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Cibo Matto


Country of origin:

U.S.; members originally from Japan

Type of music generally:

Alternative pop/rock

Status:

The group announced their break-up in December 2017. Most recent release, Hotel Valentine (2014)

See also:

Cibo Matto's MySpace page

Wikipedia's entry on Cibo Matto

Comparisons:

Hip hop version of Shonen Knife, Beastie Boys, Tricky, Björk

Covers/own material:

Own

General comments:

I've heard Cibo Matto described as a cross between Portishead and Pizzicato Five, but I don't think that says it. To compare them to Pizzicato Five is to hear only the accent. And Portishead has a far narrower range of sounds and sources; I'd sooner invoke Tricky. And Björk. I've never agreed that Björk belonged under the TripHop label, but hearing Cibo Matto may lead me to a change of opinion. Cibo Matto bridges the gap (figuratively: I understand there's not much of a literal one) between Björk and Tricky. (lissener@wwa.com)

Comments about live performance:

I saw Cibo Matto for the second time this year. Wow. They are so fun. It was a killer show. Sean Lennon on bass rocked the house. Beat the Donkey—a 14+ brazilian drum n bass band minus the bass this round added extra special sauce to several Cibo Matto songs. Check em out. Tons o fun. (jetgrrl@magenta.com)

Cibo Matto was excellent live at Lilith Fair. (08/99, nnadel@hotmail.com)

Recommended first album:

Viva! La Woman

Recordings:


Viva! La Woman

Release info:

1996—Warner—2-45989-2

Availability:

Wide

Ecto priority:

Recommended for fans of strange pop

Produced by:

Mitchell Froom and Tchad Blake with Cibo Matto

Comments:

The lyrics are a hoot and a half. 'Birthday Cake' ("Shut and eat!/ Too bad no bon appetit!") are loud and Rubyesque. A few of the songs have a dark quiet that makes me think of Anita Lane. But their cover of "CandyMan"—they ignore Anthony Newley's melody entirely—is reason enough to pay full price for Viva! La Woman. (lissener@wwa.com)

Super Relax ep

Release info:

1997—Warner—9 46478-2

Availability:

Wide

Ecto priority:

Recommended for fans of strange pop

Group members:

Miho Hatori—AKG 414, Audix OM3, Shure SM58, vocals
Yuka Honda—DJ70, Juno 60, electric piano, piano, bass

Guest artists:

Sean Lennon—bass, drums, microphone
Timo Ellis—drums, percussion
Marc Ribot—guitar
Curtis Fowlkes—trombone
Russell Simins—microphone, drums
Mike D.—microphone

Produced by:

Mitchell Froom, Tchad Blake, Mario Caldato Jr., with Cibo Matto

Comments:

Remixes.

Stereo Type A

Release info:

1999-Warner—9362-47345-2

Availability:

Wide

Ecto priority:

Recommended for fans of quirky alternative pop

Group members:

Miho Hatori—vocals, shaker, acoustic guitar
Yuka Honda—sampler & sequences, organ, piano, electric piano, synth, harpsichord, vocoder, vocals
Sean Lennon—electric bass, synth bass, drums, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, percussion, synth, vocoder, vocals, 12-string guitar, delay pedal
Timo Ellis—drums, bass, vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, 8-string bass, cymbal, slamming door

Guest artists:

Duma Love—vocal, percussion, beat bos, turntable
Marc Ribot—electric & acoustic guitar
Dave Douglas—trumpet
Curtis Fowlkes—trombone
Josh Roseman—trombone
Dougie Bowne—hi-hat, cymbals
Sebestian Steinberg—bass
Yumoko Ohno—moog, backup vocals
Vinia Mojica—backup vocals
Sequoia—backup vocals
Smokey Hormel—acoustic guitar
John Medeski—clavinet
Billy Martin—percussion

Produced by:

Yuka Honda with Cibo Matto

Comments:

This is one of my top albums of the year. I just adore it. Popping this album on the player is guaranteed to bring a smile to my face. An utter delight (despite the presence of Sean Lennon!) It's sheer pop genius for me! (colford@chlotrudis.org)

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DISCLAIMER: Comments and reviews in the Ectophiles' Guide are excerpted from the ecto mailing list or volunteered by members of the list. They are the opinions of music enthusiasts, not professional music critics.

Entry last updated 2022-01-19 23:13:08.
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