I'll be highly disappointed if he goes the ICE-9 route on this. These samples are fantastic and ICE-9 was boring. In general I'm happiest whenever he leans toward the KAKU P-MODEL side of things rather than the symphonic stuff.
Hirasawa Susumu
- Thread starter Kamijo
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I enjoy his symphonic stuff quite a bit but I'm inclined to agree. Anyhow, I do think he'll be incorporating some glitchy Kaku-esque elements on both. It's the style he's landed on since 2015 and it looks like it's here to stay for a while at least
Here's an oddity: they recently released Hirasawa's first 3 solo albums (plus some P-MODEL stuff) on vinyl
https://diskunion.net/jp/ct/detail/1008191129
It might be cool to have larger versions of the album art, but that's really the only appeal I see here.
https://diskunion.net/jp/ct/detail/1008191129
It might be cool to have larger versions of the album art, but that's really the only appeal I see here.
I picked up the 2014 remaster of "jikuu no mizu" on SHM-CD here. It does seem like it's a genuine remaster of some sort - there's a recording engineer credited for it and the waveform does look different.
I can't tell how much different it really is though, apart from being mixed louder - which may not be a good thing.
I can't tell how much different it really is though, apart from being mixed louder - which may not be a good thing.
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2019
- Messages
- 285
I probably have the same remaster. Such an amazing album.
However, I think I prefer the live versions of those songs from the Error CD, even though that live recording has the most echo I've ever heard on any live release.
I've probably listened to the live version of "QUIT" from that release a thousand times. I don't even know what album that song was originally released on or if it's even his solo career work.
However, I think I prefer the live versions of those songs from the Error CD, even though that live recording has the most echo I've ever heard on any live release.
I've probably listened to the live version of "QUIT" from that release a thousand times. I don't even know what album that song was originally released on or if it's even his solo career work.
It's from his second solo album, "science no yuurei".
The live version from the "san jikan san tobari" videos is remarkable, if you're a fan.
New DVD for "The 9th Mandala" announced:
https://susumuhirasawa.com/information/archives/1374
I don't even know when the last time he played "Paranesian Circle" was
https://susumuhirasawa.com/information/archives/1374
I don't even know when the last time he played "Paranesian Circle" was
Hirasawa just announced his new solo album "BEACON", to be released in July:
https://www.susumuhirasawa.online/beacon
https://www.susumuhirasawa.online/beacon
I ordered mine from HMV a while back, still waiting for it to ship.
Did you see there's a Henry Purcell cover on this album? I'm hyped beyond belief.
... He probably got it via Klaus Nomi, but still.
Did you see there's a Henry Purcell cover on this album? I'm hyped beyond belief.
... He probably got it via Klaus Nomi, but still.
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2019
- Messages
- 285
Susumu is into Klaus Nomi? Would love to hear him cover Simple Man, lol.
I feel like getting the whole Susumu Hirasawa discography + his band stuff. At this point it might be a bit difficult, though. Not only is the corona messing up everything, but they changed the laws in Finland just recently. Now you must pay taxes/ custom fees if you order outside of EU (was it outside of Finland in general actually) no matter how cheap the item + shipping is. Also you have to pay the postal services for handling the package, or something, even though you didn't have to do that before... It's a mess.
Can't wait to see how much I have to pay taxes when these two items arrive from CDJapan. If my purchase was around $80 - $90, I will probably end up paying way over €30 to the customs. Crap. On top of that they will keep the package in some hidey hole, won't send it in time, all the official customs websites suck ass and are confusing... Argh.
As a person who orders still physical media from outside of EU, this is basically killing my hobby.
I feel like getting the whole Susumu Hirasawa discography + his band stuff. At this point it might be a bit difficult, though. Not only is the corona messing up everything, but they changed the laws in Finland just recently. Now you must pay taxes/ custom fees if you order outside of EU (was it outside of Finland in general actually) no matter how cheap the item + shipping is. Also you have to pay the postal services for handling the package, or something, even though you didn't have to do that before... It's a mess.
Can't wait to see how much I have to pay taxes when these two items arrive from CDJapan. If my purchase was around $80 - $90, I will probably end up paying way over €30 to the customs. Crap. On top of that they will keep the package in some hidey hole, won't send it in time, all the official customs websites suck ass and are confusing... Argh.
As a person who orders still physical media from outside of EU, this is basically killing my hobby.
I don't specifically know that he is, but he was into new-wave stuff in general and KN's version of "Cold Song" (as he calls it) is surely the most famous these days.
Besides, Hirasawa being a Purcell fan in his own right would be too much to hope for XD
As someone semi-seriously looking for high-latitude places to flee climate change... noted.
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2019
- Messages
- 285
The package is already shipping! Pretty fast!
However...
I somehow ordered the Dir En Grey single TWICE! IT'S FUCKING 5500 YEN! WHAT THE FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU...
The customs/post fee was 30.59€
This is what I get for not properly checking out the invoice after ordering stuff. I could have prevented this if I only did that in time. Argh.
However...
I somehow ordered the Dir En Grey single TWICE! IT'S FUCKING 5500 YEN! WHAT THE FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU...
The customs/post fee was 30.59€
This is what I get for not properly checking out the invoice after ordering stuff. I could have prevented this if I only did that in time. Argh.
Last edited:
5500Y for a single?
I dunno, it happens I guess. I have two copies of P-MODEL's "BITMAP" DVD lying around for some reason. (Make me an offer
)
Hajime Fukuma (P-MODEL member during the '90s revival) passed away on 1/1/2022 at age 51 due to a brain aneurysm:
https://www.helios-phere.com/oshirase20220107
https://www.helios-phere.com/oshirase20220107
I often see flowersofnight post about P-MODEL and Hirasawa in the shopper's thread.
I have no idea what it all is.
Would anybody care to introduce me to them briefly, with musical examples? I'm quite curious! We all know flower's taste in music is very good hahaha! So this will probably rock too.
I'd figured I'd ask it in here because there's some true fans here. Google can be a bit overwhelming with all of the different results.
I have no idea what it all is.
Would anybody care to introduce me to them briefly, with musical examples? I'm quite curious! We all know flower's taste in music is very good hahaha! So this will probably rock too.
I'd figured I'd ask it in here because there's some true fans here. Google can be a bit overwhelming with all of the different results.
Well: Susumu Hirasawa is perhaps the only living musician one might call a "genius". He's been doing music for about 50 years now, starting with prog rock (MANDRAKE, 1972-1978 ), then technopop (P-MODEL, 1979-1999), his sui generis solo music (misc. projects on and off in the 80s, then 1989-present), and techno/electronic (KAKU P-MODEL, 2004-present).
He made his name as a vocalist and guitarist (preferred guitar: his custom Talbo "PHOTON"), but he also designs his own assortment of MIDI instruments for use in live performances. For much of his career he had a sort of technologist/mad scientist type image - "Computer Age Charisma" is how it was once memorably and accurately termed. In his personal life he's a technology enthusiast, being an early adopter of synthesizers, Amiga, CGI, internet, digital distribution, and so on. He also has a notable affinity for Thailand and spends much leisure time there.
In terms of performance his most famous innovation is the "Interactive Live" where graphics are projected on a semitransparent screen to tell a story with the concert, and the audience can choose how the story (and the concert) goes by voting or playing games.
Career-wise he spent 1979-1999 signed to various major labels along with a shifting roster of bandmates, before throwing up his hands in disgust at JASRAC and becoming an independent artist. Currently he works solo, releasing music under his own name as well as under the KAKU P-MODEL project, though he often invites friends and former collaborators as guest musicians for his lives.
If I had to pick a sampler:
P-MODEL
美術館で会った人だろ ("IN A MODEL ROOM", 1979)
This is probably the song anyone knows if they know any P-MODEL song, their breakout entry into the world of punk-inflected technopop.
いまわし電話 ("potpourri", 1981)
This was the last hurrah of the technopop style that they had already started turning away from by this point.
ATOM-SIBERIA ("ANOTHER GAME", 1984)
From their transitional style. The most famous song from this album, though, is フ・ル・ヘッ・ヘッ・ヘッ
サイボーグ ("KARKADOR", 1985)
From the height of the avant-garde era. I picked the most famous and enduring hit but everything from this album is up there with the classics.
SPEED TUBE ("P-MODEL", 1992)
After the dissolution of the original P-MODEL Hirasawa reformed it with new members in 1992. This opening track sets the tone well enough, but this is another album of classics.
ASHURA CLOCK ("電子悲劇~ENOLA", 1997)
From the final P-MODEL lineup, perhaps the best of their late style.
Solo
ソーラ・レイ ("時空の水", 1989)
"Haldyn Hotel" is the most famous from this album and the most conventional pick, but I'm picking one of the many other gems on offer here.
ヴァーチュアル・ラビット ("ヴァーチュアル・ラビット", 1991)
Delightful. And has some unexpected fans in high places
舵をとれ ("AURORA", 1994)
The final evolution of Hirasawa's first period before the turn to Thailand. A reworked version of this became the theme to "Berserk".
Sim City ("SIM CITY", 1995)
A conventional and iconic pick here introducing the new forceful Thai-influenced style.
時間の西方 ("白虎野", 2006)
A long-form classic inaugurating Hirasawa's symphonic style. It was at its best on this album.
聖馬蹄形惑星の大詐欺師 ("点呼する惑星", 2009)
A rare aggressive track. I was at the world premiere performance of this and it was incredible.
アヴァター・アローン ("ホログラムを登る男", 2015)
The symphonic style was rather hit-or-miss but on this 2015 album there were still some hits to be had.
論理的同人の認知的別世界 ("BEACON", 2021)
The most dynamic track from his latest release. This album also has his cover of Henry Purcell's "Cold Song" but that is just a cover XD
KAKU P-MODEL
Big Brother ("Vistoron", 2004)
гипноза ("гипноза", 2013)
遮眼大師 ("回=回", 2018 )
If you're still reading this far down you can evaluate them for yourself XD
He made his name as a vocalist and guitarist (preferred guitar: his custom Talbo "PHOTON"), but he also designs his own assortment of MIDI instruments for use in live performances. For much of his career he had a sort of technologist/mad scientist type image - "Computer Age Charisma" is how it was once memorably and accurately termed. In his personal life he's a technology enthusiast, being an early adopter of synthesizers, Amiga, CGI, internet, digital distribution, and so on. He also has a notable affinity for Thailand and spends much leisure time there.
In terms of performance his most famous innovation is the "Interactive Live" where graphics are projected on a semitransparent screen to tell a story with the concert, and the audience can choose how the story (and the concert) goes by voting or playing games.
Career-wise he spent 1979-1999 signed to various major labels along with a shifting roster of bandmates, before throwing up his hands in disgust at JASRAC and becoming an independent artist. Currently he works solo, releasing music under his own name as well as under the KAKU P-MODEL project, though he often invites friends and former collaborators as guest musicians for his lives.
If I had to pick a sampler:
P-MODEL
美術館で会った人だろ ("IN A MODEL ROOM", 1979)
This is probably the song anyone knows if they know any P-MODEL song, their breakout entry into the world of punk-inflected technopop.
いまわし電話 ("potpourri", 1981)
This was the last hurrah of the technopop style that they had already started turning away from by this point.
ATOM-SIBERIA ("ANOTHER GAME", 1984)
From their transitional style. The most famous song from this album, though, is フ・ル・ヘッ・ヘッ・ヘッ
サイボーグ ("KARKADOR", 1985)
From the height of the avant-garde era. I picked the most famous and enduring hit but everything from this album is up there with the classics.
SPEED TUBE ("P-MODEL", 1992)
After the dissolution of the original P-MODEL Hirasawa reformed it with new members in 1992. This opening track sets the tone well enough, but this is another album of classics.
ASHURA CLOCK ("電子悲劇~ENOLA", 1997)
From the final P-MODEL lineup, perhaps the best of their late style.
Solo
ソーラ・レイ ("時空の水", 1989)
"Haldyn Hotel" is the most famous from this album and the most conventional pick, but I'm picking one of the many other gems on offer here.
ヴァーチュアル・ラビット ("ヴァーチュアル・ラビット", 1991)
Delightful. And has some unexpected fans in high places
舵をとれ ("AURORA", 1994)
The final evolution of Hirasawa's first period before the turn to Thailand. A reworked version of this became the theme to "Berserk".
Sim City ("SIM CITY", 1995)
A conventional and iconic pick here introducing the new forceful Thai-influenced style.
時間の西方 ("白虎野", 2006)
A long-form classic inaugurating Hirasawa's symphonic style. It was at its best on this album.
聖馬蹄形惑星の大詐欺師 ("点呼する惑星", 2009)
A rare aggressive track. I was at the world premiere performance of this and it was incredible.
アヴァター・アローン ("ホログラムを登る男", 2015)
The symphonic style was rather hit-or-miss but on this 2015 album there were still some hits to be had.
論理的同人の認知的別世界 ("BEACON", 2021)
The most dynamic track from his latest release. This album also has his cover of Henry Purcell's "Cold Song" but that is just a cover XD
KAKU P-MODEL
Big Brother ("Vistoron", 2004)
гипноза ("гипноза", 2013)
遮眼大師 ("回=回", 2018 )
If you're still reading this far down you can evaluate them for yourself XD
Hirasawa releases a rather low-effort PV for "TIMELINEの終わり". I wonder if he just did this to let his friends pad their resumes a bit. He rarely does PVs, generally speaking.