The Best Japanese Albums of 2008 (Part 1)

We are only half-way through the year 2008, six months since our look back at The Best Japanese Albums of 2007, and already the world has seen the release of some of the best music ever. OK, I suppose that may be a bit hyperbolic, but my point is this: The world cannot wait until the end of the year to take a look back at the year in music.

With that in mind, I present for you a list of the best Japanese albums of 2008...so far. It's only been six months, but, as you'll see below, there are already 30 great albums out that you won't want to miss.

From electro to indie-rock to some of the craziest punk-jazz you'll ever hear (and really, how much punk-jazz have you heard?) Japan has but pumping out a dizzying range of superb music. It's not all from visionary, road weary bands either. Some of the best music has arrived in the form of anime and video-game soundtracks.

Now, I won't lie to you. This is going to take some time. Please get comfortable. Find a tasty beverage. Don't hit that jump thinking you can just scan through the list, then hit up the comments with your words of scorn and amazement that your own pet bands failed to make the list. Oh no. You are going to take your time and read all 3000 words and watch all of the videos first. You won't get any pudding if you don't eat your meat. I guess what I'm saying is, eat my meat.

What?

OK, let's just ignore that and make with the list. Onward!

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TOP 10

Let's just get the best of the best out of the way right at the top. Here are the top ten Japanese albums of 2008...so far!

Asian Kung-Fu Generation - World World World

It just wouldn't be a proper “best of” listing without Asian Kung-Fu Generation. Ever since their first releases in 2000 they've produced consistently great material. World World World shows a slight decrease in the number of up-tempo, rockin' tracks, but the intricate musicianship is still there. They shift down into softer, mainstream friendly rock more often than not. Where once they were passionately screaming and abrasive, they now fit closer to the laid-back coffee house genre. They still bring a truck load of monster guitar and soaring vocals, but on World it's become more rounded off and smooth.

"After Dark" (fanvid)


The Black Mages - The Black Mages III: Darkness and Starlight



One cannot deny the legacy of Nobuo Uematsu. The man behind some of the most memorable and iconic Final Fantasy music has not only changed the face of video game music, but influenced untold numbers of musicians outside of the video gaming world. With his progressive metal band The Black Mages, he has proven that his material can work just as well, if not better, outside of its original, more precious orchestral arrangements. While many of the Final Fantasy tracks are obviously rock influenced to begin with, The Black Mages take it to a much higher level, not only cranking up the tempo and distortion level, but doing it all with huge grins on their faces. Darkness and Starlight is a mix of both metal tracks and softer ballads. There's even a mini rock opera!

"Opening Bombing Mission"


Boris - Smile



Boris has long been the thinking man's hard rock band. While on the one hand they certainly produce plenty of brain melting sludge guitar, they are also constantly breaking the typical stoner rock rules. Smile is a shining example of this, from its opening, bizarrely mixed psyche-tribal version of “Message,” totally obliterated and incomprehensible “Shoot!” and their downright folky version of “Flower Sun Rain” evoking images of a post apocalyptic wild-west landscape, it's an album full of freshness and originality. Turned up loud enough, it'll not only clean out your ears, but freshen up your brain as well.

"Statement"


Yokko Kanno - Macross Frontier Original Soundtrack - Nyan Furo



All that the aforementioned Nobuo Uematsu is to game music can be directly applied to Yoko Kanno's work with anime soundtracks. She is quite simply a genius. Much like Uematsu, Kanno has her own style, but is able to apply it with equal deftness to any genre. Quite often, her approach to an anime series' music serves to define the entire show, even more so than the character design or storyline. While her work for Macross: Frontier may not quite reach that level, it is no less amazing in its own right. Take into account that the OST's two singles and full album have all hit the top 3 on the charts and you know you've got something special on your hands. Kanno is uniquely able to work in the pop realm, yet inject the sort of profound structures and tones you'd normally expect in only the most cerebral classical compositions. Nyan Furo is equal parts idol pop (“What 'bout my star?”) and darkly rolling film score (“Bajura”) while never submitting to the normal pitfalls (vapid shallowness or over self-indulgence) of either genre.

"Triangular"


Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots - Original Soundtrack



It's been said before countless times, but we live in a new age. With the release of Hideo Kojima's masterpiece Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, the world of interactive entertainment has evolved into a new creature. The music of Harry Gregson-Williams, along with others (including Nobuko Toda, Shuichi Kobori, Kazuma Jinnouchi, Yoshitaka Suzuki and Jackie Presti) has defined Metal Gear Solid's aural world for some time. With MGS4, that world has exploded. Perhaps it's just a reflection of the story's tone, but the accompanying soundtrack is as achingly beautiful as it is fueled with adrenalin. All of the bass stabs and staccato metal clangs we've come to expect are firmly in place, but there are also soft passages, delicate acoustic twangs and haunting choirs running throughout. Even without knowing its place in the plot, “Father & Son” is a tear-jerker, proving that the soundtrack can more than survive on its own. When coupled with Kojima's genius, it's glory is truly terrifying.

"Old Snake"


Midori - Aratamemashite, Hajimemashite, Midori Desu



In a world full of saccharine pop bands fronted by candy coated high-school girls and carbon copy pop riffs, bands like Midori are at times so incongruous that at first they seem like an incomprehensible slap to the face. Once you get a chance to get back on your feet however, one can start to understand their shape and trajectory. Fronted by a screaming tsunami in a sailor-suit, the band plays a brand of punk-jazz the likes of which you've never heard. “Challenging” might be the simple description, but once you get past the noise you'll find plenty of pop hooks to hold on to in the storm. Aratamemashite, Hajimemashite, Midori Desu is the natural, I don't dare say maturation, but maybe progression for the band. They are able to contain their rage on songs like the almost purely jazzy “Chiharu no koi” and “Himitsu no futari,” saving it instead for the relentless “Yukiko-san” and “Howling Jigoku.” It's not so much maturity as knowing how to trick your victims into submission.

"Romantic Natsu Mode" (from previous album)


Perfume - Game



In a world full of saccharine pop bands fronted by candy coated high-school girls and carbon copy pop riffs, groups like Perfume are a dime a dozen. Perhaps because of groups like Perfume itself. Producer Nakata Yasutaka has turned the group's razor-sharp, insanely compressed club sound into a national phenomenon. The could be due in part to Yasutaka's near omnipresence in the Japanese pop scene, working with other groups and singers like Capsule and MEG. Yet Perfume has become the giant Ghidorah running rampant through the charts. Game sees the group of three young girls pumping out yet another album of hard-hitting dance tracks full of ear-annihilating bass and irritable head-bobbing beats. It will be high water make with which all other idol groups will be measured in the years to come. For better or worse. You can check out my full review, posted earlier, here.

"Secert Secert"


Polysics - We Ate the Machine



Over the ten years since they started up, Polysics has always endeavored to refine their sound. While they started life as a rather noisy electro punk band, they've slowly stripped away the veil of distortion over time, allowing their expert musicianship to shine. Their newest album We Ate The Machine inhabits a sort of hyper-reality. Every blip, blorp and scream is in a sort of high-definition, hyper-focus. Their songs are just as challenging as ever, full of herky-jerky time and tempo changes, blazing new-wave guitar and laser-beam synths. Instead of shrouding all of this under a blanket of distortion and reverb they instead give everything a candy-coated polish. “Pretty Good” and “Rocket” are radio friendly and chirpy, “Kagayake” adds a level of intensity, and tracks like “Digital Coffee” show that they certainly haven't lost their sense of humor. While they may be targeting a more mainstream audience with their more accessible sound, they are still managing to pack in more tricks and surprises into one song them most bands manage in their entire careers.

"Pretty Good"


Telephones - Japan



If you replaced Telephones singer Akira Ishige with just about any old UK post-punk singer and you'd probably have a huge hit on your hands. Of course Japanese bands are often overlooked, so Telephones have yet to break out overseas (even though they sing mostly in English.) Nevertheless they can easily stand along side other bands of the genre like Franz Ferdinand, Block Party, Kaiser Chiefs etc. Plus, Japan proves that they are able to take a dip into genres that some other bands may fear, like electro and new-wave, making them bit more along the lines of Polysics at times. While they are firmly beholden to the UK sound throughout the album, they move all over the map stylistically, making the album much more than your standard genre piece. Just when you think you've got them figured out, they'll drop in some rave synths or some really strange guitar effects. Japan is only the band's first full length release, so we can only hope there's much more to come from this very promising young band.

“Sick Rocks


YMCK - Family Genesis



Sometimes business as usual is exactly what you hope for from a band. Such is the case with possibly the best chiptune band in the world, YMCK. While many pico-pico bands try and wow listeners with their programming prowess and over-the-top flashiness, YMCK simply sets things to “mellow” and just lets the songs speak for themselves. While the songs certainly are very complex and subtle, it doesn't show. The real wonder sets in once you let them wash over you, moving you into a more relaxed state. Family Genesis is probably their most laid back album so far, but it's still full of the same 8-bit wizardry we've come to expect. Their songs are just as bright and happy as ever, though in more of a rosy-glow sort of way. Never too frenetic or annoyingly chipper, the songs simply float along. Midori's vocals are just as calming, almost as if she's whispering them under her breath as she cleans up around the house. Why definitely nostalgic for anyone growing up in the Nintendo age, YMCK's sound is still as fresh as it was back in the early days.

"Starlight"


And now for 20 more that are simply “the best.”

Beat Crusaders - Popdod : Another quality album from the always upbeat indie-rock/pop-punk band. Lots of cool synth ala the Rentals also helps to elevate the album beyond your average rock album.

"Time Flies Everything Goes"


Bespa Kumamero - Romantic Waves : The debut album from this industrial dance duo. Plenty of classic club industrial beats for all you old Lords of Acid fans. (Check them out at JapanFiles.com)

"Muddy Romantic"


Blood - The Reaper Behind Me : Possibly the hardest self-sustaining goth industrial band out there. Reaper is two discs of high-fashion with a dark electro heart.

"Vengance for Blood" (from a previous album)


Budo Grape - Aimore : This irresistible indie new-wave band's newest album is chock full of DIY electro pop and plenty of catchy art-punk songs. All very cute. (Check them out at JapanFiles.com)

"Botan wo Oshinaose" (from a previous album)


Bugy Craxone - Good Morning, Punk Lovers : Bugy returns for another excellent album of raw post-punk and garage tinged rock, full of tight guitars and vocals Cortney Love could only dream of attaining.

"Come On"


Denki Groove - J-POP : The highly influential euro-dance duo returns after a very long hiatus. Once again at the top of their game, J-POP brings their campy club beats back into fashion.

"Mononoke Dance"


Eufonius - Metro Chrome : While falling well short of Yoko Kanno's brilliance, Eufonius nevertheless evokes her lyrical spirit more often then not on Metro Chrome. That's good enough for me.

"Reflectier"


Fuji Fabric - Teenager : While mostly laid back and nice, Fuji Fabric does find a few chances to rock out on Teenager in between all the soft pianos and funky guitars. You'll be humming these immediately.

"Surfer King"


Inugami Circus-dan - Juren : More top-shelf hard-rock and metal from this kimono wearing, subversive, female-fronted band. Need I say more?

live clip


The Jerry - Awake : If other safe-rock bands like Remioromen or Spitz are a little too safe for you're liking, try out The Jerry. Awake is full of frenetic energy and strong songs while never going overboard.

"Kageshirube"


Karen - Maggot in Tears : Fans of late '80 early '90s swirly indie rock take note! Not only is Maggot in Tears the easy winner of best album title of the year, but it's also full of toe-tapping, washed out songs full of heavily effected guitars and a mild mood.

"Lorraine"


ketchup mania - F.L.A.G. : The short answer is check out my full review here. If you like incredibly chirpy pop-punk that never gives an inch, look no further. (check out the full album review here!)

"BAD! BAD! BAD!"


Lunkhead - Fuka : Lunkhead falls somewhere in between The Jerry and Bugy Craxone. Definitely raw and just a bit abrasive, yet still a bit “nice.” A few too many softer songs take the life out of the few excellent and heavier indie-rock-outs.

(from a previous album)


Marble - Nijiro Humming : Much like Eufonius, Marble is what you might think of as your typical anime band. Very pretty, softer songs with electro beats and twinkling acoustic guitars and pianos. They manage to break out beyond the typical more often than not, making them something special.

"青空 Loop"


Mass of Fermenting Dregs - Mass of Fermenting Dregs : This mini album is a non-stop blast of noisy indie-rock greatness. The all-girl trio pumps out some amazingly huge sounds. A bit like Downy's art rock vibe and Chatmonchy with balls and a much better singer. Please send us a full-length album soon!

"Highlight"


Miki Furukawa - Bondage Heart : Far from being chained to her former band Supercar, Miki has managed to forge on and find her own sound. Bondage Heart is the proof, jumping from soft-spoken rock to twee electro gems and spaced out drones.

"Candy Girl"


Miyavi - This Iz the Japanese Kabuki Rock : I'll admit, I still haven't been able to fully wrap my head around this one. Equal parts hip-hop, rock, metal, and rap, all surrounded with Miyavi's signature slapping acoustic guitar style. This album is nothing if not original.

"Subarashiki Kana Kono Sekai"


Sakanaction - Night : With their second album, Sakanaction moves even closer into territory heretofore occupied by bands like Cornelius. Supper classy electro with smooth vocals and a full band makes this more than your average after-party fare.

"Word"


Syrup 16g - Syrup 16g : Another rather middle of the road album that has a few moments of total brilliance. Dreamy shoegaze rock, sometime gentle, sometimes raging. Also, their final album! So sad...how appropriate.



Tsushimamire - Tsushimamire to Rock to Beer de : This new mini-album from yet another all-girl trio experiments with art-punk, Ex-Girl like arrangements from outer-space, crashing drums, shrill vocals and complex change-ups every few bars, not to mention a sense of humor through it all.

"Sakuran Boy" (live)


That's it for the year...so far! Of course I'd love to hear what you think of the list, as well as hear what you think is missing. Fill up the comments with your own Best Of for the year. Also, what can we expect in the months to come? Anything making you twist up into knots of anticipation?

Until January, true believers!