the pillows - New Animal

Toward the end of May, the pillows released their second single of the year New Animal. The single was released in two editions and this is review of the CD-only edition.

The title track, New Animal, begins with the quick plucking of guitar strings and a beating drum, giving the listener the impression that the track will be fast-paced and possibly heart-pounding. But, it's no surprise for the listener when Yamanaka begins to sing. Naturally, his voice is very smooth and calm, even when he is singing with the plethora of instruments accompanying him. The tempo is kept the same throughout the song, with the vocals at a slightly slower speed.

Finger post of magic is the second track and begins with a combination of drums and cymbals played adjacent to one another. Then the listener is suddenly greeted with a chorus of "da da da da" in sync with the guitar playing. Something that is typical of the pillows' songs is how catchy the are. This track, just like many, contains the usual catchiness that will stick in the listener's mind even after the song is over. In a way, this song is a bit amusing as the chorus has someone saying "finger post of magic" slipped in between Yamanaka singing. There is an incredible guitar solo about three quarters of the way into the song, most likely performed by the talented Manabe. Toward the end of the song, the tempo begins to slow, bringing the song to a more calming level.

The final song on the release, Mr.Droopy, begins with electric guitar meeting pounding drums. Similar to the tempo of the first track, the melody is fast, making the listener want to jump up and down or jam out in his or her car while listening to this track. The guitar solo intensifies the rock feeling of the track, but it is still catchy and upbeat. Just as suddenly the track began, it ends in the same fashion.

Even though the pillows have been around for quite some time, their music never fails to be catchy and energetic. New Animal is an upbeat release; any fan, new or old, will appreciate this single. Not a single track lacks anything, and it simply provides more evidence that the pillows is just a great band.