Scoring new music
(That’s “scoring” in the “weed” sense, not the “sheet music” sense.)
During the interregnum between semesters, I made three major music finds.
- Pe’z, “Kiwamari Zuki.” This is the new Pe’z album, and it’s just as brilliant and manic as their first album. It includes what Jake (or Julia, perhaps) accurately described as “getaway music” along with some slower, more powerful arrangements. There are one or two interesting experimental tracks, and a bonus single CD with a live performance on it. I paid full new price for this, and it was a good buy.
- Go!Go!7188—these kids are nuts. They’re a power trio fronted by two girls who list Shena Ringo and Judy and Mary as some of their major influences. Alright, girls, you’ve got my attention. I picked up an EP of them covering other stuff, and to describe their rendition of the Cutey Honey theme, the word “sexy” would not be remiss. Also “bad-ass.”
- The heavyweight find, Shena Ringo’s “Electric Mole” DVD. I am ashamed to admit that I hadn’t appreciated her newest album, and my interest in this particular goddess of rock had faded somewhat. Oh me of little faith! “Electric Mole” is a concert at the Budokan in which Ms. Shena reminds us all exactly who the best goddamn rock artist alive is. She performs songs from all of her albums, and even some B-sides, only slightly favoring her newer work—and that newer work represents the high point of the concert. After watching this DVD, I went back and listened to the “Kurinohana” album and was floored. It all made sense. And lest one be tempted to describe it as “experimental,” nay! She knows exactly what she is doing.
It’s been a great, perhaps epic few weeks for music over here in my world.