If a musician releases a self-titled ablum, it’s usually their debut. Japanese indie band Sparta Locals breaks that trend though. Their self-titled album is actually their 5th release, their most recent. Sparta Locals by Sparta Locals was released September 6th, 2006.
Sparta Locals is a rather impressive album. The band blends the definitive elements with some [...]

Technicontrastron 01 is the beginning of former Cali=Gari front man Shuuji Isshi’s musical odyssey as a solo artist. His project, titled goatbed, explores the realm of a unique blend of electropop and 80s new wave. This combination makes Technicontrastron 01, goatbed’s debut album, something of sheer experimental amazement.

Technicontrastron 01 begins with a bang. The first [...]

I must say, one of my favorite live albums ever is Ubugoe Chainsaw (2005) by the successful Japanese indie band The Back Horn. The diversity in the album’s array of songs while maintaining that signature vibe is a welcome trait.

Most of Ubugoe Chainsaw features The Back Horn’s more modern works. These include the very [...]

We can credit the game Brain Age for the Nintendo DS with bringing a new demographic into handheld gaming. That group is previously non-gaming adults. That is good but the best thing is what Brain Age can do for everyone. Brain Age is a mind training game.

Developed in Japan by renound neuroscientist Dr. Ryuta Kawashima, [...]

The current situations have limited my time in front of the computer. So it’s only fitting to feature an outstanding guest article. A review! Guest writer/musician extraordinaire Jack Hsu gives us a critique of Tak Matsumoto Group’s TMG I release. Enjoy:
Tak Matsumoto is the guitarist/composer/producer for the Japanese group B’z. This Rock/Pop/Metal band has been [...]

I’ve recently been listening a lot to Japanese shamisen musician Agatsuma. The album in rotation isn’t new, but it is one of his best, titled “Beams” (2002). The sound and vibe of his music is very unique.

Agatsuma Hiromitsu was born in 1973 and has played the tsugaru shamisen since he was six. His experience and [...]

Premiering last night on the Discovery Channel was “The First Emperor”. Known by its full title, “The First Emperor: The Man Who Made China”, the show offered a very great viewing experience. Essentially the show was a 2-hour long docu-drama that focuses on the man who united China and what he did. The show also [...]

As Shay has already mentioned, I was finally able to get my hands on the Limited Edition of Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence last week. So, for the few days, I’ve been draped under a blanket drinking hot tea to soothe my cold and a Dual Shock 2 in my hands the entire time. So, [...]

The Japanese Shamisen jamming Yoshida Brothers released their newest album on March 21st, 2006. The album, thier 3rd is appropriatly named “III”. With this release, the Yoshida Brothers seem to grow into something even more than what their previous albums displayed. “III” offers more than even I expected.
Kenichi and Ryoichiro Yoshida are famous for playing [...]

After a recommendation*, I listened to Asobi Seksu’s 2004 self-titled release. What I heard impressed me quite a bit. Asobi Seksu isn’t your typical American shoegaze rock band.
The band’s frontwoman Yuki, is Japanese, and it is her sound that seems to distinguish them the most. Yuki offers charming, high vocals to the often mellow, [...]