Lovers on the Shore
From Clumsy Media
"Lovers on the Shore" is the second studio album but the first major label debut by Japanese indie rock band Sweetheart Shore, released on January 11, 2013 by Clumsy Media. The band started working on the album in 2011 and finished it in March 2012. All of the songs on the album were produced by the band themselves, especially vocal Flora and leader drummer Tim who also worked prominently on the band's debut album Sweethearts (2009).
The album received acclaim from music critics, who drew comparisons to legendary bands such as Scarf and Tongari Kids, while also praising the instrumentation, Flora's vocals and the production of the songs. As a critical success, it appeared on several year-end critics' lists in late 2013. Lovers on the Shore debuted at number one on the Oricorn Weekly Music Chart, becoming the band's second consecutive number-one album in Japan. It also debuted at number one on the iTunes Japan Albums Chart and peaked at number six on the 2012 Oricorn Yearly Albums chart.
To date, two singles have been released from the album. "ハナレイ・ベイ" was released on February 17, 2013 as a teaser for the album, along with a music video. "海岸で日の出" was released on February 21, a day before the full album release, as the album's official lead single, becoming one of the band's most commercially successful singles to date, peaking at the top across all music charts upon release. Lovers on the Shore was also promoted by the band's first nation tour, Sweethearts on the Shore Tour (2013–14).
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Background Information
Type: Normal Full Album TYPE A
Sale Date: February 22, 2013
Price: US $15.00
Producing: Clumsy Media
Album Information
The album attracted great attention as it has been revealed to be completely produced by the members themselves, from statring melodies, lyrics right down to the finishing touches.
Reception
Critical Response
Lovers on the Shore received great critical acclaim from critics in Japan. At MTV the album was chosen as one of the best ten albums by a band in the past decade and the best band debut in a long time. Teen monthly magazine Popteen states that Flora is the 'soul to the band' and labelled her as 'the voice that will take over the Japanese band scene from now on'.
Many pointed out it's rare to see a band setting sight on a clear musical direction and style so early in its career and even more appreciating is the fact they're doing it right.
Commerical Performance
Upon release the album peaked on all major music charts in Japan, making it best debut by a band in 2013. The band was able to win five times on Music Station. The album debuted at number one on the Oricorn Weekly Music Chart, becoming the band's second consecutive number-one album in Japan. It also debuted at number one on the iTunes Japan Albums Chart and peaked at number six on the 2013 Oricorn Yearly Albums chart. In the following monthly charts performance the album was able to stay in the top ten for a consecutive of nine months, establishing another new record by a debut band in six years. It stayed on the chart for a full year before sliding down the list.
In particular the album was released in Korea digitally a month after its Japanese release and received explosive reaction in the indie music scene - a popular genre for the Korean audiences.
Track listing
Disc 1
1. こんにちは (Hello)
2. 孤独な散歩 (Lonely Walks)
3. ハナレイ・ベイ (Hanalei Bay)
4. サイレント少年 (Silent Boy)
5. 蜂蜜恋人 (Honey Lover)
Disc 2
6. そっと (Softly Does It)
7. 海岸で日の出 (Sunrise by the Shore)
8. 情熱的な約束 (Passionate Promises)
9. ある夜ボンド (One Night Bondings)
10. 愛をマッピング (Love Mapping)
