You guys sound like you would know, so I'll ask here (sorry if this is slightly off-topic, but) ... is it typical for Japanese CDs to cost more than $20? I was recently interested in purchasing some of Otsuka Ai's / 大塚愛's work and was shocked to find that her cheapest CD sold for like $25 and much of her stuff sells in excess of $40. I mean, call me crazy, but it's tough to break from piracy and support the industry when they're asking you to give 'em as much as four CDs in America would cost. And that's before you tack on S&H!
I'm not well-versed enough in non-anime non-J-drama non-video game Japanese music to contribute much to this thread, other than to say that some of my favorite songs include:
SMAP - Sekai ni Hitotsu dake no Hana
Do As Infinity - Fukai Mori (never seen InuYasha :p)
Otsuka Ai's well-known Sakuranbo and Amaenbo
And a teacher of mine introduced me to The Boom via their hit Shima Uta, which I enjoy to this day although I've never sampled any of the band's other works. ^^;
I am also a Spitz fan. One of the first Japanese bands I heard about. A few of my favorite artists include:
Beat Crusaders
Asian Kung-Fu Generation
Lunkhead
Base Ball Bear
Acidman
Special Others
Chatmonchy
The Back Horn
Quruli
Cornelius
Halfby
DJ Baku
Shing02
Rumi
__________________
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You guys sound like you would know, so I'll ask here (sorry if this is slightly off-topic, but) ... is it typical for Japanese CDs to cost more than $20? I was recently interested in purchasing some of Otsuka Ai's / 大塚愛's work and was shocked to find that her cheapest CD sold for like $25 and much of her stuff sells in excess of $40. I mean, call me crazy, but it's tough to break from piracy and support the industry when they're asking you to give 'em as much as four CDs in America would cost. And that's before you tack on S&H!
I'm not well-versed enough in non-anime non-J-drama non-video game Japanese music to contribute much to this thread, other than to say that some of my favorite songs include:
SMAP - Sekai ni Hitotsu dake no Hana
Do As Infinity - Fukai Mori (never seen InuYasha :p)
Otsuka Ai's well-known Sakuranbo and Amaenbo
And a teacher of mine introduced me to The Boom via their hit Shima Uta, which I enjoy to this day although I've never sampled any of the band's other works. ^^;
Yeah, Japanese CDs are expensive, and always have been. For example, the price of the much-anticipated debut album by Superfly is 3,150 yen new from Amazon.co.jp, and the lowest priced used copy is 2,800 yen. The album costs 2,200 yen from iTunes Japan. That's typical. Any CD that costs less than 2,000 yen is probably a single or "EP" with less than four songs. DVDs are generally expensive, too. You used to need a credit card issued from a Japanese bank to get an account on iTunes Japan, but they may have dropped that requirement. I have accounts on both the U.S. and Japanese iTunes. I don't know how common music piracy is in Japan, but I think it's less common than in the U.S..
The Boom is (was) fantastic. They were one of the first Japanese bands that made me feel that Japan had finally moved beyond simply imitating American/British rock/pop and become something that non-Japanese should pay attention to. Their's is truly "world music," combining influences from Okinawa, Ainu (Hokkaido), reggae, ska, salsa, calypso, country-western, and anything else that suits their needs. MIYAZAWA Kazufumi is a brilliant songwriter and singer and a fantastic entertainer.
Here are some good The Boom songs I tracked down on YouTube. Be warned: the video quality on some is horrible.
For some reason I was possessed (once again) with an urge to translate, so here's my translation of the last song, "Let's Go Fishing." The words themselves seem simple enough, but in their voices there is melancholy, as if childhood sweethearts who have grown apart are looking back on something precious and lost.
Quote:
LET'S GO FISHING
The Boom & YANO Akiko
SHE:
Umpteen years ago, I was still smaller than you.
I was always looking up at the mole on your chin.
As for you, you were always covered with mud.
A bat's lullaby, napping both morning and afternoon.
When I opened my eyes, you told nothing but lies.
And every time I pretended to be fooled.
TOGETHER:
Let's go fishing.
Let's go fishing.
I'll go pick you when the rain stops.
Let's go fishing.
Let's go fishing.
I'll pick you up at the usual spot.
HE:
You've dozed off again with the fishing pole in your hands.
The fish are biting, but you're ignoring them again today.
I tried to imitate you and closed my eyes,
But for some reason I can't sleep.
The willow branches tickle me.
Now I'm grown up, but I bet if went back to that river again
You'd be there again, fast asleep
TOGETHER:
Let's go fishing.
Let's go fishing.
I'll go pick you when the rainy season's over.
Let's go fishing.
Let's go fishing.
I'll pick you up at the usual spot.
Let's go fishing.
Let's go fishing.
I'll go pick you when the rainy season's over.
Let's go fishing.
Let's go fishing.
I'll pick you up at the usual spot.
You guys sound like you would know, so I'll ask here (sorry if this is slightly off-topic, but) ... is it typical for Japanese CDs to cost more than $20? I was recently interested in purchasing some of Otsuka Ai's / 大塚愛's work and was shocked to find that her cheapest CD sold for like $25 and much of her stuff sells in excess of $40. I mean, call me crazy, but it's tough to break from piracy and support the industry when they're asking you to give 'em as much as four CDs in America would cost. And that's before you tack on S&H!
I'm not well-versed enough in non-anime non-J-drama non-video game Japanese music to contribute much to this thread, other than to say that some of my favorite songs include:
SMAP - Sekai ni Hitotsu dake no Hana
Do As Infinity - Fukai Mori (never seen InuYasha :p)
Otsuka Ai's well-known Sakuranbo and Amaenbo
And a teacher of mine introduced me to The Boom via their hit Shima Uta, which I enjoy to this day although I've never sampled any of the band's other works. ^^;
Most of the time they're just about that much or a little more, depending on if you have any coupons, the shipping method you use or if you have been shopping at a particular online store for a while. I know you already probably know those things, though.
I mostly get mine at yesasia or sometimes cdjapan. Every once in a while you can find some on ebay for pretty cheap as well, but it seems rare to get any cheaper than yesasia.
There are just so many that could be named. It seems like the industry is overflowing with new talent despite the sales not being as well as in the past.
Well, it's on the top of the list for me and is all that I listen to; from Berryz Kobo, *Snow, Morning Musume, °C-ute, Asami Yamamoto (she's missing in action though for about two years now), Utada Hiakru, Sowelu, BoA, Maaya Sakamoto, KOTOKO, Eiko Shimamiya, Shota Shimizu..... I could go on, and on, there are just too many great artists; awesome music.
Morning Musume is all chipper and fun. Utada Hikaru is good. BoA is good. M-Flo is good. Maaya Sakamoto and Yoko Kanno = amazing.
My friend just sent me two Eiko Shimamiya songs: Higurashi no Naku Koro ni and Kyuudou no Hito. I like them. I was also sent some Mitani Tomoyo and a song by MOSAIC.WAV.
Quote:
Originally Posted by indreamsiwalk
SHIINA Ringo (Tokyo Jihen) is one of my all-time favorites, Japanese or otherwise. And, she's a babe.
Ringo writes all her own songs and music. And did I mention she's a babe?
I love Shiina Ringo. I have all of those songs except Kiss Me Right Here. (ここでキスして。) I like Souretsu, Yokushitsu and Onaji Yoru too.
Aside from listening to her and Tokyo Jihen all the time, I'm back into a Gackt phase. His song 'Fragrance' is incredible. I squirm every time I hear it.
Someone was suggesting Ali Project and Tomoe Shinohara to me recently. Anyone know anything about them?
visual kei and most of its sub-genres. megamasso is my favorite of these bands
a small list of what i currently listen to(while it is in style to make lists):
versailles
hizaki grace project
aicle
Poitrine
megamasso (mention again)
Juka
SuG
Psycho le cemu
anyways mostly like these because they are good with the instruments they use, unlike the current trend in american rock music, which is to sound like metal, scream and make the least complex(original) of riffs, chords, etc. that anybody with the insentive and ability to pick up these instruments could outdo if missing their arms, and with severe brain damage.
ever since i first heard Utada's Song- first love.. i've been in love.. haha... so i went on a hunt to find all of her music..and i think i have most of them..
recently i found some music of Ayaka her music is nice too.. if u guys find the time. give it a shot.
i recommend ayaka - mikazuki and believe
I think Spitz is the best Japanese band out there: they actually write their songs and play instruments, their songs are easy to learn for karaoke, and they don't throw ridiculous English words/phrases into every song for no good reason.
My wife put me on to Spitz. チェリー was the first Japanese song I learnt to play when I was in Japan.
"Aishiteru" no hibiki dake de tsuyoku nareru kigashita yo
Sasayakana yorokobi wo tsubureru hodo dakishimete
You used to need a credit card issued from a Japanese bank to get an account on iTunes Japan, but they may have dropped that requirement. I have accounts on both the U.S. and Japanese iTunes. I don't know how common music piracy is in Japan, but I think it's less common than in the U.S.. 
:
And did I mention she's a babe? 
