Tell me about ... the Boredoms

Aural Fixation · **Posted:** Sat Jan 29, 2005 3:39 am

From Knitting Factory's mailing list, I read the following:

Quote:

Of all the artists in Japan's thriving noise-music community, the Boredoms are by far the kings and the most influential. Their maniacally extreme cacophony is by no means easy listening, despite this (and probably because of it) the Boredoms have become one of the most popular in the genre. Among the throngs of loyal fans, you'll see the faces of Thurston Moore, Mike Patton, Kim Gordon, John Zorn, and scores of other avant-garde artists. Front man Yamatsuka Eye will lead us through massively distorted guitars, squealing synths, and landscapes of sonic destruction. Check any preconceived notions of how a song is structured at the door, as the Boredoms prefer abrupt, whiplash-inducing changes of direction. Unbelievable.

Can anyone else elaborate?

Aural Fixation · **Posted:** Sat Jan 29, 2005 5:43 pm

Well?

Radcliffe · **Posted:** Sat Jan 29, 2005 6:00 pm

Aural Fixation Wrote:

Quote:

noise extreme cacophony sonic destruction

Sums it up for me. Conceptually I guess it's sorta interesting, in the same way that sticking your thumb in a garburator is interesting.

jsh · **Posted:** Sat Jan 29, 2005 6:46 pm

Radcliffe, that's an underwhelming description. The Boredoms' Vision Creation Newsun is fucking fantastic. Absolutely spastic and gorgeous. Tanya, you must definitely hear it, is all I can say. RIYL: Neu!, kinda.

Aural Fixation · **Posted:** Sat Jan 29, 2005 6:56 pm

Tanya? Who's that?

It's been awhile since I've listened to some new experimental stuff, I'm thinking of checking 'em out.

Dick Meatwood · **Posted:** Sat Jan 29, 2005 7:12 pm

obnerst Wrote:

RIYL: Neu!, kinda.

Better yet, Damo Suzuki-era Can.

Later Boredoms (Super Ae, Vision Creation Newsun, Rebore Vol. 0, Super Roots 6, 7, & 8, Seadrum) is hardly spastic at all, but rather lush, somewhat quirky psyche rock. It's a tad on the jammy side and fairly percussion and repitition-heavy, kind of reminiscent of Krautrock.

The earlier stuff is the seminal spazz rock, and I'm honestly not crazy about it. Pop Tatari and Wow II are both pretty cool but just too goofy and bizarre for me, and they lack the grooves of the later.

Aural Fixation · **Posted:** Sat Jan 29, 2005 7:30 pm

I'm thinking using the term "experimental" on them may be an ill-fitting word, yet, somehow it does seem to apply. Anyone ever seen them in person?

k · **Posted:** Sun Jan 30, 2005 6:59 am

I like the Boredoms a lot. Between Drinky Crow and the Knitting Factory release though they have been pretty much summed up. However, as opposed to Drinky Crow, Pop Tatari is my favorite album of theirs and would probably land in my top 40 or so of all time. There is a more stated quirkiness in the earlier records, but there's still no doubt that there is sincerity there also. As for early recordings lacking grooves, I won't argue that they have learned to lock in much tighter on newer albums but the riff on "Bo Go" from Pop Tatari is just phenomenal and I personally don' think they've ever topped it.

Unfortunately Aural Fixation I've never seen them live so am of little help to you there. I assume though based on the severe intensity that they convey on record that live they bring outright bombast (I think bombast fits there) to the stage.

gong-li · **Posted:** Sun Jan 30, 2005 11:06 am

obnerst Wrote:

Vision Creation Newsun is fucking fantastic.

yes

+ super AE

Lambchop · **Posted:** Sun Jan 30, 2005 2:27 pm

Aural Fixation Wrote:

I'm thinking using the term "experimental" on them may be an ill-fitting word, yet, somehow it does seem to apply. Anyone ever seen them in person?

I saw them many moons ago open for Nirvana. It was insanity (I don't know if they are still like that), a lot of energy and fun.

Tell me about ... the Boredoms

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