Customer Reviews

Cibo Matto

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For the most part, this EP is really only early versions of songs available on Viva La Woman or Super Relax (the song Crumbs is actually the same version, I think). The cover of Black Hole Sun is interesting, and the rock-ier version of Know Your Chicken is definitely worth a listen, but other than that, it's really just rougher versions of the glory that is Viva. If you're a Cibo Matto fan, eh, it's worth a listen, but I'd buy the Smokey & Miho or solo Yuka Honda stuff (both fantastic) before picking this CD up...

Cibo Matto is undoubtedly one of the best new bands of the past decade. They combine pop sensiblities that are both retro and modern, American and foreign for a very unique J-pop-transplanted-to-America sound. Cibo Matto's debut EP is a fun collection of songs that showcases their talent and musical sensibilities.

Why did I give this CD only three stars then? This CD had a very limited pressing and has long since been out of print. Four out of the five songs are either the same or alternate versions of songs available elsewhere. The result is that hardcore Cibo Matto fans end up scouring used record stores and/or online venues in order to find this disk, and then are slightly disappointed that the 15 minute-long disk doesn't really contain all that much in terms of new material. The CD requires more effort and more money than it is really worth in order to obtain it. Now if they were to reissue it, that would be a different matter...

The best reason to buy this is for the GOOD version of 'Beef Jerky' (it doesn't have most of the guitar that the album does) The rest of the songs are fairly solid. Don't forget the cover of the Soundgarden song 'Black Hole Sun', which was disappointing.