Bottom of the Hill
November 3, 2001
Review by Squid
It's no wonder that the Japonize (pronounced japon-"eyes") Elephants land Uz Jsme Doma have each been billed with Sleepytime Gorilla Museum. Both are are (uhm, sort of) ethnically-tinged ensembles that specialize in the frenetic songs of the insane. But where Uz Jsme Doma is more of a freejazz collective heavy lean towards ska, Japonize Elephants end up on the folksier side of the spectrum, thanks to a heavy reliance on banjo, accordion, and a percussionist playing what appeared to be a desk lamp with a fork. The horn section punctuated the whole gypsy fiasco and kept things from getting too cutesy and saccarhine. Dare we call it Vaudevillian Klezmer? Did we mention that they're on Secretly Canadian, home to our beloved Songs: Ohia?! And, they've got a "theme song" where they declare their name! Just like the Monkees! Or Motorhead! Eh, we dig 'em. Check them out when you can.
Japonize Elephants
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