Polysics
15th P
(2012)
why you'll love it: Great for Poly fans - lots of guests
why you'll hate it: not a serious release - experimental stuff not so successful
Nothing in music gets me hyped more than a new Polysics release. This year I'm even more hyped than normal, because 15th P isn't exactly an album (or even an EP). It's a 15th anniversary release (both in years, and the band's 15th non single release since 1999's 1st P).
Last year's first LP since their lineup shake, Oh! No! It's Heavy Polysick!!!, featured subtle treats of fan service buried within a refined, sequencer driven sound. 15th P, however, is pure fan service. While the band seems to be creatively adjusting to their live instruments mixing with the hyperspace fast sequencers, this release doesn't have the evolutionary "next step" that Polysics has managed to create with nearly every new album. This is essentially a collection of super wacky experimental songs that feed off Polysics nostalgia, only with a quality above that of your typical b-sides.
I don't care much for track-by-track reviews, but there are less than ten on here, and I have something to say about each of them. Sorry about this. I'll make it as painless as possible...
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"Buggie Technica 2012" is the most recent version of the landmark Polysics song that is played at least once every show. This is the third proper version of the song recorded. They remade the song in 2004 when they got a new drummer, and it would only make sense that they make a new version now. Especially since (having just discovered in this version) they introduce the lineup of the band through vocoded vocals. The song still rocks, and it is an absolute necessity that it be made, but eh, it's "Buggie Technica". Nothing for a long-time fan to get excited about.
The Polysics history lesson continues with "ありがTOISU!", a 5 minute medley with over 10 years of lyrics and melodies. The melodies are mashed together in very impressive ways. The references come flying so fast and furious that the band even released a website listing them all out, so you can keep up. The song is compiled together in such a way that if you aren't getting that "Hey, I know that song!" sensation, it must sound like a jumbled mess. Aside from the middle-8 (a brilliant mash-up of the "TAX IN" bass line, "Get Back To 8-Bit" guitar riff, and the keyboard ditty from "Rocket"), this is a song for fans only. Especially during the compiled lyrics, which seem to be nothing more than arbitrarily listed. I wish they had spent more time sorting out the lyrics in ways as clever as they had with the melodies. Still, a pretty rad thing to create, and like "Buggie Technica 2012", this release seems to be tailor made for things like this.
"Mix Juice" introduces the most significant theme of this release, guest appearances. In this rap song (yes, RAP). Eriko Hashimoto does a verse (great voice) and TAKUMA does one (not so great. Worst guest on the LP). Despite TAKUMA's awkward Rastafarian style rapping, the song is alright. It's better than "ありがとう" off of 2008's We Ate The Machine. So if you can hang with that, you can hang with this.
"Whip And Horse" has no credited guest, but features a horse race event being called before each chorus. A fun concept, slightly diminished by the fact that GlassJAw beat Polysics to the punch a long time ago. This is still the best traditional Polysics sounding original song on the release.
"明るい生活" is a fast paced song that shows off some great high-speed technical interaction between the band and the sequencers, but it's the least notable song on here.
"友達ケチャ" is a track that left many fans gutted. a 60+ guest track (with friends of the band such as Ahito Inazawa, Masafumi Gotō, the telephones, and half of Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra). I personally was hyped to find out exactly what this song would be. Turns out it wasn't a song. It was just a strange a cappella sort-of cover of YMO's "Nune Tanz". Again; if it's gonna be made, it might as well be here; but you can skip this track.
Despite being a cover, "Mecha-Mania Boy" is probably the best track on here. Firstly it's an actual song, not some crazy experimental thing. Also, it's a dream come true for Polysics and their fans, because Mark Mothersbaugh himself reprises his role as lead singer for his own song. Polysics holds back a little bit on the bells and whistles, and lets the song stay true enough to feel like a modern day re-make, with Mark at the helm. It actually sounds better than the original Devo version. Simply a great song made better.
The one song that feels tailor made for its guests is "1.2.ダー!" It's peppy bubblegum rock number. The sweet side is represented by Kojima Mayumi; while Yumi Nakashima (of surf-punk bands, チリヌルヲワカ and GO!GO!7188) lends her unmistakable voice, along with Polysics bassist, Fumi.
This technopop variety show closes out justly, with the piano driven sing-along, "783640". Yet another song outside their comfort zone that, enjoyable as it may be, would not fit in with most Polysics releases. Each member of the band gets a verse to sing (that must be Yano [drums] at the end, I'm not so sure though).
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There are a few nitpicks I have with some of the songs on here, but the whole tone of the release is too jovial and nostalgic to care. It would be like complaining that The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular did not have a satisfying enough plot. The 15th P special edition is packaged with lots of nostalgic content art, including a set of Polysics badges in the form of lapel pins. Being such a fan service package, I don't know what this release comes off as to people who only own We Ate The Machine and/or the 2004 compilation, POLYSICS OR DIE!!!! Maybe newcomers can just just shrug and treat as "oh, that wacky Japan.", but even that is pretty far off. Polysics have by now created their own culture of repurposed 70's post-punk, new wave, and electronica. They're practically their own independent island by now.
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