In praise of the in-between periods in rock and pop history

It feels like one of those periods right now.

Seems like rock hasn't had an explosive movement or scene since NYC/London skinny jeans in early 2000. In comparison, right now feels a little like what 97-2000 was to grunge and alternative rock. I swear I even read the "2008 was a slow year for music" pronouncement from several music mags, but I can't remember which.

And it hasn't just happened to the hipsters. There are legions of unnecessarily quiet pre-teens and teens right now with little to scream at. But then again, will anything ever again compare with the H-bomb that was Britney, Xtina, Backstreets, N'Sync, etc.? Miley feels like a postscript to all that, and she already seems to be on the wane.

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12:24 PM

Mongolian force to be reckoned with

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12:15 AM

Yukihiro Takahashi is playing an early Fuji Rock warm-up this Saturday at Shibuya's Ax. It ain't cheap: ¥7,350, but you get a drink with that, so order a glass of Krug Clos Ambonnay.

Meanwhile, check out his Myspace, expecially the 'I like the Wright Brothers' which has the wonderful lyric I like the Wright Brothers/But no airplanes. It also explains where Lemon Jelly went.

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coglione

11:31 AM

Let’s face it, if you read this blog. There is good chance you are a gaijin how doesn’t have a clue about half of the local artists performer on the lineup. However, Japan have some very cool artists that are well worth discovering and Fuji Rock provide you a great opportunity to do so… I personally believe that THE Japanese band not to miss this year is Polysics. I’ve seen them live before and they are sick and cool. However I already wrote an article about it so I’m not going to get back on the orange suit kids.

Here are some of other artists I will look forward to see and the reasons you too should come along…

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12:45 AM

If you love music festivals and haven't seen this one yet, then check it: a crazy with dude get little overwhelmed by the party decide to pull out a SMAP and get his cloths off. Just one minor problem this time, the scene is from last edition of Coachella Festival in California and the cops don’t take it lightly when the unfortunate nudist refuses to dress up.

*WARNING although the main actor is specially under-equipped to impress, the video is somewhat NSFW. A censure version with a huge black dot covering the offending bits and pieces is available after the jump.

Naked Wizard Tased By Reality from Tracy Anderson on Vimeo.

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12:28 AM

A couple of small town brothers from the American south get rebellious, form a rock band, escape their Pentecostal upbringing, go to England, booze and carouse, go to model swapping parties, and screw and snort their way around the London music scene–-and no, it’s not Kings Of Leon. Plus I made that last bit up (about the models and the screwing and the snorting) but the first part is true.

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9:24 PM

If you love music festivals and haven't seen this one yet, then checkit: crazy white dude's funky chicken impression reaps rewards - a classic music fest moment (really picks up round the 1:00 mark). The forces is strong in this one...

jinki

9:41 AM

On top of the artists announced for Rookie A Go-Go a few days ago, FRF has also added 14 new acts to the lineup and revealed where each will play.

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1:27 AM

If you’ve been reading this blog, you will know perfectly well what "Mancunian Lad Rock" is and how this category could be used to describe the Doves. So tied to this genre is the band that they’ve even recorded a version of “Blue Moon” for the Manchester City football club.

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11:31 PM

Sounding a lot like my favorite Minneapolis bands, Soul Asylum and The Replacements, Japan's Comeback My Daughters are well worth checking out. Another laurel in their cap is their much loved record label, Pizza of Death.

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1:42 AM