Customer Reviews

Rock Animals

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I think Shonen Knife is like the cats they sing of; you either love them unconditionally or you don't. Rock Animals is my third Shonen Knife CD. Unlike Let's Knife and Brand New Knife, Rock Animals slows down a bit but doesn't lose one ounce of the magic that makes Shonen Knife unique. This time we are treated to several gems such as Little Tree, Another Day, and Music Square. All very lilting, excellent pieces they are teamed up with traditional Shonen Knife tunes like Catnip Dreams, Concrete Animals, and Johnny, Johnny, Johnny. These three wonderful ladies from Osaka again treat us to their unique "take" on the world around us; a little screwy, equally humorous and sad, but always wonderous. I wish I'd have learned of them long ago.

Like other reviewers have said, you either become a "knife-head", or you cut them from your collection. I could never do that because I love this group. They're one of those bands that I've listened to for years, and when I mention them, people say "who"? The songs are very catchy, and the Japanese voices/accents on these girls almost demand that you fall for their cuteness. The sound is indie-pop-punk, but the lyrics are all "Dr.Seuss" and lovey dovey. And while some songs rock, others are all soft and happy. It's a cool album to get into, and will go great between your "Ramones" and "Lush" cd's.

i was pretty bewildered upon first listen to this cd. after all, hadn't i payed good money for it? hadn't i waited months for its release? i'd never heard their stuff before, so i didn't know to expect tbat not only would i be listening to the cd the whole way through another two times in a row, but that i'd start humming along to the at-times bubble-gummy tunes. whatever else i say, i have to give them credit for being able to sing and play, yet would hesitate to reccomend this to anyone not prepared to step outside of pop. for those who've heard this cd, they know what i'm talking about, and for those who haven't i'd say take a chance even though they haven't got any songs up on the site that you can listen to. at best, you'll find a great band, and at worst, you'll discover a great band that's a little different.

Shonen Knife is definitely one of the most entertaining imports you'll ever come across. Hearing the singer mangle the word "photosynthesized" during Tomato Head is worth the price alone... OK, the fact that "Tomato Head" contains the word "photosynthesized" is worth the price alone. OK, the fact that the album contains a song called "Tomato Head" makes it worth the price alone! A fun, wacky album.

Urban legend has it that if THE MONKEES had gender reassignment surgery, wore colorful matching jumpers, ditched the goofy one and moved to Japan they'd be SHONEN KNIFE. I, however, beg to differ. Consider the evidence. Would those 60's relics be able to come up with eleven jamming tunes that would have you rocking and smiling at the same time? Would Davey and company be even remotely genius enough to swipe a killer riff from JUDAS PRIEST'S "LIVING AFTER MIDNIGHT" and fracture it into a loving tribute to brown mushrooms? Surely, I think not!!!
Get the knife and see the light!!!

Back in '94 I was watching Beavis & Butthead on MTV and this video of three japanese chicks singing "Tomato Head" came on... and I've been a Shonen Knife fan ever since. After getting the CD I was able to read the lyrics and I was surprised to find out what a great sense of humor they have. Concrete Animals, Little Tree, and especially Catnip Dream are very funny, Johnny, Johnny, Johnny is a great rock & funny song, Butterfly Boy has a great dreamy quality. It doesn't rock as hard as some of thier other CDs, actually it has a few of their slower, more pretty songs, like the Beach Boyesque "Another Day", and then "Music Square", but it is definitely one of thier best CDs. I would have to say that this is one of their best CDs - all solid material, never boring, always enjoyable. If you want an introduction to this band, this would not be a bad way to start. It worked for me.

Virgin Records signed Shonen Knife for this album, a few associated singles, and a compilation of studio tracks - recordings that demonstrate the band with its richest, some might say "grungiest" work. The good news is that experiment laid off. "Brown Mushrooms" and the LP's title track are instantly memorable, charming tunes that refuse to leave your mind; the remainder of the tracks hold their own, and then some.

This record was released at a time when the band was at its most commercially successful, but the heavier sound may surprise some newer fans. But the material and recording are memorable in a way few bands can match.

On this 1993 release, Our Favorite Grrlz from Osaka take on more of a rockish stance and get a little grimy. The production is stripped down like a hot rod and ready to race, with no superfluous overdubs. Shonen Knife still wear their influences on their sleeves, those being 70s power pop, Ramones and British Invasion groups. However, all those influences are whirled through the Shonen blender and thus we come out with bubblegrunge songs about concrete animals in the park, drinking so much tomato juice that you turn into Tomato Head, and searching for a good Italian restaurant that offers mushrooms with the spaghetti. We also get a plea to save the trees and a portrait of a cat getting high off catnip, as well as the just plain pretty "Another Day," which sounds something like if the Beach Boys were Beach Girls and they were from Osaka and met the Shangri-Las. Sort of. In short, another confusing and wonderful slice of life from Shonen Knife, coming from a place a little sideways from our reality, but no less appealing for all that.

If you have not heard Shonen Knife... You will adore them if you like the Go-Gos. They rock!

When I bought the original release back in 1994,I thought it was very good. The only thing that I would like even more is for Shonen Knife to sing in their native Japanese,instead of English.