Make - Lä-Ppisch

A complete, quite amazing turnaround. After the disappointment of the Todd Rundgren-produced Karakuri House, the band returned to Japan and produced themselves. The confidence is back, the songs are strong, and the band play like they're hungry again. The pure ska sound is ditched for more rock arrangements, though Gen Ueda's organ playing keeps the funhouse, rocksteady feel alive. "Belly Dance" has an irresistible horn-led groove, backed by the rhythm section of Orquesta de la Luz. "Rabbit Hutch" propels itself along with barrel-house piano and a "Lust for Life" drumbeat. "-6m" is another of Ueda's folk diversions, with a beautiful melody augmented by fretless bass and a waltz break, where the whole song just lifts off the ground. The group had made an important transition here, and matured. The whole album is recommended. ~ Ted Mills, All Music Guide