Review Summary: A collection of very different guitar based tracks, that should hold something of interest for anyone who digs the Land of the Rising Sun.
The Mad Capsule Markets are certainly an odd group, refusing as they do to fall conveniently into any given musical genre parameters. The group freely flirt with metal, rock, punk, hardcore, techno, ambient, rave loops and pretty much everything in-between. '010', released in 2001 in their native Japan, is as disparate as anything they've released before or since. Because of this, a track-by-track review seems the best way to tackle it, since there isn't really a single, unifying theme that meshes the album together. This, however, is not a bad thing by any means. Here we go then...
Track 1. Introduction 010 - A fairly straightforward 3 and a bit minutes of oscillating synth loops, robo-vocals (that are unintelligible) and a nice chuggy guitar riff, all laid over a solid drumbeat. Nothing spectacular, but you find yourself nodding along as it progresses. 3/5
Track 2. Come. - Again, this track is pretty by-the-numbers. Simple stop-start riffs abound, with a nice line in shouty choruses. Some high blips and squidgy synth bass carry the verses along well. The melody is pretty groovy, and fits Hiroshi's rapped vocals nicely. A very cool breakdown, complete with scratching and some suitably frantic guitarwork, at the 2 minute 11 second mark elevates this track above average. 3.5/5
Track 3. Chaos Step - Things get a bit more interesting with this one. A very fast, almost drum 'n' bass style drum loop carries a cheeky guitar riff along at warp speed. The repetitive nature of the distorted vocals works nicely, and the whole song has a hyperactive feel. A nice little gabba style breakdown near the end spices things up nicely. 3.5/5
Track 4. Gaga Life - this is more like it, a funky, fun pop-metal song that will stick in your head for days. The skipping riff and drums of the verse are infectious, while the chorus is simply joyfully uplifting. A proper slice of J-pop, in metal form. 4/5
Track 5. JAM! - Another U-turn, as some wibbly samples give way to a slow and sleazy drumbeat that WILL get your foot tapping. The lazy vocals bring a tease of snare drum with them. The song steps up a gear at 2.45, with a simple guitar riff and increased urgency to the vocals as they repeat 'JAM! JAM! JAM!' It all ends with a fading bass note. Pretty good track, if nothing particularly substantial. Works as background music. 3/5
Track 6. 雲-kumo- - A long, slow ambient build introduces a simple, lethargic drumbeat and a rather groovy, lilting guitar riff. Some speedy rapped vocals come in, which is at odds with the laid-back music, but they quickly become singing which fits into the chilled groove. The whole song is just really mellow and sounds like the theme to a lazy day at the beach, soaking up the sun. Niiiice. 3.5/5
Track 7. Wardance - Sounds just like the title implies, really. Trots along nicely, with a vaguely tribal feel to the drums and riffs. A shout-along chorus and some odd squeals from what I assume is a guitar (I might be wrong) make this a pretty enjoyable track. 3/5
Track 8. XXX can of this - This is a good one. Some cheeky inhaling sound effects at the start and the fact that the oft-repeated phrase 'can of this' sounds a lot like 'cannabis', (particularly when said with a Japanese accent) make it pretty obvious what this song is about. A chirpy guitar riff bounces along with a petulant chorus. Short, cheeky and incredibly likeable. 4/5
Track 9. BIT CRUSHERRR - Rawr, a nice aggressive, meaty track. The descending riff and pissed-off vocals work wonders as this track marches relentlessly on. At 2 minutes we hear nothing but vocals, which build with the phrase 'Ill Bit Crusher!' The riff and vocals then get more agitated, and a last minute tempo-increase kicks in, just to keep you on your toes. 4/5
Track 10. THIS IS MAD STYLE - Not so much a song as a statement of intent. 30 seconds long, a gabba style loop builds to a frantic guitar riff and some pounding drums, and the title of the song is shouted in your face. The end. 5/5 just for the sheer balls-out madness of it.
Track 11. Good Day - Another lazy, summer sun song. Some lovely. loping bass guitar is joined by a great surfer style riff and some chilled out vocals. The chorus is infectiously groovy, with some nice 'ooh-ooh-ooh's'. Toward the end, the tone and tempo shift and the song takes on a more aggressive nature. I feel this works. You may not. 4/5
Track 12. Fly High - My absolute fave track on this album, this is proper J-rock. Some mental speeding samples bring in a great, high-energy riff and some cheery sung vocals. This song is fast and frantic, with a wonderfully upbeat feel. The soundtrack to an anime that doesn't exist. 5/5
Track 13. No Food, Drink or Smoking - A song about being denied all the fun things the government says is bad for you, the title is repeated like a robotic mantra over some tasty blips and groovy, Pitchshfiter-esque guitar. The end of the song is dominated by the phrase 'GO AHEAD, EJECT ME!' A nice little f-you to the nanny state. I approve. 5/5
Track 14. R.D.M.C - That's 'Rapping Driving My Car'. A bouncy, cheerful cheeky song to end with, almost sounds like something from an episode of Megas XLR (that's a good thing).
So all in all, I highly recommend this album to anyone with an interest in guitar-based music, it's a little weird and different to the norm, but sometimes, that can be just what you need.
