Hello
degenerates, heathens, weirdos, and deviants. I am the Rock Otaku, and
I’m here to show you worlds such as hard rock, metal, punk, alternative rock,
movies, TV, anime, video games, and anything that makes us scream, shout, and
let it all out.
Welcome
to my Rockin’ Billboard Chart Watch.
Here, I take a break from reviewing classic heavy metal albums, movies,
TV, anime, games, and so on to review what is popular in the rock scene
according to Billboard. But this week,
I’ll look into the pop music of Japan.
As
for why, that’s an obvious answer. Did
you not notice how my online name is “Rock Otaku”? You already are familiar with the Rock part
of that name, I’m sure. As for the Otaku
part, it essentially means fan of anime, manga, and anything Japanese, but on a
level that they aren’t too obsessed with them (that’s a Weeaboo). In Japan, otaku would be considered the
equivalent of the basement-dwelling middle-aged shut-ins that we have
here. As for American Otaku, I’m not
sure if it means that, but expect Gen-Xers and millennials with Dragon Ball,
Sailor Moon, Pokémon, Digimon, Naruto, One Piece, Bleach, Fullmetal Alchemist,
Attack on Titan, Yu-Gi-Oh, Gundam, Death Note, Kill la Kill, Jojo’s Bizarre
Adventure, Gurren Lagaan, Blue Exorcist, Soul Eater, Black Butler, Hetalia,
Ouran High School Host Club, Cardcaptor Sakura, and Power Rangers memorabilia
on them. That and expect them to be
excited for and dreading the Power
Rangers and Ghost in the Shell
movies coming out. And claims of
poseurdom will be ignored if they cosplay as characters from those franchises
(and various fighting, RPG, and retro video game franchises) at conventions
like Comic-Con, PAX, Dragon-Con, or AX in Los Angeles.
One
pursuit that combines the two, the rock and otaku sides I have, is looking into
Japanese pop and rock music. I’m
familiar with anything from idol groups to visual kei, to say the least, while
I’m a fan of the latter in the musical sense (though I’d think I’d look great
in that attire). Plus I have all the
Japanese DLC in Rocksmith 2014 (mostly J-rock, with a noticeable absence of
anison outside of “Giri Giri Chop” and “Roundabout”). So I’m sure I’m qualified enough to review
j-pop in this series. Like with the
Billboard rock charts, I’ll focus on the Japan Hot 100 chart from Billboard for
this. Expect weird names, fun songs, and
the western hit or two. Like with last
week (or more technically two weeks ago), I’ll review new and returning entries
while giving you, the readers, the opportunity to select songs you want me to
review next week in a special run. With that
out of the way, here we go.
Oh,
and don’t expect videos of or links to every new/returning song
1. Koi – Gen Hoshino (3 last week): May
review next time if I get 10 views for this entry
2. Itteki No Eikyou – Uverworld (39 last
week): May review next time if I get 20 views for this entry
3. Reboot!!! – A.B.C-Z (New Arrival):
So
I go from reviewing rock bands to reviewing boy bands (insert reference to the
Rock of Ages musical here). If you’re
wondering, boy bands are as big with tweens in Japan as they are with tweens
here. As for the lyrics, I still
learning Japanese, so expect me to review them if there’s Engrish or if it’s a
“gaijin hit,” a.ka. a song from the west.
But if the Engrish here means anything, it probably gives off a sense of
trying to better yourself before the big fight with the universe-conquering
monster that killed your family. And you
feel awesome when you go up for the final fight. That or it’s something else. As for the music, the dudes sing their hearts
out, have the youthful energy to pull it off, each have their own parts, and
manage to give off positive vibes. The
music itself, features elements of disco, funk, and electronica, mixed in a way
that has several licks from the horns, jangly guitars, and a strong bass
line. If there’s a reason to listen to
this, it’s probably to practice karate with a big goofy grin on your face. Expect the desire to punch something in a
good mood.
4. Snow Sound – Alexandros (32 last week):
May review next time if I get 30 views for this entry
5. Beyond The Starlight – Rika Jogasaki
(Nozomi Yamamoto), Chieri Ogata (Naomi Ozora),Karen Houjo (Mai Fuchigami)… (New
Arrival):
Oh
no, it’s the moé invasion! Run
Butterfield! Hide the cookies!
If
you don’t get that reference, here’s where that comes from:
(Start
at 0:25).
If
there’s an issue that I have with this song now, it’s that it’s rather short in
most accessible versions, so it’s hard to listen to the entire song, or this is
the song overall. Shame, really, because
the moé aspects are nowhere near as bad as you’d think (you’d have to listen to
a lot of death metal to understand or enjoy this). The girls really sound great here (with some
AutoTune, not a lot I’m hearing), and the use of actual instruments alongside
the synthesizers here is extremely welcome to this guy right here. Hell, the use of guitar is how I’m suckered
into the moé nature of this song. If
you’re wondering what version to listen to, give the short version a listen
first before seeking out the full version, but the full version is worth it
(there’s a guitar solo for guitar enthusiasts, and it’s better than most solos
in modern country music). Definitely
recommended, but I’m not sure if it’s the reason I should get into IDOLM@STER,
thought (yes, this is an IDOLM@STER song).
6. Koe – Green Boys (4 last week): May
review next time if I get 40 views for this entry
7. Hitorisekai – 10-FEET (New Arrival):
Damnit,
I should have written this in kanji/hiragana/katakana!
Japan,
where rock bands can have songs in the Top 10 (American pop music, you
suck!). Yes, this has elements of pop
punk and emo, but that doesn’t mean this song sucks. In reality, it’s pretty good, with the right
amount of energy and emotion to give it a strong sense of bite and
feelings. The vocal performance is
powerful, the music is fast, furious, and melodic, the bass and drums keep
things in check, and the guitar solo, though short, is continuing with the
melodicism. In short, it’s a good song.
And
yes, Universal Music Japan split the music video into two parts.
8. Hikari No Atelier – Mr. Children (6
last week): May review next time if I get 50 views for this entry
9. Excite – Daichi Miura (9 last week):
May review next time if I get 60 views for this entry
10. Sayonara Bystander – YUKI (New arrival):
Can’t
find the video. Search “yuki sayonara
bystander” or watch March Comes in Like a Lion for it.
Great,
now I wonder if I want to check out March Comes in Like a Lion thanks to this
song being the second opening. Is that
weird? It’s a nice sounding song that
gives off a sort of happy yet melancholic vibe that screams that things can go
either way. It’s also very melodic,
giving off the usual vibe that you usually get from anison. If you’re wondering what vibe it is, try
listening to X Japan’s more melodic work and determine what kind of feelings
you get. Those are what’s on display
here. The vocals from Yuki are great,
while the instrumentation features a strong orchestral vibe that works with the
acoustic guitars, strong bass line, and passionate drum performance. In short, it’s a feel-good song that should
brighten your day if it’s going south.
11. Zenzenzense – RADWIMPS (11 last week):
May review next time if I get 70 views for this entry
12. Stay True – Suchmos (15 last week): May
review next time if I get 80 views for this entry
13. Silent Majority – Keycakizaka46 (14 last
week): May review next time if I get 90 views for this entry
14. Lightning – THE RAMPAGE from EXILE TRIBE
(2 last week): May review next time if I get 100 views for this entry
15. PPAP (Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen) – PIKOTARO
(8 last week): May review next time if I get 110 views for this entry
16. Torisetsu – Kana Nishino (69 last week):
May review next time if I get 120 views for this entry
17. Futari Saison – Keyakizaka46 (12 last
week): May review next time if I get 130 views for this entry
18. Beyond The Dream – THE IDOLM@STER SideM (New
Arrival):
So
there’s a male verison of IDOLM@STER?
Huh, neat.
So
like their female counterparts, there’s the multiple vocalists singing
alongside energetic, synth-laden pop rock.
You have everything, from guitar riffs, a thick bass line, energetic
drums, lots of synths and electronics, piano lines, and several anime dudes
singing about how you should aspire to be higher than what you are now. It’s as if this is the rule 63 version of
“Beyond the Starlight” right down to having a guitar solo (a few short ones,
but you get the idea). It’s a lot more
rock-based than that song, but it fits the amount of Asian pretty boy
testosterone on display. It’s as if
applying AKB48/Love Live concepts to male idols is not just appealing to girls,
but probably enough to inspire greatness in men.
Though
I do warn my male readers that this is most-likely meant for female fans, so
you’ll probably look like Mr. Turner if you get attached to this group.
19. Nagurigaki Beat – Kanjani 8 (1 last
week): May review next time if I get 140 views for this entry
20. Aiokuri – The STROBOSCORP (19 last week):
May review next time if I get 150 views for this entry
21. Magic – AAA (10 last week): May review
next time if I get 160 views for this entry
22. Shape Of You – Ed Sheeran (29 last week,
gaijin hit): May review next time if I get 170 views for this entry
23. Dead End in Tokyo – Man With A Mission (5
last week): May review next time if I get 180 views for this entry
24. Kiseki – GreeeeN (16 last week): May
review next time if I get 190 views for this entry
25. Fighter – KANA-BOON (81 last week): May
review next time if I get 200 views for this entry
26. Happy End – back number (21 last week):
May review next time if I get 210 views for this entry
27. 24K Magic – Bruno Mars (17 last week,
gaijin hit): May review next time if I get 220 views for this entry
28. Tomorrow – Machico (New Arrival):
A
Konosuba theme? Sweet! I’m just getting into this show. So to kick things into gear, this is
definitely more rock-oriented, matching the sense of getting to marching off
into battle (it’s as if Japan’s culture is so kawaii-driven, that this takes
elements of power metal). I mean, this
is probably a power metal song disguised as a pop tune. You have the guitars with the licks and
riffs, the bass and drums are fast paced, the synths are more in fun-mode, and
the female singers give off a sense that the adventure will be epic, but it
will be fun. And did I mentions that
this has a guitar solo? Seriously, Japan
has guitar solos in their Top 40, and we don’t!
I’ll say it again. America, our
pop music sucks when Japan has the better Top 40. Overall, it’s just a fun song to listen
to. And I hope to get caught-up on this
series.
29. Kiseki – Green Boys (13 last week): May
review next time if I get 230 views for this entry
30. We are – ONE OK ROCK (22 last week): May
review next time if I get 240 views for this entry (hopefully)
31. Orion – Kenshi Yonezu (New Arrival):
Another
March Comes In Like a Lion Theme?
Unfortunately, due to time constraints and lack of easy to access ways
to get the full song legally, this will be VERY short. But from what I’ve heard from covers and
short versions, it’s a sad-little song that’s both melodic and beautiful in its
melancholy. It’s more reflective of
dealing with loss and the effects on how it affects your being. But that’s my interpretation, if you can find
it, then tell me what you think. Now I
need something cheerful.
32. Sekai Ni Hitotsu Dake No Hana – SMAP (40
last week): May review next time if I get 250 views for this entry
33. Closer – The Chainsmokers Featuring
Hasley (43 last week, gaijin hit): May review next time if I get 260 views for
this entry
34. Michi – Green Boys (36 last week): May
review next time if I get 270 views for this entry
35. Emma – News (Returning entry):
Another
boy band? At least it’s a happy-sounding
tune. But with that spy-movie guitar
line, this gives off this sense of mystery that permeates throughout this song. As for the song, it’s a simple,
easy-to-follow song that about this chick named Emma that the dudes are all
into, or singing to so that her spirits are up.
But with this song’s mysterious, almost epic feel, I get the sense that
it’s more trying to solve the mystery surrounding her. But is it a bad song? I don’t think so, and I’ll be getting to
something terrible, I know it (based on my biases, it might be from
stateside). And that flute adds a sort
of western feel to the song, making it as if News are a bunch of cowboys and
Emma needs saving from Dirty Dan or something like that. Definitely a decent tune.
36. Sayonara No Imi – Nogizaka 46 (38 last
week): May review next time if I get 280 views for this entry
37. Dear Bride – Kana Nishino (42 last week):
May review next time if I get 290 views for this entry
38. Yes! Party Time!! – Uduki Shimamura
(Ayaka Ohashi),Rin Shibuya( Ayaka Fukihara),Mio Honda (Sayuri Hara)… (New
Arrival):
At
least they got the title right. It may
not be as wild as thrash metal parties (check with Municipal Waste on that
one), but it’s enough to get a rave going.
And with all the extra musical flourishes, it gives off the sense that
this party is wilder than what KISS is capable of (maybe as wild). The girls sound great, the synths are
surprisingly well-mixed, and the rhythm keeps you on your feet as the song goes
on. But to get this out faster, and
because I need to get the next Let Them Eat Metal out soon, I’ll leave it at
that and let the music do the talking (reference KISS, then Aerosmith? I’m such a rock geek).
39. Paris – The Chainsmokers (51 last week,
gaijin hit): May review next time if I get 300 views for this entry
40. Castle On The Hill – Ed Sheeran (65 last
week, gaijin hit): May review next time if I get 310 views for this entry
41. A.G.I.T. – Suchmos (20 last week): May
review next time if I get 320 views for this entry
42. Tokyo Girl – Perfume (56 last week): May
review next time if I get 330 views for this entry
43. Zenzenzense (pt. 2) – RADWIMPS (30 last
week): May review next time if I get 340 views for this entry
44. Uptown Funk! – Mark Ronson Featuring
Bruno Mars (48 last week, gaijin hit): May review next time if I get 350 views
for this entry
45. Sun – Gen Hoshino (35 last week): May
review next time if I get 360 views for this entry
46. Say You Won't Let Go – James Arthur (18
last week, gaijin hit): May review next time if I get 370 views for this entry
47. Wherever You Are – ONE OK ROCK (54 last
week): May review next time if I get 380 views for this entry
48. Rhapsody Of Blue Sky – fhana (44 last
week): May review next time if I get 390 views for this entry
49. Ibasho – KREVA (New Arrival):
Damn
lack of places to find it. I’ll probably
just buy this one for reviewing purposes.
50. Saigo Mode – Itowokashi (New Arrival):
So
this is a nice-sounding song about that apparently was used to advertise Kit
Kat bars. I might need more information
on this one, but I do know that Kit Kats are a big deal in Japan (to the point
that there’s a green tea flavor). But
for the song on its own, it a nice ballad with well-sung vocals, great instrumentation,
with the guitars, bass, and drums being strong, good use of piano, orchestra,
and synthesizers, and so on. It’s a nice
song to listen to, but it isn’t the best thing ever. Hopefully, things will get more interesting.
51. Emu – Uverworld (New Arrival):
From
what I can gather from the melody, this is a pretty rad song. Too bad I’m sure that Sony Japan won’t let me
jump in unless I buy the album (well I know what’s on my list of things to
get).
52. Welcome To Tokyo – Sandaime J Soul
Brothers from EXILE TRIBE (55 last week): May review next time if I get 400
views for this entry
53. Kanade – Sukima Switch (Returning Entry):
So
yeah, this song is an older one, but it’s something that I think deserves to
return to the chart. It’s a powerful,
emotional ballad with all the trappings of a good one, such as well-mixed
instruments like guitars, piano, organ, orchestra, bass, and drums, while the
vocals are great, and the duet versions are really good. It’s a good song to listen to, and it has the
power and punch to deliver some quality pop to your earholes. And the rises in emotion in the song
throughout is also welcome. The final
major strength, especially when it’s a duet, is when the two singers sing
together in harmony with all the emotion having been built up. Definitely recommended.
54. Wanna Go Home – Aqua (Sora
Amamiya),Megumin (Rie Takahashi),Darkness (Ai Kayano) (New Arrival):
Is
it me, or does the country/western vibe of this song fit with what I’m sure the
song is about. Specifically that desire
to return to your home after a long quest slaying dragons. Yes this is a Konosuba song, and it’s a calm,
relaxing one at that. The guitars are
all good here, from the acoustics to the slide, the drums are steady, the bass
is fine, and the three seyuu singing as their characters manage to have good
tones throughout. Not much to say here,
as I’m sure most versions out now are short unless you buy the full version,
but this is a great first impression for me overall. However, if you’re a fan of classic country
music, you’ll definitely dig this track.
If not, then we have a serious disagreement.
55. Harajuku Iyahoi – Kyary Pamyu Pamyu (46
last week): May review next time if I get 410 views for this entry
56. Be Noble – Boku No Ririkku No Bouyomi (50
last week): May review next time if I get 420 views for this entry
57. All Day Long Lady – E-Girls (33 last
week): May review next time if I get 430 views for this entry
58. Silent Libre Mirage – UNISON SQUARE
GARDEN (New Arrival):
I’m
about to give up on the whole sharing-music part of this due to how difficult
this turned out to be.
This
is an anime theme, I know it. If not,
then correct me. But regardless, it’s a
rather interesting song to have on the chart, based on the rockier
elements. However, due to a lack of
finding this song online, then I’d recommend trying to find this yourselves and
checking it out. It’s a decent sounding
song regardless, so I give it a recommendation.
59. Kanpaku Sengen – Masashi Sada (New
Arrival):
So
this is quite the ballad. What I mean is
that it’s been around for a long time.
Probably the 70s to be exact.
It’s such a weird moment to see this on the charts like this, probably
because I get the sense that it’s probably been on there for a while, then
returned. But beyond that, it’s
practically a Japanese-Guy-With-Acoustic-Guitar song, and it’s probably better
than most of the White-Guy-With-Acoustic-Guitar songs we usually get. Plus the incorporation of drums and organ
gives it a slightly more fun vibe while being a fun song already. I mean is that it’s a fun sounding song that
might be great to sing at karaoke. In
short, I think it’s a good song.
60. Walkure Ga Tomaranai – Walkure (78 last
week): May review next time if I get 440 views for this entry
61. Automaton – Jamiroquai (New Arrival,
gaijin hit):
Finally,
something in English. If you’ve never
heard of this artist, then you probably would be interested to know that he did
that song “Virtual Insanity.” And here,
he records a spacey electropop song about what is probably about a robot
created by aliens (that’s what I gather from the music video). But despite that, this British performer
manages to have more personality than most artists who rely on electronica to
mask their lack of creativity and talent, which is more artists that make your
charts than you think. But this banging
track is what would happen if an artsy artist saw how Daft Punk decided to sell
out and said “I’ll going to play what they used to play.” The instrumentation is great, using spacy
synthesizers and electronics to create a cyberpunk vibe, then incorporating a
few other instruments such as guitars when necessary. But if there’s a tone that you’ll enjoy about
this song, it feels like a continuation of what Jamiroquai was going for with “Virtual
Instanity” and taking it up to 11. In
short, this is highly recommended.
62. True Destiny – Nao Toyama (New Arrival):
Link Here: http://it.musicplayon.com/play?v=955915
Again,
issues finding a link to share.
So
this is the epic theme for Chain Chronicle: The Light of Haecceitas. In short, this has a very rock-based, epic
vibe that gives off a sense of action and dread, while provided the urge to
fight on. The instrumentation mixes
guitars, synthesizers, piano, bass, and drums with finesse and energy, while
Nao Toyama sings her heart out to sell this.
And somehow, I found a way to listen to the whole song (Hooray!). And the overall musical force manages to be a
lot more interesting than expected being a song that has enough elements of
j-pop, symphonic power metal, hard rock, and so on mixed with the right
elements of anison to make something definitely worth checking out. In short, if cutesy rock with an epic feel is
your thing, then check this out.
63. Sekai Niha Ai Shikanai – Keyakizaka46 (64
last week): May review next time if I get 450 views for this entry
64. New Me – Osaka Syunkasyuto (New Arrival):
(Look
it up).
So
this track has a jazzy feel to it. That’s
what it is initially, but there’s also a more modern sense to it. If there’s an overall issue, it would be the
use of said modern production techniques, though that would be the result of
the Lazerdisk remix. Rather than that,
this song has a good melodic line created by the jazzier elements of the song,
and there’s also the vocals, which are pretty good here. The pitch shifting might be off (again, a
result of the Lazerdisk remix), but it’s a fun song regardless. The instrumentation, with piano and
electronics, plus what sounds like a recorder, is fine. Nothing to blow me out of the park, but I also
wonder what their old sound was.
65. Koi No Hajimari Wa Itsumo Totsuzenn Ni –
chay (65 last week): May review next time if I get 460 views for this entry
66. Yattemiyou – WANIMA (Returning Entry):
Okay,
this song is a ton of fun. With its
rhythm and sense of fun, this reminds me of the demented sense of pleasure that
exists in punk rock, especially pop punk.
I’d say that this would be considered pop punk, definitely, with its
instrumentation favoring heavy guitars and instrumentation, thick bass and
drums, and loud, youthful vocals. But
the song’s feeling of fun is infectious, so if you hate fun, then you’ll hate
this. Thankfully the video is as
demented and fun as the song itself.
This is pure fun, and that’s all I have to say about that.
67. Cocoa – AAA (New Arrival):
A
fun little j-pop number that makes me all warm and fuzzy? BRING IT ON?
But despite the possibility that this song might be on the sugary side
(ya think!?), it’s the kind that I’m kind of a sucker for. I mean, I do like ballads by Firehouse, so
there’s a sense that this as the same amount of fluff. But there’s one minor nitpick. It’s probably just about hot chocolate. Nothing wrong with that, but it’s not
something I’d sing about unless I’m missing something. The music is nice, with its guitars,
drumwork, bass, and flourishes of orchestra and piano, but it’s not something I’d
listen to over and over again. But if it’s
on, I wouldn’t mind it. It’s a sweet
song, and that’s about it. Plus the video
is fine.
68. Loser – Kenshi Yonezu (85 last week): May
review next time if I get 470 views for this entry
69. Monochro – Flower (58 last week, gaijin hit):
May review next time if I get 480 views for this entry
70. Ikkyu San – Wednesday Campanella
(Returning Entry):
Why
do I feel that this is going to be a fun song to have at parties? Probably it’s because of the elements of
disco that are prevalent. Plus it’s
interesting that there’s also strong elements of hip hop used here. Not just in the rapping, but in the beat matching
with the other funk and disco elements.
It’s weird that, despite being on the rocker side of things, I have a
side that likes disco. But I’ll have to
give this song credit for having a small guitar solo here. But that’s not where the song is completely
strong, as that bass line is the kind that encourages dancing. You also have the other musical elements
being strong here. Plus, you have the
video, which might run extremely well here in the states, considering that it
deals with romance, dreamscapes, and a building getting blown up at the
end. Definitely a winner.
71. Shukan Shonen Jump – RADWIMPS (New
Arrival):
If
you’re wondering, this is about the manga magazine. The one that gave us Dragon Ball, Naruto, One
Piece, Bleach, and so on. Starting with
a piano and the singer’s vocal performance, you get the sense that this is
entirely about how much the magazine means to them. And for a lot of people, Weekly Shonen Jump
means a lot, especially manga readers, and its influences on Japanese culture
can still be seen today. If you were
expecting something louder, heavier, or more hot-blooded, you shouldn’t, as
this song is definitely more on the ballad side of things. It’s a great reminder of how much manga means
to its fans. And it’s also a tribute to
the legacy of the famous manga magazine and the works presented in it. I’m sure you’ll recognize most of the series
referenced in the video, and if not, then you should be able to recognize at
least one. Definitely a good song for
what it is.
72. Hikari – Hikaru Utada (58 last week): May
review next time if I get 490 views for this entry
73. TT – TWICE (66 last week): May review
next time if I get 500 views for this entry
74. Mori No Kuma San – Parma Taisa (80 last
week): May review next time if I get 510 views for this entry
75. What Do You Mean? – Justin Bieber (77
last week): May review next time if I get 520 views for this entry
76. My Boo – Shota Shimizu (Returning Entry):
And
here’s the Asian equivalent to our R&B ballads. Not to say it’s awful, but it’s probably
weirder that there’s a R&B hit with all the trappings of our versions of
this song, such as over-processed music (though it’s a lot less abrasive than
what’s going on with the pop charts here), the melody, the song being about a
girl he likes, and the friggin’ use of AutoTune. Seriously, this song uses AutoTune, and it’s
so obvious that it lands Shota Shimizu in the category of T-Pain-style crooner
(which is something that I’m sure most artists today would hate to be
considered). In short, it’s a pretty
bleh song, but it’s inoffensive enough that I wouldn’t mind it playing in the
background (there are ways to tick me off in this regard). But I was only able to find a short official video,
so there might be some elements later in the song I would have enjoyed, but
unable to now due to massive time constraints.
77. Uso To Bonnou – KREVA (New Arrival):
Search
for it to get it. Right now.
Somehow
I was able to find this one. However,
this song is not in the ultra-enjoyable side of j-pop. It’s more in the weird parts of that
scene. Its structure is very off-kilter
and driven by an electronic line, with a surprisingly good bass line. Then you have the vocals, which have some
pitch shifting, but are also adding to the madness. If I can describe this song, it’s musical
madness. Controlled musical madness, but
musical madness regardless. If that’s
your thing, then you’ll love this track.
If not, then I’d recommend skipping this one. I’m more in the middle on this one right now.
78. Crazy Crazy – Yasutaka Nakata/Kyary Pamyu
Pamyu (41 last week): May review next time if I get 530 views for this entry
79. Tokimeki Experience – Poppin'Party (New
Arrival):
Yep,
this is from that band anime that has been creating the buzz for a “band boom”
to replace the “idol boom.” Any my
thoughts? It’s decent. Not to say it’s terrible, but it does put a
smile on my face in the moment, and it’s clearly taking influences from idol
music while giving it a rock edge. So
yeah, this might be the “next big thing” in regards to anime about girls making
music, but I also feel that it has been done before (K!On and Love Live come to
mind immediately). Is it good on its
own? It does feel like the five girls
(apparently the seyuus for the girls in the show actually played their
instruments) are the only ones who are playing their instruments, though I’m
sure that they got some connections at a studio somewhere to get this recorded
if wasn’t their talent agency. But the
riffs are decent, with a a fine guitar
solo, the bass is given some punch, the drums are pretty good, the keys are
pretty well used, and all 5 girls manage to add to the cute factor. If you hate cute, then the above decent (to
the point where it might be great) instrumentation is not going to convince you
to give this a shot. But if there’s a
silver lining, this might mean that we might get more rock bands that don’t
have to rely on testosterone poisoning to gain exposure worldwide *cough*Five
Finger Death Punch suck now*cough.
Sorry, just had a bad cough there.
80. Nandemo Naiya – RADWIMPS (59 last week):
May review next time if I get 540 views for this entry
81. 365 Nichi No Kami Hikouki – AKB48 (68
last week): May review next time if I get 550 views for this entry
82. Fairy Tale – Sangatsu No Phantasia (New
Arrival):
No
link here as well that has the full, original song yet.
If
you’re wondering, this is the ending theme to Interviews with Monster Girls,
and it’s a relatively nice-sounding song.
Its melody is that of the sort where you look back on the day you had
and reflect on how it was. It also
reflects on the fact that even if you are different, there are others dealing
with the issues that you may have. That
and it’s beautiful musically. Plus the
singer manages to sound amazing here. In
short, it’s a nice little song that reflects just how sweet the series is as a
whole. Definitely a good one.
83. Over The Top – Hey! Say! Jump (New
Arrival):
Hey
look, another boy band. Is this a bad
song, then? I know that this is
definitely for the tween girls that are reading this (I don’t know if my
combined influences appeal to tween girls anyway). As for the music, it’s alright, with a decent
key change and some good singing from the boys.
Is it for me? I don’t think so. But I may need to find the full version to
determine if it’s a good song overall.
84. Boku Igai No Dareka – NMB48 (73 last
week): May review next time if I get 560 views for this entry
85. Mint – Suchmos (79 last week): May review
next time if I get 570 views for this entry
86. Okinotayu – Wagakki Band (New Arrival):
If
you don’t know who this band is, and what style to expect, here’s the
basics. Imagine folk Japanese instruments
used to play rock music with the addition of the usual electric guitars, bass,
and drums. In short, you get something awesome. As for this song, it definitely falls into
the ballad side of their music. As a
result, you may not be able to understand until how hard they rock unless you
see them live, but this still has enough to keep you satisfied. The instrumentation is lush and beautiful,
the rhythm is steady, the vocals are emotional and powerful, and the
combination of folk and rock instruments is so well done that they complement
each other. Hell, the keys used for the
music add to the wintery beauty of the song itself. In short, this is a must-listen for anyone
interested in Japanese culture.
87. See You Again – Wiz Khalifa Featuring
Charlie Puth (100 last week, gaijin hit): May review next time if I get 580
views for this entry
88. On Hold – The xx (53 last week, gaijin
hit): May review next time if I get 590 views for this entry
89. Flash – Perfume (97 last week): May
review next time if I get 600 views for this entry
90. Kawaiku Naritai – HoneyWorks Featuring
Sena Narumi (New Arrival):
A
nice-sounding, sugary song sung by a girl that involves girly things with musical
elements of bubblegum? It’s not as if
this was a curveball. If you know
anything about modern Japan, this is pretty easy to understand being
popular. Does that make it a bad
song? Not really. It’s a fun little song dealing with the girl
and her usual antics, plus trying to appeal to a boy. All wrapped in elements of Japanese bubblegum
such as acoustic guitars, jangly guitars, touches of synthesizers and bells,
and awkward-sounding vocals. Is it a fun
song? Yes. Is it a filling song? Not really.
Is it ear poison? Only if you
listen to nothing by black metal (and I’m sure there are enough try-hard fans
that do that). But is it a nice song for
play during the afternoon, or with your girlfriend? Sure, but don’t expect the evening to be
filled with fire if you play this to her.
91. Konya Dake Machigai Janai Koto Ni
Shiteageru – Awesome City Club (45 last week): May review next time if I get
610 views for this entry
92. Heroine – back number (74 last week): May
review next time if I get 620 views for this entry
93. Ashita Mo – SHISHAMO (New Arrival):
Link
unavailable
From
what I can gather from the melody, this song should interesting to hear on its
own, but thanks to how things are done, I’m gonna have to find another way to
listen to it, then share how I did. Good
from what I can gather, though.
94. Kanzen Kankaku Dreamer – ONE OK ROCK (93
last week): May review next time if I get 630 views for this entry
95. Hanataba Wo Kimi Ni – Hikaru Utada (86
last week): May review next time if I get 640 views for this entry
96. Wataridori – Alexandros (Returning
Entry):
So
this is a returning entry? So for what
this song is about, I’m sure that it’s about the singer having some sort of
romantic feelings for a girl he knows. I’m
sure that’s why he’s playing an acoustic guitar in the video while cosplaying
as Todd in the Shadows. Or this is about
something else. But regardless, this is
a fun, little pop rock number that has the energy and emotion to ensure that
this song will be on my radar, no matter the season. The guitars are done well with the acoustics
providing some melodic backbone while the lead electric guitarist provides the
riffs and licks to keep things energetic.
The bass and drums maintain a jumpy rhythm throughout this fun, happy
song. And that’s what it is, a happy
song. One that is definitely in my
playlists for this year.
97. Happy – Pharrell Williams (Returning
Entry, gaijin hit):
Speaking
of happy songs, we have what should be the happiest one ever. And yes, it’s a little weird that it’s until
now that I talk about this infectiously happy track. And let me the big grouch and admit it’s
extremely overrated. It’s a fun song on its
own, and Pharrell manages to sell this song with gusto while providing stellar
production, making sure that every instrument and singer has the clarity they
deserve. The issue is, or was, the
overplay it got when it first came out.
THIS WAS EVERYWHERE! And now it’s
back in Japan, and I have to review it.
Does that mean I now hate this song more, or do I like it more? The song is better without the overplay ruining
it, and I feel that I can dig this song more.
I’ll also say that it’s a good kind of dorky, as in it’s so
happy-go-lucky that it’s impossible for a serious artist to have made
this. Pharrell is a massive dork, as
N.E.R.D. and his work with the Despicable Me movies have proven. And while I can’t go further without
repeating words spoken my other critics, let me say that I give this song a recommendation
for a fresh re-listen. Plus, it gives
you the context for this Weird Al parody:
As
for why it’s popular? All I can say is
that the Minions have overstayed their welcome.
98. Bang Bang Bang – BIGBANG (92 last week):
May review next time if I get 650 views for this entry
99. Himawari No Yakusoku – Motohiro Hata (76
last week): May review next time if I get 660 views for this entry
100. Sugar – Maroon 5 (Returning Entry):
Oh,
I am going to anger a lot of people with this one. I think this song is so lame that it’s only
on the chart because of the title (Japan has as big of a sweet tooth as Gintoki
Sakata). But before I discuss anything
good about it (there’s very little), I’ll get to the crap. The vocals by Adam Levine are an acquired taste,
but it’s so high, nasal, and squeaky that I can’t take him seriously as a sex
idol. Then there’s the very processed
sound of this song, so processed that I’m not sure if the rest of the band
played their instruments here, or if it was a computer program. When Poppin’Party is more authentic with
their instrumentation then Maroon 5, then the latter definitely screwed up
somewhere. And the lyrics are very
generic. But if there’s an aspect I find
alright, it’s the disco influences. Yes,
the disco influences. While I think that
this is so white that being a hit in Japan doesn’t help the wafer-thin quality
of this song, it’s an average dance track at best. But despite me wanting Maroon 5 to return to
their old sound, which is impossible now since they sold out, I’d give this
song a very low recommendation while I stick with this “Sugar”:
Now
that is a song I can play with Japanese Idol pop. \m/
So
those were my thoughts on the charts and the new arrivals. If you feel that I skipped out on certain
songs, then feel free in the comments what songs you want me to elaborate
on. I have plans depending on how this
is received for what I review will next time as well as what is new next time
for the chart I ultimately look at. If
you have different opinions on the songs I reviewed, feel free to tell me in the
comments as well.
Until
Next Time, This is The Rock Otaku. Live
Loud and Play Hard.
All used references are done under the rules of fair use and are
owned by their original creators.
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