Without a doubt, 2008 was nothing short of amazing when it came to new albums. Not only were there a lot of new faces releasing thrilling stuff, but there were also many old favorites that continued to churn out fantastic records.
I could tell around the middle of 2008 that there was going to be way too much ground to cover in terms of a "Best Of" year end collection, so I put together my first list of 30 albums back on July. You might want to give it a quick read to get yourself up to speed.
We've finally lurched into 2009, so naturally it's time to take one final look back at some of the Best Japanese Albums of 2008. What a list it is! I've spent an incredible amount of time pouring over the list, mostly getting lost in the staggering number of great videos I've mostly forgotten about. Really, I could probably just keep listing to the stuff from last year all through 2009 and still be happy.
So, get comfortable, grab a tasty beverage and join me after the jump for the Best Japanese Albums of 2008 (Part 2)!
First off, I'll start with my absolute favorites. Just about any of these albums could have made the top of the list, so everything is simply listed in alphabetical order.
54-71 - I'm Not Fine, Thank You. And You?
While these guys might not be the most creative sonically (every song sounds very much like every other song), they more than make up for it in sheer intensity. They are extremely sparse and focused, with performances that cut to the bone. Think Rage Against the Machine, only with even fewer frills. [BUY]
9mm Parabellum Bullet - Vampire
Another furiously performed album from possibly the biggest name in the new wave of indie rock. These guys have done nothing but great things right out of the gate, and Vampire is both their most mature and most exciting album so far. [BUY]
Avengers in Sci-Fi - Science Rock
Combining their super-tight post-punk playing with spaced-out electronics and production, Avengers in Sci-Fi creating something unique. Both rock and dance, energetic and calming, they manage to push the boundaries without creating too much chaos. [BUY]
De De Mouse - Sunset Girls
De De Mouse is a rare example of an artist who not only creates amazing music, but also creates entire worlds. His purely electronic style is also totally organic and absolutely original, full of fuzzy memories of childhood set in a Lisa Frank world. Absolutely wonderful stuff. [BUY]
Denki Groove - Yellow
Leave it to house/prog/trance masters Denki Groove to step away for a while, only to come back with two full length albums in one year! JPOP already made it onto the previous Best list, and they're back again with Yellow, their second release in 2008. It's actually a much more solid album, and totally infectious from beginning to end. [BUY]
Mo'some Tonebender - Sing!
Mo'some Tonebender have come such a long way over the years, but they've always churned out great sutff. Sing! sees them at their peak, with both great sounding songs and some really new direction. Very upbeat, yet still kicking all kinds of ass, as always. [BUY]
Mutyumu - Ilya
Combining operatic vocals, nu-metal guitars, rock piano and classical strings, it's safe to say the there isn't anyone quite like Mutyumu. Their second album pushed their sound even further, but in the death metal department as well as the profoundly moving softer, extended strong sections. A little something for every, just so long as you like things very very dark and brooding. [BUY]
sgt. - Stylus Fantasticus
Just one of many spectacular instruments band to release something great in 2008. Yet sgt. stands way above the crowd with their featured violin player and truly epic song structures. Like many other bands in this list, the mix a trancelike intensity with equally delicate details. While they've been together for a while, this is their first album. Let's hope for much more in the future! [BUY]
Versailles - Noble
Few bands rise to prominence as fast as Versailles. With their very first song released, "The Revenant Choir," they instantly shot to the very top of the vis-kei scene. This is no doubt due to the fact that they are amazing players, packing in nothing but quality in each of their epic symphonic metal songs. Oh, and I suppose some people might like the visual side to them as well. [BUY]
Vola & the Oriental Machine - Halan'na-ca Darkside
Vola changed things up a bit on this album (essentially an EP.) While it's still very much the same band, they went in a slightly more dance-oriented direction. It's still pretty intense and fun though. The use of short electro tracks in-between the songs proper really makes for a solid release. This is another band that's really become an icon in the scene, so it'll be very interesting to see what they do next. [BUY]
Those are the top 10! Oh, but there's still so much more. In fact I had to sift though close to 110 albums just to make this list of the second half of 2008! Naturally there's just too much to go into great depth with. If you want to learn more about each band, click their names and check out more info and videos. They're all superb!
Art-School - Illmatic Baby [BUY]
Cruyff in the Bedroom - Saudargia [BUY]
DJ Sharpnel - Nijigen Satasfaction [BUY]
group_inou - Fan [BUY]
iLL - Rock Album [BUY]
Immi - Switch [BUY]
Ogre You Asshole - Shiranai Aizu Shiraseruko [BUY]
Omodaka - Favorite Games [BUY]
The Predators - Kiba wo Misero [BUY]
Saori@destiny - Japanese Chaos [BUY]
School Food Punishment - Riff-Rain [BUY]
Sex Machineguns - Cameron [BUY]
Sexy Synthesizer - Rock [BUY]
Shadow - Forever Chaos [BUY]
Té -Mashite, Kokoro to Gokan ga Icchi Surunara [BUY]
Unkie - Too Many Secrets [BUY]
Usotsuki Barbie- 増えた1もグル [BUY]
Wagdug Futuristic Unity - Hakai [BUY]
Zazen Boys - Zazen Boys 4 [BUY]
That's it! What? That's not enough? Sheesh, some people are never happy. Well, we'll all just have to wait and see what happens in the coming year. I expect great things.
Make sure to stay tuned to the blog and to Japanator Radio every week for more of the best music from Japan!
