Customer Reviews

Sleepy Strange

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

 

 

I'm intensley bothered by people who throw in the word "country" when trying to describe Japancakes' music--as if by simply using a pedal steel guitar one can transform any genre of music into "country" music. Do you refer to George Harrison's mid-sixties Beatles contributions as Indian music just because he uses a sitar? Or Uncle Tupelo's "Satan, Your Kingdom Must Come Down" as Greek because they use a bouzouki on the track? Of course not. So what about this music is even remotely country? Nothing, I tell you.

John Neff's pedal steel is prominent against the background of more traditional rock instruments, true--but Heather's cello is awesome, too--does that make this chamber music? Chamber music for rock quartet and pedal steel guitar, maybe?

Look, this is just lovely music played by wonderful musicians who take a motive or two and rework it for 10 minutes against a drone of one or two chords. Think of them as ragas, or variations on a theme. Neff should get credit for taking his instrument, the pedal steel, and stretching into a new sound world, proving how versatile the instrument REALLY is. Maybe country music has had a monopoly on the pedal steel for too long. (Not that Neff never uses it for country, because he does--see The Star Room Boys if you want to hear him go that route, and very competently.) Personally, I'm impressed with how intuitive this stuff sounds, how RIGHT it sounds, how much melody is in this stuff. Whether it turns you on or bores you silly, the fact is that this is great music regardless of your tastes.

Definitely not for everyone, but fans of instrumental music should at least explore this wonderfuly innovative take on post-rock.

Following a superb first album, and follow-up EP, THE SLEEPY STRANGE is an outright masterpiece from Georgia post-rockers Japancakes. Combining elements of ambient pop, country, classical, and even a little funk, this album has a little bit of everything for instrumental music lovers: uplifting twang in "Soft N Ez," a smooth laidback extended groove in "Vinyl Fever," and absolutely beautiful and haunting cello and pedal steel work in "This Year's Beat." If you're a Tortoise fan, check out this group... you shouldn't be disappointed!

I'm not sure why someone would give this less than 4 stars. In my opinion it is their best album. The last track Vinyl Fever is a master class in laid back, tripped out, pedal steel. I have had this album for a couple of years now and it gets pulled out constantly. I would highly recomend it!

Whats wrong with country?? Japancakes makes me want to sit on my stoop and drink a beer in the warm sun...pretending its a proper front porch somewhere outside of the city. Its deeply influenced by varied sources, ranging from shoegaze to country. And yes when you use the tools of a specific genre you are bound to hear mention of said genre...but whats wrong with that? Great band..great album!

I first heard "Soft N EZ" on Seattle's excellent local radio station, and bought the cd hoping that the rest of it would be just as lovely. I was not dissappointed. These songs are both ethereal and down-to-earth; if Martians had folk music, this would be it.

The last song is a minor let-down, but since all the ones preceding are nearly perfect, I'm not complaining. This is a make-out record for the ages.

This cd by the Japancakes has to be one of the most beautiful, and brilliant, works of the last century. Every single song on this disc plays like a miniature piece in one's life. Although there aren't words, this is what the Japancakes are known for, and the music well more than makes up for this loss. There are plenty of dynamic shifts to keep it from getting dull, and the pedal steel work is absolutely the most spectacular thing I've ever heard. This CD is a must have for anyone who likes beauty. Period.

The best Japancakes CD out to this date. They really bring things together on this album. The way they mix all styles of music is simply amazing. Post rock at it's best. Buy it, you won't be sorry.

For there to be only 7 songs of instrumentals, I must say that this is really okay stuff. I didn't get into it too much so don't have too much to write. Besides there are no lyrics. But nevertheless, the music is fair, a bit too Country for my tastes though.

Best track (to me):
Vinyl Fever

Basically, if you like tripped out Country music, you just might like this.

Japancakes sound has finally started to mature. The first album and following e.p. always seemed a little off like they were trying real hard to fill a niche in the indie world but couldn't quite pull it off. Hopefully things will continue in the direction of this new release especially like the last track "Vinyl Fever".