One of the more interesting developments in Japanese rock music over the last three or four years is the outfit Soutaiseiriron becoming a major point of inspiration for bands both big and small. High To Low are one of the better outfits this year to have clearly studied the group’s speak-sing and approach to guitar playing, and they pull it off well on “Hong Kong 17:00,” a shifty number that really hits its stride come the chorus, when the lead vocals soar up. Next step is poking around this sound for something that is all their own, but this is a solid first step, and better than a lot of imitators out there. Listen above.
