ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION - BLUE TRAIN

Trainy Ride
Righ Ex

This is clearly not your regular indie rock band. They got the history, the skills and the spunk as if they have lasted for more than two decades. One of the few Japanese indie artists that has reached my lap. This is jaw-dropping Japanese indie rock. If I had a band right now, at this moment, I would want it to sound like this--definitely like this. It's in Japanese; I wouldn't want it translated. It's not every day that I appreciate Japanese music, more so Japanese indie rock. They were formed in 1996 and never switched or changed band members. The "Blue Train" has swept me off through the tracks. <RCA ARC CAR ACR CRA>

Jake: I initially got into Japanese music around early 2005, while YouTube was still in its infancy. With YouTube so vast and global these days, one might even overlook how artists were discovered prior! Well it's simple--the jpopsukitv stream on Winamp! I first heard the song "Loop & Loop" and was immediately hooked, then soon after, I found out they'd contributed to soundtracks of various anime, such as Fullmetal Alchemist and the Tatami Galaxy. These guys definitely have a knack for making alternative rock songs accessible, but with a true sense of poignancy. Too many gems to name... "Rewrite", "Travelog", "Kimi to iu Hana",  "Blue Train", "After Dark"--yes, their recent stuff is just that good too. You will truly enjoy this band, regardless of which era you prefer

DONE LYING DOWN - JOHN AUSTIN RUTLEDGE

Listen Glistened
by Righ Ex

Jake: Having heard their second album, "Kontrapunkt" before their debut, I'd describe Done Lying Down as  "Britpop slathered with American Grunge (provided that while the band is English, their singer, Jack Plug, is American). Rather than looking like an overt mess, though, the band is all the more  appealing

While vibes of fun, lightheartedness and profanity are initially felt, many of these (18!) songs come off as more disciplined, leaking a distinct 90s ethic. I heard a definite post-hardcare influence on the song "!$%0X (Or Something)", reminiscent of Fugazi, following echoes of Sunny Day Real Estate on "If I Only Had Listened". At first, I said to myself, "Wow, this band actually tried making these songs serious, especially since it's their first album~" But then I noticed that they essentially traverse through silly and serious songs. Such twisted lo-fi, melodic mishmashes as "Too Fast" "Pasadina" and "Fun" will make you wonder if this band actually exists. In fact, they're still alive, today!...somewhat. So on that note, rock on and have a good laugh.

Ryan:  It is easy to be influenced by Grunge, Indie and Punk bands in the early 90s.  This band is from London and South East UK.  This is one of those bands that made two amazing albums.  Clearly underrated from my perspective. I clearly hear the 90s, along the pop-groove of Teenage Fanclub, Dig and Tripmaster Monkey, early emo but heavier, hints of Fugazi and Jesus Lizard overtones. Reminds me of the good struggling times where friends are all over.  Alternative and College Rock at its seams.  Really just heard and read about them recently, and this album is on point from beginning to end.  It's nice to hear and go back two decades in time.

"John Austin Rutledge" apparently was named after the frontman's friend (J. Parker) who co-wrote some of the songs, giving him credit and putting his photo on the album cover.  I'd say "Before She Changed" caught me smiling.  The sound unmistakably nineties might I say again.  Now, this has got me drooling for Kontrapunkt and all their EPs.  London Calling America.  It has its smooth and rough slides, moody.

Website:
www.donelyingdown.com
http://www.myspace.com/donelyingdown