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Marconi Union - Tokyo

66.53.219.0
Posted on September 5, 2009 at 19:36:35
R Browne
Audiophile

Posts: 640
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: January 14, 2002




The fourth album from Marconi Union, was inspired by film and television images of Japanese urban life. In their words: “We wanted to produce an album that had a hi-tech ambience, the combination of this sound with our ongoing fascination in city life, conjured up images of the Tokyo we had seen in films, books and TV. This record isn't about creating "authentic" Japanese music, or faithfully documenting the actual city which neither of us have visited. It is just us trying to capture a sense of our imaginary Tokyo.“

A slight departure from Distance being more sparse and ambient using repetitive rhythms to push it along at times. Recommended listening for Marconi Union fans. Samples at the link below.

RE: Marconi Union - Tokyo, posted on September 8, 2009 at 02:01:51
RC Daniel
Audiophile

Posts: 1017
Location: Brisbane
Joined: November 3, 2002
 Hi

Yep, I pretty much agree with your description, based on limited listens. I have had the album for a while, but only given it two listens... whilst doing other stuff. It has kinda gotten buried in other new albums I have been listening to, though it deserves a few more listens.

If you like [Distance] - still my fave Marconi Union album - you may also like Loscil on the Kranky label. I have been listening to First Narrows a lot and Plume for the first time tonight. Both are similar to [Distance], tho are a little more towards sound-wash with a few intricate sounds interwoven and standing out. What reminds me of [Distance] is the holistic sense of subtle propulsion or pulsing energy... that which makes [Distance] (almost) unique and particularly appealing to me.

As for Plume, playing for the first time as I type this - a big thumbs up on first listen, as was [Distance].

Thanks for sharing - it has encouraged me to give Tokyo a dedicated listen.

Kind regards
Raymond

"As long as we have any intention to be right... we should be wary. So long as words have the slightest ego attachment, they are dishonest."
Charlotte Joko Beck
RE: Marconi Union - Tokyo, posted on September 8, 2009 at 07:05:21
R Browne
Audiophile

Posts: 640
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: January 14, 2002
 A dedicated listen of Marconi Union's Tokyo is recommended if your previous experience has been casual background listening. Coincidentally I just got around to this last night for the first time. MU's music for me required repeated listening to really appreciate it, and like you, Distance is my current favorite, but I suspect Tokyo will grow on me similarly over time. I followed up Tokyo with Between Interval's Autumn Continent which is more of a space-ambient sound. More background music for me at this point and not as compelling as MU though repeat listening may reveal otherwise.

Thanks for the Locsil recommendations. Hadn't heard of it. I'll check it out.

RE: Marconi Union - Tokyo, posted on September 10, 2009 at 01:40:47
RC Daniel
Audiophile

Posts: 1017
Location: Brisbane
Joined: November 3, 2002
 Have given Tokyo a few dedicated (almost) listens. Nice album. Different (obviously!) to [Distance], and I don't find as much pleasure in it, but I really like it.

I loved [Distance] on first listen and have come to like Tokyo quite a lot after a few. My respect has grown. I think your description of Tokyo is accurate; I think it less consistent than [Distance] and it lacks what made [Distance] special: that subtle larger scale propulsion that I fell into. Tokyo retains some subtlety, seems to reflect the different sensations of a large city nicely, and has an attractive (but not overt) kinetic spaciousness at times. I like it. Now, if only it was available in CD-quality audio (or better).

Edit: cleaned up and clarified.

Cheers
Raymond

"As long as we have any intention to be right... we should be wary. So long as words have the slightest ego attachment, they are dishonest."
Charlotte Joko Beck
CD is available., posted on September 10, 2009 at 05:39:04
R Browne
Audiophile

Posts: 640
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: January 14, 2002
 I bought mine at Amazon. See link below.

A Lost Connection, currently only available as a download, is slated to be released in CD format according to Serena at Just Music. No release date at this time.

A Lost Connection..., posted on September 10, 2009 at 13:28:47
RC Daniel
Audiophile

Posts: 1017
Location: Brisbane
Joined: November 3, 2002
 is another MU album I very much like - it has one of my fave tracks of MU. More akin to [Distance] than Tokyo.

Thanks for letting me know about the CDs!

Gotta run

Raymond

"As long as we have any intention to be right... we should be wary. So long as words have the slightest ego attachment, they are dishonest."
Charlotte Joko Beck

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