I didn't do a best of 2006 list either, partly through laziness and partly because there were lots of albums by bands I liked in 2006, but few that I thought lived up to their potential. Nhhmbase and Nisennenmondai were a bit of a letdown for me. The Uhnellys and Deracine albums were okay, but they're way better live bands. The Henrytennis album was decent but lacking in something.
The few that stood out for me were:
1. "Sashitai" by a Fukuoka junk/shoegaze/post-punk band called 百蚊 (Hyacca), which was so good that I re-released it this year on CAR.
2. "Sick Of Listening" by Tacobonds. I'd never really taken them all that seriously before, but the album really surprised me, and they've gone from strength to strength since then. It's really well produced (a rare thing) and really intense.
3. "Citymovie" by Aloha. Another Fukuoka band and another CD (like Hyacca) that I found in my pocket after a very heavy night out drinking in Fukuoka last summer. A really eclectic, laid back summer album.
4. "Night Of Tropicalia" by Nontroppo. Yet another Fukuoka band. Tokyo bands really need to get their act together! This one's another really summery sounding album, but in a more prog-pop style with bits of dub and psychedelia.
5. Umm... not sure. The Moools album was good and so was the Mosquito album. If Ishibashi Eiko's "Works For Everything" came out in 2006 then I'd definitely include that, although it's kind of cheating since I heard it this year for the first time.
I personally thought 2006 was a pretty strong year for Japanese music (Natsumen, Polaris, bonobos, Sly Mongoose, Katteni Shiyagare and loads of others).
Kind of intrigued by your description of Asakusa Jinta, who I'd heard OF before, but I don't think I've ever actually heard their music. Though the more I read your description of their music, the more they sound like Soul Flower Union, or maybe Soul Flower Mononoke Summit, to me (but you should probably keep in mind that SFU is my favorite Japanese band, period)...
I though Zazen Boys III wasn't half bad. Bonobos did well. On by Boom Boom Satellites was good.
A good thing about doing these lists is that I get recommendations from others too...I think after looking at ian's list, I'm definitely going to have to make a trip to Fukuoka. It's a tough job but someone's gotta do it, etc.
I've listened to Bonobos before but they didn't interest me that much--seemed too laid-back. But seeing that Summer Soldier and Kim Joing-il Hater (where do you guys come up with your names?) both recommend their latest album, I think I'll check it out. And the other recommendations as well.
On Asakusa Jinta vs Soul Flower Union, I really do think they are trying different things, but I'd be interested to know what others think.
You should probably delve into the Nagoya scene as well. Lots of bands from there that sound like they'd be up your alley. abcdefg* Records (Yucca's label) are based there, and I think you've talked about Lullatone before. Coup label's 7586ナゴヤロク compilation is a good place to start.
Fukuoka's got a lot of the more abrasive, manic sounding post-punk and experimental pop bands, but they seem to have most other bases covered as well. Someone should really do a compilation of Kyushu bands as well - I know Inoue from Folk Enough/e.g. Records has talked about doing one.
Summer Soldier is a song by Sunny Day Service. A fan of Shimo-Kitazawa like you should already know that!
Yeah, I think Sunny Day Service (and Fishmans) would be part of any Shimokitazawa 101 curriculum.
As to Nagoya bands, I really like the Syrup, but I'm not sure if they'd be up Ken's alley, or anybody's alley for that matter.
Wikipedia describes Fishmans as Shimokitazawa-kei. WTF is that?
Fishmans were great. It's so sad Shinji Sato passed away. He had a big heart.
Shimokitazawa-kei? Good God! The place has enough wrong with it without someone inventing a "kei" for it as well!
Seriously Ken, you'd better escape to Kyushu or Nagoya as soon as possible! Although at least you can rest assured that a "Koenji-kei" genre is unlikely to be troubling any major labels for the next decade or six!
I love these lists because they're good jumping points for me when I'm, say, actually in Shibuya for the first time in my life, trying not to have a heart-attack at knowing that all the obscure music I've grown to love so much (thanks to you and an 11th-grade art project) is now right at my fingertips but I don't know what I should buy! ...did that make sense?
As for Kimi No Mahou, I like it. It's not as good as Cinematic or Orangery but it's still fuzzy waffles goodness. And it has Tokage. Win.
And finally, Shiina Ringo/Tokyo Jihen is DAMN SEXY MUSIC. And so varied throughout the years that I've just personally dubbed it as "J-sexy" as opposed to any established genre... XD
Interesting post, Ken. I have to admit that I have something of a soft-spot for SMAP, though that's more to do with their TV shows rather than the music. I'll add some of the stuff you mentioned here to the ever-growing list of things to look out for.
Hi Ken:
Just found your site, and boy am I glad!
Checked out Asakusa Jinta and love their sound. I think I'll try to catch them live at Quattro on Aug. 11th!
Ken,
Nothing about the list. I can't remember what happened last week. I just want to thank you for your mention of my comic strip, Fred & Ted, on Rock of Japan. Yours is the first unsolicited mention of it, or comment on it, I've read anywhere, and I very much appreciate it. Thank you! I just put up a new one today, which, by the by, mentions Ringo Shiina, though it's actually not about her this time.
Keep rockin'!
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