the brilliant green - Los Angeles (2001)

In 2001, Time magazine included Brilliant Green in their top ten of the best contemporary non-U.S. bands, along with Radiohead, U2, and Sigur Rós. The list also packed some considerably lesser known acts like Colombia's Aterciopelados and Madagascar's Tarika, but, comparative political correctness aside, Brilliant Green in their prime were an exceptionally strong and enjoyable band, and Los Angeles is certainly a big success of theirs. In short, the band went for a crossover of two musical ideas -- the airy girl vocals of J-pop and the alt-rock punch, laced with grunge and shoegazer influences -- but this description is too superficial, seeing how well the elements came together on this record. There are some strong raw riffs rarely found in Japanese rock, which is generally plagued by politeness even in its extremes; there's also the perfect hit single that My Bloody Valentine never wrote ("Angel Song"), and some throwbacks to '70s pop, too, but the important thing is that Los Angeles is full of hooks and simply irresistible with its sunny mood of a romantic anime hit inspired by Pixies or Nirvana. Such a thing is hardly possible, but then again, all the more reason to enjoy this record. If the sun ever shone in Seattle, perhaps Cobain would be jamming with Brilliant Green now. As it happens, the band has more in common with Garbage or, indeed, a fully awake version of My Bloody Valentine, but they generally play their own tunes. This is not a perfect album, as they overdose on the monotonous pop in the second half of the record, but Los Angeles is still a remarkable release, combining the best of J-pop and U.S. alt-rock scenes with flawless ease.