This is the first installment of a beta tryout mp3 rotation I'm setting up for some people. I've been nagging myself to do this for a while and never got around to doing it, but here we are. Clearly I couldn't be arsed to relearn HTML and make an actual page (yet? this is beta after all).

Since part of the aim of this rotation blog is to introduce Japanese rock to new listeners, here's a warning: Japanese singing often sounds really foreign to the unaccustomed anglophone ear. This may seem obvious, since it is after all a different language. The tonal qualities will sound very strange, and you may not like it. This effect will go away the longer you listen. (I'm proud of myself... I've been listening to this stuff so long I can listen to freaky stuff like enka and like it. It could just be that I'm strange...)

Also beware of Engrish song titles. They make no real sense in standard English, and they usually have nothing to do with the song itself.

The links pop up to YouSendIt.com, and the download should start shortly after. Links expire in seven days or after 25 downloads, whichever comes first.

First up we have some Zeppet Store. I wouldn't have anything from this band, because it's almost entirely unknown by the American fandom, except that there were a few songs of theirs on hide's LEMONed Compilation, and anything endorsed by the patron saint of Japanese rock music has to be good, ne? I really don't know much about this band, not even who the members are. Unfortunately, since this band is so unknown in America, there are no lyric translations to be found anywhere.

My take: Groovy basslines, a generally uplifting tone, and the vocals are easy and very pleasant to listen to. Sounds as close to American indie rock as I can think of, although I'm entirely unqualified to make that judgement. Most of the songs I like have pretty sweet distortion effects and sexy-as-hell basslines.

The songs:
Zeppet Store - Toukumade [Until It's Far Away]
Zeppet Store - It's the End of the World
Zeppet Store - Get Away Search Me
Zeppet Store - Emotion
Zeppet Store - Slope

Next, Transtic Nerve. Also found on LEMONed Compilation, this band is an underground favorite amongst American jrock fans. Their stuff has a generally harder/heavier sound than Zeppet Store, but adds in electronic effects. Personally, I like Nerve better than Store, mostly because I still like techno, and also I really love drumming that isn't just background.

Some of the lyrics are actually in English, but you can't actually tell.

Transtic Nerve are:
Vocals: Taka
Guitar and keyboard: Masato
Guitar: Tal
Bass: Ryo
Drums: Masaki

The songs:
Transtic Nerve - Into Yourself ~Rebuild Version~
Transtic Nerve - Sunny Girl
Transtic Nerve - Snow Tale
Transtic Nerve - Whisper
Transtic Nerve - Parade

[EDIT: Holy fark, I wrote a lot.]

Coming Soon