Words of Wisdom & Hope

I'm a massive Half Japanese fan and love it because the dense, chaotic, driving, wonderful band can contain Jad in his excentricity in a mix like Dylan and the Band. I've waded through about 10 of Jad's solo and collaborative records to pick out the occasional nice tune here and there amongst his extensive experimentation, indulgence, childlike musical wonder and complete lack of what the general public may want just making music from his heart and musical soul, in his own way. Who collaborates with makes a big difference tho he remains generally constant. I never heard of Teenage Fanclub and just sampled some of their songs from their other albums. Their vocals make their records a bit too sugary, too, what? too nice? This mix, for me, since I have acclimated to Jad's goofball vocal style decades ago, is splendid. He could actually get played on the radio somewhere with this record, well, maybe college radio which I'm sure does play some of his stuff from over the decades. He's on over 40 records in about 35 years of making records. I will definitely be listening all the way through this record and play it again in future. I cannot say that for virtually all of Jad's solo and collaborative records because there's so much stuff on most of them that is just too much for me to bear, too esoteric, too skimpy instrumentally, too childlike, although, don't get me wrong, childlike can be wondabah, witness Charlie Brown toy piano and Jonathan Richman over the years. But Jad goes there, he goes where ever he wants musically and I have a limit. However, if the records are inexpensive enough, re: used on amazon, then I buy 'em cuz I know there's something on every Jad record I like. Maybe not the Hello Half Japanese record, their only clunker for me, or the Swan record he did, uh, I just can't take that record. But, in the main, Jad's got rockin', he's got tunes, he's got soul, like the other end of the spectrum of James Brown and Ray Charles but on the same spectrum, rock, soul, passion, purity, joy, pain, yearning, girls, it's all there. I was so impressed with this record that I just bought the 3 song single with one song from here just to hear those other 2 songs. We'll see. Good stuff. I wonder what Teenage Fanclub fans think of this with his unique vocals replacing the usual vocals one expects from an alt pop band. Thanks for the collabrative effort guys, a success. God bless ya chillin'.

It must be stated that one either likes the voice of Jad Fair or one doesn't, there's no middle ground. And if you don't like the voice of Jad and your favourite band happens to back him up, it won't change your mind. I have no understanding for those who want to copy and paste in recordings, just take it or leave it, I say. Yes, it's a matter of taste, let's strip it down to that reachable level, and yes, I'm biased, I like the voice of Jad. Here is Jad Fair at his peak perfomance accompanied by the wellplaying TF. It sounds exactly as it's supposed to. And it does make up.

This is a beautiful album full of joy, warmth and humour. Don't get me wrong when I say "humour" I don't mean it's a comedy album but it should make you smile. Teenage Fanclub are just about my favourite group of all time but it's nice to hear them doing something really fresh and different. Some people who want people just to do the same thing over and over again will be disappointed but if you open your mind, your heart and your heart it will be worth it. Half Japanese front man and aldult child talk/ sings on top of Teen FC's Stax-like mellow licks and grooves. Katrina Mitchell, from gods of the Scottish music scene The Pastels, provides sweet backing vocals.Instant favourites for me were the beautiful I Feel Fine, could be like Louis Armstrong's 'Wonderful World' for the new century and the driving guitar pop classic Near To You.Some people just won't get it but I hope you're wiser than them.It Rocks! in a tender way.

I purchased this out of curiosity, thinking "who is this jad fair fellow?". Turns out Jad Fair is a person id like to head but repeatedly. His vocals you could hardly call it singing, he more or less talks, trying to be kinda trendy and hip i suppose, but it doesnt work.He has a kind of high pitched annoying whining voice with irritatingly strong american accent and its just ruins the CD. The biggest tradgedy is that Teenage Fanclub are on rocking form and the music itself sounds brillitant but Jad Fairs vocals are too in your face and downright irritating that it completely renders the whole CD as beer coaster material.

好き好きが分かれると思います。私はヴォーカルのミスマッチさが好きですが、TeenageFanclub大好きという方のなかでは人によってはかなり耳についてしまうと思います。ですが、楽曲の良さはかなりのものというか本当に良くて、今年は本当によく聴きました。Jadのヴォーカルは確かに特徴的ですが、その裏で時に静かに時に鮮やかに流れるTeenageFanclubのメロディーがとても好きです。