Customer Reviews

Playboy & Playgirl

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

'Playboy/Playgirl' was the first Pizzicato Five CD I ever listened to. A student in my architectural studio class decided to play it on the communal jambox as background music to all those quietly drafting away and building cardboard models. The music became instantly infectious and each song was filled with gorgeous hooks, lush orchestration and production, and an exagerrated albeit fun mood throughout the entire length of the album. In other words, 'Playboy/Playgirl' was exactly what I needed to finish my architecture projects and keep me motivated and driven to the very last all-nighter. Unlike most CDs that I own which all were 'slow burners' in that they had to grow on me before I embraced them, this album is one of the very few to have lit the fire so fast it was more of a flame-thrower. Each song carefully studied the influences of Bacharach, Carpenters, Gainsbourg and the Beach Boys, yet each track is original and perfect. Not one mediocre track anywhere because the strongest aspect of the CD is its sequencing. Each song follows its predecessor perfectly, seamlessly, and therefore requires the listener to listen the entire LP as one carefully constructed piece. What differentiates this album from previous American releases like 'Happy End of the World' and 'Made in USA' is that it is a coherent and unified piece, while the former titles are mostly a hodgepodge of dance tracks and ballads randomly packaged. Although many would accuse this album of being cartoonish in its sentimentality, my response is that it's exactly this aspect that makes it such a guilty pleasure. Since it is a retro-inspired work, 'Playboy/Playgirl' does indeed remind us of the innocence lost from the 60s and 70s. Its 'sweetness' worked for me, as my fiancee and I first fell in love while enjoying this album. All I can say is that it's full of magic. 'Playboy/Playgirl' is the embodiment of happiness.

Les Pizzicato Five, how do I love thee, let me count the ways... Great songs, beautifully arranged and conceived, Nomiya Maki's fab voice, impossibly gorgeous style, the list goes on. Matador have released the international version of Playboy & Playgirl which differs only slightly to the Japanese release (the main difference being a long spoken word piece left off which will not bother most non-Japaenes speaking listeners, especially considering it is several minutes long and entirely in Japanese) and it is a tight, wonderful collection that showcases the talent of this outfit. There are great pop gems waiting to be discovered and the songs span from easy listening to drum and bass and from go-go pop to orchestral singsong. My only complaint about the album is the placement of the title track next to the song "Le Regle Du Jeu" as they sound too similar when played back to back. Not much of a criticism, and for good reason, this is a totally superb collection.

It catches you and just doesn't stop, this is relentless pop that gives you everything you need except English (if you must). Even with plenty of natural instruments included, this oozes with a futuristic sound that often cannot be recognized. This is as danceable an album as I've heard in ages but has time for some lovely ballads, "I hear a Symphony" is just wonderful. Vocalist Maki is supreme, pun intended, making you want to meet a Japanese girl. As good as their last album (Happy End of the World)was, this is better. When you think about it, Pizzicato 5 is as cosmopolitan and modern as any group going. Truly uplifting -- buy it, love it.

I purchased Playboy & Playgirl for a hefty price at a Japanese specialty store before it was released here in the US - it's worth listening to at any price! The crazed duo once again combine cheesy pop melodies, electronica galore, sampling, Japanese dialogue, and Maki's clear, sweet Swing Out Sister-esque voice in this follow-up to Happy End of the World. There's a definite 60's influence in this recording. The packaging is outstanding - All sorts of little trading cards, a photo strip of the pair that looks as if it was taken in one of those instant photo-booths, and classic kitschy P-Five cartoons and photos of them that are right out of The Avengers. I think I've got most of Pizzicato Five's releases and compilations, US and Import, and Playboy & Playgirl ranks right up there with the best. Not a bad cut on the disc, which flows song to song without a break. Domo arigato, P-Five!

Now don't get me wrong. Maki Nomiya's sweet voice is still here, as are the happy-yet-sad lyrics and music of Yasuharu Konishi. For Playboy & Playgirl, though, Pizzicato Five have recruited several guest vocalists to sing along with Maki, as well as some horn players. The result is a much fuller sound than can be found on their earlier US releases. If you thought dancing to clubbier P5 tracks like "The Night Is Still Young" was fun, wait 'til you try it with new songs like "A New Song" (descriptive, I know) and "Playboy Playgirl." It's a whole new dimension of kitschy fun... and this CD proves that yes, kitsch has a surprising depth to it. It's not bubblegum pop by any means, but it's still joyfully sweet.

I remembered this band's name when I read it, but I had never heard them. I like fun retro style cocktail lounge Esquivel jazz as well as dance, and this combines that with great hooks and pop feel. You will make all of your friends listen to it because you'll have to prove to them how cool it is. I have purchased other P5 titles because of this album. ( I also have started singing the songs in Japanese in my car)

Pizzicato 5 have always been one of my favorite pop bands. But with their recent effort "Happy End Of The World" the band completely lost me. It was all drums, bass, and none of that bouncy P5 fun I remembered from classics such as "The Sound Of Music" and "Sister Freedom Tapes". Luckily, on the new release, some of that fun has returned, albeit in a different form. "The Sound of Music", IMHO their best album, was all bouncy dance pop, with a lively beat and some light dj stylings controlling the mix. On "Playboy & Playgirl", the band has a new Burt Bacharach sort of vibe, which leads to a more "hip" sound that I personally don't like as much. There are some classic songs here, particularly "La Depresion" with some really cute harmonies, and the absolutely beautiful "Concerto". Overall the album flows nicely, but none of it really left an impression on me except for the two aforementioned tracks. I reccomend some of P5's older albums over this one, but it's not bad and P5 devotees will not be disappointed

This is a good album, solid Pizzacato five music, but compared to Happy End of the World it is a little flat, and not quite as fun. Of course it may just be played the other recording to death, and had high expectation for this one.

This is a great album. The music is beautifully arranged and produced. Pizzicato Five taps into the same kind of music that Swing Out Sister does. Both duos bring such a fresh and unique sound to music that would have been recorded in the late 60's. A New Song is probably my favorite from the album. It is a fast song with a lot of brass. I would say this album is a mix of disco/jazz and late 60's sunshine pop.

This is both one of Pizzicato Five's best albums and one of the most accessible. "Playboy & Playgirl" is a gateway drug, leading listeners on to harder stuff (like "Fifth Release from Matador"). Hearing "Such a Beautiful Girl Like You," "A New Song," and "Drinking Wine" for the first time is a revelation: You may never have suspected that music could be at once so whimsical and so sublime. A must-have.