Label: Bumblebee Records – BBCDE-006 Format: CD, Album, Reissue Country: Japan Released: 15 Sept 2016 Genre: Folk, World, & Country Style: Folk
Strange and secretive Japanese lo-fi folk puzzle box from enigmatic musician Daisuke Tobari.
I’ve been desperate to declare my love for all of Tobari’s music for some time, but any scraps of his released music seem to evaporate before I have the chance.It’d be nice to offer some sort of a back story to this cryptic artist, but all anyone knows is that they know nothing - Tobari has managed to maintain a true cult personality by keepings his cards very close to his chest and giving practically zero information out about himself in his 25+ year recording history.The 22 untitled tracks on ’99 debut ‘Guitar’ map out a particularly hermetic style of lo-fi acoustic folk - occasionally joined by voice and scant electronics but with an unmistakably primitive feel.Each burst of music clocks in around an average of 2 minutes and darts from wailing downer pieces, to super fun, hip-swinging distorted rockabilly via bittersweet love songs, bizarre avant-folk / noise and occasional flourishes of real introverted beauty - often all mixed up next to each other.There’s no real narrative arc, often it feels balanced on the edge of a cliff, threatening to unravel at any minute.But the juxtaposition and wild swings in emotion seems to track Tobari’s own daily ups and downs, revealing much more about himself than any interview could hope to archive… A genuine world of its own, highest recommend!! (Mint / New - sealed, with OBI)
