Yuji Oniki’s Tvi is a calming mix of ’80s adult contemporary and Japanese-flavored pop. Obviously, this sounds as though it makes for a strange 13-song album but, surprisingly, Oniki’s voice is reassuring, strong, and carries each tune home safely. With a wide array of helpers, including members of Beulah and Guided By Voices, Tvi is quite a rarity, as Oniki not only writes the songs on the album but also arranges them for the entire band. Much of the album contains a brilliantly warm feeling, and is excellent toe-tapping material. Oniki is by no means a musical genius, nor is Tvi going to finish in any critic’s top ten albums of the year, but in a day and age where quality releases seem hard to find, this is by all means a great exception to the rule. – Kurt Morris
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