The PV for “ダイヤモンドリング” (diamond ring) by BIGMAMA has arrived and it’s pretty awesome. It’s not as blow-you-away amazingly catchy as some of their songs like “Paper-craft” but it’s a really nice song nonetheless. The single is due out on July 22nd and I’ll definitely have to get my hands on it. Time to watch!
“溢れる” (Afureru, to flood) is the latest single from lego big morl. It’s the first release since the band’s debut album, Quartette Parade, which came out back in January. The song’s got some nice groove and is sprinkled throughout with signature-style effervescent guitar licks. It may sprout from familiar ground but it does grow into something its own.
“溢れる” is set for release on July 22nd and features two additional tracks.
Here’s a blast from the past, RAD style! I really like the album version of “祈跡” (Kiseki), which appeared on RADWIMPS’ second album in 2005 but I had never heard the single version, which was released in ‘04, until a friend showed me the PV recently. I don’t know why I hadn’t heard the single version before but I love the stark tonal contrast between the single and album versions. Both songs run over eight minutes but where the album version takes a slow, calm, and introspective turn, the single version lets loose with energy.
Even if you’re on top of things and have seen the single’s PV, it’s worth another viewing just to remember how young they looked back then =P
“Moonlight” is the latest from dynamic acoustic hip-hop duo AKLOと空 (AKLO to Sora). That’s an interesting blend from an interesting pairing. MC AKLO is Mexican-Japanese and has lived in Mexico, Japan, and the USA and guitarist Sora studied extensively in England.
I really dig the chemistry between the vocals and guitar. Check out their official MySpace and I’m excited to hear more!
It’s been a while since we rocked out…so, here’s the latest sweetness from Fed MUSIC. “rewind you” is the band’s third single and it came out on May 22nd. Good stuff!! You can see the lyrics (in English & Japanese) on Fed MUSIC’s official site.
“太陽の証” (Taiyou no Shou) by the powerful banana is a song that’s as awesome as the band’s name itself. The trio’s latest album, FLOORS, is out on May 13th. I’ll bet it’s good ;)
Why didn’t I post this sooner!? “Kung-fu Cider”, by STRIKERS (ストライカーズ) is pretty crazy (I’m sure the title gave that away :P). It’s a frenetic mash-up of distortion, skanking guitars, synths, and vociferous vocals. It took me a couple of listens, but now I’m hooked.
STRIKERS released their latest album, GOLD, on April 8th. Check out their official MySpace page for more wild and wacky dance-rock action.
“南ウイング” (minami wing, south wing) is off of Mellowhead’s fourth album, Daydream weaver, which came out on April 8th. It’s a nice acoustic rock song that has some pretty cool chord progressions and a catchy chorus.
Mellowhead is the acoustic solo project of GHEEE and ex-PLAGUES vocalist/guitarist, Fukanuma Motoaki (深沼元昭). Daydream weaver includes vocals by Sano Motoharu (佐野元春), Lucy of LAZYgunsBRISKY, and Takeuchi Hiromi (竹内宏美). It also features Hayashi Koji (林幸治) of TRICERATOPS on bass, and NONA REEVES drummer Komatsu Shigeru (小松シゲル). Samples of all 12 tracks are available on Mellowhead’s official site.
“Under the Rain” is, of course, the latest single from ACIDMAN and it’s due out on May 27th. “Under the Rain” is a pretty dynamic track that finds some nice harmony between being on and off. Needless to say, the PV is cool. Also since it’s important, the b-side on “Under the Rain” will be “香路-secound line” (that should be an interesting one!). Thanks once again, Rast.
“愉快なピーナッツ” (yukai na peanuts, pleasant peanuts) is くるり’s (Quruli) 22nd single! It’s a pretty delightful, bouncy song with a nice melody. The PV is pretty nuts (ha!), though. It begins when a little boy wearing a leaf awakens and it only gets stranger from there. There’s a big, child-eating bear, a couple of dancing trees, and a giant pair of splayed legs. Yeah, it’s quite a treat!
“まばゆい” (mabayui) is the latest single from serial TV drama. It is the quintet’s second single on RX-RECORDS and was released on April 22nd. The song has one of the funnest bridges I’ve ever heard. The tonal contrast makes it even more hilarious and the PV corresponds to this really well. The regular song itself is plenty awesome too. Thanks, Rast!
“Believer” is the latest PV from Nagoya-based rockers, Hundred Percent Free. It’ll be on their upcoming second mini-album, Reboot, which comes out on May 20th. The band is currently signed with Magnifique Label (the same label as Jeepta). For more tuneage, check out Hundred Percent Free’s official MySpace page.
Wow! I must say, REAL REACH really hit the pop-rock mark with this one. “HONEY”, which is off of REAL REACH’s third album, CONTRAIL (out 4.22), is sweet and has some massive catch to it. The band formed in 2002 and judging by this song, they have some popular potential. :)
“Again” is the latest single from YUI and I must say, it’s pretty cool. The song has some nice guitar riffs weaved in and YUI’s vocals shine with the contrasting verse & chorus. “Again” is
“Come Back Here” is the latest PV from MISSPRAY. It’s off of their album, MISTAKE and NOT FAKE, which came out on April 15th. It’s a pretty catchy, empty swimming pool-rocking good time. Check it @ Caffeine Bomb Records
This live performance of “私” (Watashi, I) by BYEE the ROUND is pretty awesome. I absolutely love the song and the vocals & guitar solo are especially neat!
From Fujifabric’s new single. It’s a great song that welcomes the spring season nicely.
And the PV has their trademark ‘cute, emotionless girl doing a quirky dance’.
Rock on I say, rock on.
Not exactly sure how this one slipped past us but here’s the PV for “Dnim” off of their Paraphilia album which was released March 18.
Not bad if you ask me.
“Sister Rock Client” is the latest PV from FUZZY Quartet Row. It’ll be on the band’s upcoming new album, 2nd -morning calm-, which comes out on April 25th. I’m loving this song more & more with each listen. 2nd is surely going to rock.
FUZZY Quartet Row formed in 2006 and is currently signed with HIGH WAVE Records, so they’re another great band from Okinawa, of course.
“BLACKRAIN” is off of ASTRALMESS’ second EP of the same name which came out in February. The song is moderately intense and the drum work throughout the entire song is intoxicating. Pretty cool stuff. More on MySpace.
