I've been giving this album a lot of listens lately, and I have to say Manabe's guitar playing on it is simply astounding. The Killing Field might very well be one of the best guitar songs ever written. It's really one of those albums where solos don't stand out because the guitar playing on the entirety of every song is just sublime. And besides that, the vocals, bass and drumming are also of top quality. Really amazing record, by far in the Pillows' all time top 5.

Living Field has been my favorite pillows album ever since I first discovered them. Everything on that album is very well-composed—each song is cohesive and uncluttered. Plus, it's got some of the best guitar, bass, and drum playing I've ever heard from the pillows. Manabe's guitar, like you said, really shines here—it's a unique style of lead that blends in perfectly with everything else. In my mind, only Happy Bivouac ever came close to topping Living Field.

Also, I don't think anyone can deny that The Killing Field is definitely one of Shin's best drumming performances.

Its most likely the best album in quality. I absolutely love this album its by far my favorite, and will remain my favorite.
It should be since my favorite song is Girlfriend.

this album made me want to seriously learn the guitar. i bought a semi-hollow and have been playing for 4 years.

this album makes me want to stop listening to the pillows.

[quote="AWPJudy"]this album makes me want to stop listening to the pillows.[/quote]

Just to help balance out the last two posts, [i]Living Field[/i] is close to my favorite pillows album. I don't see how the musicality can be denied on this one.

[quote="Tidusauron12"]Just to help balance out the last two posts, [i]Living Field[/i] is close to my favorite pillows album. I don't see how the musicality can be denied on this one.[/quote]

There's musicality on all the albums, which is what primarily distinguishes them from audiobooks.

[quote="sheerheartattack"][quote="Tidusauron12"]Just to help balance out the last two posts, [i]Living Field[/i] is close to my favorite pillows album. I don't see how the musicality can be denied on this one.[/quote]

There's musicality on all the albums, which is what primarily distinguishes them from audiobooks.[/quote]

For me, the musicality is most advanced in Living Field. Advanced musicality (as in rhythms, riffs, hooks, and harmonic transformation in general) equals win in my book. Especially coming from a rock band. It's one of the few albums where I actually have to listen for it to enjoy. Like in listening to classical music, I can analyze all the lines as I go. That type of composition in pop music is beautiful.

Was it this album that they had special guest musicians for some of the tracks?
There's definately some latin percussion instruments (which shouldn't be confused with Shin's drumming...just putting it out there ) and some piano bits.

Yeah it was this album that had all of the guest musicians. I loved that part of the album the most, the way they used so many different instruments. Bongos, tambourines, Horns, etc... I think they worked on this album than any other one.

Fantastic record. This album marked the very highest point in their career, if not Little Busters.


For a long time, I'd pretty much have to listen to Swinger's Night Club at least once a day.

Prolly their best instrumental.

[quote="little_norbert"]Prolly their best instrumental.[/quote]



Definitely the best.

Living Field is just awesome, I never played any light blues before untill I started listning to this album alot more. Daydream Wonder? Sunday? Bye Bye Sweet Pain? Swingers Night Club? Happy Slave? Some of my very favourite tracks all on one album. Kool Spice which came out just before Living Field also has an awesome array of songs despite it being a rather small album, Naked Shuffle, Monochrome Lovers, Sha-la-la-Lla, Toy Dolls.

[quote="Spike"]I never played any light blues before[/quote]
[quote="Spike"]untill I started listning to this album alot more.[/quote]

Sorry dude, I don't quite see the connection between these two statements. Are you implying that Living Field is light blues? Because if you are…well, it's actually more like light, jazz-inspired pop rock, I'd say. I don't hear any blues influence on the album.

However, if you're saying that Living Field inspired you to play light blues, then that's cool—ignore what I just said.