Hikashu - Uragoe (2012)

Hikashu - Uragoe (2012)


1. Fude o Fure, Kanata-Kun [Wave the Brush, Mr. Beyond]
2. Chiisaku Ikizuku [Slightly Alive]
3. Uragoe [Uragoe]
4. Haraburi [The First Time in the Original]
5. Hitori Hokai [Collapsing by Oneself]
6. Sudeni Kokoni Nai [Gone Already]
7. Bintoru [Take a Bottle]
8. Sokohaka [Faintly]
9. Yuugata No Iesu, Asagata No Nou [Twilight Affirmation, Morning Denial]
10. Shikotama [Plenty]
11. Beniten Ni Kurenai [Crimson in the Cloud]
12. Umaretate No Hana [A Newly Born Flower]
13. Tsugi No Iwa Ni Tsuzuku [Continued on Next Rock]


Hikashu:
Makigami Koichi - vocal, cornet, theremin, shakuhachi
Mita Freeman - guitar
Sakaide Masami - bass
Shimizu Kazuto - piano, synthesizer, bass-clarinet
Sato Masaharu - drums


produced by Makigami Koichi
recorded and mixed by Marc Urselli at EastSide Sound, NYC
mastered by Ono Seigen at Saidera Mastering

released on April 8, 2012


"Ikirukoto" is an album which could be descibed as an overall representation of the current line-up. It's like textbook.

So, what "Uragoe" could be expressed? You may ask. I would answer the question as, it vividly captures an undocumented side of the band. That is, they are a tremendous live band, and the album clearly shows that.

In short, this album rocks. Very heavy, more fierce than ever.

The album has 5 compositions and the rest are improvisation. The songs are all great, of course. Only "A Newly Born Flower" is a ballad. The title track and the theme part of "Twilight" are in mid-tempo, and the rest are fast or heavy numbers. Most of the improvised tracks are somewhat short but striking, and there's a surprise in the end - the last track is a very lengthy jam session (12 minutes!) and you could see how tight the rhythm section is. It's very organic - the rhythm constantly moves back and forth but it's never been lost. And that's an aspect of the band documented here for the first time on record. Long jam is frequently featured at their gigs and now those who cannot see them live can taste a slice of it.

Talk is cheap. Go out, get the album, and experience how hard the band rocks if they want to.

Available worldwide via HMV Japan here