[sweetplastic]

Although not a fan of "modern" J or K-Pop, here are a few bands that I absolutely love:
 
The Blue Hearts 情熱の薔薇
 

 
 

夜の盗賊団

 
The Blue Hearts (or The High Lows after they disbanded) are my favorite Japanese band. Even with my average language skills, their lyrics speak to the heart.
Maybe a last one from them:
 
青春

 
And some random favorites:

 

 
The one who started the J Idol wave, way back in 1971: the über cute Amachi Mari

 
Thanks to all in this thread for the inspiration!
 

 

[TwinQY]

Wow, really good stuff! Would love it if you could share more! The Blue Hearts sound awesome! 

 

[Golila3]

Any Modern J-Rock fans? I Think these guys are great
[VIDEO]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGbxsiBZGPI[/VIDEO]

 

[TwinQY]

I only know them from the Black Rock Shooter game and NEWS (the main vocalist, it's pretty obvious), lol. Strikes me as a more melodic, catchy, and less gimmicky UVERWORLD. Also has an ART-SCHOOL image vibe for me (although almost every J-Rock band at this point does). Will order a few of their CDs tomorrow.

 

[kookoo]

Modern J-Rock for me would be High and Mighty Color, too bad they have disbanded...along time ago. Maki-chan~~~~
 

 

[Golila3]

I only know them from the Black Rock Shooter game and NEWS (the main vocalist, it's pretty obvious), lol. Strikes me as a more melodic, catchy, and less gimmicky UVERWORLD. Also has an ART-SCHOOL image vibe for me (although almost every J-Rock band at this point does). Will order a few of their CDs tomorrow.

Lol... Yeah the main vocalist is quite obvious regarding both looks and singing voice. Uverworld is also one of my favorite bands, but I feel like listening to their music for a long time is really tiring. Good luck with your CDs, I strongly suggest thier Zankyo Reference Album!

 

[TwinQY]

Quote:

Modern J-Rock for me would be High and Mighty Color, too bad they have disbanded...along time ago. Maki-chan~~~~
 
 

I don't think anybody's gotten over them disbanding yet. I can still remember every Friday night, Bleach would come on, and I would always sit down and listen to OP2 without switching the channel. 
 
Though I'm more bummed out by my favourite band, SFP, disbanding 4 months ago...Yumi, why? I don't have enough money for a plane ticket to go to every time you have a La-La-Larks gig! Can I just say that the entire School Food is Good Food album is a hallmark of Japanese electronic/alternative/dream pop? Okay, I'm biased, but...just listen.
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3iCRiTo0SI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0IEyD0ozX8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEwppPpm3o4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pA5ppAQB7Jc&feature=related
 
Every Summer break, for the last 4 years, this, on repeat the whole day. Word cannot describe how beautiful it was.
 
And back to the oldies (me and my mother love her)

 

[Golila3]

Modern J-Rock for me would be High and Mighty Color, too bad they have disbanded...along time ago. Maki-chan~~~~

Yeahhhh seriously too bad. Really love their Gandam themes(although I don't eve watch Gundam) and the Darker than black theme.

 

[kookoo]

Quote:

I don't think anybody's gotten over them disbanding yet. I can still remember every Friday night, Bleach would come on, and I would always sit down and listen to OP2 without switching the channel. 
 
Though I'm more bummed out by my favourite band, SFP, disbanding 4 months ago...Yumi, why? I don't have enough money for a plane ticket to go to every time you have a La-La-Larks gig! Can I just say that the entire School Food is Good Food album is a hallmark of Japanese electronic/alternative/dream pop? Okay, I'm biased, but...just listen.
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3iCRiTo0SI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0IEyD0ozX8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEwppPpm3o4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pA5ppAQB7Jc&feature=related
 
Every Summer break, for the last 4 years, this, on repeat the whole day. Word cannot describe how beautiful it was.
 
And back to the oldies (me and my mother love her)

Love it, very melodic, where can I buy their stuff?...Seriously
I don't have an iTunes account (or any apple product)
Just did an ebay search...$60 for 1 album? what the

 

[TwinQY]

Quote:

Lol... Yeah the main vocalist is quite obvious regarding both looks and singing voice. Uverworld is also one of my favorite bands, but I feel like listening to their music for a long time is really tiring. Good luck with your CDs, I strongly suggest thier Zankyo Reference Album!

I'm listening to the full album on youtube right now (can't find it on Grooveshark). So far, Lost and Found is a favourite. Sometimes it can get a bit repetitive, but only with the beginning tracks. The end gets a little more flavorful. 
 
All this modern stuff makes me want to listen to some Ling Tosite Sigure. Love their album from last year.

 

[TwinQY]

Quote:

Love it, very melodic, where can I buy their stuff?...Seriously
I don't have an iTunes account (or any apple product)
Just did an ebay search...$60 for 1 album? what the

 
I got it when I went to Hokkaido a few summers ago for like 1000 yen. I think you can import them for around $10-20 on cdjapan.
 
Quote:

Yeahhhh seriously too bad. Really love their Gandam themes(although I don't eve watch Gundam) and the Darker than black theme.

 
High and Mighty Color did the Darker than Black theme? I never realized until now, lol!

 

[Golila3]

I'm listening to the full album on youtube right now (can't find it on Grooveshark). So far, Lost and Found is a favourite. Sometimes it can get a bit repetitive, but only with the beginning tracks. The end gets a little more flavorful. 

All this modern stuff makes me want to listen to some Ling Tosite Sigure. Love their album from last year.

Lol... Just dug that album out from my hard drive... currently listening to my portable headphone while looking for the physical CD. Love their "A Symmetry"

 

[TwinQY]

Quote:

Lol... Just dug that album out from my hard drive... currently listening to my portable headphone while looking for the physical CD. Love their "A Symmetry"

I happen to like everything in the latter part of the album (starting from A Symmetry). This is consistent with a lot of their albums. I always think they save the best and most progressive for last. Like a huge release of frenetic energy at the end. Illusion is Mine and Replica, some of the softer songs, but probably the most gripping and spastic emotionally and lyrically. 
 
Sigh, few decent Japanese CD stores in Vancouver. At least there were some in Seattle whenever I went...Plenty of fantastic record and hi-fi shops here though 

 

[kookoo]

Thanks TwinQY, placed an order for their first album i think from 2007...ships in 2-4 weeks, oh well. fair short album with only 7 tracks though

 

[Golila3]

I got it when I went to Hokkaido a few summers ago for like 1000 yen. I think you can import them for around $10-20 on cdjapan.
CD Japan ftw.... Just spent 2000 points -.- got the new ONE OK ROCK album for 900yen

High and Mighty Color did the Darker than Black theme? I never realized until now, lol!

I think it's the second ED


Speaking of good old days, I still have a Terresa Teng album In the car.
[VIDEO]http://www.youtube.com/watch?nomobile=1&v=VJqHB3e16dk[/VIDEO]