Living Field
The Pillows · 1995
42 min · 11 tracks · alternative rock
A vibrant blend of alternative rock and symphonic elements, capturing youthful exuberance through infectious melodies and intricate arrangements.
Top tracks — play these first
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エンゼルフィッシュ Start here — The opening track sets the tone with its catchy chorus and melodic hooks, encapsulating the album's youthful spirit and inviting listeners into its world.
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Something like a romance — This track showcases the band's lyrical depth, blending themes of love and nostalgia with an expansive sound that highlights their symphonic rock influences.
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HAPPY SLAVE — With its driving rhythm and introspective lyrics, this song captures the dichotomy of joy and struggle, reflecting the album's exploration of personal freedom.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases intricate arrangements and vibrant melodies, marking a solid entry in alternative rock.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate dynamic shifts in volume and intensity, particularly in the choruses, enhancing their emotional impact.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo reflective moments
- youthful exuberance throughout tracks
- background warmth for socializing
- sing-along choruses with friends
Maybe skip if you
- seek instant gratification
- prefer high-energy pace
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Solidified The Pillows' reputation in Japan's alternative rock scene.
- Themes
- Japanese alternative rock· melodic nostalgia
- Career context
- Released in 1995, Living Field is The Pillows' fourth studio album, following their breakthrough record, Fool on the Planet. This album solidified their reputation in the Japanese alternative rock scene, showcasing a maturation of sound while retaining the playful energy that characterized their earlier work.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Asian Kung-Fu Generation· Bump of Chicken· Radwimps
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Something like a romance
The song shifts from whimsical imagery to a stark realization about fleeting relationships.
This transition highlights emotional complexity, contrasting idealized romance with grounded truths, demonstrating the band's lyrical sophistication.
Tracklist
- 1 エンゼルフィッシュ Start here 4:07
- 2 Sunday 3:15
- 3 DAYDREAM WONDER 3:28
- 4 Swinger's Night Club (instrumental) 1:54
- 5 Something like a romance 4:45
- 6 ガールフレンド 4:33
- 7 THE KILLING FIELD 4:09
- 8 HAPPY SLAVE 4:29
- 9 NATIVE WORLD 4:51
- 10 屋上に昇って 3:22
- 11 bye bye sweet pain 3:45
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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