Judy and Mary = pure awesome.

I should at least tell you the genre I suppose. Mostly rock (earlier days), but moved toward jpop (later stuff). Girl singer.

Last edited by alyks (2008 August 07, 11:51 pm)

dihutenosa wrote:

Dragg -

if you like digital hardcore, try Mad Capsule Markets.

I'm aware this post wasn't directed at me, but thank you for reminding me! I used to listen to these when I was a kid (?!) and forgot all about them.

I really enjoy Yui:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjpgdhV1M14
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6ixJt7udCU

And GO!GO!7188
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15UH1qpjMas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84u5QzDPqMk
They've been around a long time, so their newer stuff has a rather different, but still enjoyable sound: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoF2Q8RmxDI

Yui is apparently J-Pop, Pop Rock, Folk Pop and GO!GO!7188 is apparently Rock, Surf Rock with "influences spanning from surf rock to punk rock to enka," whatever any of that means. I've never found genres to be anything but useless in describing music.

I would suggest in general that people just give stuff an honest try, remembering that this music is in fact Japanese, and not American, and so not bemoan the lack of (American Artist). If one wants to listen to (American Artist), one can presumably just do so - one's desire for AJATT not withstanding. But come on, try to REALLY immerse yourself, not just 'immerse' yourself. Listen to the crappy music, watch those godawful dramas with production values akin to The Disney Channel!

I mean, no one found the Japanese sense of humour amusing at first either, did they? ....did they?

AdamLeliel wrote:

phauna wrote:

We need to compile a list with genres and suggested bands.

This sounds like a good idea. It's hard to start off with finding good music, in my opinion (if you have no idea where to look).

I just stumbled onto this thread and I really wish that I had gotten here at the beginning.  First of all, this is a good suggestion, but the work has already been done for you.  Just start searching for the bands mentioned here on last.fm.  Even if you don't sign up and use last.fm, their database is fantastic.  I use the site extensively, and my recommendations can be seen there. 

I share your feelings The_dude.  It seems like anything resembling good music died with the Showa Era.  If I were going to give you my must have bands, all of them would be from before 1989.  I desperately wish this weren't the case.  A couple of current bands I do like are Hosome and World's End Girlfriend (don't look to either for vocal work though).  But great bands are few and far between.  I feel like Japan's music scene was so successfully dominated by the major labels, that it must be the envy of all the Western majors.

I don't want to step on the toes of anyone who actually likes the tripe they are passing off as music here.  All forms of fetishism should be celebrated I suppose.  I just encourage people to make a little effort.  Dig a little deeper than the soundtrack to Rori Rori-chan's Panty Surprise.  Just because it's in an anime soundtrack doesn't mean its worth fetishizing.  Just because its on the top 100 chart and easily downloaded doesn't mean it has to be your favorite band.  I totally understand the motivation of these people though, I wanted so desperately to like Japanese music that I made the same choices years ago.  The bottom line is that there is good music, but it is much more sparse than it should be and finding it isn't usually easy.  Sites like last.fm are making it much much easier though.

Last edited by dilandau23 (2008 August 11, 7:36 pm)

I'm just wondering does anyone know of any homebrew applications that do Karaoke?
Similar to some of the homebrew DDR applications.

If you like it, that's all that counts, no matter how you came to like it. Also, outside opinions count less than nothing in the end.

plumage wrote:

Haco "Happiness Proof" was a cool album I stumbled onto this week. Emusic has an ok selection of Japanese music.

Very interesting thanks for the suggestion.

Now back on the last.fm topic, I decided to link to a thread were it was discussed.  Trust me, last.fm will help everyone find new or different music, no matter their music tastes.

Boris is an amazing group from Japan. I just saw them live in Boston a few weeks ago, it was incredible. Their prolific collection of albums ranges from drone metal to hardcore, a lot of really dark stuff but a lot of energy too. With the slow build-up stuff (like Feedbacker), you really have to listen to the entire album through to get the full effect.

They've done collaborations with some other good people/groups. Michio Kurihara plays on the album Rainbows, he's got his own band too. There's also a Merzbow collaboration but I wouldn't recommend listening to Merzbow's stuff

There's good stuff outside of rock too. DJ Krush does some amazing instrumental acid jazz hip hop DJing. Ken Ishii's techno stuff is also cool.

Last edited by wahnfrieden (2008 August 19, 9:38 am)

TGWeaver wrote:

it's all about polysics.

polysics.

find me something better and you win a prize.

Boris

they're a great band, but their music is similar to other stoner rock bands (and i mean that as a compliment). but i haven't found anything similar to polysics. the group is unreal. the most unique thing i've come across in japan.

Last edited by TGWeaver (2008 August 19, 12:23 pm)

i'm pretty sure the word you're looking for is "influenced," because they're certainly not a clone.

but i guess music is in the ear of the beholder. to me, boris doesn't sound like they're any more creative or unique than monster magnet, queens of the stone age or clutch. they're all influenced by each other, so they all sound a bit like each other. each is unique, but they share similar traits.

see what i mean?: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8_EpziS … re=related

p.s.: the bass player from death from above (the 4:20 mark, har har), went on to become one of the members of MSTR KRFT, a fairly popular electronic duo.

Last edited by TGWeaver (2008 August 19, 4:04 pm)

TGWeaver wrote:

they're a great band, but their music is similar to other stoner rock bands (and i mean that as a compliment). but i haven't found anything similar to polysics. the group is unreal. the most unique thing i've come across in japan.

Try P-Model, Polysics are heavily influenced by them I feel(more so than Devo).  I also recommend Hosome if you are looking for something unique, energetic and current.  Polysics was one of the first bands I found that I could actually appreciate though.  There was a compilation called "Tokyo New Wave of New Wave 98" no idea if you can still find it but it was pretty decent.

Last edited by dilandau23 (2008 September 05, 2:00 am)

The Pillows are, partially to my annoyance, nicknamed 'The Japanese Beatles'. I for myself listen to them a lot and find them an equivalent of good western Rock music. Bump of Chicken fits into that same category. (The lead-singer of BoC has an extremely unique and beautiful voice as well, also, their music does provide for some chilled-out listening as well whereas the Pillows at times have a more rough and unpolished sound.)