Album Notes

Kanji School's self-titled debut album is 10 distinctive slices of left-field scuzz-pop. There's something for everyone, from the country-rock influences on 'Look Down' and the rock stomp of 'Hairpie Slick' to the hip-hop beats and samples on 'Tuesday May 16 1989'. Kanji School's second album 'The Lonely Descent Of Vladimir Komarov' is due in October 2003, but in the meantime check out this platter of quirky, inventive lo-fi...



From Leonard's Lair, February 2003:

"It is not difficult to work out the influences which inform the first album from Dan Auty AKA Kanji School. The songs on display possess that familiar slacker attitude to songwriting that Beck employed at the beginning of his career.

Experimentalism and melody are the key elements with character-based sketches ranging from the humour of 'Jesus Is Coming (Look Busy)' and 'Where's My Remote Control?' to the considerably darker undertones of 'A Nice Man'; a tale of a former serial killer released on to a community, where a worried mother tells her child of a dark past.

Taken purely as songs though, the infectious grunge of 'Hairpie Slick', the seductive groove of 'Camisole' and the glam stylings of 'All The Aussie Temps Are Getting Out' impress the most. There's a lot to suggest that Auty could be the next Experimental Pop Band if he continues to improve."



From Gajoob, October 2002:

"Kanji School is primarily London-based 28-year-old Dan Auty, who has spent the last few years in various bands while writing and recording his own songs at home. This self-titled release was recorded over four months in the summer of 2002, and this has all of the charm that makes home recordings so cool, if you ask me.

While it's somewhat of a hodge podge of stuff, that's exactly why I like it. You might classify it with artists like Beck and others. Auty fills his cabinet with house beats while mixing in rock styles, keeping to lean arrangements; and veers off nicely into stranger territory that keeps you wondering what's next."