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
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 (1996)
- Super Relax ep (1997)
- Stereo Type A (1999)
- Pom Pom: Essential Cibo Matto (compilation, 2007)
- Hotel Valentine (2014)
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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