Burning Farm [Original recording remastered]

Shonen Knife, ??KNIFE | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 25, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Oglio Records
• ASIN: B000784X1W
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #198,223 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #93 in Music > Alternative Rock > Indie & Lo-Fi > Twee Pop

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Korewa Shonen Naifu no deban desu, June 9, 2005

By 

Daniel J. Hamlow (Narita, Japan) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Burning Farm (Audio CD)

Or, in English, this is Shonen Knife's debut. Burning Farm (1983) was the debut album of vocalist and guitarist Naoko Yamano, drummer and backing vocalist Atsuko Yamano, and bassist and vocalist Michie Nakatani, a.k.a. Shonen Knife. A throwback to 70's power-pop a la the Ramones or Devo, with some Beatles mixed in, and titles and lyrics that are either silly, disjointed, and/or surreal a la the B-52s. Most of the songs here are in Japanese, but the English translations are included.

The fuzz guitar-laced rocker "Miracles" is typical of their Beatles meets Ramones songs. After singing about Miracle Woman, who's neither a superhero or terrorist, they go into a silly chant going "myah myah myah myah..." See, silly, just as I said. But speaking of superheroes, the next song is the brisk pop-reggae of "Parallel Woman," who's the younger sister of Titanium Man and "a girl of mental disunion."

The Ramones-sounding "Twist Barbie" about a girl who can dance well and is popular with the boys, is sung in English, with a chorus that has surfer type undertones. The hard-driving "Watching Girl" also has the similar sound, though I say it owes a nod to "EMI" by the Pistols in some parts. The live versions of both songs aren't as hard, though it sounds that the Crocodile, the place where these versions were recorded, is a small club.

They also sing about food a lot. "Elephant Pao Pao" with some skiffle riffs, is about an elephant who likes bananas, but the lyrics then go on a tangent by saying how it's unhealthy to stay in one's room all day, before saying "eat banana and go out cheerfully with me."

"Tortoise Brand Pot Cleaner's Theme"-how whacked out is that? Yet with its fuzz punk guitar and brisk drumming, Shonen Knife shows they can do a song to push a product. The "ichi ni san shi" that can be heard after the first run-through of the song is Japanese for "1 2 3 4." Short song at 50 seconds.

Blondie could've done "A Day At The Factory," which is a portrait of a man who works hard at the steelworks everyday. The B-52's-like title track has the "na na na na" that precedes Ini Kamoze's "Here Comes the Hotstepper" and fuzz guitar mixed with some tribal type percussion.

"Parrott Polynesia" makes references to Dr. Dolittle from Hugh Lofting's books, where the title bird accompanies said doctor and sees cannibal plants, two-headed rhinos, and other exotic things. Dub reggae done double time is how I'd describe it.

An amusing moral is told in "Banana Fish," of how a greedy banana fish ate so many bananas he couldn't get out of a trap. And that ends SK's first album, which is a great beginning, but they kept improving album after album.

5.0 out of 5 stars Really Fun!, May 2, 2008

By 

Jill - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Burning Farm (Audio CD)

That's what this CD was... fun! I don't really know what genre it'd fall under, but it's definately the kind of music that makes you happy. My favorite song is the title track - it's just so exciting and different from anything you'd hear today. The entire album is an extremely enjoyable listen.

I feel I must admit that I learned about Shonen Knife through Nirvana and this is the only one of their albums that I've ever heard (but two days ago I bought Pretty Little Baka Guy on vinyl, and it's on its way right now). And here's a little bit of trivia for anyone who might care: this CD made Kurt Cobain's list of top 50 favorite albums, and he said when he first got to see Shonen Knife live, he was "transformed into a hysterical nine year old girl at a Beatles concert". That pretty much says it all right there.

When I bought this CD, I ordered one for myself and one for my friend who is half Japanese and she really enjoyed it too. I don't know how accurate the English translations of their lyrics are, but I guess they give you enough of an idea, if you, like me, only speak English. I thought it was funny that when we were listening to the CD, I asked my friend what they were saying at one point and she replied, "Oh no, that's not Japanese, that's just gibberish". Some of their songs are pretty crazy and silly, but they're all really catchy.

The only criticism I would have (in agreement with another reviewer) is that the 2 live tracks are unnecessary.

Overall, it's an excellent CD, so go ahead, buy it! You won't be sorry.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not bad but could have been better, February 25, 2005

By 

Michael A. Arlt (Wilmington, De.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Burning Farm (Audio CD)

It's hard to belive this was recorded over 22 years ago, it still sounds great. The sound is better on this than the 1990 Gasatanka 2-fer CD, much smoother and less harsh. Audio science has come far in the last 15 years. I'm glad this wasn't remixed, the cheap sounding production and the out of phase guitar and vocals were part of the charm that still hold up 22 years later. Oglio should have copied the 1995 MCA Japanese disc with the studio tracks, the two live bonus tracks are horrible. They sound like they came from a 6th generation cassette copy that was recorded by someone in the middle of the room. Not bad but could have been better.