TIPOGRAPHICA

This japanese band it's probably one of the most strange and supsrising of the 90's. Wirh a unique sound and complicated arrangements, they walk through jazz, RIO, prog and many other tendencies (included, of course japanesefolk) with emphasys on sax and keyboards. Pay attention to "Naked lunch", "Prostitute robot" and "Forest tipographical". Well, all the songs of this debut album are really great and extremely well composed. Maybe just for fans of avant garde and bands like Volpauk, U Totem, Blast, 185 or Dorctor Nerve, but you have to try this because it's a surprising experience...

Personally, Tipographica does many things for me. They bring back a sound similar to my favorite era of Zappa, and they bring a swing and level of interest to free jazz. Now, the free jazz elements of Tipographica are apparent but the amazing ever-switching and flowing patterns that Tipographica pull off are remeniscent of Gentle Giant in a mental hospital. Their grooves and melodies are so clear and tightly arranged as well, Tsuneo channels the spirit of Zappa better than any who have attempted. Speaking of main-man Tsuneo, on tracks like Blue Heaven Be Unsolved, he has brought back Zappa's sneering guitar lead, and beautifully executed. Now, if this sounds like plagiarism, don't be fooled, this album is like an evolution or maybe even a step-up from The Grand Wazoo, those of you who miss this and want something fresh, Tipographica is the ticket. When you have such a distinct style as this from such great influences while constantly surprising throughout the entire album...and when you have a band that plays like they can do Zappa's '74 repertoire with one hand...and when you have a drummer who makes it sound like Vinnie Colaiuta never left Zappa's group, you'll have an amazing album. This entirely instrumental album speaks in fresh new languages, continuing where many bands like Frank Zappa, Gentle Giant, and Henry Cow left off, Tipographica cannot be overlooked. This debut album is phenomenal.

9.7/10

This first record of Japanese avant rock band Tipographica shows to the listener the direction of their further surprising musical adventures. We can hear sextet what includes guitar, bass, keyboards, drums/percussion, sax and trombone. The biggest musical relationship seems to be with Frank Zappa's instrumental works because of humorous approach to Music but in spite of this fact very original. Maybe "band-perception" isn't yet so brilliant as on their next albums but this solid debut is anyway a real jewel of Complex and Intelligent Progressive Music! Their next three albums can "correct" this "mistake". Very worth to discover - the later recordings are even better - 4,5 stars really!!!