In the beginning of their career, Advantage Lucy went by the name Lucy Van Pelt. Their first release was cassette-only, but the group quickly got signed to God's Pop Records, before moving onto a major label deal with Toshiba EMI.
Now back on a small, independent label, Advantage Lucy continues to be one of the most recognizable and successful indie pop bands in Japan. So popular in fact, that Toshiba EMI released a "Best Of" for the band in 2001, a honor rarely bestowed on such bands in the US, for whom "Best Ofs" are usually reserved for aging rockers, corporate boardroom-produced boy bands, or the Britney Spears and Madonna types!
Advantage Lucy's pop is at times bubbling and bouncing, at other brooding and blue. In the songs' atmosphere, tempos, and melodies, they remind me of a Japanese-version of the Sundays. The powerful bass and drum section help keep their sound from sounding too weak, but the icing on the proverbial cake is the female vocalist, whose range and delivery is just amazing and helps make this band something beyond the ordinary.
Especially powerful are Advantage Lucy's recent works which benefit from excellent, clear recording, strong musical performances and songwriting. See Anzu no Kisetsu (杏の季節) and check out their website.
One of the founding members of Advantage Lucy, Fukumura, died recently. A message was posted on the band's website on 12/30/2003 talking poignantly about his death. It remains to be seen in what way, if any, Advantage Lucy will continue on musically together in the face of his death.
SCENE: unknown
GENRE: Indie Rock/Pop
WORKS:
Have a Good Journey: The Best of Advantage Lucy 1996-2000 Toshiba EMI, 2001
Kyou no kisetsu (杏の季節) CD ep Solaris Records, 2001
Oort Cloud CD ep Solaris Records, 2001
Station Toshiba EMI, 2000
Memai (めまい) CD ep Toshiba EMI, 2000
Kaze ni azukete (風にあずけて) CD ep Toshiba EMI, 1999
Fan fare (ファンファーレ) Toshiba EMI, 1999
Goodbye (グッバイ) CD ep Toshiba EMI, 1999
Hello Mate CD ep Toshiba EMI, 1998
Seatless (シトラス) Toshiba EMI, 1999
under Lucy Van Pelt name.....
Advantage Lucy CD ep God's Pop Records, 1998
In Harmony God's Pop Records, 1997
a string of songs on compilations are in between.
Red Bicycle 3 song, cassette release Clover Records
WEBSITE: