Alright, let’s dive into いたちの珍道中 19891990 by かまいたち. This rock album dropped in 2018 under the Not On Label banner, and honestly? It’s got that raw, unfiltered vibe you don’t always find in today’s overly polished stuff. Coming outta Japan, it feels like a time capsule of chaotic energy wrapped up in some serious guitar shredding.
First off, the title track, いたちの珍道中 1989~1990, hits hard right from the start. The opening riff is one of those earworms that just sticks with you—like, "Oh crap, here we go again," but in a good way. There’s this gritty edge to the vocals, almost like they’re screaming at you from another era. And I mean that in the best possible sense. You can tell these guys weren’t trying to fit any mold; they were just doing their thing. The rhythm section keeps things tight without overcomplicating it, which makes the whole thing feel kinda timeless. Like, yeah, this could’ve been recorded yesterday or thirty years ago—it doesn’t matter because it just works.
Another standout for me was… well, okay, full disclosure—I didn’t catch every single track name (my Japanese ain’t great), but there’s this other song where the tempo shifts completely throw you off guard. One second you’re vibin’ along, thinking you know what’s coming next, and then BAM! They hit you with this wild drum fill followed by this moody breakdown. Feels like they’re messing with your head on purpose, and honestly? I’m here for it. It’s unpredictable as hell, but somehow still cohesive. That’s not easy to pull off.
What really stuck with me about this album is how unapologetically weird it is. Like, it doesn’t care if you “get” it or not. Some parts sound straight-up messy, but in the best way—like organized chaos. If you’re into rock that takes risks instead of playing it safe, this one’s worth checking out.
Now, here’s the random thought I’ll leave you with: Listening to this album feels like finding an old mixtape in your car’s glove compartment and realizing it’s actually kinda brilliant. Except this isn’t a dusty cassette—it’s かまいたち reminding us that rock ‘n’ roll doesn’t have to follow the rules to kick ass.
