JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION
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Why do some celebrities self-destruct due to substance abuse?
( 14 )
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What do you think are the main reasons why U.S. car sales are so low in Japan?
( 34 )
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What can be done to ease escalating tensions between the West and Iran over its nuclear program? And should Japan join sanctions against Iran?
( 14 )
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What do you think of the revised plan to realign U.S. forces in Japan by sending some Marines to Guam, and rotating others to Australia, the Philippines, Hawaii and possibly Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture?
( 17 )
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Why are there so many deaths due to snow-related accidents (people falling off rooftops, for example) in Japan this winter?
( 15 )
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- English Instructor (Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe)
- Berlitz Japan, Inc. (ベルリッツ・ジャパン株式会社), Kansai
- Salary: ¥125,000 ~ ¥250,000 / Month
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- FT English Teachers for Kids - Osaka
- Kohgakusha Co., Ltd. （株式会社興学社）, Osaka
- Salary: ¥255,000 ~ ¥275,000 / Month Travel Expenses, Encouragement of Japanese learning*
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- Translator
- ZAIHON, Inc. (日本財務翻訳株式会社), Tokyo
- Salary: ¥6.0M / Year Negotiable
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93 Comments
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rjd_jr
Personally I don't really like it, sounds too cheesy. But the singers are cute and that's most important. But the world sure seems to love J-pop.
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lipscombe
heard plenty, but nothing 99% of the population would appreciate or understand. Otomo Yoshihide, Haino Keiji, Tori Kudo,
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outofmydepth
no, no, no
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Razor
I used to like Akina Nakamori and I didn't mind Southern All Stars. When I was younger, I think my preferences depended on which girl singer was the sexiest -- hence my complete lack of interest in Ayumi Hamasaki, Kumi Koda, Hikaru Utada.
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tkoind2
JPop is all about looks and appeal. Music seems to be an afterthought with about 90% of what I hear. And most of it sounds like it is written by the same group of producers building on proven sounds. And then there are the bands that simply do bad immitations of bad western pop and hip hop.
The sad point is that there are a lot of talented indie artists in Japan. The non-commercial and indie artists here are a lot of fun. And many of them are truly talented and original. It is a shame that Avex and other lables overlook these talented performers. The commercial lables would rather find some cute young thing and throw her/him on stage with some canned music rather than give truly talented Japanese young performers a chance. It is really shameful and selfdestructive for the creative side of Japan.
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Betting
I'm pretty much a J-pop 80s and 90s kind of guy. Anything after that period usually isn't worth listening to.
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GW
J Pop is utter crap! Just cycle in new faces & use the same sounds, its all so so so the bloody the same unchanging.
click on this if you dare & you can watch smap jam with Toto, its a pathetic sight, Steve Lukather & the band clearly cant wait to get the hell off the stage with these rank amatures
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=loeJr-NY9cQ
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muniqui19
I have to agree with tkoind2. All Japanese pop music sounds alike:
High pitch, nasally solo females who sing the same way: waaaaaaaaaaaaa, wa wa wa wa waaaaaaaaaaaaa, wa wa wa wa waaa waaa waaa waa wawawawawawa. They can't sing, don't write their own music and are only on stage because they look "kawaii." And they all are cut from the same mold, except Ayumi Hamasaki, Kumi Koda, Hikaru Utada and that's about it.
Men are usually in groups who strive for the pretty-boy group look. they dance around, each one takes a turn saying a line or two, they sing a chorus, dance, repeat it all again.
The only J-pop artists who have moved me are The Gospellers, TOKIO and SMAP.
Mainstream Japanese music has no heart, no soul in my opinion. It seems to only be concern about looking good on stage and in magazines and actual talent is the remains of an afterthought of a real idea that got rejected.
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2020hindsight
I quite like Ajiko, which is headed up by Ua. I only have one album and I'm not sure they did anything else. Hiki is not too bad, but I don't really listen to her anymore and her English songs (lyrics) are painfully bad. Some 'Every Little Thing' is OK, but I think it's more that I find Kaori Mochida attractive.
0
TPOJ
There's a lot of brilliant stuff in the past, and a lot of avant garde stuff as well.
I'm actually in Japan specifically to research Jrock. I started a site as a reference:
http://www.jrawk.com
It's still pretty new, but it's growing...
0
Xennon
There is part of one Orange Range song I like....
Thats about it.
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Richard_III
Amongst my favourites are Kat-Tun and AKB48, who've produced music of unsurpassed quality recently.
Generally anything on Johnny's is a hallmark of quality for Japanese music.
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Patrick Smash
I once heard a female vocalist (I'll not call that type of screaching singing) say "thank you very much, goodnight". That was about as good as it got.
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laben8
I have been listening to Bump of Chicken and Asian Kung Fu Generation. I think they are mainstream J-rock. I like the music and if you have the time to check out translation in the web, I think you will appreciate it more. Ajikan (AKFG) was suggested to me by a friend and I heard Bump in one of the Recofan shops and I just had to ask the clerk who was that band playing in there sound system. There are also some artists that i like a few songs. Remioromen, High And Mighty Color, Maximum The Hormone and YUI. YUI-chan is kawaii. ;-)
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nigelboy
"Kona~ Yuki~♪”
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omarbabilon
I agree with muniqui19.
At first almost all Japanese pop music sounds like females singing in the same way: waaaaaaaaaaaaa, wa wa wa wa waaaaaaaaaaaaa, wa wa wa wa waaa waaa waaa waa wawawawawawa, and thats all, most of them cute, but not ussually sexy. They dont have a Mariah Carey or Leona Lewis, because all want to sing as 7 years old girls (for example: YUKI), about Ayumi Hamasaki and Kumi Koda, they are little different of course, but they are mainstream and puppets of their companies, too much make up and not too much clothes, after they get 30's they will be "dead", about Hikaru Utada, maybe because she is a "real" songwritter, probably is one of the most acceptable, but never think you will listen songs like "You oughta know" of Alanis Morrisette, or any female vocalist like Siouxsie Sioux of Siouxie & the Banshees, because all must be cuteness, love and sugar.
The only female singer acceptable and important for me is Shiina Ringo, in the middle point between maistream and indie, but i'm so sorryi have to accept sometimes she abuses of the Waaaaa Waaaa Wa Wa Wa Waaa Wa... but her lyrics and style are the most valuable here, because she doesnt belongs to the "kawaii world".
About electronic music... forget the trance, because almost all sounds useful to play DDR or jump as idiot in para-para style, almost no one respectable DJ (and forget DJ OZMA, he is a moron, and i am sure he can't make a mix), then... no trance, drum and bass almost 0... only in the house/chill out scene you can find an interesting act like Kyoto Jazz Massive, but i am really sorry to say... dont expect to find a Little Louie Vega, Dimitri From Paris, Miguel Migs or Armin Van Buren... we have to be realistic. Maybe in Synth Pop (yes, Synth Pop)... it gets interesting if you hear something from SOFT BALLET, their first singles sound too much like depeche mode and camouflage, but their lately recordings are more original and you could say they've found their own sound.
About Heavy Metal, Hard Rock, Gothic, Grunge, Punk... man, we are talking about Japan, do you think is it possible here, when the vocalist say "yoroshiku" and "arigatou" before and after playing, at this point we have to be cruel, but honest... only long hair, make up, makenting and leather clothes, thats all, thats all... any teenagers garage band in Seattle at the end of 90's, even Hanson or Jonas Brothers are more authentic and.... manly.
Hip hop...., this is no music, nobody can sing, nobody plays any instrument (in every country is the same, then no comments), we are talking only about gorgeous babes shaking their asses.
And about boy bans.... hahahahaha, please we are talking only about pretty-boy group look, whose use more make up than your girlfriend, dressed like hairdressers, dancing around and each one takes a turn saying a line or two, they sing a chorus, dance, repeat it all again, then please remember BOYS II MEN (THEY REALLY CAN SING!!!!) or N'Sync, ok i hate them, but one or two of them are pop mega-stars, one of the SMAP boys, could sing... alone... without using studio technology?... I GUESS NO... even about the lyrics... we are talking about more company puppets, then you wont never see a japanese version of George Michael (gay or not) singing something like "I want your sex" or somebody like Morrissey (absolutely impossible) or somebody like Iggy Pop singing "I want to be your dog".
Final balance... continue buying music from the same bands/artists you did before move to Japan and... try to go to Shimokitazawa, sometimes you can find a interesting indie band from Japan, and try to buy their home made album, because you wont see it never in HMV.
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shreeree
I love Gackt, Hyde,Crystal Kay, Hikaru Utada. Dir en grey. I like a few more but it's because they are cute it has nothing to do with the music, so I won't mention them. I'll just call them my "private pleasure". :-D
Shiree
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omarbabilon
Yes...THEY ARE CUTE..., but we are not talking about a beauty contest, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT MUSIC... the question is Japanese people know the difference?...
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bushlover
Yoshida Miwa always had a nice voice. Kuwada Keisuke was also interesting. The Rod Steward of Japan maybe.
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R_M_s
Southern All Stars and Kuwata Keisuke were tops. Mr Children, Bump Of Chicken and Spitz aren't too bad.
Must also mention Tokyo Jihen! Not a fan of Shiina Ringo's vocals but the band is great with some unique jazz and rock sounds that you don;t really hear much of in Japan.
I agree with most posters about the mainstream boy bands (can't stand Johnny's boys) and squealing girls
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thepro
Some great underground bands/musicians like Boris, Boredoms, Les Rallizes Denudes, Fushitsusha etc. The mainstream music is so terrible though, I mute my TV whenever an ad for another bland CD comes on.
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Wakarimasen
The Pillows Clazziquai Project
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R_M_s
Forgot to mention all the awesome DJs on the dance scene! Some great house and trance music to be heard. Too many artists to list...
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Osakadaz
Check out UA.One of the best VOCALISTS in Japan, and she can replicate it live.She also writes poetic lyrics.
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sugoi_bakka
Chatmonchy. Saw them live in Tokyo early last year, it was a great show. They are all excellent musicians first and foremost, and excellent performers. 耳鳴り is one of my all-time favorite albums, up with MBV's 'Loveless', 'Nowhere' by Ride and 'The Stone Roses'. No saccharine-smothered pop to be found on it, and even now that they have hit the mainstream they still have an edginess to their sound. Honorable mentions go to The Brilliant Green, Yui, Baseball Bear. Definitely would like to check out more 'lives' next time I'm over there, esp. indy bands.
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memyselfI
Monkey Majik is the worst group I have ever heard. Kumi Koda and Exile is great. That's about it!!!! Orange Range, Mr.Children,Kat Tun,etc. are bad. All the solo Female artists are terrible. They all sound the same.
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Nessie
Is there a word for that space between one track and the next?
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Tukata
We have the music program 'Music Station' here. In terms of melodies, beats and stuff - they all sound the same to me, honestly - quite boring sometimes, lyrics - have no idea since I do not understand Japanese. Somehow, I feel Jpop/rock is quite unique, in terms of style,outfits,looks...it's fun to watch...Arashi & NEWS are my favourite groups but then also wonder why Johnny's boys always have the same dance routine, now or back then like a decade ago... how strange ! Also questioning whether Japanese pop/rock music has any progress at all in recent years or the last decade.... Only few Japanese pop/rock singers caught my true attention, actually very rare.
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bushlover
Nessie it's called space or silence. And the best part of many albums.
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tkoind2
memyselfi. You are so right. Jpop is very canned. But then so it US pop.
Maybe I am getting old, but wasn't there a time when bands prided themselves upon being unique and original? At least having some qualities that stood out from their peer bands? I mean people used to have strong band loyalties and preferences that made bands last. Now you can swap most pop bands for any other band.
Other thing that drives me crazy. Magazines and TV saying how original and unique some of the artists are when the band is clearly ripping off a melody from an old song or redoing a genre from the 60s, 70s or 80s with no real improvments or changes.
Since when are skinny jeans and a bowl haircut original? Maybe that claim was true in 1965, but 2008? Come on, did they miss the 60's and the 80's?
0
helloklitty
I call it J-poop
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TeruSensei
Chage & Aska
Still the best, still the kings.
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Nessie
It's not just that it's canned. It's that they bother to can something that's crap before it even goes in the can.
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ichinensei
I like Supercar, but the group no longer exists.
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Taka313
I loved a local reggae band from Hayama, called Unchakatokoton.
They always put on a good show around the Yokosuka area but never got big enough to get a record contract.
Original songs, great rhythm and a fun live show.
Man, I miss them.
Taka
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enasan
As a music producer, I find that most jPOP girls cannot hold a note or sing in key. It's a surprising, annoying, but evidently popular Japanese trait. Most sounds over produced and sticks to a very uniform set pattern. They have a cute expression for this but I cannot remember it. The earlier stuff is much more original.
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ExPrinceska
I like Hirai Ken very much, he can really can sing. From the women, I think Utada Hikaru is ok.
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ExPrinceska
I agree to some extent.
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Rodolfo
is good very good. anna tsuchiya is very prety.
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serindipity
There are NO well known Japanese bands I would walk across the road to listen to. However, I have heard some good pub bands and all the good ones seem to have women singers. The guys seem to be too fixated on their hair, tattoos and trying to be someone they are not. - Bugger! I've just described 80% of the male population under thirty years old. :P
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cow76
It all seems crap and 99% of it is but once you get out of pops and rock there are some pretty good bands. The 5-6-7-8s and Zeni Geva spring to mind.
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akaguma
pop music is just a business. any talent is coincidental. mostly they are are just dancing bears who are coached to the extent that even a moron could do it, which is the case in most situations. the people are nothing more than marketing vehicles and therefore without any credibility. fondue anyone?
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lipscombe
hahaha, I lost my hearing for 3 days after a KK null show in Ogikubo and saw audience members reduced to tears. cracking
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NICOLE77
I like Hikaru Utada, Namie Amuro, SAS ;)
There is some crap J-POP out there - AND there are lots of crap western pop out there too!!
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KitsuneYoukai
I like some of it. Filter it through animation where my exposure comes from. Since I am not familiar with many artists.
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Gloobey
Signed a few Japanese hard rock and metal acts for release in Europe. The quality of the musicianship is fairly high...but it becomes a bit of a problem (for western audiences, anyway!) when the singer begins singing. As for J-Pop...it's all pretty vacuous.
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rurika
What do you guys think of j-rap artists like ZEEBRA?
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omarbabilon
As i said before...
Hip hop...., this is no music, nobody can sing, nobody plays any instrument (in every country is the same, then no comments), we are talking only about gorgeous babes shaking their asses.
0
kokuryu
I like JPOP and JROCK and listen to it all the time. Probably half my iTunes collection is JPOP and JROCK. They need to market them more worldwide - there is a vast audience that will appreciate them.
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6wings
My favorite Japanese rocker is Kenichi Asai (浅井健一). As well as solo work he has made great music with bands like Blankey Jet City, Jude and Sherbets. Check him out.
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Triumvere
Gonna second The Pillows here. Awesome!
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illsayit
Angela Aki....is that pop? doesnt matter, its good.
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gogogo
Don't you mean downloaded anything you like?
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Psych
"Super Car" スーパーカー are really, really good. they dont make their music from the traditional melodies that every other Japanese music groups make. very unique
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Psych
"Super Car" スーパーカー are really, really good. they dont make their music from the traditional melodies that every other Japanese music groups make. very unique
0
HimajinX
As far as rock goes, the Yellow Monkey are right up there with my favorite bands of all time. They broke up just into the new millennium, but they have a great and pretty extensive back catalog. Most of their best songs weren't singles, and there are only a few of their songs I don't like.
0
DenshaDeGO
It's all bland, carbon-copied, sound-alike crap. I don't think even the Japanese themselves can tell the difference with all the one-hit-wonders out there. Too much emphasis is placed on the singers (who all sound the same) and the music is a mere afterthought.
Not since the 1990s.
0
KaptainKichigai
just God-awful and getting worse.
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yokkatane
I think Japan has a really good Shoegaze scene, all the bands have kept true to the original sound from way back. Burrn, My Dead Girlfriend, Civic, Kamiyui, Oeil are just a few bands that are making great music. Unfortunatly I seem to miss shoegaze bands when I go to Japan. Next time.
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irabujapanu
The worst one is Zeebra..that dude is going through his identity crisis..
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omarbabilon
ONLY CRAP+CRAP+CRAP AND LOTS OF WA WA WA WAAAAAAAAAAAA WAAAAAAAAAAAAAA WA WA WAAAAAAAA WA.... それだけ。
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Nessie
So when's your j-pop single coming out, Omar?
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nisegaijin
Absolute rubbish. I mean what can you expect from a gang-like Zaibatsu controlling entire music industry and dictating popularity and trends?
There are a few talented artists, but we will never know their true potential because they are lacking what every artist should have: freedom. They sing only what their bosses want them to, they date only what their companies want them to, they talk to journalists only which their management approves of. And God forbid them say something controversial or get drunk and do something... well "human"? That's it: they get removed, replaced and forgotten about.
Doesn't matter how good or talented they are, they get lined up and adjusted to the level of the rest of the crowd.
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nigelboy
Isn't it time some of you hardcore indie freaks fess up to your guilty pleasures?
I'll start.
Sir Mixalot "Baby got Back!" SMAP's 夜空のムコウ
I know some of you have these in your iPod.
0
dagbrown
nisegaijin: Ever heard Puffy's song "Radio Tokyo"? It's a pretty stinging indictment of how the Japanese music industry works, all couched in pretty language and in English so the people who it's aimed at won't get it until it's too late.
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omarbabilon
The truth is:
Japan WILL NEVER HAVE A BAND AS ROLLING STONES, THE CLASH, THE SMITHS, RAMSTEIN, PULP, COCTEAU TWINS, JESUS AND MARY CHAIN, NEITHER PEOPLE LIKE MOBY, MORRISSEY... AND LOTS OF MORE..., the reason... it's simple, these people can create, have own brain to compose, to make own lyrics and found their own sound..., and opinion... but Japan is a big Xerox machine and they only make bad copies of duran duran, back street boys, britney and all that brainless rap/hip hop people..., then is easy to know... only buble gum and childish pop oriented to a lamb society, hungry to listen about cuteness and pretty things, meanwhile their freaks kill people in the streets... in conclusion, Japan needs stupid music to make their freaks relax and calm down... they dont need music to think, they need sedate their freaking neurotic people.
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Nessie
Yeah, Puffy. Fearless crusaders against the studio system.
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HimajinX
I agree that most music you commonly see or hear in Japan is pretty insipid, but there are still some pretty talented and original artists hiding in the wings or playing at live houses, etc. Like most other countries these days, decent music is losing out to whatever is the record company's flavor of the month.
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Betting
"I agree that most music you commonly see or hear in Japan is pretty insipid, but there are still some pretty talented and original artists hiding in the wings or playing at live houses, etc. Like most other countries these days, decent music is losing out to whatever is the record company's flavor of the month".
A pretty fair statement I think. There is good J-pop out there, but you need to look for it. And a lot of W-pop is just garbage as well these days. Just have a look at Spears cleaning up at err .../cough some award show recently.
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NYC_Samurai
I've performed with a lot of independent Japanese bands in Japan and in NYC. These indie groups were almost always superb muscians with inventive styles and interesting songs. If the Mods will let me suggest a few, look these up.
-Packmen http://members3.jcom.home.ne.jp/packmaniac/home.htm
-Red Hots http://www.redhots.jp
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JayJayE
Boom Boom Satellites are awesome. In the tradition of Aphex twin, Squarepusher and the like. I heard them before I came to Japan but when I got here got extremely disappointed. Funnily they are amongst the most forward thinking original musical artist in Japan. Yet almost know Japanese people know who they are (more foreign people know). They have become more popular recently because they have done some tracks for anime (sigh).
I've been playing live in Japan for a bit and I wouldn't say Japanese music is shit. There's a lot of good underground stuff and some good DJs. It's just sad none of it sees the light of day. Asian Kung Fu Generation, Dragon Ash and Doping Panda are some good semi-mainstream acts. Polysics are cool but only popular amongst a few in Japan and indie nerds in the West. I've been told by people in the know that Jannies and AVEX have a strangle hold on the radio. If they don't get what they want, they won't let that radio station play their music (no KAT-TAN, SMAP, Arisha, Hamasaki, Koda Kumi, nothing) so that keeps everyone in line. The reason it's changes a little recently (aka Asian Kung Fu Generation) is because of the internet. There is hope I guess.
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moderateguy2008
If Japanese music was good, it would be high;y regarded amongst music circles. alas it is seen more as a joke, a factory line of mediocraty.
0
JayJayE
just to add, I used to play gigs with a band which is pretty cool. Their name is Ol' Dick Foggy. They are this mad band of Japanese playing Irish folk punk. They were always proper pissed when they played but always did a great show. One of the best I've ever seen in this country.
0
samuraisam
GLOBE- most awesome concert I've ever saw at Tokyo Dome. Hyde - rocks. Plain and simple.
Monoral - not bad, great Radiohead influence
Now the pop scene is a bit over the top.
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Seiharinokaze
I'm curious to know how Korean people think or feel about Nakajima Miyuki. Her such songs as Ellen (エレーン), Yuki (雪), Ikoku (異国) or Kono Sora wo Tobetara.
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uperjer
like any other country, there is the mainstream crap, and there's the underground awesomeness. the underground awesomeness is a lot better than the mainstream crap in any country.
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Philosophy187
I would not play it riding in my car - I think the same for the pop and rock in america... all of it sucks!
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lipscombe
if you want to look in Shinseido CD racks or listen to J-radio and say Japanese music is crap that's fine, be happy knowing you have exposed yourself to a minute percentage of music made in Japan that although the most popular also happens to be the worst. is no accounting for taste, every country is the same, all media. 90% is absolute crap. Japan however has also produced some of the greatest musicians. they couldnt care less if you havent heard of them or cant find their cds anywhere.
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DBC
I got to tell you one thing about japanese pop music. I listen to lots of it and over the years. I ask many friends and girlfriends if they can translate it(i.e. the lyrics). Most say that they dont understand it. I always ask why its japanese. But the slang in the music doesnt come together to make sense. So Im at a lost, I stopped listening to it. Plus there are no reason too.
0
beavis
Beautifully put
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Philosophy187
Lipscombe,
?? Japan however has also produced some of the greatest musicians. they couldnt care less if you havent heard of them or cant find their cds anywhere.
First, what are the names of these great musicians? And how do you know what they care about? Have you talked to them?
I would love to listen to them.
0
lipscombe
Haino Keiji, Tori Kudo, Takayanagi Masayuki, Kaoru Abe, Otomo Yoshihide, Yamantaka Eye, Yoshida Tatsuya, Fuwa Daisuke and many more. have spoken to and released CDs by a couple of them. not for everyone but then again if you are an 'everyone' you probably like Right said Fred or that nice Miley Cyrus
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UnagiDon
Agree with the many comments that most pop music sucks in any country, though maybe more than average in Japan, and pop music never means that a country lacks musical talent. I like some of the older J music more, even going back to stuff like Kyu Sakamoto and Momoe Yamaguchi. Shiina Ringo is some good modern stuff, and of course Shonen Knife had some great tunes.
0
Daniel_Basso
Male singers in general have the same voice, as well as female singers (who love to pose as very young girls). A handful of good artists and musicians. But generally lame and monotonous music. There's only one Kyu Sakamoto and "Sukiyaki" capturing the # 1 slot worldwide!
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greensatindress
I won't go on and on about how much I hate Japanese music.
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ultradodgy
Ken Ishii
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dennis0bauer
Ryuichi Sakamoto! the song together with David Sylvian is a classic! furthermore i like, Dir & grey, Melt-banana, maximum the hormone, The gazzete, Lolita 18, cocobat, Beat crusaders, sheena ringo, Tokyo jiken, D.M.C, Yoko Kanno, Pizzicato 5, Fantastic Plastic Machine and many more but not all of them are considered Jpop or Jrock.
0
JoiceRojo
I Like L'Arc-en-Ciel, they have built quite a career in 17 years, leaving hyde's cuteness aside, (Because he's not my favorite) I think that these guys can move me with their music and hyde's interpretation and lyrics are very beautiful. Women... I don't like their singing, just a couple: Utada Hikaru and Mizuki Arisa, but mostly I hear a seiyuu that it is also a singer: Hayashibara Megumi... My grasp of japanese pop music comes mostly from anime, so I've heard a lot of seiyuus that are also singers...
0
kp123
Remember, some Japanese music made it big in the U.S. It was "Sukiyaki" by Sakamoto Kyu back 1964, who tragically died on JAL's Flt in 1985 that crashed killing 504 on board.
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VelvetRosetta
Well...Dir en grey, for example started out in the Visual Kei, genre and have evolved into the rock genre, and did so beautifully I believe, they are building strong fan bases outside of Japan inspite the language barrier. I for one love many of there songs...be in thier Vis.Kei era or now..
But Jpan has many talented musicians and I have come to enjoy the music very much...Tokunaga Hideaki.."saigo no iiwake" to me is a beautiful song..To many artists for me to mention really..
0
heathhanz
L'Arc-en-Ciel is one of the greatest bands to have ever existed! I agree that majority mainstream music can be pretty crappy, but like all rare sensations that come together once in a lifetime, these guys are not to be missed! I would not call their music pop, rather a lighter rock. In some rare cases, they almost have a hard rock sound to them. A great attribute to this band is their diversity, with orchestral compositions like Anemone to the dark aura of the Black Rose. And who could forget their hit 'Bless' used as a theme for the last Japanese winter olympics? The four members of the band, Hyde, Yukihiro, Ken, and Tetsuya each have their own solo projects as well, so give them a listen. I do not understand why some would say their lyrics are not comprehensible. The meaning behind the words seems very heartfelt and well thought out, which is what a lot of mainstream music today lacks. Ever notice how lots of 'popular' songs these days repeat the same lines over and over, presumably because the writer used up all his thought juice? That doesn't happen with this band. Take the beautiful poetry of the song Jojoushi- 'though the seasons constantly change colors, the feeling within me never withers'. Recommendations of songs to the public:
This is just a start of the great music and depth you will find within each of their songs. Again, L'arc-en-Ciel may be mainstream, but they are not superficial and not just another boy band to roll your eyes at. Please, do not group them with the rest. You will find they are talented individuals who work hard at what they do, and are quite dedicated to their fans. And they write all their music and lyrics!
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orangeheart59
Some people here are painfully harsh on their comments. Have you heard all of japanese music yet beside those that you said are mere copycats? On my experience, i doubt that i ever heard a copy cat music from them. Actually, the reason why i fell in love with japanese music is they really do sound unique. And what i love the most is not only their melodies are beautiful, but, would you believe that by just listening to it without even knowing what they are talking about, i still feel the emotion behind the song. Isn't that amazing?
Japanese songs talks to the listener. The combination of music and vocals are amazing. The way they pronounce the word is very emotional. Every syllable sounds as if it has something very tangible to say. It tugs at your heart.
You know what i will feel if i heard an english song without knowing the language? Definitely not the same way i feel about japanese music.
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