album of the week: 12.1

Hideki Kaji

Strawberries And Cream

Blues Interactions (2009)

why you'll love it: pop with zero commercialism or pandering

why you'll hate it: it's the whussiest music in the world

Here is a chaser for the straight shot of hardcore music last week. If you don't know who Hideki Kaji is, you should take this album title seriously to consider what's in store. Kaji is basically the Japanese Brian Wilson. With his roots planted firmly in the 60's bubblegum pop genre; he's carried the Shibuya-kei flag from its inception as a simple Flipper's Guitar pop sound, through it's most fashionable years in the 90's, through the techno-electronic era, and today without hardly changing his sound. He's not your typical watered down Disney cash in, nor is he an overproduced commercial j-pop poster boy. His honesty is what sets him apart from both classic Shibuya-kei artists who jumped ship for greener pastures, and pop music in general.

The album itself is nothing you haven't heard before; it's just presented with a lot of love and care. I particularly like the opening track being titled "Mini Skirt" (presumably after his 1997 album, and best IMO). Kaji has never been a ball of fire, but his melodies are still exciting today despite being well into his 40's. He sticks to his strengths here (which hasn't gotten old yet thanks to this being such an underrepresented genre), although the few experiments do pay off. The 80's ballad sounding "Heaven Only Knows" is handled perfectly, and "Brave Our Hearts" is the closest thing to a Pizzicato Five song you can get today.

The last I heard from Hideki Kaji before stumbling across this album was that he was in Sweden, shooting a music video for "Passion Fruits". While waiting between filming (still dressed as a pineapple for the shoot), he was beaten into unconsciousness and robbed by thugs. I hope the incident hasn't tarnished his love for Sweden, or brought down his spirits in general. As long as this man stays happy and inspired, great music seems to follow.