Cornelius - Fantasma

By Wonsan Underground

Fantasma

Artist: Cornelius
Type: Album

My Rating

10/10

Review

Cornelius, a.k.a. Keigo Oyamada, is considered by some to be the Beck of Japan. His cut and paste style is similar to that of Beck’s, but the influences are very different. Cornelius draws inspiration from artists such as the Beach Boys, Kraftwerk, My Bloody Valentine, and Apples In Stereo. The combination of those artists makes one hell of an album, which Fantasma definitely is.

Fantasma was a huge hit in the US back in 1998. It went platinum in Japan, so why wouldn’t it do well in the States? Cornelius makes you feel happy throughout this album. "Mic Check", the opening track is one cool, chill hip-hop-influenced song with an electronic voice simply repeating, "Mic, Mic Check". "The Micro Disneycal World Tour" demonstrates that circus music can be relaxing at times, and "New Music Machine" sounds like one hell of an ode to My Bloody Valentine. "Clash" starts out so quiet and peaceful, but explodes into Beach Boys whoos and goes back and forth between the two.

Cornelius even makes counting fun with "Five Six", a rather chaotic, but fun song. My favorite song on the album is definitely, "Star Fruits Surf Rider". A well-composed electronic track that’s perfect to play at a party. "Free Fall" is a great non-stop quirky rock track which brings out the best in Cornelius’ cut and paste abilities. " 2010 " is a fun, crazy cut and paste track with kiddy pianos and organs backed up by some awesome electronic work. "God Only Knows" is another wonderful track that also brings the best out of his cut and paste abilities while at the same time makes you feel very loved.

"Thank You For The Music" starts out as a great calm acoustic track that goes with a great synth line, but then goes into a one-minute review of the entire album! The last track, "Fantasma Spot" begins as a TV with something worng with it. Static and everything. But it quickly evolves Into something you would hear in one of those Shibuya bars and then does another, but longer, review of the album! That’s how cool Cornelius is!

If you consider yourself a J-Music fan, this is an essential for your collection! And if you listen to a lot of J-Music and have never heard of Cornelius, then something is really wrong with you. You are missing out on what might be the best Japanese album of all time.

Track Listing

1. MIC CHECK
2. MICRO DISNEYCAL WORLD TOUR,THE
3. NEW MUSIC MACHINE
4. CLASH
5. COUNT FIVE OR SIX
6. MONKEY
7. STAR FRUITS SURF RIDER
8. CHAPTER 8
9. FREE FALL
10. 2010
11. GOD ONLY KNOWS
12. THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC
13. FANTASMA
14. FANTASMA SPOT

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