As if you could have ever doubted them – The Mad Capsule Markets are back with another storming single in the form of ‘Happy Ride.’ It is to be released on February 28th through Gut Records and makes me further question why this band has never really made it massive. The band keep releasing single after single, and indeed album after album of musical gold yet they never seem to get the recognition that they so greatly deserve. I sense that the reason for this is the fact that they are from Japan – I reckon that if they were from America then they’d be massive by now, which is a real shame as they really are one of the finest bands in the world right now and are producing some truly godly music.
This song has the superb pop catchiness that you can always rely on The Mad Capsule Markets to give you, but at no point does it ever sound at all like a pop record. It is far too heavy for that with its powering guitars, fast pace drum beat, and super slick vocals. This track gives the idea of Surf Rock meets Heavy Metal with its “woo woo” backing vocals meeting the heavier, harder hitting main vocals. I’m not too sure about the inclusion of ‘Cracker!!!’ as a B-side – I personally like it with its Drum ‘n’ Bass feel, but I reckon that a lot of fans of the band will probably find that they don’t like what it has to offer. It’s track 6 off of the bands album, and I’ve often seen it criticised. I don’t really know what people have against it to be honest because I think it’s a great tune. It has awesomely heavy vocals over a Drum ‘n’ Bass back beat and goes down a treat with its raw, edgy feel. Other B-side, and incidentally the albums title track ‘CiSTM K0nFLiqT’ is another cracking number. It is the song that ends the album, and has been used this time round to end the single – and it certainly ends it in quite spectacular style.
There really is no denying this bands talents – they are definitely one of the greatest bands even to come out of heavy alternative music, let alone heavy alternative music in Japan. The Mad Capsule Markets truly are a force to be reckoned with and I really hope that there is plenty more to come from this band in the future, as without them alternative music will just be a much duller place.
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UK based film graduate with a huge passion for music, sports and video games.
