Melt-Banana - Bambi's Dillema

After making a name playing broken and surreal J-pop at light velocity, Melt-Banana recording a rock album may leave some worried. On their last release - which they took a slower approach to - the results were wholly satisfactory. But for all its shortcomings, it was around that album (and his solo album on Tzadik) that guitarist Agata proved his ability to use the axe in a myriad of ways, none of which sounded like a guitar. Riffs that sound like time-space bending or some industrial strength Penderecki-stretched therimin propel some of MxBx's best music yet. Bambi's Dilema finds the perfect balance between lunatic hardcore and traditional rock song structure. While the jury might still be out on whether the lyrics/song titles are some of the best post-Beefheart dadaisms or just bizarre examples of brain damaged Engrish, either way, they are utterly perfect. Melt-Banana will still melt your face off. [Ali Maloney]