Smile

L'Arc~en~Ciel

Ok, so it seems that my pick for the best album this year is a bit of a cop-out as out of all of the decent stuff that came out of the Japanese music scene in 2004 (2004, I think has been a banner year, on par with 1998 for just the sheer cornucopia of releases we have seen) I pick what is probably the biggest, most anticipated album of the year and the safest pick for best album one could choose. Now, allow me to defend my choice. In 2001, we saw L'Arc-en-Ciel release Real. Folllowing Real , the band went on hiatus, hyde got married, had a baby, ken hooked up with former L'Arc drummer, sakura and formed Sons of All Pussies (S.O.A.P.) while tetsu and hyde both went about releasing their own solo efforts. A band doesn't come any closer to breaking up than this without calling a press conference to announce, "Sorry folks, show's over, we're done". It looked like L'Arc was over without even a goodbye kiss. Well, Smile may not be a goodbye kiss but we waited with so much baited breath for what might have been the last L'Arc album to fall into our greasy mitts that it goes without saying that Smile was the most anticipated album of 2004. The best part though, is that Smile delivers. It's like hearing Heart again for the first time - the band is so strong on this album. Well worth the wait.

Kimi ni Bump

Ketsumeishi

Ketsumeishi have carved themselves out a fair niche in the Jpop landscape since their breakout single, Natsu no Omoide (Rememberence of Summer) in 2003. This year, saw their disco-inflected Kimi ni Bump take over the airwaves, MTV, Spaceshower and the muzak channel they have in constant rotation at all Lawson convenience store locations across Japan. (Editor's Note: Meet Yuusen - A crystal clear music service pumped directly into homes and business establishments all over Japan) You couldn't go anywhere in Japan this summer without hearing the chorus to Kimi ni Bump. The song's cheesy disco hook, wide appeal and the fact you just can't get the chorus out of your head once you hear it (consider yourselves warned) make this the single of the year.

Hirahara Ayaka

Hirahara Ayaka technically burst onto the scene with her debut single, Jupiter, at the very very end of 2003 but the momentum built by that single and the rest of her album carried well into 2004. Jupiter is an awesome single and it really showcases Hirahara's vocal prowess. Her second album hit the stores late this past year. I expect more good stuff from her in the future. If you haven't heard Hirahara, get her first album Odyssey. If you're a fan of either Misia or Nakashima Mika, you'll find something to like here.

Saku

Dir en grey

Dir en grey's video for Saku takes the cake and eats it for this year's Best Video. It is however, best that you don't know what exactly Dir en grey did to the cake between the taking and the eating. The video for Saku is not for the squeamish or easily offended. It eclipses every other video I saw all year in both its depravity, execution and the fact that it comes at you with claws out, teeth bared and blood oozing down it's maw. Never mind that the video's subject matter is ripped from Japan's more shocking headlines - this video is 100% Dir en grey. Viewer discretion is most assuredly advised.

Best Album: Casshern: Our Last Days - Various Artists

Yes, if it wasn't for Smile, 2004's best of album's duties and responsibilities would fall to a soundtrack album. Our Last Days isn't just any average soundtrack album however, it's the soundtrack to Casshern, maybe one of the most anticipated and certainly the most visually impressive film of 2004. But let's forget about Mr. Utada Hikaru's breathtaking, directorial debut for a moment. The tracklisting of Our Last Days reads like a who's who of what Japan has to offer, musically, in 2004. Shiina Ringo, Glay, Mondo Grosso, The Back Horn and more form an absolute gauntlet of music for you to listen to. If you are looking for a sampler of the best in current Japanese music, well here you go.

Best Single: Gunjyou Biyori - Tokyo Jihen

Tokyo Jihen's debut single, Gunjyou Biyori, is everything we would expect from a group that bills itself as a rock and roll band, coincidentally fronted by Shiina Ringo. The drive on this single is fierce, Ringo-kun's vocals are exactly what we've been expecting and the lyrics are both whimsical and evoke Yukio Mishima's Shield Society (as odd a combination as that is, I expect nothing less from Shiina Ringo's pen).

Best New Artist: Tokyo Jihen

It is a bit unfair that Tokyo Jihen should be in the running for best new artist since all of its members, not just Ringo-kun, have been performing professionally for years now. Besides which, Tokyo Jihen officially formed a couple of years back during one of Shiina Ringo's tours. However, with their official unveiling as the new band, featuring Shiina Ringo, fomerly of Shiina Ringo fame, their debut album and singles have left a pretty big impact. If it wasn't for their prior fame, this would be the band of the year. Heck, they are the band of the year - just not the 'the new' band of the year.

Best PV: Matsudaira Ken: Matsuken Samba

Really, how do you top the video for Saku? I can't think of a single video I've seen all year that leaves an impact like Saku. Sure, there were plenty of videos this year that I liked however, stacking them up against Saku is like pitting a room full of 4th graders against a 500 lb. gorilla. However, I nominate the video for Matsudaira Ken's Matsuken Samba as runner up for video of the year. Indeed, a 500 lb. gorilla of a different color.