SHAKLABBITS was one of those bands that made me want to buy their CD after hearing no more than one of their songs.
And I did.

...Usually, that sort of thing ends horribly for me, but I've so far been pretty pleased with my purchase of their 5th Maxi Single Pivot (named for the song that introduced me to them). Besides, I mean, I got it for only 3 bucks.
Some 2 years after the release of that CD, they're still rockin'.

...Do the kids still say that..? "rockin'"..?
..no?

....

..For those of you out there unfamiliar with the band, I would probably compare them to the cheerful pop-punkish sound to that of PuffyAmiYumi. If you want to go a littler further, I'd say they were perhaps even more similar to bands like The★Scanty, or even Flow... with a female lead singer. Truly a brand of music that takes a more sophisticated tatste to truly appreciate.

But anyhow, on with the album. Most likely not as good as their last super duper 2-Disc album they released last year (Burning Cylinder), but still vey enjoyable. There was something about it that sort of irked me, however, and I didn't really notice it until I was listening to it for the second time. If I was to have one gripe with the CD, I think it would be in that overall, they seem to have lost some energy...

Of course, this is is pretty understandable -- a lot of bands eventually mellow out with time, but it was the slightly ska-like feel of the songs like Pivot, or Can't Escape the Chocolate Syrup (yeah, I know.) that initially drew me to the band. ..I say this, even though Hoshizora no shita de (a song with a MUCH more toned down feel) is perhaps my favorite of theirs.

But with a new CD comes a new feel right? Of course. Plus, they've only gone a little soft. Shaka is still Shaka is still Shaka.
I especially liked the songs Parade, BYAM., kaleidoscope, and mommy's back? to name a few, which is more than enough songs to make this CD something worth recommending, and a keeper.

If you never heard SHAKALABBITS, give them a try why duncha.


COMPLETE TRACK LIST
1.call
2.parade
3.BEAN STALK
4.SADISTIC AURORA SHOW
5.piece of cake
6.Ladybug
7.カレイドスコープ (kaleidoscope)
8.kaleidoscope eyes
9.手ノヒラ宝石 (te no hira houseki)
10.mommy’s back?
11.人魚のうた (ningyo no uta)
12.RIGEL
13.BYAM.
14.morning

Labels: Music

....................................