It’s been six years since Maximum the Hormone’s last album, but the band is back with their usual brand of sonic metal fury sandwiched between J-pop verses. “Yoshu Fukushu” features some manga panels and sound effects, sneak peak at the 156 page manga that comes with the CD?
the HIATUS- “Horse Riding”
Watch Takeshi Hosomi’s silhouette play guitar as random scenery and newsreels pass in the background. A rather bland single but at least the HIATUS are past their emo phase.
BIGMAMA- “Alongside”
Set sail with BIGMAMA or just watch them rock out on the pier. The skies are grey, but the violin, which remains the band’s saving grace, will keep you cozy.
Did I really write 100 of these things? Thanks for sticking around these past four years and I hope you continue to enjoy it.
andymori- “Neverland”
In a few short months, andymori will be gone forever, so they might as well start pumping out those musicvideosnow. “Neverland” is presented as a short film, and tells the story of adult size Peter Pan. While Captain Hook adjusts to the corporate life, Pan continues on his childish exploits even after losing the ability to fly. All it takes is a child to believe in him!
sakanaction- “Inori (Extended Mix)”
In case you’ve only been keeping up with sakanaction through their singles, they’ve been including one track over their past few albums that is much more dance than rock. “Inori” is from this year’s self titled album and is being released as an extended mix on vinyl. This may be a boring black and white video with the band standing around with their Macbooks, but I assure you this is one for the clubs!
Czecho No Republic- 「１人のワルツ」
Czecho No Republic heads to the country for the second video off their Tower Records exclusive single. They meet some llamas and ostriches but mostly sing and dance all happy like in the park.
In volume 93 of J-Rock Fridays, we have serial killers, crossdressers, a hair salon for children, wind instruments, big meat and more!
uminote- “Words Kill People (Cotodama the Killer)”
Cotodama may be a ruthless killer when he has his Casshern mask on, but he’s just a teary eyed father when his baby girl confronts him. I knew uminote could make an epic video if they had a budget!
The SALOVERS- “Yuka ni wa Kimi no Cardigan”
Vinyl records, rock posters, ramen. Just your average hipster’s college dorm room taken over by The SALOVERS. Pick your cardigans off the floor, they’re clean enough to wear to English Lit.
Her Name In Blood- “We Refuse”
HNIB’s new singer looks a lot like Andrew W.K. when he’s wearing that dirty white shirt. He didn’t come to party but I think Andrew would be proud.
The last batch of the best J-Rock videos of 2012, although hopefully not the last list of the year. We’ve been to many places this year and it’s time to revisit.
The Novembers- “Harem”
Starting off part II of the best J-Rock videos of 2012 is another “weird stuff happens in the woods” video! The Novembers’ follow a mysterious gypsy into the woods where she does a sword dance while they look on like Twilight vampires. Haunting!
Aureole- “Live Again”
I really do love these woods videos! This time a mysterious schoolgirl stumbles into the woods and finds a magic sword while Aureole plays their flute song behind a bed sheet. She will protect them from harm.
matryoshka- “Monotonous Purgatory”
A beautiful animated video about a soul leaving its body that could have probably been expanded to a short film and submitted to certain film festivals. A wonderful treat for the 5 year album wait.
The last J-Rock Fridays of 2012! Just because the year is ending doesn’t mean Japan has slowed down their music video production.
miila- “Santa Baby”
Is it too late for Christmas songs? Oh well, I was never in the holiday spirit to begin with. Not the cheeriest version of the song anyway. This cover is actually a couple of years old, but I’m glad miila (from Miila and the Geeks) got around to making a video for it.
Sawao Yamanaka- “Answer”
Can you believe Yamanaka’s on his third solo album already? Just like his other side project The Predators, I can’t differentiate “Answer” from a standard pillows track. That’s great if you’re a fan of the pillows, but I would like to see him do something different for a change. This is his chance to do something new and he blew it again.
DOLLS$BOXX- “Loud Twin Stars”
DOLL$BOXX is Fuki from Light Bringer and all of the gals from Gacharic Spin. Although their other single and individual projects lean towards girly pop rock, Gacharic Spin’s keyboardist spends half of “Loud Twin Stars” screaming and it’s awesome.
Christmas and New Years are coming up. There may be an end of the year wrap coming up soon but for now new videos!
Post Modern Team- “Never Let You Down”
Another ano(t)raks band decided to make a music video this week, this time Post Modern Team with one of my favorite songs of the year. “Never Let You Down” is a sweet, simple little tune aptly put to video with a girl running through the flower fields.
Take Ambulance- “Keys In Your Rubble of Hopes”
Take Ambulance are rather proud of their cuss storm that takes place in the middle of this video. Not only is it the only line they bother to subtitle, but they even printed out t-shirts to wear in the video. Hilarious!
kindan no tasuketsu- “Nemui”
Dreamy music and a sleeping girl. After releasing three albums in six months, kindan no tasuketsu deserves a nice rest.
Japan’s brightest new indie band has released a new version of their first PV in time for the release of their debut album. The album version of “Toumei Kan” contains 100% less furries but otherwise sounds the same as the original, which was apparently co-written with beat maker Idiot Pop who also just released an awesome dance album.
Fourteen new videos for your viewing pleasure. Pick a favorite or two.
toe- “Tsuki, Kake feat. ACO”
Since the official version looks awful, here’s the viral video where they pretend to be a cover band covering their own song before it was even released. As you can tell from the “feat. ACO” bit, this is one of their vocal tracks, which have been better than their instrumentals as of late.
First new J-Rock Fridays of the year and we’re already so behind!
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.
J-Rock Explosion 