What-A-Night'S - With The Neon Rats - Japan Vinyl LP Record Limited Edition

Credits:

What-A-Night'S

Description:

Time that had stood still begins to dance again to punk rock singing of love! WHAT-A-NIGHT'S is formed by Spo (Vo/Gu) and Shoji (Ba) from Minority Blues Band, who spearheaded Snuffy Smile in the 2000s, along with Nishikawa (Gu) from I Excuse and the younger generation's Setchi (Dr). Their second album, infusing their solid rock sound with melodic punk, finally arrives via POWER ELEPHANT! Time that had stopped begins to dance again to punk rock singing of love! A quarter-century has passed since the first collaboration between MINORITY BLUES BAND (hereafter MBB) and LINE at Kichijoji WARP in 2000.POWER ELEPHANT! (founded by Yada, formerly of LINE/THIS WORLD IS MINE) finally releases WHAT-A-NIGHT'S (hereafter WANS) 2nd album on LP! Frontmen with intense songwriting prowess who once released works from SNUFFY SMILE in the 1990s—Kawase (BLEW), Bun (LOVEMEN), Tsujimura (INTERNATIONAL JET SET), Amano (NAILS OF HAWAIIAN), Nabe (THREE MINUTE MOVIE), Masa (THE URCHIN), and Tomi (NAVEL). Spo (vocals/guitar), formerly of MBB and now with WANS, is another reliable punk songwriter who emerged after them, someone whose melodies and lyrical worldview are guaranteed no matter when a new work comes out. In terms of US punk, they could be described as figures with their own distinct worlds, akin to Blake from JAWBREAKER, Paul Westerberg from THE REPLACEMENTS, or J. Mascis from DINOSAUR JR.After MBB disbanded in 2004, Sopo and bassist Shoji, who had been active in separate bands, reunited in 2007 to launch WANS, releasing their 1st album and several EPs. Then in 2020, though they completed recording their heartfelt second album, WANS went on hiatus. However, in November 2024, Sopo's sudden return to Tokushima's CROWBAR reunited the two, leading to WANS's relaunch. Of course, they reunited with their punk-driven comrades: former I EXCUSE member Nishikawa (guitar) and Tokushima punk scene star Settchi (drums). And so, this second album, once deemed unreleasable, finally saw the light of day. This album evolved from songs brought by Spo, supervised by Shoji, and arranged together with Nishikawa and Setchi. The sound has evolved deeper into the abyss of "rock." It carries an early 80's hard rock flavor reminiscent of AC/DC, MOTORHEAD, or even THIN LIZZY and VAN HALEN.At its core lies the sparkle of power pop like CHEAP TRICK and ELVIS COSTELLO, and the passion of Bruce Springsteen. It's packed with what the members consider "cool music," including the new challenge of incorporating synthesizers. What resonated with me most was the change in SUPO's lyrics. During the SNUFFY SMILE era, anti-capitalist themes were central. Yet this time, his theme has clearly shifted to "love." This doesn't mean he's lost interest in the world or forgotten his anger toward politics. He surely still spends time fuming over daily international affairs and Japanese social issues. Yet, what races through his mind now, overflowing uncontrollably, is above all else, "love." I was moved by this honest change. This album, delivered at the end of over twenty years of self-dialogue, is arguably the most beautiful and trustworthy punk rock album achieved by Tokushima's finest punk rockers.

Tracklisting:

1.The Best Is Yet To Come
2.One Track Mind
3.Love City
4.Teenage Riot
5.Feel Every Moment
6.Hero
7.R'n'R is My Life
8.You Are My Love
9.Sleepless Waltz
10.Music From My Heart