For those that like Japanese music

[Reijin]

So I'm curious. For those of you that listen to Japanese music, what groups or singers do you like to hear or see videos for? I'm less curious about actual songs, as I can probably point at half of them, but what artists?

Utada Hikaru (another great with no explaination needed)
Ayumi Hamasaki (no need for explaination, queen of pop)
MiYaVi (he's like a Manson style goth/rock type deal, like the song "Pop is Dead")
Dir en Grey (he's also similar to a Manson style, but in a dark gloomy way, not as upbeat)
HalCali (has some upbeat "rappish" songs, and some upbeat "pop" style songs. Pretty good. Has a hilarious video called "Baby Blue" that involves these bears... Its hilarious.)
Orange Range (did the Bleach opener for season 1. Also did a Naruto theme. Has some really good videos, and also has a nice rock sound. Did a remake of "locomotion" called "rokomotion")
Asian Kung-Fu Generation (another Naruto theme group, their video for "Fighting Dreamers" is hilarious, with this Japanese Terminator guy attempting to skateboard)
T.M. Revolution (ah.. they are great. They are like techno/europop style, with really upbeat music. appeared in DDR)
BoA (did the opener "Duvet" for Lain, and also just has some damn good music)
Do As Infinity (another really good all around artist, really good)
RIP Slyme (think Beastie Boys. That's about the best equal here. Hilarious.)
Mini Moni (ok, I'm stuck here. I HATE their songs, and yet find myself intrigued and watching their videos. They get stuck in your head, for some f'ed up reason.)
M-flo (haven't heard too much, but they have a bit of a rap sound, but JRap is actually kinda cool)
Gackt (pretty old school, kinda hard to find much by this guy now)
Amuro Namie (pretty good, a bit more pop)
L'arc~en~Ciel (I added this after. Another OBVIOUS rock group I love. Can't believe I missed them.)
HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR (not a popular one, but sounds really good, haven't heard much though, as I usually hear the same heavy ass hard rock/light singing mix song that I normally see.)



I have to say, this hilarious Japanese pair of chicks make a cover of Green Day's "Basketcase". The first time I saw this video I was extremly open mouthed, as it was so damn... cute. Its like these Japanese chicks, dressed punk style, jumping up and down. "Do you have the time, to listen to me whine, about everything and nothing all aaat once?" in this heavy Japanese accent. "I am one of those, melodramatic foorus" Ok, that's fools, but its pronounced as typical Japanese l's get pronounced. You should hear my boss try to say Pool. Its hilarious. We make him say it like ten times.

There's a LOT that I'm just not remembering at the moment, as that was all out of my head up until that M-Flo video, b/c I couldn't remember some others. There are more glaringly obvious groups I just cannot name. I nearly missed L`arc~en~Ciel. There are some others I'll probably be singing later today and not have remembered to post them.

I'll probably add more as I remember them, like the "Slayers" theme song people and stuff, although ninety percent of this is mostly from normal Japanese music stuff, not just anime. I was going more for "all around good" and not "one good song on a good anime". There's another one that I borrowed a CD of from one of the woman I worked with (until she moved) that she'd had for years, and I can't remember the name. Its on the tip of my tongue, and it was pretty good as well, but doesn't receive much mainstream play.

*watches the video for Shanghai Honey by Orange Range* I need to actually get the money to buy their cds and a few others. I am just short on cash... My gf and I decided we aren't going to be able to do Christmas for anyone this year other than each other.

[Raditzu]

Originally posted by Reijin
Asian Kung-Fu Generation (another Naruto theme group, their video for "Fighting Dreamers" is hilarious, with this Japanese Terminator guy attempting to skateboard)

FLOW was the one that did "GO!!!" (the song you called "Fighting Dreamers") for Naruto.

[Amadeus]

Sorry, bad post

[Reijin]

Dammit, I mistyped that. For that song, yes, FLOW is correct. My error. I crossed my groups through lack of sleep. I was thinking of AKG's video for Haruka Kanata at the same time and got clusterfucked. I was also thinking of the Orange Range song with the counting... I believe its... *tries to remember from song* Viva Rock. Yeah, I got that name wrong, as I'm never good with songs I first envision due to an anime, which is one of my annoyances with them. Especially when I glance up and the name is written in characters. >.<

EDIT: SHIET, I knew this would happen. I forgot "Shiina Ringo". She has some really weird songs, similar to Bjork style, and I really really really like it. I look forward to her video's. One of them has this very very catchy sound to it and lyrics like "I'm not afraid of a little boredom..." and this really... hard to explain style of singing that goes up and down, and really sticks in your head. Sorta a Nutcracker style of music with singing.

There's another one that I can't remember the exact name of that says "I love you" alot, and its in my head, but I can't get it off this exhaustion.

And do not foget Hitomi. "Japanese Girl" is fucking addictive.

[Reijin]

I have to add Tommy Heavenly as some pretty good hard chick rock. I also have to fix another error. I got my BoA's confused. The BoA to which I was referring was not he European group that did Duvet, but instead Kwon Boa, the Korean chick that made "Every Heart" for Inuyasha. Sad sad sad panda.

Youjeen is really nice also. And Melody "Believe Me" is a damn catchy song. I totally think I left Morning Musume off as well, and well, can't do that. So many good songs and bands... Its a shame I can't say the same for America.