To date, they have released 10 albums, 2 singles, 3 live albums, and 2 best of albums. They have also participated in numerous compilation albums.
Spangle call Lilli line's beginnings trace back to Otsubo and Fujieda, friends from art school, who began playing together in December of 1998. Sasahara and drummer Kabasawa, also friends from university, joined in 1999 and 2000, respectively. The band was christened "Spangle call" (the "Lilli Line" to come later), derived from a Japanese pronunciation of "spangle" ("supankooru," chosen for its sound), while the "call" was a continuation from the "kooru" of "supankooru."
Tokyo's Shimokitazawa district has continually been one of the hot spots for indie rock action, and over the past several years, numerous groups sporting a laid-back style have come to the forefront of the scene. Amongst these musicians (loosely grouped under downtempo), Spangle call Lilli line has arisen as one of the flagship bands.
In keeping with Spangle call's standard rock instrumentation, their style reaches well beyond downtempo, a relaxed and heavily electronic genre. While the band is often described as post-rock, their sound is more of a compromise between the two. Songs are not bound by verse-chorus convention, but drift lazily, guided by a light melody. The guitars and varied percussion together with numerous (and frequently spacey) electronic additions weave a sound that, while complex, flows very evenly. Otsubo Kana's wispy vocals contribute an organic piece to the melody as well, while adding to the relaxed atmosphere.
Their self-titled debut was issued in March of 2001 on P-Vine, a label known for electronic and jazz units including Date Course Pentagon Royal Garden and Otomo Yoshihide.
The band continued their trademark style through their third album, 2003's or, in which they aimed to consummate their established sound. The trying studio work leading up to or proved to be the band's breaking point, causing mental breakdowns in Otsubo and the February 2003 departure of their drummer, who had provided much of the creative direction for the album. With Kabasawa gone from the lineup, Spangle call was free to indulge in influences such as R&B, soul, and Motown that their drummer, who had an affinity for lo-fi and post-rock, did not favor.
These changes surfaced in Spangle call's April 2005 album Trace, which was nearly two years in the making (excluding their live release 68SCLL). With Trace, the members recount that they were looking to remove the excess from their music and sound like a new band, as if the album was their debut. The new release was indeed different from its predecessors, with a poppier, R&B style and tracks that were, on the whole, shorter than the usual Spangle call fare.
Shortly after Trace, the release of For Installation, more in tune with the band's classic style, ensued in June. The tracks are mostly comprised of studio outtakes, but according to Fujieda, "the feeling of the album will be clearly different" from that of Trace. Though nothing has been formally announced, the enterprising trio is gearing up for another release in the future.
Formed in Shimokitazawa District, Tokyo, Japan
From 1998-present
Rio
Spangle call Lilli line Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
ヒューズ超え ヒューズとの堤防
夢の通りは拓け歌う 全て ヒューズ超え
たいら 言えないと上面
夢に間に合っては ただフィーリング居合わせ
月に咲くどの判明リング 深みあった勇気にする今
俳味かさる ユリの意志 駆け出して安堵は
歪み指す浮遊 どう罪に色あせ変わる
溶けて幕 安堵は
伸ばしたルール どの甘い夕 どの淡い夕
伸ばしたルール
The song "Rio" by Spangle call Lilli line is a beautifully poetic and abstract expression of the emotions and experiences of life. The opening lines, "Sun of the radio, flowing, a paper bag arrives/ Beyond the fuses, the levee with fuses," suggest a sense of chaos and unpredictability, as if the world is constantly changing and shifting. The singer then sings about the need to break through barriers and obstacles to achieve their dreams, and the importance of going with your feelings rather than trying to force things. The phrase "All beyond the fuses" seems to encapsulate this idea, as if there is some transcendent force or energy that guides us beyond what we can understand.
The second verse of the song continues this theme of seeking and striving, with the lyrics "Every ring that blooms on the moon now becomes courage of depth" suggesting that even the smallest things can inspire us and give us the strength to carry on. The singer then sings about the power of will and the sense of relief that comes with taking action and moving forward. Finally, the song concludes with a hauntingly beautiful repetition of the phrase "Extended rule," as if the singer is celebrating the power and creativity that comes from breaking free of limitations and boundaries.
Overall, "Rio" is a deeply thoughtful and introspective song that explores the many challenges and joys of life. Through its evocative and poetic lyrics, it invites us to reflect on what it means to be human, and to embrace our own unique journeys.
Line by Line Meaning
砂のラジオ 流芸 紙バック届く
The radio made of sand receives a paper bag filled with flowing art.
ヒューズ超え ヒューズとの堤防
Crossing beyond the fuses and the embankments made of fuses.
夢の通りは拓け歌う 全て ヒューズ超え
The path of dreams can be paved by singing, overcoming all the fuses.
たいら 言えないと上面
If you can't say it directly, then just say it superficially.
夢に間に合っては ただフィーリング居合わせ
To make it in time for your dreams, you just need to have the right feeling.
月に咲くどの判明リング 深みあった勇気にする今
Every clear ringing that blooms in the moon becomes the courage that has deepened.
俳味かさる ユリの意志 駆け出して安堵は
The will of the lily, overflowing with poetic expression, runs forth and finds relief.
歪み指す浮遊 どう罪に色あせ変わる
The distortion that points to the floating world, how will it change color as a sin?
溶けて幕 安堵は
The curtain melted away and brought relief.
伸ばしたルール どの甘い夕 どの淡い夕
The stretched-out rules, every sweet and every fleeting evening.
Contributed by Lily M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.