Yaphet Kotto - "The Killer Was In The Government Blankets" (LP: Reissue)

※ジャケット端に折れ目があるため5,800→5300円にディスカウントしています。

すべてはここから始まった1999年の1stアルバム。2020年代にSoul Gloの存在が広く知れ渡ることになったが「当時は黒人のScreamoバンドはYaphet Kottoくらいしかいなかった」という記事があるくらい、彼らの存在は少し異質だったかもしれない。それ故にそこに込められている題材も、他のバンドとは違う。それはアートワークを一目見るだけでもわかるはず。この作品は... 名盤なのだ。

今の日本で彼らの作品を聴いても、彼らが当時感じていた切実さを理解することは不可能だろう。ここに記録された音は激しい爆発を伴うロックンロールそのものだ。無機質に切り裂くようなギターと決して上手くはないエモーショナルなボーカル、Yaphet Kottoの最高傑作とも評価される初期のクリエイティビティが詰まりまくっており、これを聴かずしてEMOの何を語るのかというくらいのマストアイテム。改めて聴いてみると、バンド全体がひとつの方向へ向かって一切の迷いもなくエネルギーを燃やしているのがよく感じ取れる。シンプルな構成ながら、演奏の一瞬一瞬の爆発力も半端なく、音の立ち上がり方、瞬発力が体感速度を高める。

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The 1st album from 1999 where it all began. While Soul Glo became widely known in the 2020s, their presence back then might have been somewhat unique—so much so that articles existed claiming, "At the time, Yaphet Kotto was about the only Black screamo band around." Because of this, the themes embedded in their work are different from other bands as well. You can tell that much just by taking one look at the artwork. This record is... a masterpiece.

Listening to their music in Japan today, it's likely impossible to truly comprehend the sense of urgency they felt back then. The sound recorded here is rock 'n' roll itself, accompanied by intense explosions. Packed with the early creativity that makes many rate this as Yaphet Kotto's absolute masterpiece—featuring cold, sharp guitars that slice through the air and emotionally charged, unpolished vocals—it's such an essential item that one might wonder how anyone could discuss EMO without having heard it. Listening to it again, you can clearly feel the entire band pouring their energy into a single direction without the slightest hesitation. Despite the simple compositions, the explosive power in every moment of the performance is incredible, and the sharp attack and responsiveness of the sound heighten the perceived speed.

tracklist:
1. First Meetings Agreement 4:22
2. Torn Pictures 3:17
3. Reserved For Speaker 3:36
4. Driving Through Natchez 3:23
5. Are You Still Working At That Café? 3:49
6. B And C 3:52
7. A Symbol 4:18
8. The Killer Was In The Government Blankets 2:08
9. Suffocate 4:16