Customer Reviews

Illustrated History

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

To say that Puffy AmiYumi (Onuki Ami and Yoshimura Yumi) is the musical equivalent of Frosted Flakes or Cap'n Crunch isn't too far off the mark, but they're irresistibly fun. Why? Because they shamelessly cannibalize their influences. One moment, they're doing Studio 54 disco, the next they do something the Clash, the Beatles, Motown groups, or The Who would do. They have filled in the vacuum left by Shonen Knife, no doubt about it. And sometimes, songs like "Puffy's Rule", which sounds like SK at their best, attest to that. Here are the highlights:

The rock-pop Shonen Knife meets the Beatles crunch of "Love So Pure," the English-language version of "Sumireh" opens The Illustrated History.

The next single is an English version of their first big hit "Asia no junshin", titled "Pure Asia" which sounds like something ELO would do on their Time album except quicker and more fun, replete with computerized beeps and sounds.

"That's The Way It Is" is a bit of 60's pop nostalgia kind of like the Shangri-Las girl-pop in one part as well as incorporating a Who guitar riff in parts.

Turn on the mirrorball, lights, and put on the platform shoes! It's 70's disco time with "Electric Beach Fever", and this one is my favourite song here. I may have to get their Jet CD because of this one.

The Shonen Knife-ish "Wild Girls On Circuit", has a racing car theme with the buzzing zooms at the beginning. The phrase "warrateh, dammateh" in one part, means "laugh, shut up!" in Japanese.

The sole representative from their PRMX album, "Sign Of Love", begins with George-of-the-Jungle drums, followed by looped vocals, jungle techno, whistles, and ends up as a kitchen sink mix of sound, a party on the go.

"Puffy De Rumba" is a leisure number that does have a rhumba rhythm but also has similarities to Japanese pop ballads of the 1970's.

"Talalan" has a bouncy, skipping-down-the-street, kicking through the autumn leaves hand-in-hand rhythm.

"Friends" has a beat and instrumentation similar to "You Can't Hurry Love," and the comparisons are apt while "Mother" leans close to the Byrds' "Chestnut Mare" without the Rickenbacker but with the beat.

The Go-Go's-like "Brand New Days" is one of the most upbeat songs on this track, complete with a 60's-like organ.

The vast majority of material is taken from their two best-sellers, Jet (1998) and Fever Fever (1999). Included in the booklet is a graphic timeline of their releases, plus a brief history of Ami and Yumi. The sole difference between this compilation and their The Very Best Of seems to be the inclusion of two singles from Spike (2000) and remixes and unreleased material.

Despite the fact that all but two of the songs are in Japanese, the music's fun and catchy and this collection is Puffy 101 for beginners. People who know Japanese will find this more enjoyable. And for a smidgin of FYI, that's Yumi on the left, Ami on the right. Question: don't they deserve their own movie, with this CD as a soundtrack?

I bought this CD on a whim, since someone who shared some of my interests also liked Puffy. I think it's a pretty good purchase. Puffy AmiYumi's upbeat, retro melodies, combined with the J-pop taste of the duo doing the lyrics, make for an excellent introduction to the band, and to Japanese music. The songs are admittedly a little different from standard J-pop, reflecting heavily back to American music of the 1960's. But all the songs have a bit of Puffy twist, whether it be from the foreign lyrics or Ami and Yumi's sweet vocals.

Another big contribution to why I rated this 5 stars is the quality you get for your investment. You get to hear some of Puffy's best music on this compilation, as well as an extra music video if you should load it into your computer. And in case you're worried about the parasitic American music industry, this CD is brought to you by Bar None Records, which is not a member of the RIAA. The sum of all this is that this CD is basically a must-buy for anyone interested in Puffy AmiYumi.

I have never been of fan of what I call the Manufactured Musician. The singer and/or group, created by a producer/manager, designed for the sole purpose of selling millions of copies of an album, throwing dignity and artistic merit out the window in the process.

The only one of these that I have had any pleasure in listening to is the Jackson 5. Though they were led by the hand through all of their ventures, they had original songs, they did not pretend to be anything more than what they were, and they were fun.

For a while, I thought that no Manufactured Musician had what it took to match the smile I got on my face from listening to the Jackson 5. Imagine my surprise when I discovered this album, a greatest-hits compilation from the hottest thing in Japan since Tamagotchi.

Puffy AmiYumi (the last part was added in their crossover to the U.S. due to that other former "Puffy" who was popular here) has all the formula for ridicule. Two beautiful young women. They don't play instruments. They don't dance. They don't write their own songs. They don't often sing in harmony. Judging by the music video included in the CD, their greatest assets are their voices, and their blank "Huh?" stares that they do so well.

Yet, with all of that, why am I playing these songs over and over again? The secret behind Puffy's success both with critics and audiences is the fact that they surround themselves with some true talent. The songs are original and fun. No genre is skipped with this duo. Rock, pop, punk, oldies, techno, country, R&B, disco, 80's buttrock, it's all here. In their five-year span, they have had a wonderful variety of songs written for them, and have been aided by a perfectly capable band.

Much credit has to be given to the two women of Puffy, however. A collection of songs with that broad of a range could not be pulled off if the vocals were weak. Puffy rises up to the challenge, though, and varies their vocals to match each genre. They sound slick and glossed for the disco-homage "Electric Beach Party", bright and bubbly for the 50's rock sound of "Girls on Circuit", and hard-edge, reaching for notes they can't hit on the punk-rock "Jet Police". For the most part, the lyrics are in Japanese, and judging from the two English tracks, we aren't missing much. But with songs this fun, comprehensible lyrics would only get in the way.

When it comes down to it, Puffy is still a case of Manufactured Musicians. There are more original bands out there, sure. But Puffy is like a great action film. They're not out to make great art. But if all they're giving us is slick entertainment, then by god, this is the way to do it.

Being an avid fan of this talented Japanese duo, I knew I had to acquire "Illustrated History" despite the fact that it is a collection of their songs (most of which I have heard from their best-of compilation). Anything Puffy (AmiYumi) puts out I will buy. Their music is irresistably catchy and filled with infectious hooks and melodies that just won't escape the listner's head for days. What I truly love about Puffy is that they manage to mix '60s retro pop, surf, punk, country, swing, and your typical pop music in one fell swoop. Their abilities to not stick to one particular sound on each song makes this duo truly original in my book. "Illustrated History" is a compilation intended to be released in the US and introduce the American public to what I have known for the past couple of years. The tracks on this album are all listed in english, along with the Japanese titles too. The majority of the songs on the album are sung in Japanese but "Love So Pure" and half of the lyrics to "True Asia" are sung in English. The song "Sign of Love" is made into a samba remix which I found to be rather interesting to say the very least. I haven't seen the video yet but according to liner notes, it is a black and white video that has elements that derives from commercials for The Gap and Target. Most of the songs on the album I have heard but there are a few that I haven't heard before, "Brand New Days" and "Talalan". Of course I loved them for their retro kitschy influences. "Illustrated History" is definitely not something that diehard Puffy (AmiYumi) fans wants to pass up. For people who aren't familiar with the duo and are curious, this is an excellent introduction to Japan's best kept secret.

Most music listeners may have never heard of Japanese Pop, or any of its derivatives. Well, this is the Cd for those people...With an "Illustrated History," PuffAmiYumi have set the stage for the next wave of crossover music. Think of background music for the "Powerpuff Girls," but with more of an edge and an extreme bombardment of synthesizers in harmony with voices. Puffy have been a staple of Japanese music for years, in the form of commercials, cartoon books, and even play figure dolls! "An Illustrated History" crosses over 3 decades of American hits with allegorical sounds ranging from STYX to ELO to ABBA! This music isn't made to be taken to extreme music critique, just enjoy it for what it is...complete joy and laughter for all ages. Check out the bonus video as well...think of the "Gap" commercials, but more dancing and less trendy clothes.

With a couple fistfulls of cd's to choose from, An Illustrated History is the place to start listening to this dynaic Japanese duo. The album is a best of selection that gives coverage to their singles prior to The Hit Parade and Nice. I would say the best songs are on the edges of the CD, but really it is one I can listen to without reaching for the remote to fast forward to the next track.

Puffy AmiYumi, a Japanese pop duo sadly better known for their Cartoon Network animated show, have been recording for years. It would be misleading to call any of their work "mature," as their music aims squarely at the teeny-bopper demo, but they are good at what they do. Their sweet but straightforward--and always enjoyable--music is as uncomplicated and as cheering as a bag of Skittles.

Puffy AmiYumi has done it again. I love this album. I am planning to get it for my birthday. My favorite song is Love so Pure. Its low harmony sounds unforgettable. You should buy this album. Different remixs of songs and the sweetness of the new melodies make this album a hit. Although I am mexican-american, I love the Japanese duo. My parents don't like them which,kind of makes it hard for me to get one of their cds. Anyway, this a Awesome album and i hope everyone will get one

I adore Puffy AmiYumi! I have three of their cds including this one, "Nice", and the "Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi Show" soundtrack. They are all awesome, but I'd have to say this one is my favorite. I still reccomend them all, though. I love the way their voices mix to make such a great melody! Puffy AmiYumi rocks, so stop reading and BUY THIS ALBUM!!!

This collection by Puffy AmiYumi, the pre-fab (and just plain fab) duo from Japan, demonstrates their mastery of pretty much every genre of joy-inducing pop known to mankind. From the propulsive ELO-meets-ABBA anthem "True Asia", to the unabashed disco of "Electric Beach Fever", to the punky "Puffy's Rule", these girls have energy and inventiveness to burn. With their gift for insanely catchy melodies and a nicely ragged guitar-bass-drums backdrop, it's easy to see how they've become such a sensation in their native land. This disc has all the ingredients to start a craze of its own on this side of the Pacific. Enjoy.