"Minna Tanoshiku" review
Douglas North
the "flangey" effect on the guitar.
2. Parrot Polynesia- Much the same as the later version but with less of
the "tropical" sounding percussion.
3. Hitokue Papaya- starts with an aggressive drumbeat. At first, I
thought this was "Burning Farm". Slower than the album version. The
"Oh-oh" part is sung slightly differently. Harsher vocal from Michie.
Quite primitive yet very enjoyable.
4. Saboten- Okay... this is what we have been waiting for. Unreleased
songs! "You!" starts the aggressiveley shouted chorus. I've never heard
the original Delta 5 song so I can't compare them. "I found out about
YOU!" is the loud singalong refrain. This is catchy and fun. Though I
have very little idea of what they are saying.
5. Burning Farm- Yes, this starts with two minutes or so of (non-SK)
African drumming/chanting taken from some unidentified record. Once we
enter the familiar "Burning Farm" territory, you realize just how much
rawer and more lo-fi this record is than even BF and Yama-no Attchan.
Guitar solo is different- more repetitive. Shockingly noisey and punky.
A revelation.
6. Parallel Woman- Whoa. This has always been one of my absolute
favorite songs. This version is quite slower than the "BF" version.
Vocals are more "halting"... as in "Ha-kai, ha-kai.. Pararer-u Uu-man"
you can hear each "U" as a separate cyllable (as they technically are in
Japanese). Not as bright and pretty as the released version. But still
loads of fun.
7. An Angel Has Come- much longer than the album version. Different
intro. Very low-fi live recording with Michie's vocals not very audible.
Extra verse(s) with a slowed down interlude. As Jenn says on her
review... "not great"... but still an interesting alternate arrangement
and unique insight into the ambiance of those ancient SK live shows.
8. Spider- I have no need to describe this to you. Pull out "PLBG/Live
in Japan" CD and play track 16. This version on "Minna" is actually
about 1/2 a second shorter (spoken intro and applause at end clipped).
9. I'm A Realist- Unlike the previous track, this one is NOT the same as
"Live in Japan". This is a studio version. And it is even more punk than
we thought. Very raunchy guitar. Some of the lyrics can actually be made
out in this one. Something about an escalator, "cycling pictures" (??),
"homosexual people"(!!!), "Computer systems"(??), and "Dangerous
children". The chorus is: "You are mad! I am a realist! You are mad! I
am a realist!"
Did Michie have something against gay people when she wrote this? Maybe
I can see why they don't want it out, if this is the case. Still, a
great track and something to play to your friends who insist SK only
writes songs about cute furry animals, bathing in public, and snacks.
10. Voice of the Crane/Tortoise Brand...- Don't get too excited...
"Voice of the Crane" is about a 4 second gibberish sound effect that
introduces the well known "Tortoise Brand" jingle. This version is very
interesting. Naoko's voice is purposely distorted, making it sound like
it's coming from underwater. Synthesizer and electronic drum machine
make this song sound surprisingly prescient of material the Yamano
sisters would later do on "Strawberry Sound".
11. Planet X- This is a trippy, all-too-brief Michie number with some
droning, almost Yoko Ono-esque vocal excercises. There is a male voice
speaking "Planet X" as Michie sings it. Sci-fi sound effects dominate.
Sung in English!
12. Summertime Boogie- Similar to the PLBG version just more sparse and
loose. And yes, Michie does (nearly) laugh during the "Aaaaaaah!" Jaunty
fun.
13. Miracles- Like "Tortoise Brand..." this has an electronic feel and
distorted vocals (I guess to sound like a cat?). If there is ever a
comprehensive SK anthology, this MUST be the opening track. Primitive
and catchy. I love it!
So there you have it. Basically it sounds like a demo for SK's first
three albums, but with a few very notable surprises. This is SK's
"Woolton Viliage Fete" tape or "Hag in a Black Leather Jacket" if you
get the refrences :). And as such, are indispensible for any SK fan. Go
download it now!!!.
jennt...@aol.com
Thanks for the great review! And thank you for the kind references
for my blog. :) When I first posted about "Minna" I said to my
boyfriend, "Wow...now I'm really glad I decided to do a blog of my
own." Reviewing "Minna Tanoshiku", who woulda thought? Truly
historic.
After a week or so of having it, I have to say "Miracles" (my favorite
SK song ever, and in my opinion, also the
greatest song ever by an all-female band) is still the standout on
"Minna".
Great points about the "Realist" lyrics...would have said something in
my blog if I felt 100% about what Michie was actually saying. (Hell,
I heard "all the sex shop people" hahahaha!)
Jenn