“The ultimate beyond the ultimate!!
Three years have passed since the release of “Acme.” JSBX, the band that has continued to release timeless experimental works without succumbing to the flow of time, has finally released their sixth album!!
Seriously, these guys are the best. Jon, Judah, and Russell, who continued to fight as alternatives and deconstructors because of their love of rock and roll, have finally been reborn as the very embodiment of pure, innocent rock and roll that shines brilliantly with this album, “Plastic Fang.” There’s nothing more moving than this.
There’s no such thing as a “royal road” in rock ‘n’ roll. This is because rock ‘n’ roll has always innovated and updated itself over the course of a constantly changing world. And as if instinctively aware of this, JSBX (The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion) has consistently rekindled the heat of rock ‘n’ roll by killing off rock and blues. Their first album, “Jon Spencer Blues Explosion,” featured a veritable explosion of tradition-shattering junk blues. Their fourth album, “Now I Got Worry,” heavily incorporated dub and hip-hop rhythms. Their fifth album, “Acme,” brought in a variety of outside engineers and producers, including Alec Empire, and completely dismantled their own musical style, allowing their songwriting talents to blossom. These albums clearly demonstrate their evolution.
Now, after a four-year gap since their previous album, “Acme,” their sixth album, “Plastic Fang,” is finally complete, showcasing a style filled with pure love like never before. The chaotic noises have been given a clearer shape by producer Steve Jordan, who has worked with Keith Richards, among others, and the dynamic sound pressure penetrates your entire body. The ecstatic swinging blues, created by Jon’s soaring roar, Judah’s funky riffs, and Russell’s spunky rhythm ensemble, is overflowing with dynamism, as if possessed by the spirits of Elvis or Chuck Berry. “Plastic Fang” is JSBX’s most straightforward rock ‘n’ roll album to date. The three, who had once rebelled because of their love, threw themselves into the vortex of rusty, worn rock ‘n’ roll and, by injecting the essence of JSBX that they had built up until then, revived the fragrant sexuality and aggressive groove once again. “To create” rather than “to destroy” or “to dismantle,” John’s cries take on a bright tone that evokes hope rather than a sense of impatience or urgency, and this is probably why this album has such an endlessly positive resonance.
“Plastic Fang” is a lot of fun. Yes, this album reminds us that rock ‘n’ roll was once not just serious, but also fun. Starting with the fast-paced garage pop of “SWEET AND SOUR,” JSBX’s first anthem, “SHE SAID,” the kind of song you’d hear a festival audience sing-along over. “HOLD ON” is tinged with gentle sentimentality, and “LIKE A BAT” features Judah and Jon’s light-footed guitars and a stylish stomping motion. The catchy melodies and polished, funky phrasing simply and directly hit the ears, head, and body. It’s more satisfying than ever. The thrilling image of the three of them rocking out like idiots under a blue sky, not in a basement, comes to mind.
In June, they will return to Japan with their best album yet to play their best live show, and the excitement is sure to be building for the time being.
Text ● Sato Jo (BUZZ Editorial Department)
NEW ALBUM
「Plastic Fang」
toys factory
TFCK-87280 2,300 yen (excluding tax) Released on March 27th
★Japanese edition only includes bonus tracks and a different track order
(Overseas release scheduled for mid-April)
Recorded songs
01.SWEET AND SOUR
02.SHE SAID
03.MONEY ROCK’N’ROLL
04.GHETTO MOM*
05.ALEX*
06.HOLD ON
07.OVER & OVER
08.THEN AGAIN I WILL
09.DOWN IN THE BEAST
10.SHAKIN’ ROCK’N’ ROLL TONIGHT
11.THE MIDNIGHT CREEP
12.LIKE A BAT
13.KILLER WOLF
14.MEAN HEART
(* marks are only included on the Japanese version)
THE JON SPENCER BULES EXPLOSION
JAPAN TOUR 2002
6/01 (Sat) Osaka ZEPP OSAKA
6/02 (Sun) Hiroshima Hiroshima CLUB QUATTRO
6/03 (Mon) Fukuoka ZEPP FUKUOKA
6/05 (Wed) Nagoya Diamond Hall, Nagoya
June 7th (Fri) Zepp Tokyo
ZEPP TOKYO
6/08 (Sat) Tokyo
6/09 (Sun) Kawasaki CLUB CITTA’
June 11th (Tue) Sendai ZEPP SENDAI
6/12 (Wed) Sapporo ZEPP SAPPORO
Inquiries: Creativeman 03-5466-0777
http://www.toysfactory.co.jp
HMV original benefits
The album “PLASTIC FANG” will be available at all HMW stores.
Customers who make a purchase will receive a free JSBX original badge on a first-come, first-served basis!
Numbers are limited, so please come to the store early.
Issue 115 2002 003″
“A powerful message, uncompromising love, infinite kindness, a radiance that shines into the distance… YUKI’s memorable first album, “PRISMIC,” marks a new step forward as a solo artist. It is a precious gift filled with warmth from YUKI, dedicated only to you…
“I’m not singing for someone invisible, but only for those who are waiting for my songs,” was the first thing YUKI said about this album. She’d already showcased her new, challenging sound, which stunned fans from her JUDY AND MARY days, in two solo singles (“The End of Shit” and “Prism”), but even so, this album speaks directly to YUKI, and seems to embrace her powerfully, without any gimmicks or deception. “This is the kind of music you really wanted to make!” I exclaimed, tears streaming from my eyes as I congratulated her on her new beginning. The guest lineup was, of course, gorgeous.
Other artists who also participated on the single include Aiba Higurashi of Seagull Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her, Shigekazu Shoda of EL MALO/FOE, Yumiko Ohno of Buffalo Daughter, Mito of Clammbon, Kinichi Mogi of Scarborough, Spitz, Zubons, and even the international Russell Simins, all adding a touch of elegance to the album. Yet the resulting sound is a completely naked YUKI universe. The wild, simple, and sometimes psychedelic soundscape offers a glimpse into YUKI’s immeasurable inner cosmic being. Frankly, it’s just too cool!
“One of the themes of this album is ‘alone’… I love Yoko Ono. I was reading her autobiography and I was really struck by the line, ‘I just want to be myself, I’m just expressing myself, yet I don’t understand why the world is criticising me so much.’ She must have been fighting a very lonely battle. I couldn’t help but shout out, ‘I know, Yoko!’”
“Tremble” is reminiscent of the classic Lennon/McCartney song.
“Sleep” is a song YUKI dedicated to Yoko Ono. Yoko believed in love, and embraced the fate of being an artist who was “alone” even while holding that love. YUKI may also have begun to walk the same thorny path. The shocking song “Curse,” which would probably have been impossible during her time in a group, is also a realistic song born as a result of her deep self-reflection.
“I don’t really remember why the word ‘curse’ came to mind… but it just came out when I was making it at home. For me, the curse is Judy and Mary. It’s a really lovely curse, but I can’t describe it any other way than as a curse. It makes me grin a little. I can’t really explain it.”
Regarding the masterpiece “Ride on the Sensing Star,” which explodes with her spacey sense of color, she commented:
“When I thought about my own death, I vaguely thought, ‘I might live until 2050, but I probably won’t live until 2100.’ I wondered if I’d be able to see the blue Earth with my own eyes. Then, I took a telescope to the roof and looked at the moon, and I was so moved. I could clearly see the craters, and I could also see Saturn’s rings. I had this incredible feeling of being alive. I think life and death are side by side, and happiness and unhappiness are two sides of the same coin. It wasn’t until I got a little older that I was able to think this way.”
Loneliness and love, life and death, happiness and misery…YUKI’s music contains a variety of messages, leading the listener to a stimulating awakening. This masterpiece gives a sense of her fresh “beginning,” as she transforms from a hyper and coquettish diva into a “real” performer.
Interview/Text: Hisae Odashima”
