Polysics - We Ate The Machine
by Maarten Schiethart
published: 26 / 8 / 2008
Label:
Okami Records
Format: CD
intro
Outstanding third CD from monsters of Japanese hard-hitting devoid bubblegum pop music, Polysics, whose combination of punk and dance beats is a constantly enthralling experience
If only I could know what Japan's Polysics were on about lyrically. Those monsters of hard-hitting devoid bubblegum pop music, Polysics, have pulled the trick off once again. Track one off 'We Ate The Machine' - the third consecutive Polysics album under threat of no release in Britain - is like the Ramones on a healthy diet, track two combines a Plastic Bertrand chorus over a Spizz Energi riff. Swift changes indeed and you'd better be prepared for more still. The fun continues on 'Rocket' which defies a comparison other than to Polysics themselves. All sails set on 'Kikai Tabechaimashita' which is another punky belter ending up in an unwitnessed frenzy. 'DNA Junction' features the most unlikely tango and ragtime piano riffs melting together with a chorus in Japanese, and I suppose this is what alienated and halted Uncle Sam from really listening in at the time of the original April release in Japan. An anthem even less likely to be understood is 'Kagayake' but at this stage you probably already are nothing but all ears to Polysics. Next, 'Pony And Lion' sounds as if it came from dispatched mouth pieces. Supposedly this track would serve well on the LP's A-Side closing track, if only there ever was an LP. 'We Ate The Machine' fits all the clichés and descriptions we keep for overwhelming experiences. Rendered within an idiom plus a language of which we don't have the slightest clue, Polysics press on in their own vein regardless. Ruthlessly, Polysics carry on as if devout punky monks and nuns on parole. 'Arigatou' kicks off 'Side B' in an electro clash manner before stage-diving into a punky explosion. 'Mind Your Head' follows next and seems very sane advice indeed. The core messages come in English as choruses of some kind, but, however, the avalanche of Polysics' rhymes and rhythms leaves us westerners jumping up and down the unknown. So, this is what we call innocent pleasure! The album draws to a close on a magnificent whirlwind on 'Dry And Wet'. As the trashing punk chords all fall in the right places, you will have just gone through the smartest delirium ever. Mass-media manipulator Murdoch will release 'We Ate The Machine' with the Polysics' previous 'Karate House' album on vinyl as a 2LP set on MySpace Records.
Track Listing:-
1 Moog is Love2 Pretty Good
3 Rocket
4 I ate the machine
5 DNA Junction
6 Kagayake
7 Pony & Lion
8 Arigato
9 Irotokage
10 Mind Your Head
11 Digital Coffee
12 Boys & Girls
13 Blue Noise
14 Dry or Wet
reviews |
Absolute POLYSICS (2009) |
Frenzied latest album from whirlwind Japanese act Polysics, who have moved from a punkpop to an intense Eurodisco sound |
Now Is The Time (2006) |
most viewed articles
current edition
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.Dennis Tufano - Copernicus Center, Chicago, 19/7/2024
Elliott Murphy - Interview
Wreckless Eric - Interview
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #16: Living in the Minds of Strangers
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #17: Tom Robinson
Adrian Gurvitz - Interview
Norman Rodger - Interview
Chris Spedding - Interview
Penumbra - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Groovy Uncle - Making ExcusesPhilip Parfitt - The Dark Light
Jules Winchester - The Journey
Hawkestrel - Chaos Rocks
Bill Wyman - Drive My Car
Ross Couper Band - The Homeroad
Deep Purple - =1
Popstar - Obscene
John Murry and Michael Timmins - A Little Bit of Grace and Decay
Splashgirl and Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe - More Human
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart