While determined to situate itself inside the same four walls as bedroom anti-extremists
Tomas Jirku and
Isan,
Casino Versus Japan's self-titled debut was incapable of overcoming its flaws, even if one considered the clearly intended emotional slant. Erik Kowalski was remarkably fluent in
Brian Eno slow-motion melodies, a careful orchestrator of deep ambience and subtle staccato. And the rain-soaked melancholy of the quite good "Blue Vacation" had some of the most discreet production of 1998. But the LP as a whole felt aimless instead of weightless, often too clean and atmospheric for its own ideas. ~ Dean Carlson