On disc: Tokyo

 
 Tokyo
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
 San
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 

San

(YesterRock - 2012)



 
 

 

YesterRock released the first two Tokyo albums on CD just late last year, now their 3rd one, San, will see the light of day on CD. The album originally was released in 1983, so you have an idea what to expect, even if you don't know Tokyo. For the CD release they remastered the album and added 4 bonus tracks and a new version of Too High.



The opener is Don't Want Your Money which make me think of Chicago... While Need Another Love is more 80's pop rock, but it was the sound of that time. With Don't Run Away they are back to AOR á la Boston - and that's what their fans wanted to hear. For Too High they speed up and present a danceable, guitar-driven rocker. The instrumental Emiko gives the guys a chance to let go, this time they will take you onto a dream-like sonic journey. After the poppy Jealousy they present Invisible, a track which Styx fans should dig... I love the dramatic opening passage of Golden Time and the way the piano leads over into a moody ballad. This one is a timeless classic. Two happy tunes follow on the original release and then you get the 5 bonus tracks!



The first one is Diana, actually I think this one should have make it onto the original release - even if it is a bit Toto-ish. I like the catchy tune with brass and even the repetitive vocals. A bit more rock is You're A Liar, more guitar but without giving it an aggressive edge. The piano passage at the beginning of See You Again is jazzy, but then the song changes... Becomes Sade-meets-Chicago. I like the song, but it wouldn't have fit to the album, even if it's a cool track. While the other bonus tracks were written at the time of San and were newly recorded about 10 years after the original release, the new version of Too High was recorded just recently. It's interesting to hear how the song would sound these days. The closer is an instrumental called Ocean Of Love which begins with a beautiful tune where the guitar sings.



Fans of Tokyo will be happy to get this on CD finally, to get some bonus tracks is make it value for money. Rock fans who don't know Tokyo, but like the early 80's sound of bands like Toto, Chicago, Styx and Boston, should check out San!

 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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Tokyo

(YesterRock - 2011)



 
 

 

YesterRock decided to re-release the some releases of German rock band Tokyo, their first 3 albums and it's the first time they are released on CD!



Their self-titled debut was released in 1981 and did hit the charts. Musically 70's rock with a dash of pop... or soul. The track Tokyo is the opener and can be found on countless compilations. Cryin' has an art rock touch, but also a pop appeal... A bit Toto-ish. With three musicians in the band who can handle the lead vocals they also can adjust to every song and offer a larger variety of sounds. Robby Musenbichler and his mates were working as studio musicians for years when they got together and formed Tokyo. Tuesday Morning offers West Coast sounds... We Are The Times is spiced up with a bit of funk while Carry has bombastic touch... A bit Styx-like while Father Of Time offers art rock incl. a saxophone part. Welcome To My Home is the closer of the original release and the opening passage has a folk-ish touch, but then it more Boston / Styx-like.



Additionally you get 7 bonus tracks, some are re-recordings of songs off the debut and were recorded between 1995 and 2004. The others were written in the 80's, but only demoed. You Kids In Love is such a track and it has this 80's edge... a bit Duran Duran mixed into the rock sound. Girl, Cryin' and Carry On were recorded recently and meet current recording standards.



Some might find Tokyo too poppy, but everybody who loved the late 70's / early 80's melodic rock should give it a try, if not knowing Tokyo. Fans won't hesitate to get this album on CD.

 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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