POIL UEDA (AS POIL UEDA)

What a weird but impressive combination POIL UEDA are! This project were formed as a musical novelty by a French avantgarde frontlines POIL and a singer / satsuma-biwa player Junko UEDA. In their debut creation, innovative extra- eccentric soundscape by POIL and eerie Japanese traditional mysticism by Junko both are great supporters for each other, and such a fascinating combo can launch one of the most incredible atmospheric effects you have ever heard. POIL's play might be more sensitive and more chamber-ish for encouraging Junko's magnificent individuality (it's said that they are impressed in Japanese traditional folk music) but they should keep their positive vibes and massive creativity even under the circumstance. How fantastic.

The first 'protective ritual' "Kujo-Shakujo" is excessively solemn. Part 1 has a bombastic energy deeply in Junko's flexible go-up voices and POIL's heavy, stabilized sound emission. The following Part 2 is structured with repetitive melodic wonder and dignified spelling. Not so complicated nor polyrhythmic the song is, but such a serious aspect through their blow-up performance must catch your inner mind, for better or worse. Finally in the last part you can hear POIL's authentic avantgarde timbre. It's another pleasure. Part 3 is the final spurt along with ultimate vital movements and dark nebura power from them all. Excellent climax.

"Dan No Ura", previously released as a demo track, has come back with deeper and wilder texture in an official manner. You can be charmed by a perfect sound maturation by them regardless of difference of musical history or origin. POIL's eccentricity of playing and Junko's weirdness of singing / fiddling are smoothly and strikingly merged and adhered to. Explosive sound extension with synthesizer-based electronika that is called as one of their characteristics can invade into your brain and muscle in the latter phase of Part 1, followed by Part 2, another hard heart-attacking tragedy. The last episode is too lonely and too tragic really. The melodic stream is crucial.

In conclusion, I'm afraid it could be difficult for every progressive rock fan to accept and appreciate this mystical album so easily, but on the other hand, some chamber avantgarde freaks should be immersed in the magical mystery tour provided by them. I'm very curious how you feel and what you think. Would you give it a listen and let me know? :)

(P.S. This review was published by permission of Dur et Doux.)