Album Review: 汚れた街にいても by 成田賢 – A Sonic Trip Through Japan’s Psychedelic Soul Scene
Alright, buckle up, because this album is a wild ride through genres that shouldn’t work together but somehow do. Released in 1998 (yeah, the same year everyone was freaking out about Y2K), 汚れた街にいても by 成田賢 (Ken Narita) feels like a time capsule stuffed with soulful vibes, trippy rock riffs, and enough soft-pop charm to make you forget what decade you’re in. Produced by Miki Curtis and wrapped up with liner notes from 田口史人 and 黒沢進, it’s got layers—like an onion or maybe one of those fancy Japanese desserts.
Let’s talk tracks, shall we? There are ten songs here, each with its own flavor, but two stuck in my brain like gum under a chair: “淋しそうな若者たち” and “汚れた街にいても.”
First off, “淋しそうな若者たち” hits hard right outta the gate. The title translates to something like "Young People Who Seem Lonely," which sounds depressing, but trust me, it’s not just sad sack stuff. It’s more like… melancholy with swagger. The melody floats between folk rock and psychedelic rock, giving off major '70s vibes while still feeling fresh. You can practically picture Ken sitting on a park bench somewhere in Tokyo, strumming his guitar and nodding at passersby like, “Yeah, I see you. Life’s tough, huh?” By the second chorus, you’ll either wanna cry or grab a beer—it’s that kind of song.
Then there’s the titular track, “汚れた街にいても,” which roughly means “Even If I’m In A Dirty City.” This one’s a slow burn, starting with these lush, almost cinematic strings before easing into a groove that’s equal parts soulful and hypnotic. Lyrically, it’s poetic AF, talking about finding beauty amidst urban chaos—a theme anyone who’s ever lived in a big city will vibe with. Honestly, halfway through, I started wondering if Ken had been spying on my life, because damn, dude gets it. The way the instrumentation builds—soft rock meets pop meets a dash of funk—is just chef’s kiss. It’s the kind of track that makes you want to stare out a rain-streaked window and pretend you’re in a movie.
The rest of the album keeps the momentum going, blending styles so effortlessly you might miss how ambitious it all is. Tracks like “やすらぎの世界” (which sounds like a warm hug for your ears) and “愛ある限り” (pure romance goals) round things out nicely, showing off Ken’s range as both a songwriter and storyteller.
So yeah, 汚れた街にいても isn’t perfect—it has moments where it leans a teensy bit too far into sentimental territory—but honestly? That’s part of its charm. It’s messy, heartfelt, and unapologetically human, much like the cities it seems to be inspired by.
Final thought: Listening to this album feels like flipping through an old photo album—you’ll laugh, you’ll cringe, and occasionally you’ll go, “Wait, who even is that guy?” But hey, isn’t that what great art’s supposed to do? Now excuse me while I add “淋しそうな若者たち” to every playlist I own.
00:00 01 愛ある限り
02:55 02 遠い愛の日を夢みて