The Other Side of the Sky

I was a bit scared to listen to the new CD by Acid Mothers Temple & the Melting Paraiso U.F.O., Have You Seen the Other Side of the Sky? because 1) I'm scared of acid and 2) just look at the rest of the name. Kinda weird I'd think.

I'd heard something about AMT, and that was pretty much that they're Japanese and a psychedelic, interstellar jam band. Well...it's kind've spot on. A lot of their music is psychedelic sounding, with electric squiggles forcing their way into your eardrums, screeching and twirling synths compete for your attention. It's so much happening at one time that it's hard to even comprehend what you're listening to.

The first track, "Attack from the Planet Hattifatteners" was hard to get through because it's pretty etheral and doesn't go many places. The middle tracks, "Buy the Moon of Jupiter" and the 15-minute long "Asimo's Naked Breakfast: Rice and Shrine" were surprisingly easy-listening. But then the shortest song on the album "I Wanna Be Your Bicycle Saddle" was by far the hardest. "Interplanetary Love" is the prettiest song, with a melting sitar and plucked guitar strings keeping things spaced-out and lovely. Did I mention the last track is 30 minutes long? Because it is. Six tracks clocking in just above an hour. Dang.

It's a very beautiful record, something I never thought I'd be saying upon first listen. But it takes root in your brain, and taking the intergalactic thrillride seems like a perfectly normal way to spend an afternoon.

Buy Have You Seen the Other Side of the Sky? from Ace Fu.