Sync Sweep would be worth a mention for his generosity alone. Dude has gone and posted all 14 songs from his forthcoming album Silent Message for the masses on MySpace to enjoy. Added bonus – the album sounds good! I realize describing everything as “perfect for the season” can quickly turn annoying (cut me some…
Despite the title, The Blonde Plastic Wagon’s “Touch & Go!!” sounds like no band to ever grace the Touch & Go label. Well, maybe a little bit like Ted Leo, but that’s it. “Touch & Go!!” has more in common with modern-day indie-guitar groups like Los Campesinos!, as lead singer Nobuo Sinohara boasts a higher-pitched…
“Melt” is the key word in this band’s moniker. This three-piece manages to boil down a whole lot of musical influences on “ミライミライ,” the first single from Birds Melt Sky’s debut mini-album Birds In Space. Those opening swaths of synth bring to mind the sky-high electro of Bang Bang Balloon or √thumm, then enter the…
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZ0bpOGqi4M&hl=en_US&fs=1&] I’ve already speculated on how howly rock group The Bawdies seem poised to be pop hits in Japan. Turns out I was one song off – the band’s latest “Keep You Happy” sounds like a true stab at mainstream acceptance. All the rougher edges found on “Hot Dog” get sandblasted clean for a summer…
Spring has barely sprung, but ya still gotta start planning for summer festival season in Japan. Let’s see how the two behemoths have shaped up recently… Summer Sonic – Score one for the poptimists. Aw-shucks country pop star Taylor Swift will now play Summer Sonic. Please leave your horribly outdated Kanye jokes at home. The…