Tell the staff what we've missed in 2013!

[Ito 2438]

So the rest of the staff and I are working together on our best of list of 2013...yeah, we know it is really early, but there is a reason for that

The staff, being human, can only listen to a limited amount of music a year...There are going to be a lot of great releases that have slipped through our fingers. In our goal to come up with the best list that we can, we are asking you all to make a case for an albums that we should for sure listen to and consider for out final list. Now this needs to be more than just "Beautiful Deformity was the bee's knees, you should check that out." We want actual reasons why we should consider an album for the list.

Also, since we are doing this so early, feel free to list albums that are coming out in November/December that you think might be best-of material.

Remember, this is only limited to Japanese releases that are full length albums

[Pandabear 414]

I listen to a ton of music. I'm already compiling my best of 2013 music list as well. However recently I've found the majority is non-Japanese. 

 

The only 2 albums I would recommend the staff and everyone to check out is Jupiters Classical Element and Ling Tosite Sigure I'mperfect.

 

My argument for classical element is that IMO it's the best VK release of 2013. Actually you can forget about them being vk, because it's one of the best Japanese release from japan for 2013. Rather than spit out a typical metalcore/poppy/whatever kei music, Jupiter put out a powerhouse of epic powermetal. The vocals are powerful and strong, no whiny vk nasals singing. The guitars are tight and hammer out plenty of cool riffs and tasteful shredding solos. The drumming is equally strong, fast and tight. There's choirs and atmospheric keys and orchestrations. It's a great release both from a musical and technical standpoint.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXLd9C4BfL8

 

The second album is Ling Tosite Sigure's I'mperfect. First off, you probably won't hear an album like I'mperfect or a band that sounds like them. They mix post-hardcore, indie and math rock into their music and have dual male and female vocals.They use plenty of dynamic's, which can results in soft melodic singing and smooth jazzy guitars followed by harsh screams, wailing drums and distorted guitars or vice versa. The best part is that there is a very consist melodic approach kept through the album. So there's always some sort of melody that ties some of the more jarring parts of the bands music. And while their music can be jarring, it's never overdone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIRNu7atpoQ

[Jigsaw9 6783]

Dunno if you guys missed it but I totally recommend Church of Misery's album Thy Kingdom Scum. It's a massive, heavy dose of fuzzed-out doom metal deliciousness, kinda like if Black Sabbath were formed today, only much more aggressive and dirty (I guess the title says it all?). The totally groovy, thick and wah-wah ridden bass playing deserves an extra mention, as the heavy but catchy guitars too. If you enjoy doomy bands like Down from the US give these guys a try (tho if you typically listen to this kind of music you prolly know them already).

 

[bonsaijodelfisch 328]

EDIT: Haaaha, jig was faster than me, double post all the way accross the board, lolz

 

the only japanese album  that made the rounds on my ipod that isn't of the usual suspects (hurrr, checkout "the unraveling" durrrrr) would probably be the new

 

Church Of Misery - Thy Kingdom Scum

 

it's a uber-solid down to the ground stoner-doom riff-behemoth with the occasional psychedelic innuendos in between. i know it's not your typical MH-Material, but a band with such heavy grooves surely is worth considering for some 2013 list

 

 

and i just remembered that the new Soutaiseiriron (Town Age) came out this year too

 

and i haven't read anything about it on here, which i found weird since as i understand it they're a pretty big deal in Japan and apart from the annoying steeldrums this album is just another perfect example of what beautiful music this beautiful band can pull off...

[Champ213 1858]

I like me some good doom metal every now and then, so I will try out Church of Misery for sure!

[CAT5 9075]

Ling tosite's album was already on of my contenders for AOTY. It's difficult to deny their level of excellence.

 

I already listened to the Church of Misery album about twice not too long ago. I love stoner/doom stuff, but this one didn't really grab me as much as I'd hoped it to.

[coffee000 14]

I would nominate LIPHLICH's second album 『フルコースは逆さから』 (Full Course wa Sakasa Kara).

 

I was a little disappointed at their MANIC PIXIE single when it was released early this year. So I didn't expect much from the upcoming second album. However, this album ended up surprising me and is much better than their first album, which was already promising. LIPHLICH have kept their signature retro rock/oldie pop sound while having richer and more varied background instrumentation on all the songs. You can tell that from the re-recorded album versions of Vessel and Ms.Luminous. They are different from the single versions instrumentally. Both versions are equally good. I would highly recommend this album as well as the B-sides from Maslow Mansion single to any alternative/indie rock fan.

 

慰めにBET (Nagusame ni BET) is a nicely orchestrated song:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgvXJYVnQ1I

 

ヘンピッグ (Henpig): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSNdOJKiIQo

[fitear1590 2414]

Joining "Pandabear" on the Jupiter nomination.

My suggestions would be:

DIV - ZERO ONE
I honestly hate using the term "j-rock" but this really is a solid "j-rock" album.  After this album, I foresee them landing a major-label deal and as long as they maintain this quality (*eyes narrow* we'll see...), I'm fine with that.

The positives:
+Great compositions; restraint shown when necessary

+Almost all of the new songs are better than the three old songs
+Cohesive sound throughout album, but with enough variety
+Chisa is a highly capable vocalist

+Wonderful improvements in the synth/electronic arrangement department
You can see my full review here.  http://www.monochrome-heaven.com/topic/24314-div-zero-one/?p=303649
(Most of the other reviewers seemed to have equally positive thoughts about the album.)

Samples from the album:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXK_mUg0tqM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqjzc4qMTdM

ねごと (NEGOTO) - 5
Unfortunately, only Deith and a handful of others on MH seem to care about them, haha.  NEGOTO is a (imo underrated) major-label all-girl pop-rock group with keyboard and quirky, indie rock influences.  While this second album shows less of an emphasis on the keyboard/piano, the composition and musicianship is nonetheless very strong among these young women (I believe they just finished college this year)!  Check out some of their creative PVs to hear their sound.
Re:Myend: http://www.jpopsuki.tv/video/Negoto---Re%253Amyend%2521/aef45a7a453eb9c319c64a54b482ff0c

sharp ♯: http://www.jpopsuki.tv/video/NEGOTO---sharp-%25E2%2599%25AF/7a257335156a99375de5cb436764c5ac
nameless: http://www.jpopsuki.tv/video/NEGOTO---nameless/ca8c639feaef58bece8c1491898fcf20

 

カルペディエム (Carpe diem) - Carpe diem
One of those "fringe" VK bands that maybe kinda associate themselves with the scene, but bring something new and fresh.  The closest thing I can compare them to is Jikkendai Marmot, though this band is darker and more rock-oriented.  But that "jaunty" factor is somehow still here on certain tracks.  The vocalist does have very exaggerated vocals, but this time, I see that as a positive thing.   Although the album is padded with instrumentals, the musicians are very capable and, unlike filler "SE," these melancholic tracks are actually a joy to listen to.  I'm pretty sure this band came out of nowhere for most of MH, but I'm glad we got the chance to hear them!

Sample of the album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6c-0wrLbQc