101A – flood floor -Lost Way- (Review)
101A flood floor -Lost Way- (DVD) Review by David Cirone One of the best Japanese indie-band live DVDs in recent memory, 101A’s flood floor –Continue reading…
Category: Reviews
Critical analysis of the sounds and stories shaping modern Japan. From the visceral energy of live rock, pop, and idol performances to the subtle mastery of award-winning manga and deeply personal films, our reviews offer an expert lens on the craftsmanship, production, and cultural legacy of Japanese media.
Koda Kumi – JAPONESQUE (Review)
Koda Kumi JAPONESQUE Review by David Cirone JAPONESQUE is a powerhouse 19-track release from Koda Kumi that affirms her place in modern J-PopContinue reading…
101A – 4 (Review)
101A 4 Review by David Cirone 101A’s coiled-snake style is an acquired taste, but their new release 4 shows off the Japanese alternative noisContinue reading…
TAIA – Seeds of Rain (Review)
TAIA Seeds of Rain Review by David Cirone TAIA’s fearless use of keyboard synthesizers and trademark mid-song tempo changes set them apart frContinue reading…
the brilliant green – BLACKOUT (Review)
the brilliant green BLACKOUT Review by David Cirone If you’re looking for a jumping-off place to bridge the 8-year gap between the brilliant Continue reading…
SpecialThanks – SEVEN LOVERS (Review)
SpecialThanks SEVEN LOVERS Review by David Cirone Indie Japanese pop-punk group SpecialThanks’ first full-length CD SEVEN LOVERS builds on thContinue reading…
RAMPANT – GREEDY MONSTER WANTS ALL (Review)
RAMPANT GREEDY MONSTER WANTS ALL Review by David Cirone Opening track “Quattro” starts with a deceptively simple drum intro that blends into Continue reading…
Onmyouza – Kongo Kyuubi (Review)
Onmyouza KONGO KYUUBI Review by David Cirone Onmyouza is a 10-year legend for metal fans in Japan, and they dive deep into their mythologicContinue reading…
LAZYgunsBRISKY – 26 times (Review)
LAZYgunsBRISKY 26 times Review by David Cirone LAZYgunsBRISKY’s 26 times is a focused and lean album that shows the up-and-coming punk rock bContinue reading…
exist†trace – THE LAST DAYBREAK (Review)
exist†trace THE LAST DAYBREAK Review by David Cirone THE LAST DAYBREAK belongs to the guitars this time. While bassist Naoto and drummeContinue reading…