Summary: Japancakes mixes electric guitar with pedal steel guitar, classical strings with synthesizers for a sound that's got country airs strung out in classical refrains with a touch of quirk.
Awesome. Japancakes' name had been familiar to me, but the band's music was not. As of now, count me a fan. The tone of the piece is informed but not esoteric, taking what could be a little alienating (country-shoegazer rock music) and making it sound palatable, and mostly, beautiful. I was especially excited to hear that the band has made an exacting rendition of the album Loveless, by My Bloody Valentine--one of my all-time favorites. The group's monumental song "Only Shallow" is here presented in an intimate version, on what sounds like a slide guitar. That's why covers exist: to show new depth in old favorites. Good stuff!
Comments for Japancakes: Ambient Chamber Country
This piece belongs to the series "Echo Location: Soundings for New Music"
Produced by John Diliberto
Other pieces by John Diliberto
Rating Summary
1 comment
French Clements
Posted on May 07, 2008 at 02:14 PM | Permalink
Review of Japancakes: Ambient Chamber Country
Awesome. Japancakes' name had been familiar to me, but the band's music was not. As of now, count me a fan. The tone of the piece is informed but not esoteric, taking what could be a little alienating (country-shoegazer rock music) and making it sound palatable, and mostly, beautiful. I was especially excited to hear that the band has made an exacting rendition of the album Loveless, by My Bloody Valentine--one of my all-time favorites. The group's monumental song "Only Shallow" is here presented in an intimate version, on what sounds like a slide guitar. That's why covers exist: to show new depth in old favorites. Good stuff!