May

11

2007

Color Filter - Blueberry

Posted by luna6

colorfilter_blueberry.jpg
Artist : Color Filter
Album : Blueberry
Release Date : April 18, 2007
Website : Color Filter
Label : Happiness
Free Downloads : Fruit
Rating : 6.5
Users Rating: 8.75 1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars6 Stars7 Stars8 Stars9 Stars10 Stars (4 votes)

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Color Filter is a Japanese band fronted by vocalist Yuki Nishimura and guitarist/programmer Ryuji Tsuneyoshi. Although the band has been around for years, I first got into them with their 2004 release “Silent Way.” That record was picked up by Pointy Records (The Clientele, Flotation Toy Warning) over in England so that should give you a hint of what the band sounds like. While “Silent Way” was a spectacular album filled with airy 4 A.M. electronica programming and ethereal type of vocals, “Blueberry” takes a different organic path, filled with vintage instruments, sparsely laid out arrangements, yet keeping those airy female vocals.

For the folks that got hooked on Color Filter’s “Silent Way” album, listening to the band’s new record might take a few listens to get truly in tuned with the bands different sound. Opening track “闇は君の一部” (Google language tool translates that into “For Darkness Your Part”), has the style of Color Filter’s “Strange Days,” sans the mysterious aura and filled with more of a dreamy acoustic vibe. “闇は君の一部” is featured two more times on the album, with a shorter reverb laden version for track #5 and then given the remix treatment for track #9. The standout track for me would have to be the second track “Fruit.” That one is an utterly bewitching track, filled with vocals that just radiates out from the speakers in a slow sonic groove and elevates to a higher plain with the well placed tinkles of the glockenspiel. Absolutely lovely track.

Third track “Orbit” seems to be a further amalgamation of “闇は君の一部”" and “Fruit” but fails to have the hook to wow you over like the first two tracks. “A North Song” comes back to brighten things back up with more acoustic guitars, those lovely tinkles of the glockenspiel, and Yuki’s sweet vocals. Color Filter also does a cover of the Beatles “Fools On The Hill,” which wasn’t necessarily a good thing. “Butterfly & Spider” has a faux 70’s disco vibe, similar to the Clientele’s Bookshop Cassanova, but as with “Fools On The Hill” came out sounding rather flat. The album does close on a brighter note with “Flowers In The Shadow.” The song starts out in airy acoustic manner similar to “A North Song” but gradually introduces a full band sound, featuring sweet guitarwork by Ryuji.

While “Blueberry” is a tad bit underwhelming when compared to the sonic depth of their prior album “Silent Way,” their new record still packs a sweet retro vibe. Songs like “Fruit” and “A North Song” are tracks to drool over by indie pop fans all over. There’s a few clunkers along the way, but Blueberry still makes for a compelling ride. If you like the new Clientele album or curious to hear a band like Asobi Seksu play mostly acoustic songs then check out Color Filter’s Blueberry.

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Color Filter - Silent Way

01. 闇は君の一部
02. Fruit
03. Orbit
04. A North Song
05. 闇は僕の一部
06. 夜のEcho
07. Fools On The Hill
08. Butterfly & Spider
09. 闇は君の一部 (remixed by kazumasa hashimoto)
10. Flowers in the Shadow

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