LAST YEAR'S MODEL

Radtown massacre!  Check out those sweet glasses.  FLOPPY is an electronic rock duo that formed in Japan in 2004 consisting of Sharaku Kobayashi (vox, guitar) and Hiromu Toda (synthesizer).  They released their first album in 2005, Protoscience is their fourth (almost, cuz it’s only seven tracks and one remix) full length record.  I would call this music “Post Polysics”, but Sharaku’s other band, Metronome, has been around since the late 90’s, making them contemporaries of my favorite hyper rock band, though Metronome’s style is a bit more visual-kei.  FLOPPY’s music has a lot to do with Polysics and other “Tokyo New Wave of New Wave” bands (Hi-Posi definitely!).  Their music flies by at breakneck speeds and each song is filled with as many different sounds, textures and rhythms as can possibly fit, but what sets FLOPPY apart is their commitment to a more austere feel that is less pogo punk Devo and more cyberpunk anime while still managing not to take itself too seriously (see above intro video). Read more

YES!!!  I’ve been super stoked all day cuz I am in love with this band.  I don’t think I’ve been this stoked about a band since I did that post on P-Model and Plastics… Most of the new music I’ve heard lately has taken me on a one way trip to frown town, but I discovered this band yesterday and i was ACTUALLY SMILING at work yesterday while i hummed these songs in my head.  And, unlike P-Model and Plastics, this band will be releasing another album sometime this year!

So anyway, Urbangarde’s sound reminds me a bit of Plus-Tech Squeeze Box, but they are not quite as eclectic.  Maybe even a little like MacDonald Duck Eclair… (Another current LYM fave).  The sound of Urbangarde relies on overstimulation and slightly dark, very epic sounding songs.  Ugh I cannot explain this at all.  Here are some videos.  DID I MENTION THE VIDEOS?!?!  Do yourself a favor, watch these.  Especially “Don’t Take Off Your Sailor Fuku”.  Gross.  and rad.

DON’T TAKE OFF YOUR SAILOR FUKU

WATERDROP SYNDROMES

Also, check out their website for more ginchy stuff.

Or, you can do what i did and buy their record from japanfiles.com