Customer Reviews

Let's Knife

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is what pop music was originally and this is how it should be and always stay: just pure fun. Shonen Knife is (was? - are they still around?) a Japanese power-pop trio/girl group. Think of the Go-Go's speeded up to Ramones' velocity and sound relocated to Japan and you get the idea. This album is just chock-full of catchy, unpretentious gems from the energetic "Twist Barbie" to the unaffected charm of "I Am a Cat". And how can any power-pop aficionado resist the 2 very different versions of the "Tortoise Brand Pot Scrubbing Cleaner's Theme"? That's the adjective I would use to describe this collection: irresistible. This album is not so much zany or goofy as it is an amalgam of retro pop styles from punk to surf with some Eastern intrigue thrown in for good measure ("Ah, Singapore"). Makes perect sense to me and in a perfect world this is music you would actually get to hear on the radio. Listening to this album, somehow the world doesn't seem so mean and threatening a place no matter what's going on in it and yes, it will put a smile on your face. This one's on my list of Top 50 all-time albums and their next one "Rock Animals" is also very good. And did I mention... these girls ROCK!

Take the charm of the Beatles, the power of the Ramones, the odd satire of the Descendents, and the adorableness (dont think its a word but oh well) of Lisa Loeb, shrink wrap it all together, then evenly displace the mixture into three barely 5 feet tall Japanese female bodies. Give them musical equipment, then go rock out with them. This is the essence of Shonen Knife.

Being a half Japanese kid, when I saw the ad for the Shonen Knife show I immediately took interest and went and purchsed this CD. Needless to say, it is incredible. Its one of the most energetic, fun, addictive, and unique records I have ever had the pleasure to listen to; and I will not waste any time picking up the rest of their collection.

The music basically sounds like a mixture of all the bands listed above. Just throw in a lady from Osaka with a high pitched fun voice, some equally fun backing vocals, and a Japanese accent. Then sit back and groove. I only skip one or two tracks on this album, because 90% of it is super cool. Apparently, this was their first U.S. release and I think it contains a variety of tracks from other albums; sort of like a greatest hits, but not. Anyway, check out the first three tracks, "Flying Jelly Attack", and "I Am a Cat". But dont you dare skip the other ones in the process, because youre only hurting yourself.

Ok, sorry in advance because Im going to talk about the show I just saw rather than the album. But Im still so stoked from it I need to let you know. It was easily the best show Ive seen this year, and is in the top three concerts of all time. Actually, its in its own category of cool. Shonen Knife live is just something you have to experience to have a fulfilled life, kind of like the Cramps. And like Lux Interior and Poison Ivy, Naoko and Atsuko put on one of the greatest shows EVER. And I cant forget Etsuko, the little drummer that kicked some serious butt. Each lady had their own on-stage style and flair, and it was something truly special. I also got to meet them afterwards, and being a 6'1" Asian, I kind of felt out of place because they barely came up to my shoulder when they stood next to me. Naoko and Etsuko were also very shy, but it was still such a thrill and honor.

Anyway, I encourage anyone and everyone to give Shonen Knife a listen. Im sure some folks have an either love or hate view on stuff like this, but its still worth giving a chance to. Listen to the songs "Rubber Band" and "Banana Chips" (which unfortunately arent on Lets Knife) while youre at it. And for the sake of humanity, go see them live.

Iko-o iko-o everybody lets go!
Ukaboo ukaboo everybody ukaboo!

This is one of the more unusual bits of alternative rock to emerge in the US in the early 1990s but ten years later, it's still a brilliant album. Great tracks to hear: Get The Wow, Insect Collector and the bizarre Devil House (what movie were they watching?) If you like Ramones-like guitars, strange lyrics and unusual vocals, get this album. It'll keep rocking for another ten years!

A virtual greatest hits of all the bands songs they had accumulated up to the release of this album, only this time the songs have been rerecorded with a much more fleshed out sound to them.

Some fans think the songs loose some of their charm when put up next to the smaller sounding originals, but most will welcome the unappolgetic rock out efforts of this Osaka trio.

If you've heard of Shonen Knife through other avenues (I.E., friends, on TV or in the movies) this is the place to start as this CD embodies all the rock out charm that made the girls such cult icons in music circles...

Buy the CD, turn on "Riding on a Rocket" then go driving down the highway on a sunny day. Then just TRY wiping the smile off your face.

Ok - this is a great CD.

Buy it!

I mean, how can you resist 3 japanese girls kicking major rock butt? I wish more of the popular US musical organizations (I hesitate to call them bands any more) had this much energy and originality.

Shonen Knife are one of my all time favorite bands, and this CD, their 1st U.S. release, is one of the many reasons why. It's fast paced, upbeat, funny as all get out, and just plain fun. Shonen Knife will appeal to anyone who likes the Ramones first four albums (The Classics!)as well as fans of pop punk bands like the Buzzcocks, The Donnas, Veruca Salt, or oddball indie rock like the Breeders. All the songs on "Lets Knife" are happy bits of pop pop pop music that will stay with you long after the CD is over, and will make you a fan for life of this amazing band from Osaka, Japan.

My introduction to Shonen Knife was the incredibly catchy tune "I'm a Supergirl" writen for "The Powerpuff Girls" show. Since hearing that I've fallen for this amazing female-three from Japan. "Let's Knife" is a fantastic work for long-time fans and a great starter for new ones. From the upbeat and insane "I Am A Cat" to the more traditional "Ah, Singapore", Shonen Knife takes me back to rock's golden era and combines with some of today's more memorable sounds. Even the casual listener will notice as Shonen Knife pays tribute through there music to the bands that inspire them. With such memorable guitar-banging songs like "Riding The Rocket" and "Twist Barbie", the lilting tones of "Ah, Singapore", or the zaniness of ""Flying Jelly Attack" and "Tortoise Brand Pot Scrubbing Cleaner Theme" Shonen Knife has something that will appeal to all listeners.

Looking for a great feel-good record to brighten up your spirits? Then look no further than to this gem by Shonen Knife!

While the orginal line-up has gone their seperate ways, Let's Knife (the group's American debut on this side of the ocean) is perhaps their best record. The trio combines great hooks and amazing arrangments with kooky, humrous lyrics that is sure to get you singing along. Orginally recorded on analog equipment, the CD version of Let's Knife keeps the orginal material intact and gives the listener a crisp, clear sound without the dreaded feeling of the usual over-produced albums we have come accusomed to.

Almost all the tracks are incredible catchy and fun to sing along to. My personal favorites include "Riding on the Rocket" and the unoffical theme song for PETA intitled "Bear Up Bison". "Twist Barbie" gives Aqua's "Barbie Girl" a run for it's money while the moody "Black Bass" is a great chill song. Fans of the Rocky Horror Picture Show will appricate the group's tribute song "Devil House" and travel back in time to when Surf Rock was at it's prime with the incredible intrumental track "Milky Way".

Let's Knife is a great introduction for anyone who is interested in the group. Plus, once you've heard Shonen Knife, you'll be running out to collect the group's entire cataloge. So, if your enjoy the talents of such bands as Primus or Frank Zappa, give Shonen Knife a go and prepare to be blown away!

The best way to describe this band's sound is a blend of 50's girl group/60's Rock and Roll/Modern-day Alternative. Shonen Knife have really created something special with this album. It still sounds great after over 10 years, and not at all dated. It'll make you laugh, it'll make you think, and it has something for everyone! Best songs are "Riding on the Rocket", "Black Bass" and "I Am a Cat", and the rampaging punk of "Antonio Baka Guy" is well worth the listen too. Buy this album, you will not regret it.

I had been listening to Shonen Knife songs for years, but I could never find their albums... so yesterday, I happened across "Let's Knife" in a record store, so I bought it. I't so funny, amusing, and very addicting. I know most people won't give them credit and pass them off as a novelty, but their songs are amazing... and they have a since of humor. My favorite track on the album is the 50's-like "Cycling Is Fun"... probably followed by "Bear Up Bison."