Japanese electro-pop meets burlesque quirkiness in this crudely original debut on Lens Records. Hailing from Chicago IL, Avagami is a two-piece band that's anything but sexy. Metagami mixes electronica, adept drumming and saxophone into a puzzling mix of jazz inspired beats that are both entertaining and playful. Unfortunately, the baritone vocals scaling this lurid album take away any kind of enjoyment. Being just over thirty-five minutes, Metagami drags and falls under its intransigent aesthetic.
"Avagami", the first track on this album is strange and not the least bit comical, and if one said that this song was the heart of the album, they probably wouldn't be lying. "F**k the Man" provides cheeky switches between toy piano rhythms and dirty underground bass. Silly lyrics and vocals make this song as unattractive as it's follower, "Mushy". Gagging bass and Theremin-esque pads kick and beat in "Trombone Solo". Squeaking static and moody saxophone swells on "Eagle". The fancy drum work at the end of this song seems to want to force the listener into listening further. They should, Metagami does get better at this point.
As the album finally begins to unwind, the baritone vocals begin to tone down. "Small Victory" steps back and takes a breather from Avagami's somewhat nauseating parodies. "Unoriginal" follows suit, and probably more so. At the end of this refreshing song, the listener delves into what Avagami could very well be, a concoction of moody beats and reverberating falsetto. Having been sparsely used, a mere twenty seconds of improvement depicts Avagami's great potential.
"Sickly Time" starts out with synth hooks ranging from Pokemon-esque 8-bit beats to a machine-driven down tempo. "Newager" starts with bustling piano keys and drum & bass followed by poppy electronica beats. "Never Let Me Down Again" bellows and yelps to echoing drums and deep, menacing bass. The sound and vocals make good use of one another.
For once, Metagami seems to be in complete control of itself in "Luxus", though unfortunately this is the last track. Atmospheric leads, hopeful sax and falsetto work to their highest potential to form a promising song that's short, but bittersweet.
Though one can say that Avagami is good, one can only wish for more falsetto in this somewhat fatiguing album. By the end of Metagami, it's too late to forget the first half. This album could possibly become better after listening to it multiple times, but many listeners aren't so forgiving. What kind of sense of humor must one have to actually enjoy this album? Nonetheless, Metagami is still experimental to the degree that it is accessible. It may not be inviting, but this hit-or-miss is still worth a listen.
Track Listing
1. Avagami
2. F**k the Man
3. Mushy
4. Trombone Solo
5. Eagle
6. Small Victory
7. Unoriginal
8. Sickly Time
9. Newager
10. Never Let Me Down Again
11. Luxus
