« Easing Back in... | Main | Introducing 'The shillest' »

November 27, 2006

Asobi Seksu - Live @ Larimer Lounge, Denver, CO 11.18.2006

I have always suspected critics' most detrimental reviews are written ahead of music actually reaching their ears. While I have no way of proving this theory, and I would eagerly accept suggestions that debunk me, I believe that a measurable percentage of critics consistently practice the type of reprehensible journalism my conspiracy rich imagination allows me to concoct. One would really have to try hard to get caught writing a review for a Rolling Stones concert that they didn't attend. Sprinkle in the obligatory walking dead mentions, adjective synonyms for awe at Jagger's still swaying hips and Reynolds-wrap it with a longing to witness the band 30 years ago and voila! Ready for print.

For a band like Asobi Seksu a fake-journalist (apologies to Stewart, Colbert, Poehler, etc.) needs to spend just a few minutes researching the Internet for factoids forming the outline of which to write from. Sharp ironic wit is added for humor and flow, and before you know it - a tale is spun invoking My Bloody Valentine, and the country of Japan for a far fetched sidebar on how the Lost in Translation soundtrack fed the roots in which Asobi Seksu was born from. At best a conceptualized fantasy linking together accessible references for word count requirement fluffage. At worst, a lame myth created out of bullshit in which the band fights off the rest of their careers. Wikipedia entries ta-boot.

No proof exists that Sofia Coppola's inclusion of My Bloody Valentine in her film has any historical significance to the formation of Asobi Seksu. For me to even jokingly insinuate the possibility is irresponsible and I am sorry. As far as I know the members of Asobi Seksu, which roughly translates to "Playful Sex" in Japanese, have never even seen the film or heard it's music. The crutch of a music writer in post-millennium times may be the ubiquitous descriptive reference to MBV anytime a band performs an array of unearthly sounds. Usually all at once.

I propose a new rule to stop doing this immediately, or at least slow the flood. If the shoegaze argument needs to be made for Asobi Seksu, by all means lets go to the town square and debate. However, the standard bearers of the genre do not need a cameo with every mention of new bands moving into the neighborhood. [Ed. note - One of our podcasts distilled the issue very well. See Jeff's notes on why the shoegaze tag may be too liberal for Asobi Seksu.]

Armed with competent knowledge of Asobi Seksu (and infuriating blog-talk) I checked out the Larimer show on the Saturday night before Thanksgiving. Repeated spins of Citrus impressed an urgent anxiousness in the music. The un-comforting sounds that only quasi-experimental arrangements provide. Slicing through the meandering drone of classic shoegaze theory is the voice of main vocalist Yuki Chikudate. Sweetening the themes of Asobi Seksu with pipes of saccharine, Chikudate's voice tightropes over the battering of keyboards, guitars and drums in such a measured and peaceful manner that the sonic barrage is equalized for pop worthy consumption. Whether wailing or fluttering it is powerful, and always ethereal.

Curious with how the well developed production of Citrus would be arranged for a live show, the audience didn't know exactly what to expect when the petite and stylish Chikudate led her band mates from behind a keyboard deck into a Saturday night in Denver. What followed was a tight performance nailing the point home regarding the aforementioned shoegaze pigeonholing. Satisfying both pre-show questions and the obvious needs for entertainment, Asobi Seksu delivered the goods in a short 45 minute set. The virtues of band practice paying off once again.

During the show I was asked by a friend who is somewhat familiar with the music if I knew the singer sang in Japanese. I answered affirmatively and my mind immediately focused on the integral voice of Chikudate. Whether she sings in English or Japanese, her inflection is softly subtle and vague enough in it's enunciation that a listener may not realize a language swap is occurring. Rehashing shoegaze meanderings via vocals? Up for debate.

After the jump - more pics, tour dates, and leftover stuffing.

Posted by Merry Swankster at November 27, 2006 01:15 PM

Trackback Pings

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.merryswankster.com/movabletype/mt-tb.cgi/561

Comments

Post a comment