Mood Swings II

Mood Swings II is a reconstruction-type work on which Harem Scarem re-illuminates the songs of the classic Mood Swings through the current band’s playing and the latest production. Rather than merely tracing past classics, by carefully reinterpreting them with a mature voice, modern sound pressure and a refined arrangement sense at the time of recording, it is a record on which the sure change and growth the band achieved over long years can be clearly confirmed. More than subtle differences of tempo and key, the current image of the band strongly appears precisely in the details of the playing — how the choruses are layered, the distance of the guitar and how the rhythm sinks. For fans who know the original version deeply, noting not merely nostalgia but the differences of interpretation — which parts the band re-emphasizes and how — becomes a great pleasure. An intriguing project work with a different kind of interest from the fresh surprise of a new album. It also serves as a fine entry for looking back on an important milestone of one’s career. Reaffirming the signature songs while letting you read how Harem Scarem organizes and re-grasps its rich history, it is a valuable record where a veteran’s ease shines.