Just like water we fall.
Fat Prop- “Can’t Stop The Music”
Punk rockers Fat Prop have joined the electro boys club with “Can’t Stop The Music.” Noticeably more fun than their usual piano driven fare.
Archive for the ‘Asobi Seksu’ Category
Polyvinyl releases Japan benefit compilation
July 12, 2011
Polyvinyl has released a compilation entitled Japan 3.11.11 benefiting the ongoing relief efforts in Japan. The compilation includes b-sides and rarities from the label’s artists including Asobi Seksu and Deerhoof. It also includes Shugo Tokumaru’s cover of “Video Killed the Radio Star” and toe’s “Ordinary Days,” previously released on iTunes. The MP3 version of the compilation is available now while the 2LP will be released in September. All proceeds will be donated to the Red Cross. Order here.
J-Rock Fridays Vol. 39
February 18, 2011Just for you.
Asobi Seksu- “Trails”
Just in time for this week’s release of Fluorescence, one of my favorite albums so far this year. Watch Yuki trailing through decrepit buildings and forgotten train stations.
US Release Roundup: Caroline, Deerhoof, Asobi Seksu, Shugo Tokumaru, ironomi
January 18, 2011I’ve been putting off posting these for a while. So I figured I should do a roundup now since more than one of them are shipping.
Caroline- Verdugo Hills
Caroline dropped her debut album Murmurs on Temporary Residence in 2006 and kind of disappeared. But she was slowly putting together her followup, as well as touring with Mice Parade, even lending vocals to their latest album. Verdugo Hills will be released January 25 in the US by Temporary Residence on CD and vinyl. &records released the album in Japan earlier this month.
Pre-order: Amazon.com, Temporary Residence
Japanese Release: CD Japan
Deerhoof- Deerhoof vs. Evil
Deerhoof switched to Polyvinyl for their tenth album release. The band decided to leak the album track by track on various music blogs worldwide. You can find a bunch of them on Polyvinyl’s SoundCloud. In addition to vinyl and CD, Polyvinyl will also release it on cassette. Yay for dead formats! It was released earlier this month in Japan from P-Vine.
Pre-order: Amazon.com, Polyvinyl
Asobi Seksu- Fluorescence
Asobi Seksu’s fourth proper album will arrive February 15 from Polyvinyl. Download “Trails” for free by giving them your email. EMI Music Japan will release the album in Japan on February 2. That would be a major label. Congrats!
Pre-order: Amazon.com, Polyvinyl
Japanese Release: CD Japan
Shugo Tokumaru- Port Entropy
Port Entropy made blogosphere headlines when it was released in Japan last year. Europe got it late 2010 and now Polyvinyl will release it in America the same day as Asobi Seksu. The CD will be limited to 2000 copies and 1000 copies for the green vinyl. Get it while you can!
Pre-order: Amazon.com, Polyvinyl
Japanese Release: CD Japan, Play-Asia
ironomi- sketch
Singapore-based Kitchen. Label released ironmomi’s latest batch of “delicate field recordings” at the tail end of 2010. They’ve now set up worldwide distribution at places you can find here, including America.
Order: Darla Records
J-Rock Fridays Vol. 10
December 25, 2009Merry Christmas.
Nicotine- “Last Christmas”
I posted this last year, but who cares. Here’s a little holiday cheer from the Nicotine boys. Note: drugs are bad for you. (myspace)
Random J-Rock Updates #11
October 7, 2009Eleven is my favorite number.
-Asobi Seksu’s new video for “Transparence” can be seen here. An exclusive MP3 from their new album Rewolf can be downloaded here.
-If you read J-Rock Fridays Vol. 4, the new albums by sgt., Skybeaver, and Bossfist are on HearJapan.
-ELLEGARDEN side project Nothing’s Carved In Stone will be putting out a new single and live DVD in December.
–Wow Rock will be putting out Art Cube’s The Complete Best on December 3 before Japan.
-Housekeeping: If you scroll to the left, I added a new link section named “Japanese Labels.” These are Japanese record labels that I enjoy. More will be added in time. Right now, my favorite J-record label is Theory&Practice.
-Nadehiko from texas pandaa is working on the soundtrack for his friend’s indie film. Listen to the first track “Our Big Crossing” here.
–Eastern Youth has an exclusive download for “Konomama Aki He” here.
–Luminous Orange will be putting out a best of album on November 4. It will be available for international order on their webstore.
–EN-X is back in the studio after losing two members.
-Part 1 of FACT’s Coming To America documentary is available on Shockhound.
–Far East Movement discovered Flattop Grill. I’ve been there. I wasn’t as impressed.
-Another new album vlog from The Slants.
MYSPACE BAND OF THE WEEK
バードレイクス (birdlakes)
Hailing from Chiba, birdlakes formed in 2006. The band has released one mini-album and two singles since then. For fans of Sparta Locals and Ogre You Asshole.
Random J-Rock Updates #10
September 25, 2009In an attempt to make more regular columns on J-Rock Explosion, Random J-Rock Updates returns! I’ll probably be doing this every Wednesday from now on, starting the Wednesday after next Wednesday. I compile these mainly from myspace Activity Stream and bulletins, sometimes there’s nothing to report for days. I’ve also added a new feature to this column, Myspace Band of the Week. This is a band that randomly added me on myspace or vice versa and doesn’t suck. These are mostly small bands that don’t have any music videos for me to show off for J-Rock Fridays. There’s probably more words in this paragraph than the actual news, but go on…
–Asobi Seksu’s new album Rewolf will come out November 10 via Polyvinyl records. The album was one of the last recorded at the legendary Olympic Studios. Pre-order is available here.
-Muon has 4 new live tracks for free here. They are currently writing their new studio album.
-Cornelius is producing original music for Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.
–Absolute Polysics will be available on iTunes September 29.
–Freaky Frog is putting out their debut album on November 4 in Japan. The band is fronted by former BEAT CRUSADER umu.
–Overground Acoustic Underground has a trailer for their new album.
-BoA’s US album was released again.
–Maru Music will put out An Cafe’s new album BB Parallel World on October 20. It will include a DVD with four music videos and a live clip.
-Dir en grey will be in North America this November. FACT will be touring with Senses Fail this October.
MYSPACE BAND OF THE WEEK
BANK
BANK is an acoustic/jazz band from Too Young Records.
Announcement: 2009 US Release Calender
September 24, 2009On this blog, I like to talk about what Japanese albums are getting a US release. So, I’d like to introduce a page I’ve been working on since the beginning of this year, the 2009 US Release Calender. It’s been live all this time, but considering it has only gotten 39 views so far, I have to assume no one knows it exists. It’s a very simple list of what came out this year, followed by a link to where to buy it and their myspace if applicable. I only include albums that were released on CD or vinyl. MP3 downloads are too numerous and really take no effort to release. I like physical media. It gives me a sense of ownership that MP3s will never, ever have.
https://croquiscrisis.wordpress.com/2009-us-releases/
What I’ve bought this year (just 2009 releases):
Vinyl– Hush and Transparence 10″ by Asobi Seksu and Hymn to the Immortal Wind by Mono
CD: self titled albums by FACT and parms, P-POP HIGH SCHOOL by Peelander-Z, and Utada’s second English album This Is The One
DVD: A Knot Of by Dir en grey
I also have 9dw’s self titled LP. It came moments ago, that’s why it’s not in the picture. There’s also a couple other things I have on order. Right now, albums I’m most looking forward to later this year are Armonica Hewa by OOIOO, Rewolf by Asobi Seksu, and Dir en grey’s music video collection. I also have to applaud Maru Music for getting their releases on Hot Topic shelves. I was able to buy Versailles’ debut album from there a few months ago.
I’m constantly updating this page, I added three releases yesterday alone, so be sure to bookmark it. Also, be on the lookout for a This Month In J-Rock announcement next week.
Random J-Rock Updates #9
May 11, 2009The triumphant return!
-“Layers” from Asobi Seksu’s new album is used in the movie Treeless Mountain. It was also on Ugly Betty.
-Download Hoshina Aniversary’s “Galaxy” mixes here.
–Quixotik covered Aerosmith. lol
–Cornelius canceled his North American tour. Swine Flu!
-Temporary Residence is releasing the Young Widows/Melt-Banana split. PS: I’m still waiting for my Mono preorder TempRes!!
–Utada has a new CD coming out. She wants to sign it.
-Both m.o.v.e. and The Slants canceled their performance at Anime Central on Saturday. Sorry guys, no review this year 😦
–the telephones have signed to a major label
-A short video of FACT’s US tour. The tour was canceled after a serious van accident.
I’ll be graduating college next Sunday so hopefully I’ll have more time to update this blog now.
Asobi Seksu- Walk on the Moon
May 8, 2008This song has been weighing heavily on my heart lately.
I saw the photograph, an image of you
Things have never looked, looked like this
It’s never been like this
I’m swimming in gray
I’m just swimming in gray
Let them all walk away, all walk away
So there’s no one to blame
They all feel the same
Let them all walk away, all walk away
I’ll be left with the shame
You saw the photograph, an image of me
You’ll never see me like this
It’s never felt like this
I’m swimming in gray
I’m just swimming in gray
Let them all walk away, all walk away
So there’s no one to blame
They all feel same
Let them all walk away, all walk away
I’ll be left with the shame
J-Rock Explosion 