Happy About Smile Ranger

Hatachi no Kimochi (How it Feels to be 20)

I was ecstatic to find an EP by Smile Ranger, my favourite Japanese rock group, on emusic last month. Called Gyakushu no Yesmen (Revenge of the Yes Men), it contains a number of enjoyable tracks that repeat some strengths while still leaving room to explore new musical territory. The one constant is the infectious enthusiasm this band brings to all of their music.

The title track, "Zenryoku de Ikiro," and "Guruguru dokan" offer fans the familiar punkish rock that they have excelled at from the beginning with typically strong vocals from Yu Domoto. "Tatakau Masurao no Uta" and "Rai Rai Rai" showcase some of the snakier rhythms the band is exploring without sacrificing anything in the singalong chorus department. "Diet Tamashii" was the only song that didn't really work for me, but that's probably because I couldn't stop comparing it to Yuge's hilarious "Diet Junkie" and finding it wanting.

So if you're an emusic member, please check out this album. If itunes is more to your taste, try their EP, My Sweet Songs, where the band is listed as Smilerenjya. While not quite as consistent overall as Gyakushu no Yesmen, the title track and "Let's Dancing" are worth the price of admission.

If you get your hands on one of these EPs, consider either one an appetizer. Because if you like what you hear, you have to get a hold of their debut album Hatachi no Kimochi (pictured above). Almost every song is a winner. Whether singing about a man who regrets that he doesn't have superhero powers in "Higeki no Hiro" or sharing the lament of another who broke a girl's heart back in Grade 5 in "Tegami," they always seem to hit the right note emotionally while still rocking out. There are a couple songs that veer dangerously close to 80s arena rock territory, but otherwise they stick closer to more inspiring influences like The Ramones and The Clash. Don't believe me? Check out this live version of one of the album's best tracks, "Love Love Revolution."