1980s
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Seiko Matsuda – “North Wind” review
Final verdict: 8/10 ★★★★☆ It is that time of year again, folks – December, final round! There’s a lot of things to reminisce upon, many a blessing and equally many a lovely memory, but there are also quite a few regrets I exit the year bearing; I suppose everyone feels that way to some extent, way… Read more
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Jun Togawa – “好き好き大好き” review
Final verdict: 10/10 ★★★★★ A few months ago I had a manic episode. Rough times, man, I don’t even want to think about it. But to review this album, I kind of have to. So, “好き好き大好き”. This album was all I would ever listen to during my manic spell. Anything that wasn’t a song off… Read more
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Yellow Magic Orchestra – “Technodelic” review
Final verdict: 10/10 ★★★★★ “This must be the ugliest piece of bread I’ve ever eaten” is the line that acts as an overture to this album, and honestly, it’s only fitting. Even if not the ugliest piece of bread you’ve ever eaten, “Technodelic” is still a pretty damn ugly one. I mean, picture this –… Read more
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Seiko Matsuda – “Squall” review
Final verdict: 10/10 ★★★★★ Here’s the thing with Seiko Matsuda – I love her beyond imagination and I am actually obsessed with her. I mean, I listen to her almost constantly (this is no phase, either, and if it is, it’s seriously overstaying its welcome – it’s been a fucking YEAR), and she is a fashion icon… Read more
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Yellow Magic Orchestra – “Naughty Boys” review
Final verdict: 3/10 ★⋆˙⟡☆☆☆ I reckon “Naughty Boys” has achieved cult classic status, but this kind of sucks ass, I’m sorry. I’ve given it so many tries, yet I cannot get into it at all. First time I listened to this tears formed in my eyes actually, and not for good reason. I was so… Read more
1980s, 80s music, album review, blog, indie, japan, japanese music, jpop, music, Music review, pop, pop music, review, reviews, writing -
Haruomi Hosono – “Philharmony” review
Final verdict: 6/10 ★★★☆☆ “Philharmony” is just a weird ass sampling experiment, with a couple of poppier songs thrown in there for good measure. To those who regarded Ryuichi Sakamoto’s “B-2 Unit” as pretentious… behold “Philharmony”. Because it’s nothing but 37 minutes of Hosono noodling around on synthesizers and samplers, an over-the-top display of his… Read more
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Akiko Yano – “ただいま.” review
Final verdict: 9/10 ★★★★⋆˙⟡ Sometime last year, I figured I’d give Akiko Yano a try, and this album specifically was recommended to me – it was touted her “weirdest” work, and I enjoy fucky music, and so you see, it was meant to be. And with my beloved YMO tackling the production, was there any… Read more
1980s, 80s music, album review, blog, hell yeah, indie, japan, japanese music, jpop, music, Music review, pop, pop music, review, reviews, rock, rock music, writing -
Yellow Magic Orchestra – “Service” review
Final verdict: 6/10 ★★★☆☆ This is basically what YMO attempted to do with “Naughty Boys”, just a lot better than its unfortunate predecessor. The songs are probably far from the greatest in YMO’s discography, however you have complete bangers like “Limbo”, “Chinese Whispers”, and “See-Through”, so it’s hard to dislike. Not much against the rest… Read more
1980s, 80s music, album review, blog, indie, japan, japanese music, jpop, music, Music review, pop, pop music, review, reviews, writing -
Akiko Yano – “ごはんができたよ” review
Final verdict: 10/10 ★★★★★ Could it be, we finally found a double album that’s so great, it actually justifies every single minute of its runtime? Akiko Yano’s 1980 release “ごはんができたよ” is one beefy album, clocking in at 74 minutes. Yes, that’s long, admittedly far longer than what I’d usually go for. However, every song contributes something to… Read more
1980s, 80s music, album review, blog, hell yeah, indie, japan, japanese music, jpop, music, Music review, pop, pop music, review, reviews, rock, rock music, writing -
Chisato Moritaka – “非実力派宣言” review
Final verdict: 4/10 ★★☆☆☆ Of course, this album’s incredibly fun and eye-catching cover artwork was what drew me to it – and as the successor to “見て” (an excellent album, by the way), I thought, how bad could this possibly be? The answer is plenty bad. This isn’t very pleasant to listen to whatsoever. And… Read more
