Shiina Ringo - Shoso Strip (13 tracks) +Album Reviews

Ringo is absolutely worth the investment

GoodBooksRFun | 09/07/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Shosai Strip is an incredible album. Of course, so are Ringo's other singles and albums, some of which are available here on Amazon. ...She also released her third DVD of video clips... if you can view Japanese DVDs you must check it out. Her concert and recent releases have caused many more people to catch "Ringo-byou" (Ringo-fever) here in Tokyo, so if you are sophiticated enough to have found this link on Amazon US, I would definitely recommend you pick up Ringo's latest releases from Japan and enjoy her talent and creativity yourself. Note that her singles (Honno, Mayonaka wa Junketsu, etc.) have excellent "B-sides", i.e., additional tracks not available on the albums. That and the CD cover art make them absolutely worth the purchase price. I could go on, but I will stop here :-)"

Doesn't that make me Courtney?

the problem | Alabama | 06/13/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Shiina Ringo was the first J-Pop artist i was introduced to when i traveled to Japan...and she has captivated me ever since. From her unique sound and musical "experimentation" to her outrageous videos (Honnou and Identity are outstanding), she actually defines her own brand of J-Pop...or maybe anti-J-Pop (or probably, more appropriately J-Rock).

She is greatly influenced by western music but is not afraid of incorporating eastern sounds ("Tsumiki Asobi" from her first album). The influence from Nirvana is seen in the way she holds her guitar (similar to Kurt Cobain) to the reference to Kurt and Courtney Love in her song "Gipusu." She also has shown interest in jazz and other musical types. She is also noted for rolling her "R's." Her eclectic musical style can be likened to Bjork.

This album is arguably her best album. From start to finish, each tracks exudes passion and raw emotion...even when she is being somewhat silly. It does not matter if you do not understand Japanese, the mood that is set can "typically" give way to what she is trying to convey -- especially on "Gipusu" (track 4). It is simply beautiful music that transcends the language barrier.

Highlight tracks include the aforementioned "Gipusu," "Yami ni Furu Ame" (track 5), "Identity" (track 6), my personal favorite "Tsuki ni Makeinu" (track 9), and "Honnou" (track 12). That stated, every song is strong and enjoyable -- even when she is screaming (Identity) or her voice is distorted (Byosho Public - track 11). There are beautiful songs, such as Gipusu and "Izon Sho" (track 13) but also several catchy songs that are not too "J-poppy" (i.e. too cute like many J-Pop artists). Overall, well played; well sung; well produced; well engineered. This album is...well...near-perfect.

'Shouso Suturippu' is recommended to all fans of Japanese music, as well as fans of good music in general. At least give it a try and look past the language barrier. It is definitely worth it."

Perfect Fractured Pop

Terrapin | Nova Scotia | 01/17/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is how pop music could and should be. The sugar-sweet vocal lines give the instant impression of a classic pop record but the band and the production are straight out of an indie rock record. The band rocks hard and the sound is compressed and crazed at times. Feedback and chaotic effects are given free reign but never interfere with Shiina Ringo's perfect pop sensibility. Damn! This might just be my favourite album of all time and I usually go for stuff like Deerhoof and The Cardiacs.

This record has huge crossover appeal. At least, make sure you hear it once."

I hate J-Pop, but I love this!

Asayo Tanaka | Yachiyo-shi, Chiba-ken Japan | 05/27/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Anita O'Day meets Sonic Youth! This may be grungy, raunchy, strident, dissonant and in-your-face, but to me it is more like jazz than rock. When I first heard this album and Shiina's other early rock albums, I was struck by her catchy melodies, impressionistic harmonies, blues feeling, swinging (yes, swinging!) and jazzy phrasing. I was not surprised when she later started making real jazz recordings, including live big-band recordings. Nor was I surprised when she used Chopin compositions as accompaniment for her melodies. Her lyrics are clever, thought-provoking, sometimes raunchy, and are occasionally influenced by classical Japanese literature. She often writes her lyrics in archaic Chinese characters that most Japanese people don't understand. She rolls her r's like a yakuza (Japanese gangster). I have a video of Shiina playing a swinging, jazzy, hard-rocking heavy-metal tune in kabuki-theater style, complete with audience members shouting kakegoe in traditional style.

Most J-pop singers sound like they have been picked up at a shopping arcade by a teen-idol scout/producer and quickly taught to "sing" and "dance," if you can call it that. They sound and look like they are just following a producer's instructions. There is never any soul, creativity or personal expression. Ever since Shiina made her first recordings as a teen, she has been bursting with so much self-expression and creativity that she can't seem to control herself. If you get a chance, check out clips of her "Electric Mole" concert DVD on Youtube. I hate J-pop, but I love Shiina! Not bad for a 19 year-old girl!"

Awesome!!!

zeroryouko | Torrance, CA | 03/07/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ringo Shiina's command of a wide variety of musical genres and powerful vocal style are worth a listen, even for those that (like me) don't understand the lyrics without lots of help from the internet. This, her second full-length solo album, offers 13 absolutely infectious J-rock tunes you'll be humming for days. Even if you have listened to J-pop before, this is NOT the same kind of saccharine music you might have heard from the latest girl group, or introducing a television series. Ringo Shiina's music is much more mature - personal and emotional, yet at the same time spirited and just plain fun to listen to. As a bonus, she writes all her own songs, and the vocals, while there is some occasional electronic processing for dramatic effect, are much more genuine and even gritty than Japanese (or American) pop tunes usually offer.

As other reviewers have commented, there's not really a bad track on this album. Don't let the price be a deterrent - Japanese CDs often approach double the price of American CDs, and this one is WORTH EVERY PENNY."

Search - Shiina Ringo :: Shoso Strip

CD Details

CD Reviews

	Shiina Ringo Shoso Strip Genres: International Music, Pop Track Listings (13) - Disc #1 Japanese Title Japanese Title Japanese Title Japanese Title Japanese Title Japanese Title Japanese Title Japanese Title Japanese Title Japanese Title Japanese Title Japanese Title Japanese Title
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