Cornelius - Proof that a mind can be changed!

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So, I wouldn't be surprised if he's been discussed already, but what does everyone here think of Cornelius? Real name, Keigo Ayamanda, he's a Japanese one-man band who claims his early influences to be Kiss & the Clash, and who took his stage-name in homage to Roddy McDowell's character in "Planet of the Apes." What's not to like, eh? Well, now he practices a kitschy form of pop the Japanense call Shibuya-Kei, most notably practiced by Pizzicatto Five, whom I loathe with a fire that burns brighter than a thousand angry suns. Based on this and his "look at me, I'm as cute and cuddly as a baby panda" visual aesthetic, I firmly decided to myself: "Right, I'm going to hate this guy, everything he stands for, and will go well out of my way to defend the righteous cause of RAWK whenever and wherever possible, taking as many needless potshots at Cornelius's cheeky irony-drenched shtick. I mean, c'mon, I like Cop Shoot Cop, Killing Joke and Venom!" Open-minded, aren't I?

So, I'm perusing through the stacks at some faceless record mart the other day while they're playing this completely amazing mix tape of all sorts of strange ambient sounds, amazing pop hooks, rifftastic metal breaks, eerie vocal effects, inventive samples, sinister electronic bleeps and aurally silky loops. I complement the hipper-than-thou gent behind the counter on it, and he duly informs me that it's not in fact a mix tape nor compilation at all, but rather POINT, the new album from -- WAIT FOR IT -- Cornelius. A black cloud forms above my head, morphing into a closed fist which summarily pounds down upon my empty head, forcing me to acknowledge my narrow vista of taste, and I repent by purchasing the disc on the spot. I think it's absolutely fantastic, and I highly recommend it.

― Alex in NYC, Wednesday, 30 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Have you heard Nigo?

― Mickey Black Eyes, Wednesday, 30 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

We just got 'Point' in at my radio station, and indeed it's a really cool record. I haven't yet given it as much time as I would have liked, but I certainly plan on picking it up sometime. I've had one of the songs, "Brazil," stuck in my head all day, and I've only heard it like twice.

― Clarke B., Wednesday, 30 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I am happy that Alex in NYC has embraced 'Point'... on Cornelius...

here is some more

― Honda, Wednesday, 30 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

now the question is: would alex like "fantasma" as much or less, given as how it's a lot more schizophrenic (and i can't often listen to the whole thing in one sitting.)

for the number of threads per capita, cornelius would appear on the surface to be ilm's favorite act.

― jess, Wednesday, 30 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

i assumed he was talking about fantasma!

― ethan, Wednesday, 30 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I complement the hipper-than-thou gent behind the counter on it, and he duly informs me that it's not in fact a mix tape nor compilation at all, but rather POINT

― jess, Wednesday, 30 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

(but do you think he's ready for that JELLY?)

― mark s, Wednesday, 30 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Cornelius kinda bugs, actually... he's one of those crafty, hybridized splicers that seems to feed off underground culture while never replenishing it, ala Beck. To the outside world they appear wildly innovative, or at least able to reference all that is ironically cool, but I'm not falling for it. Count the Beastie Boys in that crowd as well...

― Andy, Wednesday, 30 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

ahh he's better than beck for sure

― g, Wednesday, 30 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Well, Alex, just don't see Cornelius live, and you'll be fine.

― Brian MacDonald, Wednesday, 30 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

yes, brian, i agree. cornelius live is a very bad thing. i have suffered this twice. i loved fantasma, but haven't heard point. i had assumed it would be duller, but i think i will check it out

― gareth, Thursday, 31 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

He included one of our songs on his Prego! '97 album so what can I say? I find his MBV pastiches frighteningly accurate. What's the name of that utterly bonkers brass band track on Fantasma?

― Jez, Thursday, 31 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Nigo is dreadful. i know it's the kind of thing Momus would adore because he's got that whole 'curator of popular culture' thing going on, the whole being an auteur without ever having to record a note of music (apart from the odd bash of a drum) thing.

but his album just really isn't very good. his toys and clothes are much better.

Cornelius also always seemed a little too 'style mag' over substance for me.

― Wyndham Earl, Thursday, 31 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I find that, as a fashion accessory, Nigo ain't bad. It's certainly better than most sincere efforts at music, and besides, if one becomes to it as a light trifle, I think it's fairly cute. But then again, I'm predisposed to find these things likeable--I mention it only because of the Cornelius bent--and fashion.

― Mickey Black Eyes, Thursday, 31 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Anyone that knows me knows that Cornelius is my God, or more accurately, was my God. I saw him live in 1999 (by sheer coincidence) and bought "Fantasma" on the spot. That was my bible and Keigo was my God. But now, the Shibuya-kei thing is far over (it's been for years), the P5 broke up, and when I got the new Cornelius album, I was less than blown away. "Fantasma" is a masterpiece and "69/96", while a little less-so, is right on par. Both albums, and the subsequent "CM" just grab you by the throat and don't let go. They burst with such creative energy and genuine enthusiasm, which I kind of suspected "Point" wouldn't really be able to live up to. But of course the more I listen to it the more I like it. Especially "Drop" and "Fly".

...Now, if you get into the new Buffalo Daughter....
― Adam Bruneau, Thursday, 31 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

shite.. looks like I got a little carried away with the HTML and forgot to leave in a /
― Adam, Thursday, 31 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

He included one of our songs on his Prego! '97 album so what can I say? I find his MBV pastiches frighteningly accurate. What's the name of that utterly bonkers brass band track on Fantasma?
Which one was that? I'm sorry I have this record somewhere but I completely forgot what's on it....
― Adam, Thursday, 31 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Nick thinks Nigo is a twunt. A fashion slag in service to Mo'Wax. I'm sure he won't mind my say-so on this one.
Keigo Oyamada is one of the sweetest guys in the whole world, fgact. And a total genius.
― suzy, Thursday, 31 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

DEATH TO BOLD.

― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 31 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

What's a twunt?

― Mickey Black Eyes, Thursday, 31 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Adam: It's Leslie Phillips... by Tomorrow's World. My favourite track is the first Citrus number...the way it keeps turning from shambling guitar pop to glorious (if that's the right word) electronics & back again.

― Jez, Thursday, 31 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Ummm ... in the spirit of typing-conservation more than self- promotion, let me mention that my review of Point will likely run tomorrow on Pitchfork.

― Nitsuh, Thursday, 31 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I always thought "Point" to be the spot where Japanese pop finally takes the nostalgia and turns it inwards, and that it's kind of a farewell to the Shibuya-kei movement. Almost like an "Abbey Road" for Japanese kitsch-pop experimentalists...

― Adam, Friday, 1 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

i thoroughly enjoyed fantasma, it was definately my top picks for listening for summer. point is waiting for me in my box at work, more to come once i give it a listen. i've enjoyed the responses to your post! keigo oyamada is brilliant, despite the tendency for many to say everything now is just hopelessly, unnecessarily retro.

― , Friday, 1 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

They were playing "Point" in Rough Trade Talbot Road on Saturday. It's not all essential by any means, but the peaks are indeed very high. Out on March 2nd in UK I was told.

― Jeff W, Tuesday, 5 February 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

one year passes...

ok, so i'm reviving this because somewhat scarily i've just landed an interview with Keigo Oyamada next week..!

It's a phoner, and i know he doesn't speak English so I guess I'll be talking to a translator who'll then talk to him etcetc, but...bloody hell. Point and Fantasma are two of my favourite records of the last 5 years at least, and his remix of Blur's "Tender" is maybe the finest remix I've ever heard by anyone, ever, so I need something, anything to stop me ruining the interview by basically spunking down the phone (sorry for crass turn of phrase).

Thoughts, one and all? He's never been to Ausralia before so that's something to sart on, but...aaargh!

― Charlie (Charlie), Sunday, 9 February 2003 15:10 (twenty-three years ago)

i bought "point" recently, cos it was cheap at 10 euro. it's brilliantly patchy. there are one or two excruciating moments (like when it veers into awful Queen-style geetar soloing), but mostly it's quirky beach boys-y pop fun.

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Sunday, 9 February 2003 15:22 (twenty-three years ago)

I kind of like Point too, and it doesn't have much to do with what I usually lisen to, though haven't been completely overwhelmed by it. (Actually, it's about time for me to listen to it again.)

― Rockist Scientist, Sunday, 9 February 2003 15:25 (twenty-three years ago)

Nah, on second listen, I think I'll take it back to the library soon.

― Rockist Scientist, Sunday, 9 February 2003 17:53 (twenty-three years ago)

Charlie - ditch the interpreter and opt instead for yelling 'Ore no senshi nome' into the phone at random intervals until he hangs up. Of course I don't know what this is for but if it were one of those dick mags like Maxim it'd go over real well.

― Millar (Millar), Sunday, 9 February 2003 18:09 (twenty-three years ago)

did you buy it in a music city killian?

i got it there for a tenner recently as well
i haven't listened to it that much,for some reason it has just kind of washed over me so far...i havent really given it much of a chance...
fantasma,on the other hand,is amazing

this:
"completely amazing mix tape of all sorts of
strange ambient sounds, amazing pop hooks, rifftastic metal breaks, eerie vocal effects, inventive samples, sinister electronic bleeps and aurally silky
loops. "

is a perfect description of it...

― robin (robin), Monday, 10 February 2003 03:59 (twenty-three years ago)

I love Point...I love that it's so unified and focused (especially compared to the LSDisney experience that was Fantasma). I love the sonic depth and, what what?, I even love the lyrics and vocals. The songs are all catchy as a plague, yet completely avoid cliche'd methods of achieving said catchiness.

I loved Fantasma for competely opposing reasons; I loved it for essentially skull-fucking my brain with it's freakout crazy friendliness and outer-spacity. After "Magoo's Theme" and "2010", I have yet to view composition of electronic music in nearly the same light.

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Monday, 10 February 2003 14:52 (twenty-three years ago)

"did you buy it in a music city killian?"

Yep. in dun laoighre.

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Monday, 10 February 2003 21:46 (twenty-three years ago)

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