Where do I start? Music in Japan! Oh yes! It's there!
I promised you a music review. So yes, here it is. I decided to take a broader look at Japan bands and singers on MySpace. I wanted to compare what I found to what I'm typically finding among new talent in the US and Canada.
In many ways, criticisms of Japan's music scene may be justified. It's been called backward or scattered as well as less flattering things. I do see a wide diversity of music there, true. However, since I use MySpace as way to judge the new talent out there, or undiscovered talent out there, I'm not just basing my views on music dictated by big media companies.
Most people are limited to listening to what corporate heads and 'insider' people have decided is 'hot' or 'cool.' That's why we get stuck with garbage like Heiress Paris Hilton--Singer Wannabe.
Go out to MySpace, the Internet, other sites across the Web to get a feel for the real diversity of talent (and lack of talent) out there.
So what I find with Japan is interesting--and really no different than what I find with the US or Europe or Canada or Latin America.
There is a lot of variety. Some of it isn't very good. Others are OK (and often they are the big stars!) Some is VERY VERY GOOD and UNDISCOVERED. Those are the gems I like to find--and I find them in a wide range of genres. The fact that many do not fit the corporate media view of what is marketable is one reason why so many great talents are relatively unknown.
Japan is no different (at least on MySpace.)
I'm going to show you three selections today. I want you to notice how each is different. Each has weaknesses; I won't overlook that, but each also is a gem in its own way. I'm guessing that two are relatively well known in Japan; and one band is an unknown but with a lot of potential, like Treasure Beauty, the singer I found earlier and posted about earlier.
Like her, this unknown band has some issues to deal with. Treasure Beauty's weakness, in my opinion which is only my opinion, is her stage presentation. She doesn't have much presence. She could learn a lot about how to give a more dynamic performance from other J-POP style artists; and learn about presentation from them even if she decides to NOT be as 'out there' as J-POP artists.
But let's look at these three Japan gems first in context.
Tamurapan (Tamura Ayumi)
With half a million profile views, she is definitely known, though likely only in Japan. Here we have a great example of a J-POP style singer. Her vocals are pleasant and enjoyable. She needs to watch her choice of music, as it often shows the limits of her vocal range, but when she stays within her range; her voice is lovely. Likewise, the song choices and music choices are generally well chosen. The instrumentation is flawless. The production is exceptional. The J-POP persona is evident--did you see her in the pink piglet outfit?Give her a listen at
http://www.myspace.com/tamurapan
The Pillows
Got a hankering for the 1950s USA and old style Rock and Roll? This band evokes the same sound as the bands of old. Save for the use of Japanese, you could literally assume this band came right out of England or the US, circa 1955. I expected to suddenly hear Dick Clark doing a commercial break. The sound is professional. The vocals clear, distinct and fun. You literally forget that you can't understand a word, assuming you don't speak Japanese. This group, given their high profile numbers, is also likely well known in Japan. I guess Japan likes the Sock Hop. Still, every now and then, a bit of the 70s and 90s heavier rock sound sneaks in, complete with the screaming, emotional tears of teen angst. For example, I heard it in their songs "Hybrid Rainbow and Scarecrow." I quite liked the mix. These guys make it work.
Take a listen and don't forget your poodle skirt!
http://www.myspace.com/thepillows
Oboro
Here is the lesser known of the three today, but a group that shows a lot of promise. They are still a little uneven; some songs work and some, to my mind, fail badly. Their vocals are probably their weakness. Their instrumentals and songs are definitely their strength. As musicians, I was impressed by the skill shown here. They have decent MySpace profile numbers but nothing that would indicate that they are in the well known range, even in Japan.
Aside from the weaknesses I saw, which can always be improved by hard work and a clever understanding of how to play to their strengths, this group proves the fact that Japan is diverse but just as 'able to rock' as any other country. These guys definitely fall within the rock and alternative range--and they have the potential to be just as big or bigger as many famous bands.No poodle skirts or roller skates here. These guys are at home with dissonance and social unrest--just want you want in an alternative rock band!
Give them a try and see if you agree with my assessment or not:
http://www.myspace.com/oborojp
So there you have it. Three very different types of music and musicians out of Japan. Each with its own unique take on the world; and the world of music. Each with strengths and weaknesses. Some well known in Japan. Some unknown but improving.
All in all, the music scene in Japan seems rich and diverse, humorous yet perverse?, rocking and rolling, subtle yet screaming, backward and forward and always moving....yet never boring.
In other words, par for the course in the world of music.
I wouldn't have it any other way!
What about you?
CG Anderson
As for translating this into Japanese, via Machine aided translation and lots of hard work with revisions, I haven't decided yet.
This is a long review and a lot is lost when I try to do a translation.
If I get a lot of emails from Japanese speakers who want the translation, then I'll give it a try. (email listed in profile)
If not, then enjoy the bad Google Machine Translation!
I shudder to think what it will turn out, given my winding sentences!
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