October 6, 2009

150 Greatest Albums of Japanese Rock 'n' Roll

I'm a list geek. Whenever I stumble upon a list with things I find remotely intresting I get a little bit hard. When Néojaponisme posted Rolling Stone Japan's list of the 100 Greatest Japanese Rock Albums of All Time I was in heaven. It was the first time I had found a proper guide to Japanese rock history outside of "RC Succession, Happy End and YMO were important and probably this really obscure punk band I got from a vinyl rip trading site because they sound bad ass." In the post it is mentioned that Japanese music magazine Snoozer posted a list of 150 rock albums in response to RSJ's, according to them, boring list. I just had to get my hands on that list as well so that I could compare and listen my way through a pretty big chunk of rock history and got a friend of mine to hunt down a copy of the issue for me.

I was reminded of the Néojaponisme post again a few weeks ago when I found my current mp3-blog favorite and realized that the Snoozer list still hasn't found its way to the English speaking part of the internet so I decided to post it. Snoozer's list contains much more indie rock and much less hard rock and shibuya-kei than Rolling Stone Japan's, not odd at all when you consider the fact that Snoozer is an indie rock magazine "for girls & boys tangled up in blue." Along with the RSJ list and the stuff you find on Japan Rockology you have a pretty great chronicle over Japanese rock and pop. Here is what Snoozer's list of the 150 Greatest Albums of Japanese Rock 'n' Roll looks like:

  1. RC Succession:Tanoshii Yuuni [RCサクセション:楽しい夕に], 1972
  2. Rosa Luxemburg:Rosa Luxemburg II [ローザ・ルクセンブルグ:ローザ・ルクセンブルグII], 1986
  3. Fishmans:Kuuchuu Camp [フィッシュマンズ:空中キャンプ], 1996
  4. Murahachibu:Live [村八分:ライブ], 1973
  5. Nakamura Kazuyoshi:Taiyô [中村一義:太陽], 1998
  6. Boredoms:Super Are, 1998
  7. Okamura Yasuyuki: Yasuyuki [岡村靖幸: 靖幸], 1989
  8. Rosa Luxemburg:Puripuri [ローザ・ルクセンブルグ:ぷりぷり], 1986
  9. Cornelius:Fantasma [コーネリアス:ファンタズマ], 1997
  10. SOUL FLOWER UNION:ELECTRO ASYL-BOP [ソウル・フラワー・ユニオン:エレクトロ・アジール・バップ], 1996
  11. Ankoku Tairiku Jagatara:Nanban Torai [暗黒大陸じゃがたら:南蛮渡来], 1982
  12. FRICTION:Atsureki [FRICTION:軋轢], 1980
  13. Scha Dara Parr:Wild Fancy Alliance [スチャダラパー:Wild Fancy Alliance], 1993
  14. Yamaguchi Fujio:Himatsubushi [山口冨士夫:ひまつぶし], 1974
  15. Les Rallizes Denudes:‘77 LIVE [裸のラリーズ:Les Rallizes Denudes ‘77 LIVE], 1991
  16. Sano Motoharu:VISITORS [佐野元春:ヴィジターズ], 1982
  17. P-MODEL:Perspective, 1982
  18. RC Succession:Single Man [RCサクセション:シングル・マン], 1976
  19. thee michelle gun elephant:GEAR BLUES [thee michelle gun elephant:ギヤ・ブルーズ], 1998
  20. The Blue Hearts:S/T [ザ・ブルーハーツ], 1987
  21. INU:Meshi kuu na [INU:メシ喰うな], 1981
  22. Spitz: Namae wo Tsuketeyaru [スピッツ:名前をつけてやる], 1991
  23. DOWN TOWN FIGHTING BOOGIE WOOGIE BAND:Kaizoku ban~LIVE FIGHTING 80'S[ダウン・タウン・ファイティング・ブギウギ・バンド:海賊盤~LIVE FIGHTING 80'S], 1980
  24. Yōsui Inoue:Kōri no Sekai: [井上陽水:氷の世界], 1973
  25. Arai Yumi:Hikōki Kumo [荒井由実:ひこうき雲], 1973
  26. Endou Kenji:Tokyo Wasshoi [遠藤賢司:東京ワッショイ], 1979
  27. Quruli:Walz wo Odore Tanz Walzer [くるり:ワルツを踊れ Tanz Walzer], 2007
  28. Ozawa Kenji:The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on [小沢健二:犬は吠えるがキャラバンは進む], 1993
  29. Nanao Tavito:911FANTASIA [七尾旅人:911FANTASIA], 2007
  30. Supercar:JUMP UP [スーパーカー:JUMP UP], 1999
  31. Nanao Tavito:Ame ni utaeba…! disc 2 [七尾旅人:雨に撃たえば...!disc 2], 1999
  32. Happy End:Kazemachi Roman [はっぴいえんど:風街ろまん], 1971
  33. Elephant Kashimashi:Uki yo no yume [エレファント カシマシ:浮世の夢], 1989
  34. THA BLUE HERB:STILLING,STILL DREAMING [ザ ブルーハーブ:STILLING,STILL DREAMING], 1999
  35. Phew:S/T, 1981
  36. Sokabe Keiichi Band: LIVE [曽我部恵一BAND:LIVE], 2005
  37. Number Girl:SAPPUKEI [ナンバーガール:SAPPUKEI], 2000
  38. Denki Groove:ORANGE [電気グルーヴ:ORANGE], 1996
  39. Yamashita Tatsuro:SPACY [山下達郎:SPACY], 1977
  40. Sunny Day Service:S/T [サニーデイ・サービス], 1997
  41. Yura Yura Teikoku:Kuudou Desu [ゆらゆら帝国:空洞です], 2007
  42. Mikami Kan:Hiraku Yume Nado Arujanashi [三上寛:ひらく夢などあるじゃなし], 1972
  43. Yuukadan:Seibun 59 Mins [憂歌団:生聞59分], 1977
  44. Tokyo No.1 Soul Set:Jr., 1996
  45. Nakamura Kazuyoshi: Kinjito [中村一義:金字塔], 1997
  46. SAKANA:BLIND MOON, 2000
  47. The Pees:The Greatest Hits VOL. 1 [The ピーズ:グレイテスト・ヒッツ VOL.1], 1989
  48. The Timers:S/T [タイマーズ:], 1989
  49. Quruli:TEAM ROCK [くるり:TEAM ROCK], 2001
  50. Togawa Jun:Tamahime-sama [戸川純:玉姫様], 1983
RC Succession - Yōkoso
From the album RHAPSODY
  1. PANTA & HAL:TKO NIGHT LIGHT, 1980
  2. RC Succession:Rhapsody [RCサクセション:ラプソディ], 1980
  3. Ozawa Kenji:LIFE [小沢健二:LIFE], 1994
  4. DJ KRUSH:STRICTLY TURNTABLIZED, 1995
  5. Struggle For Pride:YOU BARK WE BITE [ストラグル・フォー・プライド:YOU BARK WE BITE], 2006
  6. CHIKADA HARUO & VIBRASTONE:ENTROPY PRODUCTIONS [近田春夫&ビブラストーン:ENTROPY PRODUCTIONS], 1991
  7. Kinniku Shoujo Tai:Elise no Tameni [筋肉少女帯:エリーゼのために], 1992
  8. Shing02:Ryokuousyoku Jinshu [Shing02:緑黄色人種], 1999
  9. HiGE:Thank You, Beatles [髭(HiGE):Thank You, Beatles], 2005
  10. Yann Tomita: Music for Astro Age [ヤン富田:ミュージック・フォー・アストロ・エイジ], 1992
  11. Jacks:Jacks no Sekai [ジャックス:ジャックスの世界], 1968
  12. Fishmans:ORANGE [フィッシュマンズ:ORANGE], 1996
  13. Bo Gumbos:Bo & Gumbo [ボ・ガンボス:ボ&ガンボ], 1989
  14. Kazufumi Kodama:QUIET REGGAE [こだま和文:QUIET REGGAE], 1992
  15. RC Succession:BLUE [RCサクセション:BLUE], 1981
  16. EP-4:Showa Taisha - Linga Franca 1 [EP-4:昭和大赦-リンガ・フランカ1], 1983
  17. Unicorn:Hige to Boyne [ユニコーン:ヒゲとボイン], 1991
  18. The Stalin:TRASH, 1981
  19. Carnation:High & Low [カーネーション:天国と地獄], 1992
  20. Aburadako:S/T [あぶらだこ], 1986
  21. Ken Ishii:Garden on the Palm, 1993
  22. PLASTICS:Welcome Plastics, 1980
  23. Makoto Kubota & The Sunset Gang:Hawaii Champloo [久保田麻琴と夕焼け楽団:ハワイ・チャンプルー], 1975
  24. Shonen Knife:LET’S KNIFE [少年ナイフ:LET’S KNIFE], 1992
  25. Nav Katze:Switch Complete 1986-1987, 1991
  26. Flower Travellin' Band:Satori [フラワー・トラベリン・バンド:サトリ], 1971
  27. Newest Model:Crossbreed Park [ニューエスト・モデル:クロスブリード・パーク], 1990
  28. Mitsuyoshi Azuma & The Swinging Boppers:Swing Back With The Swinging Boppers [吾妻光良 & The Swinging Boppers:ウィング・バック・ウィズ・ザ・スウィンギン・バッパーズ], 1983
  29. Fushitsusha:S/T [不失者], 1991
  30. BLANKEY JET CITY:C.B.Jim, 1993
  31. THE HIGH-LOWS:Lobster [THE HIGH-LOWS:ロブスター], 1998
  32. Hosono Haruomi: Bon Voyage co. [細野晴臣:泰安洋行], 1976
  33. Violent Onsen Geisha:Otis [暴力温泉芸者:Otis], 1994
  34. Rei Harakami:Red Curb [レイ・ハラカミ:Red Curb], 2001
  35. ECD:S/T, 1992
  36. Scha Dara Parr:5TH Wheel 2 the coach [スチャダラパー:5th ホイール 2 ザ・コーチ], 1995
  37. Sano Motoharu:Napoleon Fish to Oyogu Hi [佐野元春:ナポレオンフィッシュと泳ぐ日], 1989
  38. RC Succession:EP LP [RCサクセション:EP LP], 1981
  39. Makoto Kawamoto:S/T [川本真琴], 1997
  40. Izumiya Shigeru:Ogonkyo Jidai [泉谷しげる:黄金狂時代], 1974
  41. Pizzicato Five:This Year's Girl [ピチカート・ファイヴ:女性上位時代], 1991
  42. ZOOBOMBS:Let It Bomb [ズボンズ:Let It Bomb], 1998
  43. Hijokaidan:Zoroku no Kibyo [非常階段:蔵六の奇病], 1982
  44. Kimidori:S/T [キミドリ], 1993
  45. Halmens:Halmens No Kindai Taiso [ハルメンズ:ハルメンズの近代体操], 1980
  46. Zelda:CARNAVAL [ゼルダ:CARNAVAL], 1983
  47. The Groovers:No.18 [ザ・グルーヴァーズ:No.18], 1991
  48. Omoide Hatoba:Suichuu JOE [想い出波止場:水中JOE], 1991
  49. Southern All Stars:Tiny Bubbles [サザンオールスターズ:タイニイ・バブルス], 1980
  50. Zunou Keisatsu:Zunou Keisatsu Second [頭脳警察:頭脳警察セカンド], 1972
Fishmans - Nightcruising
From the album Kuuchuu Camp
  1. Denki Groove:A [電気グルーヴ:A(エース)], 1997
  2. Sugar Babe:SONGS [シュガー・ベイブ:SONGS], 1975
  3. RC Succession:OK [RCサクセション:OK], 1983
  4. Sadistic Mika Band:Kurofune [サディスティック・ミカ・バンド:黒船], 1974
  5. Spitz: S/T [スピッツ], 1991
  6. Endou Kenji:Manzoku Dekiru Kana [遠藤賢司:満足できるかな], 1971
  7. Quruli:Antenna [くるり:アンテナ], 2004
  8. Kokufu Tatsuya:Rock Tensei [国府達矢:ロック転生], 2003
  9. Masato Minami:Kaikisen [南正人:回帰線], 1971
  10. BOOM BOOM SATELLITES:ON [ブンブンサテライツ:ON], 2006
  11. Ryuichi Sakamoto:B2-UNIT [坂本龍一:B2-UNIT], 1980
  12. Syrup16g:HELL-SEE [シロップ16g:HELL-SEE], 2003
  13. Yura Yura Teikoku:Sweet Spot [ゆらゆら帝国:Sweet Spot], 2005
  14. Nobuyasu Okabayashi:Watashi wo Danzai Seyo [岡林信康:わたしを断罪せよ], 1969
  15. Ohtaki Eiichi:S/T [大滝詠一], 1972
  16. Shiina Ringo:Shouso Strip [椎名林檎:勝訴ストリップ], 2000
  17. Flipper's Guitar:DOCTOR HEAD'S WORLD TOWER [Flipper's Guitar:ヘッド博士の世界塔], 1991
  18. Johnny, Louis & Char:FREE SPIRIT [ジョニー・ルイス&チャー:FREE SPIRIT], 1979
  19. ZAZEN BOYS:ZAZEN BOYS II, 2004
  20. NIAGARA TRIANGLE:NIAGARA TRIANGLE Vol.1, 1976
  21. Nav Katze:Uwa no Sora, [Nav Katze:うわのそら] 1994
  22. HiGE:Chaos in Apple [髭(HiGE):Chaos in Apple], 2007
  23. Yoshio Hayakawa:Kakkoiihotoha Nannte Kakkowaruin Darou [早川義夫:かっこいいことはなんてかっこ悪いんだろう], 1969
  24. RC Succession:Covers [RCサクセション:カバーズ], 1988
  25. P-MODEL:IN A MODEL ROOM, 1979
  26. Guitar Wolf:Planet of the Wolves [ギターウルフ:狼惑星], 1997
  27. Masaki Ueda:Kono Atsui Tamashi wo Tsutaetainya [上田正樹:この熱い魂を伝えたいんや], 1975
  28. Hi-STANDARD:MAKING THE ROAD, 1999
  29. Itou Seikou:MESS/AGE [いとうせいこう:MESS/AGE], 1989
  30. Yano Akiko:Gohan ga Dekitayo [矢野顕子:ごはんができたよ], 1980
  31. Flipper's Guitar:CAMERA TALK, 1990
  32. BACK DROP BOMB:MICROMAXMUM, 1999
  33. Sakana:my dear [さかな:my dear], 1996
  34. Supercar:Three Out Change [スーパーカー:スリーアウトチェンジ], 1998
  35. Totsuzen Danball:Yokushi Onryoku [突然ダンボール:抑止音力], 1991
  36. EGO-WRAPPIN':Michishio no Romance [EGO-WRAPPIN':満ち汐のロマンス], 2001
  37. UA:11, 1996
  38. dip:WAITING FOR THE LIGHT, 1994
  39. Shibusashirazu Orchestra:Shibusa Michi [渋さ知らず:渋さ道], 1993
  40. S.O.B.:LEAVE ME ALONE + DON'T BE SWINDLE, 1986/1987
  41. Keiichi Suzuki and the Moon Riders:Hinotama Boy [鈴木慶一とムーンライダース:火の玉ボーイ],
  42. Yellow Magic Orchestra:BGM, 1981
  43. Tamio Okuda:Matatabi [奥田民生:股旅], 1998
  44. Moon Riders:Camera Egal Stylo [ムーンライダーズ:カメラ=万年筆], 1980
  45. Thee Michelle Gun Elephant:Chicken Zombies, 1997
  46. 8otto:we do vibration , 2006
  47. audio active:Apollo Choco, 1997
  48. Tama:Sandaru [たま:さんだる], 1990
  49. Ging Nang BOYZ:Kimi To Boku no Daisanji Sekai Taisenteki Renai Kakumei [銀杏BOYZ:君と僕の第三次世界大戦恋愛革命], 2005
  50. NUKEY PIKES:S/T [ニューキー・パイクス], 1991
Yōsui Inoue - Kōri no Sekai
From the album Kōri no Sekai

32 comments:

Trog Spacebird said...

Amazing list, very good for research.

smashingtofu said...

Your blog is amazing.

Also, very awesome list.

I'm a little dubious about some album selections though.

nattliga_toner said...

Fascinating list, but som dubious selections indeed, ie. Zuno Keisatsu at place 100 ...with their SECOND album!?

Anonymous said...

So sad no updating KURUTTA TUMBLR

zytroop said...

@Trog: Yes, alot of amazing things to find!
@smashingtofu: Thanks :)
@nattliga_toner: I agree but lists like these always end up with some dubious selections and placements, there is no way to please everyone.
@Anonymous: yup, keeping the tumbler alive proved to be pretty boring.

gullcity said...

Thanks for this.

Unknown said...

Really glad Fishmans, Quruli, Togawa Jun, Supercar and Happy End were all on the top 50 :) They're probably my favorite Japanese bands / artists.

Do you have any recommendations from that list?

zytroop said...

@gullcity: you're welcome
@Fei: I really like the Jagatara, JACKS, Flower Travellin' Band and Sadistic Mika Band entries. Also P-MODEL

BCN Humanista said...

I would like to see BLUES CREATION or CREATION on this list. The first CREATION album must be among the best japanese rock music ever made... Also a SPIDERS best of would be great

Anonymous said...

I think kazemachi roman is better than any album on the list, and every song in kazemachi roman are great, very influential and the most important thing is very easy listening

Anonymous said...

i agree, why snoozer magazine put kazemachi roman so low, the album should be number one. "haru ranman", "kaze wo atsumete", "natsu nandetsu, "hanaichimone" "Kurayamizaka Musasabi Henge", "Ashita Tenki ni Naare" and, ... are masterwork

zytroop said...

@Anonymous: I appreciate the fact that you took time to make two comments as different persons. And keep in mind that SNOOZER did this list because they were tired of Kazemachi Roman:
"We have long grown tired of seeing charts that have (Happy End’s) Kazemachi Roman at the top"

Anonymous said...

# Rosa Luxemburg !!!!!... no.2???...
$ no 4tomic heart (misuchiru) why...
^ RC succesion 7 album ??? i think you lost ANOTHER 7 album and put All of them together 0n th3 list .......
@ (Selling is Cl0se to qu4lity) and where F1rst love (Hikaru U)??!!!....

Anonymous said...

# Rosa Luxemburg !!!!!... no.2???...
$ no 4tomic heart (misuchiru) why...
^ RC succesion 7 album ??? i think you lost ANOTHER 7 album before you put All of them together 0n th3 list cause you are rcsuccesion heavy fans.......
@ (Selling is Cl0se to qu4lity) and where F1rst love (Hikaru U)??!!!....

zytroop said...

Y34|-| \/\/H4T$ UP W1TH TH4T?!

Anonymous said...

i think the reason that you said about kazemachi roman "We have long grown tired of seeing charts that have (Happy End’s) Kazemachi Roman at the top" is too weird, unproductive and not make sense because its clearly that kazemachi roman is the greatest japanese album of all time...

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The album should be number one. why snoozer magazine put kazemachi roman so low?

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i think the reason that you said about kazemachi roman "We have long grown tired of seeing charts that have (Happy End’s) Kazemachi Roman at the top" is too weird, unproductive and not make sense because its clearly that kazemachi roman is the greatest japanese album of all time

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