Search - Susumu Yokota :: Grinning Cat

Mind-altering in a very pleasant way...

J. P. DuQuette | Shizuoka, Japan | 07/20/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As someone who probably owns more ambient music than any human should, I was kind of getting tired the way things were going in the late 90s with the Orb getting (really) old and glitch-hop only marginally interesting. Then I picked up Grinning Cat, which has overtaken Nobukazu Takemura's Hoshi No Koe to become the coolest Japanese experimental chill-out CD ever. Very unusual juxtapositions of loops that don't seem to fit, but do thanks to Yokota's assured manipulative spirit. I still haven't heard Sakura, but rest assured its next on my wishlist..."

This is arguably amongst Susumu Yokota's finest releases....

fetish_2000 | U.K. | 07/21/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Unarguably one of the Japans most prominent and prolific musicians/producers of electronica music...his output moves from house to electronica...but he's undoubtedly best known for his sublime ambient / ambient techno work. His ability to make interesting musical shapes out of simple structures or abstract melodies, has earned him something of a devoted following. With this release...he's managed to skilfully incorporate, and construct an album that is largely rooted in the ambient genre, that he has over the years, become hailed for, but interestingly integrated the soft, more intimate side of electroncia. And with the clever use of reverberating guitar, delicate piano, and harmonious acoustic keyboard, and a multitude of layered electronic effects in such a uniquely interesting or arresting way, that those that would usually resist any album that features `ambient', but like downtempo electronica, can approach without any reservations.



What makes this album all the more surprising is that fact that Yokota isn't afraid to mess with the traditional structures of music....tracks that touch upon the more genteel side of electronica / techno....are beautifully organic, and lack much of the cold, mechanical feel of techno. And yet with the more ambient orientated tracks, subtle elements of drum programming and snare rolls, make for a strange hybrid of musical genres rubbing against each other...but ending up with incredibly pleasing results. It's a record that explores possibilities...and so, ideas and directions are throw around and experimented with, yet all the tracks contain a consistency throughout, even though the tracks remain individual in themselves. Think if it as using sounds and instrumental effects to signify movement and behaviour, and arranges pieces as easily intimate, complex and poignant, and substantial as almost although true ambient music has delivered. It's an album that is a beautifully interwoven collection of electronics and samples, that are relatively inventive, and yet thoroughly accessible....even for those that would usually pass on the idea of a ambient album (albeit one with a heavy emphasis towards electronica). With some tracks working as a beatless collage of guitar and samples, and others lending themselves to intimate piano-led sketches of original detached mood music. Or even being so bold as to use pulsating synth beats and ethnic sounds to make uniquely original. It's all so richly textured, and such a expressively organic musical experience...that one has to wonder if this album was a one-off, and Susumu would struggle to make another album that fuses ambient & Beats so convincingly as this???



Anyone that has considered dipping their feet into Susumu's work, could do a lot worse that make this a starting point for his work. Sure...it's not a complete representation of the all the work that he's capable of (or has indeed done), and it's probably not even widely considered his finest work ("Sakura" holds that title), but it's probably one of his most thoroughly accessible albums, because it's likely to appeal to such a broad spectrum of listeners....as it takes ambient and makes it interesting enough of those that normally wouldn't touch this sort of music. And remain subtle and inventive enough, for it to appeal to his existing fans (and those with a passing interest in Ambient). And aptly illustrates Susumu's tremendous compositional skills...by turns: Spiritual, graceful, hypnotic, rhythmic and calming, it arguably one of Susumu finest releases, and extremely recommended for anyone with a passing interest is his music.

"

Best impulse buy i've ever made!!

K. Daniels | St. Louis, MO United States | 07/30/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"grinning cat was a staff recommendation at the local borders bookstore recently, so i decided to give it a listen. after getting a taste for each track, i bought the cd. it's absolutely AMAZING, giving electronica and minimalism fans something entirely different from the norm. the review on the front of the case labeled it a cross between brian eno and aphex twin, which is a comparison i would not disagree with. the entire album is incredibly calming; when you hear it, you get this feeling that you're listening to something no one's ever done before, which puts it on a higher plane. the classical piano loops add an element of class to the album, making it one of the best cds i've bought in a long time!!"