My definitive lineup:菅波栄純 (Suganami Eijun) - guitars
岡峰光舟 (Okamine Koushu) - bass
山田将司 (Yamada Masashi) - vocals
松田晋二 (Matsuda Shinji) - drums
Slowly but steadily have THE BACK HORN become one of my biggest favorites from Japanese bands. Having discovered them through Project J back in late 2003, I've followed their evolution with some interest for almost a decade now. Originally they were a pretty regular punk band, somehow distinguished by their outstanding, passionate lead singer, 山田将司 (Yamada Masashi).
During their early days Masashi's vocals were not that special, but they quickly evolved to become perhaps the most defining aspect of the band's music - his emotional singing carries out all the pain, anguish and sorrow he has written in his lyrics, ranging from soulful, passionate singing to a hoarse, raspy holler, to an excruciating scream. Many times I've just listened to their songs, wondering how he can reach that level of fierce emotion, oft times sliding smoothly from a soft singing to an agonized scream with ease.
The songs themselves are stylistically mainly punk, punk rock or alternative rock (especially punk during the early days), often also verging on the early 90's grunge music, but frequently they also incorporate jazzy elements to their music, such as extended seventh chords in a place where one would expect nothing more than a regular triad, and many times the songs have sudden shifts in mood or style in the middle of a song, creating sudden moments of surprise to a song that would seem quite regular beforehand. This also makes their songs very distinct from each other yet remaining stylistically similar. However it seems that as of late, they have started to downplay their more fiercer side in favor of more lighter and accessible sound.
Their instrumental side is mainly based on a power-trio lineup - consisting of a bass, drums and a guitar - but occasionally Masashi joins the rest of the guys with a secondary guitar, accordion or a harmonica. Though these guys responsible of the instruments form pretty impressive a trio, and I respect their often quite minimal yet always skillful and effective output, I need to bring special attention to 岡峰光舟 (Okamine Koushu); their bassist that was for a long time just a guest musician, before being promoted to a full-fledged band member. His incredible, fluctuating bass lines, that ofttimes borrow from different styles of jazz music, are pure balm to my ears whenever they can be heard. He has also that incredible sense of style that not every song is full of blistering bass work, but instead he throws in a neat bass fill here and there, otherwise just doing his job as a regular bassist. This makes it feel that he is not all over my face, but he has the uncanny ability to remind me now and then how great bassist he really is.
Though they might be too raw and punk to people who are used to lighter styles of music, whereas they might be also too raw and punk to people who are used to heavier brands of metal, I strongly encourage anyone who has a place in their heart for music that is strongly emotional and passionate, disregarding other aspects of musical styles. It might not be your stuff, but the chances are that with a little effort you will find a new, amazing band. You don't need to worry if you don't understand a word from Japanese lyrics - the vocals tell it all.
***
My top-10 list of songs that are worth checking out:
雨 (Ame)
何処へ行く (Doko e Iku)
ヘッドフォンチルドレン (Headphone Children)
未来 (Mirai)
涙がこぼれたら (Namida ga Koboretara)
生命線 (Seimeisen)
サニー (Sunny)
惑星メランコリー (Wakusei Melancholy)
野生の太陽 (Yasei no Taiyou)
夢の花 (Yume no Hana)
***
Reviewed albums:
太陽の中の生活 (Taiyou no Naka no Seikatsu, 2006) - 65/100
During their early days Masashi's vocals were not that special, but they quickly evolved to become perhaps the most defining aspect of the band's music - his emotional singing carries out all the pain, anguish and sorrow he has written in his lyrics, ranging from soulful, passionate singing to a hoarse, raspy holler, to an excruciating scream. Many times I've just listened to their songs, wondering how he can reach that level of fierce emotion, oft times sliding smoothly from a soft singing to an agonized scream with ease.
The songs themselves are stylistically mainly punk, punk rock or alternative rock (especially punk during the early days), often also verging on the early 90's grunge music, but frequently they also incorporate jazzy elements to their music, such as extended seventh chords in a place where one would expect nothing more than a regular triad, and many times the songs have sudden shifts in mood or style in the middle of a song, creating sudden moments of surprise to a song that would seem quite regular beforehand. This also makes their songs very distinct from each other yet remaining stylistically similar. However it seems that as of late, they have started to downplay their more fiercer side in favor of more lighter and accessible sound.
Their instrumental side is mainly based on a power-trio lineup - consisting of a bass, drums and a guitar - but occasionally Masashi joins the rest of the guys with a secondary guitar, accordion or a harmonica. Though these guys responsible of the instruments form pretty impressive a trio, and I respect their often quite minimal yet always skillful and effective output, I need to bring special attention to 岡峰光舟 (Okamine Koushu); their bassist that was for a long time just a guest musician, before being promoted to a full-fledged band member. His incredible, fluctuating bass lines, that ofttimes borrow from different styles of jazz music, are pure balm to my ears whenever they can be heard. He has also that incredible sense of style that not every song is full of blistering bass work, but instead he throws in a neat bass fill here and there, otherwise just doing his job as a regular bassist. This makes it feel that he is not all over my face, but he has the uncanny ability to remind me now and then how great bassist he really is.
Though they might be too raw and punk to people who are used to lighter styles of music, whereas they might be also too raw and punk to people who are used to heavier brands of metal, I strongly encourage anyone who has a place in their heart for music that is strongly emotional and passionate, disregarding other aspects of musical styles. It might not be your stuff, but the chances are that with a little effort you will find a new, amazing band. You don't need to worry if you don't understand a word from Japanese lyrics - the vocals tell it all.
***
My top-10 list of songs that are worth checking out:
雨 (Ame)
何処へ行く (Doko e Iku)
ヘッドフォンチルドレン (Headphone Children)
未来 (Mirai)
涙がこぼれたら (Namida ga Koboretara)
生命線 (Seimeisen)
サニー (Sunny)
惑星メランコリー (Wakusei Melancholy)
野生の太陽 (Yasei no Taiyou)
夢の花 (Yume no Hana)
***
Reviewed albums:
太陽の中の生活 (Taiyou no Naka no Seikatsu, 2006) - 65/100
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