I don't get why in the hell he would want to write in Engrish though. I mean, are the Japanese fascinated by English that they love anything in English? Is he trying to sell to an American audience? Either way, English speakers don't get what he is trying to say and neither do the Japanese. Seems like a flawed idea no matter what way you look at it.

If there's a Japanese version of the lyrics next to the English in the booklet, the Japanese listeners will get what he means. But yeah, it's just ridiculous how much better some of these would be if he had just stuck to his native language in terms of vocal tone and overall clarity.

I was told that it does come in both languages. I will scan them once I get my hands on a copy later this week.

I.. really like this album haha.

[quote="MrkJulio"]OMG1!!!1!! H3 Sp3@k$ 3NgR!$h! D@+s $0 kawaii![/quote]

Dude, Metal totally has Japan's number.

But yeah, pretty good album. I'll be listening to this more than the last few pillows releases for sure.

[quote="Jomei"]I'll be listening to this more than the last few pillows releases for sure.[/quote]

My copy just got in. Scans to be shared shortly.

I don't know, maybe I'm missing something. I like Horn, Again way better than this album. I still think Discharge is better too. I'll listen to it a few more times, but it just sounds like more of the same... Sawao phoning it in for a good majority. At least the bass is interesting.

Scanning is a bitch but here it is. Lyrics are in English and Japanese. Hopefully someone can do something about the Japanese ones.
http://www.mediafire.com/?44nnpubli2bqdv3

And also these. Because my camera is being stupid.

[quote="Son Goshin"]I don't know, maybe I'm missing something. I like Horn, Again way better than this album. I still think Discharge is better too. I'll listen to it a few more times, but it just sounds like more of the same... Sawao phoning it in for a good majority. At least the bass is interesting.[/quote]

That's kinda the thing... It's good, but... I dunno, it doesn't seem too... varied? First half is generic Sawao pop-rock, second half is slower and more experimental/removed from typical pillows offerings.

I think part of the problem, as has been mentioned, is the Engrish is a [i]real[/i] buzzkill at such high quantities. It keeps several songs at "Meh" that could have otherwise been more exceptional.

There are songs I want to like, but can't really bring myself to. Maybe they'll grow on me. I'd be [i]all over[/i] a mellow, Kashima-driven song like Rehabilitation were it not muddled down by b-rate Sawao Engrish.

Can we talk about genre here? What musical influences do you guys think Sawao was working with on this album? It's hard to even call it "pop rock" when more of the songs are sort of...cartoony Western pop pastiches. I dont' know what to call it.

[quote="Crescent"]
There are songs I want to like, but can't really bring myself to. Maybe they'll grow on me. I'd be [i]all over[/i] a mellow, Kashima-driven song like Rehabilitation were it not muddled down by b-rate Sawao Engrish.[/quote]

Yeah, that's my main problem too. Which is funny, because it being in English should be naturally more accessible for most of us here. For me, the English song on past pillows albums was like a cool novelty.

[quote="GoldenRhino"]Can we talk about genre here? What musical influences do you guys think Sawao was working with on this album? It's hard to even call it "pop rock" when more of the songs are sort of...cartoony Western pop pastiches. I dont' know what to call it.[/quote]

Honestly...? I think it's just Sawao trying TOO hard to be different, and distance himself away from whatever he feels his output represents with the pillows. For instance, the quirky guitar tone that randomly comes in at 1:38 on Do You Like a Walk, or the crazy handclaps and vocal effects in Absurd Song. Plus his "Whoo-hoos" sound like something out of a Frank Black song. My guess is that it's the same influences as usual, (Pixies and other "alt rock" bands) but he's being different for the sake of being different. It's not in and of itself bad, but it comes off as forced most the time. It's too kitschy and I can't take him seriously on stuff like this, a decent portion of OOPARTS and Discharge, etc.

Damn, what the hell. I for one enjoy this album much, much more than Discharge. It doesn't sound to me like Sawao is trying too hard to be different or anything like that at all. If you compare it to all of his other solo material, it falls in step quite easily, imo.

I think the majority of these songs are composed better than anything he's released himself in the past. There are a few guitar lines that are kinda "too much" (the lead on Vacant House got a little too goofy and all over the place, for example), but for the most part yeah. Good stuff. I really like it. I still think Doll is useless, and I can do without Absurd Song as well.

As for Engrish. It's no better or worse than the stuff on Discharge, or the My Room is Delicious compilations. I already knew what to expect in this regard.

[quote="Tidusauron12"]
I think the majority of these songs are composed better than anything he's released himself in the past. [/quote]