MUSIC REVIEW: Quickie-- And Speaking of Great Fusion, Give AJO a Listen

One quick note about a different kind of fusion and an excellent one.

AJO

He only has one song on his Myspace site but it is worth it to hear it.

Check out Ajo and his fusion of Japanese Classical (and drums) and Alternative/Experimental.

I loved it. I hope he puts up more songs soon!

Find him at http://www.myspace.com/ajoheavensdust

Ta!

CG Anderson

MUSIC REVIEW: Japan & Korea's version of Justin Timberlake -- SE7EN

I finally decided to listen to SE7EN, since he's been staying near the top of Japan's MySpace Music rankings for quite awhile. SE7EN is a Korean J-POP and R&B singer living in Japan, signed by a major label there and I suspect, quite popular with girls.

Listening to him, I can hear some R&B smoothness, with an emphasis on romantic ballads. And although his Myspace site says he also is Hip-Hop, I don't really hear that in the samples of music provided--or what I did hear didn't really sound too hip-hop (or rap) to me, rather a weak attempt.

His voice is pleasant, though his vocal range seems limited, but he knows how to stay within that range (most of the time) and avoid any musical issues -- and he's got pop star/male model looks, which undoubtably pleases his fan club no end.

He actually reminds me of Justin Timberlake, and not just his voice and pop-star looks. But also his presentation reminds me of Timberlake and the fact that he is trying to fuse musical genre's -- and like Timberlake, not really doing it that well. Timberlake keeps trying to add rap and hip-hop into his pop-oriented voice and delivery (and failing to really do it well.) SE7EN seems to be trying to do the same thing. I think both of them somehow think it will make them 'cool' to be more rapper-like. It doesn't.

Both SE7EN and Timberlake are good at ballads and soft pop, romantic tunes and there is nothing wrong with that. I applaud both for trying to mix it up a bit and to stretch themselves musically, but in both cases, I don't think the mix worked well.

In fact, I think SE7EN did a better job at adding R&B and a bit of rap and hip-hop influences into his music than Timberlake did in his last album, so kudos to SE7EN. Perhaps he succeeded because he wasn't trying to be as ambitious as Timberlake in the fusion.

Or perhaps the song selection on MySpace didn't show the 'bad tries'...either way, if you want some eye-candy with a pleasant voice and easy-listening songs, give SE7EN a try.

What do you think? Is he a Japan-Korean version of Timberlake? Or is that unfair? Perhaps Timberlake is an American version of him? heh! heh!

You can find SE7EN's Myspace Music site at http://www.myspace.com/se7enhello7

Cheers!
CG Anderson

Definitely time to start looking for rock and metal bands again...enough J-POP and pop for awhile! But I need pointers, folks! Got a fav? email the band's or singer's name and site to me! My email is on my profile here.

MUSIC REVIEW: J-POP time with Ikimono Gakari, TM Network and E-rockers(?) Ayabie (sort of!)

This week, I am offering up three to choose from (two J-POP and one, well...see for yourself!)


Yes, it's time for another J-POP band. This time the pick is newcomer, Ikimono Gakari, an unsigned group very new to the MySpace Music scene. Yet MySpace music fans are already discovering them with over two thousand hits to their site (in only a couple of weeks of being online.)


Despite the language barriers to English-speaking listeners (lyrics are in Japanese), this group sounds just like a European-American pop band with a nice balance between slower ballads and preppy, upbeat tunes.


The sound is very professional, major props to the producer of their music! Musicality is complex yet pleasant, very easy on the ear. Vocals are well done, though there is room for growth there as the band matures (and the female lead vocalist matures and grows in experience.) Nice selection of songs.

As things stand now, the orchestrations and instrumentals are far more complex, professional and challenging than the lead singer, who still sounds reasonable but not as interesting nor as passionate. She needs to really feel the music and stop playing it safe vocally and psychologically. When she finally began to cut loose on the song, Hanabi, I finally heard something really worth listening to. However, I wanted to hear that kind of energy and passion on every song, even the ballads.


Still, if this band can break out of 'safe' and really take the risk and challenge themselves, I think that given their impressive raw talent, you'll have an amazing final result.


Decide for yourself, you can find them at http://www.myspace.com/ikimonogakarifansite


Ayabie
Second up, is an indie label band and while they aren't J-POP, I had to include them because it is actually very difficult to merge Electronica and Rock and do it successfully. This band actually does do a good fusion of the two...then add in their J-POP like visual look...and you have quite a unique bunch of singer/musicians.

Hyperactive and fast paced, with metal/rock-like frenetic and driven vocals, this group takes off in surprising ways. One minute they are the usual beeping and tooting of electronica and then suddenly metal deep-throat vocals cut loose followed up by the 'wang' of guitars singing rock and roll dreams.

They are perhaps a bit too scattered and need to collect themselves and focus on what they really are trying to accomplish. Perhaps that will come in time as they continue to work on their fusion of rock/electronica. And perhaps it will show better with more than two songs to sample (the third wasn't available and the fourth was a comment from the band.)

No matter what, they weren't boring and definitely worth a listen.

Find them at http://www.myspace.com/ayabieusa

TM Network

For this last one, I have to admit I'm a bit bemused. The band made me smile so I'm including it here. I honestly didn't realize that Japan was so into 80's Disco music? That's what the sound of these guys struck me as, stuff from the 1980s, right down to the their hairstyles and the soft tones of their vocal delivery, not to mention the wider, rounder vibes from their synthesizers.


It's not quite the music choice I would usually make, but it was professionally done (and by a major label) and kind of fun to hear. I like that Japan embraces so many musical styles.


Check them out at http://www.myspace.com/tmnetwork

Best,
CG Anderson

MUSIC REVIEW: Japan's Indie Rockers, Sangreal

Another week, another chance to rock and roll.

This week I was once again in the mood for some rock and I was still hunting around old sites and new sites in Japan.

An indie rock band named Sangreal caught my eye and ear. While I still can't speak, much less understand, much Japanese, this band's musicality, vocals, tonality, passion and professionalism made me take quick note.

The lead singer, omi, has pleasant vocals with great tonality, pacing and passion. The song choices were fun yet still with driving rock beats. Think a mix of pop and rock, rather than grunge or metal. But even if you prefer metal or heavier beats, give this band a try. The ability of the musicians is apparent, from their perfect timing to their virtuosity on delicate and complicated riffs.

These guys can play; better yet, they're fun to listen to...and that makes them good performers as well. I love it when a band is not only fun to listen to, but also able to carry off complicated musical feats...and if they have passion as well (which you can hear in the music and the vocals), then I'm sold. And these guys have that.

Only complaint, they have three full songs on their MySpace site...but I wanted a lot more than three!

Give them a try...their site is at http://www.myspace.com/sangrealive

And don't forget to send me pointers to your favorite bands and singers! My email is on my profile and yes, I do read it!

Best,
CG Anderson

MUSIC REVIEW: Japan's JPOP girl - Ranka

Ranka

OK, today we slow down a bit from yesterday's rock fest.

Easy on the ears and easy on the heart; that is the voice and music of Ranka, another JPOP gem out of Japan.

Less the usual, more expected frenetic sound of JPOP and more the easy ballads of which American audiences are typically more fond. Her voice has a lovely quality and clear tones. Her musicians are quality as well, with the overall production sounding very relaxed but well-paced.

This is very quiet relaxing music, that you might find in a dark lounge or a moonlight night. The type of music to enjoy with a glass of wine when you get home from work and want to unwind.

...or you want mood music for a hot date.

My only complaint would be that all her music is of a type. There is nothing to show any faster, more dynamic tempos--nothing to stretch her abilities or generate higher energy.

Still, a glass of wine and a moonlit night is still nothing to sneeze at.

You can enjoy her sweet and soothing tones at http://www.myspace.com/rankaranka

Cheers!

CG Anderson

MUSIC REVIEW: Japan's LOW IQ 01 and France's PLEASURE ADDICTION

Time for some music. How about some Rock?

Well, I decided to check out some new faces and some bands I spotted months ago. As a result, on today's menu are two choice picks -- Japan's LOW IQ 01 and France's Pleasure Addiction.

LOW IQ 01

This rock band is definitely a rock band. Even though they only offer up short snippets of play on their MySpace site, you can hear the rampaging beats and driving vocals. As with any good rock band, you don't need caffeine after hearing them. Complex yet fun, I liked their stuff. I would have written more, but since I only had snippets to work with, I really couldn't get a better feel for the depth or reach of their music.

Still, if you like rock, check them out.

Their site is at http://www.myspace.com/lowiq01


PLEASURE ADDICTION

The other band is also a rock band. This time the band hails from France. A number of months ago, I put this band on my personal 'watch and check back in a few months list' because the comments I had (for myself, not public) was that it showed great promise. However, I wanted to give them a few months and check back to see how they were sounding a bit later.

Great tunes, clear and expressive vocals and a demanding rock beat that backs up the vocals and drives the music forward. This is an exciting and charismatic group with a lot of promise and...I'm glad to see...the internal drive to keep at it and really go for the top levels of the music industry.

Not many songs on their site, but at least they aren't 10 second snippets!

Check them out for yourself, they are at:
http://www.myspace.com/pleasureaddiction

Have a great day! Coming up soon, a review that includes Japan's up and coming JPOP girl, Ranka, but since she's JPOP, I thought I would wait and cover her separately. Today was for Rockers.

CG Anderson