Asobi Seksu

The Fascinating Turnip · 02-15-2010, 09:25 PM

Asobi Seksu is a NY based band with roots in dream pop/shoegaze.
They've released about 4 albums, but I've only really had the chance to listen to their most lauded one, "Citrus".
The first 3 songs (not counting the opener, the 17 second Everything Is On) are pretty amazing. Infact, I like them so much, that whenever I find myself listening to that album, I get stuck on those tracks and can't listen to it all the way through. I'm sure that whenever I manage to do it successfully, I'll find other great tunes, though.
The fuzzy guitar layers create that dreamy sound one would expect from a band based on dream pop/shoegaze, along with Yuki Chikudate's voice (hope I didn't mess up there) really put in you a hypnotic state, and a blissful one at that.
I'm sure many of you know about them, since they've been around for about 9 years, but I thought they could do with a thread, and i couldn't find one on here, so SHAZZAM.

duga · 02-15-2010, 09:31 PM

Aw, damn...I should have totally gotten in on this. If you go read the "Band of the Month" thread I made today, these guys were who I mentioned. I've been obsessed with them for a little while now.

Citrus is great, but it really didn't spark a huge attachment. That, and you are really right about getting stuck on the first 5 or so tracks...they are phenomenal. What really clicked was their newest release Hush...it is nothing short of amazing. They have shown a TON of growth from their debut to Hush.

Everyone needs to listen to Hush.

The Fascinating Turnip · 02-15-2010, 09:37 PM

I found those first tracks quite amazing on Citrus, I've yet to pay attention to the album as a whole though, I have to listen to it all the way through.

Once I'm done with that, what do you recommend, listening to Hush or to their debut first?

duga · 02-15-2010, 09:40 PM

Hell man, I wouldn't even wait to finish Citrus. Go straight for Hush and soak up all its glory. Every song offers something and after absorbing that into your head, you will be able to go back to Citrus and realize what they were trying to do. It honestly made me appreciate Citrus so much more. Then save the debut for last, since by that time you will just want more Asobi Seksu and you will be able to deal with its less than stellar quality (it is still pretty good).

Please let me know your thoughts...more people need to listen to this band.

The Fascinating Turnip · 02-15-2010, 09:43 PM

Hush right now you say? Oh what the hell, why not

DeadShotKeen · 02-16-2010, 10:56 AM

Yeah great band. Just picked up the s/t debut actually, had 'Citrus' and 'Hush' a while, seen 'em live twice as well. Just done those 3 LPs I thought?

'Citrus' is comfortably the best, genius LP. 'Hush' is decent. No real hooks to it, more of a laid back dream pop style. So not much stands out ('Familiar Light' is the real keeper though) but it does wash over you in a nice way. Inevitably a disappointment following 'Citrus' though and only really a 6/10 LP for me, all told.

The s/t LP is pretty varied, some noisy Sonic Youth-y stuff, some dream pop. Bit early to judge too accurately but I'd say it's patchily excellent, if you like.

Everyone should have 'Citrus'. Like My Bloody Valentine meets Saint Etienne in an Oriental garden or summat.

duga · 02-16-2010, 04:21 PM

^

Give Hush a few more listens...I think it is their best work yet. The hooks and melodies are not as readily apparent as on Citrus but it is so much more intricate and expertly crafted. Easily a 9/10 for me while Citrus I'd say gets an 8.5/10. This band can only get better, imo.

Zer0 · 02-16-2010, 04:31 PM

Ah i was listening to Citrus about 2 hours ago. I love that album, loads of beautiful melodies and awesome guitar dynamics. I haven't really given Hush much of a chance but i really should listen to it a bit more.

The Fascinating Turnip · 02-16-2010, 05:31 PM

I've listened to Hush, and I think they left their more shoegazy side behind them in that album. I didn't enjoy it as much as I enjoyed Citrus, I'm afraid, but both albums require more listens, and Hush got a really superficial one, so I might come around.

Fruitonica · 02-17-2010, 04:55 AM

Hush is a great album for when I just want to let music wash over me dreamily, but that isn't so often. I might check out Citrus if it has a slightly more immediate edge.

02-15-2010, 09:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
The Fascinating Turnip Moper Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 510	Asobi Seksu Asobi Seksu is a NY based band with roots in dream pop/shoegaze. They've released about 4 albums, but I've only really had the chance to listen to their most lauded one, "Citrus". The first 3 songs (not counting the opener, the 17 second Everything Is On) are pretty amazing. Infact, I like them so much, that whenever I find myself listening to that album, I get stuck on those tracks and can't listen to it all the way through. I'm sure that whenever I manage to do it successfully, I'll find other great tunes, though. The fuzzy guitar layers create that dreamy sound one would expect from a band based on dream pop/shoegaze, along with Yuki Chikudate's voice (hope I didn't mess up there) really put in you a hypnotic state, and a blissful one at that. I'm sure many of you know about them, since they've been around for about 9 years, but I thought they could do with a thread, and i couldn't find one on here, so SHAZZAM.

02-15-2010, 09:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
duga MB quadrant's JM Vincent Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 3,762	Aw, damn...I should have totally gotten in on this. If you go read the "Band of the Month" thread I made today, these guys were who I mentioned. I've been obsessed with them for a little while now. Citrus is great, but it really didn't spark a huge attachment. That, and you are really right about getting stuck on the first 5 or so tracks...they are phenomenal. What really clicked was their newest release Hush...it is nothing short of amazing. They have shown a TON of growth from their debut to Hush. Everyone needs to listen to Hush. __________________ Confusion will be my epitaph...

02-15-2010, 09:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
duga MB quadrant's JM Vincent Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 3,762	Hell man, I wouldn't even wait to finish Citrus. Go straight for Hush and soak up all its glory. Every song offers something and after absorbing that into your head, you will be able to go back to Citrus and realize what they were trying to do. It honestly made me appreciate Citrus so much more. Then save the debut for last, since by that time you will just want more Asobi Seksu and you will be able to deal with its less than stellar quality (it is still pretty good). Please let me know your thoughts...more people need to listen to this band. __________________ Confusion will be my epitaph...

02-16-2010, 04:21 PM	#7 (permalink)
duga MB quadrant's JM Vincent Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 3,762	^ Give Hush a few more listens...I think it is their best work yet. The hooks and melodies are not as readily apparent as on Citrus but it is so much more intricate and expertly crafted. Easily a 9/10 for me while Citrus I'd say gets an 8.5/10. This band can only get better, imo. __________________ Confusion will be my epitaph...

02-16-2010, 04:31 PM	#8 (permalink)
Zer0 ∞ Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Ireland Posts: 3,792	Ah i was listening to Citrus about 2 hours ago. I love that album, loads of beautiful melodies and awesome guitar dynamics. I haven't really given Hush much of a chance but i really should listen to it a bit more. __________________ Last FM \| RYM \| The Final Sound

02-15-2010, 09:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
The Fascinating Turnip Moper Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 510	I found those first tracks quite amazing on Citrus, I've yet to pay attention to the album as a whole though, I have to listen to it all the way through. Once I'm done with that, what do you recommend, listening to Hush or to their debut first?

02-15-2010, 09:43 PM	#5 (permalink)
The Fascinating Turnip Moper Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 510	Hush right now you say? Oh what the hell, why not

02-16-2010, 10:56 AM	#6 (permalink)
DeadShotKeen Music Addict Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 79	Yeah great band. Just picked up the s/t debut actually, had 'Citrus' and 'Hush' a while, seen 'em live twice as well. Just done those 3 LPs I thought? 'Citrus' is comfortably the best, genius LP. 'Hush' is decent. No real hooks to it, more of a laid back dream pop style. So not much stands out ('Familiar Light' is the real keeper though) but it does wash over you in a nice way. Inevitably a disappointment following 'Citrus' though and only really a 6/10 LP for me, all told. The s/t LP is pretty varied, some noisy Sonic Youth-y stuff, some dream pop. Bit early to judge too accurately but I'd say it's patchily excellent, if you like. Everyone should have 'Citrus'. Like My Bloody Valentine meets Saint Etienne in an Oriental garden or summat.

02-16-2010, 05:31 PM	#9 (permalink)
The Fascinating Turnip Moper Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 510	I've listened to Hush, and I think they left their more shoegazy side behind them in that album. I didn't enjoy it as much as I enjoyed Citrus, I'm afraid, but both albums require more listens, and Hush got a really superficial one, so I might come around.

02-17-2010, 04:55 AM	#10 (permalink)
Fruitonica Pale and Wan Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Aus Posts: 917	Hush is a great album for when I just want to let music wash over me dreamily, but that isn't so often. I might check out Citrus if it has a slightly more immediate edge.