Japanese Sleeves

For lack of any noticeable music scene in Fukuoka, I've decided to raid the 100 yen record bins to see what I can discover about Japanese music.

Based solely on awesome cover art.

At the very least this should be visually stimulating.

Yasuaki Honda (1983)

Well, it was bound to happen at some point. This album is just terrible. The best things about it are that it’s only 3 songs a side and the graphic design of the label is fairly eye catching. Not being at all what I expected, which I suppose was something approximating a Japanese WHAM! or Culture Club, this album tries to blend hard rock guitars, some island beats, a bit of 80s synth and Yasuaki’s terrible flat voice into catchy pop music. Hell, there’s even a steel drum in there at one point. Elements of some of these songs have potential but it’s all over the place and the lack of charm in the vocals to suck you in and help you forgive any musical shortcomings makes this record fall totally flat for me. And I’m a big fan of bands with terrible singers. Apparently if I had bought this new I could’ve also got the corresponding Kid’s Disk and Art Video, both of which I think I’d be much more keen on somehow. Sorry Yasuaki, not doing it for me, but points for your skills with the neon laser ribbons.

  1. japanesesleeves posted this