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Polysics

Polysics Or Die!!!!
2005
Tofu

Polysics - Polysics Or Die!!!! (Cover Artwork)


Review by: Matt Whelihan
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Tofu Records (Logo)

Published on March 22nd 2005

Polysics are a Japanese four-piece that combine snotty new wave with old-school video game soundtracks to create a very unique tone. As described in their press bio, they “forge their riveting music using conventional rock instruments, augmented by synthesizer, vocoder, and computer programming.” What this means is everything from robot vocals to techno beats and strange blips and beeps make their way into fuzzy rock songs. No longer on Asian Man Records, the band has put together Polysics Or Die!!!!, a greatest hits-type of record that includes tracks from their back catalogue as well as five new songs. While this is some of the most interesting and strange music I’ve heard in a while, it doesn’t always work. The band sometimes uses their technique to craft hook filled musical freak-outs, while at other times the songs just border on annoying.

Songs like “Black Out Fall Out,” “Making Sense,” and “Code 4” are incredibly catchy as they draw on everything from the Anniversary-styled guitar jangle and moog lines to Reggie And The Full Effect-like loud pop, and Ozma-esque harmonies. The “do do dos” from “Black Out Fall Out” alone will be stuck in your head for days while the overdriven guitars will have you rocking with their chunky chord progressions and rock solos. Sadly, Polysics can’t keep this level of songwriting up for the entire release.

Some of the songs just become painful to listen to thanks to singer Hayashi’s overly bratty voice that tends to squeal much more than necessary. At other points the songs just get too cheesy when they start to sound like cartoon soundtracks or carnival cacophonies. I don’t think a cover of “My Sharona” that sounds like Stephen Hawking singing over a Fruity Loops beat was really essential, but hey, that’s just me.

If you want to hear something that sounds like it was written by robots on speed and wide-eyed Japanese cartoon characters, or just something a little different than usual, check this out. But if you aren’t a fan of electronic backings or new wave flair you’ll probably want to shy away from this.



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    Posted by SonnyCola on 2007-05-30 11:23:30
    My Score:

    Dir En Gray fucking
    kicks ass.
    All these crazy bands.
    Then like, Dir En Gray,
    && it makes it all better.
    w00t.
    Go Dir En gray

    Posted by ElVaquero on 2005-03-23 00:06:32

    Dir en grey is probably one of the worst fucking things ever.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 at 10:57 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    They got nothing on Dir En Grey... where are the Dir En Grey reviews? I see crappy metal bands like Mastadon and shitty pop reviews like NFG... wheres Diru reviews?

    -50(fucking)1

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 at 10:15 PM (EST)

    Brasky!

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 at 6:01 PM (EST)

    Holy shit -- four exclamation points!

    People don't hold back anymore.

    - Kirby

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 at 4:53 PM (EST)

    One time Brasky and I went out for a drink and he took me the middle of an empty field and he said "here we are". Well sure enough, a year a bar was constructed around us. On the opening day Brasky ordered a drink and then burn the place to the ground. Over the flames he screamed "Always leave things the way you found them."

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 at 4:51 PM (EST)

    These guys are awesome, they just played at my school about a month ago. This review is off base.

    Posted by CorpseOfMyMotivation on 2005-03-22 16:20:39

    I had a crazy dream where I was in Osaka, Japan. I've never seen the place before, but in my dream, everything was electronic and ridiculously colorful, and Polysics was blasting in the background 24/7. It was really fucking weird.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 at 3:58 PM (EST)

    Anchors! Where is the Bratsky quote in this review!?

    Posted by ElVaquero on 2005-03-22 13:35:36

    4. Everyone's right about the comparisons, it just has no place here. They're 6 years old and pretty damn established, no need to talk about them like newcomers.

    Posted by ElVaquero on 2005-03-22 13:32:55

    1. This is a greatest hits comp.

    2. They aren't "no longer with" Asian Man, but since the last Asian Man released, Sony Japan opened up the Tofu imprint to release Japanese artists in America (Sony Japan pwns Polysics).

    3. This is hawt.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 at 1:26 PM (EST)

    Normally I would never post a comment here, but I really feel like it's not right to mention bands like the anniversary and reggie and the full effect when talking about the polysics.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 at 12:42 PM (EST)

    Wow...the same dude keeps telling us to see them live.

    Fucker.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 at 10:46 AM (EST)

    all i have to say is..

    WATCH THIS BAND LIVE. you will be blown away by their energy, technical skill and awesomeness

    Posted by _Sexy_Pants_ on 2005-03-22 08:39:17

    Reviewer likes emo

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 at 8:29 AM (EST)

    I like this album a lot. Didn't think I would.

    Joe

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 at 7:53 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    Great band.....great album. Not much else to say about it.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 at 4:10 AM (EST)

    you must have not seen them live , matt

    Posted by istapledmyfoot on 2005-03-22 04:05:06

    no Asian Man?

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 at 3:16 AM (EST)

    I think you are the first person ever to compare this band to the Anniversary and Reggie and the full effect.

    Only people with indie record collections that go well beond vagrant rec. bands should be allowed to review stuff on here.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 at 2:56 AM (EST)

    Ok, so this cd is pretty uneven, but you HAVE to check out "new wave jacket", that's a hell of a song.

    I would describe this band as An ADD kid playing a game of super mario brothers 1 where mario is being played by the hives and the enemies played by devo.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 at 1:34 AM (EST)

    I like you, Matt Whelihan. You're a good reviewer.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 at 1:04 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    Score is for comparing Polysics to Reggie and Ozma

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 at 12:32 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    these guys really need to be seen live to understand. i always tell people its like a mix of the locust and devo. that pretty much sums it up really

    Posted by ubershep on 2005-03-22 00:05:35

    What, no Asian Man?

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