NEVER WEAR OUT YOUR SUMMER XXX!!!

This is my first encounter with this new band called Natsumen. It's also one of the first band I heard being labeled "Nu-Jazz" which is, to my understanding, a more adventurous and modern sound of jazz. Natsumen fits the description nicely with their overtly-joyful-jazzy-summer-fun-fest.

As you can see by the title of the album, name of the songs and art cover, these guys are happy about something and aren't afraid to show it either. Their main theme is, well, the summer and all its sunny glory. Their sound is just like one would imagine summer would sound like (if it played nu-jazz, of course). It's very optimistic, fun, fast, cheery and full of caffeine. And this being a live album make things even more exciting, even though the sound quality sounds as crisp and clear just like a studio recording would sound like (at first I thought it was and studio recording with effects between songs so that it would sound like a live recording!).

Their style of playing can get very complex at times (even dissonant in some cases probably caused by the adrenaline rush these guys get while playing), but they always try and play it with melody making it easy to listen to and at the same time demanding. Their songs are always a blast to listen to when feeling down or when trying to do a physical workout of some sort. Their sound can be compared to a jazzier and happier THE MARS VOLTA. It seems that in "Nu-Jazz" the electric guitar is as important as the wind instruments since both take the leading role in their songs so rock fans won't feel to alienated.

With JAGA JAZZIST and now Natsumen it sounds like "Nu-Jazz" won't disappoint and will have alot to offer. These two wonderful bands rose my curiosity to this genre and I'll keep digging for more bands. If you like the idea of a jazzier THE MARS VOLTA then don't be afraid to try Never Wear Out Your Summer XXX!!! out and if you enjoyed Jaga Jazzist's A Livingroom Hush then there's more reason to give Natsumen a try. It's a winner.