Album 0162: Fantastic Plastic Machine – Beautiful

Release Date: 2001
Genre: Electronica

Tracklisting:

1. I Am Beautiful (00:04)
2. Beautiful Days (04:29)
3. Paragon (05:10)
4. Love Is Psychedelic (05:59)
5. On A Chair (06:17)
6. Whistle Song (08:02)
7. One Minute Of Love (00:59)
8. Todos Os Desejos (07:28)
9. I’m Still A Simple Man (04:40)
10. Black Dada (03:59)
11. God Save The Mona Lisa (05:12)
12. Beautiful Days (Reprise) (04:19)
13. Take Me To The Disco (06:26)

Total Length: 01:03:06

I Am Beautiful is a very tiny intro of a woman saying the words of the track title. Beautiful Days is a neat, fairly jazzy piece using two singers. It’s cool to listen to. Paragon is a bit more on the electronic side, messing around with sounds and it’s neat but just a touch too long. Love Is Psychedelic is an odd track where a guy kind of tells a story over fairly neat backing music. Again it goes on too long for me. On A Chair is of the more instrumental variety and it is a good bit of fun.

Whistle Song utilizes more flutes than whistles, which are in the background, but I can forgive that because it is a good song. It wouldn’t sound out of place in a Katamari game, which is usually a good sign. Again, the common problem here is that the song overstays its welcome in my opinion. One Minute Of Love is almost exactly one minute, and it is one of the few tracks on here that I wish went longer than it does last. Tosos Os Desejos is pleasing to the ear I suppose but I just don’t really care for it. I’m Still A Simple Man is a pretty neat, disco/jazz piece. I enjoy it.

Black Dada is an incredible, chill piece. I love every second of it except for maybe the cheesy samples. God Save The Mona Lisa is alright, it doesn’t really do much for me. Beautiful Days (Reprise) isn’t as good as the first time around, and the part where they repeat the word “beautiful” over and over is a really odd sensation. Take Me To The Disco is a bonus track, and as the name suggests it is a disco song. It’s not the best thing ever made, but it’s a fine enough song. A bit long, once again. There are a couple things on here I really enjoy and the album never entirely bothers me, so all in all it is a very solid album.

Final Rating: 7.5/10

Album 0012: Fantastic Plastic Machine – FPM

Release Date: 2009
Genre: House

Tracklisting:

1. If You Do, I Do (威風堂々) (04:00)
2. Without You (05:12)
3. I Think (04:43)
4. Hey Ladies (02:26)
5. Can’t You Feel It? (03:56)
6. Forever Mine (06:37)
7. Madness (06:55)
8. Sex (07:12)
9. Alphabet (05:56)
10. Telephone & Whisker (05:57)
11. No Matter What Others Say (05:19)
12. Ai No Yume (06:51)

Total Length: 01:05:05

If You Do, I Do (威風堂々) is just a fantastic song overall. Everyone should listen to it. I have a friend that doesn’t like the ending, as it is kind of an odd transition into the Star Spangled Banner, but the rest of the song makes up for it. Without You is just as awesome, the vocals and lyrics are good and the backing music is fun. I Think is in a similar vein and is pretty fun, but not quite as good.

Hey Ladies is a fun short little track, but nothing special, plus the stuttering makes me think my hard drive is having issues. Can’t You Feel It? starts off very cool, I’m not a fan of the backing vocals, but the lead vocal definitely saves it. Forever Mine starts the section of the album that is not as appealing to me. I think the song goes on a bit too long, but it’s alright.

Madness also goes on way too long, but isn’t near as appealing. Sex is the worst case scenario, it’s long and holds absolutely no appeal for me. Alphabet is better, and an alright concept, but once more goes on just a bit too long. Telephone & Whiskey is pretty cool, which gets me out of the funk the last few songs put me in.

No Matter What Others Say is very good, but kind of annoys me when I listen too closely. I know I shouldn’t judge the song based on it, but the pronunciation they use on the chorus can get on my nerves. Ai No Yume is very cool, and a perfect way to end the album. It’s nice and calm, the piano is cool to hear, and is just a great track overall. If it wasn’t for that middle section (and that section being the longest of the album) I would definitely love this. As it stands, I love certain tracks, but getting through the entire album is a tougher process.

Final Rating: 6.5/10