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

[TheRev]

Sakanation is a pretty good Indie band.

I'm a bit out of the loop on J-Rock/J-Pop I just stopped caring after awhile. It's probably MORE manufactured than Western pop/rock.

[BoringSupreez]

Sakanation is a pretty good Indie band.

I'm a bit out of the loop on J-Rock/J-Pop I just stopped caring after awhile. It's probably MORE manufactured than Western pop/rock.

What are you meaning by "manufactured?"

[pierrot]

Sakanation is a pretty good Indie band.

I'm a bit out of the loop on J-Rock/J-Pop I just stopped caring after awhile. It's probably MORE manufactured than Western pop/rock.

What are you meaning by "manufactured?"

Processed; factory fresh; run from a printing mill.

Personally, I think it's a toss up, musically. In terms of persona, probably no question that Japanese acts are more produced. If you're not into their stage presence and things, a lot of it is cotton candy fluff. Popular groups and things have to spend so much time working the TV show circuit in Japan that they usually need a hook visually, etc, so the production of their acts can be overbearing at times. (Johnny's groups.)



I was trying to think of her name before, and just remembered it: Hitomi Toi. She's kind of obscure, but she's a trained jazz vocalist, and has some really good stuff. It's pop influenced, so anyone who isn't into heavy skatting, and the potentially unsettling blue note shouldn't have too much trouble with her music.

DOWN TOWN

I also like her stage name: "一十三十一.” People who have taken 101 can probably figure out that the characters are "1 10 3 10 1." I'm pretty sure her name isn't even Hitomi Toi (maybe Ito) but the palindrome just tickles me.

[Waterfaller]

Not pop or rock, but if you want any j-metal (is that even a term?), I totally recommend Liv Moon and Onmyouza.

[Onikage]

The Blue hearts is one of my favorite bands, their songs are consistently good and have simple yet great lyrics.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rg7gTbOWeu0

Stance Punks is another great band and they are highly influenced by The Blue hearts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYz3ZjeT3Nk

[TheRev]

Anybody mention Shiina Ringo?

She the Inspiration for I-no in Guilty Gear

[J T]

Anybody mention Shiina Ringo?

She the Inspiration for I-no in Guilty Gear

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQGfN1D8Vfk

[3DSStrider]

Psychic Lover.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBRwE_ynQgA <-Samurai Sentai Shinkenger theme
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BLMMENJft4 <-Kamen Rider Faiz theme

[Valkyrie-Favor]

I like to listen to albums. Know of any J-pop artists that write whole albums and not just singles?

That's pretty rare among any pop band, so eh. I like the sound and texture of some J-pop acts, but like most pop songs they overstay their welcome with too much mindless repetition.

I also like songs that are entirely in Japanese. Unless it's utterly hilarious, the English is annoying.

I have to suggest G.I.S.M, a strange metal band that will be fascinating to anyone who is interested in sociopaths.

[pierrot]

I like to listen to albums. Know of any J-pop artists that write whole albums and not just singles?

Utada Hikaru, sort of.

The Japanese music industry isn't set up for popular musicians creating albums, though. They release single by single, then after enough singles are released, they throw them all together with some b-sides and another song or two, and call it a studio album.