Go Back   Electric Mole Forums > Shiina Ringo & Tokyo Jihen > Product Reviews & Information
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Product Reviews & Information Discuss singles, albums, and DVDs.
Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old 2009.06.23, 06:10 AM   #161
clakaz
Senior Member
 
clakaz's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: São Paulo/Brazil
Posts: 171
clakaz is an asset to this community
Default

You know, it make sense that she considers this the album that complements Ringo Expo. It`s like she is putting on this all the influences that she received in this ten years. And Marusadi makes a LOT of sense here. It`s her song, but a new one at the same time. "I'm searching for a new way to fly".
clakaz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2009.06.23, 06:34 AM   #162
a_grumble_cake
Senior Member
 
a_grumble_cake's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 663
a_grumble_cake deserves a fucking medal
Default

first listen over, going for second one.

It's worrisome because the only new track that immediately won me over is Togatta Teguchi (track 10). Happy with what she did with Yokyou and Marunouchi Sadistic.
a_grumble_cake is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2009.06.23, 07:00 AM   #163
BanFan
Senior Member
 
BanFan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 194
BanFan is an asset to this community
Default

Originally Posted by clakaz View Post
You know, it make sense that she considers this the album that complements Ringo Expo.
I'm glad I already bought a copy of that, because after one listen I do not like this album.

Nothing really stood out to me, and I'm not enjoying the vocals. It could be that "Ringotutionalised" business Scribble R mentioned, because that classic Shiina Ringo element seems to be missing. The only tracks I like as much as "SG~Superficial Gossip~" are "Ryuukou" (reminds me of "Himitsu" if you "Variety-fied" it), "Mayakashi Yasaotoko" and "Yokyou".

I wasn't planning on buying the album due to my music budget, so I've already deleted the mp3s. Maybe I'll like it if I try it out later, but for now I'm gonna stick to the ones I own.
BanFan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2009.06.23, 07:00 AM   #164
Satorr
Junior Member
 
Satorr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: San Diego
Posts: 3
Satorr pleased at least somebody
Default

After the first listen, I'm thrilled. Tons of amazing ideas on this album.
Satorr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2009.06.23, 07:14 AM   #165
ShinjiPG
Retired Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,491
ShinjiPG raises the standards of what a community can offer
Default

Originally Posted by TeslaGuy View Post
And I pity all who cannot appreciate the new Marunouchi, it is delicious.
Originally Posted by Ringo~Bingo View Post
What's with the little rap at the end of "Togatta Teguchi" ? totally not needed, it slightly let's down what is a great track (I chopped the rap and it ends in fade out just before his part).

Sounds strange having "Karisome Otome" on it in an unaltered form which just sounds ancient and out of place.
*nods in agreement*
ShinjiPG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2009.06.23, 07:41 AM   #166
Tokyo Jihad
Senior Member
 
Tokyo Jihad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: San Antonio! Hoody Hoo
Posts: 4,868
Tokyo Jihad knows what you did last summerTokyo Jihad knows what you did last summer
Default

What for you've been waiting and/or dreading..I'm ready to write my review!


Unfortunately for SG, no review can go without referencing Variety. This review is no different. Variety was a very polarizing album. You either loved it, thought it was genius or you thought it was utter garbage. As time went on, one side weathered time more than the other though. I think Sanmon Gossip will too be very polarizing in the community, but for much different reasons. Reasons we are already seeing. From song to song one might like the song a lot, where another might think its a mess; to the next track the opposite might be true.


One might be quick to take this as a sign the album is disjointed, uneven. While at times it does go through periods of un-noteworthiness, the album is surprisingly cohesive. When trying to come up with what that common thread was, all I could come up with was “Shiina.” I think that's an understated compliment and maybe what was lacking on Variety – which maybe it's not fair to talk about the Jihen albums. Maybe we should be talking about KZK, SS, and MM. A daunting task as it wasn't until very late in the album that things “click” as a Shiina Ringo album. What's important though is that it does at some point “click.”


One unfair credit Jihen always got was their so-called “ability to blend genres.” What I think was often meant was that they could play other genres, and not necessarily well. In Sanmon Gossip however, I think we do see some of that dubbed “genre blending.” Which, even as I type that, I feel sick about, since it's not “genre-blending” at all. What happens here is more “idea blending.” Like taking a genre song and infusing it with the ideas of another genre (like Bonsai Hadawhere we have what sounds like a very good acoustic song, but take out the acoustic guitar and put in an accordion.) People will still talk about Shiina and genres and blahdy blah, but at least it won't be without someone trying to clarify.


Before I go into track-by-track mode, what's more fitting is if I could do a beat-by-beat review. A characteristic of this album is that not only can each song be polarizing but a song can be polarizing within itself. Plenty of times I started a song thinking “oohh, alright!” just to moments later feel like I had to weather the rest of the song. Just as often did a boring song suddenly become interesting.


:: Ryuukou comes in, and I can't help but be reminded of Himitsu on Adult. I didn't mind the idea of the rap on this song and I think it works quite well (as opposed to Himitsu.) What's more is that since the first time on a Shiina-related album since Adult, we hear a good chorus and hook! The guitar works for me here

:: It's been a long long time since I've been able to say Shiina's singing saves a song, but that's completely the case for Roudousha. I was initially quick to write this off as a cheesy cornball song based off the intro and first verse. Then I warmed up when I heard the tiny bit of synth which made a corny song interesting by adding some depth (*cough* Variety.) Shiina sings really well on the chrorus (*cough* Variety) The thing though is while the instrumentation is interesting, I'm not sure the rest of the song is.

:: “Kabuki”? Is that you again?? Mittei Monogatari's chorus is very strong, but the rest of the song is a bit of a wash. The flute is at the very least a 'different' choice during the verses.

:: O Chiten Kara sounds like a college radio song. Which is pretty cool.Up until now all the songs were very fast and in your face, whether you wanted them to be or not. I was very welcoming of this song as a “backing off” and cooling down. I think the songs good in its own right, but what makes it work even better is it's placement in the track order (*COUGH* VARIETY!)

:: Do I really have to talk about Karisome Otome (Death Jazz ver.)? Oooolder than the hills. Okay, lets pretend it's new. In respect to the song, its placement on this album is doing the song so many more favors than just awkwardly isolating this track as a single. “One time...” sucks. The rest has grown on me thanks to the superior HF iteration.

:: I want to be an A-mer-i-can! I want to be an A-mer-i-can! I thought this was Sanmon Gossip, not West Side Story. Tsugou no Ii Karada is the Disney-Neko song on the album. Strong singing from Shiina wasn't going to stop me from writing this song off entirely. However the neat echo vocals at about 1:58 would have me consider it.

:: I was quick to lament a understated, blasé song like Shun being the lead (video) single. But now I get it. It's the one song that's easy to understand and doesn't need to be “explained” to a general audience. That's not to say I think Shun is a bad song. Its very groovy, which I dig. I'm not sure you can really hate this song, but I can understand people really loving it.


:: Futaribocchi Jikan is a song I'm glad we heard prior to the album as it put, at least my, hopes in check. Its the “Bokoku Jyousho” of the album. But, remember when the “Bokoku Jyousho” of the album was “Tsumiki Asobi”? Man, those were the days. (It's not terrible, but I can't say it's all that great.)

:: Mayakashi Yasaotoko was a let down to me. The intro had me psyched. However, as the song built up, it became apparent the song really wasn't getting anywhere. What you assume to be the bridge was actually the chrorus. Poor SAPS, can't say either of their tracks are highlights. The outro is just as good as the intro though.

:: Togatta Teguchi comes in like a freight train (or an Evanescence song.) Its a more songey, rocky Hatsukoi Shoujo...but it doesn't stand up as well as it sounds like it would. The instrumentation here really is great, and you know so is the verse, but the chorus is pretty weak. Especially when compared to some surprisingly well-written melodies in the rest of the album.

:: I guess after Togatta Teguchi, she felt we needed some elevator music in Irokoizata. Maybe we did, but that doesn't change that this is probably the least interesting track on the album. It is retro sounding, which is a plus.

:: Bonsai Hada is the best track on the album. The intro is very clever. Up until this point on the album, I had been waiting for a song that sounded anything like Pre-Jihen Shiina, and here it was. Don't let the accordion fool you, here you can hear the Shiina we were used to hearing very clearly. I think this tracks great, the atmosphere really works for the song.

:: When Yokyou started up witch its crunchy guitars I couldn't help but proclaim “fuckin' A” No matter what SG or even KZK showed us, Shiina is still at her strongest backed by a traditional rock band. Even if it's not the strongest song shes ever written, look at how strong it sounds when produced and arranged this way! The classic rock suit never goes out of style, Shiina.


:: As for Marunouchi Sadistic (EXPO ver.) as a bonus track, I don't mind it much. It's like Boys II Men got a hold of Shiina's catalog. This song boils down to your opinion of RnB music. If you like it, you like this song, if you don't want to hear that kind of music you'll think its a waste of track. I think as a bonus song,it means its just a fun experiment, so I'm 100% fine with this song, even if I might not ever jones to pull up this song on my mp3 player.

So whats the verdict. I think this is an extremely interesting album. More interesting than KZK. KZK was belligerent in telling you “I'm interesting.” SG I feel makes you think about the songs and the song creation process, and once you do you'll think it's interesting. I think if you just cursorily listen for hooks and stuff, you'll think its a mess. Which is not to say it's not. It has its very apparent downpoints. But I think this is a case where you allow them because sometimes to make something good, you have to make something bad. If you're experimenting a lot, not everything is going to work like you'd hope.


I don't know how history will look upon SG. I was very sure that Variety would be seen poorly, HF be seen as half-finished, and Adult as the better TJ album. I think SG will always be in the shadow of it's three bigger brothers, but I don't think when talking of Shiina albums the word “worst” will ever be readily used to describe SG. Sanmon Gossip has its own identity that is very different from the others. It doesn't even always feel like its trying to make the catchiest or best songs. While that sounds like something I'd on any other day say was a terrible idea, it somehow comes together to make an album that is undeniably Shiina, just like the three before it.


Jihad's three picks: Bonsai Hada, Yokyou, O Chiten Kara
__________________
"Jihad is the soul of EMF"--Lena

Last edited by Tokyo Jihad : 2009.06.23 at 08:09 AM.
Tokyo Jihad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2009.06.23, 08:01 AM   #167
frecklegirl
apple-princess
 
frecklegirl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Tokyo
Posts: 2,183
frecklegirl knows what you did last summerfrecklegirl knows what you did last summer
Default

Just moved all the drama posts into their own special thread. Yay!
frecklegirl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2009.06.23, 08:15 AM   #168
ShinjiPG
Retired Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,491
ShinjiPG raises the standards of what a community can offer
Default

I do not appreciate your derision, frecklegirl.

EDIT: Even made me forget to thank Jihad for his review.
I hope you listen to the album more times tho, Jihad.

EDIT2: Sanmon Gossip is available at iTunes Japan.

Last edited by ShinjiPG : 2009.06.23 at 08:21 AM.
ShinjiPG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2009.06.23, 08:19 AM   #169
Ringo~Bingo
Banned
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,222
Ringo~Bingo knows what you did last summerRingo~Bingo knows what you did last summer
Default

@Jihad I did let that accordion fool me and wrote it off, but your enthusiasm prompted a revisit for which I'm grateful. After that intro the song really is quite special it went from a 1 star rating to the full 5. \0/
Ringo~Bingo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2009.06.23, 08:51 AM   #170
frecklegirl
apple-princess
 
frecklegirl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Tokyo
Posts: 2,183
frecklegirl knows what you did last summerfrecklegirl knows what you did last summer
Default

Back to my ignore list for you, Shinji!

Ahhh I love this album. "Yokyou" is such an amazing song; I love it in both its forms.

I think what strikes me the most about the album as a whole is that it feels so... unrestrained. Like she had all of this inside her this whole time, but on things like Tokyo Jihen and HF she was holding it all back to go for a different sound, and finally here she was free to make an album entirely the way SHE wanted, with the sound she wanted, and she really just let it all out. It's that sense of pure unbridled joy and freedom that I think makes me love the album so much. I really hope this isn't the last we get before she goes back into that shell and back to the "Tokyo Jihen sound" (aka controlled and boring by this point)... I would really like a lot more of this instead. Sigh! (But hey, maybe I should just be like Japanese fans and write her a message to that effect, and then it'll happen? still crazy how much influence her Japanese fans have had on her career lately)
frecklegirl is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
[Maboroshi] 2009.03.25 - Maboroshi no Shi (CD) [Album] frecklegirl Product Reviews & Information 31 2013.02.11 01:01 PM
Japan Nite kamikaze Off-Topic (Music) 10 2011.03.24 01:12 AM
[SR] 2009.05.27 - Ariamaru Tomi (CD) [Single] frecklegirl Product Reviews & Information 305 2009.06.28 04:41 AM
(2009.06.24) Shiina Ringo - Sanmon Gossip [Album] zarya Main Forum 1420 2009.06.22 09:25 AM
Ego Wrappin and the Gossip of Jaxx lazer85 Off-Topic (Music) 4 2009.03.05 02:37 AM


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 10:32 AM.