Dear Residents, We hope this note finds you well. We wanted to inform you of an occult celebration that will be taking place in the vicinity this weekend. As a community, we believe in openness and transparency, and it is our duty to keep you informed of any events that may have an impact on our daily lives. The occult celebration, known as "The Midnight Gathering," is an annual event that attracts practitioners of various occult traditions from all around the region. It is important to clarify that this event is not a cause for alarm or concern. While some practices may seem unfamiliar or even strange to many, it’s essential to approach them with an open mind and respect for diversity.
This 10" mini-album is a collaboration with the sketch comedy group Snakeman Show. Don't worry though, it's mostly in English. What you get is a series of slighty weirder songs (including a truly bizarre cover of "Tighten Up") interspersed with comedy sketches that are actually quite funny. I think Takahashi is mostly in charge here, given the similarities to his solo LP Murdered by the Music. Not exactly a place to start, but I have a real fondness for this album. I'm not really sure how to describe the humor here - it's very self-deprecating but more nonsensical and bizarre than anything. Maybe worth getting for the cover alone, which I've seen parodied many times in Japanese media (you kinda get the implication here). The entire thing seems like a parody of Western attitudes towards Japanese people. You may know of a band called Plastics which also dabbled in this kind of thing.
The massive success of this album convinced the band to stick around a while, though they soon dropped the jazz and exotica tendencies to do something a bit more New Wave and Kraftwerk-like. This is similar to the impact and connections of the members of The Velvet Underground, and as well will see, they had a huge influence of the emerging electronic subgenres.
While some practices may seem unfamiliar or even strange to many, it’s essential to approach them with an open mind and respect for diversity. The organizers of the event have assured us that all necessary precautions will be taken to ensure the safety and security of both the attendees and the local community. They have been in close contact with local authorities and have agreed to abide by all regulations and guidelines set forth by the authorities.
The Yellow Magic Orchestra Extended Universe
I love the Yellow Magic Orchestra but it was only recently that I took a deep dive into the catalogue and discovered a rich and nuanced musical microcosmos around their three members. There are similar guides on here that are very good, I like JAMOOL's Yellow Magic Orchestra + solo and related albums most and used it as a template. However I have decided for a different approach in such that I go from most YMO-related to least YMO-related.
Also, this list is not comprehensive, which would be insane to do, but rather collects the most essential listens.
Vol. 1: Yellow Magic Orchestra | Next: Pinback ᐅ
ADVERTISEMENTThe Yellow Magic Orchestra was founded in 1977 by Haruomi Hosono as a vehicle to create synth-based exotica music to lampoon Asian clishé in the west. The music however became extremely commercially succesful so they quickly turned into a proper synth pop band when there were not many synth pop bands.
All three members have had careers before the project (and after even more so). YMO hence should be considered a supergroup, but as you will quickly see YMO defies easy categorization. I think YMO was more the center of a complex, interconnected world of different musical projects, which I from now on will refer to as the "Yellow Magic Orchestra Extended Universe". This is similar to the impact and connections of the members of The Velvet Underground, and as well will see, they had a huge influence of the emerging electronic subgenres.
Due to their style and influence, they were called the "Japanese Kraftwerk" which is very true but also a comparison that needs more analysis. They wanted to be the Japanese Kraftwerk but "less German", as they themselves put it. While the Germans were efficient, minimal, coldly artificial, even dystopian and posing as robots, YMO had more complex arrangements, weirder sounds, and a jubliant vibe around them, presenting a very different interpretation of the synth pop idiom. Like, imagine Kraftwerk doing a song like Firecracker, Kimi ni Mune Kyun, or Rydeen, that would insane.
And as much as I love Kraftwerk - Sakamoto, Hosono, and Takahashi were muuuuuch better musicians, like, it's not even a contest. Also, the core duo of Schneider and Hütter mostly stuck to themselves, while the YMO musicians were involved in a huge number projects, which I hereby attempt to bring into a meaningful categorization. So, as a summary, I think I narrowly prefer Kraftwerk to YMO due to my German bias, but if you take all related projects into account, and you absolutely should, YMO blows Kraftwerk out of the water as the greatest synth pop band of all time.
Have fun, because, I had, since the YMO extended universe is W I L D, as you will see soon.
All three members have had careers before the project (and after even more so). YMO hence should be considered a supergroup, but as you will quickly see YMO defies easy categorization. I think YMO was more the center of a complex, interconnected world of different musical projects, which I from now on will refer to as the "Yellow Magic Orchestra Extended Universe". This is similar to the impact and connections of the members of The Velvet Underground, and as well will see, they had a huge influence of the emerging electronic subgenres.
Due to their style and influence, they were called the "Japanese Kraftwerk" which is very true but also a comparison that needs more analysis. They wanted to be the Japanese Kraftwerk but "less German", as they themselves put it. While the Germans were efficient, minimal, coldly artificial, even dystopian and posing as robots, YMO had more complex arrangements, weirder sounds, and a jubliant vibe around them, presenting a very different interpretation of the synth pop idiom. Like, imagine Kraftwerk doing a song like Firecracker, Kimi ni Mune Kyun, or Rydeen, that would insane.
And as much as I love Kraftwerk - Sakamoto, Hosono, and Takahashi were muuuuuch better musicians, like, it's not even a contest. Also, the core duo of Schneider and Hütter mostly stuck to themselves, while the YMO musicians were involved in a huge number projects, which I hereby attempt to bring into a meaningful categorization. So, as a summary, I think I narrowly prefer Kraftwerk to YMO due to my German bias, but if you take all related projects into account, and you absolutely should, YMO blows Kraftwerk out of the water as the greatest synth pop band of all time.
Have fun, because, I had, since the YMO extended universe is W I L D, as you will see soon.
It is expected that the occult celebration will take place primarily indoors, within a rented venue specifically chosen for this purpose. Therefore, we anticipate minimal disruption to the surrounding neighborhood. However, there may be a slight increase in traffic near the venue during the specified dates and times. If you have any concerns or questions regarding this occult celebration, we encourage you to reach out to our neighborhood association. We are here to address any worries you may have and provide any necessary support or information. We believe that by fostering a sense of understanding and respect, we can coexist peacefully as a community, embracing our differences and celebrating our shared values. Let us remember that diversity is what makes our neighborhood strong and vibrant. Please feel free to share this information with your neighbors and let's work together to ensure a safe and inclusive community. Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Neighborhood Association].
Reviews for "Hidden Traditions: Experiencing the Occult Celebrations in Our Local Community"
1. John - 1 out of 5 stars - This "Occult celebration nearby" was an absolute nightmare. I couldn't sleep all night because of the loud noises coming from the party. The music was blaring, people were shouting and screaming, and there was an eerie vibe in the air. It definitely wasn't a celebration that I would want to be anywhere near. I would not recommend staying at this location if you value your peace and quiet.
2. Sarah - 2 out of 5 stars - I was extremely disappointed with the "Occult celebration nearby". The whole atmosphere was just not my cup of tea. The decorations were dark and creepy, and the people attending seemed a bit too obsessed with the occult. It made me feel uncomfortable and I couldn't wait to leave. If you're not into that kind of thing, I suggest avoiding this place like the plague.
3. Mark - 1 out of 5 stars - As someone who cherishes a good night's sleep, the "Occult celebration nearby" was a complete disturbance. The noise was unbearable and went on until the early hours of the morning. The participants seemed to have no regard for the comfort of others. It was a truly unpleasant experience that I wouldn't wish upon anyone. If you value your peace and quiet, stay away from this area during such celebrations.
4. Emily - 2 out of 5 stars - The "Occult celebration nearby" was not what I expected or wanted. The whole event felt strange and uncomfortable. The attendees were engrossed in unusual rituals and the general atmosphere was unsettling. It was definitely not an enjoyable experience for me, and I regretted attending. I would advise anyone who is not intrigued by the occult to steer clear of this celebration.
5. Michael - 1 out of 5 stars - The "Occult celebration nearby" was a total nightmare. The place was littered with strange symbols and the air was thick with an eerie energy. I felt uneasy throughout the entire event and couldn't wait to leave. It definitely wasn't my cup of tea, and I would strongly advise against attending unless you are into dark, supernatural themes.