Blog of CrackedComms Proportions

Aurora (Meet Me in the Stars)
Anamanaguchi

Anamanaguchi- Aurora (Meet Me in the Stars) (Single)

Original Release- Normative (?) 2010 (released free at Anamanaguchi Summer Singles 2010 mini-site

Guess who’s playing at the Roxy Theatre tomorrow?

(Well, besides Peelander-Z…)

Anamanaguchi, that’s who! :D

So here I am, reviewing another of their summer singles, this time we’re checking out the release with my favorite track out of all the singles (Skateboard is still the overall best, tho).

Let’s begin with the title track.  (Listen above) Right out the gate, this track let’s you know it’s motive. Starry, spacey, whirlwind imagination ride. For this, the cover for this single really fits the opening track. Now that you know what to expect, let’s check the song itself.

There is so much freaking variety in this track, with so many varying styles. From prog, to punk, to video-game style, to demoscene-influences, it’s surprising how well this track manages to stay consistent. Now the first 3 1/2 minutes are great alone, they really give you a sense that you are going on a intergalactic ride. But the track turns from good to exceptional is around the 4 minute mark. The track then begins to dish out at least 3 new melodies in the last 1 1/2 minutes it’s got to rock your socks off.

I think this is where I should point out my biggest problem with this track. While the entire track is great, it doesn’t feel all that “Anamanaguchey” to me until that 4 minute mark. For me, Anamanaguchi has this great “the party is here” attitude for their songs. But, for me at least, that positive energy is not as strong in the first 3 or so minutes then it is in the last 2. It really feels as if it’s a different band playing.

Ok, so the title track is great, but it doesn’t stand a chance against the side-B track, “Densmore”.

First off, that track does not make any sense at all. All the track titles in all the singles gave you a hint to each song’s motive. “Aurora (Meet Me in the Stars)” screamed “SPACE JOURNEY WHOOOO”. “Airbrushed” has a definitive “in da hood” style, for a better lack of words. “My Skateboard Will Go On” gives you a whiff of nostalgia and rowdiness with its title and cover art (could I just say, BEST COVER ART EVAH).

And the real randomness of the track title is my only petty complaint, because Densmore is one of the best songs I have listened to in my short teenaged life. If you took Anamanaguchi’s definitive “ultra-positive” attitude and concentrated and distilled it into one track, you would get Densmore.

This song reeks of positive, righteous attitude. Almost like a pre-1980s emo. You can tell just by hearing the track that the band was having a hell lot of fun with it, almost like a really awesome videogame, you just ooze of happiness. And that attitude creeps into yourself, as you begin to headbang, and feel instantly happier.

If there was one thing that defined Anamanaguchi, it’s their almost unbearable positive attitude. This is the perfect example of this trait. You’ve got to try out this single, if only for “Densmore”.

Also, if you’re around LA, stop by The Roxy Theatre. PARTAY WOOO!

My Skateboard Will Go On
Anamanaguchi

Anamanaguchi- My Skateboard Will Go On (Single)

Original Release- Normative(?)- Free at Singles 2010 mini-site

I love Anamanaguchi. Like, I <3<3<3 Anamanaguchi. These guys are the ones who got me into chiptune, and I’ve never let them go. I have their 2 albums, 5 singles, Knitting Factory recording, and their bajillion covers. Let’s talk about my favorite single out of all of them.

From it’s GIF cover, to it’s title, to it’s righteous chords, to it’s ultra-smooth Das Racist cover, this single oozes of style and personality.

Let’s talk the title track for a second here. From the very beginning, this tracks reeks of personality.There is a great blend of arpeggios, ultra-rad chords, and awesome NES solos. The coolest thing about this track is it’s perfect blend of guitars and chip. The mixing on this track makes it so that you can discern between the guitars and the NES+GB, but you’re not going to care as the two forces work together as one force towards one goal: rocking the eff out. 

Let’s finish off with this awesome cover of Das Racist’s Rainbow in the Dark. If there was one thing I could complain about the original track, it’d be that there is no variety in the beats. The same synth bloops the entire song.

This 8-bit cover introduces something new to the original: variety. From one melody to 4- AMAZING! Seriously one of the few Das Racist covers to actually improve the song in a significant way.

This was the 2nd single as part of Anamanaguchi’s 2010 Summer Singles Program. Link to all the singles are at the top. Or just listen to the first track on My Skateboard will Live On.