I wasn't up for making this post again this year, but a few releases this year have me a bit too excited not to share. I'm hoping you guys have some really great stuff to share with me too.
1. "tricot - A N D (Math Rock/Pop)" In response to Reply # 0
I know the board had a few fans of their last album, T H E, and they're back again, but this time without their drummer. The band is back to having their 3 core female members, and they have a variety of drummers helping them out.
I'm pretty sure Spotify will also have it as soon as it's officially released, and although I don't use the service much myself, I'm happy to see Japanese stuff (especially independent) end up on a site like Spotify so quickly.
After my initial listens, I feel like the highs on this record don't come close to the ones from T H E. The singles from the last record were just too good, and the songs here aren't quite as good melodically. Interestingly, my favorite on this record is "QFF," which strays away from their basic guitar-bass-drums sound and includes a great electric piano and and outro that is very Tokyo Jihen-ish.
I hope the guys that liked the last record check out this one and enjoy!
9. "I gotta respectfully disagree" In response to Reply # 1
I just listened last night and I love this album. Pretty much an improvement on the last one in every single way imo. For lack of time/better words, I just love the intensity of it, generally, it goes harder than the last one.
13. "It's growing on me," In response to Reply # 9
My overall impression is definitely changing with more listens. I still just really think the singles from the last album are a bit better ("Oyasumi" in particular). I agree that it overall sounds like it goes harder, but songs like "Niwa" just aren't what I'm that into.
Motifour gives some brief description of each of the tracks here if anyone is interested: http://tricot.tv/archives/2842
2. "CICADA - BED ROOM (jazzy downtempo/pop)" In response to Reply # 0
A few of the songs on here really remind of the downtempo/nu-jazz stuff like that everyone loved here back in the early 00s, except maybe poppier. Nothing revolutionary, but the album is just so good.
10. "+1. Thanks a lot for this." In response to Reply # 3
I didn't reply in last year's post as much as I should have but I found a lot of stuff there that I really like: Yakushimaru Etsuko, Kinoko Teikoku and, especially, tricot.
Still wish there was a cheaper way to get the cd's though.
5. "daoko - Dimension (hip-hop/pop)" In response to Reply # 0 Thu Mar-05-15 09:53 AM by Steve O Tron v2
I'm pretty sure I posted about her before on here. Female rapper with that whisper-y/cutesy flow like Izumi Macra. I think this is her last independent record, and her major label debut is coming out later this month. Pretty interested to see how the production will change.
6. "Seiko Oomori & The Pink Tokarev - Tokarev (Rock/Pop)" In response to Reply # 0
Her major label debut was my favorite Japanese record last year and alleviated any fears about her quality of work from jumping onto a major (Avex at that). I know she also has a few fans on the board, so I'm curious to see what your guys' thoughts are on that album and this one.
7. "indigo la End - Shiawase ga Afuretara" In response to Reply # 0
Kawatani Enon's output just seems to be nonstop with lots of albums and EPs between indigo la end and his other band, Gesu no Kiwami Otome. However, the quality hasn't dropped at all. In fact, I think this is probably their best album to date. Pretty straightforward pop-rock, but as always the guitar playing/writing is just as good as ever.
8. "negoto - VISION (Pop/Rock)" In response to Reply # 0
Sometimes I've felt their melodies were a little lacking or just meandering, but this is their first album that I've immediately enjoyed. Their videos can be pretty neat, so hopefully you can bear with these JPS links that are a little slow to load.
14. "I saw this band Sardine Head play live tonight" In response to Reply # 0
They're a jam band based in Tokyo that have been together since 2000 and put out around 5 albums or so. I usually have no taste for jam music, being overexposed and annoyed by it throughout college, but these guys have undeniable talent and chemistry that sets them apart from other jam bands I've heard. It was one of the best concerts I've been to in the past couple of years. The drummer, bass player, and backup guitarist were all good but the lead guitar player killed it.
The bass player spoke English and told me they did a brief American tour in 2010. They're good enough (maybe just live?) that I'm surprised they haven't made any noise in the states. Not too big in Japan either but they're well regarded among the Japanese jam bands I was told.
Sardine Head has lots of live footage on YouTube, but I couldn't find any of their studio music on there. I actually bought a CD then got home and remembered I don't have a CD player. This post might be a little pointless without links, but if you ever come across their music or have a chance to see them live definitely check them out.
I'm slowly stumbling into the jam music scene in Japan, so I'll let you guys know if I hear anything of interest. My friends were talking about this band they say is the best in Japan. I forget their name, but I might see them this spring.
18. "daoko - DAOKO (Hip-Hop/Pop)" In response to Reply # 0 Wed Mar-25-15 06:41 AM by Steve O Tron v2
Her major label debut, and it's pretty neat. I'm really enjoying the production on this so far. Early impression is that it's better than Dimension, which she released just a couple of months ago (was her last indie album).
"Baby," the first track you hear in the clip (and produced by DJ Mitsu the Beats from GAGLE), is probably my favorite so far. Album is available on the U.S. iTunes store.
35. "Glad to see toe made more accessible" In response to Reply # 32
By which I mean: glad folks can easily buy their shit outside of Japan, rather than pirate.
As to their music, the drummer (Takeshi Kitamura?) is largely responsible for elevating the band above their contemporaries in any capacity; though they've been trying to experiment and expand their sound since For Long Tomorrow, the other band members just don't seem to have the chops or songwriting sensibility to really push the band into new territory.
I noticed that when I checked out their most recent album, which I enjoyed, but if this is the direction that they are going in I'll be extremely hype for the next full length
Got an email saying that Pork Ginger is available on bandcamp but the link doesn't go anywhere. Is the problem with me or them? I clicked the link right after I received the email but never saw anything.
Doesn't sound too promising, and I've been pretty disappointed with their output after the Long Goodbye EP. "Chronostatis" was great, but the rest of songs from their previous album didn't do much for me at all.
90. "Japanese bands on Spotify" In response to Reply # 0
I recently found out that both tricot and Spangle call Lilli line have a bunch of stuff on Spotify. Are there any other bands that have full albums available on there that I should check out?
92. "I don't use Spotify (enough) and can't tell you off the top of my head." In response to Reply # 90
I do know that toe has a lot (if not all) of their discography on there. I usually just use Spotify as a last resort to see if an album I'm unable to find on my usual spots (JPopSuki and others). For example, I remember being able to find the Bonobos' album from last year there before it was available elsewhere. K-Pop artists are good at getting their stuff on there, though.
96. "Miscellaneous K-Pop singles" In response to Reply # 0 Fri Dec-11-15 03:38 PM by Steve O Tron v2
Don't follow the scene closely enough to stay up to date, but these are some groups/tracks I've enjoyed this year that I haven't posted yet in the therad:
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