パイナップル4.9 - YAWA YAWA

YAWA YAWA is an album by the fantastic パイナップル4.9. they were an eerie psychedelic post-punk band that Stalking Duppi's C.PATERA described as being "almost like a no-wave band with all the nervous tension drained, leaving them diffused and skeletal". i'm not entirely sure if i agree with that or not, but i certainly see how it's possible. sometimes it does border on the sort of sound that bands like Non Band were working with; a fairly mellow, relaxed sort of no-wave.

this band deserves much more attention. if you enjoyed the likes of ウニタ・ミニマ and ルナパーク・アンサンブル then you'll probably like this. fans of ＬＩＢＩＤＯ might enjoy this, too, as it has the same sort of atmosphere.

p.s. i can't remember where i found this EP . . . i downloaded it a while back, but i wish i could remember.


1. Diamond Crack
2. 猿の山（幽霊は私の頭の中）
3. サバンナ
4. 神様
5. やわやわ


ENJOY

ＬＩＢＩＤＯ - RYU-SA

ＬＩＢＩＤＯ were an excellent post-punk band from the mid-80s. they released four albums, including an album on the brilliant Wechselbalg Syndicate label (that released such greats as SADIE SADS' Box With Little Doll, G-Schmitt's alternative garnet, Auto-Mod's Bible, and ＳＯＤＯＭ's Breaking Glass). this album, however, was released on the much more obscure LLE Label.

the songs presented here are all very long and aggressive, with a distinct strangeness. the sound is like almost nothing else i've ever heard. the sound is both dry and luscious at the same time, which is rather difficult to explain. it's almost like a mix of psychedelic and goth-rock.

fans of ＡＳＹＬＵＭ and YBO² should really enjoy this.

1.		「こんなにも自由だ」とあなたは・・・
2.		ここで このまま
3.		あまりにも疾く
4.		三日月
5.		流砂〜（水晶のように冷たい・・・）

ENJOY

YBO² - ALIENATION

Alienation is a 1996 album by YBO², a zeuhl (i think) band, formed in 1984. i'm actually not all that wild about zeuhl (and, i guess by extension, prog -- or perhaps it's the other way around), but this shit is delicious. it's thick, murky, and loud. it reminds me of Les Rallizes Denudes or Fushitsusha, or some of the other japanese psychedelic bands of the 1970s.

i don't really have anything else to compare it to, but i know that if you like the japanese psychedelic movement of the 1970s then you'll most certainly like this.


1. America
2. 猟奇歌
3. Boys Of Bedlam
4. To Be (帝国の逆襲)
5. Heavy Waters
6. Ural


ENJOY

JOJO広重 - このまま死んでしまいたい

JOJO広重 is most well known for being the leader of legendary noise unit Hijokaidan (who i have argued, in the past, were most likely the founder of modern noise). he also has a fantastic (and still active) solo career. this album is from his solo career.

to me, it sounds like a much more structured Viva Angel, which is already Hijokaidan's most accessible release to date. it's different in that it has cleaner production. it does retain the psychedelic sound, à la Les Rallizes Denudes or Fushitsusha, but the guitars are not layered in mountains of feedback and static.

a really fantastic album that my friend Avarance- was kind enough to share with me. i hadn't been able to find it until he gave it to me, so i am indebted to him. he also shared some Sai Yoshiko, which i shall upload at a later date.



1. なんでもいいからヤッちまえ
2. 神よ
3. 生きていることが罪になる
4. ダメ人間
5. 締観
6. 三月の雪
7. 死にたいだけ


ENJOY

静香 - 天界のペルソナ

静香 was a psychedelic/acid folk band from the 1980s and 1990s. this, 天界のペルソナ, was their first album. this is more depressing music from japan. shizuka miura's (who the band is named after)vocals are a gentle, sympathetic voice stretched out over the slow guitars and violins.

the two stand out tracks are the last two. the violins on "水晶の翼" are so poignant and full of distress. truly beautiful. this track is the perfect build up for the even slower "6グラムの星". this is the final crushing blow of regret on such a lovely, emotional album. the ten minute track really picks up around the eight minute mark when the distorted electric guitar kicks in.

truly one of my all time favorite albums. a must for any fan of sad japanese psychedelic music.

(of some interest; shizuka miura commited suicide february 2nd of this year.)


1. 十
2. パンドラの匣
3. 少女の唇に蝶よとまれ
4. 孤独を図る
5. 血まみれの華
6. 水晶の翼
7. 6グラムの星


ENJOY