It's always rather sad when it's easier to pirate an album than it is to buy it. While I fully agree with supporting the artists themselves, if you are entirely unable to find an album legally, Jpopsuki (despite the name it extends to all Asian music) is a pretty in-depth and reliable tracker to...

I second that notion:  

Quote:   The few songs I've heard by AKB48 have had some of the worst general sound mixing I've ever heard. I mean, I understand mixing becomes difficult with that many vocals, but with the popularity they've achieved, I'd at least expect it to sound decent.   Though I suppose I might...

Anyone here heard (相対性理論) Soutaiseiriron?   If you've heard anything by Etsuko Yakushimaru, this her band in which she performs vocals.               If you haven't heard Etsuko Yakushimaru before, she's done some fantastic stuff with others as well:      

Quote:   I looked and unfortunately the most I could find was that she was referred to as "おおーちゃん" (oh-chan) in an interview.   It may be that she's trying to retain her anonymity.  

きのこ帝国 (Kinoko Teikoku) is a Japanese rock (with some post-rock elements) band I discovered a while ago that I simply can't get enough of:       That singer has such power in her voice.