2013 so far...the good, the bad, the WTF!

[CAT5 9075]

Ok, Monochromians - we're nearly 4 months into 2013, and surely everyone has heard a few noteworthy releases by now, right? Well, I would hope so! Of course, I'm sure you all have been disappointed by a variety of releases as well. So let's talk about it all! How is 2013 going for you musically so far? : )

 

I guess i'll start with the Japanese side of things!

 

THE GOOD:

 

MERRY - 梟 -

FUCK THA HATERS. Exactly how is this a "new" MERRY? Dafuq. Yall trippin. Dope as usual...the 2nd track on this single is eh, but the first and 3rd - I'll rock with 'em.

lynch - Ballad

The title track is meh, but the B-side is great imo.

cokiyu - Haku

yes, cokiyu. you can whisper your sweet ambient/electronic-pop nothings into my ears all day errday.

Jinmenusagi - ME2!

Ok, your first album was 'eh', but this shit is damn dope.

コトリンゴ - ツバメ・ノヴェレッテ

A friend told me that Kotoringo reminded her of a Japanese female version of Sufjan Stevens. An apt comparision, but fuck Sufjan - Kotoringo makes the most elegant pop around. :>

笹川美和 - 都会の灯(まちのあかり)

Sasagawa Miwa reminds of the kind of acoustic-pop I used to love when I was still getting into Japanese music. Ridiculously pleasant - plus points for nostalgia.

 

KOJOE - 51st State

Yes, Kojoe. Plz show the Japanese how to rap and choose proper production. DOPE.

AI - VOICE

This song is just a great piece of mainstream-pop.

 

Tam Tam - Polarize

mmmm flawless fusion of reggae/dub and indie-pop. Love it!

 

Geskia! - Silent of Night

Best one since his first!

THE BAD:

 

 

きのこ帝国 - eureka

Indie heads love this, but I dunno...I thought it was a BLAH-fest. Though I wasn't that big of a fan from the start.

sleepy.ab - neuron

These guys have become the kings redundancy. HOW MANT LEVELS OF BLAND CAN THERE BE!

0.8秒と衝撃 - 電子音楽の守護神

completely lost the spark they had like 2-3 years ago.

FRAGMENT - 感覚として。＋ササクレ

FRAGMENT is a left-fied hip hop act and I appreciate them, but this album is not the dopeness that I'd hoped it to be. And why the fuck is leo imai rapping on a track? o.0

the cabs - 再生の風景

OK. These guys can play their instruments and they can get all mathy and shit, BUT THEY CAN'T WRITE A DECENT, MEMORABLE SONG TO SAVE THEIR LIVES. MEH!

或る感覚 - カウンター

Why did I buy this shit?

indigo la End - 夜に魔法をかけられて

Their vocalist needs to grow a pair. SRSLY. I couldn't even finish this album because of his whiny, nasal-ass voice. eww.

 

THE WTF:

OGRE YOU ASSHOLE - confidential

I usually enjoy OYA, but....um...WTF. I guess these guys are trying to rediscover themselves, but whatever they're doing - they need to STAHP.

 

NON-JAPANESE ALBUMS I'M DIGGIN' SO FAR:

Alice Russell - To Dust

Blue Hawaii - Untogether

Bonobo - The North Borders

Buke and Gase - General Dome

CES Cru - Constant Energy Struggles

Conquering Animal Sound - On Floating Bodies

Daughter - If You Leave

F.S. Blumm & Nils Frahm - Music For Wobbling Music Versus Gravity

Kacey Johansing - Grand Ghosts

Nightmare Air - High In The Lasers

Rhian Sheehan - Stories From Elsewhere

Thao & The Get Down Stay Down - We The Common

Woodkid - The Golden Age

That's it for now! I guess as the year goes on, I'll revisit this thread and share my thoughts on what've been listening to. Ok, so what about you all!!???

[LIDL 692]

All of them that got released so far are half assed. Crap. Banal.

The only album that I can enjoyed throughly right now are JT's The 20/20 Experience.

Now that's smooth.

[Augie1995 325]

Uhh...well...

 

THE GOOD:

Alice Nine- Daybreak/ SHADOWPLAY

A- 白い悪魔-Phantom of the Snow-/SAKURA

ONE OK ROCK- 人生ｘ僕＝

UNDIVIDE- Materials Left Aside

SIGNAL- Undertake

ONE OK ROCK- Deeper Deeper/Nothing Helps

Nocturnal Bloodlust- Grimoire

Vistlip- GLOSTER/ CHIMERA

Matenrou Opera- 喝采と激情のグロリア

GALEYD- REVOLUTION/ FLEE FROM REALITY

Coldrain- The Revelation

Rin Toshite Shigure- I'mperfect

Kra- Joker's Kingdom

30 SECONDS TO MARS- Love Lust Faith+Dreams

UNiTE- small world order

Miyavi- Ahead of the Light/ MIYAVI

TesseracT- Altered State *RECOMMENDED* (Definitely one of THE best albums of 2013 so far... Depending on Periphery, Animals as Leaders, Crossfaith, and The GazettE)

 

The Bad:

SIGNAL- Apocalypse

 

The WTF:

BORN....ALL after 2010 minis (WTF makes you think you can keep going making the same song for every new single?)

BGFTNS- Glow test kraken (What is going on with these guys?)

[CAT5 9075]

All of them that got released so far are half assed. Crap. Banal.

All of what? Surely you haven't listened to every 2013 release under the sun. This thread is about specifics - not ambiguous blanket-statements.

[Number Girl 48]

I'm not gonna go by your format since I haven't listened to much, lol. 

 

So far . . . I enjoyed Cinema Staff's new singles. They weren't as awesome as last year's releases, but hopefully we'll have something slightly more promising material on the upcoming album. Gunbridge's Dispel the Evil was great. I love that Yama-B re-recorded some of his older Gunbridge songs. 

 

I thought the cab's new album was "okay" as opposed to completely terrible. You are absolutely correct about the no-memorable songs thing, haha. Sugizo's Vesica Pisces was another one I only moderately enjoyed - but I guess I'm just not into that sort of music. 

[Aion 184]

Wanted to do a Quarterly Review thread, so I'll probably go in more depth in that thread, but as for now, this is my list for this thread =)

 

THE GOOD

 

Uri Gagarn – my favorite skin

The return of one of my favorite rockers. It came as quite a shock to me that they were releasing something as I thought they disbanded in 2008 or something. This really is a pretty nice gem which showcases their geniality in an experimental way.

 

さよなら、また今度ね – 菅原達也菊地椋介佐伯香織渋谷悠

The real indie discovery for me of this year so far. Sayonara, mata kondo ne has that playfull style I really like in a lot of indie bands, and keeps to carry that style throughout this whole demo EP. Gimme more please =)

 

エリーニョ – 空中ランドリー

Third album by eri-nyo and overall the best album I have listened so far in 2013. This album has all I want in a singer/songwriter release. Folky tunes, heavier pop-rock songs, great vocals, variety of instruments. Just give this one a go, and you'll notice her strength.

 

惑星アブノーマル – 何でも無い凶器

WAKUSEI ABNORMAL's debut release is primarily carried by it's third song of the EP. 月夜海水浴 is so far the best song released this year by any Japanese artist. Overall the EP is still of a good quality, but none of the other songs reach the quality that the mentioned track has.

 

ACIDMAN – 新世界

Back to their former glory I say. This album mixes a lot of their older styles and is a definitive comeback after releasing some 'less awesome' albums the last couple of years.

 

THE BAD

 

ART-SCHOOL – THE ALCHEMIST

OMFG, it was already noticeable in their previous release, but really.. WTF has happened with Riki's voice... drop down that cigarette, PLEASE!

 

0.8秒と衝撃。– 電子音楽の守護神

Not that it was a bad release per se, but wtf has happened with them... Their debut and following album were really something different. This is kinda bland compared to them...

 

the cabs - 再生の風景

Loved their previous mini albums and was in love when I saw them live, but this was just... well, I really can't remember anything of it actually

 

THE WTF

 

OGRE YOU ASSHOLE - confidential

As CAT5 already mentioned, wtf have they done with their awesome songs. The only song that I actually really like is their new version of FLAG, though the original beats it in any way... Not that it's a bad release, it just is WTF xD

 

おとぼけビ～バ～ - 目撃!ラブミ〜•サイン

So these girls decided to drop their playfull music to do some garage... They've done it pretty well alltogether, but I'd prefer their older release, as it more suits their style and sound.

 

@NumberGirl

Cinema Staff singles? Where have they appeared? Completely missed them. Was looking forward to them after seeing that PV.

[Zeus 7997]

I keep track of all of mine here.

[Jigsaw9 6783]

Some of the Japanese stuff I enjoyed so far this year:

 

Antikythera - PUNCTURE

浅井健一 - PIL

グリーヴァ - 鬼ト影

lynch. - BALLAD

m-flo - NEVEN

 

These ones weren't too good however (or were just boring):

 

0.8秒と衝撃 - 電子音楽の守護神

Alice Nine - Daybreak

Boris - Präparat

Lycaon - 薔薇～Rose～

MERRY - 梟

 

Finally, some cool non-Japanese releases:

 

David Bowie - The Next Day

Suede - Bloodsports

Voivod - Target Earth

[stylelover 1086]

well its kinda hard for me to choose any b ad releases as i normally delete them right after and i dont really remember anything in particular so i wont fill that one out.

 

good asian releases

 

best releases so far

 

Girl´s Day - 기대 (Expectation)

SHINee - Dream Girl - The misconceptions of you

DIMMDIVISION - 揺れる/梟

Stereo.C.K - Squall / Repeat

Kalafina - Consolation

 

other good stuff

 

김재중 - I

B.A.P. - ONE SHOT

The Quiett - AMBITIQN

U-Kiss - 3집 COLLAGE

라니아 - Just Go

 

グリーヴァ - 鬼ト影

MAN WITH A MISSION - Emotions

amber gris - AROUND CHILDREN

己龍- 悦ト鬱

摩天楼オペラ - 喝采と激情のグロリア

BIOSPHIA - TRUE CRY

妖精帝國 - PAX VESANIA

 

 

good non-asian releases

 

Hadouken - Every Weekend

Woodkid - The Golden Age

Kollegah & Farid Bang - Jung Brutal Gutaussehend 2

Tyler, the Creator - Wolf

[LIDL 692]

All of what? Surely you haven't listened to every 2013 release under the sun. This thread is about specifics - not ambiguous blanket-statements.

The one I have listened of course, what else.

Very boring year so far.

And don't get close to Japanese music for a few months now cos it has been stagnant for me.

Downloaded some but one time listening and that is it.

Feel very unmotivated listening to these for now.

So I relented by listening expired music that released up until 2012 the most.

I am waiting for the Summer hopefully some wind of change.

[Aion 184]

Try to experiment more then, instead of falling back to known bands/genres... There's a lot of good stuff to find if you're willing to experiment...

[sai 868]

THE GOOD

ONE OK ROCK - 人生x僕= (this album presents a more mature ONE OK ROCK, but still has that sound they excel in)

Boris - Präparat (it's Boris, do you need me to explain?)
lynch. - BALLAD (a standard lynch. single, but compared to IC and LIGHTNING this is definitely a lot better)

SHINee - Dream Girl - The misconceptions of you (catchy pop-album with diverse tracks and great vocal work)

雅-MIYAVI- - Ahead of the Light (not sure what 雅-MIYAVI- has gotten into his mind when it comes to musical directions but it's awesome and I like it)

 

THE BAD (or more like, disappointing)

NoGoD - V (songs sounded too similar and didn't have any power whatsoever)

A - 白い悪魔～Phantom of the Snow～ / SAKURA (first release by A that I just can't dig, it's like they didn't even try on 白い悪魔～Phantom of the Snow～. And of all songs from WHITE ALBUM they could choose to re-record, they picked the weakest track of the mini?)

ナイトメア - SCUMS (see the review thread for a more elaborate explanation on this one)

U-KISS - 3집 COLLAGE (I know you're not popular in Korea and I know you want to spend more time on Japanese music but don't half-ass an album merely for that, thank you very much)

T.M.Revolution - UNDER:COVER2 (for butchering all of the awesome originals. Also the GazettE's barking dogs vocals in SHAKIN' LOVE made me cringe)

摩天楼オペラ - 喝采と激情のグロリア (I expected a lot more out of this, too many filler tracks)

 

THE WTF

東方神起 - TIME (it wasn't really BAD, it was just...I don't know. I kind of enjoyed it but at the same time it had too many old tracks and too many of the new songs were ballads. I know SM wants to make them do that "epic" sort of pop music but it doesn't suit the guys at all)

Girls' Generation - I GOT A BOY (should we do hip-hop or cute stuff let's mash it up! No wait it doesn't work and it sounds terrible. SM no. No no no. I wasn't sure whether it should classify under bad or under WTF, but it's more WTF than bad I guess)

 

All in all, not much that I like yet. I hope the rest of the year gives me more music that I'll enjoy. 2012 really wasn't my year

[evilcoconut 109]

Ugh damn you people, you're so organized.  I try to make some kind of list every year, but then it gets so long and I have the urge to make it complicated and I usually quit after a few months. D:

 

AWESOME

 

- Keytalk - ONE SHOT

- PIA single

- Page - Expect

- TEAM H - I just wanna have fun

- KAT-TUN - Expose

- Boom Boom Satellites - Embrace

 

 

GOOD

 

- Koda Kumi's cover album

- [Champagne] - starrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

- UNISON SQUARE GARDEN - Cider Road

- Spyair - sakurasmth

- Hemenway single

- The Sketchbook single

- Base Ball Bear - Perfect Blue

- Flumpool - Experience

- caroline rocks ep

- UNCHAIN - love and groove

- MWAM - Emotions

- Moran - jenga

 

BAD

 

- the Merry single 8D

- probably deathgaze too idek why i listen to them

 

MEH

 

- Kalafina - consolation

- Pi single

- Perfume single

- Lynch - ballad

- Sonar Pocket album

- Hilcrhyme single

 

This probably isn't everything, but it's the best I can do without having kept a list.

[Aion 184]

Ugh damn you people, you're so organized.  I try to make some kind of list every year, but then it gets so long and I have the urge to make it complicated and I usually quit after a few months. D:

This is the first year I actually am keeping a list, with monthly libraries, one library with all new releases of this year, and one library with all older stuff I acquired this year =)

[Number Girl 48]

@Aion: The Cinema Staff singles came out in mid-February. It was like a double-single release thing. I bought them so I don't know where to download them. 

 

 

[ShanethVarosa 1209]

The Flawless:
Matenrou Opera's Kassai to Gekijou no Gloria
m-flo's Neven

 

The Wonderful: 

Tegan & Sarah's Heartthrob
A's Shiroi Akuma/Sakura
Demi Lovato's Heart Attack
NoGoD's V
Sori's Dual Life
alice nine.'s Daybreak
Fall Out Boy's My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark/The Phoenix
Azealia Banks's Barely Legal (with The Strokes)
Rin's Reflect of Killing Fleur
Luminous by Satsuki
Avalon by Mejibray

 

The Good:
Satsuki's Luminous
Div's Sotsugyou
Koda Kumi's Color the Cover
Galeyd's Revolution
Namie Amuro's Big Boys Cry
30 Seconds to Mars's Up in the Air
Sadie's Soukoku no Tsuya
2NE1's We'll Take the World On
Selena Gomez's Rule the World
Boomerang by Nicole Scherzinger

Scums by Nightmare
Die Kusse by Mejibray
Disturbance by BoA

 

The GOD NO:

Justin Timberlake's The 20/20 Experience
SNSD's I Got A Boy
TVXQ's Time

Azealia Banks's Yung Rapunxel

Lil Wayne's I Am Not A Human Being 2

[Guest Magatsu]

Well My list is not that big yet.

I will edit this one, if I remember more releases etc.

 

 

GOOD

Calmando Qual - 闇を貫く激情の輝き [Finally a good single after many bad releases, and they are the best Starwave Records band ever... they don't belong to that label.. lol]

Nocturnal Bloodlust- Disaster/Unbreakable [just a great band]

Lament. - MORROW [Great band I love their stuff]

Antikythera - PUNCTURE [but vocal could be more smooth but it's not bad]

amber gris - AROUND CHILDREN [good music!]

 

 

BAD

misaruka  -  -Juliet- [bad vocal, such bad thing on CD.. they are better live]

Tokami - SYNCHRONICITY [Live only band for 100%]

Capella - Wasurebana [i'm not gonna waste my money on such crap]

Capella - reminder [-.-]

THE SOUND BEE HD - cross [Please learn how to make good music again]

MEJIBRAY- Die Kusse [x.x so not like this]

Alice Nine- Daybreak

 

MEH

A(ce) 白い悪魔～Phantom of the Snow～ & Sakura [Kinda boring]

DIAURA - REBORN

[Slsr 207]

OK, so far been REALLY good year for me, totally surprised by all quality releases:

 

Flawless

あさき - 天庭 - album

Amber gris - Around Children - album

Crazy★shampoo - 蝶々 - single

 

Good

或る感覚 - カウンター - album

Moran : Jen:ga - Album

DISH - 春と決別と咲乱 - Album 
Matenrou Opera - 喝采と激情のグロリア - album

グリーヴァ - 鬼ト影 - album

Wakusei abnormal - 何でも無い凶器 - mini album

The Sherry - Dreamers - single

Called plan - L - single

Called Plan - R - single

HaKU - masquerade - Single

TRUST - D.U.   - Single

A - 白い悪魔～Phantom of the Snow～ / SAKURA - Single

Stereo C.K - Squall/Repeat - Single

Lament. - Morrow - single

 

Good non japanese

The Crescent - Risti - album

Razika - På vei hem - album

Woodkid - The Golden Age - album

 

Hopefully didn't forget anything really important. 

 

edit: lol, one release was from 2012 so edited list :<.

[Pretsy 1343]

GOOD:

 

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu - Kimi ni 100% / Furisodeshon

Grieva - Oni to Kage

Merry - Fukurou

Alice Nine - Daybreak

Spyair - Sakura Mitsu Tsuki (???)

Miyavi - Ahead of the Light

Justin Timberlake - The 20/20 Experience

My Bloody Valentine - MBV

A$AP ROCKY - Long. Live. ASAP

 

 

BAD (or could just have been much better):

 

T.M. Revolution - UNDER:COVER 2 

Lynch. - Ballad

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu - Ninjya re Bang Bang 

One Ok Rock - Jinsei Boku something

Nightmare - Scums

Sadie - can't remember the title

Yeti - can't remember the title [2]

Mejibray - Die Kusse

Nogod - V

 

WTF:

 

BORN are making the same song for like 50th time. 

Also: Nocturnal Bloodlust is still a huge joke.

 

Things to look forward to (for fanboyism or mainly curiosity):

 

SID - Koe ni Oichite

Kiyoharu's mega-stuff

Vamps' new English album (???)

Dir en grey - The Unraveling

The Gazette's horribly named releases

D'erlanger's horribly named album

Tyler the Creator - Wolf

HIM's probably generic release

Fall Out Boy's new stuff (lol)

Queens of The Stone Age + their future album

...

[Pandabear 414]

In terms of Japanese releases strictly for 2013 there haven’t been that many I’ve been interested in so I have a shortlist.

 

Alter - When Something New Begins 

Artema - Artema

Boom Boom Satellites - Embrace

Lemon Chair/Tokyo Shoegazer - Japan Shoegazer As Only One EP

Yousei Teikoku - PAX VESANIA

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu - Furisodeshon/ Ninjayari Ban Ban singles

Ami Suzuki - Snow Ring

Babymetal - Ijime DameZettai

Alicenine - Daybreak

 

Most of the Japanese albums I’m looking forward are in the summer.

 

As far as everything else goes.

 

Bullet For My Valentine - Temper Temper

Black Veil Brides - The Wretched And Divine

Soilwork - The Living Infinite

EskimoCallboy - Cenima

 

Got Killswitch Engage and Bring Me the Horizon releasing material next week and I’m sure that won’t disappoint either. Again, more of the awesome releases are later in the year. 

[ShanethVarosa 1209]

Totally forgot about Ahead of the Light!!!! That's on my flawless list.

[DeithX252 1266]

THE GOOD

Maaya Sakamoto - Singer Songwriter

Sayonara Ponytail - Seishun Fantajia

UNDIVIDE - MATERIALS LEFT ASIDE

A Ghost of Flare - 鼓動

FOUR GETS ME A NOTS - BLINKS

HER NAME IN BLOOD - THE BEAST EP

absentmindedness - 2700マイルの恋人

Tokyo Karankoron - We are Tokyo Karankoron

Mai Aizawa - moi

MAN WITH A MISSION - Emotions

moumoon - PAIN KILLER

nano - N

negoto - 5

kinoko teikoku - eureka

yanagi nagi - zoetrope

Kalafina - Consolation

bilo'u - 擾乱スワール

7!! - Doki doki

EGOIST - All ALone With You

Aimer - RE:I AM EP

りょーくん - Re: you

Lyu:Lyu - 君と僕と世界の心的ジスキネジア

Lost in the Fog - アインズヴァッハの墓

 

THE BAD

GALEYD - Revolution (I don't like track 2 & 3, it's not them)

ONE OK ROCK - JinseiXBoku (dunno, I don't like every track in this album, except songs from single)

Aoi Eir - BLAU (I expect more from her, but in this album the song is just standard ear catchy song)

Nightmare - SCUMS (standard j rock band)

NoGod - V (boring)

the cabs - 再生の風景 (after I listened their mini album before, I think this album is not that good)

Hanazawa Kana - claire (hahaha, standard moe voice, the song is mediocre)

sakanaction - sakanaction (this album has dominant pop atmosphere, although I don't listen to sakanaction much, I know their live is awesome in RIJF)

 

THE WTF

Fear From The Hate - 1961 (lol, become pop/rock sound, from post-hardcore/metalcore, what happening to this guy?)

NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST - Disaster/UNBREAKABLE (the song is contrast)

 

and the list of upcoming album is endless zzzzzz:

amazarashi - ねえママ あなたの言うとおり

凛として時雨 - i'mperfect

coldrain - The Revelation

NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST - Grimoire

Kurosaki Maon - VERTICAL HORIZON

Ayahi Takagaki - Relation

GYZE album

Crossfaith Album

Dir en grey - The Unraveling

Sim - EViLS

Ray - RAYVE

Hanatan - Utaitemita album [FLOWER]

and more....

[evilcoconut 109]

OH really? FFTH changed sound? They were so awful before by which I mean the music, Lidy was great, I'mma have to check that out lol.

 

ETA - aaaaaand I love it.  He is a really good singer. I'll be looking forward to more from them now.

[Schmooples2600 105]

I’m pretty jealous of all those really long lists, if only I had more time to discover new music. The few new releases that I heard and liked are:

Boris – Präparat
     A very nice and atmospheric album. It being released on LP is a plus for me, the bigger the medium the better!

Ensemble Pearl – Ensemble Pearl
     Another collaboration between Boris and Sunn members? Yes please.

My bloody valentine – mbv
     It doesn’t quite reach the level of awesome of Loveless, but still an amazing release.

VA – yellow loveless –japan-
     This actually is loveless! Even if some of the artists don’t seem to fit it all works out pretty nicely.

東京酒吐座 and Lemon’s chair - japan shoegazer as only one
     A solid release, nothing spectacular. But it makes me excited for the new東京酒吐座 album.

The only release I didn’t like too much was 再生の風景 by the cabs… or did I? I can’t really remember.
 

[DeithX252 1266]

OH really? FFTH changed sound? They were so awful before by which I mean the music, Lidy was great, I'mma have to check that out lol.

 

ETA - aaaaaand I love it.  He is a really good singer. I'll be looking forward to more from them now.

yeah although FFTH is in my WTF list, but somehow I like Lidy's voice in new album, I enjoy all the songs