Happy Hour

Shonen Knife

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 23, 1998)
• Original Release Date: June 23, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Big Deal Records
• ASIN: B000006NL2
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #100,644 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Alternative Rock > Indie & Lo-Fi > Twee Pop

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Back with more of the quirk pop familiar to their fans, Shonen Knife's new album is a familiar blend of regurgitated Ramones riffs, assorted sunny jangles and three-part voices saying silly things in squeaky Japanese accents. There are wrinkles here that the band has been adding over their last several albums, like the early '80s' new wave that opens the album ("Shonen Knife Planet"), and the rare appearance of a song that actually goes past four minutes ("His Pet"). The loopiness remains intact for these intrepid ladies from the Far East, and only you can decide if you're up to the challenge of joining in. --Matthew Cooke

New Musical Express
As ever, the Knife sound like an AGM of irritation terrorists--The Ramones, The B-52's and Helen Love putting Midget Gems in the water supply so they can incapacitate the planet with a sugar migraine and enforce the wearing of bunches.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Banana Chip for ME! Banana Chip for YOU!, June 13, 2000

By	Sean (Edmonton, Alberta Canada) - See all my reviews

Shonen Knife's best album by far in my opinion. Their songs about different foods like Cookie Day, Hot Chocolate, Sushi Bar, Fish Eyes, and Banana Chips are all songs that can easily be stuck in your head for days. The music itself is simple, but Shonen Knife can give it that unique, come back to sound. Shonen Knife also does a cover of "Daydream Believer" that is perfectly done. Compared to other Knife CD's like 712, this sounds more professionally done, better sound quality... even the writing of the songs seems to be fulfilled much better, the growth of an artist perhaps.

If there is anyone who can resist "banana chips for you, banana chips for me, in the afternoon banana chips and tea..." step up to the plate and tell me. Its a catchy J-Pop album worth every penny.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "My God, I've got Fish Eyes!", December 2, 1999

By	happydogpotatohead "happydogpotatohead" (New Orleans, LA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Naoko, Michie and Atsuko once again grace our dismal planet with another communique from Shonen Knife Planet. If you can listen to this CD and not develop a goofy smile on your face, you are certainly completely humorless. Musically there's a little more Cheap Trick influence, and the power-pop moves definitely work for them. This is also the last CD to feature bassist Michie Nakatani, who has decided to retire from the Knife, and she acquits herself admirably with the songs she contributes here. For the uninitiated this is a good place to start, and the Shonen Knife fan will already have this. Pure power-punk-pop that outdistances even such practitioners as Green Day and the Groovie Goolies, and you can't argue with lyrics about sending postcards and drinking hot chocolate. Not to mention the song about waking up with fish eyes and having everyone ask you about your "new views." Totally zany and fun. Bang your head to "Konnichiwa" and you will know the true meaning of "rock out."

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It's Tasty History!, April 9, 2003

By	J. Calhoun "jinjur" (San Jose, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The Best Knife Yet?

I like it. Better I think than Rock Animals. On par (and better production) than Let's Knife. "Gyoza" is easily my all-time favorite Knife tune (ouch, that was hard to declare - I feel like I am betraying "Riding On The Rocket"). "Jackalope" is quintessential Knife - quirky, almost laughable - a song about a Jackalope postcard sent from Texas - I laugh at the thought of the twisted mind of the person who sent Shonen Knife a jackalope postcard). And finally, "Daydream Believer" is the perfect cover for them.

The rest are fun, but those three are the stand-out tracks. Enjoy.