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Kyoko Kitamura: Armadillo In Sunset Park
ByKitamura's idiosyncratic lyrics and articulation are the main deal, with her instrumental accompaniment providing the harmonic framework on which the text can be hung. It is hard to tell if the words are fitted to the contours of the music or vice versa, but what is clear is that they remain very closely entwined, with little overt improvisation. Her expressive, sometimes theatrical, delivery shows a great vocal range, veering from wordless vocalese to near operatic feats via an alluring speech like enunciation.
A kooky humor permeates almost every piece. The wry "Zombie Song" features a folksy melody, after a croaky introduction of multi-tracked voices, while the attractive lilting "Densha Song" is sung in Japanese, although if the other cuts are any guide then the lyrics probably recount some bizarre confluence of the everyday and the gruesome. At times, especially for the numbers without words, there is a sense of something missing. Perhaps it is the interaction with the movement from the unseen dance, which might justify a volatile direction change or complete the mood. But at best,, as on the wonderful title trackwhich also includes a recipe for the titular creaturewords and music sustain repeated listening. The mock serious chorus "always use rubber gloves when handling raw armadillo," never ceases to amuse. In performance, the dancers don Pepto Bismol-pink rubber hand wear, which would be the cherry on top.
Track Listing
Armadillo In Sunset Park; Parasite; Zombie Song; Densha Song; Catching Eel With My Bare Hands; Charlie Brown's Wandering Eye; DMG 3.27.11; Arm; Crossing.
Personnel
Kyoko Kitamura
vocalsKyoko Kitamura: voices and piano; George Walker Petit: sound effects.
Album information
Title: Armadillo In Sunset Park | Year Released: 2012 | Record Label: Self Produced