The J-Music Lovers' International Assembly

[Ryusenkai]

how is it possible i watched this movie before you did. Decent movie, didn't like the ending much.

 

I watched it when i was watching a bunch of japanese music movies. Both Swing Girls and Linda Linda Linda are better than Bandage for me.

__

 

hmm i can quote on firefox but not chrome. I wonder if one of the new extensions i added is messing with it.

 

It might be, since I can quote just fine on Chrome.

 

In other news, found both of the A-sides for Kobukuro's new single on youtube - really like both of them.  Couple of really nice pieces.

[Ryusenkai]

Lugz&Jera is releasing a new mini album on July 3rd! :D

 

https://twitter.com/LugzStarRecords/status/347570272179724288/photo/1

 

 

There's other singles that could do better than hers on other days. I'd say she has a better chance on the 31st with only Uverworld to really worry about. As long as the other track doesn't leak. >_>

 

It's worth noting that that UVERworld single has 3 versions, compared to the usual 2 (REVERSI also had 3, but that was a re-cut single).  So, it's possible that they might be seeing numbers between 60-75k on that one.  Hard to say though.

[Ryusenkai]

Hmm...

 

This is all very Miliyah...

 

Of note, since it might be interesting to you, "Missing" is a cover of the Kubota Toshinobu song of the same name.

[Ryusenkai]

Call this a bit out of character for what I usually listen to, but I was recommended this song the other day and actually rather like it (they remind me of a more poppish HY):  

 

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

[Ryusenkai]

Apparently the Japanese industry is down because a certain butthurt Sone said so.

 

*eyeroll* So nothing new?

[Ryusenkai]

The Second is releasing a new single (finally!). No exact date yet from what I've heard, but one of the song titles is "SURVIVAL feat. DJ MAKIDAI". It'll be out sometime in August. The two new promo pictures that came out today:

 

 

 

I usually listen to it when I'm working, cleaning, or have to do a lot of driving.

 

The Last of Us is amazing. I am seriously impressed with Naughty Dog. I didn't think they could top Uncharted (especially with a zombie game), but they managed to not only top it, but create an incredible story to go with it. Looking forward to Uncharted 4 their next project. 

 

Interesting - let's what The Second brings to the table this time.

 

Oh, and on another note, I got to play some of The Last of Us at a friend's house - from what I played the story and the characters were pretty darn good, but I can't necessarily say the same for the controls.  They seemed ... really un-intuitive and sometimes hard to reconcile with what you needed to do.  Might have something to do with me being a primarily PC gamer these days.  Who knows.

[Ryusenkai]

i defeated the web genie. He couldn't guess Mika and i had to submit her name after i finished. 

 

He guessed Shakira, Ayu, Hikki, Otsuka Ai, and Nana Mizuki before he gave up. 

 

He's easy to stump with a good number of Japanese celebrities, since he's not as knowledgeable.  Or that's been my experience with him.

[Ryusenkai]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxWdc4oXbHc

 

i love this so much

 

AP Bank Fes always ends up producing some amazing collaborations and performances - it's why I'm so sad that it isn't happening this year.  I suppose it'll only make me even more excited for next year, though.

[Ryusenkai]

A diehard Suju fan on arama just told me that she thinks Suju's album's first week sales will get close to Ikimonogakari's first week and could even challenge them to no.1. She's basing this thought at the 'popularity' of Suju in Japan, how they sold hundreds of thousands of singles, based on SNSD's first album and THSK's last two albums, etc. I told her that if Suju has lots of versions like their singles and held events, then maaaybe...

 

But Suju's album couldn't even touch Amazon.co.jp's daily chart top 10 while Iki has consistently been in it, and in comparison, so were SNSD's first album and THSK's last 2 albums (which is usually pretty reliable when it comes to Oricon positioning), so...

 

Aye, that tends to be how I'm looking at that week myself.  Honestly, what I believe is that while Super Junior MAY be able to get close in first day daily sales, they'll never be as consistent day-per-day as Ikimonogakari will.  That's always been Iki's strong suit when it comes to albums.  A particular daily number is never amazingly high, but when they keep selling with really small drops, they never need it.

[Ryusenkai]

Japanese netizens hate AKB: http://onehallyu.com/index.php?/topic/12908-why-was-japanese-music-so-great-back-in-the-90s/

 

So much of what I've been saying about the industry today is being confirmed by them.

 

Color me not very surprised, to be honest.

[Ryusenkai]

I've done the same though since some of you are judging about getting into certain "modern" releases in kpop, I've been judged so much for saying I got into Japanese music through anime. Why or how that deserves judging IDK. 

 

Also, I've been looking into the KRock scene a lot lately. 

 

Anime was the gateway for a lot of people, myself included.  It took a while before I really wanted to delve into the Japanese music, and though I don't listen to that much anison stuff anymore, it was a good intro into the language.  

[Ryusenkai]

video game music can be so amazing at times

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZpUCImo_zo

 

 

 that violin 

 

As can video game music remixes:

 

 

[Ryusenkai]

Well, this is an odd feeling.  First time in ... a long while that an English album has managed to climb its way to the top of my list for the year so far.

[Ryusenkai]

Uploading illion's album to YT. I thought it would be blocked, but I tested it anyway and it's fine. Kind of surprised it wasn't already on there (not including the shitty ones that were recorded via computer mics or something).

 

Favorite track~

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ff1mhYgjBQ

 

Even though I have a download, thanks!  It's always good to see more good Japanese albums on youtube.

 

Also, Southern All Stars new song/PV are awesome and really fun:  http://komex111.blog.me/120194834242

[Ryusenkai]

@Ryusenkai: You're probably already familiar but I've come across a bit of information in regards to Southern All Stars. I haven't listened to them in quite sometime but remember you being quite a fan of them. Peace To Highlight (Limited Edition) is going to come with a Poncho that celebrates their 35th anniversary and looks like a fun edition for the limited release. Here!

 

Yeah - I've been considering picking up that single for a number of weeks now.  Since it's actually not as expensive as I thought it would be, I'm certainly leaning towards getting it, but I usually like to import in bulk given costs and such.  Thanks, though!

 

 

Aiwaguma and Gasshow are two of my favorites out of the japanese songs on that album.

 

I was hoping for a Radwimps album before the end of the year, but that seems unlikely now.

 

It's actually not impossible - RADWIMPS has that big outdoor live in September that they've been leading up to all year.  If they're going to announce an album this year, they'll probably do it around then (and it could conceivably have a November/December release date).

Edited July 26, 2013 by Ryusenkai

[Ryusenkai]

^Just to add more fuel to the RADWIMPS train, a few of my favorites (the last being my actual favorite RADWIMPS song):

 

 

 

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0Jdnkr8xRA

[Ryusenkai]

Thanks guys

me likey, time to check the albums yo

 

I recommend Altocolony no Teiri - it's my favorite RADWIMPS album, and the one that I consider to be their best.

[Ryusenkai]

sigh that Phil Fish story is completely stupid. He's a jackass and an idiot and the gaming industry doesn't need someone like him. 

 

I saw that Invisible Walls episode and saw what Marcus Beer said. If true, Fish deserved to be called out on it. 

 

Phil Fish is a moron - I'm honestly baffled as to what he thought the gaming industry was going to be like.  Can't say that I'm not glad to see him leave and take his drama elsewhere.

[Ryusenkai]

hate that guy so much for someone that i don't even know. From his comments to what i saw on the Indie Game Movie, i dislike him so much. He calls all japanese games terrible, refuses to apologize and says people are too sensitive, gets called out on being an ass, then he overreacts and quits saying he's the victim and is being attacked. sigh...

 

I also am a regular viewer of Invisible Walls and like Marcus.

 

Honestly, my view is "if you can't control your temper/take criticism - don't go on social media".  It will do NOTHING good for you.  I dislike people who have similar attitudes to him, since they're not helpful in the game industry and just create more of a bad name for it.  Not to mention I consider Fez subpar, but that's neither here nor there.

[Ryusenkai]

I just went to check and saw that. That number for Southern All Stars is ridiculously high. When was their last single (or any release)?

 

No Flower and Happiness on there at all

 

Southern All Star's last release was their 30th anniversary single back in 08, "I AM YOUR SINGER".  It moved 357k in its first week on the shelves and ended up as the #3 single that year with 523k sold.  I'm not expecting them to sell QUITE that well with "Peace & Hi-lite" (even though it has more tie-ins), but I'm still expecting them to post a pretty strong number given that it's their first release in 5 years.

[Ryusenkai]

Hmm well as far as music goes I have pretty broad taste liking pop, rock and urban music. Not a big fan of idols though. Never found a group that I liked or got. For some reason I was thinking Yampi and Akanishi Jin were the same person this week haha

 

Favorite artist include Do As Infinity, Utada Hikaru, RADWIMPS, Crystal Kay, and Hirai Ken. Also into UVERWORLD, Shota Shimizu, SCANDAL, AKFG and FLOW but not as much as I used to be. I need some good recommendations cause I've been pretty bored with music lately. Been getting a little into Namie and Ayu. Listend to Kumi as well but sometimes her albums just seem so disjointed. And yep.

 

Does anyone know how much of an impact Arashi has on Kohaku ratings by hosting?

 

Always good to find another RADWIMPS fan (I also like DAI)!  I'm still hoping to get an album out of Rad late this year or early next year.  If you like them though, you might find it worthwhile to take a listen to Bump of Chicken, who are somewhat different, but tend to be brought up in the same breath due to their equally unique vocalist.

[Ryusenkai]

Yeah there aren' really many RADWIMPS fans out there compared to other groups, but I will give Bump of Chicken a try especiall since I've heard good things about them before.

 

Yeah Arashi is pretty big, but I think come next year it'll be time to give them a rest with kohaku because 5 years is pushing it but I guess if it isnt broken.

 

Thanks I've been meaning to look into them and One Ok Rock.

 

Also good to see other DAI fans as well. I feel they will be going down the Ayu route and stop releasing singles since its almost been 2 years since there last one but only time will tell. 

 

It's a bit of a pity that there aren't more RADWIMPS fans around, but not much you can do other than share the music and see if people like it.  Also, I'm curious, have you by chance listened to Noda's solo album (under the name "illion"), "UBU"?

 

If you're looking for albums from Bump to look into, I tend to recommend their latest three:  "orbital period" (my personal favorite), "Yggdrasil", and "Cosmonaut".  As to Sakanaction, I enjoyed both "DocumentaLy" and "sakanaction" a good bit.

[Ryusenkai]

Thanks for reminding me about that album it completely slipped my mind that he was releasing a solo project. I gave it a listen and found it quite enjoyable. The album was really mellow yet powerful in some odd way. For the lack of a better word it gave of a folky vibe. The music was well produced, composed and arranged. It seemed really polished but sometimes it was a little too loud compared to Noda's voice which made his voice and especially his english unitelligible. Anytime I thought the vocals were falling or lacking the music definitely made up for it. I was also able to listen to the entire album from start to finish which is rare except for a few artist. Standouts for me would have to be Aiwagawa, Gamma, Un&Do, and Gasshow.

 

Listening to the bump albums and sometimes it like I'm listening to another Noda. There music is pretty easy on the ears. And with Documentaly I really liked Identity. I liked Document as well but didnt get to listen to the whole thing because there was a lot of static and skiping in the file.

 

My opinion of "UBU" was very similar - it's an amazingly solid album, particularly in terms of the sounds Noda used, since they're not the cliche melodies that you'd expect a J-music artist to go for when trying to release an international album.  Each song is creative in its own way, and the album ends up being a very eclectic mix as a result.  I agree that there ARE points where the music is a bit too loud and drowns out his voice a bit, but it's really a minor issue in the scheme of things.  My personal favorites were Planetarian, Un&Do, Gasshow, and Birdie.

 

Yeah, I wasn't kidding when I told you that there were some similarities between the vocals, even though I personally have a slight preference for Motoo's (Bump's singer) voice.  It's capable of pulling off some even folkier stuff than Noda's is, while still remaining pretty strong for rock songs.  orbital period is probably the album of theirs that best shows off how versatile they can be, and it's my favorite full album of theirs to boot.  It's been almost 3 years since the release of Cosmonaut as well, so they're due to finally release a new studio album soon (the one thing about them to get used to - LONG album cycles), hopefully this Fall, so keep your eyes out for it (and also take a look at this era's singles:  Tomodachi no Uta, Smile, Zero, Good Luck, firefly, and Niji wo Motsu Hito).

 

Lastly, yeah, Sakanaction is a pretty solid act themselves - I remember quite liking Rookie, Bach, and Endless off of DocumentaLy.  They continue to be really creative with how they use their sounds.

[Ryusenkai]

Remember Orange Range?

http://majide2ch.blogspot.com/2013/08/why-is-orange-range-being-rated-highly.html#more

 

I have a love/hate relationship with Orange Range, in that I quite like some of their material, and REALLY dislike some of it.  Though in some ways ... it kind of doesn't surprise me that they're starting to be talked about again, since I think their new album "spark" was supposed to go back to their roots or something along those lines.

[Ryusenkai]

Im back from the grave guys. hospital is sucks

cant wait for Ayaka COVER album since she will cover RADWIMPS, Mr.children, Spitz, etc its gonna be awesome.

 

anyway, found this on her YT page. cute and she sounds really good

 

There are previews up for that on her website, if you want them.

 

Edit:  http://room-ayaka.jp/disco/  <- There they are!

Edited August 12, 2013 by Ryusenkai