J!-ENT
Asian Entertainment News and Pop Culture

BAND: LINDBERG

ALBUM: EXTRA LIGHT II

LABEL: TOKUMA JAPAN COMMUNICATIONS

CATALOG #: TKCP-70190

RELEASE DATE: January 1, 1993

DURATION: 47:00

1. Yume de Aetara
2. Datte Soujanai!?
3. Daikirai!
4. Futari Kiri de Ikou yo
5. Kairitai Kairinai
6. Tsuki
7. Tobikiri no Yoru
8. Catch Ball
9. Okiku natara
10. Nagare boshi o sagashite

The year was 1993. Dominating the charts were B’z, Okamoto Mayo, ZARD, DEEN, WANDS but around Fall 1993, a rock band known as LINDBERG started to gain momentum by chart topping hits starting with “Yume de Aetara”, “Datte Soujanai!?” and then “Daikirai!”

The band which consists of lead vocalist/songwriter (and former idol) Watase Maki, Hirakawa Tatsuya (guitar), Kawazoe Tomahisa (Bass) and “Cherry” Koyanagi (drummer) formed the band back in 1988 and had a string of hits previous to the release of “EXTRA FLIGHT II” which include “Ima sugu Kiss Me” (their second CD single back in 1992) and again a revival in 1996 with hits such as “Every Little Thing Every Precious Thing” and “Green Eyed Monster” before disbanding in 2002.

The group ended with a total of 35 CD singles from 1989-2002, a total of 17 albums and 19 videos.

With “EXTRA FLIGHT II”, the album would contain the bands 16th through 18th CD singles and the attraction fans would have with the band was that it was essentially a rock band, with a cute lead vocalist who had a unique vocal style that Watase was known for.

The first track “Yume de Aetara” (their 18th CD single, rel. Dec. 1993) was an example of the band’s happy, rock style with Watase’s vocals and the band’s harmonizing on chorus.

The second track was the song that caught my attention and was one of the reasons why I wanted this album was the song “Datte Soujanai!?” (Their 16th CD single which was released in October 1993) which was used for a commercial for AXIA.

The video which featured the group on tour and just having fun in various locations and the biggest memory of the Nirvana Grunge days were to see the band playing together in flannel and jamming.

The song was just pure fun LINDBERG with Watase’s vocals and a cool guitar solo by Hirakawa but definitely an example of how a music video done well, can influence a purchase of a CD single and an album. For me, the music and the video were just pure enjoyment and having fun, and this song was the hook that caught my attention towards LINDBERG.

The third track “Daikirai!” was the band’s 17th CD single and was the ending theme for TV Asahi’s animated series “The Bough” which was a fun rock song that features a lot of piano and organ playing. A bluesy, fun rock song.

There are some ballads such as “Kairitai Kairinai” and “Nagare boshi o sagashite”. The former which is a rock ballad while the latter which focuses on piano and strings and a very elegant ballad overall.

And actually a lot of the tracks on the album doesn’t stray away from the formula of the other songs. To describe each song on “EXTRA FLIGHT II”, it’s almost like describing the same song over and over but each song is of course different and made unique by Watase’s vocal spin to the music.

If anything, the music of Lindberg showcases Watase’s songwriting, her approach to singing a song with her own style and the music is really not hard hitting. It’s rock music that can be appreciated by listening to it and watching it live. There is not much experimentation and you hear a lot of incorporation of piano, organ and congo drums to their music. It’s enjoyable, mellow rock music enhanced by Watase’s fun vocals.

To put into context during that time period, how Sakai Izumi’s vocals made you know who ZARD is, Watase Maki’s vocals are unique to LINDBERG.

The CD insert features the lyrics to the songs and photos of each individual member of the group.

I will always treasure this album because of “Datte Soujanai” and how the song just really made me call Japanese music stores in the US and actually hit and miss because I didn’t know the title of the track that I ended up buying other LINDBERG albums that Kinokuniya had in stock. But it was alright because it helped me enjoy their older music up to this album and definitely made me a fan of their musical work.

LINDBERG may not be around anymore (although Watase Maki was reported to make a return) and the songs still continue to be played at Japanese baseball games and are fan favorites during intermissions, their music continues to linger on for fans who will remember the band for its songwriting, Watase’s vocals and their fun approach to rock music and be one of the most recognizable rock bands that feature an all male rock band and a female lead singer.

There have been rock bands with female singers that have since emerged but there really hasn’t been the same type of band that manages to capture the enjoyability and style that I enjoyed from LINDBERG (and that goes for ZARD as well). These two bands from the musical style, especially how LINDBERG has transformed fashionably throughout the years, will always stick in my mind.

Overall, LINDBERG’s “EXTRA FLIGHT II” sticks in my mind as one of the cooler albums to get from the band and what they were able to accomplish in 1993 and besting other high profile bands at the time which was very cool to see. But moreso, watching the band at its peak in the early 90’s and showcasing their style of enjoyable rock music.

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