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The Land Of The Rising Sun isn't exactly renowned for its contributions to global music. At various stages, the likes of Shonen Knife, The Boredoms, Pizzicato Five and Melt Banana may all of had 15 minutes of press attention in the West, but they quickly waved sayonara. And as for Yoko's musical output, well even a cursory listen is enough to make you scream, "O-No!" and beg to be allowed on TV show Za Gaman (Endurance) as a lesser form of torture.
The Mad Capsule Markets are unlikely to worry Madonna in terms of record sales, but this single - taken from their (count 'em) 11th album - is more than good enough to warrant at least cult popularity outside Japan.
For the uninitiated, this is one band that completely lives up to its name. The amalgam of relentless, Ministry-style beats and thrash metal/hardcore punk guitars with digital synthesisers and pop-tastic melodies is certainly Mad and persuasive of the argument that vocalist Kyono-san and his mates spend far too much of their time visiting the Capsule Markets. SCARY? You betcha, yet oddly enthralling.
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