Ironic electronica = ironica?
Ann Lewis | CA | 05/14/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Fantastic Plastic Machine is the latest project of Japanese electronica wunderkind Tomoyuki Tanaka. In 'Luxury', Tanaka takes elements like 50s movie themes, children's tv show themes, elevator music, instructional audio, and reblends them against catchy beats, turning what was once mundane into something wonderful. Often the songs manage to be musically ironic, mocking the drama and triteness of pop music and advertising themes through the 20th century.
My favorite songs on the album are the unexpectedly perky Theme Of Luxury, the terribly catchy You Must Learn All Night long, and the thoroughly bizzarre and mesmerizing I've Forgotten My Fagotto.
Overall this is a fun and listenable album, great for at-work background music or dance music for a party. I'd love to see more albums like this one, and I'd love to see ironic electronica become its own genre."
Don't Be Fooled By "Theme of Luxury"
Steven R. Seim | Beaver Dam, WI United States | 07/12/2002
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Because this is an obscure album in an obscure genre, most listeners are probably attracted to this album after hearing "Theme of Luxury," which was featured in a recent car commercial. "Theme" is a 3-minute acid-jazz masterpiece, one-half Vince Guaraldi on speed (frantic but melodic piano, deep but swinging percussion) and one-half latter day Copeland. The rest of the album, however, is so different that it might as well be a different artist. Think of hip-hop/dance music that samples '50s lounge albums. "He Became a Beatnik" and "You Must Learn All Night Long" contain some funky Moby-does-jazz elements, and make this disc an interesting (even enjoyable) listen, but don't be fooled by "Theme of Luxury.""
Fantastic
Q | Vermont | 04/05/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Fantastic Plastic Machine has got it all; the super cool 60's style of Pizzicato Five, with insanity equal to that of Takako Minekawa or Kiego Oyamada (AKA "Cornelius). Tracks like "Electric Lady Land" and "You Will Learn All Night Long" make you want to rush outside, and dance. Or blow bubbles; actually, probably blow bubbles while dancing, only to realize just how difficult it is to blow bubbles while dancing, but you wont care. No, you wont care at all. This album will make your head explode, and you'll enjoy every second of it."
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1
