Sodopp’s second album, Lookin’ Color 8, isn’t a new release (it came out just over a year ago), but caught my attention as a featured album on JapanFiles and I thought I’d give it a spin.
Although Sodopp formed in 1999, they didn’t finalize their line-up until 2002, waited until 2006 to release their first album, then took two years to deliver an eight-song sophomore album. Fittingly, their best songs are the ones that forgo a sense of urgency and dispense their melancholy melodies without rushing. While ‘Real’ is an obvious choice for a first single – instantly crying out for attention – it’s the subtler songs like ‘In The Park’ and ‘Ke-tai Chudoku’ that will stick with you.
There are no gimmicks with Sodopp. No wild arrangements or odd production techniques. They have a lot of the same appeal as Andymori in that they just write good songs with standard pop-rock instrumentation. Lookin’ Color 8 might take a few listens to show its true strengths, and those strengths aren’t what you’d expect after your first listen, but it’s got a sense of honest emotion that is hard to find.
Sodopp: MySpace | Official Website
Buy Lookin’ Color 8 at JapanFiles.
