Chin Music Press - Adventures in Publishing

Sambomaster

Music Fridays

"Sambomaster wa kimi ni katarikakeru" (2005)

Sambomaster is a Japanese rock band formed in 2000. They seem to be building momentum on the back of their blistering live performances. Their hit songs are used in TV commercials and anime title songs. I haven't seen them live, but I saw the album cover in a CD shop during my short trip home last February, and it caught my eye. As you can see, there's nothing flashy about these three guys. They don't look hip, don't refer to anyone cool in their lyrics and are very staunchly traditional and Japanese in their approach to their music (the only English words I can find in the whole album are "hey," "c'mon" and "rock 'n' roll").

In other words, Sambomaster is not the kind of band The New York Times or Interview magazine would feature as "the next big thing from Japan."

The three-piece band � with a considerable number of guest musicians that lend nice layers of horns, chorus and other instruments � rocks hard. Their sound is a very rich tapestry of traditional folk, rhythm and blues and soul music mixed with the abandonment of punk rock. The soulful shouts of the singer Takashi Yamaguchi contrast with powerful, raucous but very solid inter-playing of the instruments. There's a palpable sense of urgency in their outpouring of emotions, and it can be felt even if you don't understand Japanese. The lyrics contain some genuine gems. It makes me think of Jeff Buckley, the Black Keys, White Stripes, early Nirvana and Radiohead.

I think they are one of the young forerunners of the "Japanese (language, not geography) rock" genre, the lineage that started with Happy End, who in the 70s modeled themselves after Buffalo Springfield and carved out a niche in the Japanese pop music scene. I had thought this lineage had died down sometime in the 90s after the dominance of dance-oriented pop/R&B, but sure enough, here is a righteous torch bearer of the new Japanese rock.

"Katarikakeru" in the album title means "talking nicely to" or "getting the message across." And "kimi" means you, the person being talked to. So let their sweet ramblings carry you away and maybe you will understand the "Japanese (people, not the landmass) soul" at last.

Akira Morita >> June 03, 2005

Comments

Akira,

Thanks for the heads up on this group. I listened to some of their tracks at Tower Records in Shinjuku a couple months ago and dug what I heard. I had already met my purchase quota for the day, so I didn't buy the album at the time, but I just might make another visit soon. Then again, I may simply rent it from my local Tsutaya and digitize the mofo -- it's much cheaper. (It is legal to make a copy, right?)

Keep up the great posts. I'm looking forward to seeing who's next.

David at June 6, 2005 10:23 PM

Hi i read your blog on music. This blog is quite informative, useful and helpful in sharing knowledge resources.

http://digital-music.blogspot.com/atom.xml

prabhjot at June 9, 2005 02:09 AM

I'm going to buy their music when I can find it. I first heard their music on the anime Naruto, I really like their music. Which is means a good deal, I'm really strict on what music I buy. I want music that I know without a doubt I'll be listening to years from now.

Chancey at June 18, 2005 06:49 AM

I'm french and I know "Sambomaster" by a Naruto's theme !

It's a GREAT group ! ^^

Let's GOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooo...>_<�

Spadassin at July 30, 2005 05:10 AM

Well said. I couldnt really come up with words on how to describe this band and you've pretty much said everything that is exactly how they sound. They might not be a very pretty looking band but the soul that's coming from their lyrics and sound is just amazingly beautiful. :D

I've just manged to get my hands on the album just days ago.

Anyways, great review on them. None could've said better.

Jason at August 25, 2005 12:54 PM

That's funny, I read "In other words, Sambomaster is not the kind of band The New York Times or Interview magazine would feature as "the next big thing from Japan."" And I thought. They seem to be the only thing that will come out of Japan. Sambomaster has something that americans can't ignore. Sincerity. You see, we are all arrogant. There is nothing cooler than being American to an american. Gackt won't wow Americans, there is nothing cooler than Diddy or Jay-Z, you can't convince an American person different. Sambomaster has something in them that music is meant to do. They have skill and talent and craft, no question. But really inspires Americans intrest is emotions. A fat guy that bursts into tears and screams and can't stand up straight during a guitar solo is a miracle in a country that is shallow and at the same time obcessed with authenticity.

Quixoteles at February 23, 2006 12:17 PM

Two other things Sambomaster has that simply cannot be ignored - not by arrogant americans or anybody else:

1 - Takeshi Yamaguchi - God of Guitar

2 - Unimaginable Amounts of Utter Kick Ass-ness!

Not to mention the singular image, heart, hummor and boatloads of talent they possess as a whole...

Oh! Lest I forget, Yamaguchi scored even more Cooler Than Jesus Points in the past year by first producing, then unleashing onto the world Japan's answer to Skynard - the amazing 'Kama Boiler'!

Uh - yeah, I kinda dig the whole SBM thing in general....

Christopher at March 18, 2006 08:45 PM

sambomaster es una muy buena banda segun mi perspectiva, tiene una forma original de rock tirando a pop o alternativo. la voz principal tiene un muy buen control del grito, el cual esta en todas sus canciones. se las recomiendo

luisr at May 22, 2006 06:27 PM

the naruto theam was great but i like your other music to hey im only 10 but i know my music!

tatiana at July 23, 2006 06:47 PM

i LOVE the Naruto theme song. THE BEST!!!

Kwasi at December 29, 2006 05:01 PM