Neo Fascio

Neo Fascio
Studio album by
ReleasedSeptember 27, 1989
GenreRock, pop
Length46:10
LabelToshiba-EMI
ProducerMasahide Sakuma
Kyosuke Himuro chronology
Flowers for Algernon
(1988)
Neo Fascio
(1989)
Higher Self
(1991)

Neo Fascio is the second album by Japanese singer Kyosuke Himuro. The album explores the theme of fascism through music, emphasizing the dangers associated with it.

Musicality and Themes

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The concept work for the album was inspired by the song "Hitori Fascism" with lyrics by Shigeru Izumiya from his previous album Flowers for Algernon. Around the same time, after watching the film "Pink Floyd: The Wall," Himuro was deeply moved and formed a strong belief in the close connection between rock music and fascism. A particular scene that caught his attention was the imitation of Hitler's speech at the Nazi party convention, to which Himuro became truly appalled by the acts committed by the Nazi Party.[1][2] Himuro wanted to express the brazen diffusion effects Hitler's speeches had on the masses throughout his music and concerts.

Himuro was also influenced by the worldview of George Orwell's novel "1984" as well as David Bowie's interpretation of 1984 through his album Diamond Dogs[3]

Due to the difficult theme in fascism and the taboo nature of it dealing with someone like Adolf Hitler, it is a concept album. "Maybe it won't sell. However, I want to focus on something more important than the result of that." said Himuro.[4] Director Jiro Koyasu, who heard about the theme, said that normally it would be difficult to sell this kind of work, but at the time Himuro did not see it as a major problem because he had built up a relationship of trust with fans.[1]

Track listing

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  1. Overture
  2. Neo Fascio
  3. Escape
  4. Charisma
  5. Cool
  6. Summer Game
  7. Rhapsody in Red
  8. Misty
  9. Camouflage
  10. Calling
  11. Love Song

Singles

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  • Summer Game — #1
  • Misty — #2

References

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  1. ^ a b "氷室京介が自己表現を確立するまで 当時のディレクターが回想 | Rolling Stone Japan(ローリングストーン ジャパン)". Rolling Stone Japan (in Japanese). 2020-11-20. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
  2. ^ 『ぴあMOOK 氷室京介ぴあ 完全保存版! 25th Anniversary Special Book』、ぴあ、2013年9月20日、12 - 15頁、ISBN 9784835622439。
  3. ^ アルバム『ダイアモンドの犬』(1974年)収録。
  4. ^ PATi PATi 1992 , p. 144- From Konmachito "Ring the 7th Bell! VOL.2 Another MASTER PIECE"