As I wrote before, they have a full, satisfying classic rock style, full of meaty chords and singalong melodies. Good luck actually singing along, however. Kumi’s lyrics drift in and out of English at will, and meaning becomes elusive. It’s like trying to study a landscape through the fluttering of a gauzy, windblown curtain.

And if you think that image was obscure and overwrought, there are plenty more where that came from.

It’s a pretty solid collection and seems to represent the band well, from the obviously beatles-inspired “Lady Madonna” to the country twang of “These Days” and the solid, acoustic melodica of my own fave, “Neverland.” I would have liked to have seen “Everyone, Everyone” or “Aha! (All We Want)” which are my own top tunes from the Japanese duo, but that’s merely an observation. The collection is as solid as they come.

1. Standing Bird
2. Your Song
3. Everybody Needs Somebody
4. Lady Madonna
5. Fantastic World
6. Unchained
7. My Last Fight
8. Last Smile
9. All Over Love
10. “O”
11. These Days
12. Neverland
13. A Day For You

Love Psychedelico – “A Day For You”

on the Web: amazon, hacktone records, myspace, wikipedia

Their music is bright and melodic, and even though more than a fair share of the songs brush the five minute mark, there’s a lean, sinewy feel to them. Kumi’s vocals pierce the upper registers with a tough, rhotic twang, which in any other context I might find annoying, but here it’s bracing and minty fresh. The song posted below, “Everyone, Everyone” is not exactly representative of their work, but it’s the one that made me sit up and hit the Rewind button. It’s available on the LP comp, “Early Times,” which collects some of their best work under a single roof (not to be confused with their first album, amusingly entitled, “The Greatest Hits.”) The Beatles influence is front and center, with its “Hey Jude” sing-a-long “clap your hands!” quality. I’m completely addicted.

Love Psychedelico – “Everyone, Everyone”

On The Web: myspace, wikipedia, official site