"Hello" is quite an apt name for the new Half Japanese album considering it
has been 4 years since their last album. But, it hasn't been a complete
absence since their driving force and principle songwriter Jad Fair has
released a dozen new albums in that time under different monikers or together
with different bands, such as Jad Fair & Yo La Tengo, Adult Rodeo, Jad &
Jason, Strobe, Jad & Kramer, and soon there will even be a Jad Fair &
Teenage Fanclub release. But, the last 2 Half Japanese albums came out in
1997 one of which was "bonehead" on Alternative Tentacles.
Jad Fair is an international ambassador of rock'n'roll. He really doesnąt
have a "home" since he is continually travelling around playing live in
various line-ups or recording with friends in Switzerland, Canada, Portugal,
Scotland, Spain(we will be releasing at least one of those latest
collaborations in mid-2001) and you name it! And his main band, Half Japanese - that he
formed with his brother David over 20 years - is continually listed high in
the "all time cult bands" charts and is touted internationally. There is even
a documentary about the band well worth checking out entitled "The Band That
Would Be King". Drag City recently (mid-2000) re-issued 2 Half Japanese albums and in
Japan there are already "greatest hits" albums.
"Hello" is an excellent mix of what Half Japanese are all about : eclectic
indie-rock maliciously deviating from standard chord structures, nerd-punk
diatribes, and beautiful love songs dripping in maple syrup. The line-up
this time features : John Sluggett - guitar, keyboards; Gilles Rieder
drums; Jason Willett - bass, guitar, keyboards; Rob Erickson - guitar,
backing vocals; Dallas Good guitar; Jad Fair - vocals, guitar. It was
recorded in Toronto at Hallamusic by Nick Holmes.
See also Jad Fair and Jason Willett
Search:
