 | Tracklist:
1. Platform
2. Tracking Elevator
3. Linne
4. Lahaha
5. Rum Hee
6. Laminate
7. River Low
8. Straw
9. Drive-Thru
10. Suisha
11. Orange
12. Malerina
| Ranking: #146 for 2010 | |
| | other reviews | Cam STAFF (3.5)
Not as resonant as Tokumaru's others, but still quite enjoyable... |
On 10 Lists
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| Summary: Instead of breaking away from the innocent, whimsicalities of his past and “maturing,” Tokumaru embraces everything that makes Port Entropy sound like the soundtrack to a colorful children’s book. |
6 of 6 thought this review was well written
It’s no secret that the world of music is growing increasingly smaller in scope as globalization bears down on culture, making the once-distant feel progressively closer. Screamo from Europe, mainstream rock from Down Under, music from across the ocean is no longer some unknown entity. In fact, through international tours, international PR, and sites like Sputnik, it’s not uncommon for foreigners to engage in the same musical cognizance, no matter what their country of origin. Don’t be mistaken, though; artists like Shugo Tokumaru still maintain a level of exoticism and foreignness that is as undeserved as it is enticing. The Japanese artist is truly an instrumental connoisseur, as evidenced by an expansive deftness in many instruments and an ability to layer and mash them together seamlessly. Well, many instruments doesn’t quite do Shugo justice. While little is known about the artist, it’s widely believed that his workshop is filled with well over 100 instruments, not including his toys and non-traditional “instruments.” Tokumaru has fairly little recognition in the States, especially when the virtually undisputed quality of his work is taken into account. It’s difficult to find many modern pop artists as consistently heralded and respected as Shugo, and with good reason. With his last two releases, Night Piece and Exit, Tokumaru proves to be an adroit, talented artist. With rich textures galore, sharpened skills, and catchy pop melodies, the praise should be raining down for the prevalent, young, Japanese man. Though, be it his obscuring, jet-black hair that conceals his face, or be it the downsides of distance, Shugo hasn’t quite garnered the international, widespread respect he deserves.
His fourth LP is a continuation of his previous work more than it is a deviation. Rich pop music with flowery melodies and bouncy vocal lines are the patients of Shugo’s meticulous doctoring on Port Entropy. His knack for creating sounds of innocence that erupt into a sunny potpourri has become so consistent by the advent of Port Entropy, already, that it makes me wonder what’s giving Shugo a leg up on the competition. His natural capacity for crafting 3-minute ditties bursting with blissfulness is uncanny. The most apt examples on Port Entropy are, without a doubt, “Rum Hee” and “Malerina,” the two catchiest of the bundle. The infectious melodies and dynamism are especially infectious, and Shugo always keeps the tracks grounded in a concise, simple pop-song structure.
Along with reiterating what he does best, Shugo breaks new ground on Port Entropy. The softhearted, piano-ridden “Linne” reveals a more intimate side, while “Laminate” stretches the album’s pop barriers by adding a humming, post-rock aesthetic to the mix. Yet, the artist’s 2010 release is still undeniably Shugo-like. This is most obvious in the childlike air floating lightly throughout Port Entropy. Instead of breaking away from the innocent, whimsicalities of his past and “maturing,” Tokumaru embraces everything that makes Port Entropy sound like the soundtrack to a colorful children’s book. The cover illustrates this aspect perfectly, so to speak, as well as “Lahaha,” with its lighthearted tune and ever-smiling vocals. Before, on Night Piece especially, Shugo always sounded a bit bashful about these childish tendencies, and managed to balance them out with the right amount of melancholy. To call Port Entropy a progression would be overlooking some of the album’s tiny flaws, like the monotony of Shugo’s ever-ebullient posture; but it is pleasurable hearing Tokumaru sing along to the songs it sounds like he’s always wanted to sing. Plus, with the incredibly diverse array of instruments, layer-upon-layer of rich textures, and free-wheeling melodies abound, tiring of Port Entropy should be the least of your worries.
Even if Shugo’s unbridled vivaciousness may seem a bit far-fetched, it’s undoubtedly sincere on Port Entropy, which is another buoyant aspect keeping his sunny boat afloat. The fact that the entire album is sung in Japanese is of little importance when coupled with the undeniably cute and richly-crafted tunes- it only makes it more astounding that Shugo’s origin has hindered his popularity. On Port Entropy you won’t find the array of emotions that Tokumaru displayed so eloquently on Exit or Night Piece, but you will find a little-known artist that’s hard at work sharpening his already-masterful skills on an effortless, light pop album... and grinning ear-to-ear all the while.
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feel like I coulda written something better about this but it just wasn't coming : / feel free to point out mistakes / suggestions please
but more importantly, listen to this guy, seriously. he's really fucking happy.
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Cool, I've never really been into this guy :|
Digging: Andrew Bird - Break It Yourself Digging: Andrew Bird - Break It Yourself
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i love this. maybe a little more than exit, although i've never heard night piece. excellent stuff eric.
Digging: toe - The Book About My Idle Plot on a Vague Anxiety
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weird, seems like something you'd really dig... have you heard Night Piece or Exit?
edit: they're all really close, quality-wise... Exit is awesome because it has Parachute, Night Piece is more consistent and a little
better overall, and this is very close to both, a little premature to compare though
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This seems like something that I'd really enjoy,nice review.
Digging: Addaura - Burning for the Ancient Digging: Addaura - Burning for the Ancient
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5 staff members have rated this a 4... just sayin'
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I'll make sure not to pick this up then
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
zing
Digging: Killer Mike - R.A.P. Music Digging: Killer Mike - R.A.P. Music | | | Album Rating: 3
Solid album. I could see this becoming his most popular album if it ever takes off. He seems to make a conscious effort to meet halfway with an audience that found him enticing but couldn't stomach the angle he approached his earlier stuff. It's grown on me since first listen when I found that kind of bothersome. Exit still remains his career highlight in my opinion, even if I enjoy Night Piece the most.
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I always saw it the other way around. Night Piece comes off as much more... artistic? I guess. Exit has some fantastic highlights, but whenever I want to listen to an album I go for Night Piece... if I just want to hear a few songs I grab Exit.
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I couldn't find any songs from this online, but I checked out some of his back catalog. Pretty cool. Sounds nostalgic, trippy and really happy at the same time.
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no idea what to put in the rec'd by reviewer box
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excellente sea
[img]http://images.newcelebritypics.com/img/celebs/images/e/enrique_iglesias-1675.jpg[/img]
definitely a keeper
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thanks enrique. if this review is half as hot as that spam then I can be proud.
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oh it is. worry not. it deserved the pos.
this seemed like it could grow to a 4.5 if i listened to it more.
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thanks darling... and crazy rating chart, I think it's pretty well established that this is "excellent." nothing else is tolerated.
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oh yes. and thats only a few people voting for now. the trend will most likely continue. excellent indeed.
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idk it would seem like I would enjoy it. I have Exit and it just kinda was like, yeah cool, but nothing that made me go back. Perhaps I should give it some more attention.
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I could hear this in the rain and feel good. Really need to check his other work.
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Cool review Eric, I may give this a listen if I remember to do so
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