Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on September 2009

© (Commons)

When she isn’t opening third eyes with psychedelic drum circle Boredoms or collaborating with members of Sonic Youth, Yoshimi P-We devotes her attentions to this long-running side project. OOIOO continues to invite comparisons with Yoshimi’s main band, but the group’s list of influences extends to post-punk, Afrobeat and assorted indigenous music, all supplemented by wacky chants and even wackier synthesizers. Album centerpiece “Polacca” pinches a vocal line from ’70s Nigerian duo Lijadu Sisters and later morphs into a passable imitation of Congolese street band Konono No. 1. It’s actually one of the more focused tracks here; others, like “Uda Hah” and “O O I A H,” start off promisingly but then get distracted trying on different stylistic hats. Such musical ADD is fun, but a little goes a long way.