"This is not Shonen Knife's best album, but it is the best since Michie left the group. Genki Shock has a low tech feel thanks toa lack of sythesizers and to me a more guitar oriented sound that harkens back to Shonen Knife's best two albums (Happy Hour and Brand New Knife).
What Genki Shock lacks (as with all albums after Michie's departute) is the band's soul. Noako still proves to be a clever songwriter, guitarist and singer. Atsuko is adequate on bass and backing vocals. Atsuko is one of my favorite drummers (listen to her command and timing and find anyone more skilled) and is far better in that role than the previous two.
The new Knife album is good, solid and a welcome addition to my collection."
This One Has It All
Noted | Alexandria, VA United States | 05/19/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you are a Shonen Knife fan, you will not be disappointed with Genki Shock, I guarantee! My favorites are "Jeans Blue" and "Anime Phenomenon.""
A good Shonen Knife album!
Rudie | Europe | 08/26/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I like this album, but I like all the albums of Shonen Knife.
It's nice listen to the girls with their positiv and funny music.
This new album contains music as only Shonen Knife can do. Straight 1-2-3-4 punk (Ramones) mixed with some japanese here and there.
I can't decide what will be my favorit song in this album. Most of the tunes are easy to like, swinging girl-rock.
I will recommand this album."
A sharper knife
Amazonian | San FranciscoSan Francisco, CA United States | 01/14/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Since Miki's departure from the band, Shonen Knife has continued to produce strong pop-punk with unpretentious production values. Now, Naoko is in charge of song-writing, and her affecton for catchy power-chord punk is obvious in nearly every track.
"Anime Phenomenon" recalls the wistful and fun style of Brand New Knife (my favorite SK CD), and "Rock Society" captures the three-chord punk aesthetic perfectly. Shonen Knife mixes it up with a few slower numbers, but there's often an amusing feel to the songs, as with "Under My Pillow" - Naoko's tale of sleep paralysis. I could do without the male backup vocals in a few sections, but the whole CD is so heartfeltt and brimming with fun that for the most part, it's hard to suppress a smile.
May Shonen Knife continue to rock on!"
Best since Happy Hour
Robert H. Knox | Brentwood, NH United States | 03/14/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I've owned this disc for a while, but wanted to put in my two cents worth anyway...Shonen Knife have captivated me for years and have been woefully underappreciated in the USA. The rock press tended to either dismiss them out of hand or write them off as a novelty act. But SK are, in fact, one of the most entertaining bands in the business, with material that far outshines much of what passes for rock music today. Naoko Yamano has always been adept at writing songs that stay with you, and writes in several different styles: surf-twang, British Invasion, Floydian etherealism, and even jazzy lounge music. But when SK cut loose and break into flat-out punk and metal mode, it's truly a riot. These more raucous tunes dominate GENKI SHOCK!, making it Knife's most fun CD since HAPPY HOUR. Of course we have songs about food and animals, as well as junk e-mail, anime and odd fantasies. My fave cuts are GIANT KITTY, SPIDER HOUSE, and THE QUEEN OF DARKNESS, Naoko's tribute to (or lampoon of) Ozzy and Black Sabbath. To nitpick a bit: yes, I dislike the male vocals too: it hasn't been done too much, but it does kill the song when it is done and should be avoided. Atsuko, also, has been called upon to do too much...it surely must say something about Michie Nakatani's talent that, several years after her mysterious departure from Shonen Knife, a suitable permanent replacement has still not been found. Lest I forget the annoying paper sleeve: it's difficult to get out the lyric sheet without tearing the package, and I failed at that task. Nitpicking aside, please buy GENKI SHOCK! if you haven't already done so. It's a fine CD, and Naoko could use your support. At this writing, she is the last original SK member still in the band. (Atsuko retired in 2006.) The new Shonen Knife includes drummer Etsuko Nakanishi (who played on GENKI SHOCK!) and a new "support bassist" known only as Hatsue. A new CD, FUN! FUN! FUN! is out in Japan, is every bit as good as GENKI SHOCK and may or may not see a USA release. Only by supporting this underrated and very lovable band can we make that happen."
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1
