Deep diving into their American rock and roll roots on their brand new Fearless Heart album, Tokyo Tramps team up with drummer Josh Dion and producer Jim Weider(The Band) to create a flintier, more energetic paced work than ever before.
Opening cut “Sweet Melody” finds the Japanese born musicians, who made their way to Boston to study blues, jumping into a serious groove. Satoru Nakagawa’s fierce riffing and Jim Weider’s sweet slide phrasing contrast to whip up a tasty guitar weave, one that moves this song like a force of nature. Trading vocals with wife/ bass guitarist Yukiko Fujii, he creates another contrast, his live for today rasp and her tender, girlish delivery. Clever.
The playful riff and grooves of “The Mississippi and New Orleans” find the couple singing the praises of two great American locations. Nakagawa’s tasty blues licks, greasy slide, sizzle with heat and precision. He injects his guitar work right above a racing groove, like he’s tap dancing over the crests created by the rhythm section, a careful balancing act between him and a skillful back beat and galloping low end.
“Where Did You Hide Your Blues” gives off a forlorn vibe among the smooth harmonies vocals and a flowing rhythm. Nakagawa pays out another well constructed blues guitar line, a jittery line that gives off sparks when he changes from a sustained note to a new one. Speaking of sustain, the pair put rich, engaging drawl on their chorus.
Coming in with a danceable R&B groove “Blues Leave Me Alone” motivates the feet while engaging the ear. Again, the pair apply their perfected vocal harmonies over another of Satoru’s twitchy electric six string phrases. He makes his ax sing as pretty as a bird, a bird with an electric edge that is, a flight of fancy underpinned by a disciplined grip on the rhythm. It is uncanny how well Tokyo Tramps dovetail guitar, vocals, and groove here, like they’re all on the same dance floor moving to the same beat but with slight contrasts in dance styles. It works well.
“Open The Door” is a mid-tempo rocker, a piece that doesn’t rush but has a rush of guitar, pouring forth, thick chord progression supporting a sweeter lead. Nakagawa’s hip lyrical delivery is met by Fujii’s sweet call and response. The chorus, supported by a nimble Nakagawa guitar phrase, remains catchy and amicable, one that invites the listener to sing along. This song is well constructed fun.
“Can’t Find My Way Home,” coated by a fine spray of roots lead guitar, rides a comfortable shuffle groove. Guitar and groove fit each other like a warm, snug glove. That tight weave forges this piece into a thick wedge of fine ingredients. When Nakagawa unleashes a smooth, trim lead, it is only icing on a pleasant fiber of cake.
A commentary on a contemporary problem, “Loneliness Is A Social Disease” travels along a motivational back beat while dispensing its street corner philosophy. Giving off sparks of riffs, speedy, brittle, and jumpy enough to give the fun, lilting groove a run for its money.
“Heart Of Life” shows off Fujii’s expressive vocal range. Fujii travels the verses well within this song’s tight framework. Her voice maintains a soft edge until she widens her vocal appeal on the chorus. It’s the balance between considerate vocal phrasing and the belty chorus that gives this song intrigue. A sly, mischievous groove keeps it all in hip motion. Over that bounce Nakagawa applies his nimble guitar playing, a chord progression that combines vigor and vibe.
Taking things slow, mellow, contemplative, “I Don’t See My Star Tonight” features Nakagawa’s soft timbre lead vocal. He massages plenty of feeling out of his lyrics while unfurling a tender, sensitive rendering of the melody on guitar. Nakagawa understands the need for self-restraint in this setting, letting the emotive vibe work its way to the listener’s consciousness, not too much edge allows the song to breathe. Fujii’s sweet backing vocals, too, serve up a layer of feeling here, a secondary layer wrappings things up neatly.
Brisk close out track “Young Lion” gains traction from the usual Tokyo Tramps strength, fiery guitar phrasing and a thick, solid low end line. The man-woman vocal harmonies are strong here too, especially as the action-packed call and response chorus adds another dimension of flinty fiber. It’s a tremendous ending to a fiercely well-crafted album, and it will have the listener toe-tapping, head bobbing, and finger snapping from beginning to end.
Tokyo Tramps have certainly taken things up a notch with Fearless Heart. They jump right into a more rock and roll format here, fearlessly. With this new album as their calling card, Tokyo Tramps will certainly increase their visibility and expand their audience.
