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A blog where we post whatever we want. A focus on music, obscure film, and more. Many links are our own uploads, but just as many are taken from other blogs. If you have a problem with us having your links on our blog, we are glad to take them down. Female Trouble is maintained by Garrett (ZOOM LENS), Michelle, and Megane-Kun (Drink Cold). If there is something that you think we may have that you wish to ask for, do not hesitate to ask us! Please email gyyguy@yahoo.com. The Female Trouble email is not checked.

He was aware that he was still a child.

Thursday, December 31, 2009 at 3:19 PM Posted by FEMALE TROUBLE 4 Comments



I received my copy of 'Saudade' by Saki Kubota today

To my surprise (as you may be able to see towards the bottom of the 2nd picture), she is accompanied by an ensemble of two guitarists, and two viola players. Side A features reworked versions of her song with this ensemble, and Side B is her usual thematic 80's pop. Whatever music may be behind her voice though, there is still that urgency of longing and loneliness that one may be all too well accustomed with during the bleak and moody winter that we are slowly passing through right now

I'll try and rip this to mp3s soon, but don't expect the most excellent quality :3

-Garrett

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group_inou- ESCORT

Monday, December 21, 2009 at 10:25 PM Posted by FEMALE TROUBLE 1 Comment



[Download]

group_inou is a two piece hip-hop group from Japan. Their sound is hard to categorize, kind of a nostalgic video game-esque sound to them, loads of processed and hyperactive sounds coming from every direction. Very uplifting stuff, and one of my favorite records to be released in 2009.



-Garrett

トライアングル [Triangle]

at 6:20 PM Posted by FEMALE TROUBLE 0 Comments





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Gauge Means Nothing- The Absent Trail Of An Echo And My Future Plagued By Surrender

Sunday, December 20, 2009 at 2:16 PM Posted by FEMALE TROUBLE 0 Comments


Gauge Means Nothing were a short-lived 4 piece from Tokyo, Japan. Their unique brand of screamo can be attributed to the vocals, which were provided by bassist Yuichi, guitarist Kenta, and female singer Tamao. The somewhat flat and high pitched yelping of Tamao combined with the nasally vocals and guttural screams of both Yuichi and Kenta gave them a sort of raw edge over more well-produced screamo groups. Another interesting element they had were their use of keyboards, while to some, may seem out of place and almost unnecessary, provided a fuller sound and melodic backdrop to the band. For some odd reason, the keyboardist is uncredited on various websites describing the group's line-up, but she is very present in most live videos of the band. All in all, what separates this group from other Japanese screamo groups is their ability to sound raw, yet maintain a sense of melody to their music which is never too overbearing, nor undermined. At only 4 songs deep, the record is surprisingly fulfilling. Possibly one of the best Japanese screamo records to come out. This record can also be purchased on the site, Meatcube.

-Garrett

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久保田早紀 [Kubota Saki]: Best Collection

at 1:37 AM Posted by FEMALE TROUBLE 2 Comments

[Download]

Saki Kubota is a Japanese pop-idol. I think. Her music transcends that of most idol-pop, entering territories that are almost unnerving and haunting in someways, yet still retains what one would typically expect from 80's idol-pop. There is little information on her, but surprisingly enough, Juntaro from the Gerogerigegege is very fond of her music, going as far as to say that among his top 10 favorite albums, Saki Kubota's discography is #1. I felt that when listenining to some of Kubota's work, I felt a great sense of unbeknowing and dread, similar to that of Gerogerigegege compositions such as "Endless Humiliation." Perhaps Juntaro's love for this women isn't so surprising after all.

-Garrett

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Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at 10:30 PM Posted by FEMALE TROUBLE 0 Comments


*Melt*

Birth- Iro EP

Monday, November 30, 2009 at 9:46 PM Posted by FEMALE TROUBLE 1 Comment



Birth are one of the latest groups to enter the amazing Japanese screamo scene. This is their debut EP and it sounds like a mixture between the jangly guitars of instrumental group, Toe, and the chaotic, underlying pop aesthetic of fellow screamo band, Nitro Mega Prayer. Birth are the band that The Fall of Troy wishes they were right now. Strange time signatures and dissonant guitar playing mixed with pop melody, but the emotion itself never comes off as something fabricated. The dual vocals of guitarist Sakai Kouta and bassist Suda Kenji stretch to their seams. Powerful energy for just a 3 piece. There isn't that much information to be found about this band, but they're certainly one to watch out for. Please visit the site Meat Cube, which sells CDs from many international screamo artists, and buy this record!

-Garrett

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Death in Midsummer and other stories by Yukio Mishima

Saturday, November 14, 2009 at 12:19 PM Posted by FEMALE TROUBLE 1 Comment


Mishima is the most obvious and recognizable name of the post-war novelists of Japan, highly linked with his ritualistic stomach-piercing suicide, seppuku. But, his way with words expanded further than just novels, for he also was a playwright, wrote prose and short novellas as well as essays. The Sea of Fertility tetralogy were his last published writings, which includes the very famous story of Kiyoaki Matsugae's unrequited love and happiness as an aristocratic member of a westernized Japanese family in the 20th century: Spring Snow.

I find it unfortunate that Mishima is always coined as an absurdist; his writings are profound, poetic. He was well-researched, highly knowledgeable of western and eastern philosophy alike.


Death in Midsummer and other stories is a collection of shorts put out in 1966.
Highly-recommended for those who enjoy Japanese-modernism.

"Reiko had not kept a diary and was now denied the pleasure of assiduously rereading her record of the happiness of the past few months and consigning each page to the fire as she did so."-Yukio Mishima, Patriotism

-Michelle

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Hijokaidan- Viva Angel

Monday, November 9, 2009 at 9:54 PM Posted by FEMALE TROUBLE 3 Comments


Hijokaidan's 2nd album. On this record, Hijokaidan completely abandons the somewhat psychedelic and jazzy sounds of Zouroku No Kibyou and transcends into territories that are somewhat surreal and disturbing. For a Hijokaidan record, the music is surprisingly sparse and this only adds to the sense of disconnectedness. What is probably the most noticeable change to the Hijokaidan sound is the stronger emphasis on vocals, electronics, drums and feedback. Highly dissonant and bizarre, this is a perfect record documenting the ever changing sound of one of Japan's first noise groups.

-Garrett

Violent Onsen Geisha- Otis

Monday, November 2, 2009 at 11:03 PM Posted by FEMALE TROUBLE 2 Comments



Perhaps one of the most unique Japanese artists out there, Violent Onsen Geisha's sense of humor is far more cynical and sarcastic than that of say, Yamantaka Eye. Otis, like many of Nakahara Masaya's recordings, consists of pop culture nods and strange mash-ups. This is not an album as much as it is a musical collage. To call Nakahara just another noise artist is almost undermining his finely tuned ear for the absurd. One notable song that fairly represents Nakahara's humor is a loop of the main guitar riff from Lenny Kravitz's, "Are You Gonna Go My Way?" combined with his signature frenzied screams and some bells and whistles to boot. Surprisingly, the booklet in this CD states that no samplers, synthesizers or keyboards were used in the making of this recording. I guess there are two versions of this CD out there. I have the one off of the Endorphine Factory label, which I believe is the first pressing, and it only consists of 3 tracks, the last track clocking in at 59+ minutes and combining some 7 odd songs. While this may be a bit tumultuous, I think it only helps emphasize Nakahara's madness. If you think you've heard everything that Japanese noise had to offer already, check out Otis. You will be pleasantly surprised.

-Garrett

Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at 8:09 PM Posted by FEMALE TROUBLE 2 Comments

ヤプーズ (YAPOOS)

Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at 12:47 PM Posted by FEMALE TROUBLE 10 Comments


YAPOOS LIVE
URA TAMAHIME


Nothing much more to say, she is heaven.
-Michelle

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Monday, October 26, 2009 at 2:43 AM Posted by FEMALE TROUBLE 0 Comments

Class of 1923

Saturday, October 24, 2009 at 9:46 PM Posted by FEMALE TROUBLE 0 Comments

Zoom Lens is the "label" I started to self-release my own music from various different projects, as well as that of close friends. The latest CD I am releasing is by Class of 1923, whom I feel that everyone should know about:


"A sense of innocence, nostalgia, and complexity. Synth-noise destruction and electro-pop melodies with a post-punk approach, A highly versatile, yet seamless CD that takes an adventurous approach in finding a medium between the clashing of both old and new sounds. Extremely unique and highly addictive."

Class of 1923:
http://www.myspace.com/classof1923

You can purchase the album from here:
http://www.myspace.com/zoomlenslabel

-Garrett

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Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 3:31 PM Posted by FEMALE TROUBLE 0 Comments

フリクション (Friction)

Monday, October 19, 2009 at 11:55 PM Posted by FEMALE TROUBLE 3 Comments



Friction was birthed by bassist Reck post-collaboration with New York No Wave initiators James Chance and Lydia Lunch, in which Reck and the other founding members of Friction played instruments for. Chiko Hige, drummer and back-up saxophonist of the Contortions, along with Reck and Tsunematsu Masatoshi formed the orignal line-up, releasing their first album in 1980: 軋轢 (Atsureki).

I can't help but say that I always think of The Fall when I listen to this album; granted, Reck's vocals are in my opinion much stronger than Mark E. Smith's. The British post-punk influence is obvious, as much as the abrasiveness of the New York No Wave sound. Jazz funk and all. Quintessential Japanese punk...simplistic, melodic.

軋轢 (Atsureki)

-Michelle

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Boredoms- Super 77

at 4:33 PM Posted by FEMALE TROUBLE 2 Comments



Somebody on Last.fm was nice enough to upload this rare gem for me (I hope it's alright with them that I'm sharing this, but this was only limited to 500 copies, why not?).

The first track, 'Super 77,' is intriguing in it's concept, it's a composition composed entirely of the sounds of the band's manager's then-three-month-old son, however, it falls pretty flat in holding that much attention. This track can easily be skipped.

The second track, 'Super Sky,' is a great listen and is what one would expect with later Boredoms. Tranced-out sounds and tons of drums. What is odd is that 'Super Sky' is supposed to be an early version of 'Super Going,' and while there are many recognizable moments, the song actually starts with the end of another song, 'GO!!!!!,' the single 64 minute track off of their release, Super Roots 5. Mmmmm. Not often do you get to hear a Boredoms track before it's heavily manipulated in post-production, so it's an intriguing listen either way.

Usually most Boredoms is good Boredoms (everything before Seadrum anyways... OOPS! LOL), this is no exception. Check it out!

-Garrett

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モンモントゥナイ (monmontonight)

Saturday, October 17, 2009 at 9:28 AM Posted by FEMALE TROUBLE 0 Comments



In same taste and light as Afrirampo, Pikacyu, along with twelve other female-friends make up モンモントゥナイ (femalemasturbationtonight). Pikacyu is the drummer for the more famous of the girl-projects from Japan, Afrirampo, a duo from Osaka... famous being that Pitchfork has reviewed them (fuck), they've toured with Sonic Youth (another offense) and that they are also included in the ATP line-up this year. Nevertheless, I think I do enjoy Afrirampo...Pikacyu has also drummed for Acid Mothers Temple and the Cosmic Inferno, one of the very many psychedelic projects and combinations of various musicians formed by Acid Mothers Temple. The two have also collaborated.

Happynoise.

モンモントゥナイトのテーマ　

-Michelle

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Hijokaidan- 蔵六の奇病 [Zouroku No Kibyou]

Friday, October 16, 2009 at 11:23 PM Posted by FEMALE TROUBLE 3 Comments


Download

Hijokaidan has always stood out from it's peers due to their highly confrontational live performances and their somewhat unnerving and unique approach to their sound. Unlike some of their counterparts (Hanatarash, The Gerogerigegege), their music has little driving rhythm, rather, most of it is extremely disconnected, and in this, their music is only that more aggressive. It was said that Hijokaidan originally set-out to sound like Hawkwind performing at an airplane landing, which is really not too far off of a description. The noise can be characterized by being abrasively spacey and psychedelic. Although this record may not be as noisy as their future releases, it certainly captures a sort of essence of raw violence due to it being a compilation of live recordings. Personally, this is one of my favorite Hijokaidan records, and perhaps, one of my favorite noise recordings ever.

If you enjoy this record, I am willing to upload it in lossless for anyone who is interested. However, please support the people who made this album and consider purchasing it as well

-Garrett



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Toe- The Book About My Idol Plot On A Vague Anxiety

Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 8:25 PM Posted by FEMALE TROUBLE 2 Comments

Download

So basically I am horrible at writing music reviews, so I'm going to do this the Pitchfork way and tell you my own personal biased opinion about this record by the instrumental Japanese band, Toe. What? Another instrumental band from Japan besides Mono? Personally, I don't like Mono. I hate when the dynamics of instrumental music are reduced to tremolo picking and playing octaves. Toe doesn't do that. They also know not to drag things out, another problem with most instrumental bands. There is a fine line between building tension and being plain boring. We hear recurring themes in a lot of Toe's songs, acoustic break downs, subtle electronics, and several spoken word monologues, but these are songs that are very distinctly melodic. The guitar work is lush, intricate, and beautiful. You can really sense the communication between the two players and they do not simply imitate each other. The bass serves it's purpose and creates a nice middle ground between the ting of clean guitars bouncing off each other, and the drummer... is just amazing, by far one of the most phenomenal drummers I have heard, the album is worth checking out solely for his playing.

Another thing I would like to mention is that Toe's drummer drums for Kimura Kaela. Kimura Kaela is close friends with techno-pop group, Perfume. So... in my fan boy fantasies, Toe and Perfume would collaborate one day. Hell yeah. Download the album!

If you enjoy this record, I am willing to upload it in lossless for anyone who is interested. However, please support the people who made this album and consider purchasing it as well

C [Live]
Kodoku no Hatsumei [Live]
Everything Means Nothing [PV]

-Garrett

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Her socks

Thursday, September 17, 2009 at 10:38 AM Posted by FEMALE TROUBLE 0 Comments

Manga-based (Gekko no sasayaki) and fully-equipped with elements of perversion and fetishism, the lingering feelings post-finishing Moonlight Whispers (Sasayaki) were those of wanting to hang from a noose, mid-masturbation or something or rather. The concept of "Like a dog" and "I want to be your dog' à la Franz Kafka and Iggy Pop was the prominent theme, portrayed through the vessels of two seemingly innocent high-school students. Undeniably romantic, masochistically sufficient for those with a sickness.

Download: Moonlight Whispers (Sasayaki) (1999)

-Michelle

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