Yes, I'm sure you're all quite tired of all the screamo posts lately, but since my previous post was about a Killie/Heaven in Her Arms split and I had never even posted a full Killie album before, I figured that it would be a good time to post my favorite album by Killie. Unfortunately, like practically everything else they've done it is now out of print (limited to 1,000 copies on singer Yoshi's own Oto Records).

Anyways, Killie's brand of screamo is quite chaotic and they are possibly one of the more 'out there' groups when it comes to screamo. Highly atonal vocals, lots of dissonance, unconventional song structure, and plenty of spoken word interludes. I think for even those who aren't fans of screamo, Killie may appeal to them due to their unique and almost avant-garde approach to their sound.

killie.jp
Oto Records

-Garrett

Most of modern day screamo (the good screamo, at least) still has this very prevalent vibe of punk rock ethics which is obviously seen in the connection and (what I'm sure is) respect for each others music, which is very much shown in this cover album. To have two Japanese groups get together and recognize the works of artists in both the United States and Italy is a truly amazing thing, I believe. All these groups are necessary listening for screamo fans and deserve your attention and support!

-Garrett

-Garrett

-Garrett

Since a large percentage of posts by me have been purely Japanese music, I figured this would be a nice change of pace.

Binary Star was a short-lived hip-hop duo formed in 1998. One half One Be Lo, and the other half Senim Silla. They met each other in Hiawatha Correctional Facility where One Be Lo devoted his time to extensively researching the music industry, where in his words, he learned "how to hustle legally." They debuted with the album 'Waterworld' on Terrorist Records in 1999 on a budget of $500, which was followed with a tour across Michigan (due to the fact that both were still on parole and could not leave the state). Switching over to Subterraneous Records, they released this record, 'Masters of the Universe,' which was essentially a remixed version of 'Waterworld,' yet it garnered much more attention than it's predecessor. Due to creative and personal differences the group was no more by 2000.

I can't say that my knowledge on hip-hop is the best, but I'm familiar with some of the 'classics,' and this is definitely one of them. Masters of the Universe is far by one of the most profound and intelligent hip-hop records I have come across. The production being comparable to Wu-Tang Clan's '36 Chambers' in it's gritty and raw approach with the lyrical skill akin to Mos Def & Talib Kweli's 'Black Star' album in it's self-awareness (as well as in it's critique of the fellow hip-hop community) and slightly philosophical undertones, even at 24 tracks there is no filler, each song is unique in it's own right. This is obviously an album that was made putting in every drop of one's own sweat and tears.

For those who long to embrace all that is good in hip-hop, or for those who's faith need be restored, Masters of the Universe is one of the finest hip-hop records ever made.


-Garrett

Megane-kun, a french guy who likes to drink cold.

Happy Birthday to Perfume's youngest member, A-Chan! I hope you have a wonderful day. All Perfume's members are 21 now, isn't that surreal? My motto has always been that it's okay to obsesses over girl groups, as long as they're older than you :3

There are few surprises with Sweet Vacation, just the name itself is a dead giveaway of what you should expect from them musically. However, 'pop save the world!!' is one of those albums that is so coated in sugar that you can't help but go for a taste. While there isn't anything too new here as far as techno-pop goes, the songs are quite infectious and just plain adorable. A very summery and nostalgic vibe to this record Sweet Vacation is much more laid back than their contemporaries; less grinding and more dancing. The band is still fairly in their infancy, and this is only their debut full-length, so they are definitely one to keep an eye out for in the future. Also, singer May is probably the biggest piece of eye-candy since Nocchi (plus she's only 20 days older than me, ahhhh!) And that's saying a damn lot.

Tracklisting:
1. Wingtip Sloat - I'm On The Wrong Side
2. Raymond Scott - Twilight In Turkey
3. C.C.C.C. - Female Trouble
4. Dame Darcy & Helpless Suckling Whelps, The - Little Red Riding Hood
5. Masonna - Masonanie USA
6. Squirmbo - Pillow Talk
7. Evil Moisture - Excerpt From Yerm Flowers Cassette

Bananafish was a magazine based in San Francisco by Seymour Glass. Striving for both the absurd and the avant-garde it gained quite a nice underground following. Perhaps one of the most imporant things concering this magazine was how it exposed otherwise unattainable music to the Americas. This compilation in particular features the works of noise groups such as C.C.C.C. (the track, Female Trouble, which this blog is named after) and Masonna. But not to disregard the other works on this compilation, they are all compelling and interesting and are sure to appeal to anyone who has an interest in the experimental.

-Garrett

Ah, nostalgia. Listening to this almost makes me want to weep. This is a compilation of Sonic the Hedgehog songs that came with select copies of Sonic Adventure 2 on Dreamcast. It came in a nice blue box along with a collector's coin and a small booklet detailing the history of Sonic along with a nice collection of pictures. But that isn't important to you, now is it? What is important is that this encompasses all of the Sonic music till Sonic Adventure 2. You get to hear the genius of composer Masato Nakamura at work, that is, until you get about 15 songs deep and then all you get are really cheesy rock songs (Dreamcast-era Sonic, obviously).

My favorite Sonic game is tied between the original, and Sonic and Knuckles. To be honest though, I don't think I've ever beaten a Sega Sonic game in my life. Platformers were hardasfuq back in the day, breh. What's your favorite Sonic game?

-Garrett

Suicide Circle is a Japanese film by Sion Sono which has gained quite a cult following here in the United States probably due to the fact that it was released alongside 'Moonchild' in a 3 DVD set by TLA and Gackt loving weeaboos everywhere became aware of it's existence. Either way, Suicide Circle is an amazing film despite it's general popularity among people who are just familiar with only the surface of Japanese cinema. Not only did this film present the work of Sion Sono to a wider audience, but most likely the music of Haruko Momoi as well, who's song 'Mail Me' is covered by the band Dessert in the film.

If you enjoyed the music within the film, there is no doubt you'll enjoy the soundtrack. It's essentially all the same music, but unedited. For those who haven't seen the film, if you're into any obscure Japanese rock or pop-groups that feature prepubescent girls in them, then this is for you too.

-Garrett