I quietly got my hands on the new CD by the Gosperats last night at Tower Records in Shibuya with no race riots, inquisitions from Immigration, weird looks from the cashier, or indeed any hassle whatsoever.
They only had the Limited Edition in stock, which was fine with me since it comes with A FUCKING SILVER GOSPERATS RING delivered in a black felt pouch.
What follows is a track-by-track review of the CD itself.
1. ハリケーン
A cover of the old Rats&Star classic as seen and heard on HEY HEY HEY Music Champ a few weeks back. The string-laden arrangement isn’t a match for the original, but protesting too much is futile. The guys nicely trade off leads on the verses and it makes a solid introduction to the record. Best bit: when the voice-over heralds the Gosperats as “my Tokyo homies.”
2. まさか赤坂Show Time
The "homies" head over to Spanish Harlem with castanets in tow on a quest to bring back some of that “Latin Flavor.” There’s a constantly shifting melody with lots of wacky backup bass parts bound to make you giggle. For example: “Happy walla walla.”
3. リンダ
A modern sounding slow jam dedicated to “Linda.” Linda who? Japanese subtitle queen Linda Hoagland? Opens with harsh AM radio compression ala Daft Punk and ends with a shockeroo twist: “You’re the girl in the love, you’re the girl Linda.” As if owning this CD wasn’t incriminating enough…
4. Interlude クイズ♪バーボボバー物語
Brief skit where members of the band play Name That Tune with Mr. Bassman. The correct answer of “My Girlfriend by the Cadillacs” is greeted with much multi-tracked applause. The best cut is by The Shanels (AKA Rats&Star Version 1.0) and all join in for an impromptu sing-along.
5. 星空のサーカス~ナイアガラへの愛を込めて編~:星空のサーカス~スパイス・ソング
“Spot the Influence” continues with a cover of a typically terrific Ohtaki Eiichi song (there’s even some baseball sound effects in tribute to his classic Go! Go! Niagara LP). Like much of the former Happy End man’s output, it’s a pre-Beatles teenage dream switching on a dime from Frankie Lymon to Phil Spector. The Go-Rat’s are vocally up to the challenge, making it the top cut on the disc, for sure.
6. Valentine Kiss~永遠の誓い~
Motown! Four Tops fantasies are explored as the boys trade off leads yet again. The opening couplet doubles as the Gosperats’ Guide to Life: “Only you! Baka na!” Ends with everyone saying “Happy Valentine," which is weird since guys don’t usually say that kind of shit to each other unless they gay.
7. 時間飛行
The Big Dramatic Power Ballad arrives on schedule, but oddly devoid of any R&B influence. With nary a “showaddywaddy” to be heard anywhere; it’s easily the stinker of the bunch.
8. だからゴスペラッツ
Another skit: “We interrupt this record to report that the Gosperats are missing!” Turns out they’re just backstage rehearsing. Whew.
9. The Voice
The credits roll to some beautiful long lost spine-tingling doo-wop (Fred Parris & the Scarlets, anyone?) sung in acapella. The last thing on the record, which costs around US$25 and only has seven real songs on it, is the sound of a toilet flushing…
(Addendum: no, that's not a metaphor or a joke or something. The record literally ends with the sound of a toilet flushing. Joey Coco can back me up on this.)
They're standing on playing cards.
Spades.
Holy Mother of God.
I love Japan.
Posted by: Steve Harrison | April 20, 2006 at 07:55 AM
So far, I'd have to say the I was most floored by the killer plot twist at the end of "Linda."
But "Valentine Kiss" has some killer brass in it!
Posted by: Joseph Luster | April 20, 2006 at 08:54 AM
For those in the US that just can't handle it anymore and need a place to get it, I suggest CD Japan
http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=ESCL-2812
Of course, you can try Tower's import section or Amazon Japan, but CD Japan is a sure thing.
Yes, there's the regular edition also available, but come on...a RING!
Posted by: Steve Harrison | April 20, 2006 at 06:44 PM
I can't log in myself right now, but evidence seems to indicate that a torrent is already being hosted over at dimeadozen.org.
Posted by: Patrick Macias | April 20, 2006 at 06:52 PM
But even after hearing all but two tracks, I still want the motherfucking ring.
Posted by: Joseph Luster | April 21, 2006 at 12:58 AM
>>Yes, there's the regular edition also available, but come on...a RING!
A Gosperats ring, no less.
Posted by: wildarmsheero | April 22, 2006 at 07:47 AM
Be careful with that ring Patrick! Only wear it on the outside of your white gloves (on your pinky). And for the love of Benny Hinn, don't wear it during daylight hours.
Posted by: Matt Gray | April 22, 2006 at 08:40 AM
MY PRRRRECIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Paper BoyXXX | April 22, 2006 at 07:08 PM
as usual everybody can make jokes about a peoples' suffering at the hands of racists -- except the people themselves...
thanks for making me feel stupid for buying that book about tokyo -- glad its lost somewhere in the house now... can't even enjoy looking at the maps of akihabara now thanks to seeing this
should have just made somebody get it for me for free off the net :(
*sigh*
Posted by: die racism | July 06, 2006 at 02:31 PM
If it makes you feel any better, I'm not white either!
Posted by: Patrick Macias | July 06, 2006 at 02:42 PM