What's your favourite album?

[Uninstall]

Hi all, since I'm trying to fill up my music library I'm curious to which albums you like the most or which ones you can easily recommend - you can make a list or include a YouTube sample if you wish! It doesn't have to be Japanese, just your all-time favourite album!

For me it's AXIS - "UNPOPULAR".. Amazing MC, he's Indian, born and raised in Tokyo and spent part of his life as a drug addict in the US. As for the album, there's a really good mix of tracks of both Japanese and English language. Each of the tracks have very good samples/backing tracks with old-skool vibes as well. The lyrics are mostly about conspiracy theories and governments, but he speaks in a very poetic/figurative manner which I think makes Hip-Hop all so interesting. Notable tracks are "平日" and "The Life".

If it's not Hip-Hop I enjoyed "EXIT TRANCE PRESENTS EKI TORA"..
Probably my favourite Exit Trance album as having lived in Tokyo for a short period of life you automatically familiarise yourself with the sounds and sights of the Metro & Train Stations - which is what this album is based on - hence "eki" in the title, meaning "station".

This album contains tracks sampled from the sounds and tunes from the stations in Japan - in the track above I believe it's sampled off a Tokyo Yamanote Line station tune.

The video in the spoiler contains all the tunes from each station in which the so famous Yamanote Line stops by, if you've been to Tokyo you'll recognise these!

Spoiler: station tunes

 

[renano]

For a female artist or band...

The honor goes to YUI for her first album, From Me to You.

I connected with her music because we're around the same age. Her music back then was so simple and pure. Since she just started out, her lyrics were mostly about finding yourself, connecting with people, the trials of what it's like to be in love, and just life around you.

Her songs can be soothing, mellow, rockish, poppish, even plain sad or happy. All I know is that her voice reached my heart.

That album is just as it sounds. She's saying 'thanks' for those that supported her and for those that love her music and for many that will come to know her music.

I recommend her acoustic tracks if you decide to listen more from her.

For now, this song, Feel My Soul, should give an insight of what she is like.
[video=vimeo;18266077]http://vimeo.com/18266077[/video]

---

As for the male artist or band...

The honor goes to ART-SCHOOL for their album, UNDER MY SKIN.

This band has pretty simple tastes as well. They write simple lyrics but with enough imagery and substance so you know exactly what's going on. They basically don't hide what they're feeling.

I chose this album instead of their more popular albums like Swan Song and Flora because it was the first album I bought from them. So it's very dear to me.

What I love best is that the booklet shows snapshots of their night lives... mostly hanging out and drinking or smoking, but you get the idea. They are just like every other person. They don't wear fancy things or show off their girls. Just laid back guys.

The music is sort of punk, alternative rock. The main singer writes all the lyrics and helps compose the music. It's mostly love music but with some twists.

Here's the PV for Under My Skin.

 

[Uninstall]

Ah, yes - YUI

I have that album laying around somewhere in my grandma's house in Indonesia - I enjoyed "Tomorrow's Way".. I remember when I was in Japan one of her albums were a GIANT freaking hit. I remember when Summer Song came out... and then that new single released - it was everywhere
Never seen (or maybe I never really payed attention to) any videos of her, though; until you showed me.. She's quite a good looker imo hehehehe (^^ゞ)

 

[renano]

[MENTION=25346]Uninstall[/MENTION]

Good-bye Days is what really made her marking point especially since she sang and starred in the movie Taiyou no Uta. I like the movie more than the drama because YUI was very endearing to me.

 

[Decalcomania]

My favorite album would by TRACES BEST OF 2005-2009 by The GazettE.

It was a set of their best singles all in one album and I enjoy all of their songs very much. The lyrics consist of metaphors which are really meaningful if you find out what they mean.

Their songs really impact you as a person and that's what makes them special to me. No band has ever done that to me through their songs.

Some notable songs are "GUREN[紅蓮]" and "reila"

 

[Uninstall]

I think I have a new favourite album; Sibitt - Zymolytic Human

This sort of rather "abstract" and "poetic Hip-Hop" seems to be very underrated these days but they surely are dope.

Most of the tracks on here are actually poems, accompanied with a backing track, and even without understanding them 100% there is the sense of musicality and you feel the spirit nevertheless. The actual music on here is also real good - it's kind of rare to hear MCs with a really smooth singing voice and Sibitt in this case has a pretty good singing voice, as he does actually sing and not only bust rhymes and spit lines. His flow is exceptional - use of tone and meter in both his poems and songs work real well with the backing track, really abstract and musical.

 

[renano]

You guys sure have some good taste in music. :3

 

[Uninstall]

Hahaha thanks, ≧ з ≦
Can any Miku-fans recommend me their favourite producer's albums or EPs?
arigatouu (* m_ _) m

On a side note, I would kill for a physical copy of this album

 

[vittusk]

Honestly i don't have a favorite album, but here is a nice one:
Band : Dark Moor
CD : The Gates of Oblivion

Spoiler: The night of the age

Another
Band : Eluveitie
CD : Slania

Spoiler: Inis Mona

One more
Band : Luna Obscura
CD : Feltia

Spoiler: Oronar

[MENTION=25346]Uninstall[/MENTION]... about the music of Hatsune Miku, in my opinion is better hear it as splitted themes.

Spoiler: 夢地図

Spoiler: Fallin' Fallin' Fallin'

Spoiler: Monokuro Act

 

[Uninstall]

[MENTION=25619]vittusk[/MENTION] , thank you, the stuff from 40mP sounds def
Will definately look for more of his tracks

Also, I freaking want this album

Ruff Neck - Ruff Treatment

 

[Kasumi chan]

I usually listening on internet and usually only like single songs

 

[Bartthew]

Well, I dont have my faveurite album. There are too many of them that i could choose the best one. :)
One's of my favourite albums, or the albums that I like, love, etc :
- Tenacious D - Pick of Destiny - the whole album is freaking great. :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvvjiE4AdUI - song from the album
- Pidżama Porno - Marchew w Butonierce - polish punk rock, i don't post link to the song beacuse probably u wont understand, or do you? ;)
- Dżem - Detox - Great polish blues, rock blues.
- Queen - The Miracle - well I love the whole discograpfy, but i really really love this album
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pm4fQRl72k&ob=av2n

 

[renano]

Hmm... I would recommend some albums from X-Japan... if you're looking for JRock...

 

[alexsdu]

Russian Red Army Choir

 

[Uninstall]

Definately in my top 3 (○´∀｀)

"Real Japanese right here"