Misora Hibari is the first modern Japanese idol. In her day, she was as big as Elvis, Frank Sinatra, and Shirley Temple. She rivaled AKB48 in popularity. Misora Hibari became a symbol of pre-WWII Japanese values and the changes Japan went through during the Occupation years. Teen girl characters in films and media became a…
Category: Music
Babymetal, the Future of American Metal?
What happens when you take American heavy metal and infuse it with the kawaii saccharine of j-pop? Kawaii metal. At least, that is what the metal group Babymetal wants to create. Babymetal is a j-pop idol schoolgirl trio set against the demonic riffs and imaginary that defines metal. The outlandish whiplash mix reminds me of…
the pillows
the pillows is an iconic Japanese rock band for many anime fans. They’ve been around since 1989 and introduced many Americans to Japanese music. They are best known for their work with Gainax in 1999…you should know what anime I am referring to: FLCL. (That’s pronounced Fooly Cooly). FLCL is a wacked out science fiction,…
L’Arc~en~Ciel
L’Arc~en~Ciel ( The Rainbow in French) is a Japanese rock band that formed back in 1991. The band has seen many changes across its long career: it has changed its bassist and drummer, but the core has remained the same. L’Arc~en~Ciel is operatic with their sound. Instrumentals are excellently dark and dramatic. Hyde’s (the lead…
Halcali
Halcali is an all female pop and hip-hop duo from Tokyo. Halca and Yucali have excellent harmony but are too “bubblegum” for my taste. Their album Halcali Bacon was the first album from an all female group to top Japan’s Oricon charts. The duo is remarkably flexible; they have been able to change with the…
High and Mighty Color
High and Mighty Color started as a Metallica cover band and worked their way up to fame until they broke apart in 2010. Honestly, I didn’t know Japan had Metallica cover bands. The band started in Okinawa like many other bands. American and Japanese music traditions mix and swirl on that island apparently. (Perhaps to…