Rashinban Seika

Rashinban is a Japanese psychedelic rock band led by Seiichi Yamamoto who is well known as a guitarist of Japanese experimental/noise/space rock/tribal drumming band Boredoms. The album features a lineup of feel-good pop songs that are far removed from the noise-focused expression that Seiichi Yamamoto has shown in his previous works in his other bands, such as Boredoms and Omoide Hatoba. However, beneath the gentle melodies, there is still a tingling tension and a sense of insanity.

Rashinban released their 2nd album called "Seika" in 1998. The vocals are as unarticulated as if the spoken word and naturally assimilate into the song itself. If a pop song is a kind of mimicry, this album perfectly fulfills the role. You can't catch the outlines of the songs even if you look closely. But it is not ambiguous. From "Seika," a song that evokes a deep affection for the Beach Boys, to "Acoustic," a folk song that would be rude to call it neo-acoustic, to the new wave "Cool Down," it is as if we are tracing Seiichi Yamamoto's itinerary as a listener, It has no drama and no climax. But once you get caught up in the song, it will be stuck in your head forever.