The Maron Hamada Appreciation Thread
 

I have been listening to Maron Hamada's Seijuku no Marble since it came out a couple weeks ago, and I gotta say, it's a terrific album. I've lost count of how many times I've played it. deadgrandma posted a really good review of it on his blog too, so I know I'm not alone in thinking this. It's definitely my favorite new album this year.

So I thought I would start this thread as a central location for news/information/discussion related to Maron Hamada and her music, since there seems to be relatively little on the English-speaking web about her. I think we'll be hearing a lot more about her on EMF in particular, particularly since her music and vocal style seem to dovetail nicely with some of Ringo's work.

I've liked her since her early EPs. Haven't had a chance to fully check out her new album beyond a couple songs. I thought I could study while I listened to it, but her voice is too abrasive for that :lol: Personally, I don't think much will change regarding how much people like her on EMF. She's been around for a while. Is this album really that much of a departure from her previous sound that people only now will take notice? I guess I have to find out.

Oh, to be clear, I'm absolutely not saying Hamada is the next Ringo - she's definitely more of a niche performer. That said, I think that there's a lot that fans of Ringo might appreciate. To me there seem to be some definite parallels and/or even some of Ringo's influence being felt.

Kusari sounds to me like something from the mid-Jihen era; Mayakashi no Blues would have been right at home on Sanmon Gossip. At risk of starting some controversy, I would argue that Shihatsu Mae no Dance Hall (currently my favorite track) is Hamada's answer to Marunouchi Sadistic.

Vocally - I'm not sure how exactly to describe it, but Hamada's voice bears some striking similarities to Ringo's voice (and some *really* striking similarities to Gin Wigmore). Hamada does not have the range or technique that Ringo has (which is not at all to say I dislike her voice), but somehow her voice just sort of scratches that same itch...I'll have to think more about it.

I will also admit to having discovered Hamada only relatively recently, so in retrospect I realize that this thread probably comes off as very noob-ish particularly to those who have been following her for a while. Sorry about that. Playing that album was just kind of a "Eureka!" moment...

New album is not a departure from her sound sure, but it certainly is a honing of it, there's no loose ends and it's tight as it gets. She's also pretty damn great live.

Don't tell me there's a live DVD out there?!

ETA: Actually, please tell me there's a live DVD out there...

No live DVD yet. But I have seen footage on youtube over the last few years. She seems like an artist likely to tour international as part of jazz festivals and stuff. I know other artists on her label have already.

I know she does do pretty neat covers in her sets too.

Miren Butterfly is also better as a pulse-pounding leadoff than what Shiina had on Sunny and Reimports, by a country mile.

And let's not forget the equally exciting Yurayura Mousou Bed. Plus you get a bit of the 007 flavor with Kyokugei Rondo...really, not a bad track on the album. And the more I think about it, all very Ringo-compatible.

Have you listened to the first album yet? It's pretty damn good too.

Pretty sure I'm only person I know that owns the 7" single from that era btw. That seemed to go out of stock the second I mentioned I had it haha.

Seijuku no Marble is getting a full LP pressing, was meant to be early next month but its been pushed back to December now. Has a different closing/bonus track to the CD

I actually listened to Hyuro Shoujo Elegy for the first time this morning on the way to work, and you're right, it's also quite excellent. This was actually what inspired me to post about Hamada (that is to say, hearing another album of hers and realizing Seijuku no Marble was not a one-off).

ETA: You're really making me wish I still had a record player. :)

What I find the most interesting about Marble is the fact that the song that experiments/deviates the most from her sound or expands the palette the most on there is actually the bonus track. Maybe she was aware of how different it sounded and decided- no, this doesn't go, but is too good to throw away?

I like it when artists can make this kind of conscious decision, to be able to throw away or make such a strong (if not the best song on the album) into a bonus track. Takes real nerve and true focus on the final product to do something like that.

A rather smarmy but kinda true comment I read about this album from a last.fm user was 'I like this, it reminds me of Shiina Ringo without the product tie ins". I was holding it back from posting here because it's pretty harsh (and I'm ashamed I didn't come up with that myself :-p) but there you go.

You're right, she does deserve a lot of credit for having a coherent vision and sticking to it. Although I'm also thinking it's kind of a "To Be Continued" at the end of the album. A taste of what's to come.

I guess I'm going to have to stick up for Ringo again. :P

Seijuku no Marble is certainly better than most of the singles Ringo has put out in the past year, there's no denying it. But Ringo has risen to this level, and more, on many occasions. I'd argue that some of the new tracks on Sunny are equally good for example.

I'm pretty sure even DG digs Chinchinpuipui

When I wrote that I was thinking in particular of JL005, but yeah.

The vinyl edition of Seijuko no Marble is now available for pre-order: eBay

Bahaha at that double price....

Just get it on Jetset.

Jetset won't let me preorder it though...not that I actually have a record player. :)

LP now in stock at Jetset!

So has anyone heard anything further about the album Hamada is supposed to be releasing this August? Maron Hamada is the one artist that still excites me as much as Ringo...so I'm definitely waiting anxiously. I know the two re-releases are coming out this July and I've got those preordered.

Also, holy shit, I just realized that we completely bypassed Lady Monochrome during the hiatus. Damn was that a great album.