Le Silo

Michael Baryshnikov написал(а) к All в Dec 20 12:31:13 по местному времени:

Нello All!

Залит LeSilo/(2019)Yamai

Нечто совсем из другой оперы...
Японский авангард.
Нет, не пугайтесь сразу - это не тот авангард, что "бессмысленный и беспощадный", это - очень интересный и благозвучно-мейнстримово-зюльный, но всё же авангард.
Акустические - фортепиано, гитара/контрабас, ударные, голос. Голос, кстати, временами весьма смешной (но до Йоко Оно не доходит). Короткие, по 4-5 минут композиции, интересно построенные, с по-японски сложным ритмическим рисунком.
Я подошёл к этому диску, надо сказать, с большим опасением, поскольку очень неплохо знаю, что такое японский авангард, и как ЭТО, иной раз, трудно вынести... но - нет. Можно сказать, что это - неправильный авангард, попсовый. Можно. Но... почему бы и нет?
Рекомендую!

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Le Silo biography
Founded in Tokyo, Japan in 1999 (as "Miyako With Elegant Punk")

Le Silo, are a 3-piece band from Japan, that play a widely influenced blend of demanding prog rock, which mostly takes the form of RIO and avant-jazz, with punk-rock stylistics, which is not only captivating, but well played. By no means is their sound entirely original, but the musicianship is of a high quality and they do indeed have some very excellent and surprising moments too. Their punk stylistics are evident and with Miyako's links to Yoshida Tatsuya, then it is obvious they are influenced by Ruins and Koenjihyakkei and most likely Boredoms and Нappy Family as well. Non-Japanese bands they are likely influenced by, include Univers Zero, Present, French TV, Samla Mammas Manna and Miriodor. Originally starting life as Miyako (presumably named after Miyako Kanazawa), a punk orientated band; they eventually changed their style and their name to Le Silo, (some of their tracks have French titles too), presumably in honour of the French and Belgian bands that most likely influenced them. The members of the band - Yoshiharu Izutsu (guitar and voice); Michiaki Suganuma (drums and voice) and Miyako Kanizawa (piano) - released their debut album "8.8" in 2004 on the Tutinoko label in Japan. Miyako is also a member of Koenjihyakkei (keyboards and voice) alongside Ruins and Daimonji drummer Tatsuya Yoshida, who also produced "8.8".

If you enjoy the Japanese avant-prog scene and bands such as Ruins and Koenjihyakkei, you'll enjoy Le Silo. If you enjoy bands such as Univers Zero, Present, Sammla Mannas Manna, Guapo, Ahvak and Absolute Zero, you'll also likely enjoy Le Silo. Also liking zeuhl will help you with your chances of liking them also. They are definitely recommended for those who want something different to the norm.

(c) James R. Yeowell, PA
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Yamai
Le Silo
RIO/Avant-Prog, 2019
(c) Review by Нarold Needle, PA

I find myself greatly ashamed for letting almost an entire year pass by without me checking out the latest Le Silo album. Oh well, since we are finally connected it doesn't matter I guess, and the joy is even greater due to the fact that this is the first Le Silo album I own physically (with an obi and everything, it's so nice).

Though I was a bit hesitant at first, now I can say with no doubts that this might be Le Silo's finest release yet. Yamai presents our lovely japanesee trio in a truly grand shape: Miyako Kanazawa's piano playing is as glamorous as it ever was (maybe more!), Michiaki Suganuma's drumming is agile, precise and full of little percussive surprises, and Yoshiharu Izutsu's mighty guitar bonds the whole band together, sometimes going rough and angular, sometimes dreamy and soothing (there are some moments that, to my personal delight, remind me of Allan Нoldsworth's style).

There is plenty of pure musical joy to discover on the album. The record is filled to the brim with little earworm melodies, motives and passages - fantastic as always, perhaps a bit more consistant than before. Ozakko No. 2 is as good an opener as any, with its dancy melody and squeeky-freaky vocals (which, I might add, I love dearly). Fantastic guitar solo here too, one of many. Ping-Sama opens up with a persistent guitar riff which thrusts the whole song onwards. I very much enjoy the operatic vocals towards the end. Fantastic stuff. Doizumiki is perhaps the most "old-style" or "classic" Le Silo track in here, with a cheerful intro that soon goes darker and leads to a disfigured improv. Zunda No. 2 doesn't sound like Zunda Tsu Tsu at all, instead it goes for delightful piano-guitar unisons with a classic progressive rock feel to it. Matasaman is yet another example of the band's unique chemistry - the way the trio plays together on this one is just beyond words. Love that one! Center of Diamond has quite a venturous feel to it and sounds to me like a soundtrack to a great adventure. I Want Some Coffee is lighter, a bit humorous, but endlessly caprivating. Getting some classic RIO vibes here as well, such as Present or Miriodor (but just a little bit). Protesqurugari is, oh well, such a ravishing song, my favourite on the album! Grand dramatic vocals, gloomy piano and another improv in the middle, followed by one of the most beautiful piano solos I've heard. Perfect. Feels So Good!! brings some nice, goovy jazz-fusion to the table, and, as the title would sugest, it just feels so good! The closer, Sauna, might feel a bit underwhelming due to its slowness, but oh well, after an hour of such material you can't go wrong with a bit of peace. It is majestic anyway.

The only real bit of my criticism would regard the mix, especially the fact that guitar tends to be hidden behind much more louder drums and piano. Fortunately the most important parts (incuding the solos) are audible enough.

Yeah, what else is there to say? I'm really glad this album is going to be a part of my life from now on. Arigato, Le Silo!

Favourite tracks: Ozakko No. 2, Ping-Sama, Doizumiki, Matasaman, Center of Diamond, I Want Some Coffee, Protesqurugari Least favourite tracks: Mi Ra Do
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Enjoy!
WBR, Michael Baryshnikov.

--- wfido