ALBUM REVIEW By SAM SCARPELLI
2014 JUNE 6
Flower Travellin' Band has developed a slow but steady cult following since their original heyday in 1970s Japan where they were one of the heaviest and most wicked acts around both in the studio and on stage. Superficially they were seen as "Japan's Black Sabbath," and indeed they even covered a couple of their songs, but ultimately while they were noticeably influenced they had a charm of their own, aided by an ancient and fascinating culture. Lead singer and songwriter Joe Yamanaka's lightning vocals never have a hard time breaking through the doom of Sitar like guitar whaling and pummeling jungle drums. These guys have everything I love in rock music and more...
Satori is an album that becomes an instant classic for anyone interested in the overall style. You won't find a better album of jams and doom than this, especially among Japanese bands. The capabilities of the musicians are incredible and the songwriting is top notch. Lead guitarist Hideki Ishima brings a depth of Eastern melodies and makes you almost forget that he is in fact wielding an electric guitar and not a sitar. Joe's lead vocals have all the strengths of his rock contemporaries in the West but with an added intrigue of accent and melodies reminiscent of classical Japanese court music. This album truly is a fusion of cultures, and being a longtime student of the Japanese language I was naturally drawn to it.
The original album had five tracks, all of which were named consecutively Satori, meaning "enlightenment" in Japanese. The opening drone and vocal cry knocks you off your feet (or should I say on your ass) leaving you to impending doom and the crunch of unending distortion. All of the tracks are in a very similar vein, which isn't a bad thing, while successfully taking you different places melodically and sonically. The album is an even mix of instrumental and vocal elements with a few impressive harmonica jams to boot. Expect quality musicianship, sonic bombardment and piercing profundity! Keep listening and you might just reach Satori...
The original album had five tracks, all of which were named consecutively Satori, meaning "enlightenment" in Japanese. The opening drone and vocal cry knocks you off your feet (or should I say on your ass) leaving you to impending doom and the crunch of unending distortion. All of the tracks are in a very similar vein, which isn't a bad thing, while successfully taking you different places melodically and sonically. The album is an even mix of instrumental and vocal elements with a few impressive harmonica jams to boot. Expect quality musicianship, sonic bombardment and piercing profundity! Keep listening and you might just reach Satori...
Vocals, Harmonica
Guitar
Bass, Guitar
Drums
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JOE YAMANAKA
HIDEKI ISHIMA
JUN KOZUKU
JOJI WADA
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01. Satori Part I
02. Satori Part II
03. Satori Part III
04. Satori Part IV
05. Satori Part V
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