GODSEND REVIEWS : Y

Yakuzi - "Ibai Lehorretan Itota" CD - Translated to 'Rivers Of Dry Waters', this debut CD from Spanish quintet YAKUZI approaches a sort of ambient instrumental rock. Using chiming guitars, bass, and drums, the ultra-melodic and atmospheric tracks gently glide rather than riff or rock. This may well appeal to fans of stuff like EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY, as cuts like 'El Rey Del Trivial' are spacious and quite lovely. 'Konturatu' is a languid piece with piano that erupts into an energetic maelstrom of guitar. 'Ahotsa Ixildu' could be a MOGWAI/ARAB STRAP piece if it weren't in Spanish. This is a beautiful and fully-realized release, definitely worthy of pursuit for fans of the 'GWAI or EITS. Imagine those acts performing a soundtrack of landscapes, without their usual loud-soft dynamic, and you are getting close to the sound of YAKUZI. A superlative release and definitely worthy of attention. (Pause Music)

Eri Yamamoto - "Cobalt Blue" CD - Piano prodigy Yamamoto is a classically-trained musician who has honed her chops in the New York jazz scene, and 'Cobalt Blue' features her Trio (with bassist David Ambrosio and drummer Ikuo Takeuchi). From the beginning, this is a smooth and melodic set, complete with a Japanese folk song and covers of Cole Porter and Gershwin compositions. Yamamoto's technical prowess is fluid and never strays far from a traditional jazz context (at least to these untrained ears), though piano aficionados may notice some stellar piano acrobatics present. The mellow and contemplative 'Irving Place' is a highlight, as is the appropriately-titled 'The Quiet Of The Night', which closes out this lovely album. (Thirsty Ear)

Yohimbe Brothers - "The Tao Of Yo" CD - Consisting of turntablist DJ Logic and guitarist Vernon Reid (with production by GoodAndEvil), the YOHIMBE BROTHERS chart a course that runs from mainstream-sounding dancehall/r&b to electro-tinged heavy rock to funky rap (with vocals courtesy of an array of guests) to out-there jazz. The edgy fury of 'TV' (with vocals by Bos Omega) joins grinding rock guitarwork with politically-intense rap that reminds of prime RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, while other cuts blaze a path that can't be predicted nor expected. In short, 'The Tao Of Yo' is a diverse trip that is as impressive as it is schizophrenic. It's like a compilation, basically, and one that fuses modern sounds and forward-thinking attitudes. (Thirsty Ear)

Thom Yorke - "The Eraser" CD - Freed from the restraints of his full-time occupation as frontman for perennial critical faves RADIOHEAD, Thom Yorke removes himself from the rally against disposable consumer culture by producing an electronic-oriented disc of a more intimate, personal nature. Fans of the glitchy-electronic-rock of 'Kid A' or 'Amnesiac' will enjoy this work in which Yorke further proves himself to be one of rock's most distinguished (and anguished) lyricists and a talented (co-)producer in his own right. Far from a mainstream pop album, 'The Eraser' features plenty of experimental textures and decidedly non-rock rhythms, all of which provide a suitably alien backdrop for Yorke's emotive wails and lonely lost-boy vocals. Tracks like the gloriously ambient 'Analyse' are stunning in their understated intensity and spaciousness, as if our subject was simply a ghost and you have the honor of hearing his words direct from the ether. The hypnotic Krautrock metro-drones of 'The Clock' follow, and 'Black Swan' is about as rock as this gets. Superb work and tailormade for fans of RADIOHEAD's mellower, more 'out-there' sonic experiments. (XL Recordings)

Neil Young - "Under Review 1976-2006" DVD - This critical assessment of legendary folk/rock/country/noise songwriter Neil Young covers his later period. But don't expect this to be a slavish fanboy-stroke, oh no. Examining Young's career are such names as famed rock historian/critic Robert Christgau, Neil Young biographer John Einarson, and others, who basically present Young's output from a variety of angles. Beginning with Young's 1976 LP, 'Stars'N Bars'(which is seen as a mediocre effort aside from the memorable and oft-covered 'Like A Hurricane'), through Young's 80's Kraftwerk-ian electro efforts (which get slammed), to his rejuvenation as proto-grunge hero (and collaborator with fans like Pearl Jam), this DVD serves as a decent primer on this finest of rock personalities and innovators. Some archival live footage and clips from the LPs are helpful, and the whole of the presentation here is professional and tastefully done. (Sexy Intellectual via MVD)

various-"Y2K: Beat The Clock" CD-All things considered, this CD can be seen as an opportunistic, sensationalistic (hence the Y2K reference, despite it having absolutely nothing to do with the music within) and shamelessly capitalistic release. After all, every track included has been previously released on the artists' albums, singles, and numerous other comps out there--think the 'AMP' comps rehashed further. But, looking beyond that, this is a solid comp for 'electronica' virgins, combining some of the best-known MTV-styled big beat techno hits from FATBOY SLIM, WILDCHILD, CHEMICAL BROTHERS, CRYSTAL METHOD, BJORK, UNDERWORLD, PRODIGY, ORB, LO FIDELITY ALLSTARS, APOLLO 440, and more. Certainly, there's some fine work here, but did we need yet another compilation of these same tracks? I think not. Columbia/Sony should be ashamed. (Columbia/Sony)

Tajiri Yuji - "No Love Juice (Rustling In Bed)" DVD - This 'pink cinema' feature by young director Yuji would easily fit under the 'softcore' section here in the states, although it actually has more to offer than would be inferred from that tag. Often quickly shot and necessarily featuring plenty of female nudity and sexual situations, these 'pink cinema' films helped to keep the Japanese studios alive through some rough times in the 60s and 70s, and continuing today to an increasingly large audience. 'No Love Juice' is a 1999 flick that presents the transformation of the lovely 28-year old Tomomi, who suddenly and unexpectedly finds herself alone after ending a lengthy relationship. Meeting young Takao on a train, she finds herself swept up in a refreshing and intense affair that ultimately leads to her sort of 'spiritual awakening'. The characters are portrayed as complex and remain quite believable, and the camerawork and lighting is subtle and intimate. A strong piece of filmmaking. (Eclectic DVD)