Star Fix - Star Fix

Star Fix - Star Fix
Atlantic 32L2-0040
1989.01.25

I am always game for checking out 80's and 90's artists that i've never heard of or seen anywhere else. Often times I will find some really cool stuff. Sometimes I get generic garbage. Star Fix definitely qualifies as the generic garbage type. Its very pop rock. steeped in all the cliches of stuff you'd see on 80's entertainment shows like.. Star Search.. you remember that shit? or just look up 80's pop videos from japan on youtube.. you know, all those shows where the group is standing on some studio stage lip synching to some generic shit? that's Star Fix. not much goin on here! but who knows.. maybe someone else out there is into this shit. i mean, i know they are, cuz those videos i was talking about have thousands of views. so you should pick this one up, whoever you weirdos are.

Buy It.

Killing Time - Filling Time With Killing Time

Killing Time - Filling Time With Killing Time
Epic 30・8H-5107
1989.07.21

This is an interesting album. Thrown under the Prog Rock label, the album, while certainly containing many qualities of prog rock and fueled by some serious geniuses, is so mellow and fluid that it almost feels more like you are listening to a soundtrack rather than a rock album. this could easily be a late night listen after a few cocktails as you drift off into dreamland, or a quiet lazy sunday afternoon with a cup of tea. Some of Japan's most accomplished musicians rock in this band, and it shows with just how easy this record sounds. cuz trust me, there is nothing easy about it. Incredible album

Buy It.

Stay - Dangerous Zone

Stay - Dangerous Zone
Columbia CA-4209
1989.11.01

This was a random grab.. i can't help but dig through the pits of 80's and 90's releases and just see what happens. This one is pretty paint-by-number pop rock, but also very much all over the place stylistically. Its a full group with a female vocalist. think along the lines of Pink Sapphire, Princess Princess, but really generic. There are some more colorful moments though, that go in totally different directions, like track 3's Let's Go To Heaven gets pretty rock'n'roll, maybe even Magenda-esque, with some more aggressive vocals. Track 4 is like an acoustic guitar ballad.. or somethin, i dunno. but its pretty rad.  then we go back to really basic pop. then some more pop rock.. i dunno. they couldn't make up what kind of tunes they wanted to make! If you really want to explore the full depths of the 80's and 90's japanese pop rock scene, this album is certainly worth adding to your ever-growing playlist.

Buy It.

Pepino & Shaba - Teke Teke Tenshi

Pepino & Shaba - Teke Teke Tenshi
Vavan Media Inc. ‎– H00W20101
1989.04.12

I was digging through the bins and found this album cover that caught my attention.. and when in doubt, youtube will tell you if its something you might be interested in. i searched, found this video, and immediately added them to my cart.

well, the cd opens with a pretty generic sort of introduction track where they seem to be talking about themselves. its playful but not particularly interesting.  then the real fun starts. what follows are 5 tracks of pure awesomeness. it reminds me of when i first heard Nanaki's Mahalik Halili and immediately fell in love. so i keep spinning this album. on my fourth trip through right now. It is in the ballpark of Mahalik and Yuusei Mints, maybe a splash of Yukiseimeitai. Everything we love about oddball 80's female popwave stuff. This gets my highest recommendation on the shit you've never heard but should chart. Pepino is cute and her voice does tremendous work here, sounding daring and suggestive. And the band is fucking funky as hell. I need to know if these guys were in other groups. I wouldn't be surprised to find out they were in some serious outfits that we are all familiar with, cuz they got talent.

Buy It.