Thursday, March 20, 2008

4 Bonjour Parties - Pigments Drift Down to the Brook

4 Bonjour’s Parties
Pigments Drift Down to the Brook
(12.2007, Mush)
Verdict = Cutsy, Experimental Japanese Pop

Ever since Al Gore invented the Internet, the tiny sub genres of the world have grown increasingly deeper. It is hard not to laugh at the fact that “cutesy, experimental Japanese pop” seems as viable and deep a genre label as the now all encompassing (thanks to the oft hilarious iTunes labeling system) alternative/punk label was fifteen years ago. Similarly, in a musical landscape that formerly would have found a band like 4 Bonjour’s Parties as an exciting crème de la crème import, the band is now relegated to a tooth and nail barrel for any recognition whatsoever, recognition I believe they’ve earned. They can quickly be cross-referenced between Efterklang, Mum, Shugo Tokumaru and Miki Odagiri, who are all undoubtedly worthwhile listens. The production is full. The alternating female and male Japanese vocals are always cute and never irritating and the instrumentation is lush and detailed. The question is whether anyone is willing to sift through the rest of the cute little sad, puppied-eyed albums that Pigments Drift Down to the Brook sits among in order to find them. I’d urge you to take a chance, they’re worth it.

-Mr. Thistle

4 Bonjour Parties - "Satelite"

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