Utada Hikaru - Simple and Clean

You can't chronicle Asian music without mentioning Utada Hikaru. Hikki is an international phenomenon, breaking all kinds of records for sales everywhere. It's no wonder. She has an absolutely gorgeous voice. This is one of my favorites.

The 5.6.7.8's - Woo Hoo

The 5.6.7.8's have a great retro sound. The name refers to the styles they play, music from the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s.

If you get a chance to see them live, do so. Their shows are a lot of fun. It's a stunning pattern interrupt to see three cute little jpanese girls pack such an amazing Western style wallop.

Shonen Knife - Public Bath

Everybody loves Shonen Knife. How can you help but love them? Catchy, bouncy pop/punk with songs about jelly beans and bicycles and strawberry cream puffs. They're one of a kind, and completely awesome.

Doesn't that just make you want to smile and dance and shout? So much happy energy. So genki.

It's no wonder they have so many fans. A lot of alternative bands gush about them. I love what Kurt Cobain said about them: "When I finally got to see them live, I was transformed into a hysterical nine-year-old girl at a Beatles concert."

They have that effect on people.

Yui - Tokyo

Here's Yui with the beautiful song Tokyo.

Yui's full name is Yui Yoshioka. She dropped out of high school to study guitar and songwriting at a juku (cram school) in Fukuoka. Her career started when she sang at an audition hosted by Sony Music Japan after being recommended by the juku. The rule was that participants could only sing two songs, but the judges gave her the highest scores possible and she was asked to perform a third song. Several record labels scrambled to sign her.

Asian Kung-Fu Generation - Rewrite

Another one from Asian Kung-Fu Generation. Rewrite was the fourth opening theme for the anime Fullmetal Alchemist. It won the Best Anime Theme Song Award in 2007 at the American Anime Awards. It's also featured in the Konami music games GuitarFreaks and DrumMania, Taiko Drum Master Portable for the PSP, and Daigasso! Band-Brothers for the Nintendo DS.

FLOW - GO!!!

Here's an amusing video from the Japanese rock band Flow that parodies the Terminator movie. Flow is made up of two MC's, Keigo Hayashi and Koshi Asakawa, guitarist Takeshi Asakawa, Yasutaro Goto on the bass, and drummer Hiroshi Iwasaki. This song, GO!!!, was an opening theme for the anime series Naruto.

Maki Goto - Glass no Pumps

Maki has done a lot of happy bubblegum pop, but with her latest album How To Use Sexy she shows she's grown up very, very nicely. Here she is with the song Glass Pumps.

After her brother's theft arrest and all that controversy, and her break with her agency and label, and her "graduation" from Hello! Project, fans have been anxiously awaiting her next career move. At Maki's official blog she has revealed that she's in Los Angeles taking dancing lessons and vocal coaching and exercising. Here's hoping there's some good news from my lovely girl in the near future.

Do As Infinity - Shinjitsu no Uta

Shinjitsu no Uta (literally Song of Truth or True Song) by the band Do As Infinity is a hauntingly beautiful song that features the sound of the ancient Chinese instrument known as a jinghu. The song was chosen as the fifth ending theme of the hugely popular anime InuYasha.

All Do as Infinity's CD's state that "Do As Infinity are Van Tomiko, Owatari Ryo, Nagao Dai and all supporters" in order to honor their fans. Tomiko is the band's lyricist and vocalist, Ryo contributes to the lyrics, plays guitar, and sings backup vocals, and Dai is the songwriter and guitarist. Several additional musicians helped form the touring band. Note that the band's name is abbreviated DAI and was formed from the letters of the guitarist and songwriter's name.

Do As Infinity officially disbanded in 2005, six years to the day after the release of their first single. They left a legacy of beautiful music for us to enjoy.

Kawabe Chieco - Sakura Kiss

It's well past time for some more of the adorable Kawabe Chieco. This song, Sakura Kiss was used as the opening theme for the anime Ouran High School Host Club. Chie-chan is currently a host on a popular radio station in Harajuku, and does modeling. It's been a while since she released any music, but fans are hopeful. Messages and promotions on Chieco's blog indicate that there may a new release sometime soon. Let's go, Chieco!

Oh my goodness, that is beyond adorable. The frog costume is a reference to her time in the Sera Myu (Sailor Moon Musicals). It's the same one she wore in one of the FanKans (Fan Kansha Events), which are special, often hilarious, videos of the Sera Myu girls behind the scenes.

Asian Kung-Fu Generation - Aru Machi no Gunjo

Here's the very popular J-Rock band Asian Kung-Fu Generation, or simply Ajikan for short, with the song Aru Machi no Gunjo (City in Blue).

Masafumi Goto, the lead singer, guitarist, and principle songwriter for the band, met guitarist and Kensuke Kita and bassist and Takahiro Yamada at Kanto Gakuin University in Yokohama and formed the band in 1996. Drummer Kiyoshi Ijichi joined soon after.

Aru Machi no Gunjo is featured in the anime movie Tekkon Kinkreet, adapted from the manga series Black and White.

Maki Goto - Yaruki! IT'S EASY!

Here's my darling Gocchin. Maki was born in Edogawa, Tokyo, in 1985. She's one of the most famous members of the supergroup Morning Musume and the associated Hello! Project. She has performed in many Hello! Project subgroups, as well as having a successful solo career.

Maki joined Morning Musume at the age of 14, as one of the leading vocalists. Their first single after she joined sold over a million copies, several times more than any previous release they had done.

Bonnie Pink - Love Is Bubble

Bonnie Pink's real name is Kaori Asada. She was born in Kyoto in 1973. She lived in New York in the late 90's, and speaks English as well as Japanese. Many of her songs are in English. She composes her own music and writes her own lyrics, and also plays the guitar and piano. This song, Love is Bubble is one of my favorites. It makes me get up and dance.

Love is Bubble was used for the theme of the Japanese movie Memories of Matsuko, which also cast Bonnie in a role. The film has been very well recieved by audiences.

In Asia bubble tea is very popular. In the West, Pearl Milk Tea with tapioca on the bottom is called bubble tea, but in Asia bubble teas is sweetened tea that's been shaken to mix the ingredients, making it frothy on the top. One big bubble tea chain called Ice Monster has a promotion for a special Love is Bubble drink called Pao Pao (Chinese for "bubbles").

Rie fu - Life is Like a Boat

Rie fu (Rie Funakoshi) was born in Tokyo in 1985 and lived in Maryland from 1992 to 1995. Fluent in both English and Japanese, her songs often shift between one language and the other, as it does in this song, Life is Like a Boat. The song was featured as the first ending theme of the very popular anime Bleach.

Rie's songs have been chosen as closing themes for several animes. I Wanna Go To A Place... was used as the closing theme for Gundam SEED Destiny, Tsukiakari (Moonlight) for Darker than Black, and Anata ga Koko ni Iru Riyuu (The Reason You're Here) for D.Gray-man.

Rie travels between Tokyo and London, where she graduated from the University of the Arts London in 2007. She has studied fine art painting, fashion and graphic design. She designs most of her own album and single booklets, and her paintings often appear in them.

Yui - Rolling Star

Here she is, the incredible, wonderful, and beautiful Yui. Yui and her band have been rocking Asia like a musical typhoon. This young multitalented dynamo from Fukuoka began singing locally when she was only sixteen. At seventeen she released her first album on an indie label, and was discovered shortly thereafter. Her rise to fame has been meteoric and well deserved. She's a great singer and songwriter, as well as a guitarist and actress. She also plays the piano and drums.

And I just bet she's a great kisser. Mmmm... wha? Sorry, drifted off there for a second. Here's Yui with the kicking hit Rolling Star.

Yui also starred in the movie Midnight Sun.

The Seatbelts - Tank!

Yoko Kanno is quite simply one of the greatest composers in the world, an absolute genius. The quality of her work is astounding, especially since it encompasses such a breathtaking range of styles.

Nowhere is her genius more apparent than in the songs composed for the anime Cowboy Bebop. Here is the song Tank! from the opening of Cowboy Bebop performed live by the band The Seatbelts, formed specifically for recording and performing this work.

Yoko Kanno and The Seatbelts have produced seven albums and a live DVD of work just from Cowboy Bebop. The amazing diversity of styles includes jazz, funk, rock, country, ballads, hip hop, and electronic.

Yoko Kanno has written music for several animes, including Wolf's Rain, Please Save My Earth, Vision of Escaflowne, Brain Powerd, and the Ghost in the Shell series Stand Alone Complex, 2nd Gig, and Solid State Society. She has also scored for many films and television works, as well as pop albums.

The Pillows - Little Busters

In the last post about The Pillows I mentioned their work on the soundtrack of the anime Fooly Cooly, and the fact that they refer to their fans as little busters, a connection to the band's Teddy Bear mascot, Buster-Kun. Well, here's the song Little Busters with footage from the anime. Enjoy!

The Pillows - Ride On Shooting Star

Here's one of my favorite bands from Japan, The Pillows. They're one of the best rock bands in the world. They put ona fantastic live show. Internationally they're most recognized for their work on the soundtrack of the incredible and wonderful anime FLCL (フリクリ, Furi Kuri), also known as Fooly Cooly.

You really should check out this anime, it kicks butt. The song featured today, Ride On Shooting Star, and I Think I Can were written specifically for the anime, though it also features other songs previously written. Besides showing how brilliantly they can rock, this video really expresses the humor and playfulness of the group.

Hailing from Hokkaido in the far north of the country, the band was formed in 1987. The current lineup is Sawao Yamanaka on vocals and guitar, Yoshiaki Manabe on lead guitar, Shinichirou Sato on the drums, and Jun Suzuki on bass.

So, what's with the Teddy Bears, you ask? It's a reference to the band's mascot, Buster-Kun. The band refers to their fans as little busters.

Cao Fang (ICY) - In Summer

Oh my goodness, I love this girl. ICY is HOT! So pretty, and such an amazing voice. Her songs are sweet and beautiful and passionate and honest. Here's ICY with 在夏天 - Zai Xia Tian (In Summer)

ICY's second album, Meeting Me

Cao Fang, aka ICY, is a singer and songwriter from mainland China. Her music reflects her own beauty an honesty and strength. Her voice is one of the finest in Asia, and indeed in the whole world. She is definitely one to keep an eye on.

ICY Live

Americans may recognize the last minute or so of the song from the GE Health Reimagined commercial set in China. I was surprised when I first saw that ad! "That's ICY! Wa!" Much success to you, ICY. You deserve it.

ICY, So Lovely

v-u-den, Ajisai Ai Ai Monogatari

Here's one of my favorite tunes from v-u-den, Ajisai Ai Ai Monogatari (紫陽花アイ愛物語, Hydrangea Love Story).

v-u-den (美勇伝, Biyūden — also romanized Biyuuden, Viyuden, or Biyuden) is named for the characters beauty (美, bi), bravery (勇, yū), and legend (伝, den). They're one of the groups in the Hello! Project. Led by Rika Ishikawa, the group also includes Erika Miyoshi and Yui Okada.

Ajisai Ai Ai Monogatari was the opening theme for the anime Patalliro! Saiyuki.

Kawabe Chieco Kyandi Beibee

I need some cute, and what could be more cute than Kawabe Chieco, hmmm? How about... a whole roomful of Chiecos!

I'd like to give that beibee some kyandi.

ALI PROJECT - 人生美味礼讃 (Jinsei Bimi Raisan)

There's not much to the video, but dang I love this song. Ali Project features Arika Takarano (宝野アリカ) as the singer and lyricist and Mikiya Katakura (片倉三起也) is behind the music and arrangements. Ali Project started as a light, happy pop band, but the music gradually became more dark and mysterious. Arika calls this the transition from Shiro Ari to Kuro Ari: White Ant to Black Ant. In fact, the band was originally called Ari Project when they formed in 1988. They changed their name four years later.

And here's another very interesting, orchestral version of the same song.

If you like them, you should check out the official Ali Project website.

Speaking of ants, have you ever asked yourself do ants scratch there ass? You may want to do so if you have a website that you'd like to get indexed quickly!

More Thai Rock From Endorphine

Doctor Marco says we all need another dose of Endorphine, and that lovely singer, Da, has made me all feverish. Here's the song Num Tem Gaow.

Rock on, Thailand.

Welcome, Asian Music Fans

The Asian Music Club is now open. This is the right place to hang if you love the pop and rock music of Japan and other Asian countries, or if you want to be introduced to some new music and find out more about the bands and artists of Asia.

Let's get started with everybody's favorite rock band from Thailand, Endorphine, with the song Yaa Tam Hai Faa Pit Wang.

The lovely singer is Da (Thanida Thamwimon), the guitarist is Kia (Anucha Boethongkhamkul), the bass player is Bird (Thanat Amornmanus), and Bomb (Thapaphol Amornmanus) is the drummer.

Here's a translation for you:

ฟ้ายังมีตา ที่ฟ้านำเธอมาร่วมทางอยู่กับฉัน
faa yang mee dtaa tee faa nam ter maa ruam taang yoo gap chan
Even the heaven has eyes that leads you to come and accompany me.

ท่ามกลางคืนวัน ที่เหนื่อยล้ากายใจ ให้ยังพอมีแรงสู้ไป
taam-glaang keun wan tee neuay laa gaai jai hai yang por mee raeng soo bpai
Through day and night, when I'm totally exhausted. Just to give me enough strength to carry on, to do better.

ถึงล้มก็รู้ ว่าฉันยังมีมือของเธอ
teung lom gor roo waa chan yang mee meu kong ter
Even when I fall I know that I have your support.

ถึงฉันนั้นพลั้งหรือพลาดอะไรไป
teung chan-nan plang reu plaat a-rai bpai
Even I did something wrong or missed something.

อย่างน้อยยังมีเธอ เป็นเหมือนเส้นชัย
yaang noi yang mee ter bpen meuan sen chai
At least I still have you, as my goal of success.

และทุกๆ ครั้ง ที่เสียอะไรไปเท่าไร ก็คิดทุกครั้งว่าได้อะไรมา
lae took-took krang tee sia a-rai bpai tao-rai gor kit took krang waa daai a-rai maa
And every time I lose something, I consider each time whatever I have gained from it.

และพบว่าฉันโชคดีสักเพียงใด....ที่พบเธอ
lae pop waa chan chohk dee sak piang dai .... tee pop ter
To discover how extremely lucky I am… to have met you.

อยู่กันอย่างนี้นานๆ นะเธอ
yoo gan yaang nee naan-naan na ter
Please be with me, like this, for a very long time.

จากกันวันไหน ฟ้าคงจะผิดหวัง
jaak gan wan nai faa kong ja pit wang
Whichever day we separate, the heaven would be disappointed.

อยู่กันตรงนี้หัวใจจะฝากฝัง ใส่มือเธอนั้น
yoo gan dtrong nee hua jai ja faak fang sai meu ter nan
To be right here together, my heart entrust in those hands of yours.

อย่าไปไหน อย่าไปไหน อย่าไปไหน
yaa bpai nai yaa bpai nai yaa bpai nai
Don't go anywhere, don't go anywhere, don't go anywhere.

เมื่อฉันลืมตา ก็ขอแค่ได้มองเห็นเธออยู่กับฉัน
meua chan leum dtaa gor kor kae daai mong hen ter yoo gap chan
Whenever I open my eyes, I beg just to be able to see you with me.

หนทางจะไกล สุดขอบฟ้าไม่หวั่น ได้รางวัลเป็นเธอมาแล้ว
hon taang ja glai soot kop faa mai wan daai raang-wan bpen ter maa laew
Though it would be a very long way to succeed, I am not afraid. Because I already have you as my prize.

ถึงล้มก็รู้ ว่าฉันยังมีมือของเธอ
teung lom gor roo waa chan yang mee meu kong ter
Even when I fall I know that I have your support.

ถึงฉันนั้นพลั้งหรือพลาดอะไรไป
teung chan-nan plang reu plaat a-rai bpai
Even I did something wrong or missed something.

อย่างน้อยยังมีเธอ เป็นเหมือนเส้นชัย
yaang noi yang mee ter bpen meuan sen chai
At least I still have you, as my goal of success.

และทุกๆ ครั้ง ที่เสียอะไรไปเท่าไร ก็คิดทุกครั้งว่าได้อะไรมา
lae took-took krang tee sia a-rai bpai tao-rai gor kit took krang waa daai a-rai maa
And every time I lose something, I consider each time whatever I have gained from it.

และพบว่าฉันโชคดีสักเพียงใด....ที่พบเธอ
lae pop waa chan chohk dee sak piang dai .... tee pop ter
To discover how extremely lucky I am… to have met you.

อยู่กันอย่างนี้นานๆ นะเธอ
yoo gan yaang nee naan-naan na ter
Please be with me, like this, for a very long time.

จากกันวันไหน ฟ้าคงจะผิดหวัง
jaak gan wan nai faa kong ja pit wang
Whichever day we separate, the heaven would be disappointed.

อยู่กันตรงนี้หัวใจจะฝากฝัง ใส่มือเธอนั้น
yoo gan dtrong nee hua jai ja faak fang sai meu ter nan
To be right here together, my heart entrust in those hands of yours.

อย่าไปไหน อย่าไปไหน อย่าไปไหน
yaa bpai nai yaa bpai nai yaa bpai nai
Don't go anywhere, don't go anywhere, don't go anywhere.

ผิดความตั้งใจ ที่เป็นของฟ้า
pit kwaam dtang jai tee bpen kong faa
We'll disappoint the intention of the heavens.

(Interlude)

อยู่กันอย่างนี้นานๆ นะเธอ
yoo gan yaang nee naan-naan na ter
Please be with me, like this, for a very long time.

จากกันวันไหน ฟ้าคงจะผิดหวัง
jaak gan wan nai faa kong ja pit wang
Whichever day we separate, the heaven would be disappointed.

อยู่กันตรงนี้หัวใจจะฝากฝัง ใส่มือเธอนั้น
yoo gan dtrong nee hua jai ja faak fang sai meu ter nan
To be right here together, my heart entrust in those hands of yours.

อย่าไปไหน อย่าไปไหน อย่าไปไหน
yaa bpai nai yaa bpai nai yaa bpai nai
Don't go anywhere, don't go anywhere, don't go anywhere