Japanese Progressive Rock presented by DamoX

Hi there, and sorry for my belated "A happy new progressive year"!

I've listened to an EP "MelloW" released last autumn, by a Japanese "promising" rock combo The BROWN. They, founded a decade ago, have been pretty active around Osaka Japan, and fantastically gigged with Djamra in Nov. 2013. Sadly I could not attend this gig but Masaharu (Djamra) has let me know their info and recommended their EP.
Thanks Masaharu!


the brown ... an Osakan superb rock combo

Another 'eavy fanaticism has come ... I'm sure you can really understand my pleasure.

"MelloW", released in October 2013, is the newest EP of The BROWN, a Japanese rock quartet founded by Saitoh.N (drums, percussion), Takanori.Y (bass), eye (voices), and Atari.K (guitar) in 2003. They played with Djamra on stage in Nakatsu Vi-Code last autumn, and it's a pity I could not attend this fantastic gig battle, let me say.


MelloW (2013) - The BROWN

At a first listening, fuzzy psychedelic guitar lightning splits our neuron. Eye's keen, clear but flexible voices dance around an alternative sound turf based upon heavy, eccentric riffs created by a deep rhythm party. Their phantasmagoric beat sounds mystic and natural, that can invade our inner mind smoothly. Hot, bloody and scarlet indeed. Whilst this beginning "Modern Play" should be only one of their multiple appearances ... can realize just when we listen to the following track "Mori Ni Hisomu (hidden in a deep forest)". As heavy, sharp-edged as the previous one but more dramatic and more enthusiastic. The melody line is pop and easily digestive but at the same time leaning toward hardcore fuzz buzz. Powerful but a bit gracious chorus knocks us easily ... exactly reminds us something like Rush / Geddy's virtuoso falsetto (sorry eye is a cute lady though). Followed by another mystery "Dear K. C". This track has tough chilling sound ice that would frostbite our ear directly. Kinda killa is an instrumental battle with each other in the middle part, as if colourful flavours of a whisky would be spread in our mouth and nose, that can be thought as another appearance of theirs.


Modern Play

"Low And Low" is one of their superb pop songs. Ruppa's saxophone as a vanguard, and the four talented artists shoot their excellent musical personality and their sincere feeling out ... not got beaten by the saxophonic passion but matured perfectly. Their mellow appearance (unexpectedly!) can be heard in a short poetry "Kumo No Ito (Spider's intention)", featuring the duo of beautiful keyboard moonshine and delightful voice sunshine. Very fascinating. Oh God, "Discharge" is characterized by eye's splendid vocal flexibility. Letting us feel free, easy, and comfortably. Complex drumming and bluesy bass quake cannot get freakout but to our surprise, strict and loud really. The last "Your Red", the longest one in this EP, notifies us what they would go forward as a musical goal ... Heavy Progressive Rock like Haken, The Mars Volta, and Rush ... their melody core is generally pop and catchy but simultaneously has a rigid basis of versatile elements and innovative strategies. Sweet but bitter, cool but fanatic. Quite suitable for them, such a phrase should be. Recommended with drinking bloody strong absinthe (toxic).




Thank you for reading this blog.

Utnapishtim wrote: Hi to all. I love Japanese style in  Prog Rock, is so mental and complex. Especially for Psychedelic Rock. The first band I heard is Far East Family Band, for the many analogies with Pink Floyd (the first band I ever listened). After a surprise. Ballettirosadimacchia wich deal for German-Italian but surely they'll be Japanese ...

Oh what a pity, not known Ballettirosadimacchia actually. 

Aussie-Byrd-Brother wrote: Good to see some attention given to that PTF band a few weeks ago, thank you Keishiro! A fine album, I think I might give it a play now, my first album of 2014!

Hey Mike, ptf's "Percept From ..." is the greatest album in 2013 for me too. 

Hi to all.

Good to see some attention given to that PTF band a few weeks ago, thank you Keishiro! A fine album, I think I might give it a play now, my first album of 2014!

^ is this album available for streaming anywhere? I listened to "Purple Mist" on youtube and would like to hear more.

Off-topic.

Not progressive really but in Japan was such an addictive, amazing psychedelic pop song ... "Umi No Soko De Utau Uta (Sing The Song At The Bottom Of The Sea)" (1969) by Moco Beaver Olive.



Imagine that lovers come across at the bottom of the sea and sing the song together ... with gazing at each other. What a psychedelia the pair of lovers launch.

Sheavy wrote: Just want to drop in with a quick suggestion to listen to mr. Takehisa kosugi's solo album catch wave. I think this is something you would immensely enjoy.

Yeah SeAlex, I've checked this album a long while before but in those days it could not ring my bell strongly ... it's grabbed my heart currently.