[quote="Raiden"]Speaking of songs that remind you of others, is it just me or do you guys start waiting for the Over Amp guitar riff while listening to the start of Lemon Drops?

On another note, I'm enjoying it a bit more now, but I still think it's pretty eh. Not much that truly shines for me other than Primer Beat and Ameagari. And I have a soft spot for Life size life, go away. D:

And when my little brother heard Johnny Strobe/Strobo or whatever, he immediately said 1989. Left speaker guitar.[/quote]

Oh shit, your right. It does sound a little bit like 1989, a more fast paced version but I hear it.

[quote="TJWX5"]I think this album does have more than enough strength to kick any American album's ass.

Really This is good music, most Americans don't like good music.[/quote]

You irritate me [i]so[/i], so much because you know [i]so[/i], so little.

But in response to ladybirdgirl, yeah, I think you're in a rather difficult position. I just can't think of a particular audience, other than anime convention goers, that would appreciate the pillows' Avex sound[i]. Even if they were an English-speaking band[/i]. I don't profess to know much about the main differences between the "sound" of the American industry vs. the Japanese industry. But I'm pretty sure that the pillows of the olden days (well, middle-era) have a more palatable sound to an American audience, rather the the pillows' current sound. You know, more of the 90's rock feel. More fuzz, less production, less quirky riffs and muted power chords. I think it would appeal to average Joe record store customer (not to be confused with average Joe "ey man you heard that new Flo Rida single?)

So yeah, it's tough. I mean, even my mom can dig middle era pillows because although they're pretty unique in what they do...their overall vibe isn't that foreign. And that's why a lot of non-Japanese speakers can connect with it. But things have changed. So. I'm less confident?

None of their new stuff will ever hook Americans like Ride on shooting star or Hybrid Rainbow did for so many of us.
I believe that the pillows are trying to get more noticed in the Japanese music industry more than anything else. I mean, its their home and they want to be able to perform for their people. American merchandise and the language for some reason is very popular in Japan, like everyone there tries to emulate our look and sound while we're trying to get our hands on their technology and style.

[quote]This album is great! Can't stop listening to it[/quote]

Hey, I know the market for Ooparts.

Really gullible people. Like those who would post their SSN on the internet. You might be able to convince them to buy, listen to, and like this sub-par release.

[quote]@Jomei From what I have seen most Japanese fans really like the album.[/quote]

And just what have you seen to make you think this way? Or are you just saying that?

I don't really know why I like it so much. I'm just really enjoying the new album. I'm just really grateful that they're still making music even after 20 years. I want them to be a part of my life, I've missed so much and I don't ever want to miss another chance to see them play Live or get another CD old or new. Maybe I'm the only one who really is afraid that they might just stop playing together, or maybe I just really like their new releases. Whatever, I really wish you all felt the same way I do, then you wouldn't be bitching over an album you don't like. Even if I don't like an album I don't go complaining about it on the forum. I mean seriously, take it easy (some of you)

Enjoy what you have been given and don't under appreciate it. It might just be the last few years we have left of them. I hope not, but 20 years is a long time. I just hope for 5 more years, thats all I want. If they grant me even more than I have nothing in the world to complain about.

[quote="GoldenRhino"]

So yeah, it's tough. I mean, even my mom can dig middle era pillows because although they're pretty unique in what they do...their overall vibe isn't that foreign. And that's why a lot of non-Japanese speakers can connect with it. But things have changed. So. I'm less confident?[/quote]

The more I think about this, the more I understand it. I mean, seriously, look at the pillows in their early days, they were very obviously imitating other English/American bands, with their music and their look. They were closer to the style of other artists that influenced them than they were their own, and almost all of those artists were English, especially for Sawao.

Is this actually what the Japanese fans want though? I would believe they like the sound, but I really don't know about all the English.

[quote="GoldenRhino"][quote="TJWX5"]I think this album does have more than enough strength to kick any American album's ass.

Really This is good music, most Americans don't like good music.[/quote]

You irritate me [i]so[/i], so much because you know [i]so[/i], so little.[/quote]

This made me laugh. I love you to GR.

[quote="Jomei"][quote]This album is great! Can't stop listening to it[/quote]

Hey, I know the market for Ooparts.

Really gullible people. Like those who would post their SSN on the internet. You might be able to convince them to buy, listen to, and like this sub-par release.

[quote]@Jomei From what I have seen most Japanese fans really like the album.[/quote]

And just what have you seen to make you think this way? Or are you just saying that?[/quote]

His SSN incident was funny as hell.

This album is only sub-par to YOU! I wonder if you guys understand that? It is only your little opinion.

And you think I would just be saying things without backing!?

Pillows official forum
[url]http://www.pillows.jp/bbs/patio.cgi?mode=view&no=1188[/url]

Amazon customer review
[url]http://www.amazon.co.jp/product-reviews/B002JM5NH2/ref=cm_cr_dp_all_helpful?ie=UTF8&coliid=&showViewpoints=1&colid=&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending[/url]

Run them through this
[url]http://translate.google.com/#[/url]
Its crude but you'll get the jest of it.

[quote="A.Fish"][quote="GoldenRhino"]

So yeah, it's tough. I mean, even my mom can dig middle era pillows because although they're pretty unique in what they do...their overall vibe isn't that foreign. And that's why a lot of non-Japanese speakers can connect with it. But things have changed. So. I'm less confident?[/quote]

The more I think about this, the more I understand it. I mean, seriously, look at the pillows in their early days, they were very obviously imitating other English/American bands, with their music and their look. They were closer to the style of other artists that influenced them than they were their own, and almost all of those artists were English, especially for Sawao.

Is this actually what the Japanese fans want though? I would believe they like the sound, but I really don't know about all the English.[/quote]

This album has a more Japanese feel to it. Japanese fans seem to like it, most American fans not, what about the rest the pillows fans in other places of the world.

[quote="TJWX5"]This album has a more Japanese feel to it.[/quote]

Dude, a third of the songs are in English. Could you explain how you came to this conclusion?

[quote="GoldenRhino"][quote="TJWX5"]This album has a more Japanese feel to it.[/quote]

Dude, a third of the songs are in English. Could you explain how you came to this conclusion?[/quote]

English songs in Japan has always been popular, that would actually not matter as much as you think. The style of the songs themselves, the as you say quirky is Japanese influenced melodies. The over all feel of recent albums is more Japanese to me, as some middle, late-middle of their career had more of an English- American feel to it still Japanese though.

Maybe this could be one thing you guys are not liking about the last releases.

[quote="TJWX5"]The style of the songs themselves, the as you say [b]quirky is Japanese influenced melodies[/b].[/quote]

Gimme an example of another success Japanese band pulling this "quirky" kinda crap?

It's nice that you're posting evidence, TJWX5, I appreciate that. But the numbers of people surveyed there are still very low in the case of the Amazon review (8 reviews). And yeah, it's not surprising to see a lot of praise on the [i]official[/i] pillows site, but I wonder how other music fans think of it.

And no, nothing the pillows have ever done has had a uniquely "Japanese" feel. Their influences are largely foreign groups.

[quote="GoldenRhino"][quote="TJWX5"]The style of the songs themselves, the as you say [b]quirky is Japanese influenced melodies[/b].[/quote]

Gimme an example of another success Japanese band pulling this "quirky" kinda crap?[/quote]

"This quirky kinda crap" as you so eloquently put it, is really to me just Japanese a more pop feel. Off the top of my head I think ajikan, base ball bear, porno graffitti. But still the pillows have always been really unique. I would like to point out MSG, as this is the first rock Sawao heard its a strong influence. Micheal has this quirky sound in alot of his melodies.

Captain Nemo
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtmBf6SIu_s&feature=related[/url]

Into the Arena, Check out 2:34
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LFEZkkwSO4[/url]

Haha we're getting trolled.

[quote]And no, nothing the pillows have ever done has had a uniquely "Japanese" feel. Their influences are largely foreign groups.[/quote]

That's what I was about to say. Rock and roll originated from America. You wouldn't say something has a French feel to it or a Brazillian feel to it. Rock is rock. There's different genres of it, but ethnicity doesn't come into it at all.

Yeah seriously. TJXN56 is making me get to the point where I just flip the chessboard over in his face.