What do you think of Japanese pop and rock music? Heard anything you like?

Wednesday 10th September, 07:48 AM JST

Latest 15 of 89 Total Comments Show All

samuraisam at 05:54 AM JST - 12th September

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.
Seiharinokaze at 07:57 PM JST - 12th September

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.
uperjer at 07:57 AM JST - 13th September

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.
Philosophy187 at 08:47 AM JST - 13th September

I would not play it riding in my car - I think the same for the pop and rock in america... all of it sucks!
lipscombe at 09:31 AM JST - 13th September

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.
DBC at 10:17 AM JST - 13th September

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.
beavis at 10:31 AM JST - 13th September

they couldnt care less if you havent heard of them or cant find their cds anywhere.

Beautifully put
Philosophy187 at 12:33 PM JST - 13th September

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.
lipscombe at 06:35 PM JST - 13th September

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
UnagiDon at 05:26 AM JST - 14th September

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.
Daniel_Basso at 01:38 PM JST - 15th September

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!
greensatindress at 11:39 PM JST - 15th September

I won't go on and on about how much I hate Japanese music.
ultradodgy at 02:19 PM JST - 16th September

Ken Ishii
dennis0bauer at 03:58 PM JST - 16th September

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.
JoiceRojo at 09:50 PM JST - 16th September

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...