in Mugen Minus' case) of the distortion and punk aesthetic of their former bands behind, opting for a more folky and acoustic sound with a few electronic quirks thrown in.
The journey of Shinda Hazu no Boku no Tabi kicks off with the majestic opener, "Shisha Ressha," which runs a little bit over 8 minutes. Endo's vocals are spot-on, conveying a sense of longing and defeat as soft guitars, steady percussion and some atmospheric wind noise fill up the back. Halfway through, the song crescendos and swells up as guitarist Asahi Subaru's backup vocals call out from behind Endo's subdued wails. The song plays out like the opening scene of some tragic Japanese folk tale, setting the mood perfectly for the rest of the album.
"Hae to Ichigo" sounds like a children's song at first listen, with its playful keyboards whirling in and out of Maekawa Kazuma's simple percussion and the two acoustic guitars. However, Endo's nasal singing style and the lyrics suggest otherwise, something more ominous. Asahi Subaru sings the lead on the nostalgic third track, "Natsu no Nagori." His voice complements the more folk-oriented nature of the song perfectly as he sings of old friends and dear memories over the sound of cicadas chirping in the background. Asahi's presence is really one of the best parts of the album. On "Taiyou no Kodomotachi," he harmonizes exactly when he needs to, lending his voice here and there to lift the song up and away.
If there's a straightforward rock song in the album, it would be the exotic-sounding "Andarei." Reggaeton-esque percussion sets the ground for a fist-pumping ride rife with hoarse yells and elegant, Spanish-sounding guitar flourishes. While it's possible that this song might have sounded better with an electric ensemble, it still remains thrilling and energetic nonetheless played with acoustic instruments. The album is not flawless, however. "Unou Gamu" sounds terribly out of place with its electronic synth beat and layers of zombie-like vocals, which is ironic considering it sounds like a club remix of a song by Endo's former band, COCK ROACH.
Shinda Hazu no Boku no Tabi is an impressive debut. It progresses like a concept album, each individual song playing out like a chapter in a whimsical folk tale. Like Isobe's CORNER, it is refreshing to hear Endo's voice sing in a different setting. Through Mugen Minus, a vision and a world similar to the one that COCK ROACH created is painted, this time with gentler strokes. The dark, ominous vibes are still there, but there is also an acoustic warmth which strikes a nice balance between hope and despair. |
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