So who can recommend some good J-Pop or J-Rock?

[J T]

Thanks for all the recommendations Pierrot. I've already checked out Capsule from your list and I dig them. I'll have to refer back for more.

And MrPopo, that Scandal track has a hell of a hook in the chorus.


I've also been enjoying Kyary Pamyu Pamyu because her videos are so insane, but I found I actually really like the music to her song Fashion Monster.

[BoneSnapDeez]

I'm a fan of Scandal:

I forgot about these girls!

They do the opening song of one of the Star Ocean games.

[pierrot]

Thanks for all the recommendations Pierrot. I've already checked out Capsule from your list and I dig them. I'll have to refer back for more.

Cool. You might already know this, but Capsule is technically part of the shibuya-kei sub-genre, but it really only applies to their early stuff. If you like anything from the first three or four albums of theirs, you'd probably enjoy some other shibuya-kei bands.

Kyari's image is totally whacked. I was hooked on PON PON PON for a while, but then I saw a live performance of hers on TV, and it just destroyed it for me. The girls in Perfume handle their public presences masterfully (and they should; they've only been doing it for 15 years) but I dont think Nakata should have let Kyari out in public. At least not TV. Maybe she's better with it now, though.

Also MEG is another Nakata produced artist, but I never really got into her stuff, and they don't really work together anymore. (He seems to have a thing for only really producing young girls who make lots of money.)

Oh, wow. Was just watching that Fashion Monster video. He really Perfume-d her up, musically. I also much prefer the toned down make-up, and darker hair.

[KillerJuan77]

Earthmind, Perfume, SID and Kotoko are awesome. I shouldn't even need to mention Utada Hikaru.

[Valkyrie-Favor]

The Pillows play rock. They did the soundtrack for FLCL, so awesome.

If you're interested in punk, you'll like Slang. They've been around a -long- time, but here's their newest video. This album is awesome; it made me want to run around and shout GLORY OUTSHINES DOOM at the top of my lungs. My friend toured with them and, it's pretty hilarious seeing a Japanese dude discover burritos for the first time.


I've listened to two Utada Hikaru albums and I didn't like them much, but her work in the new Evangelion was amazing. It's all about the songwriting - that woman can sing!

[brunoafh]

X-Japan forever.

For heavier stuff/metal, Grief of War, Galneryus, Blood Stain Child, Followbane, and Sigh are my favorites in this department.

[Draca]

Yui and Utada Hikaru are my favorites! You might also want to check out Oreska Band. They are an AMAZING all Japanese girl Ska band. There is no way you can't be up beat when listening to them =D

[J T]

Hangry & Angry

Do they mean Hungry?

[Nyukki]

" bigbang"

Bigbang are one of my guilty pleasures. So cheesy yet so awesome. A friend of mine said he bumped into G Dragon in the bar district in Seoul.

[pierrot]

Hangry & Angry

Do they mean Hungry?

Man, that is pretty much everything I hate about J-pop, right there. (No offense, if you like it, JT.) The mis-transliteration in their name, high volume mix, lumbering bass line and melody, lyrics that make we want to punch myself repeatedly in the face until I'm too brain damaged to care. All it needs is to shift the modality for the chorus, and it's a 10/10.