Pop meets rock meets piano.
The Piano It's Me is the first full-length major album from Ki/oon Records artist SUEMITSU & THE SUEMITH. Featuring guitar, bass, drums, a horn section, a string section, and, naturally, a piano, this is an ambitious mix of genres and talents. Although every track is written by SUEMITSU, a classically trained pianist, he does get help from a number of fellow musicians (comprising THE SUEMITH), including clammbon bassist Mito. Released in two different editions, this is a review of the limited, two-disc type.
The album opens with The Piano It's "SUEMITSU". A classically styled introduction piece, it opens with choir-boy like vocals courtesy of John Boyden and simple English lyrics. This is not the usual way to kick off an album, but this is no usual album.
The second song is a slightly poppish one as the piano and guitar lines dance amidst each other before going into the fun and retro sounding third track, 100 Strawberries. Featuring horns, filtered vocals, and of course piano, it has an almost surf-bop feel that makes anyone want to dance. The following track is just as catchy, before Night Walking Miss Lonesome makes its way to the listener's ears, marking the first major shift in mood. Night Walking Miss Lonesome opens simply enough with piano before it slowly begins to evolve into an increasingly grandiose tune. Featuring a beautiful and classic piano line, it would not be too unlikely to find something like this featured in a Broadway show.
The sixth track, (U Have) The Alternatives, returns to the mood set by 100 Strawberries. Poppy with a slightly retro feel, it features some simple yet uplifting lyrics in English in the chorus. The next track is White Cat Waltz and considering the skill SUEMITSU & THE SUEMITH display in the first half of the album, the listener expects the waltz to be a piece of cake. Unfortunately, this is the weakest track; the vocal melody is very pretty and fits with a waltz but the music seems disjointed with a bizarre tempo.
Thankfully, Sonatine follows and suffers none of the trouble of its predecessor. A nostalgic and slightly melancholy tune, it's wistful without being sappy; a difficult balance but one it manages perfectly. The English lyrics aren't completely flawless but are easy enough to grasp the meaning behind the song and can be rather lovely; "Stay, I'm still waiting for your soft voice in a sunset".
Two softer, appealing tunes follow Sonatine including Soul Concatenation. A rather somber song, SUEMITSU's vocals are not ideal for this type of tune but the music, in particular the guitar and piano, speak for him wonderfully. The following track, Sherbet Snow and the Airplane, was previously released as a single and is much, much more upbeat than Soul Concatenation. Extremely catchy and fun, it's not difficult to understand why this song was chosen as a single. In fact, the end of the album features all of his previously released singles; Astaire, Sunday'z Sun, and finally the fantastic Allegro Cantabile. Allegro Cantabile is perhaps one of the finest, and certainly most catchy, mixes of pop-rock and piano heard yet and is one of the absolute stand-outs on this wholly solid album.
The second disc is titled overall 3 Pieces for Piano and Chamber Orchestra. Opening with an introduction track simply called Tuning (one may easily guess the contents), it flows smoothly into Allegro Cantabile - Piano and String Orchestra. Shorter than the original, it's a fascinating listen as pop becomes classical. Still quick and rather catchy, the lack of vocals and addition of strings give it a touch of unexpected grace. The Piano It's ''SUEMITSU'' -Piano and String Orchestra is next, a violin taking up the part of the choir boy vocals, before going into the last track, Arabesque -Piano and Woodwind Ensemble. Classical in style and stunning in composition, it's the perfect note to end on.
The Piano It's Me is not your traditional pop album and for the listener seeking such, they should look elsewhere. Those looking for something both fresh and familiar all at once, however, should definitely pick this album by SUEMITSU & THE SUEMITH.
