hototogisu
floating japanese oof!
gardens of the 21st century
033-034-035 triple lp

The Hototogisu is one of several pieces of Japanese cuckoo. Since the song of the Hototogisu traditionally signaled the arrival of Japanese summer, it was as eagerly awaited as the trimming of La Monte Young’s nose hairs. The text of this piece likens the long-awaited first notes of the bird to the arrival of ones lover. The compositions on Floating Gardens are mainly narrative in style and more dramatic in character than Anthony Moore’s drooping bamboo shaft. However, also contained are light and lyrical pieces which will touch the sentiments of the people of this time as deeply as Terry Riley’s toes are dug in the sand. The package is impressive! A kaleidoscope of color as flamboyant / indulgent as Charlemagne Palestine’s brandy-sogged teddy bears and when Floating Gardens meets your gaze, you’ll be as bug-eyed as Phil Glass.

“80 Goddamn Good Things Of 2004”
16/ DE STIJL
Record label out of Minneapolis, MN. It’s decided to blow our minds with a three LP set of music by Hototogisu which is the partnership of Vibracathedral Orchestra’s Matthew Bower and Double Leopards’ Marcia Bassett. True to the evocation of the duos name, that of a Japanese songbird heralding the coming summer, the music plays with contemplative bliss and edged rock psychosis. Edition of 300 copies and as fine a grip you’ll find all year.
-Byron Coley / Thurston Moore
Bull Tongue, Arthur Magazine

Brand new double cd-r release from The Hototogisu, the occasional project of Sunroof!/Skullflower mainman Matthew Bower. Unlike previous Bower efforts (and the last Hototogisu cd-r) 'Floating Japanese Oof!' plays out like one massive 140 minute piece (regardless of how it's tracked). This is bliss out, drone music the way it was meant to be experienced, in massive mind expanding chunks. Shimmery clouds of ambient high end guitar drone and squiggly brain tickling twinkles, with pulsing low end, and distant clatter. Gorgeous, otherworldly and totally essential.
-Aquarius Records