Yusuke Hayashi (yes, his pseudonym is an anagram of his Latin-alphabet name; I doubt the same is true in Kanji. . .) has meandered through various groups, but his last three efforts have been solo. Pretty much everything about this is antithetical to western stereotypes of Japanese culture, starting with the fact that he creates a character for each album and then commits to the bit. So if you see him on tour, he will be playing the part of a rock cult guru.

Y'know. Like Manson.

Yuyakeshiwasu Rock 'n' Roll Cult (self-released)

As for the music, it revels in the psychedelic excesses of the 60s, meandering from the 13th Floor Elevators to Black Sabbath to the stranger parts of the the White Album. And with 28 songs in the set, he's far outdone the Beatles in quantity. Interestingly, there is an element of satiric pastiche as well. "The Sea Buffalo" borrows from "Cinnamon Girl", and while "Summer of Your Love" doesn't seem to have a lot to do with Cream, the similarity in title must mean something.

Unfortunately, I am not fluent in Japanese and cannot testify first-hand to the cultural commentary that (I am told) runs through the lyrics. I will say that at times the music runs to Rutles-ian moments of musical ecstasy, so I'm certainly willing to lend some benefit of the doubt to that statement.

Those who picked up on the Bomp!-era Brian Jonestown Massacre will find a happy place here, as will anyone who likes to hear ideas after they've been processed by an ocean and 60 years (or so). A charming and idiosyncratic set that never fails to surprise. The creativity is mindbending.

Jon Worley