Coquettish

Coquettish: High Energy PoliticsHigh Energy Politics (2005)
Asian Man Records

Reviewer Rating: 3.5

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Contributed by: AnchorsAnchors
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Published on December 2nd 2005It's one thing to preach about issues in your music, and it's quite another to actually have an understanding of those issues. One band who seems to have a real grasp on the social climate of the day is Coquettish. Seemingly, the most prevalent comparison is a Japanese version of the Suicide Mach.

It's one thing to preach about issues in your music, and it's quite another to actually have an understanding of those issues. One band who seems to have a real grasp on the social climate of the day is Coquettish.

Seemingly, the most prevalent comparison is a Japanese version of the Suicide Machines, and you'd be hard-pressed to try and deny that comparison. Fusing together a harsh punk sound with the occasional ska tangent, Coquettish fit that bill quite well. Keeping the songs short and sweet, the band blazes through thirteen tracks in about 25 minutes, with only one track exceeding the three-minute mark. Straight to the point as the songs may be, each member of the band is able to contribute to the overall fluidity of the sound. From the heavy use of bass on "Common Existence," to Hidze's sharp, raspy vocals that are so vital to each and every track, to Makoto's guitar and vocal contributions, to the anchor that is Mutaboy on drums, it all fits.

Living in a world where we need to have guns, the world leader and the number one country / Now take action! Do as you think! Now take action! Where is the fucking truth? / The world tossed about in your campaign, freedom of liberty / Uphold a fake vision of peace.

Perfectly fitting to the lyrics, it's one of Coquettish' shortest and most angry tracks, as you can really feel the intensity with each lyric snottily sung and each strum of a chord. The band seemingly gets louder and louder and more pissed off as the album progresses, but those ska interludes remain a vital part of the songs they appear in, and do a terrific job of breaking up what would be otherwise growing quite monotonous. It may not be the utmost in musical versatility, but what's done suits the raw sound of the band just fine. "Out of Respect fYou" alternates between the punk and ska sounds more frequently than any other spot on the album, and as a result it's one of the more upbeat, groove-dependant tracks to be found. While that kind of variation is nice, at its core, this is still just a solid, raucous, aggressive batch of punk rock tracks.

I'm going to be frank: There's not a whole lot of sticking power with an album like this. It's short, aggressive, and musically sound, but once the album is over, there's just not a whole lot telling me to start it back up again. I have a feeling, however, many of you will feel differently.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

Anonymous (December 2, 2005)

there better be massive amounts of ska on this record. if not, i quit.

Anonymous (December 2, 2005)

Asian Man is increasingly becoming a record label that I enjoy in principle and concept but not execution.

OC

branden (December 2, 2005)

their total pops madness ep was amazing,7 songs in 9 minutes. i think that shit rules

this feels toned down compared to that, a lot less spazzy energy, therefore being not as fun or good. coquettish rules though and this is pretty good

Anonymous (December 2, 2005)

is this thing out? it doesnt say so on the amr site.. who produced it?

SalsaShark (December 2, 2005)

I'm betting $20 this is better than Brain Failure lyrics. Brain Failure is a punk band from China with the most unintentionally hilarious lyrics I've ever read.

ElVaquero (December 2, 2005)

They love the Suicide Machines so much that one of the Machines actually produced this album. Nice!

notfeelingcreative (December 2, 2005)

I like this record, nothing new, decent japanese ska-punk.

theundergroundscene (December 2, 2005)

asian man is usually good, but those lyrics are absolutely retarded

Anonymous (December 2, 2005)

Of course English isn't their first language, they're Japanese.

But Justin Sane wishes he could write such insightful political lyrics...

skaboom (December 2, 2005)

Ew, those are the lyrics worth spotlighting? I know punk isn't usually known for brilliant lyrics, but I'm guessing English isn't these guys' first language.

iheartadam (December 2, 2005)

Political music just bums me out. Not the idea behind the message, but the fact that the message is going to be delivered by a bunch of dudes in a band.

If that's what it takes to get people to rally around an ideal, then that's fucking sad.

That being said, TBS rofldofl, I liked that song they had on that comp back in that time.