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Blotto
Singles Collection 2004-2007 |
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Tracklist |
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01 - 青い夏 (Aoi Natsu)
02 - 夢ステーション (Yume Station)
03 - 希望 (Kibou)
04 - ロックとハニー (Rock to Honey)
05 - ナイトエスケープ (Night Escape)
06 - おおかみ男の歌 (Ookami Otoko no Uta)
07 - ヒビヤ (Hibiya
08 - GET UP
09 - 僕はライオン (Boku ha Lion)
10 - パーティ （Party)
11 - FLy
12 - Stay Dreamer |
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Review |
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I've always thought that bands with niche styles like Sparta Locals have it tough when cutting new records. On one hand, they've embraced a distinctive, signature 80s post-punk style that's won them success and recognition; however, after a few albums driven by the same ideas, there's always that impending gloom of getting stuck in a rut. 2004's Sun Sun Sun captured Sparta Locals' classic sound at what is likely to be its high tide, though the album's slight weakness in the variety department was an early sign of possible troubles ahead. Undoubtedly, Dreamer was going to be not only a difficult album but a barometer for the Locals' future creative output. A slip-up here could put the band on the downward slope of stagnation and consumer apathy, much like their unfortunate new wave brethren The Silencers. Would Sun Sun Sun prove to be the next A Letter from St. Paul?
The way Dreamer opens, with the squawked, staccato vocals, fragmented guitar and direct references to summer in both the title and opening line, the Locals are already marching back to Sun Sun Sun. But by the time the chorus breezes by, the rough edges are all flattened out into a nearly shimmery guitar melody and uncharacteristically flowing vocals. The effect is ephemeral, however, as "Aoi Natsu" plunges into its demarcated style, but clearly some changes are evident. Accordingly, Dreamer is a slight detour from the previous albums' high energy romps, with tracks falling evenly between high energy and pensive.
Some of the slower paced numbers on the album do mesh well with the Locals' musical foundation. The emphasis on hard rhythms and the omnipresent shouts from the backup vocals in slower songs ("Kibou," "Night Escape") introduce a level of tension that keeps the slackened pace from dragging until the chorus can deliver the melodic punch. Still, pacing remains an issue in the latter half of Dreamer. The lengthy "Ookami" and anthemic ballad "Hibiya" are strong enough additions to the lineup, but the weak "Boku ha Lion," with only an occasional interesting guitar hook in its defense, adds too much weight to the combination. Neither "FLy" nor "Stay Dreamer" are particularly gripping, and together with vocalist Kousei's softer vocals and lazy enunciation are almost sleep-inducing. "GET UP" (the most energetic on the album) and "Party" are simply not enough to keep the back half of Dreamer moving.
On the upside, the deliberate pacing does allow for more melodic guitar work, in which the band does not hesitate to indulge. The guitar, which still trades melodic blows with Kousei's vocals during verses, is played in a much more connected manner, giving the still prominent serrated riffs a much-needed break. "Yume Station"'s infectious opening riffs introduce the song just about perfectly, while "Ookami"'s parts keep the long song alive during its six-minute run.
Sparta Locals, at their most emphatic, are almost like taking speed, and that's what works against Dreamer the most. Perhaps there's not the feeling of euphoria, but after coming off the addicting songs like "Yume Station" and "Rock to Honey," nothing feels fun anymore, while the weaker moments seem to drag on even longer. The Locals have made a valiant effort in chasing after different ideas on their latest full-length, but they have not quite found the right balance between fast and slow, energetic and introspective. Chances are, if they give their next album more than a single year to precipitate, they may just find the right formula. |
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