Customer Reviews

Spike

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I don't care what Sean Combs has to say about this wonderful Japanese pop duo, Ami and Yumi will always be known to me as simply "Puffy". Screw copyright infringement, they were around longer than that sampling loser. Here on the US version of "Spike" the listener gets to listen to a slightly different remix of the duo's recent release, with two bonus tracks. I couldn't help but notice that production-wise that songs like "Boogie Woogie No. 5" sounds slightly different than the version found on the Japanese release. I love hearing Ami and Yumi sing in english on the bonus track "Love So Pure". That is one of my all time favorite Puffy songs. The remix I'm still iffy on but I can forgive them for that. And of course I love "December". That song is so catchy I am always humming along to the song. I hope this duo records at least one full length english album but if not, I'm contented to listening to them sing in Japan. Their music is simply too wonderful to care about what language they sing in.

In recent months I have become obsessed with everything Puffy. First "Fever Fever", then "The Very Best of Puffy/AmiYumi Jet Fever" and now "Spike". I don't care if I had to shell out a few more bucks than your typical cd, Puffy's cds are worth the money. Where else can you hear smidgens of punk, a splatterings of rock, the occasional morsel of country, disco, surf and rockabilly mixed with a healthy dosage of pop music? Their music is a pleasure to listen, despite the language barrier. The melodies are incredible. I have never heard anything so catchy without coming off as cheesy like most today's modern pop acts found on MTV. I don't think I can go a day at work without bringing in one of Puffy's cds to listen to. Their music brightens up my otherwise dreery day of sitting in my cubicle.

The phenomenal Jpop band, Puffy, have once again demonstrated their genius and complete control over pop music. From their first album 'AmiYumi' to their latest, 'Spike', Puffy only gets better. This album has all the eclectic sounds that fans of Ami-chan and Yumi-chan have come to expect. From catchy pop tunes like Boogi-Woogie No 5, to the simple, touching ballad Junigatsu (December), 'Spike' is Puffy at their best! If you are looking for real Jpop, buy this CD! ^_^

A Japanese version of Shampoo? Maybe, as the power-pop/punk sound is similar to that of the British duo. The successor to Shonen Knife? Probably so, as the Japanese trio seem to have used up their fifteen minutes. In that case, make room for Puffy AmiYumi and Spike, an eclectic mix of fifteen danceable, ultra-fun pop songs.

"Boogie Woogie No. 5" is their ska song, complete with horns, though not as brassy as Save Ferris.

"Violet" is my favorite song here, and it has that Shampoo sound I referred to earlier. There's a bit of Go-Go's/Bangles influence here too.

"Sui Sui" not to be confused with "Su-i Su-i", is the track that made me think of Shonen Knife.

Spike boasts an ecletic mix of influences. Some of this is limited to a brief melody before bursting into a different sound and rhythm altogether. "Destruction Pancake" has Bowie's Aladdin Sane sound that has been AmiYumi-ized. "Swimming Pool," a 70's disco sound, starts out like the beginning of Van McCoy's "The Hustle," and "Puffy's Rule" like the Clash's "Clash City Rocking."

"Cosmic Wonder" has two melodies, one reminiscent of Huey Lewis's "Heart And Soul" and Prince's "Soft And Wet", with the synthesizer sound of the latter.

"Dec." reminds me of the Turtles' "Happy Together" and B.J. Thomas's "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head" and is my second favorite.

All except one of Spike's songs are in Japanese, "Love Is Pure" being an English version of "Violet."

With the proper marketing and exposure in the United States, Puffy AmiYumi could outdo Shonen Knife, provided their English language albums are of the same calibre as Spike.

Message to Ami and Yumi. Arubamu ga tottemmo omoshiro katta. Gambarre-na! (Translation: Your album was very enjoyable. Keep it up!)

The proto-CD to this year's Nice, Spike is the first collaboration, on a few tracks, with Andy Sturmer. It is sort of a transition CD from the older Puffy sound to their last few. It is a solid album in general, but has one REALLY good song, Violet / Love So Pure (Track 2 Japanese, Track 14 English).

As one of two Puffy CD's available ion the US, if you are looking to get into Puffy it is a solid pick up after An Illustrated History. If you are a Puffy fan already and have not picked Spike up; shame on you. :)

Remember when pop music was fun and made you smile? Remember when pop music didn't just fall flat on its face tryiing to imitate the sexy and dangerous edges of other genres of music? Me neither. But, this album will take you there.
I have more than 1700 songs on my computer from all kinds of music. For the past 6 months, I've been playing songs from this album the most! Yeah, it's in Japanese. So what! You can hum along. And you will. Why? Because it's happy and fun. It's simple without being boring or unenergetic. Enjoy!

You would think living in the USA would mean that there isn't a seismic shift in the entertainment industry we wouldn't notice. Think again... We are living in a bubble and Puffy- Ami Yumi is here to burst it. Japan's best musical export since the days of Yellow Magic Orchestra, is all that. What do they sound like? Try everything you love about hit pop music. They are irresistable looking and sounding to the max. Influences run from the Beatles to ELO to ABBA to Jellyfish to Donna Summer to Sid and Marty Krofft Saturday Mornings in the 70's. This is REALLY FUN folks!
...And I didn't have to understand a single word they were singing.

Just finished listening to this CD through for the second time and have to say that it is quite an appealing effort. I've already recommended it to a few friends.

As much JROCK as JPOP, this group serves up solid rock licks, inventive pop hooks and sincere grrl-rocker harmonies. From the first 8-bars it immediately had my attention. Puffy has a strong sound that while not as raw and edgy as Shonen Knife is well polished and, thankfully, not over-produced.

They drift around stylistically which can be deadly to an albums rhythm and pacing. In this case, however, this adventuring makes the whole much more enjoyable as each song keeps the album true to its mission. One grooves as much as listens to this CD.

The closest comparison to an American group I can find would be to Athens, GA rockers Little Red Rocket and their CD "It's in the Sound".

I'll definately keep my eyes open for more Puffy.

I came upon this cd, not sure of what to expect - and I absolutely love it. I wish Japanese music was more mainstream in the U.S. - that would take the guesswork out of buying cds if I could hear them first. I also wish I could speak Japanese to sing along with this cd because it is so fun - definitely worth 5 stars. Violet, Cosmic Wonder, Swimming Pool, and Dec. are a few of my favorites on this cd. I am looking forward to buying their other cds. Too bad they had to change their name in the U.S - even though they were around long before the "other" Puffy!

This is my frist Puffy CD and i like it alot. the songs are all catchy. my personal favorites are the Boogie Woogie Number 5, Violet, and Wild Girls on Circut. the songs are varied from upbeat to relaxed. an excllent J-Pop CD. i gotta get the others.