Search - Xtatika :: Tongue Bath

Some tongue!

ptitchitza | Leiden, Netherlands | 12/04/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Xtatika's Tongue Bath is the first release in Tzadik's new Oracles series which, to quote from the CD cover, "celebrates the diversity and creativity of women in experimental music making, bringing to the foreground the ongoing accomplishments of some of the most forward looking musicians working today." With some stretch of imagination Xtatika reminds (me, at least) of how Einstürzende Neubaten would have sounded some time ago had they been using traditional (Korean) accustic, percussive instruments such as kwenggari, tinsya, ebow, changgo, puk (what exactly these are, I have no idea...) while practising a more melodic approach. Singer/songwriter Haena Kim has an impressive vocal and a nasty, mischievous way in which she often uses it with masochistic bravado and virtuosity reminiscent of Diamanda Galás. Quite impressive, even if it requires some getting used to the unusual instrumentation."

Very Original

ptitchitza | 09/15/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This Cd is like a breath of fresh air. It melds a sense of primitive ritual sound with a touch of the cutting edge creating an entirely fresh listening experience. No other band sounds like this at all. Lead singer is great with her singing comming off as chantress or witchdoctor which is combined perfectly with the Korean percussion."