pinkkillerkisou
Angelic Fruitcake
- 9 Feb 2005
- 5,195
- 41
- 108
This is a topic I could go on and on about, but I'll spare you and keep it brief as possible Also... I'm more of a jrock fan so that is what I'm basing my explaination on.
There's so much to say, but I think I want to start with variety. It's probly the main reason I like jrock. It doesn't all sound the same. Don't get me wrong there are plenty of Japanese bands I've come across I find sound the same or are mediocre or just plain ****. You'll find that anywhere, but it's not quite so common in Japanese music that I've found so far. When I listen I get sense that the musicians understand the potential of their instruments. This where the variety comes from. Truly understanding the limitations of the instrument you play keeps the music from sounding repetitive or dull. For example, Shinya... the man is simply brilliant. I am blown away by his talent. I never thought much of drums till I discovered jrock, Dir en Grey in particular. I can't even fathom even being able to play half as good as the man even after years and years of practice. Just listen to their music and see how much he has improved... watch him play live... it boggles the mind. Just from Macabre to Kisou... the improvement is amazing. He just gets better as time goes on. I don't have to know him to know he knows his instrument.
Emotion. There is so much emotion in the music. So much heart is put into not just the vocals but you can hear it in the instruments as well. I can't help but be moved when I listen. I use the word catharsis to describe jrock because it's precisely what it is. A purging of emotions. I don't think there's a better word for it and I'll leave it at that cause emotions are... umm hard to explain.
The importance of composition is another thing that captivates me. I am a s-u-c-k-e-r (because it censors that word for some reason ) for a album/mini-album/single that feels like it has a real start and finish to it. I'd like to stay on the topic of the importance of singles and mini-albums for a moment. Here in America we don't have them. I like them because you don't have to make a full legnth cd just to have some music out people don't forget you. Music is art and artist are never in a constant state of inspiration. You may write 3 songs in one day and go 6 months without being able to come up with something good. I think they are not only practical but essential. They empasize the point that it's better to make a few songs that are really good then make a few good songs and fill the rest of the album with crap just so you can have a nice long tracklist. If they did that then it would basically slaughter all the good efforts of those few worthwhile songs. Something some of you may notice about mini-albums, in particular indies mini-albums, is their structure. For the most part they begin with some sort of intro that sets the mood for the rest of the mini-album. There you go... composition! I love this idea because it gives that opening feel I absolutely adore. You get excited and anticipate what is to come. It's almost like a story... and when you get to that last song you feel like you've really reached an actual ending. You don't really expect another song because that song sounds like a final song. Singles... we used to have those here. :? They got rid of them years ago, though. Singles are great because of b-sides... gotta love b-sides. You get to see the music the band didn't feel fit in an album or mini-album or just perhaps what they were currently working on. Not to say they are bad... just that they weren't appropriate for the mood. It's nice to see what the bands been up to musically. Singles can be so exciting... especially when they are for stuff that hasn't already been released on a cd... its a taste of something that will be released in the future so you can listen and pine over the album or mini-album that is to be released.
Now onto the good stuff *licks lips* Lives... what would jrock be without lives. Seeing a band in their natural environment doing what they love. It provokes so much energy inside you. Unfortunately, I have not had the pleasure of seeing on for myself yet, but I own several live dvds and it's like you're really there. You're completely sucked into the tv screen. If they are that great and exciting on a dvd I can't even imagine the state of bliss I'd be in at a live.
PVs... probly the least important aspect, but they are icing on the cake and as you know because I say it so much... there's no shame in liking icing... I love icing! PVs are so much fun to watch and you get to see what the band looks like... oh... and I promise it's even more fun when you buy them and watch them on your tv.
I'll shut up cause I'll keep going and going... I think I hit all the important points.
oh... and support your bands by buying there stuff! that is all... *runs off*
There's so much to say, but I think I want to start with variety. It's probly the main reason I like jrock. It doesn't all sound the same. Don't get me wrong there are plenty of Japanese bands I've come across I find sound the same or are mediocre or just plain ****. You'll find that anywhere, but it's not quite so common in Japanese music that I've found so far. When I listen I get sense that the musicians understand the potential of their instruments. This where the variety comes from. Truly understanding the limitations of the instrument you play keeps the music from sounding repetitive or dull. For example, Shinya... the man is simply brilliant. I am blown away by his talent. I never thought much of drums till I discovered jrock, Dir en Grey in particular. I can't even fathom even being able to play half as good as the man even after years and years of practice. Just listen to their music and see how much he has improved... watch him play live... it boggles the mind. Just from Macabre to Kisou... the improvement is amazing. He just gets better as time goes on. I don't have to know him to know he knows his instrument.
Emotion. There is so much emotion in the music. So much heart is put into not just the vocals but you can hear it in the instruments as well. I can't help but be moved when I listen. I use the word catharsis to describe jrock because it's precisely what it is. A purging of emotions. I don't think there's a better word for it and I'll leave it at that cause emotions are... umm hard to explain.
The importance of composition is another thing that captivates me. I am a s-u-c-k-e-r (because it censors that word for some reason ) for a album/mini-album/single that feels like it has a real start and finish to it. I'd like to stay on the topic of the importance of singles and mini-albums for a moment. Here in America we don't have them. I like them because you don't have to make a full legnth cd just to have some music out people don't forget you. Music is art and artist are never in a constant state of inspiration. You may write 3 songs in one day and go 6 months without being able to come up with something good. I think they are not only practical but essential. They empasize the point that it's better to make a few songs that are really good then make a few good songs and fill the rest of the album with crap just so you can have a nice long tracklist. If they did that then it would basically slaughter all the good efforts of those few worthwhile songs. Something some of you may notice about mini-albums, in particular indies mini-albums, is their structure. For the most part they begin with some sort of intro that sets the mood for the rest of the mini-album. There you go... composition! I love this idea because it gives that opening feel I absolutely adore. You get excited and anticipate what is to come. It's almost like a story... and when you get to that last song you feel like you've really reached an actual ending. You don't really expect another song because that song sounds like a final song. Singles... we used to have those here. :? They got rid of them years ago, though. Singles are great because of b-sides... gotta love b-sides. You get to see the music the band didn't feel fit in an album or mini-album or just perhaps what they were currently working on. Not to say they are bad... just that they weren't appropriate for the mood. It's nice to see what the bands been up to musically. Singles can be so exciting... especially when they are for stuff that hasn't already been released on a cd... its a taste of something that will be released in the future so you can listen and pine over the album or mini-album that is to be released.
Now onto the good stuff *licks lips* Lives... what would jrock be without lives. Seeing a band in their natural environment doing what they love. It provokes so much energy inside you. Unfortunately, I have not had the pleasure of seeing on for myself yet, but I own several live dvds and it's like you're really there. You're completely sucked into the tv screen. If they are that great and exciting on a dvd I can't even imagine the state of bliss I'd be in at a live.
PVs... probly the least important aspect, but they are icing on the cake and as you know because I say it so much... there's no shame in liking icing... I love icing! PVs are so much fun to watch and you get to see what the band looks like... oh... and I promise it's even more fun when you buy them and watch them on your tv.
I'll shut up cause I'll keep going and going... I think I hit all the important points.
oh... and support your bands by buying there stuff! that is all... *runs off*