I’m not sure that anybody can accurately describe the OOIOO sound. Started by Boredoms drummer Yoshimi, OOIOO is a highly talented, experimental four-piece that specializes in polyrhythms and genre destroying.
The first four tracks alone exemplify the range of sounds (and weirdness) that Gold and Green bestows upon the listener, and the list of instruments employed on the album is fairly expansive. “Moss Trumpeter,” the album’s opening track, breaks out three minutes of catchy trumpet work over tribal beats and buzzing electronics; the song after, “T<T<tune,” utilizes a playful, high-pitched, recorder-sounding moog that flutters around a harmonica and what sounds like an accordion.
“Grow Sound Tree” then begins with electronics, flute, and triangle in 3/4 time, brings in a head-banging beat in 4/4, pushes the beat to double time and back, meets with the clashing rhythms, and adds semi-abstract vocals. The album’s fourth song, “Mountain Book,” gives us a mix of wispy vocals reminiscent of “It’s a Small World After All,” santoors, Middle Eastern beats, and various layers of electronica all before a live kit pops up with rock beats and a reverb-laden, flanger-filled guitar line whispers along in the background.
Where was I? Oh, yeah…OOIOO like them some genres, that’s where. Thumbs up if you’re in the mood for this kind of thing.
– Scott Morrow
OOIOO (Thrill Jockey)