CAT5

Since this might potentially be one of our last plug sessions, I will try to make it. No idea if i'll be able to stick around today, though. We'll see.

Added one!

No worries, I don't intend to get carried away with these. Just thought i'd try another with some unrelated bands, and see how it goes ; ) Which band are you enjoying more? THE BLACK SWAN https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzB86JqPT8Y vs kamomekamome

I've neither revisited their latest single nor their latest album, but I'll give this a try when it comes out.

After that fantastic track they had on the zankyo compilation, this track is really underwhelming - the 2nd half of the song is especially awkward. I'm still excited for the album, though. Chiaki's voice seems to be improving, but she still does that typical, strained indie style with the unnecessary falsetto. I think it works for them, though.

I suppose it varies for everyone. For me it was club-jazz and nu-jazz. I'd already been introduced to jazzy overtones through various pop artists (shiina, ego-wrappin'), soundtracks/scores (yoko kanno), and likely through hip-hop samples and whatnot. Nu-jazz took those overtones that I liked and expanded on them in a palpable and groovy way. Club-jazz essentially did the same for me, although with a lot more meat to sink my teeth into. Those two pretty much set the stage for further my endeavors.

Yeah, that might be for the best if you can go back that far. My J-jazz knowledge mostly stems from the 90 through today. I wasn't quite sure what you were going for, so I started with club-jazz acts since those are typically pretty accessible and easily digestible. But if you're looking for something with a more of a traditional sound KYOTO JAZZ SEXTET might be worth a shot too. They're a newly formed band, but they're composed of some of the most renown names in modern J-jazz. Sadly, their new album consists 90% of standards, but they're all done so well that it doesn't matter. SLEEP WALKER is also fantastic if you want something a bit more spiritual

Probably the most renown band of Japanese Jazz is SOIL & "PIMP" SESSIONS", but they're kind of like a hybrid club-jazz band. Very catchy and eventful, sometimes chaotic. indigo jam unit also fits within the club-jazz spectra, but focus much more on groove and rhythm: If you want something a bit more traditional, you can look for projects that Shinpei Ruike is involved with: If you want jazz with vocals, then orange pekoe might be worth a shot. Although they're not always straight up jazz. But to be honest, in my experience finding good, straight-up vocal Jazz isn't the easiest thing to do. The stuff I've come across is usually mixed with other elements (like, rock or pop)...and the straight vocal-jazz that I HAVE found is usually really lame covers/jazz standards done in awful Engrish. ^^' I hope this helps, though. If you need more, and want to delve into more experimental or hybrid jazz acts, then I've got you covered.

How about we just keep this one on topic? Thanks.

Welcome to the forum! Hope you enjoy it here. Feel free to post your reviews and share your thoughts with us! How did you enjoy DOGMA?

Perhaps. Your observation might be entirely spot on, but I wouldn't recommend reading too deeply into these polls...at least not enough to draw any concrete or concise conclusions from. I feel like we all vote in these according to our own subjective criteria, so bearing that in mind, I'd simply take the results at face value without interpeting them as an objective statement on the relative quality of both bands. Besides, what's quality to another might be trash to the next, and vice versa. ; )

Possibly, but I feel like our community isn't as clear cut and dry as that. Looking at the list of users that voted for 88kasyo, I think very few of them consider themselves strict "indie-only" listeners. I also notice that a few of them are generally more into VK on the whole, and some even enjoy MEJIBRAY too. I'm still surprised at the results so far, though, as I thought MEJIBRAY was quite popular here. I think it's more likely that some of their fans just haven't voted. As for what criteria people vote by, I'd assume it differs from person to person.

I voted for MEJIBRAY just because I expected them to win and now they're not winning and I don't know what life is anymore

*reaches back in time and slaps self from 5 years ago* This line-up doesn't make much sense and by my description, this would probably sound like a hot mess. Just give me: THE NOVEMBERS + Abe Fuyumi sharing vocal duties with Kobayashi or toe + Ichiko Aoba on vocals.

There was no real reasoning behind this poll, other than me wanting to shake things up a bit. And while I can't comment on Mejibray, as I haven't heard all of their material, I really do have to disagree with 88kasyo being a "one trick pony". Their sound is consistent, but it's also varied and rarely drifts into formulaic. p.s.: Asking others not to knock your opinion while simultaneously condescending the opinions of others probably isn't the best way to actually express an opinion. I'm also pretty shocked at these results so far. Where are the Mejifans? @-@

Let's try something a bit different this time and battle two bands from two different scenes, with two different sounds, that aren't related in any way. Though both bands are flamboyantly fabulous in their own ways, and both have great guitarists~ So which band are you enjoying more? trivia: mejibray has never lost a band battle here before! MEJIBRAY vs 八十八ヶ所巡礼 (88kasyo junrei)

But why is @Des always so critical of others, despite never bothering to contribute anything of his own? As for me, I don't generally have a preference, but I'd go with albums if possible. It also depends on the artist/band too. If they have a small discography, then I'll probably just check out whatever is available, but if they've been especially prolific, then I might ask around for recommendations first.

MH POLL OF THE WEEK #29: When discovering a new artist, what types of releases do you gravitate towards first? Poll suggested by @Zeus! To submit a poll for the MH POLL OF THE WEEK, P.M. either @CAT5 or @beni with your poll question, choices, and state whether it's multiple choice or not.

Rentrer en Soi. Not sure of the specific date, but around the early 00's

I am pretty down with this! But does this mean we can throw in math-rock too? I miss plugging with you and pho btw .__.

After about a year of alternating between twists and an afro, I began my "loc journey" today 〜(^∇^〜）

; )

From UnsraW to Fishmans, nice! Welcome to the forum! If you're in need of new recommendations, then we've got you covered! If you ever feel like recommending music, there's a pretty broad array of tastes here, so I'm sure you'll find some takers in that regard too. Take a look around and get (re-?)acquainted with the forum. Our Featured Reviews and Best New Tracks series might be of interest to you. Enjoy!