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The Midnight Blanket

June 15, 2011

myspace band of the week

The Midnight Blanket (真夜中ブランケット) is an unsigned trio from Tokyo. They formed under the name 大和三鬼人 in 2003 in Sapporo. After a hiatus they reformed as The Midnight Blanket in 2009 and relocated to Tokyo. Their first demo CD Giraffe was released last year.

“I HATE YOU” chugs along nicely building tension but never devolves into a scream fest. “Time Keeper” keeps the same structure but bumps up the masculinity a notch in the chorus. “二人は” and “second world” takes a more laid back approach that covers you like a blanket to rest.

http://www.myspace.com/themidnightblanket/

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New Dir en grey up for preorder

June 14, 2011

The End Records announced details for the US edition of Dir en grey’s 8th album Dum Spiro Spero. The 14 tracks will include the singles “Hageshisa To, Kono Mune No Naka De Karamitsuita Shakunetsu No Yami,” “Lotus”, and “Different Sense.” The album will be released as a standard CD, deluxe CD with 2 bonus tracks, and a double LP. All three editions are already up for preorder at The Omega Order and Amazon. There’s also a limited edition bundle at the Omega order with the deluxe CD, LP, t-shirt, and a signed poster going for $40 (hell of a bargain compared to the similar $150 Japan edition). However, it seems to have sold out already. Dum Spiro Spero comes out August 2nd in America, a day before Japan.

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J-Rock Fridays Vol. 47

June 10, 2011

Almost every band this week spells their name in ALL CAPS. I didn’t plan that.

TACOBONDS- “BPM4”

TACOBONDS get aggressive in this artsy video.

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moools

June 9, 2011

myspace band of the week

The band known as moools formed in 1997 in Tokyo. The trio has released five albums through 7 e.p. and opened for Modest Mouse three times in Japan. They developed a close relationship with K Records and toured America with Mount Eerie in 2003 and 2007. In 2010 they opened for Wolf Parade on their North America tour. When they’re not playing together, moools have separate projects going on. Uchino is the drummer for toddle while Ariizumi and Sakai formed the instrumental band Kabaddi Kabaddi Kabaddi Kabaddi.

Moools’ sound is similar to the indie bands they’ve toured with. “Iru Iranai” reminds me a bit of Ogre You Asshole. “Ad Balloon” is kinda funky. “Zippo” has some great guitar work. And “Tournament” is a nice chill out track.

moools albums are available on US iTunes. You can also find their CDs on K Record’s website.

http://www.myspace.com/moools

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Stuff To Look Forward To, June 2011

June 5, 2011

Summer’s here.

6/01 B’z- Don’t Wanna Lie (CD Japan, Play-Asia)

6/01 the HIATUS- Hatching Mayflies (CD Japan)

6/01 Limit3- Imaginaly number

6/01 lynch.- I Believe In Me (CD Japan)

6/01 OVERGROUND ACOUSTIC UNDERGROUND- Yume no Ate (CD Japan)

6/01 Quruli- Kiseki (CD Japan)

6/01 UVERworld- Life 6 Sence (CD Japan)

6/07 Ghost Company- PUNK EATS J-POP -MOSH PIT STYLE- (CD Japan)

6/08 Alice Nine- Blue Flame (CD Japan, Play-Asia)

6/08 ammoflight- Truthpeaker (CD Japan)

6/08 andymori – Kakumei (CD Japan)

6/08 The Bawdies- Live The Life I Love (CD Japan)

6/08 Buzz the Bears- Kodo (CD Japan)

6/08 the Canadian Club- cocoon (CD Japan)

6/08 Homosapiens- Dead Girlfriend (CD Japan)

6/08 Jazztronik- Dig Dig Dig (CD Japan, Play-Asia)

6/08 Kaminarigumo- Scrap Short Summer (CD Japan)

6/08 Man With A Mission- Man With A Mission (CD Japan)

6/08 midnightPumpkin- Recipe of “FOREVER” (CD Japan)

6/08 MotherMAN- MotherMAN (CD Japan)

6/08 Nothing’s Carved In Stone – echo (CD Japan, Play-Asia)

6/08 the pillows- Comic Sonic (CD Japan, Play-Asia)

6/08 T.C Speaker- Good-by My World (CD Japan)

6/08 Tribal Chair- Crows in the Crowd (CD Japan, Play-Asia)

6/11 cinema staff – cinema staff (CD Japan)

6/11 Elmoc- Shortly

6/15 9mm Parabellum Bullet- Movement (CD Japan)

6/15 A.O.W.- Counter Culture (CD Japan)

6/15 Bassui- Play Ground (CD Japan)

6/15 The Birthday- I’m Just A Dog (CD Japan)

6/15 BLOOD- Bathory (CD Japan)

6/15 Dunkelheit- lover in the soil (CD Japan)

6/15 exist trace- True (CD Japan)

6/15 Galileo Galilei- Aoi Shiori (CD Japan)

6/15 GPKISM- Reliquia (CD Japan)

6/15 Kettles- Me My Kettle? (CD Japan)

6/15 Last Alliance- for staying real BLUE. (CD Japan)

6/15 Saori@Destiny- Domestic domain (CD Japan, Play-Asia)

6/15 serial TV drama- Togenkyo Alien (CD Japan)

6/15 Shit Happening- This Memory To Me… (CD Japan)

6/15 Suicide Ali- Donor of lie (CD Japan)

6/15 Supercar- Re: Supercar 2 (CD Japan)

6/15 TV-Addictions- A Hymn for the TV-Freaks (CD Japan)

6/15 Versailles- Holy Grail (CD Japan, Play-Asia)

6/15 Yellow Magic Orchestra- YMO (CD Japan)

6/22 absentmindedness- Blind e.p. (CD Japan)

6/22 a flood of circle- AFOC The Mix (CD Japan)

6/22 DadaD- Go Around (CD Japan)

6/22 Dir en grey- Different Sense (CD Japan, Play-Asia)

6/22 DNA BAKS- Ichimatsu Moyo e.p. (CD Japan)

6/22 The Mirraz- Kanransha ni Noru Kimi ga Yakei ni Terasareteruuchi wa (CD Japan)

6/22 Mix Speakers, Inc.- It’s a Dream World (CD Japan)

6/22 Negoto- Merci Lou (CD Japan)

6/22 white white sisters – spectrachroma (CD Japan)

6/29 Ashigaru Youth- Like or LoveStory (CD Japan)

6/29 Base Ball Bear- yoakemae (CD Japan)

6/29 L’Arc~en~ciel- Good Luck My Way (CD Japan)

6/29 Scott Murphy- Guilty Pleasures Animation (CD Japan)

6/29 Tokyo Jihen- Daihakken (CD Japan, Play-Asia)

6/29 VA- ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION presents NANO-MUGEN Compilation 2011 (CD Japan, Play-Asia)

6/?? Ogre You Asshole- Ukareteiru Hito Twilight Edition EP (Jet Set)

6/?? Towa Tei- Sunny EP (Jet Set)

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Unshin

June 1, 2011

myspace band of the week

Unshin is a six-piece band currently based in London. The band is fronted by singer/songwriter Megumi Miyoshi who moved to the UK from Sendai when she was 12. She met future band members at Summerhill School, who came from such diverse places as Korea and Thailand. They’ve been recording their debut album Waltz for Broken Dolls on and off for years and it will finally see release this summer. The concept album tells the story a of young girl who finds her own path under the strict rules of Japanese society.

Despite being based in the UK, all of Unshin’s lyrics are in Japanese. As an accomplished koto player, Miyoshi brings  traditional Japanese flavor to  “Memories and Tears” while the strings in “Water Knife” are equally classy. Some of their songs are just plain J-Rock, though, like their newest single “Running” and the ska influenced “Evidence.”

Waltz for Broken Dolls will be released July 16. Two singles are available to download now on Amazon.com and iTunes.

http://www.myspace.com/unshinmusic

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Because I like to waste money

May 29, 2011

I was feeling down after skipping ACEN this year so I decided to take a Mitsuwa field trip this weekend. Can you guess what CD I bought in this horribly taken cell phone pic?

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J-Rock Fridays Vol. 46

May 27, 2011

Three day weekend!

white white sisters- “wasted”

The white white sisters are back with a new chaotic tune. Not as memorable as “imperfect conflict” but still nuts. Let’s not talk about the shooting white liquid!

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FUZZASS

May 25, 2011

myspace band of the week

FUZZASS is a female fronted psychedelic rock band backed by triple guitars and drums (no bass!). The band formed in 2005 with a rap top. In 2006 they accompanied The Soundscapes on their east coast US tour, but have stayed in Japan since. Their debut EP Larva was released last year. It was mastered by John Golden who did Sonic Youth and Primus among others.

With their fuzzy rock and distorted guitars, FUZZASS chose an appropriate name for themselves. “Larva,” their homage to The Doors, is an engrossing moody song. Yuko’s “whisper voice” does tend to blend in to the noise but is allowed to wander in songs like “Ulight.” If you’re into experimental music you’ll find some delight in this.

Pick up Larva at CD Baby.

http://www.myspace.com/intofuzzass

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He Luck Door

May 18, 2011

myspace band of the week

He Luck Door (ひらくドア) is an indie rock band from Tokyo that formed around 2007. The band was founded by vocalist Takayuki Kato with Hirohisa Kato (guitar), Takahiro  Mizunara (Mr. Tambourine Man), Yes Teranaka (bass), and E.MURAYAMA (drums). Their psychedelic pop is inspired by The Beatles, Spitz, The Velvet Underground, My Bloody Valentine, and Deerhoof. They dropped their debut album He Luck Door in 2010.

Most of the songs on myspace come from their self-titled album. Some of their songs are light and fluffy while others are abrasive and psychedelic. My favorites are the ones with boy-girl vocals like “I Think About You.”

Download their new EP Omoiode (Memory) free here.

http://www.myspace.com/takayukikato

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