album of the week: 9.2

The Birthday

I'm Just A Dog

(2011)

why you'll love it - straight for the jugular garage rock

why you'll hate it - jarring departure from their signature sound

Last summer, when Imai Akinobu announced he was parting ways with The Birthday, I knew that big changes were afoot. Imai's seemingly endless guitar solos and slow paced melodies helped shape Chiba Yusuke's usually impulsive brand of garage punk into a cool confident classic rock swagger. Simply filling those shoes would make for an awkward imitation. Wisely, the lineup change became an excuse to perform a hard reboot.

I'm Just A Dog is faster and dirtier I've ever expected The Birthday to be. As good as these new songs are, it's a bittersweet feeling. Last year's album, Star Blows, felt like finally stepping out from the shadow of Chiba (and drummer: Kuhara Kazuyuki)'s legendary punk band, Thee Michelle Gun Elephant. Now if feels as if they've stepped right back into it; but in such an unapologetic manner, like they kicked down a door first.

The album starts off guns blazing. "Horoscope" and "SとR" are some of the most cut-throat songs the band has done. As the album progresses, there are some quirky departures from the usual Birthday formula, like "Red Eye". Only when things slow down, it gets slightly hit or miss. "Baby You Can" succeeds in sounding like a vintage Birthday song, while "爪痕" and "Silhouette" lack Imai's presence quite predominantly. The title track that closes the album has an unusual stripped down ballad approach that I really enjoy. There seems to be some sea legs to regain in the slower song department.

Old school fans are reintroduced to Chiba's more aggressive influences. "Buddy" gave me brief Rosso flashbacks, while "Saturday Night Killer Kiss" could have been introduced to me as a dug up TGME b-side, and I would not have even raised an eyebrow. This is obviously due to the new guitarist, who has a hyperactive strumming style similar to TGME's Abe Futoshi. Futoshi was much more surgical with his equally frenetic attacks, so Fuji Kenji's dirtier approach sets him apart when you squint; but I'm having trouble resisting comparisons so far.

Seeing as they made the best of a misfortunate line up change, and still deliver such a satisfying rock and roll experience, it would be stubborn to look down on this album for not being classic rock. It's only a lament, not a complaint. This album kicks ass. Those who have grown very accustomed to the pace this band has set over four albums may feel a bit slighted, but not enough to get frustrated. As great as the past three albums have been, it had a couple eye rollers. Not a single dud on this one. A few songs could have been a bit better, but none on here are worth skipping. As if Chiba Yusuke has EVER released a bad album.