Kirinji -- Rainy Runway

 

Last night, I met up with my fellow KKP co-administrator and contributor Larry for one more dinner before he takes off back to California next week. We ended up going to one of the local izakaya Kinka where we engaged in some good food and conversation for a few hours.

I had the Neko Punch cocktail with honey syrup, sake, passion fruit and pineapple. It was OK but I think the balance was a bit off between those first two ingredients.

But everything else was great including the karaage with garlic mayo. As you determined KKP readers know, I'm a huge fried chicken fan, and if an establishment has karaage on the menu, then it's good as ordered by me.

Anyways, getting back to the main point, I'm always happy with anticipation whenever Kirinji（キリンジ）comes up with a new song or album, and sure enough, a new digital single came out on the same day that Tatsuro Yamashita's（山下達郎）new album, "Softly", was released. "Rainy Runway", written and composed by Takaki Horigome（堀込高樹）, who is currently the only member of Kirinji, has been described by some of the commenters as a return to their romantic and mellow roots at the turn of the century. Yup, I can feel the love of Steely Dan and Original Love in this one; such a sucker for those horns.

But at the same time, some of those blippity-bloppity electronics that kinda characterized the years that Kirinji was a full band not too long ago can also be heard in "Rainy Runway", a tune that encourages folks to get out of the house once in a while and appreciate the precipitation out there, perhaps as a cleanser for all that ails one. Plus, Horigome's familiar and oh-so-relaxing voice remains the quintessential tonic. The animated video, too, is also wonderfully nostalgic and quirky, especially with the singer looking very reassuredly over those who need a bit of help.