SHONEN KNIFE – SUPER GROUP (TOMATO HEAD RECORDS)
Its been really sad attempting to track this record down because it just does not appear to be out there. The fact that I am listening to this now via a promo copy I bought from Ebay that was actually pushing the European tour as opposed to the actual release of the record suggests sad and bad time for one of the most charming bands in alternative rock history.
There is a train of thought that dictates that if you have heard one Shonen Knife record that you have heard them all but that isn’t quite the case, you need to dig deep for buried treasure because behind the cute faces there is often some very dark and deep content.
The sound on this record is as good as ever and immediately it is noticeable that the addition of Ritsuko Taneda to proceedings adds a lot to the bass sound, rounding it out more and helping it gain weight and depth. Indeed the record opens with one of her basslines.
The songs essentially remain the same, hook filled objects of classic rock, one minute sounding like The Ramones, the next The Runaways, the next AC/DC, the next jangly indie but all the while it is caked in Japanese love, the kind our cousins only appear capable of producing sincerely and efficiently. OK, it is plainly obvious at this point of the review that this band is playing to a home team supporter but this genuinely does not make the enjoyment of this record exclusive to only loving parties and relatives, instead it serves as a reminder of how great guitar indie pop can and should be but sadly feels lacking and in short measure these days.
Formed 28 years ago now it is much to their testament that the band, even if it is just Naoko from the original line-up, is still going and with it they have plenty of tricks left in their pockets.
It’s a genuinely beautiful thing.
Thesaurus moment: magnetism.
Shonen Knife
Shonen Knife live
Tomato Head Records
Its been really sad attempting to track this record down because it just does not appear to be out there. The fact that I am listening to this now via a promo copy I bought from Ebay that was actually pushing the European tour as opposed to the actual release of the record suggests sad and bad time for one of the most charming bands in alternative rock history.
There is a train of thought that dictates that if you have heard one Shonen Knife record that you have heard them all but that isn’t quite the case, you need to dig deep for buried treasure because behind the cute faces there is often some very dark and deep content.
The sound on this record is as good as ever and immediately it is noticeable that the addition of Ritsuko Taneda to proceedings adds a lot to the bass sound, rounding it out more and helping it gain weight and depth. Indeed the record opens with one of her basslines.
The songs essentially remain the same, hook filled objects of classic rock, one minute sounding like The Ramones, the next The Runaways, the next AC/DC, the next jangly indie but all the while it is caked in Japanese love, the kind our cousins only appear capable of producing sincerely and efficiently. OK, it is plainly obvious at this point of the review that this band is playing to a home team supporter but this genuinely does not make the enjoyment of this record exclusive to only loving parties and relatives, instead it serves as a reminder of how great guitar indie pop can and should be but sadly feels lacking and in short measure these days.
Formed 28 years ago now it is much to their testament that the band, even if it is just Naoko from the original line-up, is still going and with it they have plenty of tricks left in their pockets.
It’s a genuinely beautiful thing.
Thesaurus moment: magnetism.
Shonen Knife
Shonen Knife live
Tomato Head Records
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