We Are Just Taking Off

By the time Sadistics made their second album, all four members had released records under their own names. Takanaka’s profile was rising fast, and Takahashi was joining YMO. The group identity may be less pronounced here, but the result is an open-ended session album: no single concept, just four musicians bringing their own compositions and ideas to the table.

There is plenty to take in. Strings gather around Takanaka’s vocal on ‘Close Your Eyes,’ while Haruko Kuwana’s husky voice gives ‘On the Seashore’ its pull. The album is full of supple, melodic moments. Sadistics recorded a live album soon afterward and then split up, leaving this relaxed second studio set as a particularly revealing snapshot of the band.