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deepsea drive machine

August 11, 2010

myspace band of the week

Deepsea drive machine is an electronic band from Kashiwa.  Shinya Nishi (bass) and Kohtaro Uno (guitar) formed the band in 1998 and were inspired by hardcore punk bands.  They released their first album Saion in 2002 and the Sonar For Life EP in 2005.  In 2008, Shinya and Jun Izawa (LITE) started Parabolica Records and began releasing albums from Japanese and foreign artists.  Earlier this year deepsea drive machine released the Wayless EP through Parabolica.

The first five tracks on myspace are from Wayless.  It sounds similar to sakanaction at first, but with a lot less vocals.  “Ray of Light” and “ミチナキセカイ” are nice spacey dance tracks.  Some of the more guitar heavy tracks like “Jag” and “Secret Path” recall the direction LITE have been heading in their last two EPs.  Their older tracks are pretty similar to their new material, but I would definitely throw “JADA” in the post-rock category.

Deepsea drive machine is on the electronic side of post-rock, with more spacey than dancy tunes.  The beats are catchy enough to keep you awake on the highway, but relaxing enough for studying music.  More please.

http://www.myspace.com/deepseadrivemachine

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J-Rock Fridays Vol. 26

August 6, 2010

Welcome to my world.

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Posted in 0.8秒と衝撃。, 385, Bleach, Bleach 03, Egnish, J-Rock Fridays, M Attack 40s, midori, Motor Mustang, noanowa, Paraele Stripes, Peelander-Z, Quruli, Schloder | 1 Comment »

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Quattro

August 4, 2010

myspace band of the week

“Why are they called Quattro though they are 5?”  The video for “Magic J” never answers the question, but I went ahead and listened to some more Quattro.

Quattro is a four or five-piece (their myspace lists four members at this point) indie band from Tokyo.  They’ve put out two albums and an EP on LilBallet.  Their latest album Where Is The Coconuts? …Ha? came out earlier this year and it’s a lot of fun.  Samples of all eleven songs are up on myspace.

Their sound can best be described by observing what’s on their album cover: five dudes standing under palm trees.  Some of the songs have a Brit pop flair, such as the excellent single “Time, Time, Time” while others such as “Question #7” and “For All We Done” are straight up country.  The kind of album you play as you spread out on your hammock and enjoy an ice cold Popsicle.

Their English isn’t perfect.  Their grammatical disaster of an album title should be proof of that.  But the charm is still there.  And if Takeshi Iwamoto works on it a LilBit I’m sure they’ll find success overseas.

http://www.myspace.com/quattrotheband

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Stuff To Look Forward To, August 2010

August 4, 2010

August is here.  And there’s more Japanese albums I can’t afford.  If you’re in Chicago this weekend X-Japan will be at Lollapalooza.  I don’t have $300 to burn just to stand around in the sun but whatever makes you happy.

Beat Crusaders- Situation

If you haven’t already heard, the Beat Crusaders are breaking up.  Why do you have to leave me?  “Situation” is their final single.  Apparently, it will only be released as a DVD video.  The listing says it’s Region 2, which defeats the point of me buying it, but thanks for one last song.

Nature Living- Anonymous

Back in the day, Nature Living was the screamo band to listen to from Japan.  And then their popularity fell along with Purevolume’s before they even released their album.  But I bought it.  And liked it.  This is their second full-length (third if you count After All).  I doubt they’ll make it easy and put it on Interpunk again for us but I will find you.  (myspace)

the telephones- We Love Telephones

Yes, we do. Second major label album from the band and they’re just as crazy as ever.  I was starting to worry after that collaboration with MiChi.  But the singles have been good, especially “Kiss Me, Love Me, Kiss Me,” which was a pleasant diversion from their normal chaos.  They’ll bring the disco if you give them your love and voice.  (myspace)

Mass of the Fermenting Dregs- Zero Comma, Irotoridori No Sekai

Now this is a major label debut we should be worried about.  When they released the video for the title track a couple of weeks ago it was clear that they changed their sound to something more bubbly.  I don’t mind the direction they’re going in.  It’s kind of fun.  (myspace)

The Predators- This World

The Predators are back with a new mini-album.  This was the supergroup comprised of Sawao Yamanaka (the pillows), Jiro (GLAY), and Shinpai Nakayama (STRAIGHTENER).  Well, Shinpai left and Hirotaka Takahashi (ELLEGARDEN) stepped in on drums.  If you’re a fan of the pillows, they kind of sound the same, so go get it.  (myspace)

Scott Murphy- Guilty Pleasure 4

Damn you Scott Murphy.  You just got back together with ALLiSTER  and you’re already doing more solo stuff.  As always, the fourth in this series will cover a bunch of J-Pop songs, like Utada Hikaru’s “Flavor of Life.”   And hey, there’s even a Carpenters and The Slants cover.  And to be fair, the new ALLiSTER album kind of sucks.

Other Stuff

Masafumi Isobe- Do we know? (single)

NICO Touches the Walls- Sudden Death Game (single)

noanowa- Magical Circus

sakanaction- Identity (single)

Sebastian X- Bokura no Fantasy

Various Artists- Ghibli Rock

Various Artists- !Leche Con Cover! -A Tribute To No Use For A Name-

I was made to hit in America

Sometimes we can buy Japanese CDs at cheap American prices.  Good Charamel is going a little crazy this month by releasing the newest albums from Shonen Knife, Molice, LAZYgunsBRISKY, and TsuShiMaMiRe on August 31.  Selected songs from each band and DJ Sashimi will be on a compilation called I Love J-Rock released the same day.  That’s a lot of stuff!

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Posted in ALLiSTER, Beat Crusaders, Mass of the Fermenting Dregs, Molice, Nature Living, noanowa, sakanaction, Scott Murphy, Sebastian X, Shonen Knife, Stuff To Look Forward To, THE PREDATORS, the telephones, TsuShiMaMiRe | Leave a Comment »

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toe pays tribute to Nujabes

August 1, 2010

Here’s a clip of toe performing “Reflection Eternal” at Kaikoo Popwave Festival 2010 a  few weeks after Nujabes’ death was announced.  In true post-rock fashion, toe removed all the vocals and threw in some Spanish guitar without taking away the emotional impact of the song.  Rest in peace.

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The Suzan

July 28, 2010

myspace band of the week

The Suzan is an all-girl band from Tokyo that caught the ear of Bjorn Yttling of Peter, Bjorn and John.  They managed to convince him to produce their new album via a myspace message and it will soon be released internationally from Fool’s Gold.

Only two tracks from the girls grace their myspace page.  “Home” is a xylophone filled indie pop song that’s blissfully happy.   Astute readers can download the track free here.  “High and Low” has more of a garage rock feel with motown vocals.  Their music can be powerful or as cute as them.

Their album Golden Week For the Poco Poco Beat doesn’t come out until September, but you can buy their new single “Home” now on a  fancy 7″ record.

http://www.myspace.com/thesuzan

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J-Rock Fridays Vol. 25

July 23, 2010

Silver anniversary.

white white sisters- “imperfect conflict”

Finally a band that could combine the raw energy of Death From Above and the electronic prowess of Daft Punk.  Loud and beautiful.  Watch out Boom Boom Satellites.

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Posted in cold kitchen, Golden Goose, J-Rock Fridays, Kaminarigumo, LUCK-END, Mass of the Fermenting Dregs, Neo slash, Sandy Beach Surf Coaster, Sunsgrind, the telephones, UNCHAIN, white white sisters | 3 Comments »

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Sweet Hollywaiians

July 21, 2010

myspace band of the week

The ukulele always makes me happy.  It should come as no surprise that the Sweet Hollywaiians put me in a good mood.

The Sweet Hollywaiians are based in Osaka and were originally street performers that shared a common interest in Hawaiian, swing, ragtime,  and calypso  music from the 20s and 30s.  They formed a string quartet in 2002 to celebrate the long forgotten legends of the time such as Sol Hoopii, King Bennie Nawahi, Roy Smeck and Eddie Lang.  They’ve put out four albums and toured worldwide, wrapping up a Canadian tour this week.

The songs up on myspace are mainly instrumental Hawaiian pieces that range from hula-dance to mai-tai-on-the-beach.   But there are several vocal pieces such as the excellent “Hula Girl.”  The Hollywaiians also team up with Yumi Ishikawa on “U’i Lani” and “Maile Swing,” traditional Hawaiian songs that are just as sweet and melancholic as the originals.   The interplay between the steel guitars, banjos, and ukulele’s are relaxing and more than up to the par to the legends of the past.

If the Hollywaiians made you hula, pick up Ticklin’ The Strings and Hula Girl from CD Baby or their collaborations with Yumi Ishikawa and Tom Marion.  Whether you need some Hawaiian music for a romantic evening or just something to drown your booze, the Sweet Hollywaiians are pleasant listening material.  I guess this will tide me over until I can afford a damn vacation.

http://www.myspace.com/sweethollywaiians

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Posted in myspace band of the week, Sweet Hollywaiians | 1 Comment »

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RiLF

July 14, 2010

myspace band of the week

Ever wonder what happened to that new matryoshka album that was supposed to come out last year?  I did.  And found the post-rock supergroup RiLF.

Calu, the vocalist/creepy looking girl from matryoshka, four members of Anoice, and a couple other people got together earlier this year and dubbed themselves Ricco Label and Friends.  They released era e.p. in April and renamed themselves RiLF later on.  In September, they’ll release their debut album Ferris Wheel on Ricco Label.  One-minute samples of the entire album can be heard on myspace.  RiLF combines the post-rock stylings of Anoice with Calu’s haunting vocals.  Some of the songs are more experimental than others, but all come out out as very relaxing, easy to fall asleep to music.  The violins also add a touch of class to songs like “Mint Tea” and “so sad.”

This is definitely a side project to look out for.  And if you’re still wondering about that matryoshka album, it was announced yesterday that it will be released on world’s end girlfriend’s new label Virgin Babylon Records.

http://www.myspace.com/rilfs

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Posted in Anoice, myspace band of the week, RiLF | 2 Comments »

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world’s end girlfriend starts his own label, fills it with awesome

July 13, 2010

In light of fellow post-rockers LITE and toe forming their own record labels, Katsuhiko Maeda (world’s end girlfriend) announced his own label Virgin Babylon Records today.  And what an amazing roster it has.  So far he’s signed mutyumu, about tess, matryoshka, and his brother Ryoma Maeda.  If that’s not a who’s who in amazing Japanese post-rock I don’t know what else is.  About tess will release their new album Winter 2010 and Ryoma Maeda in Spring 2011.

The first release on Virgin Babylon Records will of course be the new world’s end girlfriend album Seven Idiots on September 14.  He describes it as “an irregular pop album, filled with ‘Destroy’ and ‘Construction,’ ‘LOVE’ and ‘Twisted’ of pop music!”  Track listing and album info can be found here.  The first single “Les Enfants du Paradis” can be downloaded for free.   It’s a lot more bouncy than I expected.  And I never thought I’d hear a world’s end girlfriend song start with handclaps.

http://www.virgin-babylon-records.com/

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Posted in about tess, matryoshka, mutyumu, Ryoma Maeda, world's end girlfriend | 2 Comments »

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