 | | |
| | Solid State Survivor | | | Music Artist : | | Yellow Magic Orchestra | | Music Style : | | General | | Record Label : | | Sony/Bmg Int'l | | Release Date : | | 2003-10-06 | | Store Price : | | $14.98 | | Artistopia's Price: $19.99 | | Usually ships in 24 hours | | |
|
|
|
|
|
CD Tracks/Songs
Disc 11. Technopolis
2. Absolute Ego Dance
3. Rydeen
4. Catsalia
5. Behind the Mask
6. Day Tripper
7. Insomnia
8. Solid State Survivor
| |
Other Artist Albums
|
|
|
|
Customer Reviews of This Album/CD |
|
 YMO re-united for the Earth Live in Japan!
Submitted on: 2007-06-24 |
|
This is Yellow Magic Orchestra's 2nd and probably most famous album. The first vinyl version came out in 1979, and YMO was awarded the annual grand prize for the best album of the year in Japan (1979) when the rest of the world didn't know much about computer electric pop music, something YMO called 'Techno Pop'. Germany's Kraftwerk was one of only a few other groups of this kind.
This album contains famous pieces, including 'Technopolis', which starts with a computerised voice saying 'TOKIO', written by Ryuichi SAKAMOTO ('The Last Emperor', 'Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence'); 'Absolute Ego Dance' (by Harry HOSONO); and probably the most famous YMO number 'Rydeen' (by Yukihiro TAKAHASHI). I personally love the YMO version of the Beatles 'Day Tripper' and the main theme 'Solid State Survivor (SSS)', in which the guitarist of Sheena & the Rokkets, Makoto AYUKAWA, takes part. By the way, SSS contains some strange electric 'coughs' and 'laughter', and a Japanese expression 'Moshi Moshi? (Hello Hello?)' can also be heard a few times. 'Rydeen' contains some 'horse running' noises too. The sound of synthesizers (especially 'Prophet 5'), synthe-drums and the futuristic melody are all amazing! But the most amazing thing is that this album was released in 1979! YMO came to the USA & Europe in 1979, even before they became famous in their home country of Japan.
FYI: YMO was re-united for one night only for the Earth Live event from Kyoto(07/07/07). They were the last group to appear on stage in Japan and played a few pieces including the legendary 'Rydeen' with a new interpretation, which you can see on YouTube. |
|
|
|
From the golden age of analog synthesis -- don't miss it
Submitted on: 2007-04-09 |
|
Many of the cuts on this CD were originally released on a vinyl record called "X Multiplies", with replicated mannequins of Sakamoto, Hosono, and Takahashi on the cover, staring at the camera. It was one of the coolest covers ever! It kinda makes you miss the days when cover art was, to a large extent, what sold music. Solid State Survivor was released later.
There are many wonderful cuts on this essential YMO CD, among them "Behind The Mask", with it's incredibly tight vocoder vocal and percussion section. It's one of my three favorite songs of all time -- I am a pro musician myself with a very broad musical perspective, and I'm telling you, I never tire of "Behind The Mask". Technopoly is pretty cool too. Nearly all the tracks are excellent, but Behind The Mask remains a classic for all time.
I can't strongly enough recommend YMO's other albums, as well. It's techno rock and it doesn't get any cleaner or tighter than this.
|
|
|
|
Great synthpop album
Submitted on: 2006-09-23 |
|
| YMO is one of the pioneers of the synthpop as well as Kraftwerk and Devo. "Solid State Survivor" is considered to be the most famous album of them. Although it was released almost 25 yeas ago, you will never feel it old-fashoned. There is a story related to this album. Although Michael Jackson offered YMO to cover "Behind the Mask", YMO refused. Later, YMO regretted because it would be included in "Thriller" the mega hit album. In 1986, "Behind the Mask" was covered by Eric Clapton with Michael Jackson's lyrics. |
|
|
|
 Important album
Submitted on: 2006-08-05 |
|
| While as usual not everything is first rate, and also some of this album has aged quite a bit, it is one of the better and more essential YMO albums. They were quite innoveative at the time and should not be forgotten for what they were: one of the most innovative early synth groups that were working in the tradition of Kraftwerk. |
|
|
|
Yes!
Submitted on: 2006-06-17 |
|
Lighten up.
Ignore the sad clown at the top. Judging music based on the production technology used at the time of it's recording is an obvious sign of ignorance and one of the pitfalls of dealing with many electronic music fans ($$$$) in general. For those of us who understand context and know how to have a good time, this album is a gem. The sound of the production on this album gives it a timelessness and the overall character of this group, specifically this album, is wonderfully idiosyncratic and just can't be replicated. There are a few filler tracks, sure. Maybe two at the most. If that bothers you, you probably need to be reminded that this is YMO and not Stockhausen. If you're looking for a landmark synthpop album... BUY IT. If you like it, give Naughty Boys a chance. It sounds a lot different, but it's a welcomed runner up. |
|
|
|
