SOMEOFTHEM OF PODCAST Episode 29 'YMO' Special (Part 2)

A SOMEOFTHEM podcast by Akio Kanno and So OnoueWe are broadcasting the program 'SOMEOFTHEM OF PODCAST'. Here, we are posting the transcript divided into the first and second parts. For the 29th episode, to deepen our musical knowledge, we are posting a 'YMO' (?) special (Part 2) where we dare to listen straight to 'YMO'. The podcast and (Part 1) are available at the link below.

Kanno: I apologize for what happened until now. I will play YMO properly. 'TECHNOPOLIS' by DEPAPEKO.

Kanno: Yukihiro Takahashi on acoustic guitar, Ryuichi Sakamoto on acoustic guitar, Haruomi Hosono on acoustic guitar.

Onoue: That is not the case (laughs).

Kanno: I made a mistake, it was the three of them, DEPAPEPE and Kotaro Oshio. After listening to two K-POP-like songs, it's a relief, isn't it?

Onoue: That's right. It's hard to put into words, but while it's by no means a standout track, it's soothing, isn't it (laughs).

Kanno: It goes without saying, but they have incredible technique. The three of them are having a guitar battle, right? But you know, it doesn't really stir any waves in my heart. Or rather, there were too many waves earlier.

Onoue: The impact from earlier was just too much (laughs).

Kanno: That's exactly why I'm craving the warmth of wood from the bottom of my heart... (laughs).

Onoue: The warmth of acoustic... (laughs).

Kanno: No matter how good they are at guitar, it doesn't really become information, does it? And that's the effect of BGM, isn't it? Because there's nothing to talk about (laughs).

Onoue: I used to like Kotaro Oshio and DEPAPEPE, but that was about 20 years ago. These guys never change, do they (laughs).

Kanno: It's the strength of universality. I like this kind of ramen too.

Onoue: A taste that never changes. Somehow, instead of talking about YMO, we're talking about how guitar instrumentals are somehow reassuring (laughs).

Kanno: Now, let's listen to the next YMO song. '1000 KNIVES' by SUGIZO.

Kanno: That was 'Immigrant Song' by Led Zeppelin.

Onoue: That's wrong (laughs).

Kanno: They are the same as the previous DEPAPEKO in the sense that they are guitarists (laughs).

Onoue: The amount of information is completely different, isn't it (laughs).

Kanno: They're quoting from all sorts of things, aren't they?

Onoue: There are all kinds of developments, too. This cover is interesting.

Kanno: I looked at Wikipedia, and it seems SUGIZO discovered rock after learning about YMO.

Onoue: So it's his roots, then.

Kanno: Maybe it's a cover packed with those roots. There's a folk song vocal sample in the middle, the guitar work is incredibly technical, and as you mentioned, Onoue-kun, there's a Crimson-esque prog rock progression.

Onoue: That's right.

Kanno: And in the end, because they loved YMO so much, it finishes with 'Immigrant Song'.

Onoue: The words don't connect at all (laughs).

Kanno: I thought so too, but you shouldn't add lyrics to YMO songs. If you're going to cover them, please stick to 'Kimi ni, Mune Kyun'.

Onoue: You can do 'Kimi ni, Mune Kyun' as much as you want.

Onoue: You must not add lyrics to YMO songs and turn them into disco or EDM.

Kanno: Thinking about it that way, you could say 'Kimi ni, Mune Kyun' was created for covers after all.

Onoue: It's better to interpret it that way.

Kanno: For those of you out there hoping to make money covering YMO (laughs). So, that was our 'YMO Special where we don't play a single YMO song'.

Onoue: Please don't change the name of the project at the very end (laughs).

'SOMEOFTHEM OF PODCAST' is a music variety show where personality Akio Kanno and listener So Onoue try to discover new perspectives on music through quizzes, games, and sometimes by making songs battle each other (?), featuring the latest J-POP and some nostalgic tracks. Please post your thoughts using the hashtag #SamuObu!ty