Jad Fair has been making his own unique brand of Half Japanese low-fi alternative art punk since as far back as 1975. The band has certainly come a long way from the days when it included brother David alternately helping out on a small drum kit, vocals and an out-of-tune, distorted guitar, but just barely. And that’s a good thing. With most of today’s popular music seemingly obsessed with polish and precision it’s thoroughly refreshing to hear something as deceptively simple, straightforward and whimsical as Hear The Lions Roar, the 16th Half Japanese album in a recording career now it it’s 40th year.
Rating: 8/10
