Melt Banana

These days, Melt-Banana performs some of their shows under the name Melt-Banana Lite, and this album is a live recording of the new configuration. Melt-Banana Lite is not the usual Melt-Banana: there are drums and vocals, but no guitars--instead samplers and synth. It is different, but at the same time, one definitely feels Melt-Banana when one listens to it. It is like watching the ocean when diving, not when standing and watching from the land. Melt-Banana Lite shows another face of Melt-Banana, with more flexible, concentrated, and free minds. They have stepped forward, attempting to discover new possibilities for their music. Yako said to me, "There are as many things to do as there are interesting things, but the important thing is to figure out what I really want to do now. Life is short and we don't have enough time to get everything done, you know." Where are they heading? Find out at their upcoming tour. Yes, Melt-Banana is touring the States from late October through December, and they perform as Melt-Banana Lite as a part of their set. So check out their shows, see where the band is heading and discover what is in their minds now. --R. Fujimaki