Customer Reviews

Wow V.2

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

 

 

I've been a Boredoms fan for a long time,and at times it was frustrating(and still is)to get such pleasure from a band that so many other people not only dislike,but VEHEMENTLY dislike.Alot of what Boredoms and other genre-smashing Japanese groups do is,I guess,OFFENSIVE to some people.It's as if they've broken some sacred rule of creativity:You Can't DO THAT!!!!!

What exactly was the point of Boredoms?Were they more performance art than music?Were they trying to mock and dissect and reinvent pop culture and shove it back in our faces?Did they play spazzy hardcore punk/psychedelic/funk/surf simply because they COULDN'T actually play any type of music straight?Was it all a joke?Am I an idiot for buying their cds?

I don't think so,but I question what is it that "rocks"about Boredoms to me,that disgusts other people?I can think of a few things,they tear through the musical/art landscape WITHOUT self importance.They were never trying to be clever.To be hip.To be "in".Maybe they really loved all these different music styles,and maybe they really wanted to be Can,Butthole Sufers,Bad Brains,P-Funk,etc.but they coudln't get it together in time!So the twisted surreal cartoon obnoxiousness is what we got instead.

Wow2 is reportedly one of those "live in the studio"recordings capturing Boredoms at the probable height of their short attention span artcore.Also included is co-vocalist Yoshikawa,who lended a nice nerdy cartoon counterpoint to lead screamer Eye Yamataka.The songs here are basically what you would have heard them do in concert during the early to mid 90's.Having seen them a few times,and collected a few crappy concert tapes,I can say it's nice to hear them strut their stuff and actually HEAR it.They were LOUD in concert,TOO loud,you could never hear the flavors they went through on studio albums through all the distortion.

Of course some will attack me for suggesting Boredoms are ANY kind of music.Call Boredoms punk and see how many people come out of the woodwork to attack you.Anyway,for the most part this stuff is hardcore,albeit with nonsense screaming,growling,and cartoonish vocalizing.Some songs allow a little space,for expansive psychedelic rumblings,eastern sounding folk type melodies,etc.

If I was a better writer I could use great references to describe this music.I can only suffice by giving analogies:Bad Brains meets Looney Tunes.

Japans answer to the B-hole Surfers except with fewer pop deconstructivist tendencies and more instrumental prowess. This is some noisy stuff all right. The Boredumbs spew post-punk, punk, metal, avant-noise skronk at an amazing pace and volume. The vocalist is certifiable: he screams, he sings, he whispers, he hog calls. The songs go from full bore noise to stop on a dime silence, until of course the singer starts having a seizure. Its like Phil Minton and Slayer at a company barbeque arguing over whose potato salad is more authentic. Then they get drunk and become best friends. Until that jerk Morrison from marketing shows up and all hell breaks loose...

I heard this was a "Live in the studio/Let's capture them on tape while they're here in America" kinda deal so I had low expectations. -[needle scratch]- This is awesome. In my opinion, as good as Pop Tatari and Chocolate Synthesizer (same era, but, dare I say, Wow2 sounds slightly more "accessible"). If you liked those albums and lament for earlier/noisier Boredoms then grab a copy.

The Boredomes have become world reknowned for thier powerful live performances. This recording captures that powerful aspect. It takes you on a roller-coaster ride of rock and roll and spaz/noise-core. It's crunching guitar screaching vocals and chanting at times bring you far beyond the reaches of total insanity. Great album.