KARAPPO NO SEKAI (VACANT WORLD)

JACKS were a four piece band out of Japan who released two studio albums in the sixties. They would breakup in August of 1969. They began as a folk band before changing their style to a more psychedelic pop band. The title "Vacant World" certainly gives us a hint to what the music sounds like, and that's depressing. I'm just surprised how sad this record is, but it's about lost love, which is like the end of the world isn't it? So sombre and melancholic, but also slow moving for the most part. The vocals and guitar really date this album as well.

And while I'm scratching my head as to why this record gets so much love from music fans, I must admit this one is a little different. It sure has it's fans, and has been re-issued an insane amount of times right into the 2020's. A sought after release if there ever was one. In my world this is a good album, but I wish there was some dynamics or experimental stuff.

I have to mention the drummer who was the only multi-instrumentalist in the band. He would form a few bands after JACKS broke up including FLIED EGG and FOOD BRAIN. He released a couple of solo albums as well before tragically passing in 1980 at 31 years of age.

I have a dozen or more psychedelic albums from Japan that I feel are far superior to "Vacant World", but it was good to spend some time with it regardless.