Tag: japanese power pop

International Power Pop from Japan: Calendars, Hajimepop and Hello

powerpopaholic

ハロー·アゲイン！Here are some new Japanese power pop bands I’ve heard recently… Enjoy!

Calendars “Everything Changes”
Sounding similar to Weezer, this Japanese band gives us a catchy hooks on the opener “You Read Me.” Sung in English, this band should very accessible to American audiences with its energetic youthful approach to guitar pop. The driving power riffs on “Tight Rope” make it stand out, despite the heavy accents. Worth checking out if you like J-rock.

Thistime Records | Facebook

Hajimepop “Melodies”
 Tokyo popster is heavily influenced by Paul McCartney, Brian Wilson and ELO, evidenced by the sparkling synths on “Kira Kra Star.” Sung in Japanese, the melodies and echoing harmonies of “White Piano” and “Mabataki” are light and soothing. But other tunes like “Unforgettable Love” and “Hi” sound a bit too kitschy even for me.

Amazon | Itunes

 

Hello!  “Unmastering Vol.1”
 I featured this band last year, and if you love Jellyfish styled power pop – this band follows the template perfectly. I’m not really sure if Unmastering is a single or the first track of a new EP, but thankfully we have a sweet video of the single and I can’t wait to hear more from this trio.

Thistime Records Japan | Hello! Website | Facebook

Japanese Power Pop Special! 日本のパワーポップ·ミュージック！

powerpopaholic 3 Comments

Certain countries really embrace power pop as a viable genre; Sweden, Spain, Italy, Brazil, Australia and the UK are included. But Japan may have the most fanatical fans, as ex-members of the band Jellyfish (Jason Faulkner, Andy Sturmer) found growing adulation there. Even if its not English language, you’ll know power pop when you hear it – so I did a few quick reviews…

The Mayflowers “Bremen Rock ” and “Red Balloon”
We mentioned The Mayflowers last week, but after going through their past catalog, I had to showcase them again. They have a knack for borrowing great song parts and making it all sound highly original and enjoyable. After you get Plymouth Rock, come back and get the other LPs. Highly recommended, get the albums domestically at Jam Records.
My Space | Bremen Rock | Red Balloon | Thistime Records


Onepercentres “Daydreaming Horses”
This band actually played at IPO, they have a harder rock sound, very similar to Green Day, Gin Blossoms, and The Goo Goo Dolls. The put a ton of power into their performance and let those fuzzy riffs do the work. And they sing in English too!
OnePercentres website | Thistime Records


Scott Goes For “Scott Goes For”
Crisp tight melodic arrangements have made the band Scott Goes For very comparable to Skeleton Staff and The Wellingtons. The band members are all veteran musicians supporting pop indie bands Pains of Being Pure At Heart and The Wellingtons on tour in Japan last year. A local critic called their debut “… a masterpiece that should be engraved in the history of Japanese rock.”

Scott Goes For website | Thistime Records


Hello “First Full Album (munasawagi pocket)”
Well you can’t get more poppy than this! Jellyfish and ELO influences are really strong here, despite the lack of English (but some English comes out in a few verses). The chords and harmonies are impressive and undeniably joyous. The album title “munasawagi” translates to “premonition.” But you don’t need ESP to enjoy this superior example of J-pop.
Hello website | Thistime Records


We’ve come a long way from those days when all I knew was Puffy AmiYumi! Fun Fact: in 2008 in Osaka, Mike Viola and Bleu were surprise wedding guests, and played “That Thing You Do!” for the happy couple.