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| There was something about this I couldn't put my finger on until my boss came in just now and said, "What is this, Tarkus on 45?" Throw in a zeuhl schooling and a pinch of wasabe and you get the idea. In the vein of Happy Family, Pochakaite Malko blast out instrumental keyboard laden prog, only with much more of a classical undertone (an homage to their namesake), and all of the drama that entails. Comparisons to Keith Emerson abound, and the keyboard work here deserves it, albeit from four hands rather than two. At moments, they Tipographically mimic the vibes of 70's & '80's Zappa; other moments tricked me into thinking there was an actual flute; many moments lapse into stretches of synthesized mayhem. The rhythm section doesn't necessarily take a back seat, though. The drums carry each change and shift with almost unnoticable ease, often demonstrating great cymbal work. However, it was actually the bass that originally got me hooked on this CD. That's where the Magma worship comes in. Totally distorted, thick and heavy, with lots of repetitious slides. The first track makes use of synthesized choral chanting, which adds to the zeuhlery and makes Kuwuhara all the more Jannick Top-heavy. Not surprising, as Kuwuhara was the original bassist for Koenjihyakkei, Tatsuya Yoshida's zeuhl powerhouse. His tricks aren't limited to that style or sound, though, and he drops into the mix as the CD progresses, calling attention to himself here and there, but supporting the synths for the most part. If you're not familiar with the cacophonic musicianship of other modern Japanese progressive bands, this CD may prove to be overwhelming. Even as a fan, my first listen to this found it so dense I almost couldn't make sense of it at all. The quieter moments (like tracks 4 & 7) are like an aural sorbet, lending contrast to the thick and savory stew. Its an aquired taste even for those with an aquired taste, but tasty nonetheless. review by Gary Niederhoff — 2-3-03 —
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