After one listen to Uretakumo Nakunarutorika from Japanese psychedelic rangers LSD March and I can safely say that I'm glad that I was never seriously tempted to try acid growing up as a teenager. However, this avant-garde sounding outfit led by singer / guitarist Michishita Shinsuke sounds as if they've been trying to make a career out of tripping out and making music, unfortunately at the same time. On this eleven song collection released by the underground label Beta-lactam Ring Records Shinsuke is joined by Takahashi Ikuro (vocals, instruments) and Ricard Horner (voice, electronics).
The music is simplistic in nature and overall there is a disturbing, fractured feeling permeating throughout. Most of these compositions have such rudimentary drum beats that it sometimes doesn't even sound like the drummer is capable of keeping steady time, but maybe that's the whole idea. Bongos, electronic treatments and Shinsuke's abstract vocals and various guitar colorings comprise the groups sound. There are a few interesting ideas conveyed here though. For example the track "Ubena" has some interesting electronic effects and also highlights Shinsuke's spacey sounding guitar work, but unfortunately far too much of the material sounds like someone who is just getting familiar with his respective instruments. There are at least three tracks that consist of nothing but the same drum beat repeated ad nauseam, while "Kazukisenawa" is akin to running a whoopee cushion through an effects processor for seven minutes.
Maybe it's just me and this stuff is way over my head, but I can't honestly see how many people would be interested in these sonic experiments. This is like a bad film that should have been left on the cutting room floor.
Track Listing
1) Kumoitachikumo
2) Tatamikomo
3) Hokikuruhoshi
4) Aimakuramaku
5) Uzunisase
6) Hotumori
7) Ubena
8) Tawayagaina
9) Kazukisenawa
10) Warhayaenu
11 ) Kumoitachikumo Version 2.0
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