May
12
2006
Fujiya & Miyagi – Transparent Things
Posted by luna6 Leave a Comment
Band : Fujiya & Miyagi
Album : Transparent Things
Release Date : May 15, 2006
Website : http://www.fujiya-miyagi.co.uk/
Label : Tirk
Free Downloads : Ankle Inuries
Rating : 8.0
Users Rating: 9.75 
(4 votes)
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Fujiya and Miyagi…oddly enough are three British guys that their label states are: David Best (Miyagi, vocals, guitar, occasional but strictly non-progrock Moog), Steve Lewis (Fujiya, keyboards, beats, programming), and Matt Hainsby (Ampersand, bass guitar). I’m already impressed, I always wanted to play the ampersand! The name seems to have come from a combination of a brand of record player known as “Fujiya” and their fondness for Mr. Miyagi from the Karate Kid (I’m not making this up). Their music can be described as electronic but with heavy influences from 70’s bands like Can & Talking Heads, with vocals not that far away from the low key delivery style of Shaun Ryder from the Happy Mondays. The album itself is quite enjoyable, with the prior mentioned influences combined with a heavy dose of laidback beats and live instrumentations that makes the album worthy of many repeat listening sessions. Album starts impressively enough with “Ankle Injuries,” having a upbeat machine like drumbeat and bassline that brings to mind “Kit & Holly” by Echoboy. The band says the song is about, “…walking to school as a kid and finding a porno mag in the middle of the road and realising that a female’s genitalia is different from a male’s.” “Photocopier” begins with the singer almost rapping over some funky 70’s beats…then the song has an impressive build up then slows it back down to that funky beat (I keep thinking of the Fixx “One Thing Leads To Another” for some strange reason). Standout track would be “Transparent Things” having a phat lazy bassline, 70’s scratchy guitars, and the chanting/singing vocal delivery style that makes you start bobbing your head without realizing it. Groovy mannnnnn. Also to be found on the album are two excellant instrumentals “Conductor 71″ (upbeat tune not that far away from the first track in tempo and style) and “Cassettesingle” (will please Kraftwerk fans). “Cylinders” closes the album out with a slower tempo track that the band described as being about “synesthesia, which is where the senses get muddled up. For example, if you were to smell bacon you’d think of a greyish blue colour.” Interesting stuff indeed. Fujiya & Miyagi’s Transparent Things is a impressive album, having a perfect blend of electronics and 70’s era live instrumentation, with some strange humor lurking around there, that makes it even more compelling. Recommended.
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Track List:
01. Ankle Inuries
02. Collarbone
03. Photocopier
04. Conductor 71
05. Transparent Things
06. Sucker Punch
07. In One Ear & Out The Other
08. Cassettesingle
09. Cylinders
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