Review - Alone again, wonderful world - Plastic Tree

A review-a-day! Probably because I'm just finding so much delightful music~! There's actually quite an interesting story to me and this band, so...

Tracklist:

1. アローンアゲイン、ワンダフルワールド (Alone again, wonderful world) [PV]
2. サイケでリズム (Psychedelizm) [Audio]
3. 初めてのＸＸＸ (First XXX) [Audio]
4. アローンアゲイン、ワンダフルワールド～
Instrumental～
5. サイケでリズム～Instrumental～

I found out about Plastic Tree at first because of my love for Radiohead, while searching for a performance of their song, Fake Plastic Trees. (one of my all-time favorite songs, listen to it if you haven't yet) I saw that there was a Japanese band named "Plastic Tree", and thought, "Oh cool, I look up on them later." and of course, I didn't.

But then, yesterday, I stumbled upon Heroin(e)'s review of Alone again, wonderful world. I read the review, and then pressed play on the PV.

And then I felt this incredible nostalgia, because the song reminded me so much of The Bends-era Radiohead. I instantly fell in love with the song, and then Plastic Tree in general. (Later, I found out that many British alternative bands, which I listen to regularly, were some of Plastic Tree's biggest influences - including Radiohead in particular.)

The thing that drew me in at first about Alone again, wonderful world were the "dirnt-dirnt-dirnt-dirnt" crunches of the guitar. However, these chords which sound harsh at first, take a backseat to Ryuutarou's sing-song, simple vocals, which were what really made me fall in love with Plastic Tree. The way he sat, legs dangling in the PV, the airiness and lightness in his voice brought images of a young Thom Yorke (brilliant frontman of Radiohead) to my head. The simple, yet longing feelings in the song have a everyday touch to them. I just listened to Alone again, wonderful world again and again, and it never got boring or old.

Psychedelizm starts off with a odd techno beat, then a big, fat riff comes in. If the song had kept the heavy sound it had at the beginning for the entire track, I would have lost my special respect for Plastic Tree, dismissing them as just another J-rock band. Luckily, this doesn't happen, due to Ryuutarou's great vocals, which sweeten up the track. There's an effect-laden solo, and the track closes out with the same heavy riff from the opening. Quite a good song. 

初めてのＸＸＸ confuses me. It starts off with some silence. Then you realize it's a "remix" of the title track. But all it really is Alone again, wonderful world, with the guitar part replaced with a synth lead, and the vocal track pitch raised very high. Then the band just chatters over it.

The single includes two more instrumental versions of the first two tracks, for you to sing along to. This maxi-single is quite excellent, especially the title song. The only thing that detracts from it is 初めてのＸＸＸ, which made me subtract a half a point from my rating. But I still adore wonderful world, and I am proud to say this single has made me a full Plastic Tree fan. I will be following all their future releases, as well as look back into their 15 year history.

Here's to one of the most underrated Japanese bands:

4.5/5 - Great

しょ (Sho)’s rating:
★★★★
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Heroin(e)

I agree about 初めてのＸＸＸ -it honestly confused me for a second and I honestly wonder if it's the 'joke' track? Or maybe just again, simple nostalgia, given all the band's years together?

I, as well, am looking forward to all future releases by Plastic Tree, and I'm glad the single has made you a full-fledged fan! :)

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