themaeshi-hlllyhIf early Greenday had had a smoke with Mr. Bungle, it might have sounded a bit like Mae Shi in the rehearsal-garage afterwards. Or not. It definitely was a garage. I like Mae Shi, yes, I think so – though I agree with one of my musician friends who is very wise in music and said: “I don't think they're wacky, I think they want to be wacky.” Their style is not fixed, they take you to Tripping Daisy’s or Jane's Addiction times and you eventually end techno - you cannot predict, yet whilst having their current album HLLYH in your player, you can predict it will be weird, which actually makes them predictable. It’s fun listening to them, refreshing, and they are still quite young, it seems – Frank Zappa or Mike Patton started at some point as well… and may have been an influence, among many others. If a young band adds in new sparks and dots to the colourful fields of wide spread music movements, and has been doing so, successfully and increasingly, for 6 years now, it should be welcomed, with doors wide open. Let their blend into your ears and your hearts - and watch them in the times to come: They may form an opinion on where they feel most at home with and most authentic, if they care; I suspect them to give a damn and just want to play, play, play - and music is a playground, isn't it? -- Nicole D
:: The Mae Shi/Hlllyh - Moshi Moshi/Cooperative Music/Universal.
