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[Dynamite Ringo Matsuri]

Mouse on the Keys (this is honestly one of the coolest bands I've ever heard, keyboardist + drummer)
Special Others (I LOOOOVE this band, some of the happiest music ever)
Rin Toshite Shigure
Indigo Jam Unit
Jabberloop

Mouse on the Keys is indeed a cool band, an Anxious Object is a pretty great album too.
This isn't exactly Japanese, but you might enjoy Venetian Snares if you're into Mouse on the Keys, Aaron Funk creates very eclectic music.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09uadp18xck&feature=related

 

[Zoe]

Most, if not all, releases scheduled for the 23rd or the 30th are getting postponed. They're expected to be pushed back to April, but nothing's been set yet.

 

[Cmagus]

I bought this album awhile back and It's incredible.I don't listen to alot of Jpop stuff but this album was too good to pass on. She is alot like Bonnie Pink style and sound wise and as far as I know its her only album at this point.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY7-osixl2s
This was the song I first heard that got me interested it's my favourite on the album.

 

[Go_Ly_Dow]

Just saw this and thought it was pretty awesome.

World's end girlfriend

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfG_G2O2q40

Instrumental techno rock.

 

[louis89]

Well I was really looking forward to Capsule's new album this month, but it looks like it's been delayed after the earthquake. On Wikipedia it explains how they're changing the title and redoing the album cover and everything, and at first I'm like, what, why are they doing that? Then I remembered that the album's title is Killer Wave. =/

 

[Trojita]

High & Mighty Color broke up? I actually liked their music

Didn't even know the leader singer quit and married a composer that worked on sonic 1 and 2.

I'll admit that a lot of the jpop/jrock that I listened to were bands I first heard when watching Shonens. Since I haven't been watching shonens I haven't had anything new to listen to. Most anime now seems to have the voice actors always singing the songs.

 

[Zekes!]

I used to be more in to the Japanese music scene some years ago when I was a teenager.

Not too many artists have really stuck with me, unfortunately, though are a handful that I still really do enjoy.

Supercar (my favourite band actually)
Zazen Boys/Number Girl
perfect piano lesson
texas pandaa
Nujabes/Shin-Ski/various other Japanese hip-hop artists
Rei Harakami (another favourite)
World's End Girlfriend

Speaking of Zazen Boys...it's been three years since Zazen Boys 4. I really want 5!

 

[catmincer]

Don't listen to much Jpop anymore but

Angela Aki is amazing, I love her interpretations on other artist's songs.
Utada Hikaru is another one who has stood the test of time so to speak (ignoring her ghastly English crap)
Aikawa Nanase: Started off as a rock queen and then moved into more diverse genres, "Come closer" from her latest album is amazing.

 

[Lain]

Why is Koda Kumi so good?
Got the Koda Kumi Eternity ~Love & Songs~ at Billboard Live DVD (as well as the Live Tour 2010 Universe DVD, but haven't watched it yet) and she's just so good when she's up on the stage.
Every time I get one of her Live DVDs, I'm always reminded that she's got a great scenic sense.

 

[Blablurn]

Why is Koda Kumi so good?
Got the Koda Kumi Eternity ~Love & Songs~ at Billboard Live DVD (as well as the Live Tour 2010 Universe DVD, but haven't watched it yet) and she's just so good when she's up on the stage.
Every time I get one of her Live DVDs, I'm always reminded that she's got a great scenic sense.

i think she's overrated :/ even though i'm listening japanese pop music for years now i never got into her stuff.

btw, namie amuros new album is the shit! love it.

 

[Baloonatic]

Clammbon have been my favourite band for quite a few years now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9wgmwjgpBo

Has to be the most beautiful song I've ever heard. I love the variety you get with their music as well. They've released so much stuff and it's all pretty much great. Being able to just pick a song at random out of one of their many albums and enjoy it is lovely.

I really like Ikuko Harada's solo stuff as well. Ginga by her is possibly my favourite album ever. It's simply gorgeous. Vocals are a big thing for me when it comes to music and I just find hers so appealling.

Freesscape are really amazing as well. Anyone who played NieR will recognise the vocals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_jRV3VzoNg

I own all of Kaela Kimura's albums/singles/DVDs as well but I'm not so keen on her stuff from HOCUS POCUS onwards (some good stuff on that album though, and You Bet!! is one of her best songs).

Very much enjoyed Ametsub's last album, The Nothings of The North as well. Really interesting stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oh2cG7ZGOVc

I quite like toe from what I've heard. Other than that, my knowledge of Japanese music is pretty limited. Seems difficult to find stuff I would like. Most of the stuff I hear from there doesn't really seem to be my thing.

 

[Zoe]

High & Mighty Color broke up? I actually liked their music

Didn't even know the leader singer quit and married a composer that worked on sonic 1 and 2.

They actually got a new vocalist, but their newer releases were bombing.

 

[Seraphinianus]

Oh, a Japanese music thre---AUGH

may as well just call it a J-Pop thread, as this is not representative of Japanese music.

 

[Zoe]

Oh, a Japanese music thre---AUGH

http://i.imgur.com/n97V8.jpg[/IMG]


may as well just call it a J-Pop thread, as this is not representative of Japanese music.

It was a pop thread.

 

[Vard]

Soutaisei Riron have a new album releasing next week and Metro-Ongen have one out in early April. I'm really looking forward to those.

 

[Negaiido]

Oh, a Japanese music thre---AUGH

may as well just call it a J-Pop thread, as this is not representative of Japanese music.

Some people like J-pop, deal with it.

 

[sixteen-bit]

Clams <3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQ6jsCxuR7A

 

[notworksafe]

My two favorites when it comes to Japanese music are Midori and Do As Infinity. Opposite sides of the spectrum, I know. Swarrrm are another big favorite of mine.

 

[Misterinenja]

Boris is the best Japanese band and almost the best band.

 

[AbortedWalrusFetus]

My two favorites when it comes to Japanese music are Midori and Do As Infinity. Opposite sides of the spectrum, I know. Swarrrm are another big favorite of mine.

Shit I almost forgot about Midori. I haven't listened to anything since their first two albums.

 

[sixteen-bit]

I dig this song by Shiina Ringo/Tokyo Jihen

 

[qcf x2]

High & Mighty Color broke up? I actually liked their music

Didn't even know the leader singer quit and married a composer that worked on sonic 1 and 2.

I'll admit that a lot of the jpop/jrock that I listened to were bands I first heard when watching Shonens. Since I haven't been watching shonens I haven't had anything new to listen to. Most anime now seems to have the voice actors always singing the songs.

Ditto, except I knew they broke up because they were the only J band I actually looked for new music from. The new girl just wasn't the same. There are a lot of OP/ED songs I like, but I can't say I've heard too many albums from Japan.

 

[Chinese Electric Batman]

&#12300;song of pocchong &#65374;&#38635;&#12398;&#21764;&#12301;&#12288;KOKIA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7XKw2EY4kY

Really nice.

 

[qcf x2]

My two favorites when it comes to Japanese music are Midori and Do As Infinity. Opposite sides of the spectrum, I know. Swarrrm are another big favorite of mine.

The girl from Do As Infinity is quite attractive. I only know one track from them (Shinjitsu no Uta) but it's great. Any recommendations on previous/new stuff they've done?

 

[Dynamite Ringo Matsuri]

I dig this song by Shiina Ringo/Tokyo Jihen

That's just SR. Tokyo Jihen is her current band. Shouso Strip is an awesome album, and SR's Karuki Zamen Kuri no Hana has been my favorite album of all time for 8 years running now. TJ is kind of hit or miss with me. I loved Adult, am ambivalent towards Variety, think Kyoiku was alright and liked Sports. I just wish she'd go back to being solo again.

The girl from Do As Infinity is quite attractive. I only know one track from them (Shinjitsu no Uta) but it's great. Any recommendations on previous/new stuff they've done?

Tomiko Vaan. I used to listen to them years ago. The only album I enjoy these days is Deep Forest. Break of Dawn is alright too. I just grew out of that stuff, and now that they're back, I hear they're shit cause Ryo left and he was a chief songwriter. However, Korea's Jaurim has a similar sound, but I think they are far better as a band as they are much more varied stylistically and Kim Yuna is a far more versatile vocalist.

Boris is the best Japanese band and almost the best band.

I'm a big fan of Boris but I've never liked them even half as much as Number Girl.

Speaking of Zazen Boys...it's been three years since Zazen Boys 4. I really want 5!

Jesus. I can't believe it's been 3 years since 4. That's just absolutely nuts. Mukai's back in the studio working on stuff. He did release Kimonos with Leo Imai though, Yoshida plays bass on a few tracks too. I liked it quite a bit, and Imai's Fix Neon and Laser Rain are great albums. Mukai composed "Metro" for Imai on Fix Neon, it has that very distinct Number Girl-esque riffing on it that's super cool.

 

[Zeal]

the fact that X Japan is putting out an album this year and doing more worldwide tours is all that matters. seriously, who can compare? there is nothing.

 

[iavi]

This right here, it's probably my favorite song to come from a Japanese band ever:

Blu-Swing - "Fabulous"

I go back to it, year after year.

Besides that, Madoka's got me on a Kalafina kick, and these guys are pretty damn good. That's about the extent of my current Jmusic rotation.

 

[thefro]

That's just SR. Tokyo Jihen is her current band. Shouso Strip is an awesome album, and SR's Karuki Zamen Kuri no Hana has been my favorite album of all time for 8 years running now. TJ is kind of hit or miss with me. I loved Adult, am ambivalent towards Variety, think Kyoiku was alright and liked Sports. I just wish she'd go back to being solo again.

This is TJ's new single + a jazzy Shiina Ringo B-Side. I think it got delayed because of their drummer getting arrested and then by the earthquake, but they released the videos already.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0KgleguD8g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCVRE6UygOs

 

[Dynamite Ringo Matsuri]

This is TJ's new single + a jazzy Shiina Ringo B-Side. I think it got delayed because of their drummer getting arrested and then by the earthquake, but they released the videos already.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0KgleguD8g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCVRE6UygOs

Yeah, that took me by surprise. Hata getting arrested I mean. I haven't really been keeping up on SR lately, which is kind of surprising since I used to be on top of everything for preorder purposes, thanks for the links. I'll check out the stuff later. I really loved what SR did with Saito Neko for Ringo Expo though, I liked it so much, I ripped the DVD to MD just so I could listen to the jazzy renditions of SS, MM, and KZK. "Hatsukoi Shoujo" and "Gamble" live was pretty much the best thing ever.

Edit: just watched Sora ga Natteiru. Jesus, these loudness wars need to stop, the sound on that is bloody awful, reminds me of Mo'Some Tonebender's recent albums :l The song was alright, certainly pretty generic and blah compared to anything on Sports. I wouldn't be surprised if Kameda wrote that one, as this track wouldn't have been out of place on Variety, so meh.

 

[iavi]

This is TJ's new single + a jazzy Shiina Ringo B-Side. I think it got delayed because of their drummer getting arrested and then by the earthquake, but they released the videos already.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0KgleguD8g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCVRE6UygOs

That first link is pretty damn awesome. YT-quality's got my ears bleeding though.

 

[FloppyDelux]

They actually got a new vocalist, but their newer releases were bombing.

Yea then they broke for good, glad i saw them live beore they did.

 

[iavi]

I've been checking out these Shiina Ringo/TJ links that you've guys have been posting. Damn. Thank you for this, it's the exact music-mood that I'm in.

This one is me definite fav so far I fucking love it when songs raise an octave for the ending. Such an easy way to build momentum.

 

[Dynamite Ringo Matsuri]

I've been checking out these Shiina Ringo/TJ links that you've guys have been posting. Damn. Thank you for this, it's the exact music-mood that I'm in.

This one is me definite fav so far I fucking love it when songs raise an octave for the ending. Such an easy way to build momentum.

You should have been around in the early 2000's when her career was starting. Watching her go from Muzai Moratorium to Karuki Zamen Kuri no Hana was mindblowing. MM had some great, catchy, jazzy songs, but by the time she reached KZK, she was a bonafide virtuoso. I'm adamant that KZK was one of the very best albums released in the last decade and really pushed the boundaries of a pop album. All of the praise that gets heaped on stuff like The Flaming Lips' Yoshimi, Wilco's Yankee Foxtrot Hotel, Arcade Fire's Funeral, etc. And now people are going nuts over Janelle Monae's ArchAndroid. I really wonder what those guys would have said if they had heard KZK 7/8 years ago when it first released.

 

[Vard]

Clams <3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQ6jsCxuR7A

"Sundae Bird" is my favorite of theirs, but unfortunately I can't find it on YouTube. Their pop fuzz sound is really soothing.

Are they still active?

 

[Lafiel]

Clams <3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQ6jsCxuR7A

Yeah they are indeed <3. Japan has a pretty good shoegaze scene here are some other bands i like in the genre. (that i don't recall being mentioned in this thread yet)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7v3Au0FfiE - Plastic girl in a closet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtvJRMRQAps - Hartfield
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAETAdxR2dk - Maikotobranco
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJ1eIwLb5UM - Pasteboard
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWcqpvVkZaA - Cruyff in the bedroom
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHei9dSny9c - Luminous orange (been mentioned a few times i think but might as well mention them again)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRlgTpWXN0w - Cosmicdust

Soutaisei Riron have a new album releasing next week and Metro-Ongen have one out in early April. I'm really looking forward to those.

The album Soutaisei Riron released last year was one of my favorites of 2010. Definitely looking forward to it, in that case.

Boris is the best Japanese band and almost the best band.

Yeah pretty much, their output is pretty stellar, so many great albums and collaborations!

may as well just call it a J-Pop thread, as this is not representative of Japanese music.

To be fair, a lot of non-j-pop has been mentioned in this thread. I would expect any general japanese music thread to be mostly dominated by j-pop considering it's the most popular genre.

"Sundae Bird" is my favorite of theirs, but unfortunately I can't find it on YouTube. Their pop fuzz sound is really soothing.

Are they still active?

Probably not, don't think they have released a album since 2003.

 

[iavi]

You should have been around in the early 2000's when her career was starting. Watching her go from Muzai Moratorium to Karuki Zamen Kuri no Hana was mindblowing. MM had some great, catchy, jazzy songs, but by the time she reached KZK, she was a bonafide virtuoso. I'm adamant that KZK was one of the very best albums released in the last decade and really pushed the boundaries of a pop album. All of the praise that gets heaped on stuff like The Flaming Lips' Yoshimi, Wilco's Yankee Foxtrot Hotel, Arcade Fire's Funeral, etc. And now people are going nuts over Janelle Monae's ArchAndroid. I really wonder what those guys would have said if they had heard KZK 7/8 years ago when it first released.

It's incredibly sad, but for most that I've come across, a lot of the luster is lost in translation. I'll show somebody an incredible piece produced by a Japanese artist and they'll go" It's kind of cool. but it's Japanese? You can't sing along with that." And these are people that you would, for the most part, consider bonafide music enthusiasts. It might just be the circles I find myself in, but you would be amazed at the amount of times that I've run into that.

I'll be checking her out thoroughly.

 

[Zebra]

Just saw this and thought it was pretty awesome.

World's end girlfriend

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfG_G2O2q40

I read this and thought "Awesome, a Quruli post!" until I remembered that the Quruli song I was thinking of is actually called 'World's End Supernova.' (But the link pleasantly surprised me. I want to hear more from WEG now).

On that note though, it reminded me of how much I loved Quruli in high school. Their 'The World is Mine' album was my life's soundtrack for a while, and it's one of the very few Japanese groups that I continue to follow after all these years.

Allow me to share some of my favorites from the past:

World's End Supernova:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpwYcusgch0

Go Back to China
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jt2LDa0_sdc

Suichuu Motor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKS3UCsi93I

Highway (The video is essentially: "Screw it, GTA all day." )
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNQk_bnt_E4

 

[Dynamite Ringo Matsuri]

It's incredibly sad, but for most that I've come across, a lot of the luster is lost in translation. I'll show somebody an incredible piece produced by a Japanese artist and they'll go" It's kind of cool. but it's Japanese? You can't sing along with that." It might just be the circles I find myself in, but you would be amazed at the amount of times that I've run into that.

I'll be checking her out thoroughly.

I think Japan has one of the most intriguing rock scenes going right now. You have to be willing to look beyond the mainstream which is mostly plasticized pop. And music is just music to me. It's no different than people who listen to stuff like Sigur Ros or opera, just because you don't understand it, doesn't mean you can't enjoy it. The emotional inflections in the vocals are still there, and you can look up translations if you're really interested in what the songs are about.

As for SR, she is pretty unique in that she became famous by doing the exact opposite of what was current in the industry. I remember I read an interview with someone from EMI whom she auditioned for, and she remarked that no one was singing in that bitchy way or used sexuality in the way she did at the time. From then on, every album she released was really defiant by pop standards; Shouso Strip was really distorted and almost ugly, and Karuki Zamen Kuri no Hana was an incredibly dense concept album. She's more like Bjork than anyone in the pop scene since her work is extremely varied and hops multiple genres. Also, it's kind of funny, but Shiina Ringo is at the heart of a lot of current great bands, kind of like that game 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon. Any current rock group, you trace back a few groups and someone will likely have had contact with Ringo in some capacity. She's definitely one of my favorite artists, hence the Ringo in my username. UA is another extremely talented artist whose works is quite challenging. She's extremely underrated because I almost never run into anyone whose heard her work.

 

[Roody]

So, has anyone seen the new Maximum the Hormone vid? Because it's amazing.

AMAZING.

 

[tearsofash]

Anyone a fan of Full and stuff he does? Guniw Tools, Nookicky, and Shilfee and the Tulipcorobockles are all great.

Guniw Tools: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R03-bQEbGUo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VKtlme5a04

Shilfee and the Tulipcorobockles: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1F862xWjGo

 

[Vard]

^ Good post, Qurili have some top tunes. Ever since Nikki I feel like they've been on a slow decline, but they made a number of great albums before that so I can't fault them.

The World Is Mine is terrific, but my personal favorite album of theirs is Zukan. It's all over the place, but in some ways I think that sums up their career. It's got some of my favorite songs too... "Yado wa Nashi" is my favorite album closer of all time! I can never get sick of that song.

And yea, check out World's End Girlfriend. The Lie Lay Land and Air Doll soundtrack are solid places to start.

 

[iavi]

So, has anyone seen the new Maximum the Hormone vid? Because it's amazing.

AMAZING.

I couldn't help but cheese when it happened. Glad to see that they're back though. Last I had heard of them was a hiatus.

Edit: This is the metal for stoners.

 

[tearsofash]

Oh, a Japanese music thre---AUGH


may as well just call it a J-Pop thread, as this is not representative of Japanese music.

Let's change that. What kind of Japanese music are you into?

 

[Dynamite Ringo Matsuri]

^ Good post, Qurili have some top tunes. Ever since Nikki I feel like they've been on a slow decline, but they made a number of great albums before that so I can't fault them.

The World Is Mine is terrific, but my personal favorite album of theirs is Zukan. It's all over the place, but in some ways I think that sums up their career. It's got some of my favorite songs too... "Yado wa Nashi" is my favorite album closer of all time! I can never get sick of that song.

Quruli was one band I've never been able to get into. I remember listening to The World is Mine years ago and just never getting it. I had a penpal who sent me a Quruli mix MD as well, and I still couldn't get into it haha.

So what have you been listening to lately Vard? I checked out Suiseinoboaz the other day and they were pretty awesome. I think the last band that genuinely got me excited was Sparta Locals, and that was like... 6 years ago haha And Ging Nang Boyz really need to release another album. I can't believe it's been 6 years since Kimi to Boku

 

[TheKaeptain]

Blue Train by Asian Kung-Fu Generation could possibly be the best song ever written.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgrAOIlm79s

Which album is this from?

 

[Human_Shield]

That's just SR. Tokyo Jihen is her current band. Shouso Strip is an awesome album, and SR's Karuki Zamen Kuri no Hana has been my favorite album of all time for 8 years running now. TJ is kind of hit or miss with me. I loved Adult, am ambivalent towards Variety, think Kyoiku was alright and liked Sports. I just wish she'd go back to being solo again.

Kyoiku and Adult were basically Shiina Ringo albums with a backing band. Variety is where you start to hear more input from the other band members. Coincidentally, apart from a few songs, it's probably my least favorite TJ album. But it's been almost 2 years since Sanmon Gossip was released, so some new solo material would be nice.

This is TJ's new single + a jazzy Shiina Ringo B-Side. I think it got delayed because of their drummer getting arrested and then by the earthquake, but they released the videos already.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0KgleguD8g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCVRE6UygOs

I really like them both. Sora ga Natteiru has a bit of a similar feel to Nandouteki Sanpukan, but more upbeat, while Onna no Ko wa Daredemo could have easily been off Sanmon Gossip. Sucks about Hata getting arrested. Delayed everything, and it already feels like forever between SR/TJ releases.

Tomiko Vaan. I used to listen to them years ago. The only album I enjoy these days is Deep Forest. Break of Dawn is alright too. I just grew out of that stuff, and now that they're back, I hear they're shit cause Ryo left and he was a chief songwriter. However, Korea's Jaurim has a similar sound, but I think they are far better as a band as they are much more varied stylistically and Kim Yuna is a far more versatile vocalist.

I think you mean Dai Nagao. I liked Gates of Heaven and Need Your Love, but on the more recent stuff I have to agree with you. Since he stopped writing their music, the quality has gone down. Interestingly enough, TJ's own Kameda produces DAI's albums now.

 

[Vard]

So what have you been listening to lately Vard? I checked out Suiseinoboaz the other day and they were pretty awesome. I think the last band that genuinely got me excited was Sparta Locals, and that was like... 6 years ago haha And Ging Nang Boyz really need to release another album. I can't believe it's been 6 years since Kimi to Boku

Nice, Sparta Locals were one of my favorite bands. I'm fortunate to have watched them play shortly before they disbanded.

As for what I've been listening to... Metro-Ongen (amazingly consistent "vivid pop band"), Remigai (soothing female vox), andymori (love this tune in particular), and Sunny Day Service. I guess most of that isn't too knew though...

By the way, toddle have a new album out in May called "the shimmer". So hyped.

As for Quruli - The World Is Mine took a few listens before it clicked for me too. Have you heard "Aoi Sora"? That should click automatically! (amazing/ridiculous music video too)

 

[Seraphinianus]

Let's change that. What kind of Japanese music are you into?

Melt Banana (metal)
Nobukazu Takemura (electronic/experimental/techno)
Melt Banana (metal)
Boris (metal)
YMCK (chip tune pop/jazz)
Shugo Tokumaru (very upbeat rock/electronic)
Minamo (minimal ambient electronic)
Susumu Yokota (minimal ambient electronic)
Yuko Ikoma (not sure how to describe it)
Boredoms (high energy psychedelic experimental)
OOIOO (boredoms side project that's very similar to the boredoms but it's all girls)
FilFla (psychedelic instrumentals with some pop songs sung by Moskitoo)
Asa Chang and Junray (electronic/techno with tabla beats)
De De Mouse (pop? i only have a song that was on a split with YMCK)
Bleach (punk/metal from Okinawa...hard to find their stuff among all the bleach anime/manga links)

there are a bunch of others, but this is what's in my itunes library right now.

 

[tearsofash]

Awesome. Nice to know other people here are fans of OOIOO, de de mouse, and bleach.

What's your favorite bleach song? I really like sun-dance-moon-dance.

 

[hellclerk]

I couldn't help but cheese when it happened. Glad to see that they're back though. Last I had heard of them was a hiatus.

Edit: This is the metal for stoners.

Yeah, after the... shift, it sounded like a combination of System of a Down, Korn, and Tool (especially with that bass combined with the drum style, though not as proficient as Carey).

I've been listening to alot more Mouse on the Keys, and my God, they are GLORIOUS. I love their simplistic jazz setup that takes advantage of both the concept of repetition and novelty. I tried looking them up on Wikipedia, but nothing. Anyone have any background on these guys?