Before, I didn't get the thing with this band, but I saw them live a couple of months ago, (they were playing with Karen among others) and I thought they were quite good. Still, I had not listened to them again until I stumbled over this video now. I think it's interesting how music that I did not have any interest in whatsoever before, suddenly sounds really good.
Some of the songs remind me a lot of Radiohead, others have a more post-rock style like Sigur Rós. I like the mellow, tender songs, and the vocalist's voice is beautiful. The songs might sound a bit too similar in the long run though, but I'm going to check them out more. "Aquarium" is their latest single I believe.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Psysalia Psysalis Psyche - Midunbri
New music video from Psysalia Psysalis Psyche for their new single "Midunbri" which will be released on August 5th.
homepage: http://psysaliapsysalispsyche.com/
You can also hear samples of the other tracks on the single on myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/psysalia
edit: You can buy "Midunbri" at HearJapan.
I first heard Psysalia when they performed at an all night event in Shibuya. The sound was crap, and I wasn't overly impressed by their live performance, but I liked their energetic kick-ass rock. A pretty hard sound, I guess, but still melodic and cool.
I have theory that the reason they were a bit docile on stage might have something to do with the fact that they were slightly drunk. Japanese bands usually stick to good ol' water when they play, but because it was an all night event and all. They were at least dead drunk afterwards - but hey, all the more fun. The vocalist wrapped himself in Christmas lights and went crazy on the dancefloor.
Their mini album "Psysalism" which came out last year is really cool, and I think they have potential to get even better.
homepage: http://psysaliapsysalispsyche.com/
CLISMS - GO!!!!!
I stumbled over this music video by CLISMS. It sounds really different from what I've heard of them before. Kind of post rock-ish? It's an instrumental track that lasts for over 6 minutes. Sort of slowly builds up and breaks out with a "GO!!!!!", then continues on in a very comfortable pace. Makes me want to listen to it over and over. I especially like the piano parts, and the fact that they have twin drums. The music video is nicely shot too.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Ogre You Asshole + nisennenmondai
July 10th, Shibuya O-Nest
The first band out tonight was nisennenmondai. I saw them at Nest Fest in October, but I thought they were pretty bland and boring. Could be because I was tired, and not in the mood for that kind of music or something. This time I actually thought they were really cool.
nisennenmondai can be described as a sort of psychedelic drone rock, maybe? Purely instrumental, hypnotizing waves of sound that builds up and ends in wonderful noise. I had forgotten ear plugs this time though. My ears were ringing afterwards. Especially my left ear seems to be sensitive to noise these days... Anyways, like I said earlier, they made a much bigger impression on me this time. Could be because I was standing in the first row and could see the very energetic drummer during the entire show. She was seriously awesome.
www.myspace.com/nisennenmondai
http://www.nisennenmondai.com/
(pic from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/drwng/3708905026/in/set-72157621253591770/)
setlist:
shiranai aizu shiraseru ko
rail
advantage
katappo
pinhole
coin laundry
J.N
hitorinori
necktie
I've seen Ogre You Asshole a number of times the past year, more precisely about once every month (fangirl alert). I've come to realize that they're not the most amazing live band to watch if you were to compare them to f ex The Novembers' intensity, Otogi Banashi's charm, OWARIKARA's craziness etc. That's not to say that their bad live. Definitely not. They're solid from beginning to end, play really tight and most importantly they make me happy.
Since I reviewed them last time in February I've seen them at the tiny venue in Chiba Look, their "pinhole"-tour oneman final at Quattro and at the Tobu Ongaku Sai. The festival was a really nice experience. Outdoors venue, nice, warm weather and a great atmosphere.
This time it was back to good old O-Nest. One of the first times I saw them was here, and this was the last time in a while. I'm leaving Japan in August, and although I'm certain I'll come back one day, I'm not sure when that will be. So yeah I've been feeling all sentimental at concerts lately.
They played the key tracks from each cd, and then a whole lot from "shiranai aizu" this time. I'd still love to hear a couple of the older songs, but I guess that will only happen at onemans nowadays. I don't think I've heard "Rail" that much live before, so that was nice. "Necktie" with the swirly noisy guitars at the end are really cool.
I think Ogre's strongest point is the fact that they have so damn good songs. Great guitars, catchy melodies, unique vocals and good lyrics. They have a sound unique from all the standard Japanese rock bands, and although they're often compared to American indierock bands I think they sound different from them as well.
Apparently they've been recording new stuff this summer, so that means a new release is on the way. Also, Ogre will be opening for Sunset Rubdown on their Japan tour this fall. Pretty exciting.
www.ogreyouasshole.com
www.myspace.com/ogreyouassholemusic
mp3's:
Ogre You Asshole - Coin Laundry
Ogre You Asshole - Advantage
Ogre You Asshole - shiranai aizu shiraseru ko
Ogre You Asshole - mata ashita
Ogre You Asshole - ni dai
Btw, tonight's gig was part of a series of gigs presented by moools called "moools matsuri" (moools festival). They were headlining, and I like mools, but I ended up only seeing like ten minutes so no review this time.
The first band out tonight was nisennenmondai. I saw them at Nest Fest in October, but I thought they were pretty bland and boring. Could be because I was tired, and not in the mood for that kind of music or something. This time I actually thought they were really cool.nisennenmondai can be described as a sort of psychedelic drone rock, maybe? Purely instrumental, hypnotizing waves of sound that builds up and ends in wonderful noise. I had forgotten ear plugs this time though. My ears were ringing afterwards. Especially my left ear seems to be sensitive to noise these days... Anyways, like I said earlier, they made a much bigger impression on me this time. Could be because I was standing in the first row and could see the very energetic drummer during the entire show. She was seriously awesome.
www.myspace.com/nisennenmondai
http://www.nisennenmondai.com/
(pic from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/drwng/3708905026/in/set-72157621253591770/)setlist:
shiranai aizu shiraseru ko
rail
advantage
katappo
pinhole
coin laundry
J.N
hitorinori
necktie
I've seen Ogre You Asshole a number of times the past year, more precisely about once every month (fangirl alert). I've come to realize that they're not the most amazing live band to watch if you were to compare them to f ex The Novembers' intensity, Otogi Banashi's charm, OWARIKARA's craziness etc. That's not to say that their bad live. Definitely not. They're solid from beginning to end, play really tight and most importantly they make me happy.
Since I reviewed them last time in February I've seen them at the tiny venue in Chiba Look, their "pinhole"-tour oneman final at Quattro and at the Tobu Ongaku Sai. The festival was a really nice experience. Outdoors venue, nice, warm weather and a great atmosphere.
This time it was back to good old O-Nest. One of the first times I saw them was here, and this was the last time in a while. I'm leaving Japan in August, and although I'm certain I'll come back one day, I'm not sure when that will be. So yeah I've been feeling all sentimental at concerts lately.
They played the key tracks from each cd, and then a whole lot from "shiranai aizu" this time. I'd still love to hear a couple of the older songs, but I guess that will only happen at onemans nowadays. I don't think I've heard "Rail" that much live before, so that was nice. "Necktie" with the swirly noisy guitars at the end are really cool.
I think Ogre's strongest point is the fact that they have so damn good songs. Great guitars, catchy melodies, unique vocals and good lyrics. They have a sound unique from all the standard Japanese rock bands, and although they're often compared to American indierock bands I think they sound different from them as well.
Apparently they've been recording new stuff this summer, so that means a new release is on the way. Also, Ogre will be opening for Sunset Rubdown on their Japan tour this fall. Pretty exciting.
www.ogreyouasshole.com
www.myspace.com/ogreyouassholemusic
mp3's:
Ogre You Asshole - Coin Laundry
Ogre You Asshole - Advantage
Ogre You Asshole - shiranai aizu shiraseru ko
Ogre You Asshole - mata ashita
Ogre You Asshole - ni dai
Btw, tonight's gig was part of a series of gigs presented by moools called "moools matsuri" (moools festival). They were headlining, and I like mools, but I ended up only seeing like ten minutes so no review this time.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
"嘘が本当になる日" the Day When Lies Come True part 2
june 28th, Shimokitazawa Daisybar
continued from part 1.
(ps. I've added mp3's to part 1)
Far France was the secret opening act at OWARIKARA's event in May. I had never heard them before, but I started to like them as soon as they started playing. Their sound is a bit harder than what I usually listen too, but it's also pretty melodic and they have awesome guitar parts. I don't really see any particular likeness, but in some way they remind me of the Blood Brothers. I think it's the energy and the mix of hardcore and more playful poppy tunes.
Their live performance was just as good this time. They're so full of energy and it's really fun to watch. I've come to notice that there are so many bands here in Japan who really give it all on stage. Obviously when you're a small unknown band you have to try and give the audience something extra to get people's attention, but I also believe that there are a lot of genuinely great bands here. The indie schmindie attitude I see in a lot of western bands aren't here in the same way. I mean, at the very end of Far France's set the vocalist started rolling around on the floor in front of the stage. AND he has moomin characters (hattifnatter!) on his guitar. Kudos.
Far France are a fairly young band ie the same age as me. Makes me wish I too had accomplished more in life than this blog. ahem. They've already released two albums (the first being a pure live album though). The latest one "AHYARANKE", their first studio album, was released earlier this year, and it's pretty cool. I especially like the latter half of the songs with lots of cool guitars, and more experimental stuff going on.
Far France - burebura
Far France - ayamachi
Far France - ame
www.myspace.com/ncnarfraf
home page: www.farfrance.com
Sebastian X were to me this gig's unexpected surprise. Their line-up consisted of keyboard, bass, drums and vocals. The bassist was actually wearing the aforementioned rose patterned jacket, but it actually looked really good on him. Whether that's a good thing or not... The vocalist was this cute girl dressed in a red traditional chinese-inspired top with her hair in two dangos, who was incredibly charming and sweet. Her voice might be a bit annoying in the high parts though. The songs were really sweet, melodious pop songs with bright and playful piano arrangements. It sounded a bit like nursery rhymes at times. I especially loved the last song "shokutaku no sanka" (first video below). I bought their album, but my computer is broken so I can't listen to it...
http://www.myspace.com/sebastianx2008 (their myspace music player refuses to work for me, but they've upped lots of youtube vids on their profile)
continued from part 1.
(ps. I've added mp3's to part 1)
Far France was the secret opening act at OWARIKARA's event in May. I had never heard them before, but I started to like them as soon as they started playing. Their sound is a bit harder than what I usually listen too, but it's also pretty melodic and they have awesome guitar parts. I don't really see any particular likeness, but in some way they remind me of the Blood Brothers. I think it's the energy and the mix of hardcore and more playful poppy tunes. Their live performance was just as good this time. They're so full of energy and it's really fun to watch. I've come to notice that there are so many bands here in Japan who really give it all on stage. Obviously when you're a small unknown band you have to try and give the audience something extra to get people's attention, but I also believe that there are a lot of genuinely great bands here. The indie schmindie attitude I see in a lot of western bands aren't here in the same way. I mean, at the very end of Far France's set the vocalist started rolling around on the floor in front of the stage. AND he has moomin characters (hattifnatter!) on his guitar. Kudos.
Far France are a fairly young band ie the same age as me. Makes me wish I too had accomplished more in life than this blog. ahem. They've already released two albums (the first being a pure live album though). The latest one "AHYARANKE", their first studio album, was released earlier this year, and it's pretty cool. I especially like the latter half of the songs with lots of cool guitars, and more experimental stuff going on.
Far France - burebura
Far France - ayamachi
Far France - ame
www.myspace.com/ncnarfraf
home page: www.farfrance.com
Sebastian X were to me this gig's unexpected surprise. Their line-up consisted of keyboard, bass, drums and vocals. The bassist was actually wearing the aforementioned rose patterned jacket, but it actually looked really good on him. Whether that's a good thing or not... The vocalist was this cute girl dressed in a red traditional chinese-inspired top with her hair in two dangos, who was incredibly charming and sweet. Her voice might be a bit annoying in the high parts though. The songs were really sweet, melodious pop songs with bright and playful piano arrangements. It sounded a bit like nursery rhymes at times. I especially loved the last song "shokutaku no sanka" (first video below). I bought their album, but my computer is broken so I can't listen to it...http://www.myspace.com/sebastianx2008 (their myspace music player refuses to work for me, but they've upped lots of youtube vids on their profile)
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