New to J-Music! What are your recommendations?

[Dutch Baka]

This thread is for all the J-music newbies, who don't know what to listen to.

So place here your recommendations ( maybe a reason as well), and let's spread Japanese music (jpop, jrock, enka, and the rest) in the world.

Please try to only post your recommendations, so please do not go off topic to much. Also recommend bands, artists because of their music not because of their looks.

Some of my recommendations:

-Hikaru Utada ( She has a great voice, sings in Japanese and English, and is one of the best selling artists in Japan)

-Aiko ( Cute songs, and different than the rest)
-Dreams come true ( The have some great love songs, and are in the music business for over 20 years)
-Yuzu ( 2 guys who make happy songs)

That's it for now. I hope to see a lot of recommendations for all Japan music newbies.

[Anchyyy]

X Japan -> Beautiful ballads, excellent drumming and good vocal. Songs can be a bit depressing but otherwise they are awesome (heavy metal)

Dir en Grey -> such a small man, with such a strong and beautiful voice. I personally like by them that they are so melodical.

Rentrer en Soi -> they are somehting special

I'm kind of to lazy to write why i love bands hehe. So for now that's all :p

[leonmarino]

Naotarou Moriyama 森山直太郎
Has a great voice, and singing ability. Writes his own songs which is a rarity nowadays.

Yutaka Ozaki 尾崎豊
Brilliant rock and ballads, with very interesting lyrics. Started in the 80's. Killed himself (allegedly) a while ago.

Masami Sada さだまさし
Singer/song-writer, has been around since the 70's. Has a huge following among older ladies.. But I like it ok?

You Hitoto 一青窈
Debuted with the absoluty brilliant song "Morainaki" （もらい泣き）, and is also famous for her song "Hanamizuki" （ハナミズキ）.

[miki78]

Miyavi
Malice Mizer
Dir en grey
Gackt
Moi dix Mois
DBSK Kpop but brillent
Dizzy Drive
Kozi
Hyde
L'arc en ciel
Shazna
Izam

[Mycernius]

Paris Match - recommended by people on this site when I asked a similar question. Not your pop or rock music. More jazzy and might even say a little big band type of sound

Joe Hisaishi - Mainly does soundtracks. Did My Neighbour Totoro, Nausicaa and Hana Bi amongst many

Yoko Kanno - Another artist better known for soundtracks. Ghost in the Shell SAC and Cowboy Bebop are her better known ones

Just started to track down songs by Ayano Tsuji, lovely voice, and Hikaru Utada, as Dutch always seems to raving on about her. Waiting for a CD with her singles on it to arrive.

[Swordforhire]

Glay: any and all of their music. It's not "too pop" in my opinion, but not hard rock, either. They're a favourite and my boyfriend's 7 year old son loves them as well.

L'Arc~En~Ciel (Laruku) if you like softer pop, Hyde's solo music if you like softer "goth"or melancholy music.

Ayumi Hamasaki is an adorable female pop artist, and while not to my taste, she has a great voice.

[Kinsao]

OK, my recomms... :relief:

Pop:
SID
Utada Hikaru
Glay
B'z
Gackt

Jazz:
Paris Match

Rock/metal-ish:
MUCC
X Japan
Buck-Tick
Dir en grey
Galneryus
D
Penicillin
The Back Horn (lighter kind of rock ^^)

Unclassifiable:
Malice Mizer
Kozi
Kagrra,

[Nana007]

Pop:

Chemistry
M-Flo
Utada Hikaru
Boa
Arashi
News
Crystal Kay
Glay
B'z
L'arc~en~ciel
YUKI
The Brilliant Green
Judy and Mary


Rock:

Inugami Circus Dan
Buck-Tick
Luna Sea
Mucc
Dir en grey
X-Japan
Kagerou
Sads
Kuroyume

Other:
Shiina Ringo
Malize Mizer
Kagrra,

[JoRuDeNnA]

Gazette
D'espairs Ray
Vidoll
Alice Nine
Phantasmagoria
BIS
Penicillin
Miyavi
X-Japan
Gackt
Malice Mizer
La'Cryma Christi
Nightmare
Kurt
Brain Hacker
AnCafe

:-)

[Broken Rose Ren]

No particular order~

Crystal Kay
CHEMISTRY
Utada Hikaru
L'Arc~en~Ciel
Miyavi
Dir en Grey
Mika Nakashima
Koda Kumi
M-flo
Namie Amuro
Ai Otsuka
Panic Channel
T.M. Revolution
UVERworld

BUCK - TICK
X Japan (a must)
Tokyo Jihen/Shiina Ringo
Glay
An Cafe
B'z
YUI
Kaggra
Nightmare
BoA
Do as Infinity
Lareine
Exile
hide (a must)
SID
Alice Nine
The Gazette
Phatasmagoria
Vidoll
Gackt
Malice Mizer
Moi Dix Mois

[Dutch Baka]

Thanks for the input you guys, I hope to see a lot more recommendations, plus reasons.

[miki78]

sorry my sugestion had already been done ^^

[jounetsu]

x japan
this is the band behind jrock. they invented it,
the godfathers of japanese rock. from rough
guitar riffs and fast drums to heartbreaking
beautiful ballads ^^ this band had/has it all.

dir en grey
they have sucha variety of different songs that
i'm sure you'll find an album you like. the oldest
material is much calmer than the present which
is more like nu-metal. vocalist kyo's voice is just
amazing. strong and yet gentle. i recommend
dir en grey to everyone who is new to jrock
since they're one of the most popular bands
and they were my first love.

hide
you gotta love hide! if you like fast, happy music
you're gonna love this guy. an unique voice and
all songs made by himself. there are so many
different styles of music mixed that you can't really
say that it's jROCK or POP or what ever hehe.
just see for yourself ^^

d'espairs ray
if you like more metal sounding music, this is the
band for you to listen to. hizumi's voice fits perfectly
with the rough guitars. desray is like mixed metal and
industrial to me. not the usual rock you get. dark &
gothic like. [don't hit mel lol]

miyavi
this guy is just.. he.. he can't stay still for a second! lol
bouncy music and that voice is just wow. no definition
for his music really from pop to metal and to rock at the
same time and you get this cool variation haha. if you like
popish rock check it out.

[Seon-a Kim]

These are some of my recommendations and also my favorites...otherwise I wouldn't recommend them :)

1- Ayumi Hamasaki
2- Koda Kumi
3- Namie Amuro
4- Utada Hikaru
5- Mai Kuraki
6- Ai Otsuka
7- Hitomi Shimatani
8- Maki Goto
9- Angela Aki
10- Aya Ueto
11- Nana Kitade
12- Mika Nakashima
13- Aikawa Nanase
14- HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR
15- Rie Fu

(in order)

[CBC Guy]

Ok, here's some that I like personally:

Road of Major (pop-punk to be sure, but very good pop-punk. Not much variety but you do get good quality pop-punk. Taisetsu Na Mono is a very good song for first-time listeners IMO)

"Sakura, chiru, sono tabi ni mata, kadode no namida nagashita, keredo. Namida, chiru, sono tabi ni mata, wara iaeta boku tachi ga ita!" :P

Shachi: (Indie punk band. Harder style than ROM's, with edgier vocals and nice melodic baseline produced by HIDETA. )

Bump of Chicken: (Classic, 'Sailing day" happens to be my favourite)

Shaka Labbits: (Uki's voice is definitely an acquired taste: She sounds like a whiny younger sister. But the instrumentals are good, drummer is very good, also funny PVs)

Tomoyasu Hotei: (Intimidating man, nice guitar work. Makes you want to get up and play air guitar)

[Aoi.]

I think I come a little late. &.& But...I'll think of more later, and go back to edit/repost.

Dir en Grey - Their songs are so pretty! :cool: Yup, and you have to love the members! Kyo has such a strong voice. [Shinya, hit Die like you did in the "Message for A Knot! >: D]
Kyo on vocals, Kaoru and Die on guitar, Toshiya on bass, and Shinya on drums.

SID - They lyrics are beautifully written. Mao has the greatest voice ever.[And Aki has the coolest dance moves. Lol.] Their interviews are hilarious, because they're so silly and fun. Beware of Mao's nonsense answers! :p
Mao on vocals, Shinji on guitar, Aki on bass, and Yuya on drums.

Moi dix Mois - Nice vocals, beautiful music. Do I need to say more?
[I'm not positive about this] Seth on vocals, K and Mana on guitar, Sugiya on bass, and Hayato on drums.

Ayabie - I love their songs. [My name. : D] Aoi does great vocals, but they've lost Ryohei [Guitar]. ;_________; Hope he does well in his new band too though.
Aoi on vocals, Yumehito and Takehito on guitar, Intetsu on bass, Kenzo on drums. [Ryohei left in 2006.]

Nightmare - Funny. Scary. They're everything.
Yomi on vocals, Sakito and Hitsugi on guitar, Ni~ya on bass, and Ruka on drums.

Sendai Kamotsu - They're okay. Do you *recognize* then from somewhere? Look at "Fullface". See his multiple lip rings? That's Hitsugi from Nightmare! *fangirl cheer* This is Nightmare's alter-ego band!
Chiba [Yomi] on vocals, Fullface [Hitsugi] and Satty [Sakito] on guitar, Wanchenchen [Ni~ya] on bass, and Gigaflare [Ruka] on drums.

Gazette - How can they always be so pretty? x__x It's not human, I tell you! Their music is so nice! : )
Ruki on vocals, Uruha and Aoi on guitar, Reita on bass, and Kai on drums.

Malice Mizer - Disbanded. :x Kamiii! They went through so many changes, it's hard to keep up with the vocalists. Gackt was in here before, before he became solo. Kami died in 1999 of "subarachnoid hemorrhage", and Malice Mizer decided to only use support drummers, because Kami was credited as an "eternal blood relative".
Tetsu [1992 - 1994], Gackt [1995 - 1999], and Klaha [2000-2001] on vocals. Mana and Kozi on guitar, Yu~ki on bass, and Kami on drums.

Pierrot - I haven't listened to many of their songs, but they're okay. Kirito and Kohta are really brothers. : D
Kirito on vocals, Aiji and Jun on guitar, Kohta on bass, and Takeo on drums.

Merry - I haven't listened to them in a while, but I should think they're still good!
Gara on vocals, Yuu and Kenichi on guitar, Tetsu on bass, and Nero on drums.

[Devious]

um Lar'c en Ciel:
lead singer has a great voice also the songs are very enspiring and makes you feel good :D just you have to listen :)
Gackt:
awesome voice, interesting music and you know he's one of the best singers :D
Ayumi Hamasaki:
very nice voice, calm songs, one of the best selling singers

and you should be more specific of what you're looking for :) cause there are so many good artists :)

[pinkbuta304]

Dir en grey - They always sound awesome! Kyo's voice is amazing! He can go from high pitched singing to screaming and/or sounding like he's vomiting in like 2 seconds!
Kagerou - Daisuke has a wiered and awesome voice! It's kinda scary sometimes but always sexy XD
Gazette - They're just so awesome. I suggests you first listen to no.666 or the social riot machines
X Japan - If you like rock from the eighties or early nineties, i suggest you listen to them
there's many more but i'm pretty sure they all listed already

Enjoy :-)

[Sparky]

I got 3 picks only because they were the first Japanese bands I listened too!
Kome Kome Club ( ok laugh it up)
The B'z
and
Dragon Ash

[Tetsu]

Asain Kung Fu Generation is the only band that I know of, I know of Utada Hikaru, and Ayumi Hamasaki, but they aren't a band. (Ayumi Hamasaki's "Butterfly" rox)

[Kinsao]

AKFG are pretty good. If you like that kind of music, you could also try The Back Horn - very good imo. :cool:
also, if you like pop-rock, Glay are good. :)

[sunsweet]

Pop rock:

Sambomaster-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPtIivzu4JQ

Kagrra,-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3wNh_EBU6o

Sid-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NfoyUUdUFY

<333

[pipokun]

Chatmonchy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDc8i5FatdU

[A-chama]

:balloon: Hi everyone well, here are my recommendations!

:-) I most definietly recommend GACKT!!! I think he's just awesome! A great voice and he has a variety of music, though mostly J-popish. I'd recommend his songs Birdcage, Emu ~ for my dear and U+K.

For the more repeated once there's also Dir en Grey, Malice Mizer, L'arc~en~ciel, Hide (I think he was mentioned...), Hikaru Utada, X Japan

Other bands/artists that I find interesting are BoA, Pierrot, ORANGE RANGE (Not my favorite, but not bad either), Hamasaki Ayumi and Plastic Tree isn't bad either!

And I've recently discovered (something like 5 minutes ago... *sweatdrop*) a very good website, it gives a very good description and has extensive knowledge about several J-rock bands(Alice Nine, Phantasmagoria, Die en Grey,Gazette, Miyavi to name a few). And you can listen to a few songs online (Website is called J-ROCK NO SEKAI... I'd give you the url however I an't yet...:( But you can find it on google!:-) )
Well, enjoy :-) :wave:

[hideto_matsumoto_RIP]

well, here are my recommendations!

X Japan
Gazette
Kagrra,
hide With Spread Beaver
L'Arc-en-ciel
Psycho le Cemu
Akeboshi
Dir en Grey
Luna Sea
Puffy
MUCC
The TRAX - they are from korea but great annyway
:cool:

[Meevs]

Miyavi: He Has an AMAZING voice and he uses it like he means it^^
Malice Mizer:*sigh* such pritty music
Dir en grey:there a little scremey but there still really! cool
Gackt:Hes lyrics are Amazing!! And So is Hes voice :D
Hyde: againe awsome lyrics and voice
Hide: HE WAS/IS GOD
Gazette:they have really cool songs
An Cafe : There really awsome. ^^

[Koujii_desu]

:-) Here are my recommendations...

Dir en Grey- I have to put them...they were my first J-rock band. I love Kyo's voice....it's so diverse

Malice Mizer-I love how their music sounds...it's so pretty

Hide-Im just getting into listening to his music, but what i've heard is really good

Kozi- his style of music is undescriable, but i love it so much! it's really unique in it's own way

[Homerduff]

Pop/Slow ~

Younha - 19 years old singer born in Korea, but sings perfectly Japanese. Her best song in my oppinion is Houki Boshi, which has also been used as ending theme for the anime series Bleach. Some other good songs are My Lover, Te wo tsunaide, Touch, Motto Futari de and Time to rock.

Yui - also very young singer. I can recommend Rolling Star and Goodbye days.

Yuna Ito - Dont confuse her with the 2 ones above (it seems like all good japanese female singers have something with the sounding of Yu). I can recommend Losin, Precious and Stuck on you.

Ayumi Hamasaki - I think she is quite populair to all J-pop fans. Startin, Blue bird and especially Evolution are good songs.

AAA - This band has 2 top class songs in my opinion. Samurai Heart and Blood on Fire.

Chemistry - This group consists of 2 male singers in perfect harmony. I strongly recommend It takes two and Now or never. Some other good songs are Two as one and point of no return.

Mr. Children - They already have a good reputation for quite some years. You should listen to ニシエヒガシエ, ラララ and 君が好き (kimi ga suki).

スピッツ (Spitz) - like Mr. Children, they already had succes during the 90s. Mahou no Kotoba is my favourite song of them. I also like チェリー, ロビンソン and 空も飛べるはず.


Rock ~

Ellegarden - You could compare them with Sum 41 (Soft rock). Jitterbug is a great song. I should do more research on them..

Asian Kung-fu generation - Comparable to Ellegarden. Haruka Kanata is a song you cant miss. Again I should do a LOT more research on them..

[Yokan]

Pop:
Utada Hikaru
Ayu (I particularly like her trance remixes)
Mika Nakashima
T.M Revolution
HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR

Rock:
Dir en grey (Who saw that coming? =P.)
Antique Cafe/Antic Cafe/AnCafe
THE BACK HORN
The Pillows
The GazettE
Merry
Ellegarden
Abington Boys School

Other:
Aural Vampire
Schwarz Stein/HORA
Velvet Eden
Another Cell
BLAM HONEY

[Kirie_Maiden]

Can somebody please reccomend some fairly heavy rock? I'll check out the bands listed so far as rock, but can somebody tell me some heavy stuff? Thanks. :cool:

[Hearts_and_Rainbows]

J-Rock: Naitomea, Dir en Grey, Alicenine, L'Arc~En~Ciel

J-Pop: Hikaru Utada, BoA

[Amaya]

An cafe:
There music is fun to listen to. Everytime i hear there songs i'm really happy. It's full of energy and Miku's voice is great. His screaming is very good too.:cool: My favorite song by them is Super rabbit.

Miyavi:
I really like his music. He has lots of energy (in his music, PVs and in his lives shows) and his guitar skills are amazing. I think his best album is Galyuu and the song Ashita, Tenki Ni Naare is my favo.

Vidoll:
Vidoll is one of the best bands I know. Jui is on vocal and he has one of the best voices i ever heard. I don't know how to discribe there music style though. They put allot of bass parts in there music. This in combination with Jui's beautiful voice gives the music something that only this band can offer.

Alice nine:
I like the music of alice nine because they make rockish and poppy songs. They have a great style and Shou has a beautiful strong voice. His voice is different than the rest and it gives the music something special to listen to.

Hyde:
I love the songs on his new album Faith the most. I think its the best album that he have maked in his solo. I can't totally find myself in the lyrics and his voice is just so amazing. I found `made in heaven` is the best song of the album.

BON'Z: They are a rock band and i totally like there music. I think you can compare there music to Asian Kung-fu generation. And there totally fun to listen too. Arigatou is a really good song. This song is also used as end theme in the anime kyo kara maou.

:wave:

[BlackSoul]

the GazettE
My favourite band and one of the most amazing band I've ever seen/heard. Ruki's voice skills are really good, he can scream but he can also sing very soft. Their sound changed a little bit, in earlier days they made "heavier" music, but their music is still great. Also the songtexts are touching and really good.

Alice Nine
Shou's voice is different than from many other vocalists and makes the sound of Alice Nine to something special. Their music is full of energy and you can hear how much fun they have making music. They sounded "heavier" in earlier days too, but you can hear that they improved a lot speaking of their skills in song-writing.

Dir en Grey
An amazing band. Their look changed from visual kei to "normal" rock, but their music is still full of emotions. Kyo screams a lot, but even then you can hear his adorable voice. Their songs touch the heart, mainly by the screaming but also by calm guitar/bass solos. Their texts show a lot of their personality and of their fragility.

Antique Cafe
The happy music!!xDD Their music makes you smile and Miku has a very pleasant voice. Especially when he's imitating Donald Duck you can not but smile.

I think I'll list the others just so, cause otherwise this post will become too long^^...mainly I adore the following bands/artists because or their ability to show so much emotions through their music, wheter through songtexts, style of singing or melody. They are all great artists with fantastic skills:
Hyde /L'arc~en~ciel
Ayabie
Vidoll
Miyavie
12012
nightmare
Gackt
LM.C
Merry
X Japan
SID
(I hope I didn't forget anyone^^)

[dignity92]

Ai Otsuka (Jpop)
AnCafe (Jrock band-visual)
Ayaka (Jpop)
Bonnie Pink (Jpop)
Kat-tun (Jpop boyband)
Miyavi (Jrock-visual)
NewS (Jpop boyband)
One ok Rock (Jrock)
Tegomasu (Jpop duet)
the GazettE (Jrock band-visual)
Utada Hikaru (Jpop)
WaT (Jpop/Jrock duet)

[82riceballs]

here's my list:
BoA
K
Se7en
YUI
hitomi shimatani
mai kuraki
RYTHEM
Tackey & Tsubasa
Utada Hikaru
Yuna Ito
Namie Amuro
Ayumi Hamasaki
ken hirai
hitomi

[Kuroyume]

I want to recommend some bands which are not that well known:
Aural Vampire
Schwarz Stein
Calmando Qual
Phantasmagoria
Plastic Tree
Girugämesh

And of course some of the classics
Dir en grey
Mucc
Miyavi
D'espairs Ray

[Superlevenloos]

My recommandations are:
Aural Vampire -> Their style is really unique and there is a song for everyone which they will enjoy
Schwarz Stein -> is disbanded ;___; But really awesome music!
Girugämesh -> Amazing voice and great music skills (Fukai No Yami is my fav)
Dir en Grey -> Liek most people already know. Kyo has an amazingly strong voice filled with emotion (although I have to say that Marrow of a Bone was less good in my oppinion)
Miyavi -> Amazing voice, damn funny guy who is really cute too. After being a guitarist in Dué le Quartz, he shows what he can do on his own, giving an amazing result ^__^
Ayabie -> Didn't liek em that much at first because Aoi's voice wasn't that appealing to me, but after seeing them live, I adore em (Aoi's voice live sounds -so- much better)
D'espairsRay -> Really loud/rough music yet Hizumi's voice can change the whole feeling to a song. His voice can change from an angel to the devil himself in just a second which gives an amazing sound
lynch. -> Bit more in the same heavy street of Deathgaze. If you are a bit in the heavy style, you will adore this band
Deathgaze -> Same as lynch.
Nightmare -> These guys have an amazing individual sound. You should really check this one ^__^

*looks at teh amount she has written* I... guess I'll stop now XD

[Guilty41]

Buck-tick of course can't do without them.
Gackt has some great songs to.
D,Ghost,Sugar,Rentrer en soi, moi dix moix,deadman,malice mizer for the gothic fans.
Gazette, Alice nine, nightmare,d'espairsray,Wizard, nightmare for the rockfans.
________________
6492

[EarthlyBeauty]

Wow, I'm amazed that most of you have all posted the same bands!
J-pop, J-rock. Why can't you all label properly? We already know all of these artists are from Japan. So no need to use the constant "J"s.
I have much Japanese music I listen to, but I really only have one recommendation.
And that is L'Arc~en~Ciel. I hear they are very, very, huge in Japan, and now I know why. Never in my life have I ever heard such beautiful and creative music. It is simply IMPOSSIBLE to get bored while listening to this band.
I would consider them alternative or hard rock, with a steady flow of pop-rock elements. The vocalist Hyde's voice is so incredible, and the music is just so well arranged.
That is my only recommendation at the moment, because I feel that many people that like different kinds of music could enjoy this band.

[RukaNightmare]

Rock:
Vidoll
Because their music focuses alot on the melody and also the bass parts and the vocalist can sing from really low notes to high ones (even opera-like ones) So it's worth listening to. x)

Gazette
Each of the members haf really special personalities and their style of music is really huge in range. They haf ballads which really touches the heart with their wonderful lyrics and their rock music will make u rock with them xD

Alice Nine
The vocalist has a powerful voice and one can see that he's improving more and more in their recent music. Their music can be pop/rock and is easy to listen to xD

An Cafe
This band is really unique. They haf songs that makes ur unhappiness goes away. The pvs are very cheerful and optimistic and seeing them acting silly at times kinda make u smile all day xD

Pop:
Well, i dunno much abt pop but it seems like Ayumi Hamasaki is a fave of quite some people. Her ballads like Dearest and Voyage are really addictive and beautiful.

[Gazerocks]

Rock:
Gazette- Burial Applicante, Cassis, Filth in the Beauty
Abingdon Boys School - Nervous Breakdown
Alice Nine - Jewel, White Prayer,
12012 - Over, Cyclone
Vidoll - Cloud, Sister

[Invidia]

ummm...I'll recommend random songs from a few artists, I'll try and make it vary in sound...

the GazettE: Hyena, Ruder, $ocial Riot Machine$, Filth in the Beauty
Kagrra,: Satsuki, Utakata, Shizuku, Koi, Sou, Jajauma Hime
alice nine.: Yami ni Chiru Sakura, WHITE PRAYER, Tsubasa, Ruri no ame, Jewel
12012: Vomit, Gallows, Ice -Cold city-, Cheeky Doll, Aren't you dead yet
Miyavi: Selfish Love, Are you ready to ROCK?, Jibun Kakumei -2003-, Kimi ni Funky Monky Vibration ~Dokusou~
Gackt: Redemption, Mizerables, White Eyes, Birdcage, orenji no taiyou, Speed Master, Returner ～闇の終焉～
An Cafe: Kakusei Heroism, Maple Gunman, 桃色ピュア的溺愛ザクラ, Tekesuta Kousen, Snow Scene, Smile Ichiban Ii onna, Ryuusei Rocket
abingdon boys school: HOWLING, NERVOUS BREAKDOWN, Nephillim, Fre@k $HoW, Innocent Sorrow
LM.C: Sentimental PIGgy Romance, OH MY JULIET, marble-s, Haunted House make a Secret
Acid Black Cherry: Black Cherry, SPELL MAGIC
ACID: Prayer, 0:00am, Place of Love, Renewal my Soul,

will add more later

[hagashiku]

Buck-Tick ~ they are the masters! Dark mysterious vocals and lyrics, some crazy guitar playing, and music that ranges from naughty to epic. They are awesome.

[Takaya Kun]

My greatest have to possibly be -


-Snowkel
- UVERworld
-NEWS ( New but still alright.)
-Bump of Chicken
-YUI
-Bowl

[__shrink]

NEWS.
Arashi.
Kat-tun.
J-Pop is what I listen to most of the time, because their songs are so catchy. Like Kat-Tun's Yorokobi no Uta, I can put it on repeat for hours. :dance:

[MissingDoomsDay]

Kiyoharu & Kuroyume/SADS:-)
Kiyoharu has influenced many of today's younger Jrockers with his bands. Though Kuroyume and SADS are both disbanded the songs they created are still just as powerful and amazing. SADS had a punk rock feel to it's music. Kuroyume started as a Visual Kei band. I think he has the most unique voice in the world. You cannot reproduce him.
Songs- "Sherry" "What Can I Do" "Masquerade" "Boukyaku no Sora" "Sandy" "Porno Star"

Gackt
His music is so dynamic. Some songs are upbeat and catchy, the ones you cannot help but to sing and dance to. Other songs are powerful and moving, they bring you to tears. :( His voice is amazing.

[Petenshber]

Rie Fu is the First one that comes to mind,
I like the relaxed somewhat low tone of her
voice and her choice of words.

Mai Kuraki- she sounds very poetic,
she has a mother-type voice that seems to merge
with the instrumental like a lullaby.

Mai Yamane- very dramatic, interesting choice of words.

Hitomi Takahashi- young and expressive sound,
soft voice and fast-paced, interesting combination.

I'll list others at another time, I hope people like my input.

[rockbera~]

hmmmm :worried: i would say utada hikaru is good for those who r new with j-music :-)
for those who like rock more than that GAZETTE!! :cute:

[choochewyen]

Hello,everybody~I am a big fan of KinKi Kids who come from Malaysia.I personally highly recommed eveyone to listen to KinKi Kids music because their music are very easy listening,very fabulous,very fantastic & very excellent.They have been at J-POP music industry for over 10 years already.Their music are very cool since their first album.Right now they become more mature & every album they released will have changes & improvement,will bring surprises to us.This is why i like their music so much & of course their characters,their personalities,their professionals are very great.Because of all these,they become my No.1 idols ,no one can repalace them in bottom of my heart~:-)

[sumire21]

Arashi - the boys are so cute plus their jpop music is catchy ( their variety shows are v funny!)
The GazettE - nice variety of music from ballad to heavy rock to alternative rock, nice lyrics( Kai is hot)
W-inds - once again nice catchy jpop tunes and fantastic dancers ( watch the pv)
Utada Hikaru - Great singer , some ballads can really move you - check " flavour of life" or "Planetarium"

[Dutch Baka]

Ayaka, Ai, and Misia

[rockerRahul234]

Id say:

Gazette - lots of their songs are awesome, they are very famous
Hyde - hes cool, and has a great voice
L'arc en ciel - hyde used to sing for them, they have good songs
D'espairs ray - i really only like one of their songs and thats squall, its good
SID - theyre awesome, funny sometimes. i like their music a lot

last but not least,
D - they're my favorite band of all. amazing singing, guitarists everything. it might take a while to get used to his singing though. i love their music so much!

[Mavrek]

Wow Nice Music.. You have very good singers and a good future in music industry.. Because I'm from asia and love to learn things about japan, A music, Way of living, Food etc.. Anyone tell me about rock music in japan?

[mysticgenie]

Hyde is still in Laruku.

[Skullcrushergurl]

Miyavi: Fun inspiring music, great vocals, excellent guitar playing
Utada Hikaru: WONDERFUL VOICE! Catchy music, great lyrics and good image over all
Tamaki Nami: Fun music to dance to, great lyrics
Dir en grey: Awesome guitars, music full of emotion, great vocals
Ayumi Hamasaki: Good for the hip-hop lover
Namie Amuro: Fair range of music mostly fun hip-hop
High and Mighty color: Fun rock music
Gazette: Good guitars, lyrics and vocals
~L'arc en ciel~: Good vocals, also fun rock music

[Derfel]

Can somebody please recomend some fairly heavy rock? I'll check out the bands listed so far as rock, but can somebody tell me some heavy stuff? Thanks. :cool:

I didn't notice this topic before, so I m answering now... whatever.

My rather short list of heavy stuff consists of these bands... well, unfortunately.
I don't LOVE all of them (note, capitals), but I do listen to them sometimes, ofc there are a few bands I really like.

Atomic Tornado
Anthem
Loudness
Blood Stain Child (screw Mozaiq, its a failure. I wants less trance and more death lolex!)
Serpent (Definitely amazing, its melodeath, but God, those quazi-scream growls humiliate most vocalists in the industry, its really like... howling)

[DateMasamune]

It all depends on what sort of music you're into. I'll name a few bands and artists that I like, and I'll list them here from lightest (more dance/mellow-like) to heaviest (metal-like) (in my humble, personal opinion)

DBSK
Miyavi
Ayumi Hamasaki
T.M. Revolution
NIRGILIS
Orange Range
M.O.V.E
The TRAX
MELL
Versailles
Abingdon Boys School (lead singer T.M. Revolution, but much different sound)
UVERworld
Maximum the Hormone
Exist Trace

That's all I can think of at the moment and can't be bothered to look at my collection. That should be enough to get people started. Just Depends what you like.

-hint- My personal favourite of those is UVERworld.

[Shalimar_Doyle]

BUCK-TICK is my recomandation: no need for description-allways the greatest...more than 20 years of activity and Atsushi Sakurai is the best vocalist ever
GACKT : singer,composer,actor,he also play many instruments,model; great voice,beautiful songs

[Yurga]

I recommend to listen Old groups first
like X Japan, Luna sea and other older then 10 years~
You jus have to know from where J-rock grown~

[hayashi_Hime]

I like JROCK alot, both soft and heavy one, but for newbies, i will recommend something softer/ gentle. Find out what kind of genre/ rhythm you like first then go for heavier one. JROCK is always full with surprise.

1) Kagrra,
Lot's of Japanese traditional elements or "wa"(和) in the melody along with Isshi (vocal) gentle but powerful voice, recommend their song "Irodori No Sanka" & "Sai" from their latest album.

2) Plastic Tree
Ryutaro Arimura (vocal) has a very very gentle & soft voice that sounds a bit sad. Try to look for the translation of the lyric (if you don't understand Japanese), most of it wrote by Ryutaro and the way he wrote the lyric is so so beautiful...Recommend "Yuki Hotaru" & "Spica"

3) Glay
Their melodies are great and easy to be accepted by most of the newbies in JROCK, and Teru voice is special! Abit rough but steady. Recommend "Minamigochi" & "Goodbye Bye Sunday"

4) The Gazette
Check out on "Guren", it's cool and you will know why you will like them.

5) Tourbillon
Formed by Luna sea vocal Ryuichi and Rhythm Guitarist Inoran together with Hayama. Great vocal and great melody/ rhythm arragement. Recommend "Heaven" & "Ageha"

6)244 Endlicheri
Tsuyoshi from Kinki kids, a talented guy that always shows improvement in his music. Recommend "Sora ga Naku kara", "Help me,help me" & "haru kurikaesu"

If you don't like JROck but something more gentle
1) Mr. Children
Recommend "Kurumi", touching.....

2) Kobukuro
check out on "Tsubomi" & "Sakura"
The genre is something similar to Mr.Children style but bit more blue.

If anyone need more recommendation, let me know :D

[POLYPOLY]

DEVO-JOCKOHOMO
POLYSICS-CODE4
I love DEVO and POLYSICS！The new wave band is pretty good！
Does everyone know?
It is really a circle when hearing it！

[KamiNeko]

These is my bands list ... One by one great bands.

╔═══╗♫
║███║
║ ( o )║ Music ♥.
╚═══╝
- Versailles (ヴェルサイユ)
- Malice Mizer (マリス・ミゼル)
- Nightmare (ナイトメア)
- Moi Dix Mois (モワディスモワ)
- Gazette (ガゼット)
- Alice Nine (アリス九號.)
- Miyavi (みやヴィ)
- Gackt (神威 楽斗)
- K&ouml;zi (こうじ)
- Klaha (ボーカル)
- Girug&auml;mesh (ギルガメッシュ)
- Schwarz Stein (を編集中)
- ∀NTI FEMINISM
- Nobuo Uematsu (植松 伸夫)
- Shiina Ringo (椎名林檎)
- SHAKA LABBITS (シャカラビッツ)
- P'UNK~EN~CIEL
- POLYSICS (ポリシックス)
- Plastic Tree (プラスティック トゥリー)
- Pierrot (ピエロ)
- LAREINE（ラレーヌ）
- Phantasmagoria (ファンタスマゴリア)
- Otsuka Ai (大塚 愛)
- Oblivion Dust (オブリヴィオン・ダスト)
- Noir Fleurir
- 雅-Miyavi-
- Luna Sea (ルナシー)
- LAST ALLIANCE (ラスト アライアンス)
- L'Arc〜en〜Ciel （ラルク アン シエル）
- Kuroyume (黒夢)
- Kagrra, (カグラ)
- Kagerou (蜉蝣)
- Hyde (ハイド、)
- Hideto Matsumoto (Hide) (松本 秀人)
- Glay (グレイ)
- Exist†trace
- Eve of Destiny
- Do As Infinity (ドゥ・アズ・インフィニティ- )
- Dir en grey (ディル・アン・グレイ)
- DEViL KiTTY
- D'espairsRay (ディスパーズレイ)
- Deathgaze (デスゲイズ)
- COALTAR OF THE DEEPERS (コールター・オブ・ザ・ディ- ーパーズ）
- Blood
- Baroque (バロック)
- Asian Kung-Fu Generation (アジアン・カンフー・ジェネ- レーション)
- ARASHI (ジャニーズ)
- Aural Vampire (オーラルヴァンパイア)
- Antique Cafe (アンティック-珈琲店-) [LOVE]
- Animetal (アニメタル)
- Angelo（アンジェロ）

[Kuroyume]

My current top 5 is:
1. Kaya
2. Dir en grey
3. D'espairs Ray
4. An Cafe
5. NoGoD

That's a quite colorful mix I guess..^^

[AMIGO]

By the way,

Has anybody ever listened to "Escaflowne's soundtrack" by Yoko Kanno?
I just recomend it.
That's an example what I call a masterpiece from Japan.

[Shiroi na Tenshi]

My advice:go with the classical artists who know how to do real ballads. Check out Shunichi Miyamoto. He's not only good-sounding, but good-looking, for all who it counts for.

[molestthyguitarists]

Miyavi
Dir En Grey
Duel Jewel
Kiyoharu
Gackt

[yinfire]

J-Rock

I would recommend SCREW, Buck-Tick, and ONE OK ROCK.

[ceneash]

heh, everyone recommends their favorite bands and artists and many of them repeats. :} but oh well. I also can recommend several popular j-rock/visual kei bands, because I think some of them really deserves at least some attention from someone,who wants to get acquainted with j-rock. but I don't see any purpose to do so. so I would rather recommend....
for electronical music fans I can offer a dreamy music maker - Akira Kosemura. very similar artist - Haruka Nakamura. also gentle woman vocal in band of two people - Matryoshka. aaaaand one more in this place - Kashiwa Daisuke. these are my favorites mostly ambient makers.
Wagdug Futuristic Unity - digital hardcore. anime lovers probably know this project - his song "Systematic People" was used in Kurozuka's opening.
Nujabes - awesome hip-hop and trip-hop music producer, he also contributed music to the soundtrack of anime "Samurai Champloo".
great funk music from Kei Kobayashi.
nobodyknows+ - hehe, j-rap band i guess, their sound is a mix of funk, jazz, dance, and especially hip-hop.

well, there still are many bands and artists that I can possibly recommend, but for now it's enough, i think.~

[Reea]

LM.C Really energetic and catchy music. :) JaME info (http://www.jame-world.com/uk/database-artists-overview-597-lm-c.html)
Kitaro Composes really beautiful pieces. I recommend Mizu ni Inori te album. Info (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitar%C5%8D)
Lucy Rock. They absolutely rock! Hisashi's vocals are just so great. JaME info (http://www.jame-world.com/uk/database-artists-overview-416-lucy.html)
AMADEUS Classical, visual kei. Beethoven and Mozart influenced. JaME info (http://www.jame-world.com/uk/database-artists-overview-21-amadeus.html)
Janne Da Arc Rock, pop-ish, heavy rock. JaME info (http://www.jame-world.com/uk/database-artists-overview-9-janne-da-arc.html)
DJ OZMA Pop. xD So good, and his videos. x) Spiderman cracked me up (watch it!) JaME info (http://www.jame-world.com/uk/database-artists-overview-743-dj-ozma.html)
globe Various, pop, dance. JaME info (http://www.jame-world.com/uk/database-artists-overview-100-globe.html)
The Pillows Rock. They have also made music for the anime FLCL. JaME info (http://www.jame-world.com/uk/database-artists-overview-515-the-pillows.html)
KAT-TUN Pop, rock, rap. Great vocals and upbeat songs. JaME info (http://www.jame-world.com/uk/database-artists-overview-533-kat-tun.html)
Kotani Kinya Pop. Has made music for Gravitation anime. JaME info (http://www.jame-world.com/uk/database-artists-overview-302-kinya.html)
w-inds Pop. Haven't listened them much but their song Super Lover is really catchy. :)) JaME info (http://www.jame-world.com/uk/database-artists-overview-300-w-inds-.html)

[XpHoBiaX]

DJ OZMA lol yeah he's a trip.

I sort of started out with d'espairsray
Then I toddled over to Nightmare. I found them on my own. After that I found Girugamesh.
The 3 bands I mentioned, in my opinion, are similar sound type of music I prefer. Kind of heavy and dark.

Then I looked over An Cafe becuase someone recommend that I listen to them, then Gazette and Alice Nine.
They're pretty catchy bands, and mostly upbeat in comparison. (Also just my opinion)