Japanator Radio 79 played Tomoyasu Hotei’s “Science Killed the Future” from Guitar Rhythm V. Great opening, sounding like Sigue Sigue Sputnik via Boom Boom Satellites. It morphs into a jaunty chugging guitar pop monster with slightly unusual vocals and an egregious retro guitar solo. As if to outdo themselves, JR also played “Bicycle Race” by… Read more »
Posts By: Bennett
Puffy – Hiyori Hime
I have only just heard Puffy’s new single “Hiyori Hime”. They keep on keeping on with their jaunty guitar jangle. It just never stops being fun.
Astro-Ho! Kikan
Heard a nice set on Japanator Radio 77 today. Ayumi Hamasaki “Days” (Eight Bits of Tears remix by YMCK) sound like YMCK remixing Ayumi Hamasaki. Bubbly, tinkly, short and sweet. Strawberry Machine’s nagging “Where is my Doless” is very cute. Actually it’s supposed to be called “Where is my Dress” but her accent is very… Read more »
Emiliana Torrini – Jungle Drum
Emiliana Torrini’s “Jungle Drum” is a rockin’ good-time retro stomper. I remember her from the the fragile acoustic “Sunny Road” from a few years ago so I was surprised by this track. Now I want to listen to more of her music — there’s obviously quite a bit of range there.
Aural Vampire – Darkwave Surfer
Heard Aural Vampire’s “Darkwave Surfer” on Japanator Radio 74. Awesome. Driving minor-key techno with singing. Happy with a hint of darkness. More! More!
That great Shibuya sound
Heard a few songs from Strawberry Machine. That great Shibuya sound again, and the songs featured other guests like YMCK and MacDonald Duck Eclair, and also the Aprils, whom I will have to investigate. Source: Japanator Radio 69 (“– yeah, get over it”)
Wagdug Futuristic Unity — God Space
Wagdug Futuristic Unity’s God Space, from the album Hakai, is a driving monster. Actually it sounds quite a lot like Ministry, only maybe slightly faster. Maybe I should have bought this album when I was in Tokyo last year, but I was too upset at not being able to find any Die!! Die!! Color!!! CDs…. Read more »
De De Mouse
And I thought I didn’t like De De Mouse. But recently I keep hearing great tracks by him. “Rogue Message” (a Yumi Masatoya cover) from the DDM/YMCK Downtown EP is very catchy old-school melodic pop. Heard on Japanator Radio 66. And four weeks later on Japanator Radio 70, “Light Night Dance” has a poppy yet… Read more »
Noodles – The Creatures
I heard “The Creatures” by Noodles, from their album Snap. Nice melodic power pop with female vocals. Heard on Japanator Radio 64.
The Great Lost CDs
In my travels, a distressing number of my favourite CDs have gone missing. Here are some of them, for posterity: The Golden Palominos “This is How it Feels” The Orb “The Orb’s Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld” Jan Garbarek “Rites” Erik Satie – Gymnopedies, Gnossiennes, etc. (Anne Queffelec) Camille Saint-Saens – Organ Symphony and other works… Read more »