Search - Half Japanese :: Loud & Horrible

Classic Idiosyncratic Do-It-Yourself

busotti | 11/16/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The early Half Japanese records are among the most blaring and chaotic rock sounds made in the whole punk/post-punk era. While many fought about who was punker, more hardcore, faster, more shocking, truer to rock's roots or more anti-prog rock than the next guy, Half Japanese comes off as one of the most truly inspired and nutty acts of the era. Their f*** it, lets make a really loud and crazy record is still shocking on their triple LP (!) debut, 1/2 Gentlemen Not Beasts, and on this even louder sequel. Though for Loud they added some more musically talented members to the band, it hardly sounds so. Jad Fair alternately squeals and screams his vocals, the sax honks and blares to eleven, and the guitars sound like they used barbed wire for strings. Although they pull no punches in their desire to be as over-the-top as possible, their blaring mess remains unpredictable, fresh and fun, though likely an acquired taste.



Kudos to Drag City for tacking on the monstrous Horrible EP and the rare Spy single to this reissue. Perhaps they will see fit to do the same for Jad Fair's early solo records as well. Love it or hate it, this one-of-a-kind unholy ruckus still startles a couple of decades later. When you feel like you're hearing nothing new in music, spin through this cathartic platter to clear your mind (and ear canals). Can't imagine that this won't remain an inspiration for years to come."

Horribly loud or loudly horrible?

Frauline Kauken-Flaumein | DC | 10/07/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"True, the title says it all...but quite an unsung masterpiece that doesn't get the credit that it deserves. Kind of sounds like a friend's garage band demo tape with oddly placed 1st year band class instruments in the background. It's very annoying, frantic and quirky but I love it and I think that there is a crowd out there that can appreciate it...Rosemary's Baby is an excellent track."