RECOMMENDED

Much like that Howling Gruel LP that showed up here last month, again we have a band that is pushing an expectation of form against a spontaneous, exuberant musical force. This Japanese five-piece is ostensibly a pop band, with a joyous demeanor that spills over from rigor to chaos, as a tight, pogo-ing rhythm section anchors two electric guitars strummed with un-taught, splintered, high-velocity enthusiasm, warbling trumpet, and vocals that sound like Dean Wareham at the dentist. The six songs here speak to the mysticism of another Japanese ensemble with as large a reputation as a body of work, Les Rallizes Denudes, but while that group built themselves up over long tracks, Mamitori (the preferred abbreviation) confines itself mostly to 4-5 minute stretches, quickly establishing a melody and a beat, and getting colorful over top. I’m not certain that repeated listens will bring out anything to listeners who aren’t convinced of this band’s beauty from the get-go, as the genre concerns here (pop, noise, shoegaze) and leans into their homeland’s culture (J-pop, manga, anime) seem as ingrained as the guitar playing is inscrutable; I feel like a big portion of music lovers that appreciate improvisation/”free” music are in it because all of the elements are free, or otherwise the anchors of that music are so simplistic that they melt away under all that energy, and not just going HAM on a guitar because you can. If you’re from the other camp, and want to see how far a band can push a formula out of the comfort zone, you’re gonna find a lot to enjoy here. Even if the last two songs wander to a less-cohesive tack, the first four more than make up for it. (http://bruit-direct.org)
(Doug Mosurock)