Mouse on the Keys

View larger: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjpOhR_Q9xw

     Here is a band that I think everyone should experience. They're a Japanese Jazz / Rock band called Mouse on the Keys and here is their song Saigo No Bansan. I'm not entirely certain what the title means but knowing the word 'bansan' means diner and 'saigo' means last, end, completion it could mean something as deep as the last supper or as simple as completing dinner or not doing so (not sure what the no means). Personally I find it to be incredibly gripping music when focused upon. For those of you who enjoy audio over-stimulation such as myself then I feel you'll seriously enjoy picking apart all the dynamic aspects of the drumming and the intricate interplay between the piano and keyboard.
     Admittedly, for all you classically trained musicians who are steadfast in your puritan ways this music may open up your mind...or simply not be for you. Nevertheless it is something you should listen to at least once. It's a bit difficult to accept the wall of sound that is thrown at you initially in songs such as Toccatina but I found myself very quickly (about 35 seconds in) getting in flux with the jam.

Here is a horribly compressed YouTube upload of Mouse on the Keys song Toccatina:

There desire to express visual sensations through the experience of sound (as most successful music attempts to do -in my opinion) leads me to categorize them with bands like The Cinematic Orchestra.
    Here is Last.fm's write up of them which can probably be attributed to Wikipedia:

     "A blend of minimal phrased piano and dynamic drumming. The pursuit of a live experience composed of visual and audio expression.Formed in 2006, with elements of jazz, funk, post‐rock and electronic music, Mouse on the Keys fits into a genre of their own.

     The unique sound of the band’s drums, two pianos, and two keyboards combines the sense of urgency from rock, hard core and heavy metal with tastes of early/contemporary classical, jazz and various dance music.
     At their concerts, the band projects a variety of images chosen to match their sound ―views of Tokyo, geometric symbols, 3D objects, and abstractions. Residents of Tokyo, the members of Mouse on the Keys represent the haunting restlessness of their home city at their live appearances. They would transform even a venue in Germany or France into a kind of virtual Tokyo."

     There latest album An Anxious Object (2009) differs from their first album entitled Sezession (2007) but many of the core inspirations and motivations for the band I think can still be felt. I hope you all enjoy Mouse on the Keys. I may have to agree with Youtube user DeSterrennacht when he said this about Saigo No Bansam, "If this was MY last supper, I would be content with crucifixion."

Sincerely,

-S.

P.S.- Here is a link to a copy of the songs that have not been compressed as much: 
  Toccatina:  http://grooveshark.com/s/Toccatina/30NEtw?src=5

  Saigo No Bansan:  http://grooveshark.com/s/+/30NEdj?src=5