[wind016]

 
Quote:

Maybe that's part of the reason why I prefer Asian music over American....I think modern American pop gets to my nerves partly because of how uncreative or over-used the lyrics and themes are; the other part is that it just doesn't sound like the kind of music I normally listen to.
 
Sure, a lot of Chinese songs are about love, but to my ears, the way the music is presented is just much more appealing to listen to then compared to that of American pop music.
 

I don't understand a lot of the music I listen to, but it's not because I like it like that. It's because I can barely find any American artists that write music that I can relate with. A lot of American pop music seems so preoccupied with sex and rock music preoccupied with rebellion, that just simple everyday expressions in music seems completely ignored. I just prefer music I can relate with and I haven't found it with much American music.
 
I LOVE Do As Infinity for their songs of family and living impoverished conditions.
And I LOVE "Buranko". I can completely relate with it and how I feel about my own family. Of course, I had to find translated lyrics. =) I found these lyrics online, but I have better lyric translations on DVD though.

 

 

[xinque]

Interesting to hear people's take on lyrics.  It's a difficult line to draw I think.  On one hand, you can take vocals at face value as just adding another layer of musicality to a song.  Can think of a voice as just being another instrument in this regard I guess.  If you understand the language though, it's not something you can easily shut off in your brain to stop interpreting meaning as you listen.  Suppose this could be either a pro or con if you can relate to the lyrics.  At best I think it can contribute to the emotive response one gets from listening to music, at worst I guess it can totally pull you out of a song.

 

[Lunatique]

Quote:

 
I don't understand a lot of the music I listen to, but it's not because I like it like that. It's because I can barely find any American artists that write music that I can relate with. A lot of American pop music seems so preoccupied with sex and rock music preoccupied with rebellion, that just simple everyday expressions in music seems completely ignored. I just prefer music I can relate with and I haven't found it with much American music.
 

Do you listen to indie music at all (American, UK, and other English speaking countries)? If not, I highly recommend you start looking into that segment of the musical landscape, because that's where you'll find all the intelligent, soulful, philosophical, whimsical, expressive, and deep lyrical contents that you don't really see in mainstream music, not to mention the music is usually much more interesting. 
 
 
 
 

 

[wind016]

 
Quote:

Do you listen to indie music at all (American, UK, and other English speaking countries)? If not, I highly recommend you start looking into that segment of the musical landscape, because that's where you'll find all the intelligent, soulful, philosophical, whimsical, expressive, and deep lyrical contents that you don't really see in mainstream music, not to mention the music is usually much more interesting. 
 
 
 
 

I would really like to, but I'm not quite sure where to look. I usually just surf Youtube =/
 

 

[Lunatique]

Quote:

 
I would really like to, but I'm not quite sure where to look. I usually just surf Youtube =/
 

I gave you some recommendations before, but here are some resources where you can discover for yourself what you might like:
 
 
4AD is one of the oldest and most respected indie label in the world, having been the home of countless famous bands like Cocteau Twins, Dead Can Dance, Bauhaus, Clan of Xymox, Frasier Chorus, Pixies, Throwing Muses, This Mortal Coil...etc:
http://www.4ad.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4AD
 
 
Temporary Residence is an excellent indie label, home of Caroline Lufkin:
http://temporaryresidence.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temporary_Residence
 
Minty Fresh is also an excellent label, having released some of my favorite bands like Ivy and White Shoes and the Couples Company:
http://www.mintyfresh.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minty_Fresh
 
Other resources:
http://www.indierockcafe.com/
 
http://indiecharts.com/Indie_Music_Genre_Charts.php?Genre=Indie
 
List of top 50 American indie labels:
http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/indies/billboard-pro-s-d-i-y-50-indie-labels-part-1005317562.story
http://pro.billboard.com/content/50-best-indie-labels-america-part-ii
 
If you really want to educate yourself on music in general, you kind of have to go beyond the typical casual fan mentality and do some research. Look up the indie artists you do like and see what record labels they're on, and then see if the label has other similar artists you might like. Also, do wiki searches, or general google searches for "bands that sound like so-and-so" will get you other similar artists. There are also lots of forum posts like "Can someone recommend other artists or bands that sound like so-and-so?" Googling phrases exactly like that will get you tons of hits. 
 
Also, most people tend to be quite ignorant when it comes to the very wide range of musical genres available out there. Many people seem to think there's only hip-hop, rock, pop, metal, RnB, country, techno, classical, and jazz, and that's it. There is so much more out there if just allowed yourself to be adventurous and explore. There are many sub-genres or hybrid genres that are very interesting, but not many people know about them, despite them having existed for decades. For example, how many people really listen to genres like:
 
Acid jazz
Trip-hop/Down-tempo
Progressive house
Electro
Breakbeat
Progressive rock/metal
Fusion
Jazz fusion
Dark Wave
Shoegaze
Art rock/pop
Post rock
Ambient
 
And those are some of the most well-known and popular genres outside of the mainstream. There are a ton of others:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_popular_music_genres
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_music_styles
 
Every time I hear people complain about how there aren't enough good music out there, it's always the same thing--as soon as I ask the person how wide of a range of musical styles and time periods he's actually explored seriously, it becomes evident that the person is fairly ignorant of what's actually out there, and have never tried to be resourceful in the way he searches for new music. Or they just complain about how there's so much stuff out there that there's no way to know what's good. Well, that's what forums are for--to ask for recommendations, and now you have some very comprehensive resources to use in your hunt for good music. You really do have to put in the time to actually hunt though, because ultimately, only you know what you might like. So go listen to a ton of demo clips on amazon, cdbaby, myspace band pages, and so on. If you hear stuff you like in TV shows and movies, look up who the artist/band is. You have to be active and willing to put in the time and energy to look for the wonderful things out there in the world--they won't come to you on their own--it's up to you to find them.
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

[Bokyung]

Quote:

it's up to you to find them.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Exactly, I am sick and tired of people wanting everything handed down to them.
 

 

[wind016]

Quote:

I gave you some recommendations before, but here are some resources where you can discover for yourself what you might like:
 
 
4AD is one of the oldest and most respected indie label in the world, having been the home of countless famous bands like Cocteau Twins, Dead Can Dance, Bauhaus, Clan of Xymox, Frasier Chorus, Pixies, Throwing Muses, This Mortal Coil...etc:
http://www.4ad.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4AD
 
 
Temporary Residence is an excellent indie label, home of Caroline Lufkin:
http://temporaryresidence.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temporary_Residence
 
Minty Fresh is also an excellent label, having released some of my favorite bands like Ivy and White Shoes and the Couples Company:
http://www.mintyfresh.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minty_Fresh
 
Other resources:
http://www.indierockcafe.com/
 
http://indiecharts.com/Indie_Music_Genre_Charts.php?Genre=Indie
 
List of top 50 American indie labels:
http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/indies/billboard-pro-s-d-i-y-50-indie-labels-part-1005317562.story
http://pro.billboard.com/content/50-best-indie-labels-america-part-ii
 
If you really want to educate yourself on music in general, you kind of have to go beyond the typical casual fan mentality and do some research. Look up the indie artists you do like and see what record labels they're on, and then see if the label has other similar artists you might like. Also, do wiki searches, or general google searches for "bands that sound like so-and-so" will get you other similar artists. There are also lots of forum posts like "Can someone recommend other artists or bands that sound like so-and-so?" Googling phrases exactly like that will get you tons of hits. 
 
Also, most people tend to be quite ignorant when it comes to the very wide range of musical genres available out there. Many people seem to think there's only hip-hop, rock, pop, metal, RnB, country, techno, classical, and jazz, and that's it. There is so much more out there if just allowed yourself to be adventurous and explore. There are many sub-genres or hybrid genres that are very interesting, but not many people know about them, despite them having existed for decades. For example, how many people really listen to genres like:
 
Acid jazz
Trip-hop/Down-tempo
Progressive house
Electro
Breakbeat
Progressive rock/metal
Fusion
Jazz fusion
Dark Wave
Shoegaze
Art rock/pop
Post rock
Ambient
 
And those are some of the most well-known and popular genres outside of the mainstream. There are a ton of others:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_popular_music_genres
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_music_styles
 
Every time I hear people complain about how there aren't enough good music out there, it's always the same thing--as soon as I ask the person how wide of a range of musical styles and time periods he's actually explored seriously, it becomes evident that the person is fairly ignorant of what's actually out there, and have never tried to be resourceful in the way he searches for new music. Or they just complain about how there's so much stuff out there that there's no way to know what's good. Well, that's what forums are for--to ask for recommendations, and now you have some very comprehensive resources to use in your hunt for good music. You really do have to put in the time to actually hunt though, because ultimately, only you know what you might like. So go listen to a ton of demo clips on amazon, cdbaby, myspace band pages, and so on. If you hear stuff you like in TV shows and movies, look up who the artist/band is. You have to be active and willing to put in the time and energy to look for the wonderful things out there in the world--they won't come to you on their own--it's up to you to find them.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Thanks a lot Lunatique! You've been very helpful. I will try to get myself educated with what's out there in indie.
 


Quote:

Exactly, I am sick and tired of people wanting everything handed down to them.
 

What's with the attitude? There's a reason for this thread, right? I don't that THAT much free time to start from square one with anything. Listening to a song takes 3 minutes and I don't have that many minutes free in a day let alone take so much time researching.
 

 

[Bokyung]

 
Quote:

What's with the attitude? There's a reason for this thread, right? I don't that THAT much free time to start from square one with anything. Listening to a song takes 3 minutes and I don't have that many minutes free in a day let alone take so much time researching.
 

 
I guess so but venturing out and trying different things may open your eyes and ears more effectively because not everyone's recommendation may suit your taste.
 

 

[Tablo]

If you want to see great Korean bands, watch the TV show "Top Band". 
-----------
 
Did Seo In-Young plagarize Deadmau5's song "A City in Florida"? I was listening to her latest single "Oh My Gosh" and thought the synthline sounded extremely familiar. 

 

I hate what loudness war did to K-pop. Seems like it's mixed loud too these days. Sonic Korea, the mastering studio that handles most of the K-pop songs can't seem to get things sound loud and nice at the same time.

 

[Maxvla]

They do sound very similar.

 

[miceblue]

Quote:

If you want to see great Korean bands, watch the TV show "Top Band". 
-----------
 
Did Seo In-Young plagarize Deadmau5's song "A City in Florida"? I was listening to her latest single "Oh My Gosh" and thought the synthline sounded extremely familiar. 

 

I hate what loudness war did to K-pop. Seems like it's mixed loud too these days. Sonic Korea, the mastering studio that handles most of the K-pop songs can't seem to get things sound loud and nice at the same time.

Oh my gosh, you are right. Sorry I just had to say that after listening to it for the last 2 minutes.
 
I noticed that too and I'm not too thrilled by it.
 

 

[RexAeterna]

CLANNAD - The palm of a tiny hand


do stuff from anime count? i like tons of k-pop,k-rock,j-rock and j-pop as well but most of stuff i listen to comes from animes. i really don't watch them but the music that's produced for lot of them is very very good and i enjoy them a lot.

 

[Lunatique]

Quote:

do stuff from anime count? i like tons of k-pop,k-rock,j-rock and j-pop as well but most of stuff i listen to comes from animes. i really don't watch them but the music that's produced for lot of them is very very good and i enjoy them a lot.

Why wouldn't they count? Anime soundtracks are still Asian, and created by Asian composers, songwriters, musicians, and singers.
 
In fact, there's no reason why this thread should only focuses on mainly song-format music. Don't you guys also listen to other styles of music from Asia, such as jazz, acid jazz, jazz fusion, classical, ethnic, film scores...etc? Some did post some electronic stuff and Kitaro a while back, and I wish more people would post a wider range of styles. 

 

[wind016]

Tanya Chua has a new album. Yay! =)
 

 

[Wingstrike]

I just saw this. Someone please explain