Japanese music

[RebelDogg]

Can anyone suggest any good Japanese music?

I've tried listening to some, but I'm having trouble finding anything that suits me that actually has lyrics. I have a very eclectic musical taste but being a musician myself I have a hard time listening to anything... ummm... not good.

I was actually listening to some j-pop. Akb48 or something like that. I was suprised that before I even knew much Japanese I was able to recall the lyrics to　" 制服が邪魔をする"
which is... not really my deal, y'know? But I could get away with singing the lyrics so long as I didn't translate them for anybody.

Anyway, suggestions? I found a band called Kobukuro which was good. Easy to make out the words (unlike some of the metal I tried to listen to) But I would like to find something more fitting to me.

I listen to a lot of progressive metal/rock, powermetal, classic rock, blues, motown, soul, oldies rock. Older country. Pretty much anything that's good.

Random list of things bands I like, if anyone knows any Japanese language bands that are similar to any of these (P. S. no black metal or hard to understand singers. This is more for hearing the language)

Led Zeppelin, Yes, Rush, Dream Theater, Journey, Judas Priest, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Satriani, Eric Johnson, Rhapsody of Fire, Megadeth, The Byrds, Greatful Dead, Buddy Guy, Bob Marley, Moody Blues, The Band, The Who, Seal, Three Dog Night, Frampton, Doobie Brothers...

That should be good. Like I said, I'm looking for any type of music (though I steer clear of pop-y stuff)

Thanks for any suggestions!

P. S. I need stuff I can find easily on YouTube or elsewhere free online!

[kodafox515]

Hi RebelDogg

Here are a couple of my favorite Japanese bands.

Number one for me is Asian Kung-Fu Generation, you'll often see their name shortened to アジカン
It's really fun Japanese rock, a lot of metaphorical weird lyrics but none-the less great listening practice. My favorite album of their's are Sol-Fa and Fan Club. I think Sol-Fa is a cool place to start.

Mr.Children is also really cool and an absolute classic band. You won't find a Japanese person who doesn't know who they are, and I've hardly met one that doesn't like Mr.Children.

Spitz, another one of my favorites. These guys have been around for a long time too, pretty mellow rock.

The Pillows is another fun Japanese rock band. They aren't super popular in Japan, but have quite a following here in the states from the FLCL (anime) soundtrack

Orange Range is really cool, rock with a bit of hip hop mixed in.


On the more pop-y end of things there are a few bands that I really like, who knows though you might like them:
Yuzu
Greeeen
Remioromen

There are lots more great Japanese bands out there.
Who else has suggestions?

[williamchooi]

Besides all that been recommended like Mr.Children, Spliz, GreeeeN, Remioromen, Orange Range, you may want to try B'z, which I think is also quite famous in Japan.

[RebelDogg]

Thanks for the responses! Keep 'em coming!

Unfortunately I gotta go be at work for 4am tomorrow... so I gotta eat, study, then sleep now. Hope to get to check these bands out later.

And as a side note for those interested, I stumbled across X Japan. Haven't had a chance to really check them out. Seems like they sing in English, though. So... and honestly they didn't seem to innovative musically. But I only heard a very little bit. Now something like that in 日本語 would be the bees knees.

Edit: Just took a quick peek at B'z. Right on! reminded me a bit of Queensryche.

[Jessi]

Only some of X-Japan's songs are in English (or have some English) - if you listen to more you'll find that a majority of them are in Japanese.

Some of these artists might be a bit on the pop side, but I also like Southern All Stars, L'Arc en Ciel, Porno Graffitti, and Bump of Chicken

[RebelDogg]

Bump of Chicken... Mr. Children...


God I love the Japanese!

[Liz21]

Try Gothic Lolita Propaganda (妖精帝國). Available on YouTube. Strangely enough, Jockzon, my Swedish friend, told me about this.

Jockzon also told me about Hiromi Uehara, a female jazz pianist!! Available on YouTube, too.

[RebelDogg]

Hmmm... not really my style to be honest. However a friend of mine says thanks! He loves that electronic gothy stuff.

[kristag77]

on the alt metal side, I like a handful of songs from the GazettE
(maybe start with the songs "Hole" and "Toguro")

[Taurus]

I think there's already been a thread about this. I would recommend Supercar (who transitioned from guitar rock to more electronic rock over the course of their career) and Furukawa Miki, their bassist who is now pursuing a solo career.

[api0977132001251251151]

If you want to see the most awesome Electronic / Rock and Roll Japanese band, go no further than these guys...

Polysics.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IP5FNYhf0_M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2YTFZD2 ... re=related

And that is all.

[Tirroth]

Never heard of a few of those. I do have a few you may like however.

Arashi

KAT-TUN

NEWS

There Jonnies groups but I like there music, KAT-TUN is my favorite.

Here's a few Videos of them on YouTube:

KAT-TUN
Don't You Ever Stop - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRihyi3fFFs&feature=related

One Drop - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FczBGBqe ... re=related

Rescue - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUvv_cHv ... re=related


Arashi


Crazy Moon - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8hh4opqoRA

Believe - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OINJsMEi ... re=related

That should get you going. NEW's is good but I don't like there music quite as much as I do KAT-TUN or Arashi. KAT-TUN seems to be one of the most popular groups among the younger generation at any rate. I'm always seening stuff about them more so than any other group.

Hope you enjoy the videos!

[Grimga]

Orange Range is really good
Ayumi Hamasaki
Aural Vampire
UnsraW
The SKULL
Dir en Grey is ok
Girugamesh

If you want anymore just ask, I am japanese so i Know alot

[ChimpImp]

Some of the music I've come across:

二階堂和美(Nikaido Kazumi)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urGz0eVJQxY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iCRz5AeipE

Ego Wrappin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxraukShUiQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRHSFE0gyQk

七尾旅人×やけのはら
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMoepMqukZQ

トクマルシューゴ (Shugo Tokumaru)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fM08FsPn9h4

笑連隊 (the Laugh Army...)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTbWPefGRYM


So, that's just some of the music I've come across...but I'm new to the language (and the board btw. Hello).

[Hiroko]

Superfly is my favorite!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldmTBCBSi_8