View Full Version : Why is Jpop so well liked?
Ryu_Hiragoshi
2004-08-05, 17:30
I was just wondering why Jpop is the only thing I hear about when it comes to music from japan? I mean I'm not trying to bash anyone else's musical tastes and all, but I just find it degrading that when it comes to a culture that is built on a foundation of artistry that pop music would be such a dominant genre.
But this question only surfaces because I'm such a classical fan and wish that classical had more of a presence. But maybe because this is mainstream culture we're talking about.
When I was at Otakon it seemed like this was the only genre of music everyone was listening to, and it seemed kind of disturbing that nothing else was really being played the whole time. Again, I don't mean to step on anyone's toes.
p.s. On a happy side I really love the traditional music that represents japanese cutlure, and such tradtional instruments such as the japanese flute and the shamisen. Also, I love how alot of composers do alot of great game soundtracks as well. Such Nobou Uemastu and Yasunori Mitsuda. I will love these guys forever.
**bows respectfully**
Hirakashi Ryu
relentlessflame
2004-08-05, 21:02
But maybe because this is mainstream culture we're talking about.I think you hit the nail on the head right there... you might as well ask why any genre of music gets popular. Something about trends, and commercialism, and marketing, and exposure... In this specific case, I imagine that JPOP is popular among anime fans for many of the same reasons that anime itself is popular: it's different, it's foreign, it's popular within the community, etc.
In general, though, I do agree with your sentiment; it's a shame that some people don't broaden their palate and listen to all different kinds of music. I know, for myself, I can listen to just about anything if I'm in the right mood, and I do so. But, I also know some people who have no interest in trying out different kinds of music; they know what they like, and they stick with it.
By default, any anime fan will only get a limited exposure to Japanese culture (the anime subculture). It's up to the person whether they want to broaden their exposure to appreciate the bigger picture, or be content with the cross-section that they see. I think that's the way it is with music, and a lot of other things as well.
Jpop is like any music, when you hear it over and over again you get hooked. Im not that big of a fan of jpop (I like 5 songs and their only game/anime related because I heard them so much time), im much of a classical/metal fan myself.
Such Nobou Uemastu and Yasunori Mitsuda. I will love these guys forever.
Well lets say we have that in common. Mitsuda Chrono Cross OST was a masterpiece.
babbito2k
2004-08-06, 02:32
I was just wondering why Jpop is the only thing I hear about when it comes to music from japan? I mean I'm not trying to bash anyone else's musical tastes and all, but I just find it degrading that when it comes to a culture that is built on a foundation of artistry that pop music would be such a dominant genre.Japan is based on a foundation of sentiment. If you want to get in touch with the real soul of Japan or something go listen to enka, that's what the old folks get into.
If you're sick and tired of traditional jpop (I'm not) then maybe Hideki Kaji would be something for you my friend. This album is my favorite > http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=PSCR-5967
I used to be a game music fan as well...
I'm sure I don't have to mention that this trend isn't limited to Japanese pop music or anything - it's the same in this country and basically any other modernized country. I'm sure you can agree when I say that trendy artists like Britney Spears or Backstreet Boys do NOT represent the culture or foundation of this country, yet just a few years ago both artists were the only thing a vast majority of the country seemed to listen to. Give people some decent Jazz or even metal, and they'd scoff at you and your music choices because it's too different (meaning they were too freakin' close-minded and unoriginal to break away from mindlessly following what everyone else was doing). That's just the way mainstream culture works regardless of the country in question, or of the music in question.
It pisses me off anytime I try to get these close-minded products of mainstream culture into a different genre - or even the same genre in a different language - but there's nothing you can do. They're the ones who miss out if they refuse to listen to some good classical music or some new American Jazz artist or some great Japanese rock/metal.
That being said, it's also important that you try not to develop a hatred of something simply because it's popular. In contrast, I know many people who refuse to listen to something simply because it's too "mainstream" whether the music is good or not.
relentlessflame
2004-08-06, 10:56
That being said, it's also important that you try not to develop a hatred of something simply because it's popular. In contrast, I know many people who refuse to listen to something simply because it's too "mainstream" whether the music is good or not.Isn't that the truth... Really, if something is good, it's good - if it's good and happens to get popular, then so much the better. That's the way it is with music, and a lot of other things as well.
I find it odd that many people who hate pop music in America love it when it is in Japanese. Just a thought.
lotus_lee
2004-08-06, 11:41
Most J-Pop songs I hear are quite cheesy at first but once I listen to it more, I begin to like it more.
rorosama
2004-08-06, 11:45
I find it odd that many people who hate pop music in America love it when it is in Japanese. Just a thought.
Well, i like j-pop cause when i listen to it, it's usually from a opening or ending of an anime. You immerse yourself from the op or ed that you eventually like the song. Same can be said for movie soundtracks. People get them because of the movie they heard the songs in at the right monments.
Ryu_Hiragoshi
2004-08-06, 11:55
I really thank you guys for your input. It's really quite interesting how things can be the same even if we are talking about two different cultures. If there is one thing you'll never have to worry about me being and that's me being closed minded like alot of people.
At the same time I'll do everything in my power to try to promote the great music I listen to. Such as the Haibane Renmei,Mosnter,Neon Genesis S2 Works and the other multitudes of great classical OSTs that come from the art form. More so because they are great masterpieces and fine examples of the performing arts. Again, I thank everyone for their their repsonses.
**bows**
Hirakashi Ryu
lotus_lee
2004-08-06, 12:05
Well, i like j-pop cause when i listen to it, it's usually from a opening or ending of an anime. You immerse yourself from the op or ed that you eventually like the song. Same can be said for movie soundtracks. People get them because of the movie they heard the songs in at the right monments.
Yea, I still listen to the Naruto 2nd Ending song 'Harmonia' a few times a day. I love the chorus.
babbito2k
2004-08-06, 12:29
I find it odd that many people who hate pop music in America love it when it is in Japanese...It's unfair to characterize jpop as a straight localization of American pop. 20 years ago it could have been argued that the Japanese were merely imitating what they heard from Western pop and rock, but things have changed since then.
The Japanese built a lot of the electronic sound of today from the ground up - drum machines, digital emulation etc. Their music industry is more workmanlike and less prone to the indulgences of the American star-driven system. And they have made extensive use of television (especially music shows, anime and dorama) to give opportunities to composers and musicians. All this has culminated in a very professional and fast-paced "pop scene" which America can't match.
Chiaki Nozomi
2004-08-07, 11:50
Really, I don't consider game soundtracks 'classical' music. Allot of game soundtracks can't hold their own musically without the game, just like movie soundtracks are made for the movie. Notice the keywords 'some'.
As for jazz musicians, ever heard of Keiko Matsui (http://www.keikomatsui.com) ? She's released albums overseas, though its a niche genre, so very few have ever heard of her. (I discovered her, ironically, through those BMG services. Since my Mom or bro want the 'popular' pick, I get the free ones to expirement with music genres and styles. ^^.)
But you're sounding like something I hate - 'Because I listen to <insert style of music>, I am <insert nonpariel word>."
Music is music. If someone out there loves the Spears because her music to her is the best ever, then she is no better than the one who loves Ayu because her music is the best to her, nor the one who likes classical music, nor the one that likes rock music, nor the one that likes jazz, ect. ect. ect. Asking them why they like isn't any better - they just do. Something about the music connects with them.
And who knew the Apple Jacks commercial would ever be used in a conversation about Jpop? The world is a strange place indeed....
Yamano667
2004-08-07, 19:12
Japanese J-pop tends to take the songs that they hear from the West (France and Spain, Italy ) and they make new lyrics, and it improves some of them.
I love Jpop music is like i am listening the romantic French and Spanish songs..
I guess Japanese loves the romantic countries like ours
Ryu_Hiragoshi
2004-08-09, 10:47
Really, I don't consider game soundtracks 'classical' music. Allot of game soundtracks can't hold their own musically without the game, just like movie soundtracks are made for the movie. Notice the keywords 'some'.
As for jazz musicians, ever heard of Keiko Matsui (http://www.keikomatsui.com) ? She's released albums overseas, though its a niche genre, so very few have ever heard of her. (I discovered her, ironically, through those BMG services. Since my Mom or bro want the 'popular' pick, I get the free ones to expirement with music genres and styles. ^^.)
But you're sounding like something I hate - 'Because I listen to <insert style of music>, I am <insert nonpariel word>."
Music is music. If someone out there loves the Spears because her music to her is the best ever, then she is no better than the one who loves Ayu because her music is the best to her, nor the one who likes classical music, nor the one that likes rock music, nor the one that likes jazz, ect. ect. ect. Asking them why they like isn't any better - they just do. Something about the music connects with them.
And who knew the Apple Jacks commercial would ever be used in a conversation about Jpop? The world is a strange place indeed....
That's not true at all. Nobuo's Final Fantasy series as some pretty amazing music that I listen to on a daily basis, and it's been quite some time since I've played this series. There are plenty composers that compose pieces for games and you can't say that their pieces aren't that great because it's composed for a game. They'd probably feel pretty insulted.
You have to remember that we live in a day and age where MILLIONS can be poured into development of ONE game. So to say that good classical music can't come from a game soundtrack is pretty close-minded.
Now, I never said anything about ANY genre of music being better than the other. I merely asked why this genre seemed to get so much exposure from the fan's point of view. I just considered that alot of us who are truly into japanese culture would try to explore some of the more traditional forms of music that japan as to offer besides, classical music.
Now as I've said earlier that I'm not trying to step on anyone's toes here. I'm not trying get into a flame war or anything. I respect what everyone else is into (or at least try :eyebrow: ). I was just curious. That's all!!! I just wanted to hear some opinions. Can't blame me for that can you?
Thanks for your time!!
Hirakashi Ryu
Spooky-Electric
2004-08-10, 17:10
I find it odd that many people who hate pop music in America love it when it is in Japanese. Just a thought.
I think it's because I don't know what they're saying in Japanese, so it doesn't come off as cheesy.
It's just like here in America, everybody seems to love Pop-Punk. Complety killed the punk name. I don't even pick up new albums cause I just hate hearing some guy who has a voice that cracks so they had to record the song 20 times singing about how he a loser and his girlfriend dumped him. And the whole, "I'm a rebel yet i go to school pass myclasses and listen to my parents cause they give me money" has really worn to thin.
They is other music from Japan which I prefer more. The have some awesome heavy metal, and I don't even enjoy metal that much.
Thats my 2 cents
American music has no variety. Yay new rap song or Yay new pop-punk song or even Yay new slut song. Other parts of the world have better music to offer to my ears. Morning Musume and Ayumi Hamasaki is not better music (It's getting warm in here), but it beats lyrics about sleeping around, doing drugs and being a loser.
Music in Japan is just a better choice, with much more variety.
feeman_4_life
2004-08-14, 12:57
I realize music is just like taste, it's highly biased and different to others, that being said...
Hm, for me I find that Japanese composers seem to produce music that just connects better. There's a certain quality to it.
American mainstream music... I dunno, most of it I find is just rap/hiphop/punk and various rock bands. Most of it I don't entirely mind, but at the same time, I don't care for either. American pop also sounds quite a bit different from Japanese pop. The style just seems to be different to me.
In my opinion, nothing is as bad as HK pop music. All their songs sound like something produced from the same songwriter, the style seems to be the same all through out the artists etc. It's just SOOOOOOO boring. I happen to be a sucker for slow pop ballads, but the stuff produced from HK, ugh, no emotion at all.
Aside from that, the note regarding the topic about game music doesn't quite hold their music without the game... I used to think that was SOO true. But, ever since playing the final fantasy series, that seems to have changed. I only played the stuff that was only available on the playstation. I don't have a PS2, but that being said, the music from ff10 was not bad. I've only listened to the soundtrack and never even touched the game. It truly is expressive. Playing the game just enhances the experience more. The FFX-2 piano collections is very impressive. It embraces a whole variety of genre's into it. Just listening to it is enough.
I know I'm going off topic, but going back... What makes Japanese Pop music so good? It always seemed to me that Japanese people seem to strive to do best at what they do. The pride and effort that they put into something just shows, even in pop music. =D
Yay i love J-Pop and K-Pop(BoA)
J-Pop is alot different then like American Music and for some reason the words and how they say them just makes it hmmm like WOW.. i only know some japanese words so i dont know what theyre saying but it makes me so HAPPY heheheheheh ^_^' Definately Ayumi Hamasaki her music has to be my all time favorite J-pop music. and like what kanna said american music is just so typical.. i mean i love fefe dobson and some other people but in the end they all almost sound the same.... like the supposed to be punk/Rock/Alternative bands they all sound the same Simple Plan, Maroon 5 ect.... they all sound the same well okay
Oh and J-Rock comes out of japan too it also is coming out of the late 80's but dont let me get into that heheh
well bye bye!
phoenixfire92983
2004-08-16, 02:25
I think there's a lot of reasons why Jpop is well liked. There's the usual answers such as the songs carry good beats. But, I think it also has to do with the images that Jpop singers portray. Jpop singers tend to dress in cute, trendy outfits and have tons of dance correography. Kids especially tend to eat this up and sometimes look up to singers as their idols. When Britney Spears first started, kids at my little brother's school would have sleep overs where they just listened to her music and watched her videos. Kinda scary and sad, but people do judge singers partially by looks.
Meanwhile, jrock, punk rap, etc... tend to wear a totally different wardrobe (especially the visual kei). I dunno about you guys, but I look at some of the visual kei rock bands and the outfits alone make me hesitant to try out their music. X Japan is a great example of such. But if you can get passed the visual image of the band, you'll find that they have some really good songs.
One more major reason why you'll find JPOP so liked, is that most people not in japan are exposed to songs through animes. The anime industry is flooded with tons of JPOP songs for openings and endings. It has only been recently that other genres like rock and rap began to appear in animes.
Cichlisuite
2004-08-16, 06:02
Some jpop songs are catchy, but most of it is rather bleh. Most the music i listen to is either from europe,canada or iceland, just to dispell the image that all anime fans listen to jpop religiously.
Meh, I dislike modern Japanese music almost as much as I dislike modern US or UK music. Most of what I've heard from Japan in, say, the past 5 years or so is passable at best, and really the only soundtrack I've found worth the time and money is the FLCL soundtrack (to tell the truth, probably in my top 5 anime soundtracks of all time). Though, I will say that it seems that the Japanese seem to put a lot more artistic merit into their music than the English speakers are. Definitely more melodious (even though sometimes the melodies just plain SUCK. *recalls the Azumanga Daioh opening theme*) , and oftentimes with very imaginative arrangements. (Though one reoccurance in j-pop that, for the most part, I CANNOT STAND are sampled brass sections. 9 out of 10 times they sound terrible. [though kudos to those who use them and make them work])
But personally, most of the j-pop I listen to are soundtracks from the 70's-90's(Ranma 1/2, Urusei Yatsura, and Fushigi Yuugi and such) so... now that I've proven that I can't organize thoughts for beans ;p *Zhan away!*
LiQuid|J
2004-08-21, 02:02
Mitsuda Chrono Cross OST was a masterpiece.
I don't think it's possible to call something a masterpiece and still have it be an understatement, but you just did it. ^^
For me, music tends to have a big impact on my emotions, and I just feel better listening to j-pop. :) I listen to just about anything, but for some reason j-pop has a bigger range of songs that I like. That's not to say that there aren't great songs in other genres of music though, and I certainly wouldn't restrict myself to only listening to j-pop.
Argent_Moonchilde
2004-08-21, 23:57
I have never been a big fan of J-pop..much. The introduction to j-pop I had was limited to anime (which some of the guys pointed out that to some people it's the anime that draws the people in to their music). If I wasn't into anime (and I can't really consider myself an otaku or a pure anime freak...well not anymore...*sigh*), I would have ignored most it. But yes, j-pop is cool, but I limit myself to OSTs of anime and videogame, especially videogames (Nobou Uemastu and Yasunori Mitsuda are GODS). I usually listen to them, when I need background music when I write or play my online RPGs.
Za Paper
2004-08-24, 19:20
I still think a lot of j-pop is like American pop except with Japanese singers. For example, I was listening to the Elfen Lied ED by Chieko Kawabe and I still think it could pass for an Avril Lavigne song.
I don't think it's possible to call something a masterpiece and still have it be an understatement, but you just did it. ^^
uh the one and only masterpiece
yeah i really loved playing Chrono Cross and the OST was absolutely stunning
no game i have ever played could match that...(especially the FF series)
now if only they revamped the graphics for both CT and CC for PS2,i would do this :bow:
AngelKyo
2004-08-28, 23:48
we love j-pop so much cause we are complete losers...or it can just be because it's good? u decide.
MidoriShinobi
2004-08-29, 03:12
I like Momusu because the lyrics make me feel happy and upbeat!!
American songs are always angsty and about being sad because of love.
For example, in "Chokotto Love" there is a line that says "I look up the character for 'love' in the dictionary, and I think of my family first, but you come soon after!"
I'm pretty sure there are no lyrics like that in North America. Putting family before boyfriends?! UNHEARD OF!! :uhoh:
I think Japanese music is so popular because, for the most part, the songs are part of an anime series or videogame. So, you think of that song in the context of the series. And if you like the series, that just makes the music that much more appealing.
For example, the Cowboy Bebop song "Diggin'" is pretty much a straight Country song. If I had heard it on the radio, I would have changed the station immediately. But when I know it's composed by Yoko Kanno, and that it's meant for Cowboy Bebop, it puts the song in a whole new context. Now I think it's great.
Timeless Enigma
2004-09-11, 21:07
In the end it call comes down to opinion and taste.
I hate North American Mainstream Music.
I love Asian (when I say Asian I'm referring to Oriental) Mainstream Music.
The term Pop is a poor definition of what the music enclosed in that genre actually is. Then again... words as labels are usually inadequate anyway. Next century's Pop might be folk music, you never know.
I find a lot of anime and game soundtracks very interesting and imaginative, as well as pleasing to the ears. Most of the time I don't need to play the game or watch the show to appreciate the music. Most of the time I can feel the context of the game or the situation in the music.
Chiaki Nozomi
2004-09-17, 12:01
That's not true at all. Nobuo's Final Fantasy series as some pretty amazing music that I listen to on a daily basis, and it's been quite some time since I've played this series. There are plenty composers that compose pieces for games and you can't say that their pieces aren't that great because it's composed for a game. They'd probably feel pretty insulted.
You have to remember that we live in a day and age where MILLIONS can be poured into development of ONE game. So to say that good classical music can't come from a game soundtrack is pretty close-minded.
Now, I never said anything about ANY genre of music being better than the other. I merely asked why this genre seemed to get so much exposure from the fan's point of view. I just considered that alot of us who are truly into japanese culture would try to explore some of the more traditional forms of music that japan as to offer besides, classical music.
Now as I've said earlier that I'm not trying to step on anyone's toes here. I'm not trying get into a flame war or anything. I respect what everyone else is into (or at least try :eyebrow: ). I was just curious. That's all!!! I just wanted to hear some opinions. Can't blame me for that can you?
Thanks for your time!!
Hirakashi Ryu
You know, I could rip your arguement to pieces, but I won't. One note - you ASKED for opinions, and I gave mine. Don't like it? Too bad. And another thing, please read every word of what I write. Allot of things you said were based on skimming through.
-Other thoughts-
You people that keep saying that 'It's because of the series' are what I call Anime Jpop fans. You like the OP and ED themes to series, and most of your songs probably come from anime. There's nothing wrong with that, but how do you explain liking some artist that has no anime song in their discography?
Eh, things like this are useless. You can't really explain why you like something, and if you can, then you probably don't really really like it.
I'll call myself one of those Anime Jpop fans. Most of the random songs I listen to are from random anime, though there are occasions where I find I like a group and grab as much as I can. For example, Fire Bomber(Yes, I know they weren't really a real group, but Hummingbird was, and considering Mylene's singer was the only non-Hummingbird member IIRC, it's close enough) and JAM Project. And yes, I know JAM Project is really Anison, but since no one here is making that distinction I won't bother.
As to why... I think most of my reasons match was mentioned earlier. Most current US music I see is about either sex, drugs, and how the world sucks. The Japanese songs I listen to are about hope, life, courage, and kicking much arse. When something like Skill, Yuusha Ou Tanjou, Taiyoh no Tsubasa, To The Light, and so on come on, it just energizes me, and makes me want to shout out the lyrics alongside the song. Okay, so maybe that's a slight exaggeration, but you get the point. :p And when I'm in a sentimental mood I might put on Find the Way or Motherland.
And no, I don't listen only to J-music... I also have Blind Guardian, Blackmore's Night, and occasionally some random classic rock on my playlist.
Jamila Kamilah
2004-10-17, 02:44
Well, as for me, the reason I like Jpop so much is because of how much different it is from here-I mean, Canada. Nowadays, the music I'm exposed to is nothing but well, all about people doing stuff, unmentionables, usually, and it's all getting really old to me. The type of music that's really popular is rock, punk bands, and rocker chicks. No, I don't have anything against them, it's just that the music is always so angry, and sad, always about someone cheating on the other, or some person who really wants another person out of this world. Really old, I mean, we all know how tough life is, but really...
So, where does Jpop come in? The fact that well, the lyrics I have come accross so far don't have pointless swear words and rants, ( Oh, god, please, I hope no one hates me for that :uhoh: - My friend loves rock music ) Jpop works for me. Some Jrock ( I think that's how it goes.. ) I like too, though-DAI :heh:
Yamano667
2004-10-17, 10:56
Jpop has some catchy melodies and some are copied from other nations, Japs add techno and voila a brand new song engineered for the 21st century :D
Jpop is good if you like to listen your favorite song in the techno way :D
sarcasteak
2004-10-17, 11:03
Well said, Yamano667...that's how I feel as well. ^_^
I only listen to J-Pop when I feel like driving fast... damn Initial D!!! I have 2 Super Eurobeat CDs, which amazingly sounds better than Europop to me.
Is the Eurobeat stuff actually Japanese?? Used to be into Initial D and Eurobeat except Intial D gotten incredibly popular thus somehow lame to me(I guess its because I am in Canada and all stuff I hear is BS from ppl) and all the Eurobeat song's bass beats are almost the same.
I've always listened to Jpop because I don't really like rock and the J-rock celebs scares the crap outta me!
Cheesemon
2004-10-20, 09:14
I listen to music mainly for the beat, a good rhythm = good music for me. However, sometimes the lyrics get in the way; for example, I love the beat of Britney Spears music, but I usually don't like the lyrics. I'm really sick of love/heartbreak etc. Unfortunately, while alternative music has good lyrics, I don't like the beat. So what do I do?
I turn to J-pop. A lot of it has a good beat, and I don't understand enough Japanese to know the lyrics. So maybe the song is a love song, and it has the worse lyrics in the world, but because I don't understand the words, I can concentrate on the rhythm. Besides, Japanese is such a beautiful, relaxing language to listen to. :)
There's nothing wrong with liking J-pop, though it sometimes bugs me that anime fans often restrict themselves to songs they hear in anime. Most Japanese singers will never cover an anime OP/ED and so a lot of anime fans are really missing out on some great singers. Of course, I guess it's understandable since there isn't a J-pop station to help promote these artists. Eh well.
My reasons are basically threefold;
First; I just like the sound of the singers voices.
(At least the singers I like, I mostly listen to female singers and groups)
Second; I like to listen to singing in Japanese, actually I rather like singing in many languages. Japanese, German and Russian being probably the favorites. (I have had people say to me "How can you listen to that when you can't understand the lyrics?" I basically look at it almost as an equivalent to an instrumental song, with the voice being another instrument.)
Third; Allot of Jpop has a style quite similar to 80's American pop music, which was the last I really liked more songs than I didn't like. (That and '70s rock: Pink Floyd, Rush and the like.)
killmoms
2004-10-20, 11:40
American music has no variety. Yay new rap song or Yay new pop-punk song or even Yay new slut song. Other parts of the world have better music to offer to my ears. Morning Musume and Ayumi Hamasaki is not better music (It's getting warm in here), but it beats lyrics about sleeping around, doing drugs and being a loser.
Music in Japan is just a better choice, with much more variety.
If you don't bother to listen to American music outside the scope of Clear Channel-owned radio and MTV/VH1/BET television, you have less than no right to comment on it. I enjoy JPop as feel-good fluff, but I realize it's no more substantial than the fluff that's released in this country, only different. If you want real substance, get into the indie scene. There's lots of exciting, innovative music being made that also has something to SAY. Yes, foreign music is good (my favorite band, Sigur Rós, is from Iceland) but to say that JPop exhibits more variety within itself than several non-Japanese genres is foolish and uninformed.
If you're fortunate to live in a town that gets a college radio station, tune into that—they often are independent radio stations, so you won't hear big names or tracks by multi-platinum artists. Instead you'll get a wide variety of indie music,
AndrewLB
2004-10-20, 15:22
People, as a general rule, are masochists. This works well, due to the fact that Japanese singers are, as a general rule, sadists. As such, we have this wonderful exchange of cultural aural erotica going on, which people dismiss as mere "poppy shit music." In fact, Jpop is a time tested art form based around the idea of inflicting pain. Under17 has, at this point, perfected the female sadist style, where as their fans are generally the elite of the masochistic crowd. As for males, I can't say. Don't know many. Assuming Do as Infinity is male, they've more or elss got it down pat. Gackt is certainly up there.
In any event, don't look down on Jpop/rock. Shitty is may be, but it's that special kind of shitty, like the truck stop coffee that is SO bad, you drive across America one more time just to taste it, choke, and say with tears streaming down your face "My fucking God, this is an awful cup of coffee."
That said, I listen to good music and am into normal sex, so Jpop isn't my thing. Give me Jimi Hendrix.
If you look at translations of Jpop, Jrock and so on, the songs really don't have anything good or meaningful to say unless you look the the kanji. And even those don't impress me. They really don't have much to say. "yume", "hikari", "kokoro" are like words you can find in a lot of Jpop songs. It's just restructuring sentences and everytime you do that, you can get a new song.
I don't really understand the songs well if I don't have any lyrics. Despite that, I LOVE JPop though not just any kind. I'm a sworn fanboy of KOTOKO and I've Sound. Why do I like Jpop if I don't understand a thing and if all songs are the same to me? Japanese music producers do know better ways for music or just the melody, the sound of a song, itself to have a great impact on the listener. They use better samples and they mix those way better than any European or American artist, producer. (I'm not going into discussions about Indies and such :))
While I do believe that Japanese music already hit the limit where noone can create inovative music I also think that English music is hitting that limit right now.
As AndrewLB said about Hendrix (yah, he's deh man ;)) more and more people are focusing back to past performers since they can find originality in those. Us Jpop lovers just focused into something really remote from the english music market and are enjoying that.
EDIT: I also like Jpop because it's really easy to sing and it's even more fun to be catching those romanji words and trying to sing them as fast as possible. It's really entertaining. Yes, I sing to Japanese. Waai~
People, as a general rule, are masochists. This works well, due to the fact that Japanese singers are, as a general rule, sadists. As such, we have this wonderful exchange of cultural aural erotica going on, which people dismiss as mere "poppy shit music." In fact, Jpop is a time tested art form based around the idea of inflicting pain. Under17 has, at this point, perfected the female sadist style, where as their fans are generally the elite of the masochistic crowd. As for males, I can't say. Don't know many. Assuming Do as Infinity is male, they've more or elss got it down pat. Gackt is certainly up there.
In any event, don't look down on Jpop/rock. Shitty is may be, but it's that special kind of shitty, like the truck stop coffee that is SO bad, you drive across America one more time just to taste it, choke, and say with tears streaming down your face "My fucking God, this is an awful cup of coffee."
That said, I listen to good music and am into normal sex, so Jpop isn't my thing. Give me Jimi Hendrix.What you mean sounds almost like you think people who listen to Jpop are abnormals >.<
You don't like Jpop, all right : but that's not a reason to say it's bad. Something you don't like isn't necessary bad, maybe it's you who have bad taste.
I turn to J-pop. A lot of it has a good beat, and I don't understand enough Japanese to know the lyrics. So maybe the song is a love song, and it has the worse lyrics in the world, but because I don't understand the words, I can concentrate on the rhythm. Besides, Japanese is such a beautiful, relaxing language to listen to. :)
Once you can understand the words, you'll cover your ears with foam and cut your hands off for pushing the button that spewed forth the vertible torrent of crap that J-Pop consists of. The only things worse than J-Pop on this cursed plane are C-Pop and (shudder) K-Pop.
There was a music convention some time back in Stockholm where the world's leading musicians (mostly Classical and Jazz musicians) discussed vocals. They've come to the conclusion that the Northern European ("scandinavian") nations have such splendid linguistic attributes that their singing is very bright and easy to listen to (much easier to listen to "fair" songs, whereas for example Russians can't sing as bright). Also they've come to the conclusion that most asians can immitate any kind of colour and "tone" of music, thus having superiority over others (though they lack personal creativity in their own singing).
Another reason why I truly admire Japanese vocal characteristics.
What Cheesemon said is basically why I like J-pop; cuz I can't understand any cheesy lyrics. For example, Aishiteruze Baby's opening song. The beat and melody is nice, but if you follow the lyrics, the girl sings about girls having to wake up early and brush their teeth. If that is sang in English, it'll make me puke.
Another song I love is "Wo qui non coin" from Cowboy Bebop. The song's in Japanese and French and the lyrics is about the girl missing her puppy. This song would be ridiculous if it's in English, but since I can only hear the relaxing melody and smooth voice, I've played this song so many times I can kareoke to it even though I don't understand the words. =)
AndrewLB
2004-10-24, 19:18
What you mean sounds almost like you think people who listen to Jpop are abnormals >.<
You don't like Jpop, all right : but that's not a reason to say it's bad. Something you don't like isn't necessary bad, maybe it's you who have bad taste.
No. Jpop actually IS bad. I fucking hate Pink Floyd, for example, but I can recognize pretty decent music. The songs are poorly made imitations of past American bands, and in some cases, modern ones, who for the most part are imitating old bands anyway. The lyrics are bad, the music is not only poorly written but also unoriginal (though frankly, I don't ask for much originality), and most of the time, the people who are fans of it are simply fans because it's Japanese, and God knows, the Japanese can do no wrong. The rest of the time, it's probably because they got so sick of shitty American music, they want to listen to shitty Japanese music instead. Maybe they just haven't heard the good American music (Trust me, when it comes to stuff made the in 1900s, America has made the most and the best music). After all, even I've felt the desire to have a really bad cup of coffee sometimes, and I'll go to great lengths to have that fucking awful cup of coffee, and then say "Damn, that's a bad cup of coffee," but defend it to the last breath at the same time.
But hey, feel free to insult my taste of music: http://andrewlb.com/?s=winamp
And for good measure:
[19:22] * AndrewLB listens to: Judas Priest - Electric Eye [1:11/3:43] (128kbps)
DeuceTrick
2004-10-25, 00:07
Hi everyone. Been lurking for a while, but this is my first post.
I think the problem with "J-pop" is that, much like the American "Pop/Rock" genre you find in any music store, it encompasses too many different styles. For instance, I can't stand Ayumi Hamasaki, but I think that Gackt has definite merit as a composer and musician. What does that say about my taste for J-pop, other than the fact that J-pop is a flimsy category to begin with? Also, Japanese alternative rock, like the wonderful Shiina Ringo and a lot of Olivia Lufkin's work, tends to get lumped into the J-pop category even though the sounds are completely different.
I once spoke with my brother about the subject of Asian music versus the American variety, and he pointed out using a piano that East Asian music is more comfortable with using series of sharps and flats, whereas Western music goes with the white keys (sorry, I can't recall what they're called). I'm not sure how much that holds today, but I think it demonstrates a significant difference. With increasingly fast communication and information sharing, I think the next few decades will see an amazing merge between the two. It's already happening, what with bands trying to cross overseas.
Anyway, just listen to what you like. Good or bad, it's all a matter of taste. I have Depeche Mode in my playlist with Under17 and Elvis Costello, and I enjoy it. As long as you don't proclaim that other types of music are "bad, wrong fun," then it's all good.
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