Shoso Strip

I LOVE Shiina Ringo. Her music is great and deserves a worldwide audience. This may be her best album. I don't know because it's the only one I own. I don't understand a word she says (unless it's English. Every now and then she sings a few lines in English. And the word "moto". I know what that means.) Anyway, she's great. She's also beautiful and makes incredible videos. I listen to this CD constantly. My family has threatened to throw me out if I keep playing it. I don't care. I'll throw THEM out. Then it'll be just me and Shiina.

This my best album.

One of my favorite albums.

Anita O'Day meets Sonic Youth! This may be grungy, raunchy, strident, dissonant and in-your-face, but to me it is more like jazz than rock. When I first heard this album and Shiina's other early rock albums, I was struck by her catchy melodies, impressionistic harmonies, blues feeling, swinging (yes, swinging!) and jazzy phrasing. I was not surprised when she later started making real jazz recordings, including live big-band recordings. Nor was I surprised when she used Chopin compositions as accompaniment for her melodies. Her lyrics are clever, thought-provoking, sometimes raunchy, and are occasionally influenced by classical Japanese literature. She often writes her lyrics in archaic Chinese characters that most Japanese people don't understand. She rolls her r's like a yakuza (Japanese gangster). I have a video of Shiina playing a swinging, jazzy, hard-rocking heavy-metal tune in kabuki-theater style, complete with audience members shouting kakegoe in traditional style.Most J-pop singers sound like they have been picked up at a shopping arcade by a teen-idol scout/producer and quickly taught to "sing" and "dance," if you can call it that. They sound and look like they are just following a producer's instructions. There is never any soul, creativity or personal expression. Ever since Shiina made her first recordings as a teen, she has been bursting with so much self-expression and creativity that she can't seem to control herself. If you get a chance, check out clips of her "Electric Mole" concert DVD on Youtube. I hate J-pop, but I love Shiina! Not bad for a 19 year-old girl!

Shiina Ringo was the first J-Pop artist i was introduced to when i traveled to Japan...and she has captivated me ever since. From her unique sound and musical "experimentation" to her outrageous videos (Honnou and Identity are outstanding), she actually defines her own brand of J-Pop...or maybe anti-J-Pop (or probably, more appropriately J-Rock).She is greatly influenced by western music but is not afraid of incorporating eastern sounds ("Tsumiki Asobi" from her first album). The influence from Nirvana is seen in the way she holds her guitar (similar to Kurt Cobain) to the reference to Kurt and Courtney Love in her song "Gipusu." She also has shown interest in jazz and other musical types. She is also noted for rolling her "R's." Her eclectic musical style can be likened to Bjork.This album is arguably her best album. From start to finish, each tracks exudes passion and raw emotion...even when she is being somewhat silly. It does not matter if you do not understand Japanese, the mood that is set can "typically" give way to what she is trying to convey -- especially on "Gipusu" (track 4). It is simply beautiful music that transcends the language barrier.Highlight tracks include the aforementioned "Gipusu," "Yami ni Furu Ame" (track 5), "Identity" (track 6), my personal favorite "Tsuki ni Makeinu" (track 9), and "Honnou" (track 12). That stated, every song is strong and enjoyable -- even when she is screaming (Identity) or her voice is distorted (Byosho Public - track 11). There are beautiful songs, such as Gipusu and "Izon Sho" (track 13) but also several catchy songs that are not too "J-poppy" (i.e. too cute like many J-Pop artists). Overall, well played; well sung; well produced; well engineered. This album is...well...near-perfect.'Shouso Suturippu' is recommended to all fans of Japanese music, as well as fans of good music in general. At least give it a try and look past the language barrier. It is definitely worth it.

Ringo Shiina's command of a wide variety of musical genres and powerful vocal style are worth a listen, even for those that (like me) don't understand the lyrics without lots of help from the internet. This, her second full-length solo album, offers 13 absolutely infectious J-rock tunes you'll be humming for days. Even if you have listened to J-pop before, this is NOT the same kind of saccharine music you might have heard from the latest girl group, or introducing a television series. Ringo Shiina's music is much more mature - personal and emotional, yet at the same time spirited and just plain fun to listen to. As a bonus, she writes all her own songs, and the vocals, while there is some occasional electronic processing for dramatic effect, are much more genuine and even gritty than Japanese (or American) pop tunes usually offer.As other reviewers have commented, there's not really a bad track on this album. Don't let the price be a deterrent - Japanese CDs often approach double the price of American CDs, and this one is WORTH EVERY PENNY.

Shiina Ringo cannot be described in mere words. She did some very fine work with Tokyo Jihen and the Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra.This solo album is excellent and I agree with the other reviewers who have praised her. I got this album recently and I am still listening to it. I have four Shiina Ringo albums now and I am trying to get more all the time.Check out Google Images for some amazing and entertaining photos of Shiina dressed as a kinky nurse!Shiina is a kook! And she is possibly Japan's finest Rock singer.

It is not Ringo's first album, but it is my first album of hers. Though it was out almost 10 years, it is still great to me! Her lyrics may not easy to understand, but with the translation you will be surprised by her genius and extraordinary social observation. This is the must-have album if you want to know her more.

Took longer to receive than expected but I assume that was because of all of the snow storms on the east coast.Not having a tracking number was a little uneasy after a purchase of this price.Other than that the product is in mint condition. Exactly what I had hoped.

東京事変が大好きで遡って林檎さんを聴いてます。破壊力、メロディの美しさといい大好きです。

Estamos ante uno de los mejores álbumes de j-rock de todos los tiempos. Es el segundo álbum de estudio y el más vendido de Sheena Ringo, y el que le valió la consolidación de su prometedora y ahora consagrada carrera. Ecléctico, composiciones atrevidas y muy elaboradas. Se rodea de grandes músicos y graba sus canciones (casi en su totalidad compuestas por Ringo) con unos arreglos de calidad. Este disco incluye alguno de los temas más emblemáticos de la artista. Sin lugar a dudas es una suerte poseerlo.

とてもいい状態で満足しました。懐かしい曲を聴けて楽しんでます。

いい曲ばかり入ってて　名盤だと思います