After being exposed to it for a while through various anime themes, Dance Dance Revolution music, and random songs shared by friends, I've developed a slight interest in japanese pop music - the electronic instruments, idol girls, pretty boy rock bands, the works. The sort of upbeat styles usually found in anime theme songs. I'm wondering if any of you have any good recommendations as far as bands go. I'm already a bit introduced to Day After Tomorrow and The Pillows (possibly more rock, but still in the range of stuff that catches my aural fancy), but any other recommendations would be greatly appreciated, especially if they come with links to websites with music samples and whatnot. :-D I've heard a little bit about a band called DeviceHigh - does anyone know much about them? Thanks for the help! :smt023
Not much but that must be the 1337est band name ever! :smt023 :smt033 rayer: Maybe try the somewhat-famous-due-to-weird-reasons Three Michelle Gun Elephant or the Bathtub Shitters? :smt043
I like Maaya Sakamoto, L'arc en Ciel, and Dir en Grey best (that's quite a big range), though the last one could be too hard for your tastes. As far as more electronic stuff goes, you wouldn't be done wrong by the Initial D sountrack(s).
That name conjures up horrifying memories of a certian website/image sprung upon my unsuspecting self by an evil aquaintence... :smt022 :smt022 :smt009 :-(
I... er, also had an equally evil acquaintance. I wish I wasn't reminded about that now... Anyway, I'd recommend Cornelius for non-anime stuff. Kinda rock-ish, but he did quite a few rather silly songs too. And there's a 6.2% chance you'll actually find him in your local HMV (or whatever you have wherever you are)! You may not want to trust me on anime soundtracks, though. First time I got a proper full-time summer job this year, and what do I go and buy? Pocket Monsters Sound Anime Collection!
The stuff on animes isn't really what J-Pop is about apart from a few. Anyway here'sa few good groups or singers. Electronic (by this I mean grops that use synths) Two Mix (very fast pased at times) Move (do quite a bit for Initial D) J-ROCK L'arc En Ciel Jan Da Arc Glay BZ Typical J-Pop (Girly type) Matsura Ai Morning Musume Dream Zone Typical J-Pop (Boy bands) Arashi Wings or is that Winds? J-Pop (general) Porno Graffiti Zard Utada Hikaru (Nintendo Touch woman) Southern All Stars Dreams Come True SMAP Yaida Hitomi Tommy February (sort of pop'n Music-ish) RAP (Better than the black rap carp in my opinion) SOUL'd OUT Dragon Ash Anime Megumi Hayashibara (the best in my book) Yakumo
Theres also a kick ass Psycho le cemu (JROCK) video out there thats a total final fantasy rip off... Loves song (ai no uta I think). Im totaly up there with Yakumo about Dreams come true. In fact Kessen wa kinyoubi was the basis for a sonic 2 song I think. As stereo typicial as it might be I am also a large Puffy and Ayumi fan. See Ayumi's evolution song (yes I know its WAY over done but I freaking love it). In alot fo ways Puffy reminds me of the spice girls which is, I guess, why I like them Hiromi is japanese but she does alot of english songs. Shes hard to describe so I made an ogg preview from foobar if you want to hear: http://ciprianispasta.com/~pkgingo/hiromiprev.rar
J-Pop, ewwwwww :smt082 Theres nothing that says "I love feelings and cute fuzzie things" like listening to J-Pop/Rock (theres a difference now???)
That's Thee Michelle Gun Elephant, who are pretty cool if you like the thrashy rock n roll stuff. Definitely recommended. I can't stand J-pop, but if you're ever in the mood for weird Japanese music check out the various Acid Mothers Temple releases... unlistenable to most, but I love a few of their albums
Well, maybe J-Pop was a misnomer, but I was honestly unsure of what to call it. Anyways, thanks for all the awesome suggestions everyone, I'll get right on checking those out. :smt023
