Tokyo Jihen’s first five albums have titles relating to types of television programming, “Sports” or “Variety” or “Adult.” The Shiina-Ringo-led group’s sixth album, though, is titled “Color Bars,” after the rainbow lines that grace the TV screen during technical difficulties or dead-air time. It’s a fitting title, as the band announced in early January they would be breaking up after a nearly nine-year-long career following a farewell tour that concludes in Tokyo on Feb. 29.
“Color Bars” does a good job summing up the group’s end. After a fruitful run, Jihen finishes on a lackluster and jarring note, in the form of a 20-minute mini-album that’s sonically all over the place. It’s a strange conclusion, but one featuring a few songs that should remind the Japanese music world what they will be losing.
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