Bo Ningen – III

In 2012 Bo Ningen announced themselves to the UK as the most badass thing around with their second album ‘Line The Wall’. It was a spectacular display of uninhibited rock ‘n’ roll that was going to be a tough act to follow.

‘III’ opens with ‘Da Da Da’, which has has explosive drums, spiky vocals and catchy riffs reminiscent of ‘Soko’ and ‘Daikaisei’ from their previous helping ‘Line The Wall’. ‘Da Da Da’ though, treads new paths with the interludes of escapism driven by the guitars. They are dreamier than their predecessors, Mercury Rev, on speed.

The subtle new direction they have taken is again evident on ‘Psychedelic Misemono Goya (reprise)’. The initial moments of the song plod along with Japanese vocals, building up the suspense before you’re hit with the release. On ‘Line The Wall’, this would have been followed by an explosion of noise and euphoria. Here though, rather than a big gear change was cruise control, it allows the garage rock element of the track to remain throughout like a dance beat whilst the more idyllic noises are allowed the freedom to float in, out and over the top at will.

The new direction of this album might not be encased in the fall to the floor excitement of yesteryear, but this is still an album of intensity and vision. ‘III’ has a feel of The Clash’s ‘Give Em Enough Rope’, it won’t be your favourite album by the band but it will be one to revisit.