Strawberry Sound [IMPORT]

KNIFE, Shonen Knife

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 1, 2000)
• Original Release Date: February 19, 2000
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: Universal/Mca
• ASIN: B00004S8M0
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #123,022 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Japanese version of 2000 release from punk/pop duo featuring special packaging. 13 tracks including 'Nya-Nya','Mosquitoes', 'Punk Rock Star', 'Wild Life', and 'ChineseDisco'. Word from the Knife camp is that they're still shopping for a U.S. deal so as y

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An eclectic addition for the Knife Collector, June 27, 2003

By	Christopher Nieman (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Since bassist Michie Nakatani retired from the band following HAPPY HOUR, the Yamano sisters have continued Shonen Knife in a slightly different direction. On STRAWBERRY SOUND, Atsuko still handles the drums and occasional lead vocals, while Naoko assumes most of the bass chores along with her usual guitars and vocals. It's brightly produced, and it's a poppier record than in the past, with a few drum machine beats and more synths than ever before.

STRAWBERRY SOUND shows that Naoko Yamano has not lost her formidable pop sensibilities, whether it's on the nihilistic fun of "Buggy Bug," the carefree party sounds of "Nya Nya," or the coolly ironic "CM Song" (a swipe at commercial song formulas). My favorite song is the brash "Wild Life," which features several trademark SK tempos and enough oomph to compare it to almost any other punk-flavored song in the band's catalog.

Along with "Nya Nya," my favorite pop song on the album is "Sesame," which has a wonderful chorus with one of the loveliest vocal moments Naoko has ever recorded. "Chinese Disco" is a nice, light sendup, although I'm not sure it's quite as great as some fans believe. I also like "Super Big Black Bass," which actually isn't a sound-alike of the original "Black Bass." Toward the end of the album, the lush sounds of "Mayonnaise Addiction" (with a musical nod to the Beatles' "Rain") are sure to put a big grin on your face ... only Shonen Knife could have done a proper tribute to Japan's fascination with this simple dairy product!

There are still a few misfires. The self-indulgent title chorus of "Punk Rock Star" harms what is otherwise one of the best songs on the album. The noodling of "Synthesizer" is best described as an interlude, and the Black Sabbath-inspired "Mosquitoes" is easily the weakest song of the record, sounding calculated and awkward.

The musical personality of Shonen Knife is still in bright pink letters, even if Michie's catchy songwriting and sweet sense of humor are missing. These women can still write more great tunes on one album than most pop bands dream about in their entire careers. STRAWBERRY SOUND is an eclectic work from a landmark Japanese rock band determined to forge ahead. You may need to go to lengths to get it, and it isn't nearly their best album, but it's still a worthy addition for the Knife Collector.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars 2/3 ain't bad, June 21, 2001

By	W. Johnson (The Mile High City) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Strawberry Sound is a decent album. Nothing more, nothing less. The tracks are a bilingual mix of Japanese and English depending on what song you get. For the most part they are at worst listenable at best are good.

Of thier last 3 albums (Happy Hour, Brand New Knife and Strawberry Sound)it is this one that is the weakest effort of the bunch. That is not to say it was poorly arranged, sung or anything esle. It is the issue of there was something missing.

I honestly thing the loss of Mishie Nakatani was really noticable in Strawberry Sound. She seemed to have a pop sensability and influence that was not fully filled after she left the band.

Strawberry Sound is well worth picking up if you are a Shonen Knife fan, btu it probably is not a good album to get started on. Hopefully there will be a US distribution deal for the album to make it more reasonably priced and available. Then I would nudge it up to 4 stars from 3.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars 2/3 ain't bad, June 21, 2001

By	W. Johnson (The Mile High City) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Strawberry Sound is a decent album. Nothing more, nothing less. The tracks are a bilingual mix of Japanese and English depending on what song you get. For the most part they are at worst listenable at best are good.

Of thier last 3 albums (Happy Hour, Brand New Knife and Strawberry Sound)it is this one that is the weakest effort of the bunch. That is not to say it was poorly arranged, sung or anything esle. It is the issue of there was something missing.

I honestly thing the loss of Mishie Nakatani was really noticable in Strawberry Sound. She seemed to have a pop sensability and influence that was not fully filled after she left the band.

Strawberry Sound is well worth picking up if you are a Shonen Knife fan, btu it probably is not a good album to get started on. Hopefully there will be a US distribution deal for the album to make it more reasonably priced and available. Then I would nudge it up to 4 stars from 3.