Round Flat Records

Shonen Knife – Yama-No Attchan – Vinyl Record

Category:

Description

Shonen Knife – Yama-No Attchan – Vinyl Record

Shonen Knife’s Yama-No Attchan (1984) is the second studio album by the iconic Japanese pop-punk band. Known for their unique blend of punk rock, bubblegum pop, and garage rock, Shonen Knife became an influential force in the underground music scene with their playful, lo-fi sound and endearing DIY ethos. Yama-No Attchan showcases their quirky, upbeat style and marks a crucial moment in the band’s evolution as they began gaining international attention.

The album title, which translates to Atchan of the Mountain, references the band’s original bassist Atsuko Yamano, and it reflects the fun, energetic spirit that defines Shonen Knife’s music. Yama-No Attchan is full of catchy melodies, simple yet infectious guitar riffs, and charmingly naive lyrics, offering a distinct contrast to the more aggressive sounds of the 1980s punk scene.

Yama-No Attchan blends the raw, energetic sound of punk rock with sugary, bubblegum pop melodies. The album is characterized by its lo-fi production, giving it a rough, DIY feel that enhances the band’s charm. Shonen Knife’s sound on this album is playful and unpolished, with jangly guitars, simple bass lines, and driving drumbeats. The songs on Yama-No Attchan are built around catchy, repetitive melodies that are easy to sing along to. The minimalist approach to songwriting—featuring simple chord progressions and straightforward lyrics—makes the album highly accessible, while its punk edge gives it a unique appeal.

While the band’s sound is undeniably poppy, it also draws from the raw energy of garage rock and punk bands like The Ramones and The Buzzcocks. This blend of genres helped Shonen Knife carve out a distinctive niche within both the Japanese and international music scenes.

Key Tracks

“Banana Fish”: A quintessential Shonen Knife song, “Banana Fish” is a bouncy, upbeat track that perfectly encapsulates the band’s playful, quirky style. The song’s simple, repetitive structure and catchy chorus make it one of the standout tracks on the album.
“Flying Jelly Attack”: This song blends energetic punk rhythms with whimsical, nonsensical lyrics, making it one of the most memorable tracks on Yama-No Attchan. The playful, surrealistic imagery of a “flying jelly attack” reflects Shonen Knife’s ability to combine punk attitude with a sense of fun and imagination.
“Dali’s Sunflower”: With its nod to surrealist artist Salvador Dalí, this track showcases Shonen Knife’s fascination with blending pop culture references and artistic influences into their music. The song features jangly guitars and a laid-back, garage rock vibe, with lyrics that reference art in a whimsical way.
“Insect Collector”: A perfect example of the band’s ability to write quirky, catchy songs about everyday topics, “Insect Collector” is a fun, high-energy track about collecting bugs. The song’s upbeat tempo and simple lyrics exemplify Shonen Knife’s childlike approach to punk music.
“Parrot Polynesia”: This song has a more relaxed, tropical feel, with its breezy melody and lighthearted lyrics. The track stands out for its catchy, repetitive chorus and fun, summery vibe, adding to the playful diversity of the album.

Shonen Knife’s lyrics often focus on playful, surreal themes, and Yama-No Attchan is full of songs about animals, food, and fantastical scenarios. Tracks like “Flying Jelly Attack” and “Banana Fish” exemplify this approach, with nonsensical lyrics that create a fun, imaginative world for the listener. The band’s lyrics have a childlike quality, with many songs celebrating simple pleasures or everyday activities. Tracks like “Insect Collector” reflect this innocence, giving the album a sense of joy and wonder that contrasts with the more serious or political themes of other punk bands at the time.

Shonen Knife often weaves pop culture and artistic references into their music. “Dali’s Sunflower,” for instance, brings surrealist art into a punk rock context, while the song “Parrot Polynesia” explores exotic, tropical imagery in a fun and lighthearted way.

The guitar work on Yama-No Attchan is straightforward and jangly, with simple, catchy riffs that drive the songs forward. The bass and drums are equally minimalistic, providing a steady, propulsive rhythm that gives the album its punk energy. Naoko Yamano’s lead vocals are sweet and unassuming, contrasting with the rougher, more aggressive vocal styles of many punk bands. Her voice adds to the band’s unique charm, blending innocence with the rebellious spirit of punk. The harmonies between Naoko and Atsuko on tracks like “Banana Fish” further enhance the album’s playful sound. The lo-fi production and unpolished sound of the album give it a DIY aesthetic that aligns with the punk ethos. The rough edges add to the authenticity of the music, giving it a raw, spontaneous feel that matches the band’s energetic performance style.

While Shonen Knife started as an underground band in Japan, Yama-No Attchan helped them gain attention internationally, particularly in the U.S. and U.K. Their unique blend of punk and pop, along with their distinctive Japanese perspective, made them stand out in the global music scene.

Shonen Knife’s playful, DIY approach to music influenced many indie and alternative rock bands, especially in the 1990s. Their ability to blend punk energy with bubblegum pop sensibilities opened the door for other bands to experiment with similar genre fusions. The band has maintained a loyal fanbase over the decades, and Yama-No Attchan remains a beloved album for its infectious energy and unpretentious charm. Shonen Knife’s influence can be seen in bands like Nirvana, whose members were fans of the band and helped introduce them to Western audiences.

Yama-No Attchan by Shonen Knife is a delightful blend of punk rock energy and bubblegum pop melodies, offering a fun, quirky alternative to the more serious punk sounds of the 1980s. With its lo-fi production, catchy melodies, and playful lyrics, the album captures the essence of Shonen Knife’s unique charm. Yama-No Attchan helped solidify the band’s international reputation and influence, becoming a cult favorite in both Japan and abroad. The album remains a testament to Shonen Knife’s ability to combine punk’s rebellious spirit with a sense of innocence and imagination, creating music that is both joyful and irreverent.

Remastered from the restored original recordings

Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic

Track Listing
An Angel Has Come
Cycling Is Fun
Elmar Elevator
Banana Leaf
Chinese Song
Flying Jelly Attack
Cannibal Papaya
Dali’s Sunflower
Insect Collector
Bye Bye

roundflatStoreShonen Knife - Yama-No Attchan - Vinyl Record Shonen Knife’s Yama-No Attchan (1984) is the second studio album by the iconic Japanese pop-punk band. Known for their unique blend of punk rock, bubblegum pop, and garage rock, Shonen Knife became an influential force in the underground music scene with their...Discover the ultimate destination for punk records, indie vinyl, alternative CDs, and metal cassettes since 1992.

New Customer Special!

10% off your next order!

Just enter pop10 at check out!