Album Review: Adventure by Shonen Knife

Often compared to the Ramones, it’s at least true to say that, like Da Brudders, the all-female trio from Osaka, Japan, knew when they’d hit on a winning formula and have largely stuck to it for an astonishing 35 years. Mixing up cute vocals and hook-laden bubblegum pop with punk and metal, founding member and singer/guitarist/songwriter Naoko has led Shonen Knife through various line-ups, but for this, the band’s 21st album, and its accompanying 35th anniversary tour, original drummer Atsuko returns – interestingly – on bass. Kurt Cobain was a big fan, and many people know Shonen Knife chiefly for the fact that they supported Nirvana on the Nevermind tour, but more important is their fiercely independent DIY spirit.

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In celebration of their 35th anniversary, Japanese bubblegum-punk veterans Shonen Knife released their 20th album, Adventure. As the title -- and first single "Jump Into the New World" -- suggests, the band has a wide-eyed view toward the future, with a new(-ish) lineup and revitalized energy. Founding drummer-turned-bassist Atsuko Yamano returned to the fold, joining her sister Naoko and new drummer Risa Kawano, a lifelong fan of the band.

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Babymetal’s cutesy, gabba-gabba Godmamas. I once saw Kurt Cobain talking to Shonen Knife in a hotel lobby. He looked happy, like a big kid. And since Nirvana helped to promote the trio’s career, millions of people have shared that happiness..

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It’s been a long and strange road for Shonen Knife. Beginning in Osaka, Japan over 30 years ago, they paved their own way through the underground scene, were championed by alt-rock royalty in the ’90s, and refreshed things with line-up changes at the dawning of the new century. But the fundamental package remains pretty much the same as ever; a buoyant concoction of ’60s girl group pop, proto punk, motown and metal, delivered in a stripped-down power trio format.

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Shonen Knife, by strength of statistics alone, have earned their legendary status ten times over. The revolutionary Osaka punk band are celebrating their 35th year with their 19th studio album; how’s that for longevity? What’s more, 2016’s Adventure welcomes the return of original drummer Atsuko Yamano after many different incarnations of the three piece – although she’s swapped her sticks for some hard-hitting bass lines. Strap in for ten tracks of straightforward rockin’ elevated by inventive, playful riffs and typically whimsical lyrics; only Shonen Knife could write a madly catchy ode to 'hot hot wasabi' or illustrate a track titled Dog Fight with 'bow-wow' back-up vocals...

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