[2001.09.06] MONGOL 800 / / Message

[yobebi]

[cdjapan]

Album. Message
Artist. Mongol 800
Release Date. 2001.09.16
Language. Japanese/English
Genre. JRock

Tracklist
01 anata ni
02 Song for You
03 Chiisa na Koi no Uta
04 Melody
05 Tsuki-akari no Shita de
06 For Life
07 Oya-Shirazu - Summer Again
08 HEY Mommy
09 Marriage Blue
10 Mujyun no Ue ni Saku Hana
11 Ryuukyuu Ai Uta
12 Dear My Lovers
13 Yume Kanau
14 Dandelion

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---------------COMMENTS/NOTES--------------------

Watching dramas is a great way of discovering other artists. Aside from the usual orchestra swells to indicate changes in mood, songs from relatively obscure bands are sometimes featured in the episodes, enough to spark some interest from the viewing public. In my case, the song which introduced me to this band was Chiisa na Koi no Uta [previously known as the 'hora hora song' since that was all I could remember from the whole song]. This song played a pivotal role in the drama, Proposal Daisakusen. Several internet searches led me to knowing about this wonderful punk/ska band from Okinawa, Japan - Mongol 800.

Message showcases Mongol 800's solidity as a punk band. From the changing time signatures mid-song, angry guitar riffs with distortions, driving bass lines, 2/3-part harmonies to their tongue-in-cheek, story-telling manner of song-writing, songs in this album are very raw, yet coated with enough saccharine to make it more palatable to a wider range of listeners. Some of their songs are written in English, which might help in the appreciation part.

Mongol 800 seems to have captured the joys, drama and angst of the teenage population. Message contains tracks perfect for scoring any coming-of-age story. From the innocent fun of Oya-Shirazu - Summer Again to the profound questions and uncertainties of HEY Mommy [Hey mommy, where is my dream...where is my self?], I'm sure this album has a track which will take you back to some of the more memorable, whether happy or bittersweet, events of your life.

All in all, you might want to try listening to this album if you are (a) fond of listening to bands like Green Day, Blink 182 or Parokya ni Edgar; (b) a fan of Proposal Daisakusen; and/or (c) looking for something to accompany you on a trip down memory lane.

For a preview of this album, click on the player below. Do comment to tell us your thoughts :D