"JPOP" yes or no

[NausicaaBoy]

Here is a thread where you can post your opinions on Japanese music. Preferably not soundtrack - but popular. Your opinions and favorite artists are welcome.

As for me I love the music some of my favorite artists are:

Ayumi Hamasaki
Namie Amuro
Puffy Ami Yumi
TRF
Mai Kuraki

[soundchazer]

For the most part, I hate it with a burning passion of a thousand suns.

[Spilled Milk]

I love Jpop!
I really like
Arashi
Kat-Tun
Tackey and Tsubasa
Yamapi
Koichi Domoto
Tsuyoshi Domoto
W-inds
kinki Kids
TM revolution
bonnie Pink
Kis-My-Ft2
pretty much anything from Jonnys entertainment XD
Although i think the best thing to ever come from Jonnys is KAT-TUN. I think Korea does the pop thing better than Japan. I think Japans stronger in the Rock department to be totally honest (atleast you'd have better luck finding a jrock band then a Krock band theres so few of them).As much as i love Jpop i admit it seems like alot of it is kind of stuck in the 80's/90's

[jetfire]

For the most part, I hate it with a burning passion of a thousand suns.

Ditto.

I can't really think of any JPop bands that I do like. There are a few JRock bands, but that's it. I usually don't see why people like so many Japanese bands when they can't understand them. A few songs here and there are good for me, but when I hear too many songs in a row, there's no meaning in them for me. Just nice instrumentals and a nice singing voice (even though I have no clue what they're saying).

[Griveton]

I usually don't see why people like so many Japanese bands when they can't understand them.


Well, there is much more to music than language. Once you decide to regard the vocals as yet another instrument, the point of not understanding becomes moot.

As for me, Jpop usually doesn't do it for me. It's more often (much, much, much, much more often) too happy-sugary-nice for my tastes than alright. T.M. Revolution is from time to time alright, but not too often.

I'm more into J-rock. J-rock-wise, L~arc~en~ciel is pretty much a staple on my playlist, which also has occasional showings by the likes of Glay, Gackt, The pillows, Penicillin, and x-japan.

Oh, and the Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, which obviously isn't pop... or very much rock.



P.S. shameless plug in favor of the canuckian (http://www.projectj.net/)

[animanic_critic]

Japanese bands, eh? Hmm, can't think of anything much, even though I understand Japanese to a considerable extent. I listen to them because anything that sounds good is already music by definition, be it in Japanese, English or any other language. I basically don't need to understand the lyrics to songs, if they can make me wanna listen to the end.

The only bands that I kinda like are Chage & Aska (very old duo) and Larc-en-Ciel. I like the former duo probably because of their classic hit "On Your Mark" which I first heard it in an NEC kaisha advertisement (which remains as one of the most memorable ads I've ever seen). I have yet to watch its anime counterpart, even though I've always been meaning to.

Larc-en-Ciel, well, almost every FMA fan would love their music, won't they? They have this catchy touch that they always instill in their music, and Hyde seems to have the vocals that truly complements their style in music. Their hit single "Fly Away" never fails to keep my toes tapping, and their more recent one "New World" is probably one of their best singles they've ever done.

[NausicaaBoy]

Arashi
Kat-Tun
Tackey and Tsubasa

are awsome too

and out of the J rock - glay and gackt are awsome. Im in total agreement there is much more to music than language. Haha anyway it helps me learn japanese - my tutor is always telling me to really try to decipher the lyrics - if you can understand singing and process lyrics - there is no reason you can understand a simple conversation.

I also like music in other languages for the simple reason of not understanding the lyrics (or i just listen to trance - few to no lyrics) I find it relaxes me more. Anyway I really like japanese music because the lyrical content GENERALLY seems to be more up beat and happier - not mopey like emo music or angy like rap (ughh I hate rap)

[Pachinko]

J-Pop is okay for the most part, but I find a lot of it uber-cheesy.

I do like Kawase Tomoko, though. She must be my favourite Japanese musician of all time. Her's great with brilliant green, and as both Tommy february6 and Tommy heavenly6. I can also take some Ayu, BoA, dream, Ishida Yoko, Do As Infinity, and various others.

[jetfire]

Well, there is much more to music than language. Once you decide to regard the vocals as yet another instrument, the point of not understanding becomes moot.

As for me, Jpop usually doesn't do it for me. It's more often (much, much, much, much more often) too happy-sugary-nice for my tastes than alright.

You're right about regarding the vocals as another instrument, which is why JRock is more bearable for me. For JRock, the whole song sounds good even if I can't understand it. With JPop, as you've stated, is too happy, sugary and really cheesy. So I've gotta go with JRock bands like Hyde and L'arc en Ciel.

[Emeraldas]

Some of the songs are catchy and I even burned a CD of anime intro/ending songs that I liked, but I have to agree with the confusion over why anyone would listen to music when they can't understand the lyrics. Sure, I think some rap beats are good, but I don’t listen to most of it because the lyrics are terrible. To me, they’re a large part of the song, and if I can’t understand ALL of what’s going on, I don’t want to listen.

[Dirty Harry]

J-Pop's okay, I guess. I like stuff with a more epic feel for the most part though. So not a lot of J-Pop grabs me. >_>

I don't mind it though.

MMM J-POP GOOD NUM NUMS

[Javer]

MMM J-POP GOOD NUM NUMS

Meanwhile, back at the psych ward . . .

As for me, I'm not exactly versed in either J-rock or J-pop, but from what I have heard J-pop is WAY too frickin' cheery for me. I'm talking break-out-the-insulin, my-brain-is-fizzing cheery.

[Grasshopper]

I don't mind the occasional J-pop. The music is usually very catchy and it's able to keep my attention. I bought Nami Tamaki's cd not too long ago. Besides, them J-pop girls are cute.

[Ritalin]

I can't stand Jpop. It's whiny and screechy all the time and rawrz it's annoying.

I much prefer Jska (Yum!Yum! Orange!), and a few Jrock bands (FAKE? and Oblivion Dust for example). Otherwise Japanese music is extreme hit or miss with me.

As for the language thing -- language doesn't matter. I have tons and tons of music with German lyrics (no, not Rammstein -.-), Swedish, Spanish, sometimes Dutch... and if I really want to know what they're saying I just translate it. Problem solved.

[Mana]

Mostly I'm a solid "no" when it omes to j-pop. Every once and a while there were be a j-pop song that I like (more often than not because it's anime related), but for the most part, I definately prefer other genres of Japanese music, mostly j-rock.

[LadySage]

Like most everyone else here, I'm more J-Rock than J-Pop. J-Pop is usually a little too cutesy, helium, and/or synthesized for my taste. I've been to a couple J-Pop shows - Puffy AmiYumi and KOTOKO - mainly as social things, and they were thoroughly meh.

For J-Rock, I'm a big fan of X-Japan, hide (may he rest in peace), L'arc~en~Ciel, the pillows (who ROCK live), Asian Kung-Fu Generation, and B'z.

[Raziel]

Although there are a couple J-Pop songs I like, I despise most of them.

Pop in general has never really appealed much to me; I prefer other music genres.

[Spilled Milk]

I notice pillows come up alot in these threads..I personally think the pillows are rather overrated...like majorly overrated. I love their song Hybrid Raindbow..but only Bump of CHickens cover of it. It's a good song, but all i can think of when the pillows sing it is Kermet the frog sitting by the pond singing "it's not easy being green"...in japanese... <.<
I supose i just don't understand the hype..other than their FLCL involvement.
as far as Jrock goes Lately I've been really into
Bump of Chicken
Ellegarden
Ao Bozu
Alice Nine
Mr. Children (especially Brand new my lover !AWSOME SONG!)
Miyavi
Takui Nakajima
Youjeen
Gazette
these guys are all great..

[Niner]

Most of the J-pop-y stuff I listen to are OP and ED themes to anime; I rarely venture out and actively look for it. On the rare occasion I like something enough to go find more, I'm usually pretty thorough about it, and thankfully am rewarded for my efforts because I often end up liking most of what I find.

Some of my favorite J-pop artists/groups:

the Indigo - excellent two-person band demonstrating versatility and just an overall good vibe in almost all the music they play. Did the ED to Ai Yori Aoshi: Enishi entitled "I Do!" which is probably my favorite song of theirs.

Mikuni Shimokawa - Did all of the OPs and EDs to the Full Metal Panic series. Absolutely gorgeous voice. My favorite of hers is "Sore Ga, Ai Deshou?", the OP for Fumoffu, though her take on "Cruel Angel's Thesis" from NGE has grown on me, as well as some of her original work.

Tommy february6 - "Lonely in Gorgeous" is still my #1 played last.fm track. 'Nuff said.

Maaya Sakamoto - Been a fan of hers for such a long, long time. Particular favorites include "Vector", "Yakusoku wa Iranai", "Empty the Pocket" (all from Escaflowne), "Loop" (ED to Tsubasa Chronicle), and a few original songs of her various CDs like Hotchpotch and Lucy. Pity she doesn't sing any songs for the series she's currently starring in, but someone else is...

Kawabe Chieco - I don't know anyone who doesn't like "Sakura Kiss" from Ouran. Quite frankly, I don't want to know anyone who doesn't like that song, because I do not want to associate with people who possess such massive fail. Dunno what the rest of Chieco's stuff sounds like, but damn is that a good song.

Rie Fu - It's not all that often you find a J-artist that can so easily flow from Japanese to perfect English in her songs, but Rie Fu can. I like "Life is Like a Boat" (BLEACH ED) and "Until I Say" for that reason and the fact that her voice is just so pretty. Also helps that she's damn cute to boot. :3

See-Saw - Now this is kind of cheating, as Yuki Kajiura has a hand in a majority of their stuff and anything she touches turns to instant win, but what the hey. My favorites include "Anna No Issho Datta No Ni" (Gundam SEED) and "Yasashii Yoake" (.hack//SIGN).

Koda Kumi - I liked her work in FFX-2, despite all the crappiness of the game, and her stock shot up considerably when she remade the classic Cutey Honey theme song. She really made it her own and did justice to the original.

I could go on for a little while more, but that would just be listing the various OP and ED themes I like. All in all, I guess I do like quite a bit of J-pop, but I'm pretty particular in what I listen to in the genre. Very little mainstream stuff, like Ayumi Hamasaki and BoA and all those silly artists.

[Pachinko]

Tommy february6 - "Lonely in Gorgeous" is still my #1 played last.fm track. 'Nuff said.


Koda Kumi - I liked her work in FFX-2, despite all the crappiness of the game, and her stock shot up considerably when she remade the classic Cutey Honey theme song. She really made it her own and did justice to the original.

I could go on for a little while more, but that would just be listing the various OP and ED themes I like. All in all, I guess I do like quite a bit of J-pop, but I'm pretty particular in what I listen to in the genre. Very little mainstream stuff, like Ayumi Hamasaki and BoA and all those silly artists.

Whoo!:love: Go, Tommy!~

And Koda Kumi, I had forgotten her. I really loved the theme to FFX-2.
A lot of her albums are great, but I'm sure it's mostly because of her blend with hip hop. It's not pure pop...

[NausicaaBoy]

Rie Fu - best lyrical content of any j artist

anyone else like Mikuni Shimokawa or TRF?

[jetfire]

Rie Fu - It's not all that often you find a J-artist that can so easily flow from Japanese to perfect English in her songs, but Rie Fu can. I like "Life is Like a Boat" (BLEACH ED)

I gotta hand that one to you. It's one of the best anime ending themes I've heard, but I had no clue that it was JPop. I guess the amount of JPop songs that I like has spiked from 0 songs to a whopping 1 song.

Now that I said that, there are probably a ton of other anime themes I've liked that are JPop (although I'm still sure that most of the themes I've liked are JRock).

[ash_chan]

I love J-Pop. But then, I have an affinity for overly-cute things. But I'm not limited to just that. I love J-Rock too. ;D Dir en Grey is a favorite, especially after their concert I attended back in March.

I guess it depends on what mood I'm in.
...I've been on an UNDER 17 kick lately...

[aoi_n_asul]

i only know of utada hikaru as a j-pop artist. she doesn't have the nasal twang that sometimes comes through in j-music. i don't know if she still exists though.

[Tremolo]

i only know of utada hikaru as a j-pop artist. she doesn't have the nasal twang that sometimes comes through in j-music. i don't know if she still exists though.

She does. A new album is very forthcoming. Although, considering her disastrous attempt at breaking the US, it's a wonder she hasn't ceased to exist.


And as for J-pop, I don't mind it in small doses. I'd never go out of my way to buy a J-pop album because I honestly don't think it's really good enough on the whole. It's still just as manufactured and soulless as Western pop, only with the added bonus of more high-pitched, nasal singing voices. I have a fondness for a few of Ayumi Hamasaki's old songs when she wasn't quite the unstoppable juggernaut she is today, and Utada Hikaru is decent. The only artists I really like are hitomi whose music has a bit more character and diversity to it, and Zwei, a sort of lesbian-chic electro-pop/rock duo. But really a few anime OP and ED's aside, it's pretty non-essential stuff to me.

Now, as for J-rock, that's another story... (http://www.animeacademy.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21393)

[Akuhei]

I agree with most people on J-Pop. I like some of it, but I can't listen to it for too long because it starts to get on my nerves. I suppose the one exception would be Shiina Ringo, who is awesome no matter what you say! I guess some of her songs are more rock than pop, but everything she does is awesome.

Listen to alot of J-Rock though, mostly The Pillows (>>> Bump of Chicken), X-Japan, The Brilliant Green (if you consider them pop... they're the one band that doesn't get old for me), Go!Go!7188, I've been getting into MUCC more recently, and I guess that's about it

[LadyYuina]

For the most part, I hate it with a burning passion of a thousand suns.

WOW, those are some pretty strong words.

J-pop is a definite "yes" for me. I listen to them all the time!

As for me my fav's are:
Utada Hikaru
Hamasaki Ayumi
Kuraki Mai
Tamaki Nami

[bigal60]

I hate any pop music its all to winy j rock is ok though.

true dat englisher i mean tremolo

[kyubichan]

Jpop?
I love those new bands that come out every month. I find them entertaining, and though specifically manufactured for the sole purpose of producing at least one hit single only, I like them. I also like some boy bands like W-inds and Arashi. Although their lyrics are silly, the beat to their songs are more...uhm... what's the word? ("pinaghirapan", help me out here, Shino) It's like Jpop songs actually were thought about and given some effort before release, unlike US pop songs. Also, I love anime themes, especially the ones in the YuGiOh, GitS and .hack series.

My Fave Japanese song artists:
Utada Hikaru
W-inds
Arashi
Seesaw
Asian Kungfu Generation
L'Arc-en-Ciel <== uhm, they're okay...