the Shiina Ringo thread

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trying that again: Apple on Apple campaign went up two weeks ago:

link

― Milton Parker, Friday, 2 March 2007 00:10 (seventeen years ago) link

Is this a limited edition DVD for Ringohan members or is it available for anyone to purchase?

― Rockist Scientist, Friday, 2 March 2007 00:20 (seventeen years ago) link

it's general release.

cover - http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/9387/b000lprn7c01ss500sclzzznz8.jpg (linked (not hotlinked) as per usual from http://ringoran.wordpress.com/)

the Neko violin solo during 'Meisai' this time... happens as 90% of the big band leaves the stage and he's so into it, it almost seems like they're running from him. wish I could have been there.

― Milton Parker, Friday, 2 March 2007 00:31 (seventeen years ago) link

I love how there's like a droney drilling sound at the end of Kyoiku--oh wait, motherfuckers are still doing some kind of construction project on the same little patch of sidewalk they've been working on for three or four weeks now.

― Rockist Scientist, Friday, 2 March 2007 00:51 (seventeen years ago) link

Does anyone else think the opening of Shouso Strip sounds ridiculously like Magical Mystery Tour (in a good way)? So many Beatlesisms in Ringo Shiina, but she's got the melodic sense and the studio invetiveness not to fall flat when she's echoing the Beatles (plus there are generally borrowings from dozens of other directions).

― Rockist Scientist, Saturday, 3 March 2007 23:02 (seventeen years ago) link

So I take it that the relative silence surrounding this new release means that we're all a bit underwhelmed by it?

― Patrick South, Sunday, 4 March 2007 17:13 (seventeen years ago) link

You probably aren't looking for my opinion again, but it doesn't feel much like an actual album. It's mostly new versions (some not so new given similar arrangements have appeared in earlier video material) of older material. There are individual tracks that are quite strong, but it's not something I imagine myself listening to a lot straight through. For me, the standout tracks are: Gamble, Hatsukoi Shoujo, Yokushitsu, Oiran, Ishiki, Meisai, Poltergeist, and maybe Kono Yo no Kagiri, but I still feel it has nothing to do with the other songs. I could see Yume no Ato growing on me in the future. So that's not bad, but somehow the overall package is a bit uninspiring.

― Rockist Scientist, Sunday, 4 March 2007 18:01 (seventeen years ago) link

the high points are still great and I wouldn't be surprised if this one eventually gets more western attention than Adult did. and most of the things that throw fans about this record (the traditional big band arrangements & the number of reused songs) wouldn't matter to new listeners at all. (though it's a little weird that Konoyo No Kagiri is her first single on iTunes UK, imagine if Bjork's first western single were It's Oh So Quiet)

I see this one as the same kind of fun detour that Utaite Myoli was (the double disc set of covers that came out the year before actual-3rd-record KZK), except I like it a lot more. this kind of sets things up for the third Jihen album.

― Milton Parker, Monday, 5 March 2007 10:06 (seventeen years ago) link

I wouldn't be surprised if this one eventually gets more western attention than Adult did.

You're probably right, if only because the film Sakuran will get some sort of underground exposure here, and that will interest some people who see it in the music.

most of the things that throw fans about this record (the traditional big band arrangements & the number of reused songs) wouldn't matter to new listeners at all.

I do see criticisms of the quality of her singing in English (especially on some songs), and that could be as big a turn-off to non-fans as to fans (but I suppose her more typical singing in Japanese will be an even bigger turn-off, simply because it's a foreign language).

Meanwhile, I can't stop listening to Muzai Moratorium, which is making me smile more than anything I've heard for a while.

― Rockist Scientist, Monday, 5 March 2007 14:29 (seventeen years ago) link

Speaking of which, I wonder if Charlie Howard is still in Tokyo and if he has noticed any SR hype.

― Rockist Scientist, Monday, 5 March 2007 14:30 (seventeen years ago) link

EmilScherbe on Ringo Jihen just pointed out that Saito Neko played in Killing Time, and also joined Haniwa All Stars for their 1991 live album. Haniwa's my favorite japanese band of all time. I should have known -- though yeah, it's tough to keep track of names when you can't read Kanji

― Milton Parker, Monday, 5 March 2007 20:03 (seventeen years ago) link

― Milton Parker, Monday, 5 March 2007 20:25 (seventeen years ago) link

I'm not sure if this is frowned upon on ILX, but those having as much trouble getting to listen to Shiina Ringo as I was might want to go here;
http://www.jpopmusic.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=66828&start=0
and go to page 2 and scroll down.

― bidfurd, Monday, 5 March 2007 20:39 (seventeen years ago) link

that... link...

how

― Milton Parker, Monday, 5 March 2007 20:49 (seventeen years ago) link

he does kind of explain, but still.

― bidfurd, Monday, 5 March 2007 20:51 (seventeen years ago) link

he can explain all he likes, I'll never understand

I was actually handling ok until I got to the complete discography of Geinoh Yamashirogumi

― Milton Parker, Monday, 5 March 2007 21:14 (seventeen years ago) link

Anyway, I don't think people who are remotely interested in Shiina Ringo are going to have trouble hearing some things by her, online, at this point. If people aren't hearing her, it's because they don't know about her or aren't interested.

― Rockist Scientist, Monday, 5 March 2007 21:24 (seventeen years ago) link

Oh I dunno, I've never mastered soulseek or oink or those kind of things. A couple of her tracks have turned up on mp3 blogs, and there's the youtube stuff you've both posted. But there's not a thing for her on amazon.co.uk. I'm not very internet savvy I suppose.

I'm not sure I like her at the moment by the way, but I'm going to keep listening.

― bidfurd, Monday, 5 March 2007 21:45 (seventeen years ago) link

(edges toward the monolith)

That thread … it's full of records

― Brakhage, Tuesday, 6 March 2007 00:06 (seventeen years ago) link

"Kabukichou no joou" - pure fucking genius.

― Rockist Scientist, Tuesday, 6 March 2007 04:07 (seventeen years ago) link

that's an amazing song. there's an fantastic version of it with saito that opens the new DVD. it should have been on heisei fuuzoku.

― Milton Parker, Tuesday, 6 March 2007 04:20 (seventeen years ago) link

Oh yeah, that's on youtube.

I'm actually really reining myself in here. I just got those four CDs and it's like phase 2 of my Shiina Ringo zealotry.

― Rockist Scientist, Tuesday, 6 March 2007 04:40 (seventeen years ago) link

That song is so perfect for the Edith Piaf wannabe treatment.

― Rockist Scientist, Tuesday, 6 March 2007 04:42 (seventeen years ago) link

Killing Time: http://www6.wind.ne.jp/tabockly/killing.htm

Itakura Bun (guitar), the leader of Chakra started a sound experiment with one of the band's member Shimizu Kazuto( keyboard, reeds, marimba) and sound engineer Ma*to (tabla, synthesizer, computer) in 1982 "to kill time". This trio named themselves Killing Time in 1983. In 1984 a violinist Saito Neko joined the band and gave many gigs.(These 4 are the very core of Killing Time.) They've built up the enormous family of telented musicians together with Semba Kiyohiko's Haniwa project as "Haniwa-Killing Time connexion" .

Wow, thanks Milton! Did I ever send you Chakra albums? I forget.... I think I'm their #1 fan (and singer Mishio Ogawa's #1 fan). I only have 2 Killing Time albums, which are a touch meandering for my taste, but still high quality. Anyway, I had no idea about the Saito Neko connection, as I had never heard his name until this Ringo collab.

― Patrick South, Tuesday, 6 March 2007 23:37 (seventeen years ago) link

Ah, I missed your previous post, which triggered my memory. Somehow you prefer Haniwa to Chakra! I think Haniwa is a little too all-over-the-map, and the production isn't as good (especially on their first album...ugh!). I love detail, but I think they have a bit too much going on to be able to take it all in. I have their live DVD and it's totally ridic.

― Patrick South, Tuesday, 6 March 2007 23:40 (seventeen years ago) link

hey Patrick -- yes we traded Chakra / Mishio, and thanks, I like those, especially the Mishio -- supercute quirky songs. I love Haniwa All Stars precisely for the all-over-the-map genre splicing & disruptively artificial edits -- but I grew up in the 80's listening to Faust & Renaldo and the Loaf (which is similar in approach to parts on their first album). The first Haniwa album is actually one of the only precedents of KZK I can think of in its fusion of Eastern instruments & Western jazz / classical / rock forms -- it's far, far stranger than KZK & not for everyone, but I'm still completely in love with it.

I'm not surprised that I didn't recognize Saito given the outfit he's wearing on the Haniwa DVD, but he's one of the two lead violinists on my favorite track. Just downloaded two Killing Time records, and I think I like them -- 70's fusion updated with 80's digital production & tropical rhythms, lots of Saito violin leads & proggy lines, more smooth & jazzy but still obviously part of the Wha-Ha-Ha / Haniwa / Chakra akis.

So weird to be finding out this connection now, it's almost a relief there's a connection to Shiina, makes my Haniwa namedrop seem much less gratuitous after the fact.

― Milton Parker, Wednesday, 7 March 2007 00:49 (seventeen years ago) link

ouch, linking to my own writing, ego, I'd redact that link if I could

a vinyl rip of the debut Haniwa All Stars is on Mutant Sounds now btw -- though it also just got a 2006 CD reissue with great packaging -- as well as the followup, Haniwachan's Kanishabali, which still hasn't been found by any blogs

― Milton Parker, Wednesday, 7 March 2007 01:05 (seventeen years ago) link

Milton, what Killing Time records did you download? I own Bob and Irene.

Also, would you have any interest in writing for Keikaku?

― Patrick South, Wednesday, 7 March 2007 15:36 (seventeen years ago) link

And, sorry, I may have asked you that second question already!

― Patrick South, Wednesday, 7 March 2007 17:39 (seventeen years ago) link

I got Bob, Irene, & Skip. Some tracks maybe too mellow & slick fusiony for me but there's lots to like & I'm down with side two of Irene, I'll definitely buy these if I see them.

Keikaku.net is a great site, I'm not sure what I'd write for it though -- are you writing about 80's stuff for them? That's where they need to catch up.

― Milton Parker, Wednesday, 7 March 2007 21:00 (seventeen years ago) link

I'm finishing up a review of the Ippu-Do box set, which seems to be taking me forever. I feel alone being the only '80s fan, so you should back me up and maybe write a review for a reissue. Though they tend to be indie-centric, they're open to anything.

I believe a review of the new Ringo will appear within the week.

― Patrick South, Wednesday, 7 March 2007 23:53 (seventeen years ago) link

Schism at the Ringo Jihen forums:

March 16: Ringo Jihen forums *important*

We are sorry to announce that the Ringo Jihen forums are now out of control due to the unreasonable and almost dictatorial attitude of one of our admin. In addiition, he banned the whole staff and all the members who tried to complain about his methods. That's why we will stop supporting the forums in order to create a new Ringo Jihen community. We will post the forums link as soon as it will be available. If you know some of the forums members, please let them know about it.

Thanks for your understanding.

Ringo Jihen

Administrator was (apparently) banning people based on what they had written in PMs! No reason was given for other bannings.

― Rockist Scientist, Sunday, 18 March 2007 15:20 (seventeen years ago) link

Otherwwise, Heisei Fuuzoku is not growing on me, but I still like the original bunch of songs that I liked on it. I think maybe I am liking "Ishiki" even more. Very adult.

― Rockist Scientist, Sunday, 18 March 2007 15:23 (seventeen years ago) link

Milton, why didn't you tell me Utaite Myori was eminently worth listening to? I'm only a few songs in, but I like some of it a lot.

― Rockist Scientist, Tuesday, 20 March 2007 00:20 (seventeen years ago) link

(I am milton parker's shiina ringo frankenstein golem zombie.)

― Rockist Scientist, Tuesday, 20 March 2007 00:24 (seventeen years ago) link

It seems like she recycled part of her scat from "Jazz A Go Go" on that second song on Adult.

― Rockist Scientist, Tuesday, 20 March 2007 01:54 (seventeen years ago) link

(I'm really sick of logging in.)

― Rockist Scientist, Tuesday, 20 March 2007 01:54 (seventeen years ago) link

Also Zeccho Shuu is worth hearing! That's got some good stuff on it, and I was only vaguely aware of its existence, at best.

― Rockist Scientist, Tuesday, 20 March 2007 02:30 (seventeen years ago) link

I loaned Shouso Strip to someone I've loaned things to off and on, for a while, and he hasn't listened to all of it yet, but he said it was all over the place and that the band was tight, so that doesn't sound like too negative of a reaction. If he likes it, I will probably throw KZK his way.

― Rockist Scientist, Tuesday, 20 March 2007 14:58 (seventeen years ago) link

sick of logging in too -- nu-ILM is too frustrating & no fun

There's some scary stuff on both Utaite Myori & Zeccho Shuu that keep me from listening to them all the way through, but I still need them for the high points, which I threw on my 'Ringo Singles' CDR with all those great b-sides. Which I think I'm going to need to reburn to include 'Unconditional Love'.

new album not growing on me either. spending more time just listening to the 'Konoyo No Kagiri' 3-track single.

& still listening to Saito Neko's records with Killing Time. Skip is my favorite of the three, it's beautiful & less jazz-fusiony than the other two, and side two of Irene is... a Hawaiian bar band doing Nurse With Wound covers? that doesn't even begin to explain how demented it is actually

― Milton Parker, Tuesday, 20 March 2007 18:33 (seventeen years ago) link

I forgot I haven't even finished listened to all the Killing Time I picked up.

― Rockist Scientist, Tuesday, 20 March 2007 19:46 (seventeen years ago) link

I'm getting to like Hirama Mikio's Black Bone Musicien Label more, now that I am away from comments in which certain Hirama fanatics unfavorably compared Tokyo' Jihen's Adult to it. His voice is growing on me ever so slightly, but I still think it's the biggest weak point. (I don't know though. His whole band just ain't no Tokyo Jihen. Rhythm section not as engaging.) Favorite so far: "Aa Waga Wa Naze Ni."

(Hirama was the guitarist for the original Tokyo Jihen lineup, for anyone who might possibly be interested enough to have read this far without knowing.)

One thing that's happened when I listen to J-rock is that while at first I noticed the way J-rock sounds similar to more familiar western rock, I now find myself noticing certain approaches that are typical of J-rock itself, so, the way one J-rock band/song resembles another. (Of course, I think a lot of that is based on what western rock resources they have emphasize.) I can't be more specific than that at the moment though.

― Rockist Scientist, Friday, 23 March 2007 21:27 (seventeen years ago) link

Oh good, I get to sign in again!

― Rockist Scientist, Friday, 23 March 2007 21:27 (seventeen years ago) link

"Synapse" is kind of funny when he bursts into English to say "No respect" and for the stereotypical metal bits. I'm not sure those things are supposed to be funny, but I find them funny. Maybe he doesn't say "no respect." Maybe it's just Japanese words that sound like "no respect."

― Rockist Scientist, Friday, 23 March 2007 21:33 (seventeen years ago) link

(But no, the weakness is in his songwriting too, and in the rhythm section. Wonderful guitarist though.)

― Rockist Scientist, Friday, 23 March 2007 21:47 (seventeen years ago) link

I love you more today than yesterday. . .

― Rockist Scientist, Monday, 26 March 2007 12:37 (seventeen years ago) link

I have like one album, I like it and this thread confuses me!

― Catsupppppppppppppp dude ‫茄蕃‪, Monday, 26 March 2007 16:53 (seventeen years ago) link

So is "Byoushou Public" off Shouso Strip her tribute to the Butthole Surfers?

― Rockist Scientist, Tuesday, 27 March 2007 13:19 (seventeen years ago) link

three weeks pass...

nice work Donut

http://mackro.blogspot.com/2007/04/seven-days-of-j-pop-part-vi-shna-ring.html

― Milton Parker, Wednesday, 18 April 2007 01:50 (seventeen years ago) link

Coolness.

― Rockist Scientist, Wednesday, 18 April 2007 11:21 (seventeen years ago) link

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