Lip Cream – Close To The Edge LP

**Ltd Orange Vinyl

LIP CREAMs third albumCLOSE TO THE EDGEwas released just one year later after the release of the legendary9 SHOCKS TERROR. This album is also a masterpiece packed with songs that represent the essence ofLIP CREAM.

This album differs slightly from the bands previous production style, with the band leader Minoru’s intentions strongly emphasized. Minoru was deeply influenced by the works of Go Nagai at the time, according to JhaJha, particularly in terms of ideology. He sought to fuse the apocalyptic themes and worldviews found in Nagai’s works, such as Devilman Mao Dante and Guerrilla High intoLIP CREAM‘s musical style.

The jacket artwork depicting a giant octopus swallowing the whole Earth, as well as the color palette evoking outer space, were all Minoru’s original concepts. The airbrush art, which was rare at the time, was created by illustrator Kohno Shinji. The title logo, handwritten band logo, overall layout, and label design were all handled by JhaJha.

TheCLOSE TO THE EDGErecordings took place on December 21, 22, and 23, 1987, and January 10, 1988, at Shinjuku JAM Studio. At this time,LIP CREAMwas going through a period of internal conflicts among the members, which may have contributed to the intense tension created by the harshness of the music and JhaJha’s unique choice of words in the lyrics.

The physical version of this album features an English translation of the lyric. However,LIP CREAMsincerely hopes that English-speaking listeners will also raise their fists and sing along to the phrases in Japanese. There is meaning in conveying the message in Japanese.