Archives
‘If I had a radio station I would make a program that features…’
This is that kind of part. Feedbacks are always welcome. Have fun with music!
In My Head Radio has the annex on YouTube Channel !
Volume 11, Wed 11 Jan -Songs for Mr. Depressed
When I get off at my office station every morning, a man sits on the bench like Rodin’s ‘Le Penseur’. But actually he’s not thinking. He’s just another tired Japanese salaryman. So I named him Mr. Depressed, and say hello everyday. But today he wasn’t there! I did a double take. He just took a day off or he found another place to work, or he got over something. Anyway I’ll know it tomorrow morning. So here are songs about, like, and for him!
Here is Tokyo. So no one talked to Mr. Depressed.
I always wanted to say to him ‘Don’t worry, you are better than Adam Young’.
So he could be okay.
#2 Muscles ‘Ice Cream’
This electronic dance Aussie sings ‘♪ I don’t want no other, i just wanna dance’.
Lonely. But I love the melody, lyrics, yeah almost all of it!
#3 Alanis Morisette ‘Ironic’
I see Taylor Hawkins on drums o the live video.
I prefer his hairdo. Shorter the better for him, right?
#4 Primal Scream ‘Keep Your Dream’
If Bobby says to me you’ll be okay, I feel so.
Call me Bobibian! In this song he sings ‘keep your dream, don’t sell your soul, be careful’. So I’ll do.
#5 Kaientai ‘Okuru kotoba’
Originally released in 1979 by Japanese folk? band Kaientai.
‘Okuru kotoba’ is very popular song especially at graduation ceremonies. (Yes, we have ceremony when graduating!)
I sill can sing, and I found again it’s really good song!
Volume 10, Sat 31 Dec -Song of the Year
若いくせにおばさんみたいなお洋服とメイクの彼女は好みでないし、他の曲はそれほどいいと思っていませんが、この曲は好きです。声質は全然違うけど、Kate Bushのような広がりが心地よいです。当たり前にあちこちで流れていたので、今年の曲に入れます。
#2 ‘Wetsuit’ The Vaccines
はっきり言って、フジでこの曲を演奏したかどうかもわからないんですけど、この曲も至る所で聴きました。特にイギリス系のおされな店。流している人たちは、曲のことなんてまったく気にしてないんだろうなと思ってしまいます。
#3 ‘Pumped Up Kicks’ Foster The People
アー写がかっこよかった。結局観に行くことはなかったですが…。個人的にはもう飽きているジャンルですが、さすがにノミネートされまくってるだけあって、流れ過ぎ。フェスやイベントで遭遇したら観ようかしら、そんな方々です。
#4 ‘Born This Way’ Lady Gaga
やっぱりこれかな。レディガガが世間にとっても普通になって随分経ちました。ふと、比較的最近のパフォーマンスを観たら、ダンスがシャープになっていて驚いた。彼女には停滞がありませんね。授かった才能どうこうよりも、努力の人だと思います。1人の人間として考えるとひたすら優しい。心配なのは、最近のお洋服が普通にエレガントなこと。頭にエビとか乗せるのはもうどこかの国のモード誌の人だけですね。
Volume 9, Wed 28 Dec -The Short Goodbye
Today was the last business day in our office! We still had lots of things to do.
But no one wanted to work any more. ‘Because it’s holiday!’
Let’s sing the songs below if your business day is still going on.
#1 ‘The Final Countdown’ Europe
いいよね、みんなそろって右左するところ。プププ。
しかし、いい声してるわ。
#2 ‘Don’t Dream It’s Over’ Crowded House
間奏のギターソロが好き。最終日の夕方に歌われたら、イラっとくるでしょうけどね。
#3 ‘NA NA NA’ My Chemical Romance
焦っている感じがいいのです。余裕がなくなった時に、無駄に「ナーナーナ ナーナーナ」と鼻歌すると没頭できます。たぶん。
#4 ‘Chariots of Fire theme song -Titles’ Vangelis
永遠に続くかのうようなインスト曲。あのシーンとこの曲はいつもセットで思い出す。
ということでやっぱり映画史における名シーンなんだなと思いました。
#5 ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ Handel
ハレルヤ、歌えます。ドイツのヘンデルさんが作ったドラマティックな曲。
シンプルな歌詞というか単語の繰り返しであれだけの山あり谷ありを作るとは、やはり歴史に名を残している人。
Volume 8, Sat 17 Dec -Bon and Bon
Look at the artist list of your iPod. Mine goes Bon Iver, Bon Jovi. Funny.
It always makes me feel something good will happen.Or just makes me think of pretty bonbon!
But remember; one is beard, the other is ex-long haired. Far from the expression -pretty. Anyway, you should watch the video. There are many people on the stage in their gig!
#2 ‘These Days’ Bon Jovi
I found a good quality live footage from their performance in Yokohama, 1996. John is young and skinny!
#3 ‘Skinny Love’ Bon Iver
#4 ‘Hearts Breaking Even’ Bon Jovi
#5 ‘Calgary’ Bon Iver
Volume 7, Fri 2 Dec -Cutters forever
A few years ago, I googled Cut Copy and the result was ‘Did you mean Cut copy & paste?’ No one ask me this kind of stupid question anymore. This Aussie guys now Grammy nominee! Read the article here.
It’s still Friday. But clap your hands. Time to start ‘congrats Cutters matsuri’!
I love this old stuff and its remixed version so much.
#2 Feel the Love
I found the I was in. Generally I’m not a person who says ‘Hey You!’
But there, I sang with him like thousand times.
All audience did so. Hey Pomona. I didn’t find the second floor in The Glass House.
#3 Out There on the Ice
This is my favorite from their 2nd album.
But after couple of Cutters experience, I understand this is one of the most unpopular songs for playing in gigs.
#4 Hearts on Fire
Great video. This is exactly what they are! On my… you can see a cardigan DJ (a.k.a. Dan the Cutters) again here.
I remember you were also cute in it when DJing in Womb, Tokyo.
#5 Strangers in the Wind
Someone stole their old photos. Good job! They used to be 4 piece band.
Now back to 4 from 3 piece. Good good. This song is just brilliant and breath-taking.
#6 The Twilight
When I first time see them, they played this song in gig. Then I became a fan of edgy guitar sound.
Won’t be played anymore cause now they have so many great dance rocks.
#7 Kelly (by Van She, remixed by CC)
Cut Copied perfectly. Like Van She too, but I want to tell you there is a big problem.
Both bands are not so popular in my country.
If want to see them live, need to go out of Japan so far.
#8 Blink and You’ll Miss a Revolution
Only one song from ‘Zonoscope’? I haven’t see the tour this time.
So need an opportunity to listen the songs live.
But love it especially much sophisticated cover art.
#9 Going Nowhere
I always want their gigs end with this song. For me this is Cut Copy.
Love to feel youth, energy and a night nothing to do in this one song.
Volume 6, Mon 28 Nov -Damien Rice
Long time no see him. Why him now? Read more in the article!
Simple lyrics and soft guitar. This is a half aspect of the musician, Damien Rice for me. I love love love this song.
#2 ‘Rootless Tree’ from 9
Pretty emotional. Once you see him singing in the music video,
you will believe this yasaotoko is anti-something…
#3 ‘Me, My Yoke and I’ from 9
Very emotional. I like strong and sometimes aggresive lyrics. I prefer this aspect of him.
#4 ‘The Blower’s Daughter’ from 0
Probably everyone’s favorite. I heard thousand times.
I’m just wondering why there are so many ‘daughter’ song. No reason but I don’t like it.
#5 ’9 Crimes’ from 9
Although he is in a blue almost all the time, I never have hikikomori feeling that I feel while listening to Radiohead.
Love this beautiful images of the video. But wonder why he wore a jacket bird wathching clab were.
Volume 5, Sat 26 Nov -Song titles left in my iPhone 3GS
Finally I received a new iPhone yesterday. Before switched to the new one, I found some band’s names and song titles are written in memo. Maybe I wrote those when I was listening to a Canadian indie radio.
The only non-Canadian band Snow Patrol is, of course, popular in Japan. I’m not a big fan, but my hands always stop when their beautiful and dramatic songs come from a radio. It’s been a while last time they played in Japan, I think. When will be the next time? Just wondering.
#2 ‘Life of the Party’ The Weekend
It’s not so often that I hear The Weekend’s name here in Tokyo.
But I think this now 21 year old, Abel is another magician of the sound.
Like his R&B taste. Need to see him live.
#3 ‘The Warrior’ The Goodluck Assembly
I read a SXSW 2011 article written about this beautiful melody & voice band.
While love their friendly stance, I wonder they are really okay with it and music may not be the thing they want to do.
My god, they have a funny video. I’ll put it to my favorite!
#4 ‘Frequencies’ Greg MacPherson
Strong voice, and strong indie feeling. This is the main reason why I like music radio programs from overseas.
There is good music. If I can’t go to see them, it tells me lively more good musics and great indie musicians are around everywhere.
#5 ‘Lot to Learn’ Jim Guthrie
Simple and beautiful. I like this kind of Canadian singer songwriters.
This song is from the extended version of his 2003′s Juno Award nominated album ‘Now, More Than Ever’.
Currently he releases album as bands like Human Highway and Royal City.
Volume 4, Wed 23 Nov -My Hostess Festival
Tokyo’s record label Hostess is not big in its company size. But they are definitely strongest and the most motivated label in Japan.
A few days ago, they announced that they’ll host their first big music event in February, which features bands from their gorgeous artist list. Spiritualized, The Horrors, Wu Lyf, Youth Lagoon and more bands will play in two days. Amazing, isn’t it? So today I’ll write here ‘If I was a girl from Hostess, I would offer…’ and the band’s song that I love for the first time. It’s time to my dream come true. Forget about big bands also popular in Japan like Radiohead, Arctic Monkeys, Vampire Weekend and Beck.
First time I saw them in the night slot of old Austin City Limits Music Festival, I couldn’t see the stage at all due to the darkness and sandy dust! I purely loved their sound, voice and energy. Years passed, then the Ohio duo has the masterpiece ‘Brothers‘ and Grammys. Bravo! But sigh… I don’t believe their music is too mature for Japanese audience, and don’t want to say they are not popular in Japan… but it’s true… IT IS TRUE!
#2 ‘Staring at the Sun’ TV on the Radio
The best of the best, but they are the next neglected band. Too eccentric? Confusing with other hip hop guys? I want to give you all just one time experience. The balance of plugged and unplugged, roar and silence, and excited audience. All materials in the show are sophisticatedly controlled. When you leave the venue, all words you could have will be ‘holy shit’.
#3 ‘Spectacular Girl’ Eels
I want to list my favorite Canadian duo Junior Boys here. But it’s been a while since the last album. So I selected Eels for now. The name is weird. I eat them, but I don’t like seeing them alive. I’m sorry. The front man of the band, E looks like a Harley Davidson guy almost all the time. His voice sounds like the one after 30-year smoking habit. But once you know this song, your mind will be changed forever. He is cute!
#4 ‘Seventeen Years’ Ratatat
This song was not the reason why I picked the album. The cover photo, that’s it. I saw a guitar guy and a bass guy in it, but I couldn’t find any sounds of strings while listening to it. Sometimes pop, sometimes just noisy.But I don’t forget that I bought tickets for two serial nights of Mogwai show just to see Ratatat’s opening act. It was expensive. But who cares?
#5 ‘Let’s Get Out of Here’ Les Savy Fav
Please let the fat guy sing in Japan again! I know how rare is only one guy looks ordinary in the band. So let’s close your eyes, and listen to the melody and the vocal. There will be a fountain of sweet, fresh light that we used to see in youth. Their songs give me a power to get over everyday duties! This is exactly a must-see gig for me in this or next year.
Volume 3, Sun 20 Nov -Night before BSB
Oh-, sweet 90s. Do you remember how many boy’s vocal group were there? I didn’t listen to all, but almost all of them were good. Why? Producers. And power music videos. This is one of my favorites form BSB. Just funny.
#2 ‘Larger Than Life’ from Millennium
Don’t forget about BSB could dance! But I’m sorry.
I used to love back dancers. Look at their movement, amazingly sharp.
#3 ‘The One’ from Millennium
The album ‘Millennium’ was released in 1999. When I listening to this song, I felt the new century.
Beautiful Brian’s voice and effects worked perfectly.
#4 ‘More Than That’ from Black & Blue
This is my best of BSB video. The images of the West attracted me so badly.
FYI: at this time, they were like a monster 
#5 ‘Shape of My Heart’ from Black & Blue
The last one is slight sadly, nostalgic video. I like the color, blue featured in it.
Maybe in Japan or other Asian regions, their songs were heavily rotated.
So I can’t wait to see ladies around 40? scream like girls in the ‘I Want to It That Way’
Volume 2, Sat 19 Nov -Rain
Hey Decker. I and all the Fuji Rockers know what’s the feeling when raindrops dropping into your udon noodle!
The masterpiece of young and cool Harrison Ford, oops… Si-Fi movie.
#2 ‘Fallen’ Sarah McLachlan
In the music video the angry guy threw their belongs from the window. Awful.
But the scenes that broken glasses of windows and heavy rain mixed, fell into the ground are beautiful.
#3 ‘Too Little Too Late’ Jojo
Sometimes girls want to get soaked in the rain to feel misery.
Really? I’m not that kind. Interesting.
#4 ‘Stan’ Eminem feat. Dido
Sick video… But the expression from Dido’s part is chic.
In my head, her window is like the one in the JP movie called ‘Love Letter’.
#5 ‘Singin’ In The Rain’ OST
Great movie and love the happy smile of Gene Kelly.
But I don’t want to sing in the milk. I don’t want to listen this song at Fuji Rock.
Volume 1, Fri 18 Nov -Weekend
I like starting Friday with The WS. I need something strong and rapid on the last day of the week.
This song always gives me a power to get over fatigue.
#2 ‘Marching Bands of Manhattan’ Death Cab for Cutie
On a super crowded metro, I select simple and quiet songs.
In this song I see the shadow and the light of underneath skyscrapers.
Tokyo is not elegant like Manhattan, but still charming in some situation.
#3 Where Is My Mind?’ Pixies
James Blunt in his debut year, he covered this song at Shibuya AX’s show.
He said ‘I like this song because it’s like a feeling that I can have when preparing to go out on Friday night.
#4 ‘Friday Night’ Lady Antebellum
One of my latest favorites. This song is far from a country song, but I do love it.
When listening at the evening, after work and heading into the weekend, is perfect!
#5 ‘Back to You’ John Mayer
Don’t ask me why. I’m good at forgetting, so just want to go back to the basics before I sleep.
It’s been 10 years since JM’s brilliant debut album. Felicitaciones and keep going!
