Yes, there’s more.
J-Rock Fridays Vol. 9
December 11, 2009In the last week, I have begun the epic task of organizing my computer’s “Downloads” folder. That means finding a lot of stuff I haven’t even listened to so that I can start preparing my end of the year list. I still have a couple of hundred things to go through so forgive me. The winner of last week’s poll was sleepy.ab with Overground Acoustic Underground a point behind (I’m starting to sense a pattern here). This week we have 10 new videos from FACT, toe, winnie, and more…
1000say- “Holy Rain”
I’ve said this before, but 1000say remind me of school food punishment. Except now that school food punishment has become a shit pop band (thanks, Sony!), 1000say is the only good synth-pop band left. “Holy Rain” is a lot of fun. It’s like I stepped back in the 80s for a few minutes. I can’t wait to get my hands on their new mini-album Lightning Amplifier. (myspace)
The Heiz on The Dave Dingwall Show
December 5, 2009This is the funniest thing I’ve seen all week. And I’m not talking about The Heiz’s misunderstanding of the English language. I’m talking about Dave Dingwall.
DJ Tama feat. sleepy.ab
December 4, 2009Can’t get enough of sleepy.ab’s new album Paratroop? Here’s your chance to hear their vocalist in a different setting. “Longing to Love” is Nariyama Tsuyoshi and DJ Tama’s collaboration on DJ Tama’s 2006 album Melting Pod. I believe this is the first time we’ve heard Nariyama sing in English.
An Cafe/Versailles t-shirts at Hot Topic
December 3, 2009
J-Rock Fridays Vol. 8
November 27, 2009Here 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)
Mizca gets me hot (on the dancefloor)
November 25, 2009Watch 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 »
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.
chicken head maker
November 23, 2009I 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.
my little airport is back
November 22, 2009Chinese 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.
J-Rock Explosion 