Plastic Tree combine Past and Future in Kuchizuke

This year, in 2012, Plastic Tree celebrate 15 years since they made their major debut. In this anniversary year, they look to their past and their future, combining the introspective indie rock for which they have become known with their more recent experiments into more ambient rock.

“Kuchizuke” is like a warm embrace of dreamy rock. The simple, wistful piano and muted guitar strumming remind the listener of warm, lazy days, the piano notes especially conjuring images of a leaf being played in the wind as it flies lazily away.

The composition here is refreshingly simple with the continuing thread of three piano notes. It develops naturally, though with a stop of silence before Kenken’s drums are introduced, rising to become rockier in the crashing chorus before settling down into the piano and guitar melody to play out. Ryutaro’s vocals, which are often a lingering concern with Plastic Tree, falter occasionally. While he manages reasonably well here and it does not detract overall from the piece, this won’t calm his critics.

The regular editions of this single come accompanied by ‘rebuilds’ of Plastic Tree classics from their debut Hide and Seek album as a commemorative part of their 15th year. Both a gift to their fans and a show of how much they have developed, these are not mere re-recordings. “Trance Orange,” as it first appeared 15 years ago, was full of raw freshness. The band, though unpolished, were young and energetic, with a distinctly ‘recorded-in-a-garage’ sound and Ryutaro’s light, boyish vocals. “Trance Orange (Rebuild)” is a much more rounded affair. The guitars resonate with a deeper, fuller sound while contrasting synth effects, courtesy of mac-produced music, lend a cosmic sense of atmosphere. Meanwhile, Ryutaro’s vocals understandably lack that obvious pep of youth. He is softer and more introspective as if observing their younger selves as an older man. The rebuilds are different in feel, thrown as they are through the prism of age, and as such, the Rebuild stands alongside the original well.

As a 15th anniversary single, it is pleasantly surprising to hear this song anchor itself to the sounds of both Plastic Tree’s past and present while moving forward with a more assured sound. Kuchizuke does play things safe; it doesn’t break any new ground but nonetheless this is a solid single release and delightfully relaxing to listen to.

This review refers to the Regular Edition Type A

Limited Edition Type A: 3 track CD + DVD

Limited Edition Type B: 3 track CD + DVD

Track list

1. Kuchizuke
2. Kuchizuke: 14/04/2012 Nippon Budokan First Live Performance
3. Kuchizuke (instrumental)

Regular Edition Type A: 3 track CD

Track list

1. Kuchizuke
2. Trance Orange (Rebuild)
3. Kuchizuke (instrumental)

Regular Edition Type B: 3 track CD

Track list

1. Kuchizuke
2. Closet Child (Rebuild)
3. Kuchizuke (instrumental)