Album Review: Kagero creates romantic 'Japanese Gypsy Rock'

Kagero- Japanese Gypsy Rock
Electroacoustic/ Flamenco/Rock
Brooklyn, NY
Unsigned

DOWNLOAD: Kagero- My Little Bonita

For fans of: Gogol Bordello, Jose Gonzalez, Acacia Orchestra, gypsy rock

Kagero sounds good. That's no exaggeration. The all-Japanese trio play a style of music that one may not expect. Their debut album, Japanese Gypsy Rock, also an apt description for them highlights the band's diverse influences. They create a concocation of pretty music. Music you can slow dance to. Music you can kiss to. Music you can fall in love with. Romantic music. This romantic tone is apparent in the first song "My Little Bonita." Singer Rob sings "I'm still crazy for you." Short and simple. The words radiate closely to your heart. The acoustic and violin is sweet. The vocals are lovely and crisp. The song is definitely bonita (beautiful). If you like flamenco and Gogol Bordello, then this band is for you! Every song is a gem. The album is available on the band's website here. 

If this sounds like the kind of band you want to see, check them out this Thursday, Aug. 26th at The Saint in Asbury Park, NJ with Psychedelphia. 601 Main St, Asbury Park, NJ 07712. 8pm. $8, $13. 18+.  Advance tickets available here. 

Band line-up and tracklisting below. 

Bern & the Brights / Kagero Tour (NYC, CT, ME) April 14-17

Montclair's Bern & The Brights and Brooklyn's Kagero are hitting the road for a 3-day tour from April 15-17. The tour features the sultry, romantic nerd-rock from Bern & the Brights and the Japanese gypsy rock of Kagero. Together the two are bound to delight. Although slightly different sounds, both acts feature beautiful violin.

The tour for Bern & the Brights comes after opening for Rhett Miller at Mexicali Live in Teaneck, being the feature performer for 101.9 RXP's "Pull the Plug" showcase, and being an Aquarian Weekly 2010 'On the Verge' band. The 5-piece who frequently perform in NJ and NYC weekly, gathering a fan-base known as 'The Lights Brigade' will take their live show to Connecticut and Maine.

Kagero pulls in influences and rhythms from Asia, the Middle east, South America, and eastern Europe for a self-described "Japanese gypsy rock" sound that is infused with a folk edge, and dance sensibility. This trio has an interesting musicianship that you simply have to hear.