Album Description"There's no need to argue. Merzbow stands as the most influential figure in noise music." -- All Music Guide Merzbow's 13 Japanese Birds is a 13-month series of releases inspired by Olivier Messaien's Catalogue D'Oiseaux. Beginning in January 2009, one volume of 13 Japanese Birds will be released each month. The 13th and final volume will be released in January 2010. Each volume will be a one-time pressing of 1,000 copies, with cover art by Jenny Akita. Author, activist, painter, and sound artist Masami Akita has been at the foreground of experimental music for over 25 years. Inspired by psychedelic rock, free jazz, early electronic composition, and the physical arts--especially Kurt Schwitters' Merzbau-- Masami Akita has created a unique musical language.