After a bit of time away from the site (moved apartments and have just gotten internet access again) I’m back in action to talk about a band that HearJapan calls “completely bonkers”, which is a perfectly correct way to describe Neconemuru. They are deeply influenced by Damon Albarn, sounding like a Japanese take on his best work with Blur, Gorillaz and the Monkey soundtrack. In fact, if Damon Albarn collaborated with Cornelius (which would be awesome!) it would probably sound like this album (thus, it follows that this album is pretty awesome).
Almost all of Neconemuru’s album Even Kick Soysauce is instrumental, the only exception being album opener (and highlight) “Neco Ga Nya Te Inu Ga Wan!” which features the amazing Kazumi Nikaido. It’s an infectiously fun song and Nikaido’s childish vocals fit perfectly.
I was a little suspicious that the rest of the album wouldn’t hold up without Nikaido’s presence, but fortunately my fears were unfounded. Neconemuru have a wonderful sense of melody and fun. Every song has a bouncy rhythm laden with retro synths, trebly guitars and warm basslines. Melodies are clear and simple (and usually based on Japanese pentatonic scales). These are the kind of songs that get stuck in your head like peanut butter on the roof of your mouth.
Just like me writing about peanut-butter-stuck-to-the-roof-of-your-mouth in an album review, Neconemuru never take themselves too seriously and Even Kick Soysauce is the type of album that’s a joy to listen to start to finish. There’s no deep meaning, just fun.
The only negatives about this album are that the instrumental version of “Neco Ga Nya Te Inu Ga Wan!” is superfluous next to the superiour vocal version and that the two live songs at the end of the album are a little muddy sounding.
If you like Gorillaz, Cornelius, or the Flaming Lips then you will probably love Neconemuru.
Audio:
Fruits Cabbage:
Sun City’s Girl:
Buy “Even Kick Soysauce” from HearJapan
