steering clear of the mainstream
since 2001

june 2010

review
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info opinion

Ayami Yo-ko

Self-Titled CDR

Public Eysore

Genres: avant folk, experimental

Bryan Day / PE
3803 S 25th St.
Omaha, NE 68107

May 26 - Jun 1 2003

Off-tune moaning over atonal guitars or the perfect pop album?  You tell me.

Ayami Yo-ko, whose real name is Satoru Kadowaki, is a guitarist and singer from Japan.  His style of music is deliberately experimental, his "songs" consist mainly of Japanese lyrics sung atonally over a bed of barely accessible guitarwork.  It's folk music for a different planet.  The heavy use of reverb suggests an almost ethereal atmosphere, but also seems to reference a sort of sixties aesthetic.  This psychedelic style is furthered by the few guitar solos, which almost sound like Blue Cheer stretched lengthwise almost to the point of breaking (especially the one in the latter half of "The Girl Wet in the Rain").

When you've had a long, hard day, and you just want to relax, this album will find its place.  Turn off all the lights, pop this disc into your stereo, lie back, and... HELLO AND WELCOME TO JUPITER.

I don't get it, but I like it.

82%

Matt Shimmer

[Vitals: 5 songs, distributed by the label, released 2002]