The Cultural Significance of Yellow Magic Orchestra's "Solid State Survivor" in Japan

Yellow Magic Orchestra's Solid State Survivor, released in 1979, is a seminal album in the history of electronic music. The Japanese group, consisting of Haruomi Hosono, Ryuichi Sakamoto, and Yukihiro Takahashi, combined elements of synth-pop, funk, and disco to create a unique sound that would influence countless artists in the years to come. One of the main appeals of Solid State Survivor is its infectious energy. The album is filled with catchy hooks, pulsating rhythms, and a sense of playfulness that is hard to resist. From the opening track, "Technopolis," with its driving beat and futuristic lyrics, to the infectious "Rydeen," which expertly blends traditional Japanese melodies with electronic sounds, the album grabs the listener's attention and never lets go. One of the standout tracks on Solid State Survivor is "Behind the Mask," a song that would go on to become one of Yellow Magic Orchestra's most recognizable hits.

Solid State Survivor (Japan Import)

There was a later variant of the obi strip that added the catalog numbers for the cassette versions of the promoted albums in addition to Solid State Survivor s, with an image of its cassette cover design. Even the instrumental pieces which dominate the record carry this same alternation between optimism and pessimism, which combined with the lyrics results in an album whose view of the future is highly cautious, showing enthusiasm about the great potential offered by the contemporary tech boom before immediately being forced to confront the reality of what ll result from the inevitable bad actors who abuse it.

One of the standout tracks on Solid State Survivor is "Behind the Mask," a song that would go on to become one of Yellow Magic Orchestra's most recognizable hits. With its catchy melody and innovative use of vocoder effects, "Behind the Mask" is a prime example of the group's ability to bridge the gap between technology and human emotion. Another highlight of the album is the epic "Absolute Ego Dance," a nearly 13-minute-long journey through different musical styles and moods.

Yellow magic orchestra solid state survivor

Yellow Magic Orchestra

Solid State Survivor (Japan Import)

Label: Alfa
Catalog: ALR-6022
Year: 1980
Media Condition: Very Good Plus (VG+)
Sleeve Condition: Very Good Plus (VG+)
Comes with original Obi and insert. Japan Import.

• Art Direction – Heikichi Harata*
• Bass, Keyboards, Voice – Haruomi Hosono
• Composed By, Arranged By, Performer – Yellow Magic Orchestra
• Coordinator [Recording Coordinator] – Akira Ikuta* , Masako Hikasa
• Design Concept [Cover Conception] – Yellow Magic Orchestra
• Design [Clothes] – Bricks (3)
• Design [Costume Design] – Yukihiro Takahashi
• Design [Hair (Clip)] – Mikio Honda
• Design [Stylist] – Fumiko Iwura , Mayo Tsutsumi , Takehime
• Drums, Vocals – Yukihiro Takahashi
• Engineer – Mitsuo Koike , Norio Yoshizawa
• Executive-Producer – Kuni Murai* , Shoro Kawazoe
• Keyboards, Voice – Ryuichi Sakamoto
• Lyrics By – Chris Mosdell
• Mixed By [Remix] – Mitsuo Koike , Yellow Magic Orchestra
• Photography By – Masayoshi Sukita
• Producer – Alfa Records, Inc. , Haruomi Hosono
• Programmed By [Computer] – Hideki Matsutake
• Typography [Logo Type] – Lou Beach

Yellow Magic Orchestra's second studio album. Released with obi strip and printed inner sleeve. This is the 5th vinyl version.

Solid State Survivor, released in 1979 through Alfa Records, is the second studio album by Japanese Synth-Pop supergroup Yellow Magic Orchestra. By all accounts, it's not one that the band themselves ever expected to make, given that their self-titled debut from the year prior was meant to be a one-off. However, the international success of that motivated them to turn the project into a full-time act, resulting in the creation of a sophomore album.

The track showcases Yellow Magic Orchestra's proficiency as musicians and their willingness to experiment with new sounds and ideas. Solid State Survivor was a commercial success in Japan, reaching the top of the charts and selling over half a million copies. It also gained recognition internationally, with many critics praising its innovative sound and production techniques. The album's impact on the future of music cannot be overstated. Yellow Magic Orchestra's fusion of electronic and pop sounds paved the way for the rise of synth-pop in the 1980s and influenced artists such as Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys, and Kraftwerk. In conclusion, Yellow Magic Orchestra's Solid State Survivor is a groundbreaking album that showcases the group's unique blend of electronic and pop music. Its infectious energy, catchy melodies, and innovative production techniques make it a timeless classic that continues to inspire and influence musicians to this day..

Reviews for "The Futuristic Aesthetic of Yellow Magic Orchestra's "Solid State Survivor" Album Art"

1. Mary - 2/5

I found "Yellow Magic Orchestra Solid State Survivor" to be quite underwhelming. While I appreciate their experimental approach to music, this album felt disjointed and lacked cohesiveness. The combination of electronic and traditional elements didn't blend well together for me, resulting in a confusing and unenjoyable listening experience. The vocals were also lackluster, failing to capture my attention or evoke any emotion. Overall, I was disappointed with this album and it didn't live up to my expectations.

2. John - 1/5

"Yellow Magic Orchestra Solid State Survivor" is a complete mess in my opinion. The songs sound like a random assortment of noises with no structure or purpose. It's as if they took a bunch of sounds, threw them together, and called it music. The production quality is poor, and the whole album feels amateurish. The lack of memorable melodies or hooks makes it difficult to engage with the music and leaves me feeling unsatisfied. I simply couldn't find anything redeeming about this album and would not recommend it to anyone.

3. Sarah - 2/5

I'm all for experimentation, but "Yellow Magic Orchestra Solid State Survivor" missed the mark for me. The quirky electronic sound and unconventional song structures didn't resonate with my musical taste. I found it hard to connect with the music on an emotional level, as it lacked depth and substance. The constant use of repetitive and monotonous beats became tiresome after a while, making the album feel stagnant. While there were moments of potential, overall, this album failed to capture my interest and left me wanting more.

The Musical Innovations of Yellow Magic Orchestra's "Solid State Survivor