Recommend some J-rock, pretty please?

[KBMaster]

I am currently in need of some clean J-rock. I like Do as Infinity and Asian Kung Fu Generation. The Pillows are alright. I don't like heavy metal like the Mad Capsule Markets. So if anyone could recommend some with clean lyrics, even though it's in Japanese and I can't understand what they're saying ANYWAY, it'd be appreciated.

Oh and if you can recommend some J-pop that's not too bad, please do! But please note that I don't like anything Ayumi Hamasaki-ish or BoA-ish. They're just too pop-ish. Thanks!

[Mr. SmartyPants]

You might try Polysics, but they are a VERY acquired taste. The are like, electrofunk newwave.

Some of their videos

Electric Surfin Go Go
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chqFwSPRTO8

Kaja Kaja Goo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zxGdxqw0vE

My Sharona
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6NIJ5r448A

Also, I like Asian Kung-Fu Generation.

[beau99]

Heh. Yeah. Polysics are like Devo... only crazier.

How about L'Arc~en~Ciel?

[Debitt]

:3 Seconding L'arc-en-Ciel. If you like their music, the lead singer Hyde also has three solo albums that I like a LOT.

Also, Porno Graffiti is pretty good - they're clean, despite the name of the band. XD

[That Dude]

Have you checked out Hyde? Also I'm not sure about the lyrics but I haven't heard japanese cusswords that I know in their music, try Aural Vampires.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

Heh. Yeah. Polysics are like Devo... only crazier.

How about L'Arc~en~Ciel?

Well Devo is their main inspiration, plus they have a lot of Devo references in their songs and music videos.

[Aka-chan]

Also, Porno Graffiti is pretty good - they're clean, despite the name of the band. XD

Agreed, only I think it's Porno Graffitti, if I remember correctly.

Also, I'm a big fan of Plastic Tree. And some of Miyavi's stuff is less hard rock-ish; you may want to pick and choose.

[Solid Ronin]

Asian Kung Fu Generation.

They're like a mix of Foo Fighters, Wezzer, (Insert name of Band that sounds like the other 10 bands). Funny thing is, I don't care for any of those bands.

[KBMaster]

Polysics is... wow. I see what you mean by an acquired taste but I don't think I could ever acquire that taste.

So far, I'm liking Miyavi. He's got a hot voice. After hearing some more of his songs, I'll listen to some of the others. Except for Porno Grafitti. Their name bothers me and would DEFINITELY bother my mom and it'll really bug me if I REEEEAAALLY like them and can't get their CD.

Thank you for all the wonderful suggestions!

[ShiroiHikari]

Miyavi's lyrics aren't exactly clean, though...

I very highly recommend L'arc-en-ciel or Gackt. The only Gackt song that isn't clean is Vanilla, but otherwise it's all good.

[beau99]

The only Gackt song that isn't clean is Vanilla, but otherwise it's all good.

Just don't go looking for any live videos on Youtube, though.

He's actually married to a woman, but on stage he likes to do things to his male bandmembers which aren't exactly friendly for discussion here.

[Aka-chan]

He got divorced a while ago, actually. Some of the Gackt songs tend to be a little suggestive, but Vanilla's the only one that's all out.

Miyavi's definitely good. I'm personally also a fan of The Gazette, but I don't know if some of that is too "noisy" for you.

[Debitt]

Ah, I was going to mention Gazette, but there's a lot of random screaming. XD It's a bit of an acquired taste.

I really enjoy Kagrra, too - they're a mix of rock and Noh-style music, and it makes the history nerd in me happy inside. ^___^

[beau99]

I'd mention Dir en grey... though a lot of their songs are LOUD, vulgar and screamy.


They do have some really great (clean) ballads though, such as "Itoshisa ha Fuhai Nitsuki", "ain't afraid to die", "Taiyou no Ao" and "Higeki ha Mabuta wo Oroshita Yasashiki Utsu", the last of which was written for a fan who committed suicide.

[That Dude]

You can always go with the queens of Jpop, Puffy Ami Yumi!

[zombieguy]

For a good clean oshare kei band, try Antic Cafe. Also L'Arc~en~Ciel. And I think most of X-Japan's ballads are clean (such as "Alive," "Crucify My Love," "Endless Rain," "Forever Love," "Say Anything," etc).

[harina]

Try Go!Go!7188. Most of the songs are rock, though my friend says that you can't say that music that has a female singer is rock.. Anyway, they have a very unique sound and it's my favorite band. ^.^

[That Dude]

You might also want to check out Antique Cafe.

[memmer66]

Asian Kung-Fu Generation is good, try their song Kimi to lu Hana. And Dir en grey is VERY good, like them a lot!

[harina]

You might also want to check out Antique Cafe.

The exact name is actually Antic Café, or AnCafé. 'Antique Cafe' was make up by fans.

[That Dude]

Though I do enjoy Dir En Grey they do not have the cleanest lyrics. Nothing worse than much of the radio rock but I'd warn you to have caution with them if you want clean lyrics.

[beau99]

^ Yeah, I gave that warning earlier.

Though the few songs that are clean are brilliant pieces of work.

[Mave]

I stubbornly and proudly stick to L'Arc-en-Ciel (most songs), Porno Graffitti (it's so decent and clean, it's not even funny), and approve Asian Kung Fu Generation (at least whatever Ronin introduced me to). Disclaimer: I haven't paid attention to every single lyric.

I listen to some of the other groups mentioned here but it's usually random song here and there.

[KBMaster]

I stubbornly and proudly stick to L'Arc-en-Ciel (most songs), Porno Graffitti (it's so decent and clean, it's not even funny), and approve Asian Kung Fu Generation (at least whatever Ronin introduced me to). Disclaimer: I haven't paid attention to every single lyric.

I listen to some of the other groups mentioned here but it's usually random song here and there.

L'Arc'Em'Ciel - A lot of people have reccommended them, but I really don't like them. They're bland, IMHO.
Porno Grafitti - Maybe when I move out, because my mom would NOT like the name. I don't like it either.
Asian Kung-Fu Generation - I DO LIKE THEM! They've been reccommended so many times,. it's not even funny, lol.

I'll be sure to check out a lot of the bands on YouTube(my only source), but I'm on such a Kagrra rush(Thanks, KoDai!) I listen to little else.

Thank you all so very much for the suggestions!

Oh, if Dir En Grey is screamy, then I don't think I'd like them if they were clean. ^_^

[beau99]

Oh, if Dir En Grey is screamy, then I don't think I'd like them if they were clean. ^_^

Not all of their songs are like that, believe me.

One of their clean songs, "ain't afraid to die", is sung beautifully, in my opinion.

[That Dude]

Yeah Dir En Grey kinda alternates between the ballads and the screamy stuff. Hey another band worth checking out is B'z. They're a good fun band.

[KBMaster]

Okay, I'll check their lyrics and then decide from there. I'll try and pull myself from Kagrra and listen to these bands.

[mai]

Nana Kitade, I've only read the lyrics to a few of her songs, they were clean. She has an album out through Tofu Records

[Blitzkrieg1701]

If you can find 'em, Triceratops are worth checking out. Sort of a less-ironic version of the pillows. Kimura Kaela is pretty good to, in a poppy sort of way. Also, I second whoever it was that mentioned GO!GO!7188 back there. GREAT band!

[ShiroiHikari]

You could also try something like Do As Infinity, or Nakashima Mika, who is actually more j-pop but she has a really pretty voice. Also, I'm a big fan of Plastic Tree, but nobody ever really seems to like them as much as I do...