J-Rock

Anime, Featured, Japanese

L’Arc~en~Ciel at Madison Square Garden: 20 Years and Still Steady

March 29, 2012 | Emi Spicer | 3 Comments Share this

It was early this January that I stood pressed between a kind security guard and countless dedicated fans, pausing from my photographic duties to really take in the Earthbound Papas performance at MAGFest X. Fans and musicians alike had gathered across great distances to witness beloved anthems from gaming classics performed, transforming themes that had been shrilly sung by sound chips into guitar solos and rock ballads. It was an extremely emotional performance for many of the audience members, and yet despite the uniqueness of the experience I found myself feeling a very surprising sensation: nostalgia. I remembered another important musical event from years past, when I had made a similar trek from New York to Baltimore to see a different Japanese rock act perform, one by the name of L’Arc~en~Ciel.

Hit the jump for impressions and photos from their recent appearance in New York City.

(more…)
Anime, Game Music, Japanese, Reviews

Kenji Ito Wants to be a Pop Star: DystopiaGround #003 (Review)

March 25, 2011 | Jayson Napolitano | 5 Comments Share this

Ever heard of DystopiaGround? If you’re like me, probably not, but I’m sure a few of you out there have. In their own words, “This group of musicians is aiming at becoming the number 1 A-Pop artist in the universe.” I hadn’t realized that A-Pop had become its own genre, but I think you understand that this group creates the J-Pop and J-Rock tracks that you’d expect to hear as anime opening and ending themes.

While vocalist nao is the heart and soul of DystopiaGround, the body is provided by an assortment of composers, which now includes Kenji Ito. I was not only fascinated by the concept of this ‘A-Pop’ group, but more so that Kenji Ito, who most of us know for his orchestral and live instrument work, would be involved.

Join us as we take a look at DystopiaGround #003 featuring Kenji Ito and other artists. (more…)
Japanese

Help Japan With HearJapan

March 14, 2011 | Jayson Napolitano | Comments Off on Help Japan With HearJapan Share this Help Japan With HearJapan

We’ve all heard about the devastation in Japan, and people are likely wondering how they can help. Our friends over at HearJapan have just announced a fundraiser that will be running all this week where 50% of all sales will be donated to the charitable group Japan Platform. This is an easy way to give, and while you may be asking yourself, “Why only 50%?,” HearJapan will actually be taking a loss on this and writing it off as their contribution to the relief efforts.

Check out the HearJapan catalog which features over 5,000 artists and 40,000+ songs, all with streamable clips. You can also learn more about Japan Platform here.

Hit the jump for the official press release from HearJapan. (more…)
Japanese, Reviews

The Young and the Talented: Galileo Galilei’s Yotsuba Sagashi no Tabibito Single (Review)

February 21, 2011 | Jayson Napolitano | Comments Off on The Young and the Talented: Galileo Galilei’s Yotsuba Sagashi no Tabibito Single (Review) Share this

It’s kind of frustrating that as you get older, all the incoming stars in the music business become increasingly younger than you. This group is no exception. Galileo Galilei is a 4-member rock group out of Japan who are all aged 16 through 18, but provide an amazingly mature sound.

While their first studio album just out (February 16 in Japan), we’re taking a look at their third single, Yotsuba Sagashi no Tabibito, which acted as the opening theme for CDTV (Countdown TV, a late night music program in Japan). There are also some B-sides here that are worth your attention.

Find out about them in our review after the jump. (more…)
Japanese, Reviews

New-ish Aqua Timez Single: Ehagaki no Haru (Review)

November 26, 2010 | Patrick Gann | 1 Comment Share this

Last time I checked in with the band Aqua Timez, it was when they were singing about Velonica for Bleach. This time around, we’re looking at a single and two B-Sides that have no associated anime. It’s just straight up J-rock for the sake of J-rockin’ out.

Are you into rockin’ out? Do you mind that your rockin’ out session will feature beautiful, melodious male vocals? If your answers to those questions are “yes” and “no,” respectively, continue on after the jump. You may just be intrigued. (more…)
Anime, Japanese

There’s A Strong POSSIBILITY You’ll Like The “sanagi” Single

October 20, 2010 | Patrick Gann | Comments Off on There’s A Strong POSSIBILITY You’ll Like The “sanagi” Single Share this

Gintama (“Silver Soul”) has had a lot of catchy singles in its long, continuous run. We’ve talked about them before.

Today, we talk about the song “sanagi” by the J-rock group POSSIBILITY. This is the ninth ending theme for the TV anime (which, by our count, happens somewhere around the 3rd or 4th season). We’re digging into the past a wee bit with this one, as the single was released in May 2008. But we think it’s worth digging back and looking at. So check out our thoughts after the jump! (more…)
Anime, Japanese, Reviews

Abingdon Boys School Single Not Exactly Earthshaking – Kimi No Uta (Review)

October 15, 2010 | Chris Nguyen | 1 Comment Share this

As someone who’s been a lifetime California resident, earthquakes are one of Nature’s forces that must be reckoned with. And when one strikes a major city, it causes hundreds of millions of dollars in property damage. No less significant is the human cost, measured in lives lost as well as the emotional trauma wreaked upon the populace. Needless to say, it’s a pretty grim picture.

That makes the choice for Tokyo Magnitude 8.0’s opening all the more puzzling. The music is performed by the Japanese pop-rock group Abingdon Boys School, which has impressed with “JAP,” the opening to the anime adaptation of Capcom’s Sengoku Basara. But here, I’m not sure their music fits in with the theme. If you’re curious to find out why Kimi no Uta is such a strange choice, read on after the jump. (more…)