Album Review: スペースメッセージ キャッチ 宇宙電波音ー by Toru Hatano
Released in 1979 under the Columbia label, スペースメッセージ キャッチ 宇宙電波音ー (Space Message Catch Cosmic Radio Waves) by Toru Hatano is a fascinating dive into experimental electronic music fused with field recordings and spoken word. Hailing from Japan, this album stands out as an audacious exploration of cosmic sounds, blending science, imagination, and artistry into a singular auditory experience.
The genres listed here—Electronic and Non-Music—and styles like Field Recording, Spoken Word, and Experimental give you some idea of what to expect, but honestly, no description can fully prepare you for it. It's not just "music" in the traditional sense; it’s more like stepping into a laboratory where sound becomes both subject and tool. The tracks feel like transmissions from another dimension—or maybe even eavesdropping on the universe itself.
Two tracks that stick with me are 白鳥座二つの星座の大衝突音～電波星ラジオ・スター～ (Cygnus Two Constellations' Great Collision Sound ~Radio Star~) and 雷のドラムス (Thunder Drums).
First off, 白鳥座二つの星座の大衝突音 feels like listening to the birth of stars. You’re hit with these swirling, otherworldly tones that seem to pulse with energy. At times, it almost sounds like static, but then you realize—it’s not random noise at all. There’s structure hidden within the chaos, kind of like how constellations emerge from scattered stars. The spoken word segments add weight, grounding the abstract sounds in something tangible, yet still mysterious. This track makes you think about space—not just as empty voids, but as places teeming with activity we’ll never fully understand.
Then there’s 雷のドラムス. Oh man, this one hits hard. Imagine thunderstorms amplified and looped into rhythms that feel primal, almost tribal. It’s raw power turned into percussion. Every crackle and boom feels alive, like nature itself decided to put on a concert. For a moment, you forget you’re indoors—you could swear lightning is flashing right outside your window. It’s unsettling but thrilling, the way only true experimental work can be.
What strikes me most about this album isn’t just its innovation—it’s how it challenges listeners. These aren’t songs made for casual enjoyment or background noise. They demand attention. And while not every track will resonate with everyone, the sheer ambition behind them deserves respect.
Reflecting on スペースメッセージ キャッチ 宇宙電波音ー, I find myself wondering if Toru Hatano knew just how ahead of his time he was. Back in 1979, when disco ruled charts and punk was rebelling against everything, who else was out there capturing auroras and radio waves and turning them into music? Maybe he didn’t care about being trendy. Or maybe he just wanted us to stop and listen—to the world, the cosmos, whatever. Either way, decades later, this album remains weirdly relevant.
Final thought? If aliens ever do visit Earth, let’s play them this record first. Who knows—they might dig it.
Rating: 8/10
