Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on May 2010

Tropical/Columbia

One of the many knocks against J-pop is its lack of originality. Perhaps the folks leveling this charge have never listened to Tokyo trio Clammbon. Throw 2010 into the player and out stream 12 tracks that take in pop, funk, art-rock, new wave, electro, folk, hip-hop, ambient and just about anything else they can throw into the blender. Unlike many Western artists currently repurposing the musical past, singer/pianist Ikuko Harada, bassist Mito and drummer Daisuke Ito do it with flair. “Super☆Star” is perhaps the standout track, ripping through the silence with an absolutely massive buzz-saw synth line that sets the pace for one of the best dance-pop mash-ups of the year. “Sooo, Quiet” is a slice of DJ Krush-style abstract hip-hop, while “Tiny Pride” tones down the mood for an outing of sweet, sad acoustic guitar folk.

Clammbon
June 11, 7pm; June 12, 6:30pm, ¥4,500. Yokohama YCC. July 22-23, 6:30pm, ¥4,725-¥5,250. Nakano Sun Plaza. Tel: Hot Stuff Promotion 03-5720-9999.