Transparent Things is “wonderfully strange”
Fujiya & Miyagi
Transparent Things
[Deaf Dumb + Blind; 2007]
What could three Brits’ music possibly have to do with turntables and “The Karate Kid?”
Apparently, more than one would think.
Fujiya and Miyagi is an England trio posing as a duo from Japan, formed back in 2000.
Fujiya is a brand of turntable and Miyagi is a character an iconic 80’s karate film.
Thankfully, a band’s name usually has nothing to do with its sound.
Transparent Things is a wonderfully strange and experimental indie rock approach to electronica.
So strange that it would almost be wrong to call it one or the other.
Mixing intense rhythm, duplication and atmosphere from one genre with the quirkiness of another, Fujiya and Miyagi is able to draw on familiar influences and create something undeniably original.
The opening track “Ankle Injuries” immediately sets the tone for Transparent Things, subliminally chanting the band’s name over and over underneath an infectious drum and bass beat. A warning for what’s to come.
The instrumental tracks “Conductor 71” and “Cassettesingle” make up two of the best songs on this album. As such, some would say this is because of weak songwriting skills. Transparent Things is the first large scale offering from Fujiya & Miyagi, so I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt.
Fans of Deerhoof, LCD Soundsystem, The Shins and Menomena will almost certainly enjoy Transparent Things.
Fujiya and Miyaga is a band that secretly wants to be Japanese. After giving this album a good listen, so do I.