A beautiful sophomore effort from Japan’s Miimo, who describe themselves as a “dub-electronica unit”, but that description seems to fail them in that the words are almost more repelling than compelling. Then again, I’m not a fan of “dubtronica”…. But what the description lacks in interest-piquing distinctness, the sound makes up for: it’s extraordinary. These guys have not one but two edges: a live bass player and a live steelpan drummer. The live instruments give them a very distinct, cool, relaxing and organic sound, especially when piled on top of some sugar sweet electronics! Yoshio Machida, head of Amorfon Records, is the guy responsible for the aforementioned steel drums.
For the most part the sound is relaxing, IDM, and at times yes, dubby, and it reminds me a bit of the pretty, positive feel of I Am Robot and Proud. The album is mainly instrumental, but talented friends hop aboard to scatter some ethereal vocals here and there, and there’s also some 80’s-feel echoing guitar adorning the last track….
Before I forget to mention it: the graphic design. Amazing. Miimo really excels at beautiful packaging. This CD comes in a blank, clear plastic case with a silkscreened ribbon/shoe lace containing all of the CD info. The shoelace/ribbon is then folded through the CD hole and protrudes out through a hole in the side of the case. Really slick. Never seen anything like this….
Fans of pleasant, relaxed, ambient electronic music will love Miimo. As I mentioned before, if you like I Am Robot and Proud, you will probably enjoy this.
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