junk magnet : music : jpop : ooioo

Yoshimi rules absolute. She has a voice like a whistle and drums like a runaway train.

OOIOO is her latest band, and sounds similar to latter-day Boredoms (more atmospheric than noisy).

All Yoshimi-projects are essential (even Free Kitten), and this one doubly so.

Their first album, [Eight], is a real gem, and should be easy enough to find since it was re-released on Kill Rock Stars. If I were you, I'd go for the Japanese release, though, because even though you'd be spending about twice as much, the packaging and presentation is worth it.

[Feather Float], their second album, is even more of a great thing, and it was eventually released outside of Japan by Birdman Records.

Their third album, [Gold & Green], even has some cameos by Boredoms Atari (drummer) and Seiichi Yamamoto (also of Omoide Hatoba). Plus, Sean Lennon and Yuka Honda make a quick appearance on one song [Mountain Book], but the pair strangely appear a lot lately on various albums. As always, the packaging is superb - this time it's more like a small book than anything else, with drawings and photos by Yoshimi among others. After about a 5 year wait, Thrill Jockey re-released it.

[Kila Kila Kila], their fourth album, is also quite satisfying - the US release can be hard to find, but definitely is worth the effort. Try Thrill Jockey direct.

[Taiga], their fifth album (not counting remix and best of releases), is perhaps their best work yet. Try Thrill Jockey for the US release.

In any case, OOIOO still are pushing boundaries and taking a few prisoners for nostalgia's sake, so be sure to check them out.

ooioo

Yoshimi Yokota: Vocals, Guitar, Jewsharp, Casiotone, Trumpet, Drums, Synth, Theremin, Effects
Kyoko: Guitar, Vocal
Maki: Bass, Chorus
Yoshiko: Drums, Chorus

ooioo - news

New EP Out In US 4.24.2007!

OOEYEOO - EYE REMIX

EP (US):
[OOEYEOO - EYE REMIX]
US - Thrill Jockey (Thrill 171)
4.24.2007

US version of new 4 song remix EP involving EYE (of Boredoms). 1000 copy vinyl single will also be available - I must try to track it down.

US Tour In 3.2007

OOIOO have an US tour at the end of March. Here is the show information as it stands today:

03.20.07 - New York, NY, Knitting Factory
03.21.07 - Chicago, IL, Empty Bottle
03.23.07 - Seattle, WA, Chop Suey
03.24.07 - Portland, OR, Doug Fir Lounge
03.26.07 - San Francisco, CA, Independent
03.27.07 - Los Angeles, CA, Echo

I'm hoping to catch them in San Francisco, since I've yet to see them live - every time I buy tickets for one of their shows, something comes up, like lost envelopes in the mail, or other atrocities.

New DVD Out 1.1.2007!

OOHOHOO - OOIOO MUSIC VIDEO'S '99-'07

DVD:
[OOHOHOO - OOIOO MUSIC VIDEO'S '99-'07]
MTBD-1002
1.1.2007

31 minutes of Promotional Video (PV) work. All Region NTSC, which means it plays fine in the US.

New EP Out 1.1.2007!

OOEYEOO - EYE REMIX

EP:
[OOEYEOO - EYE REMIX]
MTCD-1076
1.1.2007

New remix EP with 4 tracks, involving EYE (of Boredoms).

New Album Out In US On 9.12.2006!

Taiga

7th Album:
[Taiga]
Thrill 161
9.12.2006

New album. If you can't afford the import fees, then by all means support Thrill Jockey.

New Album Out 7.4.2006!

Taiga

7th Album:
[Taiga]
TCD-1068
7.4.2006

New album. It's amazingly great, and definitely one of their best.

New Album out 12.2.2004!

Cococoooioo

6th Album:
[Cococoooioo]
MTCD-1046
12.2.2004

This is a best-of album; check out this page to see what songs come from what source.

01. ASOZAN
02. SISTER 001
03. I'M A SONG
04. OPEN YOUR EYES YOU CAN FLY
05. AH YEEAH !
06. IN A "Windy Forest" (Translation uncertain, I'll fix soon)
07. UNU
08. IDBI
09. RIGHT HAND PONK
10. GROW SOUND TREE
11. 50102
12. BE SURE TO LOOP
13. MOUNTAIN BOOK
14. CD Extra: ASOZAN