Customer Reviews

Happy Hour

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Shonen Knife's best album by far in my opinion. Their songs about different foods like Cookie Day, Hot Chocolate, Sushi Bar, Fish Eyes, and Banana Chips are all songs that can easily be stuck in your head for days. The music itself is simple, but Shonen Knife can give it that unique, come back to sound. Shonen Knife also does a cover of "Daydream Believer" that is perfectly done. Compared to other Knife CD's like 712, this sounds more professionally done, better sound quality... even the writing of the songs seems to be fulfilled much better, the growth of an artist perhaps.

If there is anyone who can resist "banana chips for you, banana chips for me, in the afternoon banana chips and tea..." step up to the plate and tell me. Its a catchy J-Pop album worth every penny.

Naoko, Michie and Atsuko once again grace our dismal planet with another communique from Shonen Knife Planet. If you can listen to this CD and not develop a goofy smile on your face, you are certainly completely humorless. Musically there's a little more Cheap Trick influence, and the power-pop moves definitely work for them. This is also the last CD to feature bassist Michie Nakatani, who has decided to retire from the Knife, and she acquits herself admirably with the songs she contributes here. For the uninitiated this is a good place to start, and the Shonen Knife fan will already have this. Pure power-punk-pop that outdistances even such practitioners as Green Day and the Groovie Goolies, and you can't argue with lyrics about sending postcards and drinking hot chocolate. Not to mention the song about waking up with fish eyes and having everyone ask you about your "new views." Totally zany and fun. Bang your head to "Konnichiwa" and you will know the true meaning of "rock out."

very silly, mostly about food, such as sushi bar or hot chocolate. i luv dis cd, its funny, so u'll find out why it was called happy hour..very great!

SHONEN KNIFE ARE BACK!! With new hair-styles and new sounds to thrill all of their fans,and hopefully add more fans to their cult of followers! Shonen Knife throw together their brilliant blend of pop,kitche,cute and rock and make it work! For the die hard fan,Shonen Knife are at the Top of their form here! For the new fan,its a delight of excellant sounds and quirkey subject matter! "Konnichiwa" should be your wake-up call!! HELLO WE ARE SHONEN KNIFE AND WE WILL ROCK YOUR WORLD! These three ladies can make some sound!!(aided by The Presidents of the United States of America). Check out such cool songs as "Fish Eyes" and "Jackalope"!! Shonen Knife are just what you need in your collection! (In any language!) Don't be the last one to "Catch your Bus"...join the "Knife Planet",before it is too late!!!

Anyone who is doubtful that three Japanese women could rock as hard as ZZ Top, the Police, the Jam or [name another male rock trio] might have one fear - that they might get really, really good. This collection dispels both doubt and fear with 14 incredible diverse and melodic tunes, both hard rockers & slower tunes. From the opening anthem "Konnichiwa" to the psychedelic "Jackalope" to the great, grungy cover of "Daydream Believer" this CD is both my favorite SK CD & one of my fave all time. Other favorites:
- "Fish Eyes" - The words are absolutely hilarious, about waking up and finding out she has "fish eyes" for no apparent reason. The harmonies on the "what do I see" part just melt in your mouth. Proof of what a tight, polished act they've become.
- "Banana Chips" - One of the many "food songs" on the album. Great melody! I crack up at the line "and just a little bit sweet" every time.
- "Cookie Day" - Here's the song that hooked me. I can just imagine a chick sitting in her flat watching TV and then deciding to go eat cookies. Then her musing about sending the post card with a buffalo on it and the way she pronounces "North Dakota" - that just put me over the top laughing. Great crunchy guitar, too.

If you've ever listened to there old stuff like "712" you'll hear how far they've come. (I can barely listen to some of that old stuff; although they always had the creativity I think they didn't have the cohesiveness back then.) The only song I'm not crazy about it "His Pet". But then it's probably as good as "Godzilla" by Blue Oyster Cult or Sabbath's "Iron Man" and at least as funny. Buy this CD!

It's hard for me to be unbiased, being a huge fan of Shonen Knife. however, I just can't say enough good things about this cd. It is a seamless amusement park of sound, a light-hearted, but not substance-less box of treats for your ears... There's not one dud on here, not one song I want to skip over. The band has moved past the semi-seriousness of their previous two releases, they're back with solid fun. Joyous sounds abound! A perfect place to start with the Knife, esp. since the production values are the best ever, not too tinny, not too muddy, just right, seamless and guitar-laden... HOORAY!!!

The Knife's latest outing is a return to the feel- good pop that made me fall in love with their quirky music in the first place. How can you resist a band that sings about bison, public baths, chocolate and cornflakes?

From the opening cut (strongly recalling the opening cut from "Secret no. 712") to the wonderful food of "Sushi Bar" (and yet another song about chocolate!) this is a lighthearted romp only the most jaded should avoid! TURN IT UP and GET THE KNIFE!!!

"Happy Hour" is one of my favorite Shonen Knife albums. If asked to name my top five Shonen Knife songs, there's a good chance three of four of them come straight of off "Happy Hour. (The rest would come from "Let's Knife.")

All the food hits are here, "Cookie Day," "Hot Chocolate," "Sushi Bar," "Banana Chips," "Gyoza," Shonen Knife is at their best when they are singing little ditties to tasty treats. Upbeat, fast and happy, this is the kind of music to wake you up in the morning. "Konnichiwa" and "Shonen Knife Planet," the songs Shonen Knife usually opens their sets with, are both on this CD as well.

This version of "Happy Hour" is the Japanese release, with 5 extra tracks, which are 5 English versions of other songs on this CD. It is nice having both language versions of the songs, and worth it.

A decent Japanese all-female punk / indie pop trio that apparently has a lot more CD titles out that I was aware of. Tracks here that were {definitely} fun to check out were "Shonen Knife Planet", the ass-shaking "Konnichiwa", the should-have-been a hit (at least on college radio) "Sushi Bar Song", the loopy "Fish Eyes", "People Trap" and their cover of the Monkee's hit "Daydream Believer". Personnel: Naoko Yamano - guitar & vocals, Michic Nakatani - bass & vocals and Atsuko Yamano - drums & vocals. I'm sure I caught these gals playing in a dive awhile back right after I saw the Cramps and Guitar Wolf playing on a Saturday night. Might draw in fans of Red Kross, Wolfie, Fastbacks and Tiger Trap.

I am a fan of Shonen Knife, but not this album (which I bought at the same time as the vastly better Brand New Knife). While technically not a terrible album, but by the standards the Osaka Japan trio have set, just a little.

The first two tracks are fun, but the rest of the album kinda dwindles from there. I accually enjoy this scatagorical nature of their music and even songs about food and fluffy bunnies. But this album was not a good mix in regards to pop and rock that they have done so well at before.

If you like Shonen Knife, yes pick up the album there is enough there to justify buying it. But if this is your first Shonen Knife album, you might want to consider Lets Knife or Brand New Knife.