Limited Express (has gone?)- “we love this country like banana.”

Limited Express is back singing a song about surviving nuclear bombs and earthquakes and bananas of course. Go Japan!

Sugar’s Campaign- “Netokano”

A new “urban pop” duo featuring Daytripper Record’s Seiho Hayakawa and Takuma Hosokawa (Avec Avec). Enjoy that Coca-Cola.

androp- “World.Words.Lights”

Androp once again turns their PV into a dazzling lights show. Trying to be the next sakanaction I suppose.

frAgile- “21th Century Urban Beat Rock”

I don’t know, it feels more 80s to me. The boy’s a time bomb.

Karasu- “Aoki Hibi”

Chase after your childhood! No one wants to be an adult.

yetii- “Grandfather of IDAHO”

I guess you could watch porn if you’re an adult. But no worries this is just some twangy country music.

Teen Runnings- “Wonder Mountaineering”

Friends is now Teen Runnings and they’ll climb a mountain for you!

TAIJI at THE BONNET- “Rock Stars Wars”

TAIJI rocks under the distant suns of Tatooine. No jedi mind tricks.

ROACH- “No Reason in the Pit”

This one was a big hit with the Tumblr crowd. Features Satoshi from girugamesh and Miya from MUCC as guest musicians.

(plug)INSIDE- OUT- “Liberation”

Let’s hear some more screaming.

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Covers Battle!

Today we have two covers of famous pop songs from the 80s/90s. First is up-and-coming rock band Scott Goes For with “Best That You Can Do,” the Oscar winning theme song from the 1981 film Arthur. Next up is EeL and Milch of Source’s take on Ace of Base’s “All That She Wants,” which was part of a free tribute album from Peppermill Records. EeL’s electronic/calypso take on Ace of Base is a lot fun but Scott’s rock version of the Arthur theme just makes you want to fall in love.

Scott Goes For- “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)”

EeL- “All That She Wants”

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Band Links:

androp: web, CD Japan

EeL: bandcamp

frAgile: web, CD Japan

Karasu: web, CD Japan

Limited Express (has gone?): myspace, download

(plug)INSIDE-OUT: web, CD Japan

ROACH: myspace, CD Japan

Scott Goes For: web CD Japan

Sugar’s Campaign: Tumblr

TAIJI at THE BONNET: CD Japan

Teen Runnings: bandcamp

yetii: ?

See new videos daily at J-Rock Explosion’s Tumblr.

NRQ (New Residential Quarters) is an instrumental quartet from Tokyo. Its members are Hattori Masanori (contrabass), Yoshida Yuki (erhu), Makino Takuma (electric guitar) and Mr. Nakao Kanji (drums, sax, etc.). Yoshida and Makino formed NRQ as a duo in 2007 and Hattori and Mr. Kanji joined the following year. Their first album Old Ghost Town was released in 2010. NRQ blends wind and string instruments for an interesting mix of folk, country and jazz music.

NRQ’s new album Noman’s Land will be released this week and includes guests MC.sirafu on trumpet and vocals by mmm. Pick it up at CD Japan.

http://www.myspace.com/newresidentialquarters

Superfriends is a powerpop trio from Kyoto. Tomohiro Shiobara (vocals, guitar), Yuji Ochiai (bass) and Maki Maeda (drums) formed the band in the winter of 2005. They named themselves after the Weezer song (not the DC superheroes) who they have much respect for. Superfriends were featured on Thistime Records’ OK! Powerpop Vol. 2 compilation and have self-released three CDs.

Their newest CD, 3, was released in November and is available at Jet Set Records. Thistime Records also distributes Superfriends’ CDs on their online store.

http://www.myspace.com/super1friends2

1/10 Corona Sessions- Corona (CD Japan)

1/11 cali gari- 11 (CD Japan)

1/11 The ChronoHEAD- Supernova (CD Japan)

1/11 CLEAVE- The Circle EP (CD Japan)

1/11 Dir en grey- Uroboros Remastered and Expanded (CD Japan)

1/11 FACT- Burundanga (CD Japan, Play-Asia)

1/11 Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas- Just Awake. (CD Japan)

1/11 Gold & Saint- I Am You Are Me (CD Japan)

1/11 Kyary Pamyu Pamyu- Tsukema Tsukeru (CD Japan, Play-Asia)

1/11 Margaline- Let It Go

1/11 PLASTICZOOMS- Starbow (CD Japan)

1/11 shibuyamicrofuture- Sing A Song (CD Japan)

1/11 soreizenni- Jidai ni Requiem (CD Japan)

1/11 tokyo pinsalocks- Hallelujah Girls (CD Japan)

1/11 VA- Catch All Your Stuff 4 (CD Japan)

1/17 JAWEYE- Binary Monolith (CD Japan, Play-Asia)

1/18 the arounds- Paint It White (CD Japan)

1/18 Asian Kung-Fu Generation- Best Hit AKG (CD Japan, Play-Asia)

1/18 Bump of Chicken- Good Luck (CD Japan, Play-Asia)

1/18 The Cro-magons- Ace Rocker (CD Japan)

1/18 Flatliners- Huun na Hito (CD Japan)

1/18 GOOD4NOTHING- Greatest Hits (CD Japan)

1/18 GOOD4NOTHING- Right Now (CD Japan)

1/18 Hello Sleepwalkers- Majiru Yoru: Nemurasenai Wakusei (CD Japan, Play-Asia)

1/18 Hitsujitsuki- Closet Classic (CD Japan)

1/18 Katte ni Shiyagare- Indies Best “Silver & Gold – Silver 1997-2003″ (CD Japan)

1/18 Katte ni Shiyagare- Melody (CD Japan)

1/18 Kudanz- Programs (CD Japan)

1/18 Light Bringer- Genesis (CD Japan, Play-Asia)

1/18 Loudness- LOUDNESS Best Tracks – Columbia Years – (CD Japan, Play-Asia)

1/18 Laid Back Ocean- Bifrost (CD Japan)

1/18 Loof- Miniature Garden (CD Japan)

1/18 People In The Box- Citizen Soul (CD Japan, Play-Asia)

1/18 Phono Tones- Phono Tones Has Come! (CD Japan)

1/18 the pillows- Trial (CD Japan, Play-Asia)

1/18 Rayons- After the noise is gone (CD Japan)

1/18 Saboten- this is a pen! (CD Japan)

1/18 Scott Goes For- Scott Goes For (CD Japan, Play-Asia)

1/18 Sekai Tekina Band- SEKAITEKINABAND (CD Japan)

1/18 Skirt no Naka- Chikotan (CD Japan)

1/18 The Strikers- Screaming Youth (CD Japan)

1/18 tacica- newsong e.p. (CD Japan, Play-Asia)

1/18 TOTALFAT- Good Bye, Good Luck (CD Japan, Play-Asia)

1/18 Tokyo Jihen- Color Bars (CD Japan)

1/18 VA- Punk Goes Pop 4 (CD Japan)

1/18 VA- Zest For Living Vol. 2 (CD Japan)

1/25 Ayabie- Merry-go-round (CD Japan)

1/25 BIGMAMA- Kimi ga Mata Blouse no Button wo Tomeru made (CD Japan)

1/25 ent- Entish (CD Japan, Play-Asia)

1/25 eREC-T-Rick- (plug) Inside-Out (CD Japan)

1/25 Galileo Galilei- Portal (CD Japan, Play-Asia)

1/25 Galneryus- Kizuna (CD Japan, Play-Asia)

1/25 Hemenway- By My Side (CD Japan)

1/25 Last Alliance- Complete Single Collection (CD Japan, Play-Asia)

1/25 The Mirraz- Iitaikoto wa Nakunatta (CD Japan, Play-Asia)

1/25 NRQ- Noman’s Land (CD Japan)

1/18 Peridots- Follow the Stars (CD Japan, Play-Asia)

1/25 Taiji at THE BONNET- Rock Star Wars (CD Japan)

ent- “Airwalker”

STRAIGHTENER fans, Atsuhi Horie is back with the full-length debut of his solo project ent. “Airwalker” takes over where Welcome Stranger left off, brilliant indie pop with some electronic glitch. I don’t know what the astronaut’s about but it’s giving me Doctor Who deja vu.

Asparagus- “Mend Our Minds”

Asparagus disappeared for a while but now they’re coming back with their fifth album in February. Standard concert video but it’s just good to hear from them again.

Black Borders- “M.M.F.I”

Watch out for the mines!

BIGMAMA- “until the blouse is buttoned up”

What a strange little video with floating pants and shirts. BIGMAMA, bring my wardrobe to life.

CLEAVE- “The Circle”

Great alternative rock music, sure enough.

THE→CHINA WIFE MOTORS- “baby alright”

Don’t worry, baby. The China Wife Motors are back in the motor city to play some of that rock and roll.

Sekaiteki Na Band- “Hello”

I have a soft spot for one word lyrics.

Tokyo Pinsalocks- “LU-LA Hallelujah”

The Pinsalocks are looking good in neon. Praise be!

NRQ- “Bostok”

NRQ mixes oriental and tropical music to a very pleasing effect.

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Triple FACT

FACT got a little PV happy the past few weeks. All three videos come from FACT’s new album Burundanga released earlier this week. Instead of choosing a favorite, I’m just posting them all for you to pick.

FACT- “foss”

Awesome snowmobile action! I wish my car would drive that well in the snow…

FACT- “pink rolex”

“Where did you get that gold that I left behind?” If I had gold I wouldn’t be here. Directed by Maxilla for the PV nerds.

FACT- “polyrhythm winter”

Whereas “foss” and “pink rolex” were fun James Bond ready action flicks, “polyrhythm winter” reduces FACT to shadows while some girl runs through a colorful apocalyptic world. And then the world ends.

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Band Links:

Asparagus: web, CD Japan

BIGMAMA: web, CD Japan

Black Borders: web, CD Japan

THE→CHINA WIFE MOTORS: web, CD Japan

CLEAVE: web, CD Japan

ent: myspace, CD Japan

FACT: web, CD Japan

kindan no tasuketsu: tumblr

NRQ: myspace, CD Japan

Sekaiteki Na Band: myspace, CD Japan

soreizenni: myspace, CD Japan

tokyo pinsalocks: web, CD Japan

See new videos daily at J-Rock Explosion’s Tumblr.

Otoboke Beaver  (おとぼけビーバー) is a raucous girls rock band from Kyoto with a mean age of 20.5. The foursome formed in the summer of 2009 and named themselves after a local love hotel! They self-produced two EPs, the second of which was released by the indie label Teenage Riot in December.

Their new EP 今夜限りなんて絶対ほんとに言わせないっ! is available at Jet Set Records. Their first EP is sold out, but you can listen to samples on myspace.

http://www.myspace.com/otobokebeaver

10. The Flickers- “White Heat”

The Flickers came out of nowhere with “White Heat.” It’s unfortunate they couldn’t keep up the flame on the rest of their mini-album, but I’ll hold this as promise.

9. 6eyes- “Big Saturday Night”

Hookers! “Big Saturday Night” has become my weekend anthem, even though I rarely go out on the weekend or at all really.

8. The_AIU- “CPU”

I bet most boys would love to have Ms. Ratna as their CPU. So sweet.

7. Gellers- “Guatemala”

Shugo Tokumaru is back…with his old band Gellers. I kind of expected this to be a bigger deal, especially with Tokumaru taking vocal reins for the first time in this band. Amusing video nonetheless.

6. the HIATUS- “Deerhounds”

Yes, this does bear a striking resemblance to the live- action Where The Wild Things are film, but that only adds to the nostalgia. If only I had a desert to play in when I was a kid.

5. Comeback My Daughters- “Why”

Who doesn’t love running around New York City? Comeback My Daughters pulls off a perfectly choreographed shaky cam video just in time for their studio practice.

4. blgtz- “Ideology”

Blgtz turns a humorous Three Stooges gag into an ominous foreboding with their aggressive guitars. Just why is this guy getting so many pies to the face and why is he showing no emotion?

3. Gekitetsu- “P.S.”

Zombie infestation at the live house! Gekitetsu can fill a gig with the undead and pull off leopard print pants at the same time.

2. Uzumibi- 溺れる魚

No other video this year captures the beauty of the mundane like Uzumibi’s 溺れる魚. Intertwining stories of love, death, friendship and isolation backed by one of the prettiest tracks of the year.

1. sakanaction- “Rookie”

I didn’t think much of “Rookie” the first time I heard it, but it quickly became my favorite single once DocumentaLy was released. A catchy melody backed by deep electronic pangs that gives the feeling of falling. The PV pulls off that feeling so well in its Twilight Zone type of way with plenty downward plunges into the black abyss, repeated dream sequences and an inescapable conclusion.

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More favorites:

AA=- “sTEP COde & Dry Your Tears”

I never got around to reviewing this for J-Rock Fridays, probably because it’s 14 minutes. But what we have his is an interesting short film featuring two tracks and a few interludes from AA=’s new album #3. A lot of paranoia and gas masks.

Suneohair- 期待ハズレの空模様

Nothing beats a good old fashioned fight at the jazz club. Get in on the violence.

Uchikubi Gokumon Doukoukai- まごパワー

I can’t get enough of these crazy grandparents and grandkids. So excited to see each other!

Other videos you voted for:

0.8秒と衝撃。- 町蔵・町子・破壊 

avengers in sci-fi- “Sonic Fireworks”

Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas- “Chase the Light!”

hydrant house purport rife on sleepy feat. Ferri- “Bet On Magic”

THE NOVEMBERS – 彼岸で散る青

pocketlife- “Maybe”

SiM- “KiLLiNG ME”

the telephones- “A A U U O O O”

The Unique Star- “+Distortion”

white white sisters- “wasted”

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Band Links:

6eyes: myspace, CD Japan

AA=: web, CD Japan

The_AIU: myspace, CD Japan

blgtz: myspace, CD Japan

Comeback My Daughters: myspace, CD Japan

The Flickers: myspace

Gekitetsu: myspace, CD Japan

Gellers: myspace, Jet Set

the HIATUS: web, CD Japan, Play-Asia

The Novembers: myspace, CD Japan

sakanaction: web, CD Japan, Play-Asia

Suneohair: web, CD Japan, Play-Asia

Uchikubi Gokumon Doukoukai: myspace

Uzumibi: myspace, CD Japan

Artists:

1		Miila and the Geeks			159
2		The Brixton Academy			134
3		Czecho No Republic			113
4		cero			94
5		Maria Hato			88
6		サカナクション			85
7		COMEBACK MY DAUGHTERS			84
8		Vampillia			79
9		The Cigavettes			78
10		Sloppy Joe			77
11		sgt.			70
12		Theophilus London			67
13		LOVE AND HATES			65
14		Asobi Seksu			62
15		6eyes			61
16		Capsule			60
17		Peelander-Z			54
17		Hnc			54
19		Aureole			52
19		王舟			52

Albums:

1		Miila and the Geeks – New Age			110
2		The Brixton Academy – Bright As Diamonds			99
3		cero – WORLD RECORD			94
4		Maria Hato – The Latter Half of Aloha EP			88
5		COMEBACK MY DAUGHTERS – OUTTA HERE			84
6		The Cigavettes – the cigavettes			78
7		Czecho No Republic – Maminka			73
8		sgt. – BIRTHDAY			70
9		LOVE AND HATES – L.A.H.			62
10		6eyes – Flush			61
10		サカナクション – DocumentaLy			61
12		Capsule – WORLD OF FANTASY			60
13		Sloppy Joe – With Kisses Four			55
14		Peelander-Z – Super DX Hitz Disc 1			54
15		Hnc – Witches’ Party EP			53
16		Aureole – Imaginary Truth			52
17		Caroline – Verdugo Hills			49
17		Miila and the Geeks – 6 Songs			49
19		Asobi Seksu – Fluorescence			48
20		Vampillia – Rule The World/Deathtiny Land			46

Tracks:

1		サカナクション – 『バッハの旋律を夜に聴いたせいです。』			23
2		中塚武 – We_Believe			22
3		Gabriela Robin – Cats on Mars			21
4		Miila and the Geeks – Want			19
4		Miila and the Geeks – Cigarette and Water			19
6		Vampillia – Heyoah			16
6		Maria Hato – Devil’s Kitchen (Live Rec.)			16
8		Miila and the Geeks – Trouble			15
8		Maria Hato – Torty			15
8		Maria Hato – Home			15
8		きゃりーぱみゅぱみゅ – PONPONPON			15
12		Maria Hato – Troubled Mind			14
12		Miila and the Geeks – Alphabed			14
12		Jesse Ruins – Dream Analysis			14
12		Maria Hato – There There (No)			14
12		Maria Hato – Winter Woman			14
12		The Brixton Academy – Be My Lady			14
18		cero – 21世紀の日照りの都に雨が降る			13
18		:visited – Sunset Article			13
18		Hnc – Floating Bananas			13
18		Hotel Mexico – Dear Les Friends			13
18		The Brixton Academy – Neons Bright			13

I never got around around to writing my top 10 albums and mini-albums of 2010. Nevertheless the list was made and instead of having it rot in my drafts folder I’ll just post it here sans commentary.

Top 10 Mini-Albums of 2010

1. Turntable Films- Parables of Fe-Fum
2. Ogre You Asshole- 浮かれている人 (Ukareteiru Hito)
3. The Brixton Academy- L.O.T.
4. Miila and the Geeks- 6 Songs
5. Hotel Mexico- His Jewelled Letter Box
6. white white sisters- [euphoriaofeuphobia]
7. 385-脳みそあらおう (Nomiso Arao)
8. Czecho No Republic- Erectionary
9. Illreme- 360°Sounds
10. LITE- Illuminate

Top 10 Albums of 2010

1. The Brixton Academy- Vivid
2. Shugo Tokumaru- Port Entropy
3. Aural Vampire- Zoltank
4. Kimonos- Kimonos
5. Halfby- The Island of Curiosity
6. 80kidz- Weekend Warrior
7. world’s end girlfriend- Seven Idiots
8. capsule- Player
9. The Suzan- Golden Week For The Poco Poco Beat
10. Satanicpornocultshop- Arkhaiomelisidonophunikheratos

Rye is a rock band that formed in Tokyo in 2008, named after the town in England. Their members are Koji (vocals, guitar), Mitsuru (guitar), Shota (bass) and Suguru (drums). The band formed after Koji graduated from the music school Vocaltech in London. Rye is inspired by music from UK and plays a hybrid between 90s Britpop and alternative music.

Their first mini-album Bright was released in 2011. You can download it at Amazon or iTunes. “Cos I” can be downloaded for free at their website.

http://www.myspace.com/rye_japan

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Syndey Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 40,000 times in 2011. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 15 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.