Search - 5.6.7.8's :: Bomb the Rocks: Early Days Singles 1989-1996

Razor Sharp Fun

David B. Isbell | San Diego, CA USA | 08/06/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"My review is based upon the final six songs of this CD; the actual rating is 3 1/2 stars so I rounded up instead of down. Until about two days ago I had no idea the 5.6.7.8.'s were even associated with the Kill Bill movies, and I was also unable to convince anyone that the 5.6.7.8.'s existed, even among Japanese Americans in Southern California. I once owned a CD copy of their EP "I Was a Teenage Cavewoman" that was released on the Tokyo Karate label in Australia in 1992 or 1993. I have been trying to locate a replacement copy for many years.



All the songs that were on that album happen to be the same last six songs on "Bomb the Rocks." Being a fan of 80's New Wave since I was a teen and not having much exposure to true Punk music, the best I can say is that the 5.6.7.8.'s seem to be more of a gritty, fairly hard-hitting (at times) and whimsical garage surfer-punk band. Their English clearly needs work but the music is too darn catchy to care. One girl they refered to as "Velvet Voice" on the "Cavewoman" album is anything but velvety. She has the most impressive gravel-like scream I have ever heard from a woman in any band, and she expresses her talent often.



"Eddie is a Sweet Candy" feels about as fun as the old 60's tune "Wipe-Out" and is definitely a catchy high-energy tune, worth repeating back-to-back plays. "Blue Radio" is a slow heart break tune that is anything but heart breaking. Velvet Voice opens the song by moaning her woes and floats us through a few verses before unleashing her tormented shriek which carries through to the finale. If the stereo is too loud the neighbors might wonder who is dying.



The 5.6.7.8.'s are really in a class all their own although I tend to liken them to the B-52's (only slightly), pre-1990's Divinyls, Fuzzbox (the 5.6.7.8.'s are nowhere near as tame), and Daisy Chainsaw (the "Eleventeen" album).



Simply put, the 5.6.7.8.'s are weird, unconventional, loud, and loads of great party fun. Unlike what the cover art might suggest, I do not recall any hints of racial bigotry (the skeletons in Nazi German helmets) and no foul language, although I do remember some very mild (and almost undetectable) sexual innuendos. It's a shame it took a movie to put them on the map about 15 years or more after their debut. This is an outstanding group of female punk-rockers. I intend to buy this CD and still hunt down a replacement for "I Was a Teenage Cavewoman."



Not the greatest (catered to a very selective and non-mainstream audience), but still highly recommended."

Explosive

Obio Ntia | New York | 10/08/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Do not listen to "Bomb the Rocks" if you are in a hurry to attend to other matters. The CD will have you hoppin' and a-jumpin' and air-guitarin' like a madperson until the music stops. The first twelve tracks are nearly impossible to skip out on. The first six songs consist of the entire "Bomb the Twist" album--from the steller first and final songs "Bomb the Twist" and "Dream Boy" with every classic track in between. The next six are arguably the funnest and most fulfilling tracks on "Bomb the Rocks". At times, the only way to describe some of the singing is: incomprehensible, yet inspired. In track 09, "Smilly Willy", for instance, the music suddenly stops and scratchy-voiced singer Ronnie "Yoshiko" Fujiyama blurts out something to the effect of: "I'm number, you're, baby, number six!" Brilliant!



"Rocks" is good for those who want to delve deeper into the many moods of the 5,6,7,8's than "Bomb the Twist" and still have a devastating rock and roll "Bomb" dropped on their eardrums.



If their uncharacteristic serenity in "Dream Boy" hooked you on the "Bomb the Twist" album, then listen to track 11--"It's Rainy"--where Ronny reduces the rasp and sings melodiously about how rainy it is. "Blue Radio" closes the CD nicely by offering the best of both worlds--sweet guitars and gentle singing in the beginning that lead up to a crashing crescendo where Ronnie screams her larynx out.



This 27-track CD will definitely take you for a ride in that some of the songs are just out of this world. Track number 16, "Scream," sounds so much like a frantically loud seance that it is almost scary yet strangely alluring. The song conjures images of the singer gyrating around a fire while conjuring a screaming spirit. It's wild.



The band has good chemistry and they clearly have a rockin' good time playing together. Some of the songs, though, just don't work as well as the others. A few of them simply have to grow on you, but you may find yourself skipping several tracks while you are inexplicably drawn to certain others. Highly recommended for those who have heard a little of the 5,6,7,8's and who want to hear more.







"

Four Star Chicken Fried Rock 'n' Roll

Hushmouth | Vancouver, British Columbia Canada | 09/28/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A while back I picked up an earlier singles collection that did not include as many tracks as this album, but that release like this was well worth the money. Who can resist a song like "Edie is sweet candy" or "Bomb the Twist"...gum smacking, switchblade wielding GENIUS. This collection of songs gives the listener an in depth peak into the greasy, chicken fried and hip shaking world of the 5.6.7.8's

These three women from Japan may just save rock'n' roll"