Everyone has their own different way of classifying "eras" of the pillows. By Movement, by label, by overall "sound"...

But for the last long time, I've been trying to put my finger on what exactly about the Sawao's songwriting (for the past ten-ish years, but especially the last few) that has sounded so particularly...[i]modern-pillowsy[/i].

There seems to be this strong vibe in many pillows songs since My Foot, in the chord progressions and melodies, that I've seen a number of different words for. My musical theory analysis abilities are lacking, so I can only approach it from a feeling-perspective. Do you know what I'm talking about?

Doo-woppy.
Cowboy.
Americana.
Old school rock 'n' roll.
Corny.
Quirky bluesy.

Here are songs that I think most exemplify this style: Kuuchuu Resistor, the chorus to Mighty Lovers, Finger Post of Magic, YOUR ORDER, Rodeo Star Mate, Comic Sonic, Flashback Story, Primer Beat, Tokai no Alice, Prairie Rider, Message, Ideal Affection, Tabasco Disco, Lily My Sun, Biography.

And definitely recently with Under the Cuckoo's Nest and Radio Telegraphy. I may be missing a few.

To be super clear, I'm saying "THIS SOUND IS BAD, LET'S DISCUSS IF THE PILLOWS ARE AWFUL OR NOT." Nah. I'm just curious about this sound: what are your words for it? Do you like it? Musically, what's going on here? Can any songwriters in here chime in and tell me what habits of Sawao are creating this dorky cowboy rock? Where's he throwing those dominant 7 chords?

Westaboo-gie

[quote="Jomei"]Westaboo-gie[/quote]
This is kind of a legitimately good tongue-in-cheek term and I vote we adopt it henceforth.

It's rockabilly. There's always been a little bit of a rockabilly inflection to The Pillows, even back in their early material. Rockabilly had brief spurts of popularity in Japan in the 70s and 80s, and most likely Sawao's style and Manabe's guitar playing (especially the way he ends quite a few of his solos) were influenced by some of those groups when they were young.