Hip Pop Stop

Marconi Union - Tokyo

66.53.219.0

R Browne

A

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.
Marconi Union - Tokyo (Open in New Window)

Follow Ups:

RE: Marconi Union - Tokyo - RC Daniel 02:01:51 09/08/09 (4)
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 - R Browne 07:05:21 09/08/09 (3)
  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 - RC Daniel 01:40:47 09/10/09 (2)
    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
    
    Edits: 09/12/09 09/12/09
    - CD is available. - R Browne 05:39:04 09/10/09 (1)
      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.
      Marconi Union - Tokyo at Amazon (Open in New Window)
      - A Lost Connection... - RC Daniel 13:28:47 09/10/09 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: CD is available. posted by R Browne on September 10, 2009 at 05:39:04
        
        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
        
        Edits: 09/10/09

Post a Followup:

FAQ

Post a Message!

Forgot Password?

Moniker (Username):
Password (Optional):
	Remember my Moniker & Password (What's this?) Eat Me
E-Mail (Optional):
Subject:

Message:	(Posts are subject to Content Rules)

Optional Link URL:
Optional Link Title:
Optional Image URL:
Upload Image:
E-mail Replies:	Automagically notify you when someone responds.

To view your new posting or follow-up, click on the RELOAD or REFRESH button on your browser.

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Schiit Audio