Customer Reviews

another full moon

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4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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Perhaps the most difficult thing about Aiko Shimada's work is finding a category in which to place her. The songs start simply, built on a structure of simple repeating guitar rolls. Each is slightly unbalanced by an oddly dissonant note that threatens to send the whole song falling. But then, with the introduction of subtle layers of horns, percussion, guitar and keyboard, Shimada rounds out the music into off kilter songs whose original dissonances only serve to slingshot it around the sun. A very unique and interesting sound emerges. It is a sort of melodic jazz, but with tinges of Portishead and Mazzy Star here and there. The work is wonderfully composed, the simple songs betray hours of careful construction. Notable standouts are the marvelous distorted drum track, "Cosmo's tune," the wonderfully eclectic guitar solo in "i ask you, blue moon," and the complex pairing of guitar and horns in the bridges of "air" and "lost balloon." Aiko's shaky untrained voice tends to add an air of uncertainty and perhaps tinges of fear, and her simple, almost naive lyrics are touching in their honesty. All together it equals a slow, haunting work that grows better with each listen.

Some vocalist/songwriters can be overwhelmed by the sheer weight of musicians in the ensemble. Ms. Shimada, though, has an impeccable sense of structure. This CD is so rich and deep that it will probably become part of the fabric of your life. Beautiful!

"Once in a blue moon
you come around twice"

Beautiful artistic spaces are enhanced by singer/songwriter Aiko Shimada's delicate voice that owns its own universe as she controls the soundscape of guitar, trumpet, trombone, drums and keyboards. Often it feels like relaxing jazz melting you into the night. At other times there is a vibrancy that speaks of being a hopeless romantic.

The poetic lyrics enhance the moods on the first two tracks, but the music really takes over on the third track and leads you into a more rocky terrain with rich mellow cascades and heights of perfection.

I love the guitar in "I Ask You Blue Moon." It invites you into the song slowly and then caresses the vocals as they blend together.

Stories is mysterious and jazzy with trails of voices passing across your mind like trains of mist. Almost alternative with some edgy tribal beats. I love the way Aiko Shimada's voice sounds like a train. Difficult to describe, but truly beautiful as the music ebbs and flows. Perhaps the most creative track on the album.

"Her life in stories
She lives in stories."

Cosmo's Tune is more electronic and seems to be devouring space as it travels. Like a gigantic step, the music pounces through the sky. Then you realize it is drums and it truly gets your attention. Wakare has that same energy and takes a jazzy spin.

Another Full Moon embraces the beauty of classical guitar and is an instrumental space in which to contemplate life itself. Aiko's intricate voice is especially beautiful on this track.

~The Rebecca Review

Ms. Shimada sings songs of reflection and longing set in haunting, dream-like arrangements that defy categorization. She gives us a poet's eye in a yang charged world.