In a convergence of geek worlds last fall, avatarish anti-producer Steve Albini collaborated a second time with a guitarist who calls himself Yoda. The latter isn't an impish green Jedi master, but, as a member of Japanese instrumental juggernaut Mono, he has plenty of force on his side. When Yoda, guitar player Takaakira "Taka" Goto, bassist Tamaki and drummer Yasunori Takada crank their amps, the result is a big Tak attack that puts listeners in a wind tunnel. This spring's Albini-recorded maelstrom, You Are There, blows gale after superheated gale of dense, howling guitar. (The group also releases a 10-inch record on director Cameron Crowe's Vinyl Films label later this month.) Between storms, Mono dabs on the rosewater and levitates over its music stands to play ruminative songs such as "The Remains of the Day." The band's music suggests a lens fixed in nature, equally ready to capture moments of pacific sunlight and nocturnal downpours. When Mono comes to town, there is no try. Go. Or go not.
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