Why do you like Japanese pop/rock music?

[Mycernius]

I've seen the threads here asking how people got into Japanese music, but I would like to know why you like it? Most of what I have heard is comparable to what you can find in Europe and the US. A lot of the music follows the same formula that contempary western music use. So what is it in particular draws you to Japanese bands rather than European and US ones?

[lastmagi]

Nice topic, Mycernius :)

I don't listen to Jrock/Jpop exclusively. I find it ridiculous to say that Japanese music is intrinsically better than other kinds of music, European and American included. However, when I was younger, I used to naively think that, so I pretty much got the habit of paying more attention to Japanese music.

Lyrics aren't part of my interests, but the sound of the words are certainly pleasing to hear, maybe for the reason that I don't understand it. When I listen to a song that I do understand, I may be more accustomed to grimace at some very poor placements of words- like when words are plain odd and therefore distracting: "You say you want a trust fund / just because you want one," when rhymes are way too forced "blah blah blah, yes I do / blah blah blah, something that rhymes with do," when some words don't match with the overall tone of the song, etc.

This of course probably occurs in Japanese music, too, so if I understood the language better, I'd probably have more chances to critique it. So I guess for this point, my ignorance of the language saves it for me.


As you said, the structure of the songs are similar to Western music, if not more rigid; L'arc en Ciel and maybe Gackt for instance almost always follows the same format in every song, although I don't really mind.

Dynamics of the song may play a part. I love how in some of the better known L'arc en Ciel and Gackt song build up to a dramatic, if sometimes angsty, climax.

Argh, out of time, gotta get to class. I'll post more later

[Andro]

I started to listen j-music, when I started to watch animes. First I listened only the animes openings/endings. But after I found a very good site, where I found a lots of groups and singers. I started to download a lot of things and I started to like them. But I don't really know why I like it. Maybe, because it's not as american and european music, which you always hear in radio. :relief:

[Rancid__]

I guess its the difference of the Japanese rock music. I didnt expect anything as heavy as that. Its mostly difference that I like, European and american music basiclly follow one formula, while J rock music is something completly different. It suits me best, Jrock and good old British punk :-)

[Kinsao]

This is a good idea for a thread. :cool:

Why do I listen to Japanese music? Well, it's a question I've often asked to myself!
:clueless:
I don't listen only to Japanese music, of course, but... why do I listen to it at all, is the question?

For a start, my taste in Western music has always been towards what you might call quite traditional rock and metal, with a sprinkling of blues, jazz and classical thrown in to add a bit more interest too. But also, a lot of the stuff I like as regards Western music is from the past ('60s, '70s, '80s and, yeah, the '90s are now in the past, strange as it seems to me!). There's no way of recreating the 'genuine' music of those decades; it's just great that today we can still enjoy the music from the past. :-)

Well, it seems to me that in terms of rock, yeah you are right, Japanese music doesn't do something so incredibly innovative. A lot of the really way out, experimental stuff with rock music has already been done, anyway; I'm not really one for going back and trying to be stuck in a past era. But what I feel from the Japanese rock and metal-ish music is a kind of energy, enthusiasm and freshness to the music. I get a sense that the musicians are still enthused and excited about what they are doing, and it comes across in the songs. Whereas a lot of Western music sounds to me tired and lacking in vim and vigour. (I'm talking here about 'mainstream' music. Of course, there is still a lot of energy going on with amateur bands in small local pubs and clubs - that will always happen, at any time, the world over.)

Musically, I noticed about Japanese bands that they tend to use more intricate guitar lines. There are often duelling guitars playing off against each other, or complex riffs and arpeggios going on behind the vocals or during areas of slower vocals. It really grips me, holds my listening, as I try to unravel the various lines, without being so complicated that I'm just hearing a wall of sound.

(I also like the melodic classical influence that can be heard in some more goth type music like Malice Mizer and Moi dix Mois. Not exclusive to Jmusic, but more common.)

They are also noticeable to me for the complexity of the bass lines. In Western music, often the bass lines are not even very audible, and when they are, they're not particularly interesting. In Japanese music, it's not uncommon to get a bass solo, or at least a bass break. Cool!

Needless to say, there is some extremely good drumming, too. (Not that Western bands don't have good or complex drumming - of course they do - but when added together with all the other instruments making up a song........)

I found, too, the vocal lines in Japanese music to be something different from what I'm used to hearing in Western rock and metal. Noticeably, the singers (good singers - obviously there are some Japanese singers who don't have such capabilities) can and do change their voice from growly to screaming to smooth and melodic at different parts of the same song. For example, D'espairsRay in the song [S]yste[M]. Unusual vocal lines are not uncommon, too, with singers (like Isshi, for example, or Mao) going from a low range to falsetto and back, to excellent effect. Again, I'm not saying you don't find that at all in Western music, but in my (admittedly limited) experience it's more unusual.

Similarly to vocals, there is often plenty of variety within the same song. A good example is Mae e, by MUCC, which modulates key, changes in pace, goes from loud to quiet and back again, and had a guitar break and a bass break and a drum break.

Of course, there is a lot of Japanese music that is really not very different from Western music. Lastmagi used L'arc en ciel and Gackt as examples. I like their music, but I do think of it as more pop than rock, and most of my listening errs towards the rock/metal side (with a touch of punk occasionally, thanks to DemonHunter!), so I'm less qualified to talk about pop. Yeah, I would agree that Laruku and Gackt are not amazingly different from Western music.

So yeah, I don't listen only to Japanese music and I don't claim that the aspects which I like, that I wrote above, are exclusive to Japanese music (I'm sure they are also found in Western music and I may well have been listening in the wrong places). But... well, for example, I was listening to a song (I forget what it was) by a European band the other day, and I get all excited over hearing a nice riff. And then... that nice riff is all there was. It recurred occasionally throughout the song, but... no variation on it, nothing guitarwise of interest going on during the verses or the chorus... in short, nothing to hold my interest. And this had struck me as a good song at first, in the context of Western music, yet if it had been jrock I would have dismissed it as really lame. In short, Japanese rock music just seems more "aurally interesting" - there's no other way to describe it. "Interesting" seems a bit of a cop-out way of saying why I like it, but it's really the best word I can find.

[DemonHunter]

i listen to (old & new) japcore/punk because it has a diferent style than euro and american hardcore and punk

i will do my part about jrock later

[Rancid__]

This is a good idea for a thread. :cool:

Why do I listen to Japanese music? Well, it's a question I've often asked to myself!
:clueless:
I don't listen only to Japanese music, of course, but... why do I listen to it at all, is the question?

For a start, my taste in Western music has always been towards what you might call quite traditional rock and metal, with a sprinkling of blues, jazz and classical thrown in to add a bit more interest too. But also, a lot of the stuff I like as regards Western music is from the past ('60s, '70s, '80s and, yeah, the '90s are now in the past, strange as it seems to me!). There's no way of recreating the 'genuine' music of those decades; it's just great that today we can still enjoy the music from the past. :-)

Well, it seems to me that in terms of rock, yeah you are right, Japanese music doesn't do something so incredibly innovative. A lot of the really way out, experimental stuff with rock music has already been done, anyway; I'm not really one for going back and trying to be stuck in a past era. But what I feel from the Japanese rock and metal-ish music is a kind of energy, enthusiasm and freshness to the music. I get a sense that the musicians are still enthused and excited about what they are doing, and it comes across in the songs. Whereas a lot of Western music sounds to me tired and lacking in vim and vigour. (I'm talking here about 'mainstream' music. Of course, there is still a lot of energy going on with amateur bands in small local pubs and clubs - that will always happen, at any time, the world over.)

Musically, I noticed about Japanese bands that they tend to use more intricate guitar lines. There are often duelling guitars playing off against each other, or complex riffs and arpeggios going on behind the vocals or during areas of slower vocals. It really grips me, holds my listening, as I try to unravel the various lines, without being so complicated that I'm just hearing a wall of sound.

(I also like the melodic classical influence that can be heard in some more goth type music like Malice Mizer and Moi dix Mois. Not exclusive to Jmusic, but more common.)

They are also noticeable to me for the complexity of the bass lines. In Western music, often the bass lines are not even very audible, and when they are, they're not particularly interesting. In Japanese music, it's not uncommon to get a bass solo, or at least a bass break. Cool!

Needless to say, there is some extremely good drumming, too. (Not that Western bands don't have good or complex drumming - of course they do - but when added together with all the other instruments making up a song........)

I found, too, the vocal lines in Japanese music to be something different from what I'm used to hearing in Western rock and metal. Noticeably, the singers (good singers - obviously there are some Japanese singers who don't have such capabilities) can and do change their voice from growly to screaming to smooth and melodic at different parts of the same song. For example, D'espairsRay in the song [S]yste[M]. Unusual vocal lines are not uncommon, too, with singers (like Isshi, for example, or Mao) going from a low range to falsetto and back, to excellent effect. Again, I'm not saying you don't find that at all in Western music, but in my (admittedly limited) experience it's more unusual.

Similarly to vocals, there is often plenty of variety within the same song. A good example is Mae e, by MUCC, which modulates key, changes in pace, goes from loud to quiet and back again, and had a guitar break and a bass break and a drum break.

Of course, there is a lot of Japanese music that is really not very different from Western music. Lastmagi used L'arc en ciel and Gackt as examples. I like their music, but I do think of it as more pop than rock, and most of my listening errs towards the rock/metal side (with a touch of punk occasionally, thanks to DemonHunter!), so I'm less qualified to talk about pop. Yeah, I would agree that Laruku and Gackt are not amazingly different from Western music.

So yeah, I don't listen only to Japanese music and I don't claim that the aspects which I like, that I wrote above, are exclusive to Japanese music (I'm sure they are also found in Western music and I may well have been listening in the wrong places). But... well, for example, I was listening to a song (I forget what it was) by a European band the other day, and I get all excited over hearing a nice riff. And then... that nice riff is all there was. It recurred occasionally throughout the song, but... no variation on it, nothing guitarwise of interest going on during the verses or the chorus... in short, nothing to hold my interest. And this had struck me as a good song at first, in the context of Western music, yet if it had been jrock I would have dismissed it as really lame. In short, Japanese rock music just seems more "aurally interesting" - there's no other way to describe it. "Interesting" seems a bit of a cop-out way of saying why I like it, but it's really the best word I can find.

Well, the western mainstream music really sucks, but there are mainstream bands or singers that are actully good, like Allanis Morisette or Sheryl Crow, Nirvana too. There are metal japanese and Chinese bands that really suck like Ululate, I mean there is good music on both sides, only that maoinstream music suffers from repeating same things over and over again; but some things are actully catchy. anyway, I totally agree with most of what you said :v:

[Godrina]

As a preson, I love all sorts of music, not just Japanese. Lots of things, especially the overall flow of words and music just amazes me, and it also seems to be a much more poetic language than english.
I love all kinds of music, especially anything that can get my foot tapping. J-rock in particular, also gives me a good break from the "emo" and "goth" stereotypes and musical images that seem to be taking over the US (or at least NY). Of course, there's the good and bad of everything, Like how I like Rammstein (Germany) and Orgy (US), but I can't stand Selena (Mexico) or My Chemical Romance (US).

[sunsweet]

I've always been attracted to strong vocals in rock music. If the lead singer of a band can't actually sing, then I can't stand listening to the music. I've found that Japanese bands, or the ones that I listen to, have a tendency to have a strong male lead vocal and that is what has attracted me to most of the Japanese bands that I listen to. As far as mainstream music in America today, I tend to find that bands are getting worse and worse lead singers that more just whine than actually sing. Don't get me wrong, I don't listen to Japanese music exclusively, not by a long shot, but my initial attraction to artists comes from strong vocals. I'm a sucka for a man that can sing (and rock the **** out!)

[Andro]

Earlier I only listened to american music and now I don't really like it.

[Child_prey]

Bcuz it's better then other music and that's a fact.
When i heard Jrock for the first time, it was like...Where have I been, how have I lived???? I couldn't believe that I could even live life without if. It was like, I have seen the light.... I know the truth now...
Sure, i listen to other stuff, but Jrock truly changed my life.



*** When Yoshiki dies, so will Jrock. ***

[Dollporn]

I guess it's because it's so different from the radio music that I've grown so tired of.
And it's very energic, too bad I don't get to play it at parties:(
And once you've gotten into it, the beauty of it just takes over.
I have to agree on the lyric thingy. Not understanding the text often makes it easier to like it.
Oh, and j-rock is so much more than music. It's really wonderful, at concerts to throw yourself into this total... fit?... just because you see a person and realizes he exists. Hard to explain...

[Godrina]

*** When Yoshiki dies, so will Jrock. ***
<3 Yoshiki.

But I sure friggen hope not. :bawling:

[SaKeVi]

*** When Yoshiki dies, so will Jrock. ***

When ･oshiki dies, so will Marketing :cool:

As Demon Huntaa said before, I like a lot japanese punk because it's different from Occidental punk, and also, they have an unique style called japcore (thanks Gauze!!) and maybe because I know a lot of people who's in the music scene there in Japan :relief:

And well, I like music from all around the world, it helps me a lot to take the good things from every part of the globe, and Japanese bands (curiously) have a furious strenght and crazyness on stage.

See ya!!

[Godrina]

Something else I realized about Jrockers that they tend to have over lots of american bands, is that they get a lot more into the music. (Just look at Kagrra or Diru or Gazette!)

Lots of American bands just seem to stand there and play, not much more, (the only one I found where they really did much was Celldweller, all three of the members seem to really be into the music. They're crazy dancers too, but that's another story), but you know someone really loves what they're doing when they're swinging their guitar around or using their mic as a whip or they fall over while playing. You can just tell they have a passion for the music.

[Anchyyy]

I love Jrock because its different. Better than anything else. I am not saying i listen just Jrock. There are a few exceptions :souka:
A friend asked me why do i listen to Jrock if i dont understand the lyrics. I said to her that vocal is important to me not lyrics. I cant like the band/singer if i dont like the vocal. It becomes strange to listen them. Bedise that it seems to me that japanese bands put more energy into the music, more emotions and they make like a real show when they preform life.

I started to listen Jrock because of anime :relief: One day my best friend asked me to find her some songs from the anime called X/1999 or something like that. Forever love from X Japan was in it. I fell inlove with that song and after a while i wondered if all X Japan's songs are so good! I got the discography and i was totally suprised how can Toshi sing so freaking good. After that i started to search info about X and i realized that hide is dead and that they disbanded :( :(
Then one day i joined this forum. I wanted to know all about Jrock and listen to many other groups. Anyway i am happy i found this forum. :-)

[hebiichigo]

Honestly, I can't give one simple reason. I just don't know.
I don't compare Japanese music with non-Japanese. I can't say "A is a Japanese version of B", like some people try to. That doesn't work!
So I can't say "it's better".. Because there are non-Japanese musicians who I like more than some Japanese ones.. Does anyone understand what I'm trying to say? :relief:

I started learning the Japanese language when I was about 11 (very simple lessons then xD), before I knew anything about Japan. It was this that made me interested in Japanese culture, not because of anime (which I don't watch!) or music or things like that.

Why is it that most of the bands I like are Japanese? Maybe it's because, when you find out about one band and get interested in them, you find out about another, and another, and another.. At least that's what happened in my case. I think it's completely normal, after I've been listening to Japanese music for about 4 or 5 years, I found many artists that I love. Before I liked Japanese music, I didn't have a real favourite band, or anything that I really loved.

Another thing is lyrics. The lyrics are important for me. I understand at least some of the lyrics at first, and with a dictionary I can understand most of it ^^; I like Japanese lyrics, and the Japanese language. But why would I choose songs in Japanese rather than ones in my first language? It's not a choice, it's just something I like! I don't feel like I should be limited to only the music (and other things) which is common in Australia.

Also, I love Visual Kei. And there aren't many bands I could call "Visual Kei" outside of Japan :p I like Visual Kei because I like things that are visually interesting.

Anyway, I think this was long enough :relief:

[nanda]

j-music (esp. j-rock) is cool, and entertaining .. with all those outfits, hair, make-up, attitude (i luv fan-service, lol XD~) etc .. and the songs? they're nice ..so nice that sometimes i feel like .. i don't even have to know the meaning .. i just .. like it .. j-music has .. well, i dunno how to explain it, but.. it has different atmosphere and different style with western music ..

[advigilo]

what you find in the music/looks.. and more in the j-music industry you will never find
somewhere else... (the whole package i mean)

at least i think so

[Kinsao]

it's not as american and european music


its the difference of the Japanese rock music... European and american music basiclly follow one formula, while J rock music is something completly different.

I found, too, the vocal lines in Japanese music to be something different from what I'm used to hearing in Western rock and metal.

i listen to (old & new) japcore/punk because it has a diferent style than euro and american hardcore and punk

J-rock in particular, also gives me a good break from the "emo" and "goth" stereotypes and musical images that seem to be taking over the US

I've found that Japanese bands, or the ones that I listen to, have a tendency to have a strong male lead vocal and that is what has attracted me to most of the Japanese bands that I listen to. As far as mainstream music in America today, I tend to find that bands are getting worse and worse lead singers

it's so different from the radio music that I've grown so tired of.

I like a lot japanese punk because it's different from Occidental punk, and also, they have an unique style called japcore

I love Jrock because its different.

j-music has .. well, i dunno how to explain it, but.. it has different atmosphere and different style with western music ..

what you find in the music/looks.. and more in the j-music industry you will never find
somewhere else...

Looking at what everybody has written, it seems to me that one of the key things that emerges is difference. Many people who responded felt that in fact Japanese music does have something different from American and European music, even if they can't put their finger on exactly what is the difference. Interesting... :note:

I can't say "it's better".. Because there are non-Japanese musicians who I like more than some Japanese ones..
That's a good point and I think most people would agree... I don't think any of us think only Japanese music is good... :wave: Although...
Bcuz it's better then other music and that's a fact. ... I find myself often inclined to agree with you! :blush:

But it's natural... everyone feel their own favourite style of music is the best... it's human, we can't help it!

The lyrics are also mentioned quite a few times as a reason for liking it, also the visual aspect which personally I steered clear of mentioning but it is undeniable that there is a whole marketed aspect that goes with any music which affects how people like it and how they relate to it. After all, music is about communication, and visuals are a part of that too. :p

[advigilo]

on the lyric part.... if i know that the lyrics are very vulgar, mean, sadistic or whatever
not like diru but really like a band that was mentioned in this forum somewhere (with clowns, circus or something like that). then i have something like... Uhm i dunno if i'm going to listen too them.


whats also great about jrock is that you get a feeling/vibe from most songs,
par example aint afraid too die-diru
when i listened too that song i fell in love with it right away.
i liked the music, the way he sang all, the song gave such a feeling
a sad feeling that is but still. with jrock you can sometimes feel such emotion,
that you feel/know in youre heart what the song is about. or at least feel something.
like dancing: :dance: (vanilla-gackt)

in jrock altough its called "rock", its like a different music areas in one.
And as was said earlier you discover more and more and it never gets bored that way....

[advigilo]

kinsao, you gave a very good summary. You go!

[DemonHunter]

and ofcourse its easier to get info on the latest hot stuff from japan
than (to name a country) Brazil


edit:it censors S-H-I-T

[Kinsao]

... and just for yah info... it also censors p-r-i-c-k... :lol:

[rose_of_eternity]

blame my girlfriend, she got me into this

[pinkkillerkisou]

This is a topic I could go on and on about, but I'll spare you and keep it brief as possible :bluush: Also... I'm more of a jrock fan so that is what I'm basing my explaination on. :p

There's so much to say, but I think I want to start with variety. It's probly the main reason I like jrock. It doesn't all sound the same. Don't get me wrong there are plenty of Japanese bands I've come across I find sound the same or are mediocre or just plain ****. You'll find that anywhere, but it's not quite so common in Japanese music that I've found so far. When I listen I get sense that the musicians understand the potential of their instruments. This where the variety comes from. Truly understanding the limitations of the instrument you play keeps the music from sounding repetitive or dull. For example, Shinya... the man is simply brilliant. I am blown away by his talent. I never thought much of drums till I discovered jrock, Dir en Grey in particular. I can't even fathom even being able to play half as good as the man even after years and years of practice. Just listen to their music and see how much he has improved... watch him play live... it boggles the mind. :mad: Just from Macabre to Kisou... the improvement is amazing. He just gets better as time goes on. I don't have to know him to know he knows his instrument.

Emotion. There is so much emotion in the music. So much heart is put into not just the vocals but you can hear it in the instruments as well. I can't help but be moved when I listen. I use the word catharsis to describe jrock because it's precisely what it is. A purging of emotions. I don't think there's a better word for it and I'll leave it at that cause emotions are... umm hard to explain. :relief: :D

The importance of composition is another thing that captivates me. I am a s-u-c-k-e-r (because it censors that word for some reason :okashii: :D) for a album/mini-album/single that feels like it has a real start and finish to it. I'd like to stay on the topic of the importance of singles and mini-albums for a moment. Here in America we don't have them. I like them because you don't have to make a full legnth cd just to have some music out people don't forget you. Music is art and artist are never in a constant state of inspiration. You may write 3 songs in one day and go 6 months without being able to come up with something good. I think they are not only practical but essential. They empasize the point that it's better to make a few songs that are really good then make a few good songs and fill the rest of the album with crap just so you can have a nice long tracklist. If they did that then it would basically slaughter all the good efforts of those few worthwhile songs. Something some of you may notice about mini-albums, in particular indies mini-albums, is their structure. For the most part they begin with some sort of intro that sets the mood for the rest of the mini-album. There you go... composition! I love this idea because it gives that opening feel I absolutely adore. You get excited and anticipate what is to come. It's almost like a story... and when you get to that last song you feel like you've really reached an actual ending. You don't really expect another song because that song sounds like a final song. Singles... we used to have those here. :? They got rid of them years ago, though. Singles are great because of b-sides... gotta love b-sides. You get to see the music the band didn't feel fit in an album or mini-album or just perhaps what they were currently working on. Not to say they are bad... just that they weren't appropriate for the mood. It's nice to see what the bands been up to musically. Singles can be so exciting... especially when they are for stuff that hasn't already been released on a cd... its a taste of something that will be released in the future so you can listen and pine over the album or mini-album that is to be released.

Now onto the good stuff *licks lips* :D Lives... what would jrock be without lives. :love: Seeing a band in their natural environment doing what they love. It provokes so much energy inside you. Unfortunately, I have not had the pleasure of seeing on for myself yet, but I own several live dvds and it's like you're really there. You're completely sucked into the tv screen. If they are that great and exciting on a dvd I can't even imagine the state of bliss I'd be in at a live. :love: :silly: :angel:

PVs... probly the least important aspect, but they are icing on the cake and as you know because I say it so much... there's no shame in liking icing... I love icing! :D PVs are so much fun to watch and you get to see what the band looks like... :blush: oh... and I promise it's even more fun when you buy them and watch them on your tv. :p

I'll shut up cause I'll keep going and going... I think I hit all the important points. :relief:

oh... and support your bands by buying there stuff! :cool: that is all... *runs off*

[Kinsao]

Hey PK, I totally forgot about the singles and mini-albums thing - that's a really good point. :cool: Wasn't Fukai a b-side? I can't believe that - it's a great song.

[hebiichigo]

There aren't singles in the US? At all :?
There are in Australia..
Japanese artists release a lot of singles though, because there is a big market for that. Or so I heard.

Kinsao: fukai was indeed a b-side, and it's one of my favourite songs from Diru :p

[Kinsao]

Kinsao: fukai was indeed a b-side, and it's one of my favourite songs from Diru :p

Same here! I love that song!

It seems the main reasons why people like Japanese rock (and maybe pop, too) over the Western, are that it is more "interesting" to listen to (the musicians display more of their skills, the music is more intricate/complex, the vocals are better, the bands are more diverse from each other and take influences from a wider range of sources, the songs have more variety in tone and texture within them, and the albums/mini-albums/singles have more consideration to composition within the larger scale), and, probably because of that, it is also "different" in sound from Western music.

Smaller but still important considerations and reasons for liking jmusic include the visual aspect - the attention given to creating a "whole image" as opposed to "just" songs, including the photoshoots and PVs which are works of art in themselves and naturally appeal to people of a "visual" turn of mind; and the live shows, which again have a strong visual aspect and which people seem to agree are more exciting and emotional than those of Western bands.

Another "secondary" consideration is of course the lyrics; the attractiveness of the Japanese language which in itself has a beautiful sound, and also the fact that translations into English tend to make the lyrics sound very poetic (whether they would have that effect on a native Japanese speaker I have no idea! :blush: ). Some people also find that not being able to understand the lyrics is a plus, because it enables them to focus on the music without being distracted by words which are inappropriate or just plain bad.

[lastmagi]

It seems the main reasons why people like Japanese rock (and maybe pop, too) over the Western, are that it is more "interesting" to listen to (the musicians display more of their skills, the music is more intricate/complex, the vocals are better, the bands are more diverse from each other and take influences from a wider range of sources, the songs have more variety in tone and texture within them, and the albums/mini-albums/singles have more consideration to composition within the larger scale), and, probably because of that, it is also "different" in sound from Western music.

Important points to consider there. I actually don't prefer Japanese over Western, because as I've said I don't find Japanese music "better" than Western in the aspects you summarized (at least non-mainstream Western, but there are even some mainstream Western bands that are good in my book), although my library is certainly overrepresented by Japanese music (which is to speak more about my habits of the past than current preference). I try to weigh them both equally now, and have been trying to build up my knowledge of Western bands since I've inadvertently deprived myself of that hemisphere's music for some time because of my bias in Japanese music, which I now try to avoid because it is exactly equivalent to a bias in Western music.

So I disagree with what people say that the songs are more interesting, more intricate, better sung, etc. That is not saying that Japanese music is different, as you mentioned, but another roundabout way of saying "better," which I find untrue.


Basically, I tend to find it undesirable to draw generalizations based on merely nationality. I love Japanese music of many types: jazz (Paris Match), some hard rock (some Dir en Grey), rock (L'arc en Ciel, although they can do everything, Luna Sea), R&B (Utada Hikaru), pop, ambient electronic (SUGIZO, Miu Sakamoto), pseudo-classical (Malice Mizer), some indies (Camino, SID), etc. I love Western music of all types, the indescribable (Tori Amos), hard (Tool, NIN, APC), indies (Sufjan Stevens), jazz (Al Di Meola, peter white), new age (loreena mckennitt, mehdi), classical (Debussy, Vivaldi), non-English/American (Kari Rueslatten, Henri Salvador), etc. So I find it hard to say that Japanese vocalists are generally better than Western vocalists. I am by no means trying to demean Japanese music (which is obvious from my posts, but just to clarify further to avoid misunderstanding from those who didn't get it), but I find it wrong to make certain generalizations. I tend instead to confront music from any nationality with the same level of appreciation, as long as the music is good.

[pinkkillerkisou]

There aren't singles in the US? At all
Nope... they didn't sell too well so they did away with them. Man... singles I remember were a couple bucks like some as cheap as $4 and maybe as expensive as $8... jrock singles are so overpriced :mad:

[lastmagi]

Nope... they didn't sell too well so they did away with them. Man... singles I remember were a couple bucks like some as cheap as $4 and maybe as expensive as $8... jrock singles are so overpriced :mad:

I never even noticed that there aren't any singles anymore.

True, jrock singles are a bit on the overpriced side. The only one I'm proud of having is Gackt's Sekiray (which I misplaced somewhere). His other singles are just money ploys (at least the current ones, not the ones from his early solo days) since he includes his B-sides into his albums anyway.... (luckily not the KgMK "remix," though). Other than that, I don't keep up with singles on either side of the ocean....

[advigilo]

uhm that sucks, well at least you are ABLE to buy them.
out here there arent any shops or online shops that sell them :-(

kinsao i have to agree with you.
lastmagi, i dont say that j-rock is better then western music. i most of the
time just sounds nicer in my ears. perhaps its just a fase in youre life.
like when you where a kid you liked cartoon music most.
In life you grow, not just in height but also in music style.
Look at diru, the have grown from indie to...... there style changed.


Perhaps i will always have a weakness for this kind of music, or at least for asia.
But for now i like the music, the style etc.

[hebiichigo]

Nope... they didn't sell too well so they did away with them. Man... singles I remember were a couple bucks like some as cheap as $4 and maybe as expensive as $8... jrock singles are so overpriced :mad:

Interesting. The singles we have here are usually about $10+ (that's Australian currency :p ), I guess, although I don't buy much from local places anymore. I noticed the difference with Japanese singles was that one or more singles are released before an album in Japan, but here usually the album is released and then songs from the album are released as singles. That doesn't make much sense to me because people already have an album with those songs on it, but maybe it's extra promotion or something.
I don't think all Japanese singles are overpriced.. the average one is probably about 1,500 yen give or take some. I don't think that is too much :relief:

[Yokan]

Hmm good question. Alot of people would Like Japanese music for many different reasons. For me, it's just something different. Sure I get criticised, but i don't care, it's what I like. Alot of people say japanese/Asian music is 'weird', it's actually not, if they would take the time to listen to bands such as Dir en grey and Laruku. I generally like Japanese rock, only cause it is waaaay out and you know, different language. Personally I think that alot of music from here(Ireland/Uk) is very dire, and alot of Americain music. I listened to alot of X Japan at the beginning of my jrock addiction, because their songs I could refer too. Now i'm more all round(Diru, Laruku, do as infinify, miyavi, etc..) But Japanese generally have so much to offer all the time. In terms of Orchestral Japanese music, I like Joe Hisaishi and game music, cause i think it appeals to me. Dear Dear i've babbled on again! :sorry:

[Yokan]

Noticed people talking about emotion. Yeah, the Japanese do put alot of emotion into their songs. Especially X Japan, gackt, Miyavi etc. Dir en grey are one of the most dedicated bands i know. I don't just mean vocals, but the instrumentalists as well, actually showing emotion etc. Most bands here don't really have that feature, MCFLY DOING ENDLESS RAIN?????? :okashii:
Sorry bad example. *smacks himself for even mentioning McFly* XD

I also like the multi-genre bands have if you know what I mean. Dir en grey can do ballads/metal/heavy rock/alternative rock. X Japan had that, although must say I liked their ballads better. But i'm more of a rock person lol.

Endless Rain - X Japan
Forever Love - X Japan
Pieces - Laruku
Jealous -reverse- - Dir en Grey
Ain't afraid to die - Dir en Grey
Dearest, Fly High and Boys and Girls - Ayumi Hamasaki(acoustic 2002 orchestra)
First Love - Utada Hikaru.
Pop is Dead - Miyavi-san!

I think all these songs are unique in their own right, I haven't heard any western songs match them. I can't really give a good judgement on Japanese pop, i am into it, btu not as much as I am into it as Rock.

Another thing is the way they dress. I mean like you don't see Western bands in make up and dress unless it is Maryln Mansoon(who i actually like). In my own opinion this is interesting, just to look at for instance the...actually never seen a visual Kei PV. X_X Well Endless Rain PV was sort off a visual Kei video,and Brise by malice Mizer. Just seems interesting seeing Japanese culture on the actual performers, like Kagarou. Miyavi/MYV is a perfect example of this.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a14/miyazaki69/meev00021jt.jpg

one more thing - WHAT OTHER BAND DO YOU KNOW OF THAT CAN FILL UP THE TOKYO DOME OVER 8 TIMES??? XDXDXD
please note - I have many discographies. I listen to songs over and over again until I completely know all the instrument/vocal/lyrics parts, so i'm abit of a rock geek. :relief:

[kokusu]

Why do I like J-Pop/J-Rock?

Well, I think I started listening to Japanese music simply because it was something that was both Japanese and accessible. I am just insatiably curious about Japan (a topic too long to rant about here) and so seek out various ways I can feed that curiosity. J-Pop/J-Rock happens to be an easy way to enjoy something that is Japanese, whether going down to Kinokuniya and buying a CD or a PV DVD, or listening to music and watching videos (ahem :blush: ) online. I mean, I can't always go see kabuki or shop at Ginza, but I can always listen to the J-Pop/J-Rock that I have . . . this is how I got started.

I keep listening to a variety of J-Pop/J-Rock because the music has become kind of like a soundtrack for my life. There is always something in J-Pop/J-Rock that fits my mood or whatever I am doing. I wonder if that makes much sense . . . :?

One important thing, though . . . I still like all other kinds of music. There is good and bad music from every genre, age, region, etc. I hope to be able to appreciate music for its merits wherever it may be from . . . :blush:

And, finally . . . Dir en grey is my favorite band! So, there! :yeahh:

[Yokan]

Diru rocks!! XD

[Anchyyy]

Diru rocks!! XD

I sign that!!! :D

[Hyde_is_my_anti-drug]

Why do I love J-Music? 'Cause it's simply better then the crap over here in the West. I've seriously had to stop listening to the radio. They'll play something brilliant like "My Immortal" by Evanescence but then right after that they play Kelly Clarkson are whatever and I'm just like, "eh-heh, no."
I could count the Western bands I like one my fingers whereas with J-Music I would need to borrow a few people's hands to count 'em all.
Also Japanese lyrics, even Pop lyrics, are WAY deeper then Western lyrics (with the exception of bands like Evanescence, Nickleback etc). All you hear over here is "Oh, baby, come back to me" crap but you pop in a J-album and are greeted with things like "Te no naka ni wa ai subeki hito sae mo, Hanabanashiku chitte, Te no naki ni wa ikita imi kizande mo, Munashiki hana to shiru" or "We'll say goodbye, Lost Heaven. How we longed for Heaven. We're letting go of something we never had. Time goes so fast, Heaven is lost".
And the music itself is better. The arrangments are just above and beyond Western music. And their voices! The Japanese have some of the most amazing voices that I have ever heard in my life!
So in short, Western music = bad, Japanese music = good.

[Yokan]

Why do I love J-Music? 'Cause it's simply better then the crap over here in the West. I've seriously had to stop listening to the radio. They'll play something brilliant like "My Immortal" by Evanescence but then right after that they play Kelly Clarkson are whatever and I'm just like, "eh-heh, no."
I could count the Western bands I like one my fingers whereas with J-Music I would need to borrow a few people's hands to count 'em all.
Also Japanese lyrics, even Pop lyrics, are WAY deeper then Western lyrics (with the exception of bands like Evanescence, Nickleback etc). All you hear over here is "Oh, baby, come back to me" crap but you pop in a J-album and are greeted with things like "Te no naka ni wa ai subeki hito sae mo, Hanabanashiku chitte, Te no naki ni wa ikita imi kizande mo, Munashiki hana to shiru" or "We'll say goodbye, Lost Heaven. How we longed for Heaven. We're letting go of something we never had. Time goes so fast, Heaven is lost".
And the music itself is better. The arrangments are just above and beyond Western music. And their voices! The Japanese have some of the most amazing voices that I have ever heard in my life!
So in short, Western music = bad, Japanese music = good.

I so agree! :p

[Hyde_is_my_anti-drug]

Oh, yeay, people agree with me here! Woot!

[Yokan]

well, if you basically hate americain music, i'm the same :lol:

[Hyde_is_my_anti-drug]

LOL yeah I hate most Western music.

[Anchyyy]

LOL yeah I hate most Western music.

Bah me too! Its just not good enough. I am very picky about the music. I cant stand a band if it hasnt got a nice vocal :lol: But well almost all western music is crap (no offense) i just cant stand that Britney, Green day, Christina and smiliar :relief:

[Hyde_is_my_anti-drug]

I don't really mind Green Day myself but yeay I hear ya.

[Anchyyy]

I don't really mind Green Day myself but yeay I hear ya.

Green Day is not like the worst but i dont like thier music. I always compare artists and comparing Green Day to some other artists makes me think ''Blah they are amaters'' :relief:

[Yokan]

Yeah, Greenday DON'T rock lol. Much prefer a glass of water and a GAUZE album than listen to Americain Idiot.

[Godrina]

Eh, I like some american bands, but A lot of them really don't know what they're doing. (even though I think Orgy and Celldweller deserve a peek, Celldweller is one of the few american bands brave enough to wear skirts and dance at the same time...wait did I say few? They're probably the ONLY.) Well, they might know what they're doing, but they just...stand there and play. That's SO BORING to watch! Can't you like, at least smile or get into the music or move with the beat or something? If I'm going to dance around my room while wearing just a pair of pants and a baggy tee in the dark to your music, shouldn't you enjoy it as much as I do? REALLY?

Okay, before that goes into a rant... I'll show another point or two.

And here's something important. VOCALS. Kyo has a wonderful voice, Isshi has a wonderful voice, Ru-...you get the idea....
A problem with american bands that really needs to be fixed up is that some of these guys CAN'T SING. Like....you can at least try, I'm not that good a singer myself, but some of these people...ew. Okay, I'll admit that Sully Erna is good, but...but....ew! I was on the bus the other day, and the song on the radio, the guy who was singing sounded like he was having a heart attack or something. o_o;; How're you supposed to lose yourself in a song if the person is like....dying while they sing? Neeeh...or they sound, even when they're trying to be emotional, like they're holding their nose...

Gawds...I'm gonna go hide now.

[Anchyyy]

Godrina!!:p I tottaly agree about what you've said! Jrock live preformances are very interesting and funny to watch. I would love to go on one myself when i am a bit older. Bet i would have a great time. :D

[Godrina]

XD Yeah....I love watching live J-rock, even if it is on the net. These people actually enjoy what they do. X3 you can tell!

[Anchyyy]

Yeah! :D I own a few X Japan and Laruku lives. I enjoy it every time i watch it! So guud!:love:

[Godrina]

There was this one compliation someone did, all they did was take a bunch of live diru goofs and put them into one video....it was so awesome to watch, even though they kept messing up, it was with a smile.

[lastmagi]

So in short, Western music = bad, Japanese music = good.

*throws arms in the air*

Ah, I give up. I only wanted to avoid pigeonholing myself with generalizations. Sigh....

[Kinsao]

Important points to consider there. I actually don't prefer Japanese over Western, because as I've said I don't find Japanese music "better" than Western in the aspects you summarized (at least non-mainstream Western, but there are even some mainstream Western bands that are good in my book), although my library is certainly overrepresented by Japanese music (which is to speak more about my habits of the past than current preference). I try to weigh them both equally now, and have been trying to build up my knowledge of Western bands since I've inadvertently deprived myself of that hemisphere's music for some time because of my bias in Japanese music, which I now try to avoid because it is exactly equivalent to a bias in Western music.

So I disagree with what people say that the songs are more interesting, more intricate, better sung, etc. That is not saying that Japanese music is different, as you mentioned, but another roundabout way of saying "better," which I find untrue.


Basically, I tend to find it undesirable to draw generalizations based on merely nationality. I love Japanese music of many types: jazz (Paris Match), some hard rock (some Dir en Grey), rock (L'arc en Ciel, although they can do everything, Luna Sea), R&B (Utada Hikaru), pop, ambient electronic (SUGIZO, Miu Sakamoto), pseudo-classical (Malice Mizer), some indies (Camino, SID), etc. I love Western music of all types, the indescribable (Tori Amos), hard (Tool, NIN, APC), indies (Sufjan Stevens), jazz (Al Di Meola, peter white), new age (loreena mckennitt, mehdi), classical (Debussy, Vivaldi), non-English/American (Kari Rueslatten, Henri Salvador), etc. So I find it hard to say that Japanese vocalists are generally better than Western vocalists. I am by no means trying to demean Japanese music (which is obvious from my posts, but just to clarify further to avoid misunderstanding from those who didn't get it), but I find it wrong to make certain generalizations. I tend instead to confront music from any nationality with the same level of appreciation, as long as the music is good.

I understand what you're saying, Lastmagi. In fact, I don't see how people can actually say that music from a certain country is intrinsically or averagely "better" than music from other countries. I think what is mostly happening is that Jrock fans from the US and Europe are comparing the Jrock they listen to, with the mainstream music in their country, i.e. that which gets played all the time on the radio and in clubs etc. etc... which let's face it is generally pretty crap (yeah, sorry for the generalisation :sorry: ). When you develop an interest in Jmusic, you tend to go out of your way to search out good bands. Therefore, you find good bands. Of course there's crap out there. There are some Jrock bands that I've listened to once and never want to listen to again (and no matter whether they are pretty as all hell). In the same way, if you search certain music scenes in the UK (as an example), you can find good stuff.

The fact is, I love music. I don't care if it's from Japan, US, Iceland, South Africa or Tierra del Fuego, if it has that certain spark with me, then I will like it. Other people here might also have noticed that there's some pretty good music coming out of Germany and some of the Scandinavian countries at the moment.

Also it depends on the type of music you like: I like rock, metal and goth sorts of music, which is gonna be on the rise in some countries and less popular in others depending on their local cultures and fashions. At the moment it seems (from what I can gather) that the sort of music I enjoy is popular in Japan at the moment.... = more of it.

I'm sorry, but I have to disagree with anyone who says that Japanese musicians and singers (who seem to have come in for a lot of hammer in the last 24 hours! :o ) are intrinsically better than Western musicians. I mean, use your head - that's almost bordering on the racist!

No offence meant. :p

I've already said why I like Japanese music, so I'm not going down that track again. But my second long post was an attempt to summarise the collective opinions, rather than necessarily a reflection of my own opinions. It seems to me that people find something indefinably different about Japanese music compared with Western. Now, regardless of whether or not that is true (i.e. can be proved by means of "musical evidence"), that's the way people feel, and that appears to be what attracts many people to Jmusic.

Where's Average Psycho when you need her? :worried: She listens to music in 11 (possibly more? :? ) languages; someone who loves Jmusic but doesn't listen to only that. If you love music, then the nationality/language/whatever doesn't matter. :-)

And one more thing... I'm not trying to catch you out or anything, Lastmagi, I'm really curious... you mention a range of Japanese bands of different genres that you listen to (as well as a bunch of non-Japanese also). Will you answer the question for us, also? What is it that you like about those Japanese bands?

[Yokan]

I understand what you're saying, Lastmagi. In fact, I don't see how people can actually say that music from a certain country is intrinsically or averagely "better" than music from other countries. I think what is mostly happening is that Jrock fans from the US and Europe are comparing the Jrock they listen to, with the mainstream music in their country, i.e. that which gets played all the time on the radio and in clubs etc. etc... which let's face it is generally pretty crap (yeah, sorry for the generalisation :sorry: ). When you develop an interest in Jmusic, you tend to go out of your way to search out good bands. Therefore, you find good bands. Of course there's crap out there. There are some Jrock bands that I've listened to once and never want to listen to again (and no matter whether they are pretty as all hell). In the same way, if you search certain music scenes in the UK (as an example), you can find good stuff.

The fact is, I love music. I don't care if it's from Japan, US, Iceland, South Africa or Tierra del Fuego, if it has that certain spark with me, then I will like it. Other people here might also have noticed that there's some pretty good music coming out of Germany and some of the Scandinavian countries at the moment.

Also it depends on the type of music you like: I like rock, metal and goth sorts of music, which is gonna be on the rise in some countries and less popular in others depending on their local cultures and fashions. At the moment it seems (from what I can gather) that the sort of music I enjoy is popular in Japan at the moment.... = more of it.

I'm sorry, but I have to disagree with anyone who says that Japanese musicians and singers (who seem to have come in for a lot of hammer in the last 24 hours! :o ) are intrinsically better than Western musicians. I mean, use your head - that's almost bordering on the racist!

No offence meant. :p

I've already said why I like Japanese music, so I'm not going down that track again. But my second long post was an attempt to summarise the collective opinions, rather than necessarily a reflection of my own opinions. It seems to me that people find something indefinably different about Japanese music compared with Western. Now, regardless of whether or not that is true (i.e. can be proved by means of "musical evidence"), that's the way people feel, and that appears to be what attracts many people to Jmusic.

Where's Average Psycho when you need her? :worried: She listens to music in 11 (possibly more? :? ) languages; someone who loves Jmusic but doesn't listen to only that. If you love music, then the nationality/language/whatever doesn't matter. :-)

And one more thing... I'm not trying to catch you out or anything, Lastmagi, I'm really curious... you mention a range of Japanese bands of different genres that you listen to (as well as a bunch of non-Japanese also). Will you answer the question for us, also? What is it that you like about those Japanese bands?
lol, you should be telling me off too!! Generally i will catagorise Japanese music 'better' than Americain/Western Music. It;s what i think tho. But yes, in aspects that is being quite racist, but I suffer the phrase 'Japanese music is weird' everyday. :relief:

[Yokan]

You were saying about listening to other types of music. I don't know what it is about Japan in general that appeals to me, it's just different and unique I guess. I'm generally very interested in other types of music, from Spain, Asia, Japan, France etc.

[Kinsao]

lol, you should be telling me off too!! Generally i will catagorise Japanese music 'better' than Americain/Western Music. It;s what i think tho. But yes, in aspects that is being quite racist, but I suffer the phrase 'Japanese music is weird' everyday. :relief:

Of course, it's equally racist to say that "Japanese music is weird", as it is to say "Japanese music is better than European music".

I think most people would agree that music is a "universal language". When we listen to music, we're not just listening to the lyrics! Music speaks in ways that are beyond the lyrics. Whether music is good or bad depends on the skills of the musicians involved, no matter where they happen to be from.

Why should I be telling you off? :souka: Don't tell me you want to be beaten, too!? :lol:

[Yokan]

Yeah you are right, vocals and lyrics just don't matter, other parts too.
There are actually quite alot of songs I like based on guitar part(Diru) and Bass(Laruku). and as for the telling me off part, forget I said it lol!

[lastmagi]

Don't worry; I know you were merely summarizing what others said.

The fact is, I love music. I don't care if it's from Japan, US, Iceland, South Africa or Tierra del Fuego, if it has that certain spark with me, then I will like it. Other people here might also have noticed that there's some pretty good music coming out of Germany and some of the Scandinavian countries at the moment.

Yummy. I still need to expand my horizons further, so I can't say I have much experience with most of those countries you mentioned.

And one more thing... I'm not trying to catch you out or anything, Lastmagi, I'm really curious... you mention a range of Japanese bands of different genres that you listen to (as well as a bunch of non-Japanese also). Will you answer the question for us, also? What is it that you like about those Japanese bands?

:p

Fair enough, and I guess I haven't really answered the question. Well, those bands I listed were only a sample, so I'll just give some very general preferences I have.

Instrumentation - I love compositions that are rich, unless the piece is supposed to be minimalistic or simplistic, like some of the pastoral songs of Yae. It's like listening to classical music; I enjoy listening to how each instrument interacts with another instrument to form a lush whole. This allows me to weave in and out of the songs, lingering on a guitar part here, the bass there, some electronic effects there, and out to the whole.

Aversion to stagnation - Try something new! Don't stick to one format! Paris Match (at least, the little I've heard from them) and FAKE? and Spitz are all completely different, but they manage to try to grow new levels of their music, whether a new music style or a development of some new sensitivity. Of course, there are bands that do vary their direction and don't do it well, or bands that don't and still pull it off, so this I don't know how to enhance this point.

Seriousness to their music - I don't exactly like bands that bang on pots. Their seriousness is usually evident through the above point. I also tend to like musicians that present themselves as serious. This is a superficial preference, true, but grant me at least that :) I tried listening to Polysics and while they have gotten some good reviews, the uber-fun-loving nature of the vocalist and the messing-around-ness of the electronics turned me off. I'm sure they are fine musicians in reality, but my superficial preference didn't let them win me over. Meanwhile, FAKE? specifically don't want their music to be heavily promoted, instead wanting it to be passed on by word of mouth. They want their music to do the work, and that is something I have a huge amount of respect for.

Vocals - Vocals are of course important. From the clear vocals of Maynard James Keenan to the swells of Miu Sakamoto to the vibrato of Gackt to the perfect (if sometimes offkey) vocals of Hyde to the lazy regalness of Mari Mizuno, the vocalist must know how to fit his or her vocals to the song, and he or she must do it well. What is "well-done" is up for argument (I usually like "strong" vocals), but if I like it, I like it.

I guess there are more, but I've got hw to do, and am kind of brain dead now ;-)

None of these, you'll notice, are in any way limited to Japanese bands. I like bands of all types and nationalities, and many bands outside of Japan exhibit these traits too. Nor are some of the things listed always what I like, because each band has their own take on how to make music. Many bands have so many differing traits that the question was a lot harder to answer than I expected. Try to compare Buck Tick with, oh, Yoko Kanno's works. Or SUGIZO with Utada Hikaru. Both different, but both good, and I like all equally. I guess I ask myself "do these bands do what they do well?" "Are these compositions emotionally and intellectually engaging?" "What did the artists do to make me like this?" "Did they try hard to make me go 'hm!' and engage me emotionally?" etc


I like music on a band-to-band basis, I guess. The Japanese music are just part of a whole. If the question was "What is so unique about Japanese music that you like to listen to it?" I would have to say I wouldn't be able to answer.

[Godrina]

Of course, it's equally racist to say that "Japanese music is weird", as it is to say "Japanese music is better than European music".

I think most people would agree that music is a "universal language". When we listen to music, we're not just listening to the lyrics! Music speaks in ways that are beyond the lyrics. Whether music is good or bad depends on the skills of the musicians involved, no matter where they happen to be from.

Why should I be telling you off? :souka: Don't tell me you want to be beaten, too!? :lol:
That makes sense.

XD of course, everyone has their likes and dislikes. I think anyone can practice enough to become an amazing musician, but part of it is really how you use your skills. It's all gotta flow together in a song when you've got more than one person playing. I think that's the big challenge in any kind of music.

I don't listen to anything selectively, but some things are just more appealing to some things than nothers....that's opinion, I suppose. No matter where you go there's probably good music somewhere to be heard.

If the above didn't make any sense....X.x sorry. I'm tired.

[Yokan]

I have a habit of clicking any jrock song, and just listening to it lol. I mostly do that with The Pillows and Dir en Grey(I have their discographies). Yeah anyone can be an amazing musician if they work hard and believe in themselves enough, but don't forget, Bands like X Japan, Malice Mizer, Dir en Grey, The Pillows, Miyavi. All have AMAZING musicians!! I take back some of the stuff I said about not liking Western music. I actually like Nine Inch Nails and Black Sabbath. :balloon:

[Kinsao]

Actually, the title of this thread is kinda interesting, "why do you like Japanese pop/rock music?"... sometimes people do a double-take if I say I'm listening to Japanese rock music, and look surprised... but I rather say, why not to like Japanese pop/rock music? The title is a bit misleading because it implies "why do you like Japanese pop/rock music [as opposed to pop/rock music from other countries]?" Whereas maybe the title should simply be "why do you like pop/rock music?" Because it seems to me that when you explain what are the things you like and admire in pop/rock music, and consider good musicianship (such as those many things well mentioned in Lastmagi's last post), you can quite easily take those aspects, apply them to Japanese music, and say that, yeah, if the music meets those criteria, you like it.

I'm sure Mycernius wasn't trying to stir up some kind of debate about "why is Japanese music better than Western music?"!! :p It seems more like he was wondering (a) why do some people listen to Japanese music only, and not similar type of music from other countries? and (b) is there something that makes Japanese music sound distinctive from music of other countries, and if so, what?

As far as (a) goes, I can only say that it's probably many factors, including possibly a fascination with Japan, but largely simply the fact that there's so much music out there that it's impossible to delve deeply into all music from around the world, and it does become seductively fun to concentrate on music from one country and increase your knowledge in that - albeit limited, of course - field, especially given that that field is very diverse even within its limits.

As far as (b) goes, I'll go as far as to say that I think there is something different about Japanese music, but I'm not intelligent or articulate enough to pick out exactly what it is. I think there must be something, because so many people used the word "different" to describe it, although not able to specify exactly what was different. In some songs it's obvious, such as Murakumo (Kagrra) has a very distinctive "Japanese" sound in the melody and use of the instruments. But... (settle yourself down for an anecdote......!) in the car once I was playing what I thought was a pretty "ordinary"-sounding Japanese song (Prism by Psycho le Cemu) that to me sounds like quite regular, normal pop-ish/dance-ish music (other than having Japanese lyrics). My mom was in the car at the time, and she asked me who was the band and stuff, and I made some comment about how I don't usually listen to much dance music... and she said "I can tell it's Japanese, though... apart from the words... I can't put my finger on it, but there's something different about it... maybe it's the intervals or something?" Now, in Prism I can't hear what she means at all! :blush: But obviously there was something about it that made someone not used to Jmusic notice a difference. I'm as puzzled as anyone as to what that difference is! :clueless:

Also, it depends to some (and probably larger than I realise) extent on the record companies themselves in any particular country, what kind of music they promote, encourage, sell... Now if only all the British music which is as good as Diru, D'espa, MUCC and Kagerou was played on our radio, piped through the shops and used in our adverts...... that'd be the life.... :-)

[Yokan]

Well i had a fascination with japan even before the music. Took me quite a while to hear the name 'Ayumi Hamasaki' lol. www.sushicam.com I heard my first ever jrock song on this site, a blog by a man in Japan. On one of his videos going up to a shrine, he uses the song 'Forever Love' by X Japan. Later on accidently on limewire I downloaded the song, to find the name of it and so on. Then I downloaded alot of others of X Japans. I was a X Japan geek lol, I only listened to their music, had no idea about hide and their solo careers. Then I found alot of sites on different kinds and downloaded Malice Mizer, and Miyavi songs likeing them equally as good. And from this site, i started to download alot varied music from pop and rock. So basically that's how I got into it lol. But before the music, I loved the culture and Zen/Shinto ways. i do listen to alot of songs basically for the reason it's from japan, making myself like it. Now I just listen to songs i like or don't like, ie - all Japanese songs. :relief:
Maybe people call it ''different'' because of the Visual Kei style, or perhaps that it is in a Japanese language. Alot of the Japanese use their own ideas alone, not steal it from other songs. Actually maybe people call it different cause they can't think of Western Songs which sound the same. I also think the singers/instrumentalists themselves are intertaining, which might add to the excitment of listening/watching the music. Your very right tho kinsao, this thread has actually puzzled me as to why I like Jrock/pop myself. :blush: But then I ask myself why not like Japanese music, this is confusing. =S lol.
Well alot of Western bands don't have good singers(going just on the topic of singers here). Kyo, Toshi, Hyde, Kana(i think that is the new singer of MM), Hyde, Gackt, pillows singer, Do as infinity singer, in my opinion, all have voices that make my heartbeat skip 5 seconds. They also put the feel into the music, emotionally, and make people WANT to listen. Okay, has anyone SEEN pop idol, x factor? etc. alot of the people actually can't sing. Well i suppose that is pop. But alot of Japanese pop singers have the same feel, gackt - Vanilla made me want to get up and sing with Gackt!
Ayumi hamasaki - Dearest, fly high, they make me want to cry. XD
Utada Hikaru - First love
Kinki Kids, BOA(Korean), and others also made me feel like this. :p
Even morning Musume want me want to dance in the street :blush: *ahem*

[Yokan]

I'm now listening to my first Gazette song and already like them! :blush:

[Kinsao]

Hey, I'm glad you like Gazette! They are good! :cool:

Slightly offtopic here, but do you listen to MUCC? I think you would like them - they're awesome. Try their new song Saishuu Ressha! It KILLS me!!! :blush:

[Yokan]

hehe yes, i downloaded a few songs and still downloading some, but I've paused them so as I can download Princess Mononoke, The Cat returns and Howl's moving castle for my girlfriend. :blush: I also downloading miyavi atm since i restored my comp about 2 months ago. o_O do you have any MUCC songs or Nightmare Songs you can send me?

[Kinsao]

Sure I will! :p

Nightmare... I call them my guilty pleasure, lol. :blush: They're kind of... weird, in that there are a lot of their songs I don't like... Yomi's voice annoys me... and yet, there are some songs that are really good. So I'm like --> :o ... don't know whether I like them or not! Anyway, I'll send you some of their songs and you can judge for yourself. :relief:

[Yokan]

Thanks, I can't fidn any Nightmare songs on Limewire lol. Do you have msn? I added you ^^

[Kinsao]

Yup yup - I added you, too. :-)
You could try slsk as well as Limewire (soulseek, file sharing programme), I used to use WinMX but it cause my computer to get viruses >.< Tonberry Torrents is another good site for finding albums, PVs and discographies, but you need to download something called Azureus before you can use torrents. And I can send you songs via YouSendIt, of course. :p

[Yokan]

Thanks. I've used Soulseek, Emule, Kazaa, Imesh, etc all before :lol: before I relaised Limewire was the best in my opinion, will check that torrent site. :p

[Hyde_is_my_anti-drug]

Not to re-hash or anything but I'd like to state my point more clearly on Western vs. Eastern music.
Music or rather Art in gen. reflects the culture that it stems from. America, as a culture, is like the teenaged boy who's always trying to be naughty and sneek a peek and so American Art Forms reflect that. If you look at cultures as people America would, if you counted it up, only be MAYBE a teenager compared with other, older, cultures. Not to say that maturity comes with age however in this case it definitly doesn't come with youth. As a culture America makes me sick, I'm not attacking indevidual Americans so don't get all offended and high and mighty about it. The culture itself does not appeal to me. And as I said before Art reflects culture so for the most part American music makes me ill. And I'm not saying that I don't like SOME American bands (Evanescence, Nickleback [even though they're from Canada], Amy Corea, Rush just to name a few) but for the most part I don't like American music and I feel no guilt in saying that. If a cultur or way of life sickens you then I see no problem in saying so and I don't think it's biased. The only time it's biased is when, like my 21-year-old brother, you've never REALLY listened to the music but trash it anyway and all music that comes from that nation thereafter. That is bias. But see if a friend wants me to hear an American band I don't say, "I don't like Western music, I don't wanna hear it" no, I listen to it and don't judge it on where it's from. But 9 times outta 10 I don't like it and it just so happens that most of the bands I don't like are from America. So in gen, yes I do hate Western music but am I biased AGAINST it? No, not really.
And I also feel no guilt in saying that the Eastern, not only Japanese but Eastern in gen, music scene is a good 10 years ahead of ours. Like German music, Russian music, Chinese music, and of course Japanese music. But it's not just Japanese music. Their cultures are more refined, steady, grounded, and yes, mature and that is reflected in the music they make. And sure even Japan has it's equalivient to Britany Spears and yeah they do have some shite bands but for the most part their music is good, really good.
And a good way to show this is that Japan, before rock music, had beautiful classical music (and still does) but America on the other hand didn't. Sure England did, France and all them did but before rock music we had sittin-around-the-camp-fire-hill-billy-trange. You don't hear of great old AMERICAN classical composers, do you? No, didn't think so. Of course CURRENTLY we have some good classic composers (Philip Glass, John Williams etc) but none from the 'old days.' So really if you think about it, it would make sense that other cultures' music would be ahead since it has firmer roots.
So in the end it comes back down to culture. Art reflects culture and I don't like American culture, not one bit.

[Kinsao]

That's an interesting point you make there, Hyde, especially to me as a non-American. I didn't think about the "age" of the culture and the subsequent depth of grounding/background that it provides. I suppose I'm used to Europe, which does have an "older" culture than the States. In fact, one of the things that appealed to me when I first heard Malice Mizer (my first Japanese band I listened to) was the influences from European classical music, and of course they are far from the only Japanese band to take that influence. (and other European - Haruhiko Ash from Eve of Destiny hated the music scene in Japan and was heavily influenced by European punk and goth music.) I like the way Japanese bands cherry-pick from the European musical culture and add their own particular twist to it. :-) And I suppose in time, it will work the other way, too.

Good bands start off small, too, so it's harder to find them. There could be a whole crop of really excellent and innovative little local bands in the States that only play in one small livehouse, can't afford to market themself, and basically have to be patient and persevere and work hard to hit the big time.

[Hyde_is_my_anti-drug]

Well, I will say that my fav American bands are actually unknown local bands in my area.
And I too love that Japan is a melting pot for inspiration, and musical influence.

[Yokan]

And I too love that Japan is a melting pot for inspiration, and musical influence.
They are inspired alot. Thanks for that tonberrytorrents thing Kinsao, I'm already downloading off it with bitcomet. ^^ :p

[Kinsao]

Ahh, you're luckier than me at the moment, then - I'm at work, supposed to be writing a report! :mad: :sick:
Glad it was useful. :-)

[Yokan]

wooo Just relaised your 26. O_O what do you work as? lol. I did my work experience a couple of weeks ago, as a Journalist for a local paper. *totally going off the subject*

[Kinsao]

I'm an administrator (not the computer admin type... the sitting-behind-a-desk-shuffling-paper type :okashii: ). Not quite as boring as it sounds, but the disadvantage that it's indoors (I don't like indoor work :( ). Been in that job 3 years now! God, I feel old! :blush: But I like the company because the hours are niiiiice, and they don't have "appearance restrictions" (like dress codes and such).

Hope your work experience was good! My first work experience was with a funeral director's, when I was 15 (I kid you not!).

I think maybe I will end up with no job if I continue to do no work, though.... :lol:

SORRY FOR THE OFFTOPICNESS, EVERYONE!!! :gomen:

*gets hit by a steel fish* :auch:

[Yokan]

lol, cool. My work experience was bad. -_- It was boring lol, now I see myself as a drummer or an interior designer(I do art GCSE). Yes everyone sorry for the offtopic. :gomen:

[rose_of_eternity]

Jrock... sounds like 1123598273059712035 times better than what I used to listen to, and I won't post that because I'm too embarrassed and ashamed of myself to do so :relief: Anyways, VK is pretty, alot prettier than American arists, then like whereas here in America, everyone lip-synchs, jrockers don't, and that proves that they have TALENT rather than just being edited in a studio (take kyo and his lives for example) and then of course, the context of the music is so much more interesting (yes I'm a dork, and look up ALL lyrics) and it just sounds better, the music, its actually MUSIC, rather than just jamming a guitar 24/7 and banging the same boring beat on the drums... there are guitar solos and interesting beats and such in jrock... iono... :relief: I can't live without it now... my ma says I'll grow out of it, but I don't think that will EVER happen... I'll always be loyal to my preciousness :D