This new song from Asian Kung-Fu Generation, titled "Maigoinu to Ame no Beat," is the opening theme to the anime series Yojohan Shinwa Taikei. The show features character design by Yusuke Nakamura, the guy who has done all of the band's amazing album artwork. It's been a couple years since I've watched any anime, but this might just be enough for me to check it out.
Anyway, the actual video for the song is sort of a live-action representation of Nakamura's work, full of animal-headed people and slightly strange objects. I have to admit that I don't really care for the song, but I think it works really well as an anime opening. See below for both the full OP and a preview of the show. The song is available as a single backed with "Ameagari no Kibou."
It's not often that a run-of-the-mill rock band finds a way to not only break through into mainstream success, but also manages to produce some challenging music along the way. Asian Kung-Fu has done just that.
Releasing their first material in 2000, the band has stuck to their guns through the years, releasing ten albums and mini-albums full of top quality, emo tinged rock. Starting off as an above average indie-rock band, they honed their sound and their skills very quickly. Thankfully they stay well away from any strip-mall-esque "punk" influences, instead focusing on their expert skill at their respective instruments. They are pretty heavy and screamy at times, but not in a bratty Cookie Monster sort of way. Masafumi Goto is merely singing his ass off. Ajikan isn't afraid to switch up the time signatures and throw in some intricate syncopation from time to time, something that propels them far beyond other bands in the genre. Think Weezer meets Foo Fighters.
Not only has the band gained nearly legendary status in the indie rock scene (much like the aforementioned Weezer,) but they have also supported that scene through their own annual music festival. Started in 2003, the Nano-Mugen Festival has been the high-water mark for Japanese rock shows. Featuring a who's-who of the current scene, it's seen the likes of Beat Crusaders, Mo'Some Tonebender, Art-School, Straightener, Going Under Ground, 9mm Parabellum Bullet and Shugo Tokumaru, among many others. The show includes not only top Japanese talent, but also opens its door to other bands from around the world.
Another point of note is that all of their artwork is handled by one person, Yusuke Nakamura. The rather enigmatic illustrator brings an equally clean and clear visual analog to Ajikan's music. His style is very flat and bold, with large swaths of solid color framed by equally strong black line drawings. Animals factor largely into his subject matter, along with solitary young girls and various musical instruments and recording equipment.
Like many bands finding themselves in the spotlight, Ajikan seems to have mellowed out greatly over the past couple albums. The slower, more introspective and “nice” sounding songs have begun taking over space previously filled with their faster, loud material. That's not to say that the band doesn't still have the chops or the energy to kick out the jams. Just that one would do well to delve into their back catalog to unearth some real gems.
Releases: Caramelman and Asian Kung-Fu Generation - 2000 The Time Past And I Could Not See You Again - 2000 I'm Standing Here - 2001 Hōkai Amplifer - 2003 Kimi Tsunagi Five M - 2003 Sol-fa - 2004 Fanclub - 2006 Feedback File - 2006 World World World - 2008 Mada Minu Ashita ni - 2008
Formed in 2000 in Osaka, Bacon is a hard rocking, upbeat band featuring lots of big guitar chords and a signature Moog synth. Over the past seven years, Bacon has only released two full length album as well as a split single with the now hugely popular Base Ball Bear in 2005. While Bacon hasn't managed to obtain the same success as their friends, they certainly have the same positive sound and feel-good vibe. The Moog elements have a strong feel of The Rentals or early Weezer, which fits nicely with their solid indie-rock songs. Much like Asian Kung-fu Generation and Yogurt Pooh, who they also sound a bit like in their more rocking moments, Bacon is the sound of emo before emo was emo. Namely, extremely melodic and slightly retro, but with very loud rock guitars and earnest vocals.
J-Pop and J-Rock are only the beginning. The modern Japanese music scene is just as vibrant and varied as any other music scene in the world. I'm Zac Bentz, writer, musician, designer and all around Japanese music fanatic. Here I hope to share with you a comprehensive (!!) list of Japanese artists and bands (with a strong focus on underground and indie acts) that you may or may not have heard of, in the hopes of expanding our mutual awareness of Japanese music.
I don't mean to suggest that everything I listen to is great. Quite the contrary, I hope that you will take the time to recommend your own favorite artists in the comments so that we can all learn a bit more about the huge range of Japanese music that's out there.
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