UCHU NIPPON SETAGAYA [宇宙 日本 世田谷]

While I may not have been all that fond of Long Seasons, it did introduce me to Fishmans and I am grateful for it as they definitely do have a great dream pop and dub sound. I think after I listened to their live album of 98.12.28, I became a bit more interested in Fishmans as a whole, and with my recent endeavors of their 1997, and last album of Uchu Nippon Setagaya, they really cemented themselves within my brain.

Unlike making a repeat of Long Seasons and releasing a big song, Fishmans went back to a multi-song structure for this album, but they do dabble a bit more in song structure, clearly as a refinement from Long Seasons. I think the best thing about this album, for me, is how lively, yet very laid back these songs feel. I think it is mostly due to the downtempo and reggae inspired sound found here, but I never feel like these songs ever grow into something super intense, or increasing into tempo, most songs here stay a relative and smooth tempo that are quite slow, but I think it works out in the group's favor as it makes their dream pop and psych rock sounds feel all the more buoyant, and a little nostalgic for me. I don't know why, or how, but these tracks make me feel like I lived in late 90s Japan a long time ago, even though I was born long after the 90s, and I am not even Japanese. Maybe it is some past life deja vu, but the fact this album can make me feel nostalgia for a time and place I never even been in makes this quite a powerful trip.

I also have to take praise where it is due with the long track of Walking The Rhythm. Man, this song is so good, with its first minute consisting of this beautiful piano and rhythm movement and then shifts into this very sweet ambient dream pop soundscape that I just adore. I personally believe, compared to their other long song of Long Season, this track beats it out of the water in terms of consistency and power.

I do have one problem with this record and it is the fact most of the stand out moments on here just seem to be relegated to the last 3 tracks. I mean I really enjoy all the songs on here, but I think if you compared Pokka Pokka or In The Flight with バックビートにのっかって or Daydream, it just ain't no contest to me on which is better. I think if the band spread these last three songs throughout the album and try to make all the other songs into something also truly special, I think we might have a masterpiece on our hands.

A very great record from this little trio from Japan. Sad this is the last album they made, but I am glad they have left us with some great music. Definitely will look into more of their stuff, and who knows, maybe review more. They definitely piqued my interest here, and I think one day, I might find my absolute favorite from them.

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