Introduction In such a big music industry as Japan's there are countless album and song releases during every year. Rather than waste time piling through mediocre releases and dubious recommendations, let three of your friendly keikaku editors give you the heads-up on what's worth a listen from the past year. back to features		The Best of 2004 James's Highlights of 04 2004 was actually a great year for Japan's music, in my opinion. While I'm sure that the below albums are my favorites for the year, the ordering is by no means strict. Aside from Acidman and Zazen Boys, that is. 1. Acidman - equal Exceeded my already towering expectations. The pair of Sai tracks are amazing. 2. Zazen Boys - Zazen Boys II A little bit of focus goes a long way for their second release in 04. Shiina Ringo's backing vocals are a great bonus, too. 3. Sparta Locals - Sun Sun Sun Great instrumentation, great energy, great effort. How much more could I ask for? 4. Scoobie Do - Beautiful Days Fujifabric's self-titled didn't come through, but Scoobie Do's eclectic rock easily fulfilled those broken expectations. 5. Doping Panda - We in Music I'm a sucker for their bright pop-punk, especially with the jazzy stuff they've mixed in. 6. Bump of Chicken - Yggdrasil Some incredible songwriting and endearing melodies made this soulful album come alive. 7. Quruli - Antenna How is it that only Quruli fans were raving about this album? The band jumps styles again and still comes through with a winner. 8. bloodthirsty butchers - Birdy The butchers are getting melodic in their old age, but there's no stopping their sonic assault, especially with Hisako onboard. And the two final spots are resevered for the most disappointing releases of the year. Here's to what could have been. 1. Pierrot - Freeze Note to Pierrot - now that your members are doing side projects, it's time to go the way of Luna Sea and disband. You had a good run, but like nearly every other visual band, you've reached your expiration date. 2. Mikami Chisako - Watashi ha Anata no Uchuu The main reason why I'm such a big fra-foa fan shows up two years after 13 leaves, minus everything that made her so engaging to begin with. I want my fra-foa back. Chris's Highlights of '04 Japan's musical output in 2004 wielded the largest selection of memorable album releases that I've seen in awhile. Here's some of my favorite albums of 2004. The list is in "loose" numerical order, meaning some albums rate higher than others at the moment, but tastes might come and go with time and more listens. 1. Acidman - equal Really high expectations were actually met with the band's third album release. That's pretty much all I can say. 2. Tsu Shi Ma Mi Re - Pregnant Fantasy Not to be confused for a cutesy all girl trio, this group knows how to mix up many styles and emotions. A very surprising debut. 3. Brahman - The Middle Way Still retaining that strange mix of Eastern folk music and hardcore punk, this may be their best album to date. 4. bloodthirsty butchers - Birdy Expanding on the more melodic sound that was presented in the last few past albums, this also marks the studio album debut of Tabuchi Hisako. "Rat Music for Rat People" might be up there with Mikansei's "Poolside" as one of the band's most beautiful songs. 5. Sparta Locals - Sun Sun Sun "Fun Fun Fun" is more like it, featuring deceptively simple songs that make you want to dance from beginning to end. 6. Doping Panda - We in Music Swinging jazz and rock and roll mark a great direction in the band's future. 7. Zazen Boys - Zazen Boys II Mukai can poop out bricks and they'll turn into gold. However, Zazen Boys' second release is a lot more golden than the first. 8. Bump of Chicken - Yggdrasil Probably their least "rocking" album to date, but possibly their best written. Some truly heartfelt songs can be found in here. 9. ART-SCHOOL - Boys Don't Cry A lot of the song performances on this make some of their album and EP releases sound like crap. At 23 tracks long with a bonus DVD featuring 9 songs and a price that's just a smidgen more than a normal Japanese CD this is a definite "best buy." 10. my way my love - hypnotic suggestion:01 Noise rock with an effects lineup the size of Kansas. Bob's Highlights of '04 Zazen Boys - Zazen Boys and Zazen Boys II I had the extreme pleasure of seeing the Zazen Boys perform live halfway between the release of each of these albums, both released on opposite ends of 2004. I can't rightly choose either of these albums over one another as they are both genuinely some of the best post-punk I've heard in a long time. Coquettish - High Energy Politics A solid ska-punk record, something that Japan hasn't had since Ska Ska Club's demise. Sounds like classic Suicide Machines. Actually, now that I think of it, I had the pleasure of seeing them perform live as well, two days after I saw the Zazen Boys. Your Song Is Good - Self Titled Former members of manic ska-punk bands Fruity, School Jackets, and Nuts & Milk, release an album that blends ska with elevator music. Alternately great for chillin' and dancing. Tokyo Jihen - Kyoiku Gunjo Byouri is incredibly catchy and one of the best singles from 2004. This album sounds like Shiina Ringo's first two albums, but good. Ging Nang Boyz - "Skool Kill" This video is possibly the most outlandish and original music video ever. The video is twice as long as the song and the song isn't even a prominent part. Is it a work of genius or just pretentious? Furthermore, I saw these guys in concert as well. - James, Chris McDougall, Bob Vielma
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