Giving credit where credit is due, I have to thank commenter Matthew Cole for introducing me to the latest single by band Sakanaction（サカナクション）, "Shin-Takarajima" (New Treasure Island). I first heard about the band when I saw them appear on the 2013 Kohaku Utagassen with their catchy "Music", and I got the impression over the past few years that vocalist/songwriter Ichiro Yamaguchi（山口一郎）has more hooks than my father's tackle box in his musical arsenal. As I mentioned in the article for "Music", Sakanaction got some very appreciative applause for that Kohaku performance.
First off, "Shin-Takarajima" also has a great hook by using synthesizers that sound like they came from the 80s. According to the J-Wiki article on the song, although Yamaguchi hadn't intended to do so, it was felt that the song approached something similar to some of the old tunes by 70s band Godiego（ゴダイゴ）, but for me, due to those retro synths, I immediately thought of live Yellow Magic Orchestra. The genres of uptempo pop, alternative rock and dance music were mentioned for "Shin-Takarajima", and I think it's because of all of these different sources that the song has quickly grown on me. Sometimes fusion efforts such as this can create a quirky appealing sensation in my brain.
"Shin-Takarajima" was created by Yamaguchi as the theme song (Sakanaction also composed the soundtrack) for the real-life movie version (October 2015) of "Bakuman"（バクマン）, the successful manga about a couple of young men aspiring to become manga artists which also became an NHK anime. And Yamaguchi got his title from the original work "Shin-Takarajima" created by The God of Manga himself, Osamu Tezuka（手塚治虫）. In interviews, Yamaguchi mentioned that when he was asked to make the theme song, he wanted to refer directly to the story of the two teens aspiring to become manga artists. He also stated that he had needed to learn about the industry and asked himself about the roots of manga. Well, his question led him to Tezuka and then "Shin-Takarajima" which turned out to be the breakthrough work for the legend. Even the lyrics refer to the story of "Bakuman" itself about encouraging each other to keep on going with the efforts to reach that treasure island or promised land.
The video is based on the opening for "Dorifu Dai Bakusho"（ドリフ大爆笑...The Drifters' Big Laughs）, the Fuji-TV music-variety show starring comedy team The Drifters that aired on Fuji-TV for something like 20 years starting from 1977. I was quite surprised by that fact since I knew about The Drifters' most famous show on TBS "Hachi-ji da yo! Zen'in Shuugo"（8時だョ!全員集合...It's 8 O'Clock! Everybody Assemble） which also had a very long run on that network; I'd assumed that "Dorifu Dai Bakusho" was just a TBS compilation of the best of the team's sketches but apparently it was entirely its own independent production with its own skits.
Sakanaction and the rest of the production staff pulled the parody off wonderfully right down to the somewhat non-committal Drake-level choreography and the energized work of the cheerleaders. The band even made fun of the quick-stop previews of the upcoming sketches. What also sold me was the completely deadpan expressions on the members' faces although they wore some fairly mod outfits contrasted with the sober corporate suits that The Drifters wore.
The announcements for this year's Kohaku will be coming out in the next couple of weeks. I hope that Sakanaction returns to the Shibuya stage with this one. "Shin-Takarajima" is the band's 11th single from September 2015 and peaked at No. 9 on Oricon.
P.S. Along with Yamaguchi, the rest of Sakanaction are:
guitarist Motoharu Iwadera（岩寺基晴）
bassist Ami Kusakari（草刈愛美）
keyboardist Emi Okazaki（岡崎英美）
drummer Keiichi Ejima（江島啓一）
any news about their next album? Will it be released in 2016?
ReplyDeleteHi there.
DeleteI checked out their website and the rest of the Net, but I couldn't find any particular announcements about a new album as of yet.
it's nice that they don't release an album every year like many other Japanese acts. It means that they care about quality. Anyway, I really can't wait to hear their next album, I think they are the best Japanese band of the last years.
DeleteHello J-Canuck.
ReplyDeleteSo this is Sakanaction. I always got them confused with another group called Sekai no Owari as they have the same number of members, if I'm not wrong. But taking a look at them now, Sakanaction seems to be more polished and less grunge-rock looking than Sekai no Owari, and the latter has some guy in a clown mask... or am I mixing that up with Golden Bomber? Oh, whatever.
Anyway, I have to say that what drew me to listen to "Shin Takarajima" was you saying that the MV was a spoof of the "Dorifu Dai Bakusho" opening. The members nailed the choreography, and love their stony expressions as the pom poms were thrust at their faces, and those quick stop previews were cute. As for the song itself, it's not something I listen to on a regular basis or at all, but it's very interesting, to say the least; a very nice blend of rock and techno. I find myself liking the portions before the chorus best as the beat there is quite hypnotic. But what's with the Apple laptops at the end?
After taking a liking to "Shin Takarajima" in the past couple of days, I thought that I'd be able to see the group sing this on the Kohaku as they were on the show last year. And then I remembered you mentioning in your "66th Kohaku" article that besides Kouhei Fukuda, Sakanaction will not be making their appearance. Bummer.
Yep, it was a pity that Sakanaction won't be appearing on the Kohaku. Personally speaking, I think the show needs a few more eclectic acts like them although some of the older crowd may disagree with me.
DeleteAs for the Apple laptops, I have no idea. Maybe the band got sponsors? :)
Well, acts like Sakanaction that provide unique music can spice up the Kohaku, but with varying results I find. And then again, I think I'd rather such acts than some of the aidoru groups that are similar to one another (I sound like an old person, don't I?).
DeleteI think you're right about Apple as sponsors. I've watched the MV for "Music" and Ichiro Yamaguchi was seen with an Apple laptop towards the end too.