Mono/World’s End Girlfriend
Empty Bottle 4/20/07
Mono, the experimental instrumental Japanese rock band led this night. However, I have to say, I was most impressed by World’s End Girlfriend than any of the other two bands, though Mono did create some nice sonic soundscapes. World’s End Girlfriend was something I really connected to emotionally. For a one man band (Katsuhiko Maeda), what was created was something just as beautiful as intense and he managed to create a tremendous lush effect that had me closing my eyes and finally just feeling instead of seeing, which is rare for me. Check out Cinchel’s much more thorough review on Radio Free Chicago of a night that made Japanese music seem truly revolutional.
Also, check out that brilliant album between World’s End Girlfriend and Mono: Palmless Prayer/Mass Murder Refrain