Random Post for Anonymous # 4

So i have stumbled upon this site full of ridiculous 'real life' fucked up stories which has provided me with ample entertainment over the past week. Seriously. if you're having a bad day do check it out!

Fuck My Life

peace.

Kashiwa Daisuke - 5 Dec.

Gone are the modern classical and organic song structures of Program Music 1. So what comes next for a seemingly accomplished modern composer of reveered underground success? Daisuke has opted for the electronic side of the coin, and on this, his third full length he brings a contrast of sonic temptation for the music geek.

The album is, save from piano, an exhibition in electronic and glitch with heavy overtones and erratic beats. Often Daisuke weilds an assault of guitar solos - you'd think he'd spent his time away from the studio listening to nothing but Omar Rodriguez Lopez. Despite this his solos are harsh but well placed to display his craft as he balances out this beat laden almost glitch-core album with some beautiful pieces of manipulated piano-tronica sounding tracks.

Overall it is a departure from what we are familiar from Daisuke, but it marks a turning point for him and one that is well timed to bring him into a new phase of his already illustrious discography.

メリー - Modern Garde

Part One
Part Two

Merry's first real effort into the musical world is permeated with punk/pop sensibility's while adding flare with jazzy rhythms and intriguing vocal styles to rope the listener in for a whole 40 something minutes. I bought this record in Japan and have enjoyed it ever since.

Merry teater on the edge of emotional boundaries and artistic creativity which in essence makes this album the perfect record to feel guilty for listening to it, but at the same time to not care about what you're listneing to and just enjoy it. The drumming is fast and hectic while the lead guitar jangles in and around the vocalists unique singing style, while nifty basswork holds the whole thing tightly together.

World's End Girlfriend - Hurtbreak Wonderland

Maeda's work has a certain clutterdness that would put most people off even considering listneing to him. However, it is his frenetic and clumsy nature that brings out the true orignality of his work. His previous effort The Lie Lay Land to me was too hectic and all over the place - even for WEG, however i have come to this album and am stumped at it's beauty.

Maeda weaves strings with electronics to create a cacophonic and sparse aura of sound that come together and meet halfway between electronica and rock - kind of that space between one cliff and another - you know you will fall into the cravass - it's just what comes ot mind when it actually happens. This is what i feel with this music, it's confusing yet grabs you instantly by the balls and says you will enjoy this, no matter what. I don't know if you understand...but it's good stuff.

What i really liked about this record was the prominent use of the saxophone - it is such a versatile and emotional instrument and paired with sombre strings that Maeda uses to the enth degree is just mesmerising.

Aus - Antwarps

Dreamy soundscapes are accompanied by breakbeats and idm-esque electronics that create a serene and reflective piece of work. Unlike Kashiwa Daisuke and his narrative style Aus creates music that guides the listener on a journey of themselves - allowing them the freedom to digest the music and see what it envelops the individual in.

Perfect for contemplation, relaxation and reflexive thought - this album slows down the world around you and takes hold of space and time quite literally. Enjoy.

*Music News* Kashiwa Daisuke - 5. Dec

One of my ost anticipated releases of this year - Kashiwa Daisuke will follow up 2007's Program Music 1 with his new album due for release February 20th 2009.

Noble

"In his third album, “5 Dec.”, kashiwa daisuke makes yet another step into a new horizon. In this album, the artist’s signature melody with its flowing, oriental taste hides behind the shadows to be replaced by tearing voice samples and noisy and metallic guitar sounds thrashing almost violently on top of colorful uplifting beats such as break core, down tempo, bleep techno, and drum n’ bass. In contrast to the aggressive sounds of the first half, the second part of the album starting with the 6th track, “Silver Moon” guides audiences to a minimal world created through electronic sounds and the piano. As a whole, the album portrays a brilliant contrast of sound.

The melody of this album does not impose sentimentalism or nostalgia onto its listeners but rather, it takes them on a journey into rhythm from beginning to end. Even amidst the violent and excessive elements, there is always a composed eye seeing into the passion that lies beneath, there is a self-disciplined, strict interpretation of the world, a sublime and metallic texture… this is what the artist kashiwa daisuke may be all about. Turn your ears and experience the fruit of kashiwa daisuke’s new challenge and step with him into a whole new level of musical originality.

Mono - Walking Clouds and Deep Red Sky, Flag Fluttered and the Sun Shined

I'm not a Mono expert and this is the only album i have been exposed to, but damn is this thing beautiful. For a long time iv'e held off from listneing to any Mono material, and i don't know why. I was hesitant to delve into the Japanese Post-rock four piece because i thought they wouldn't really move me in anyway. I was wrong, i'll admit it right here.

The music itself is achingly beautiful - it takes it's time, but doesn't meander around for too long. I find automatic comparisons to Mogwai in the louder tracks - however they differ in that the use of strings invokes such vivid imagery during the album that makes it intensly mystifying. This album is a post-rock enthusiasts dream, especially of the GY!BE ilk - but there is plenty to be enjoyed by any music fan.

The Land of the Rising Sun

I have decided that all this month I will feature the brilliant and ever-emerging sounds being produced by Japanese artists and groups from both now and the past. The music scene is little known outside of the Japanese world however if you take time to look into the vast and wonderful aray of sounds being emitted from Japan you will not be dissapointed. I hope you enjoy all that is brought during this February. Cheers.