A classic. Interior was first released on Yen Records, then later issued on Windham Hill with two of the more post-punky tracks omitted, and the addition of the excellent “Hot Beach.” Confusingly, both the artist and album title are written as “Interiors” in several of the later pressings, and when you try to purchase the mp3s on Amazon it presents you with an unrelated album by “The Interiors.” Because of the un-googleability of the album title, I’m not actually sure if there’s a current version for sale anywhere–please let me know if you know. The version you can download here includes all tracks from both the Yen and Windham Hill releases. As an aside, the group’s lineup includes Toshifumi Hinata‘s brother, Daisuke Hinata.
Having said all that, holy cow, whadda record. This seems to have one of the stronger cult followings of the Yen catalogue, and with good reason. Still feels bonkers that this came out in 1982. It’s about as icy slick as they come, with a synthetic veneer that steers just clear of being too cheesy. As the name would suggest, it’s particularly evocative of certain spaces: Hyatt lobbies, futuristic elevators, waiting rooms. (The cover art for the Windham Hill pressings seems well aware of that, er, interiority.) There’s enough acoustic guitar and piano to ensure that you can’t forget you’re listening to a Windham Hill release, although I don’t entirely follow the insistent categorization of the record as “new age”–it’s too plump and plastic, too winking and too done up. (All good things.) I can’t really think of anyone who wouldn’t like this. Enjoy!
nice one, thanks Jen x
Fantastic album, already in the Windham Hill version (I'll check the other tracks now, thanks a lot for uploading them!). Funny the way both Hinata brothers created excellent instrumental music but in rather different styles… (for the ones who don't know Toshifumi's absolutely gorgeous Reality in Love, it's in this blessed blog as well).
In a way it's an elegant, less cheesy distant relative of Group 87's debut – sleek, catchy at times, more refined than what you would expect of instrumental rock or pop music. The very spare arrangements almost bring The Blue Nile's debut album to mind as well.
I loved your comment. Interior: Great piece of work. Masterpiece.
Hi, any chance you could repost the upload – getting access forbidden.
link has been updated, thanks for letting me know–it’s here: https://www115.zippyshare.com/v/kIHyIcxu/file.html
Any chance of refreshing the link please? I’m a bit obsessed with this album at the moment…discovered it in a YMO YouTube wormhole. Absolutely wonderful stuff.
hi paulie, download link still seems to be working fine! many parts of europe and the UK have blocked zippyshare; if you’re there i’m told you can download tor to get around it or you can download opera and use its built in VPN. also definitely consider downloading an adblocker if you haven’t already, as it makes navigating zippyshare (and the internet in general) way more pleasant. hope that helps!
It really does, thanks Jen! 🙂
Great album, bought the original vinyl. A lesson in naming your band and album, right? Almost as bad as the great power pop masterpiece from 1972 “Album” …band name “Song”.
Good luck finding that glorious one off release. Might help to search Mickey Rooney Jr. who played in the band before he went Christoid nuts.
Thanks for this! Noticed track 4 is only 211 kbps, while the rest is 320.
The download link no longer works … what a pity. This music is masterpiece.