Archive for November, 2009

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J-Rock Fridays Vol. 8

November 27, 2009

Here I am on Black Friday giving you your (bi)weekly dose of Japanese music videos.  If UPS didn’t give me the night off I probably would’ve forgot altogether, but luckily I started a draft several weeks ago.  The winners of last week’s poll were ar, BIGMAMA, and FREAKYFROG.  I decided to keep with the polls so you’ll find a new one at the end of this column.

Liaroid Cinema- “Yellow”

This was supposed to be my featured video of the week, but as it turns out I have nothing to say about it.  Put them on the list of screamo bands like Nature Living and when the leaf seared who could be big in America if they tried. (myspace)

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Posted in For A Reason, J-Rock Fridays, Jitterbug, Liaroid Cinema, My Autumn Rain, Overground Acoustic Underground, sleepy.ab | Leave a Comment »

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Mizca gets me hot (on the dancefloor)

November 25, 2009

Watch out Lady Gaga!  Mizca is on the scene with blue tights and an attractive posterior. This is the new electro project from Masami Mitsuoka (I watched some videos on youtube–not enough A.S.S.).  It remains to be seen if this project meets with success or is another failed attempt at becoming an idol. In any case, I enjoyed watching this PV several times today.

If you didn’t click the above link, here is the single’s cover in all it’s glory: Read the rest of this entry ?

Posted in jpop, Mizca | 1 Comment »

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FACT is back

November 25, 2009

If you’re wondering what’s up with these “is back” posts, especially since it hasn’t even been a year since FACT’s “debut” album, I’m just lazy.  And I wanted to post this before anyone else.  In the blink of an eye will be released in Japan on January 13 in both CD and CD+DVD+comic versions.  The album was produced by Michael ‘Elvis’ Baskette and mastered by Ted Jenson just like their debut.  No word on when Vagrant will release this in the US.

The following is a sample clip from “Slip of the lip,” their new single that will be released digitally on December 16.

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chicken head maker

November 23, 2009

I thought it would make more sense to move this to Mondays.

myspace band of the week

Despite their matching green jumpsuits and goatees, chicken head maker is not a rap unit.  Although they sometimes slip into reggae mode.  Chicken head maker formed in Tokyo in 2008 to play the pop punk song music.  They have released one single Come Back To Me and have one mini-album coming out January 2010, both released by SouthBell Records.

http://www.myspace.com/chickenheadmaker

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my little airport is back

November 22, 2009

Chinese twee-poppers my little airport are back with their fourth album Poetics- Something Between Montparnasse and Mongkok.  The album was released out of nowhere on Friday in Hong Kong.  Nicole and P are back with their usual vocal and songwriting duties, along with some other people.  That’s about all I could get out of Google Translator.  If their past albums and “Donald Tsang, please die” are any indication, you can expect another priceless album with hilarious lyrics sung in English, Chinese, and sometime French.

The album can be had relatively cheap at YesAsia.  You can also pick up their first two albums Becoz I Was Too Nervous At That Time or The Ok Thing to Do On Sunday Is to Toddle in the Zoo for cheaper at CD Baby.

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BUDDHISTSON 10th Anniversary

November 21, 2009

BUDDHISTSON will be having their 10th Anniversary showcase in their hometown of Kashiwa on December 5.  They plan on playing over 30 songs.  I’m surprised to hear they’ve been around that long, and that I’ve been listening to them for at least half of that.  This is a band that has flew under the radar for far too long.  Let’s get them more listeners for 2010.

 

http://www.myspace.com/buddhistson

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Genki Sudo: From UFC to JPOP

November 20, 2009

Acclaimed mixed martial artist Genki Sudo may have retired in 2006, but now he’s one step closer to his dream of becoming a JPOP legend. If you thought Genki’s flying leg-triangle choke or spinning backfist techniques were impressive, just check out this son of a gun’s dance moves…

Posted in Genki Sudo, jpop, Uncategorized, wtf awesome dance moves | Leave a Comment »

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alis del lotton ROY’ symphonica orchesto

November 18, 2009

Since I have no plans to bring back Random J-Rock Updates, I decided to take something from it to make a weekly feature–myspace band of the week.  Same rules apply.  These are bands that don’t have much material or a PV to share, but have still impressed me with a song or two on myspace.  You have given me your song and now here’s your sandwich.

myspace band of the week

Alis del lotton ROY’ symphonica orchesto is a 3-piece “genre-less” band.  If you’re wondering what their tongue-twister name is all about, Alis Del Lotton is the queen of their fantasy land and they are her royal symphony orchestra.  Yeah, seriously.    The lead singer/guitarist/cutie Momoko and pianist Yanigisawa have practiced classical piano since at least the age of 4, which plays a heavy component in their songs.  Their music ranges from fuzzed-out acid trips to standard coffeehouse rock ala Norah Jones/Sara Bareilles.  Their debut mini-album New Morning comes out November 25 via Theory&Practice Records.  “Beautiful Stranger” is my jam.

http://www.myspace.com/alisdel

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the HIATUS is back

November 17, 2009

ELLEGARDEN fans are going to have to wait a little longer for their comeback album.  The first EP from the HIATUS titled Insomnia will come out in Japan tomorrow.  It features three new songs.  The songs are a little darker than what we heard on Trash We’d Love, and feature more violins and heavier piano.  The video above is for “Antibiotic,” an unprecedented ambient/electronic track from the band.  Looks like Takeshi Hosomi was listening to too much Radiohead this time around.

http://thehiatus.com/

Posted in Ellegarden, the HIATUS, ____ is back | Leave a Comment »

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J-Rock Fridays Vol. 7

November 13, 2009

Back to our regularly scheduled program.  This week we have eight new videos by eight bands.  You’ll also find a poll at the very end.  Thanks goes out to International Wota for the Halloween shoutout, making last week’s column the most viewed yet!

PILLS EMPIRE- “Demophobia”

Another excellent artist from UK.PROJECT.  Their sound is hard to compare, but I settled with the telephones meets Nine Inch Nails.  If you’re into mysterious garage rock than this one’s for you.  Their debut album Mirrored Flag was released earlier this month and it rocks.  (myspace)

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Posted in ar, BIGMAMA, DALLAX, fade, FREAKYFROG, Hawaiian6, J-Rock Fridays, PILLS EMPIRE, Sorry For A Frog | 1 Comment »

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