Degree 28
E. A Solinas | MD USA | 10/24/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Experimental glitchpop is one of those things that takes a lot of effort and skill to get right -- it can deteriorate into a frothing, brain-mashing mess if you're not careful. I've been the victim of some really bad glitchpop, and my eyes are still twitching.
Fortunately Aoki Takamasa and Tujiko Noriko get glitchpop right in their "28" album, which is a sort of glitchy sonic mosaic. Fragments of sound are shattered and fitted together, into delicately strange melodies that take a little while to really get used to. But it's worth it.
The wobbling keyboard of the opener, "Fly 2," is not going to inspire confidence. But to really "get" the song, just sit and listen to the waves of synth, the murmuring vocals, and the sputters of staticky sound that fizz up every ten seconds. Slowly these weird little sounds begin to coalesce, and become a loosely-strung little electronic song.
Having gotten listeners used to their sound, Takamasa and Noriko dabble in ominous sci-fi music, smooth ballads with wavery electronica, sweet ballads flavoured with glitchy flashes, and spoken-word lyrics over a series of blips and pops. It finishes off with "NOLICOM," a surprisingly stately melody that is repeatedly interrupted, as if an old vinyl record were skipping.
"28" is not an album you'll be able to sink into right away. Listeners might have to replay the songs a few times, or if they're used to glitchpop a la Autechre, they might be able to hear the intimate, sparkling songs that are only enhanced by having these little pops overlaid on them.
Despite being entirely electronic, "28" has a very warm, natural feel. The background music is very soft and flowing, and even less melodious songs like "26th Floor" sound a bit like a drum machine. There are a few moments of weirdness, though -- like the end of "When the Night Comes," which sounds like a male choir and clashing garbage cans.
Almost all the vocals are in Japanese, except for Norika whispering, "last night I was..." and then leaving us hanging. Can't help but wonder what she was doing. But her wandering vocals are very pretty and pure, and her murmurs often melt into the music like another instrument.
Sadly many people will consider the combo of Japanese vocals and glitchpop to be "weird," but this is anything but weird. Once you get into it, you'll find quiet, intimate little songs made of fragmented keyboard pop."
This will grow on you...
Eon Fontes May | Northampton, MA USA | 03/03/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I love Tujiko Noriko, so I picked this up as soon as it was released, tossed it in the stereo at work, and barely even noticed it for the next forty minutes or so. Then I got home, put it on, and AGAIN I could barely pay attention to it. It was too unobtrusive and I stuck it on my shelf.
Good thing I picked it up again six months later. Now it's on heavy rotation, and the more I listen to it, the more I like it. Individually, the songs aren't exactly compelling, but once you get into it, you realize how well this album really flows. It's soothing and relaxing and will make you bob your head, although you won't exactly be humming the tunes afterwards. Overall, it's a pretty rad collaboration, just be sure to give it a few listens to let it sink in."
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1