Because the internet sucks when it comes to band info (unless you like translating Japanese fan sites). And because I love this group to death (tho I haven't heard anything since their reunion). Corny orchestral indie-popping Swedish goodness that's, um, big in Japan. Please don't let this be the only post in the thread.
― David R., Friday, 28 March 2008 14:57 (eighteen years ago)
yeah i keep seeing their stuff in 'book off' (secondhand book / cd chain in japan). any particular albums you'd recommend? they always catch my eye on the rack because the packgaging is quite nice. at 500 yen a pop i will have to check them out.
― sam500, Friday, 28 March 2008 15:06 (eighteen years ago)
Um, all of it? :D
Like I said, I don't know squat about them since they reunited, but they seem to have released as many albums post-reunion as before they split. Also, I'm guessing the Japanese track listings are slightly different from the non-JPN, so there might be different track orders happening & such - for example, I think their album Blank Paycheck was released in Japan w/ an extra 6 songs & retitled (to Cloudberry Jam). If that's available, that's a decent place to start, if only in terms of bang-for-buck. You could also go for their best-of -- Time to Move On -- as it does a fine job taking good tunes from all their albums, but there are some pretty obnoxious remixes, and two take-or-leave live tracks tacked onto the end.
The next album -- Providing the Atmosphere -- is a nice 2nd step (assuming I have the release order right), but the next record -- The Impossible Shuffle -- might emphasize their 70s AM moves and penchant for odd flourishes (like DJ scratching) too much for one's taste. I think it's the one that made their name in Japan. It's probably my favorite, though -- I'm a sucker for torchy songs drenched in overwrought vocal vibrato; who isn't? -- and they cover a Dinosaur Jr. tune to boot!
And that's where I lost their plot.
― David R., Friday, 28 March 2008 15:29 (eighteen years ago)
I guess, if we're going for a promo-sticker type of description, they're like a more robust Cardigans, so if that notion frightens you off, it's probably for the better.
― David R., Friday, 28 March 2008 15:30 (eighteen years ago)
played with them in Linkoping (their hometown, I think) in '96
nice people
― J0hn D., Friday, 28 March 2008 15:33 (eighteen years ago)
Ha -- I don't know if this is a shitty exchange rate, but 500 yen = $5 US, so that ain't bad @ all. sam500 -- if you find any CJ albums I haven't mentioned, let me know, as I would gladly exchange these piss-poor American dollars of mine for them!
Also, for the sake of incongruious Google-baiting: Jens Lekman Labrador Records Club 8 Acid House Kings Miley Cyrus.
― David R., Friday, 28 March 2008 15:40 (eighteen years ago)
Also -- the vocalist (Jennie Medin) released a solo album somewhere in there.
― David R., Friday, 28 March 2008 15:45 (eighteen years ago)
I was hoping this was about the Cure track
― Curt1s Stephens, Friday, 28 March 2008 20:33 (eighteen years ago)
'providing the atmosphere' is great but then they went and did the "jazz" album to show off their "chops" and it was a disaster. Most of what was on North of No South was really not very good.
― keythkeyth, Saturday, 29 March 2008 00:00 (eighteen years ago)
-- David R.
david - no problem. if i come across any others i will let you know. not sure if they are exactly my thing but will try and pick something up for myself too during my 'book off' travels.
― sam500, Saturday, 29 March 2008 13:40 (eighteen years ago)
their former drummer has lived in melbourne for a few years now, i know him relatively well
― electricsound, Saturday, 29 March 2008 13:45 (eighteen years ago)
Haha, I had some songs from them, nice enough, never thought they would have an own thread at ILM.
― zeus, Saturday, 29 March 2008 20:50 (eighteen years ago)