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 Naivepop Or Petitfool, remixed by Plus Tech Squeeze Box. That description alone is fun to listen to, but it’s nothing compared to the amped-up horns and jaunty xylophones of the track itself. It sounds like a big box full of fun ideas falling down the stairs into a huge chaotic heap.

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.

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 strong; no doubt she’s singing phonetically. Anyhow, maybe a bit too much emphasis on the cute vocals and not enough on the instrumentation compared to other SM that I’ve heard.

Odd J-Pop of the week is Susumu Hirasawa’s “Astro-Ho! Kikan”. It has a tick-tock metronomic rhythm with pizzicato strings, an old-fashioned traditional-sounding male vocal, bursts of static, intermittent screams, an electric guitar solo… and that doesn’t really cover it. Perhaps not as strange as all that, but still strange.

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.

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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’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.

Source: Japanator Radio 70

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 lush melody with a nagging (but not in a bad way) processed vocal hook. I think I was getting De De Mouse confused with Danger Mouse, who never excited me that much. I wish I had paid more attention.

“Cruel Angels Thesis” (Theme from Neon Genesis Evangelion). Japanator Radio 67 played an a capella version with celestial female harmonies. Don’t know the artist! Anyway it sounds quite heavenly.

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
  • Puccini – Madame Butterfly
  • Cafe Del Mar – Various, compiled by Jose Padilla
  • Cafe Del Mar II – Various, compiled by Jose Padilla

I eventually bought the Jan Garbarek CD again after seeing the Jan Garbarek group in concert. I plan to replace the Orb album, because it’s awesome and readily available. But where did they all go in the first place?

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