This double CD package could almost be seen as an update of Takemura’s Sign 12-inch from 2000, featuring different versions of the original tracks as well as an extra CD-ROM disc with a quaint cartoon animation for the title track “Sign”.
“Sign” itself is a nine minute extravaganza of twitching cutesy pop melody, clumsily programmed (intentionally it seems) percussion, combined with computer generated vocals and an underlying skipping-CD backdrop. The song is obviously a mutated version of a Takemura original pop song that has been deconstructed beyond all recognition. Much like the majority of tracks that follow, “Sign” is five minutes too long though, and the impact of its finer elements is lessened from this over lengthiness.
“Cogwheel” is another long piece, clocking in at just less than ten minutes. Floating along in much the same way as the other pieces on the CD, the exaggerated repetition of its percussive elements forms a basis for a series of meandering
synth motifs. The track suffers from being slightly too lengthy, appearing to be a featureless mix of repetitive percussion and disjointed ideas.
“Souvenir in Chicago” is a collaboration between Takemura and some of the key members of US ‘post rock’ outfit Tortoise. Takemura contributes a mixture of piano work and organ drones to what is essentially a Tortoise track. However, two thirds into the piece, the conventional guitar, bass and drum improvisational framework shifts toward straight organ drones with dissected and fragmented live drumming. Then, a transformation into pure abstract noise dissections amongst accordian and traditional instrument audio cut-ups. The piece almost goes through a cycle of decomposition to pure raw sound at its conclusion.
“Meteor” is the highlight of the CD with its clickety dance floor undertones and odd bubbling orchestration. Once again displaying Takemura’s tendency to flesh out his work with skipping CD type atmospherics, the track then moves toward a more lightweight pop interlude that would not at all sound out of place on a Mouse On Mars record.
The second disc features a disturbing yet fascinating animation to accompany Sign, and was created by Mo’ Wax poster artist Katsura Moshino. Almost resembling a highly stylised eight-bit Nintendo game style, this animation along with Takemura’s warped electronic pop offerings make for a very interesting and worthwhile purchase.
