Asakusa Jinta - Sky ''Zero''

Asakusa Jinta's line-up of seven people includes quite a lot of instruments, such as tuba, accordion and saxophone. However, it's unnecessary to consider them another dull orchestra, as their sound mixes elements from rock and punk.

The front cover presents joyfully smiling Buddha icons, giving a hint of the music's cheerfulness, while on the back cover, a photo of a little boy and girl play an accordion and a trumpet. The CD booklet reveals an interesting introduction to Asakusa, explaining how this "place of freaks" inside Tokyo refuses to adhere to the modern lifestyle and would still rather keep their own traditions even now.

Sky "Zero" starts out with the title song and its intro, which is the only wistful track on the album if not counting the last track. The instrumental intro piece sounds beautiful and artistic, but for anyone who knows Asakusa Jinta, it's not something you want from them. After a bit of pondering, the part doesn't seem to fit into the album at all.

Luckily, the next track Ride & Bend succeeds in pushing the album to its actual speed using rockabilly, a musical style influenced by country music. From this song on there isn't one inaudible moment to be heard as the band concentrates on showing their full versatile range; the songs differ from each other quite a lot, keeping up the interest. Examples include the worry-free Paradise Rock, soft Tears & Flowers and the explosively celebratory Viva! Boom Boom, whereas Tokyo Eastend Rockers, on the other hand, is perfect at showing off an old fashioned, gangster club atmosphere. The same vibe pops up on the album every now and then.

One of Sky "Zero"'s best points is that the music succeeds in being extremely playful without ever losing any professional touch, which is a wonderful achievement in itself. The good-humored, rocking orchestra sound can only be admired as you listen to how each and every instrument finds their place and how all of them are clearly spotted in the music. Vocalist/bassist Osho shines with the way he uses his voice and adds well planned sounds within the songs, a sign of talent due to his long experience with similar rock influenced marching music. Asakusa Jinta isn't something you've already heard and seen everywhere else - after all, it's the band that wears the much-maligned Hawaiian T-shirts and still manages to look admirably stylish.