Triceratops’ Index: CDs
--Triceratops are one of the best pop bands going, and they rock it hard and sweet--
Triceratops
Sho Wada--vocal & guitar
Koji Hayashi--bass
Yoshifumi Yoshida--drums
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The Great Skeleton’s Music Guide Book -- (50:44) -- (1998) -- Epic Records -- ESCB 1929
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| Their first was great. This one’s even better! Using the same basic formula, they step out in a few new directions, expanding their range, but it’s still great pop songs lashed to the back of a durable rock band. They’ve got the chops, and singer/guitarist Sho Wada, who writes all the songs, has got the hooks in spades! Friends have compared them with CHEAP TRICK, and that exemplifies the rock/pop combination that’s happening here. It doesn’t begin to hint at the consistent uniform brilliance of these songs, though. Real rock bands haven’t written songs with these kinds of hooks in ages. There’s a smile on my face, and I’m dancing! | |
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A Film About The Blues -- (47:40) -- (1999) -- Epic Records -- ESCB 2047
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| TRICERATOPS is going for a wider range of sounds here, resulting in more of a ‘rock’ record, though other fields are represented as well. The band is obviously looking to roam a wider range. Sho Wada’s vocals are still delicious, but in some of the more expansive rock songs the band is losing its edge. I miss the exhuberance of their earlier pop sound, but understand them wanting to try out some new steps and show what they can do. It’s a big, well-produced, rock sound, and shows what a powerful band they are. They’ve got the vocals, the songs, the power, the smarts... They can be more than just another good rock band. | |
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King Of The Jungle -- (56:01) -- (2001) -- Epic Records -- ESCB 2200
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| Having emerged as a rock band, the pop aspects are now expressed in the form of beautiful ballads, and Sho can write and sing ‘em. When they rock though, they do it with more power than they’ve ever mustered. It’s a very full production, and the edginess represented in their live performances (which previously could be seen on the Factory site) is now on disc. Bassist, Koji Hayashi, writes and sings a song; and Sho sings the words “king of the jungle”. I believe that’s the first English phrase other than, “Oh yeah!’ There’s a wide variety of songs and they triumph in each. The newfound maturity sits well on their shoulders. | |
| Dawn World -- (61:31) -- (2002) -- Victor Entertainment, Inc. -- VICL 60960 | ||
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| I’m sorry to report TRICERATOPS seem to have lost their edge. It’s replaced here by some of the most beautiful, mature pop music I’ve ever heard. Sho Wada and drummer, Yoshifumi Yoshida, have added a variety of keyboards to the sound, and the background vocals swell with a lushness reminiscent of THE BEATLES, or QUEEN. In fact, I hear references to loads of the best pop groups ever. There’s a good variety of styles, too, and even the occasional rocker. When you want to rock though, choose another CD. This one’s more for relaxing with your lover at the end of the day. I bet the two of you’ll get up and dance to a few of these though! | ||
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Greatest 1997-2001 -- (76:44) -- (2003) -- Epic Records -- ESCL 2376 | |
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| It turns out this CD was released by Epic Records after TRICERATOPS moved on to Victor Entertainment. It’s a collection from TRICERATOPS’ first four CDs with ‘Believe The Light’, the A-side of their single with Lisa (TRICERATOPS with LISA), and a track called ‘Ramble’ tacked onto it. ‘Believe The Light’ is decent pop music, and ‘Ramble’ (an original) rocks with the usual TRICERATOPS sparkle. Neither of the extra tracks are that special, but Epic has done a good job of presenting a collection of early TRICERATOPS. The first two CDs, represented here as the first nine songs were brilliant, and TRICERATOPS have rarely strayed far off the track since. | ||
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Licks & Rocks -- (40:57) -- (2004) -- Victor Entertainment, Inc. -- VICL-61298
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| TRICERATOPS is a rock band with acutely refined pop sensibilities. Following their last album of beautiful, pop music, Licks & Rocks rocks, as promised. There’s more sweetness than THE SWEET, and more beat than THE BEATLES. In fact, the other way around would be a closer race. Riffs and vocal stylings will recall other classic bands, and why not? Sho Wada is a pop genius. After experimenting with serious rock, and then serious pop, it’s great to hear them bashing out the catchy, rockin’ tunes they’ve filled this disc with. TRICERATOPS could do anything well now, but this is what they do best, better than anyone else. It’s time to dance! | |
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7th Voyage -- (51:16) -- (2005) -- Victor Entertainment, Inc. -- VICL-61574
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| Beautiful pop music, catchy rock, a funk tune, and even one that starts off like an old blues with a rusty slide guitar--TRICERATOPS does it all! The pop music is often so clean and multifaceted, Sho Wada has obviously been borrowing from the McCartney side of THE BEATLES portfolio. He can borrow a style without investing heavily in it, like Paul, and tends to pull it off with a good deal more sincerity. It’s a brilliant CD, and easily one of the best and most versatile TRICERATOPS has done. A great songwriter, singer, and guitarist, Sho Wada has it all! Generally, I don’t like when someone does their own back-up vocals, but his are brilliant. | |
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Level 32 -- (53:59) -- (2006) -- Victor Entertainment, Inc. -- VICL-62144
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| Bless TRICERATOPS! They seem to have given up all aspirations of being a rock band, though now and again Sho Wada lets fly a mighty A+ guitar riff. They’re settling gracefully into being a great pop band for the ages. The first three songs and the last two here are wonderfully catchy, uptempo numbers. In the middle they relax with some sweetly McCartneyesque pop gems. I’ll say it again. Sho Wada is a genius! Don’t overlook Koji Hayashi, on bass, and Yoshifumi Yoshida, on drums, though. They give him dexterous and versatile support in every style tune he leads them into, and the trio puts a smile on the face of each and every one! | |
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Shake Your Hip!! -- (78:54) -- (2008) -- Victor Entertainment, Inc. -- VICL-62761 | |
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| TRICERATOPS add funk to their live show here, but their technical abilities may be leading them astray. Originally, their cop of Lennon’s style won me over. When they switched to McCartney, I admired their artistry. They sometimes rock out here like the mighty band they are, but as often their pop stylings descend to the smarmy levels of Gilbert O’Sullivan--talented pop lacking any emotion. Still, Shake Your Hip!! shows how extremely talented they are, taking you through a sweepingly wide variety of styles, and then in a thirteen minute version of ‘Rock Music’ they add a medley of overplayed funk/dance tunes. They do an OK job of it. | ||
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Made In Love -- (48:50) -- (2008) -- Avex Entertainment Inc. -- NFCD-27126
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| ‘Space Groove I’ starts things off with a smooth groove. ‘Future Folder’ moves things into a slightly futuristic pop/rock mode, where things mostly stay, largely avoiding the Beatle-esque indulgences, and relying instead on TRICERATOPS’ own artistry to create charming and life-affirming pop music. The occasional futuristic slant, funk groove, or rocking continues to power the pop, until ‘Space Groove II’ brings things back to the easy groove. ‘Made In Love’ is saved for last, being an excellent example of their new pop, and a featured song in The Loonies. It’s a good job, and largely restores my faith in this band’s creativity and artistry. | |
