[js_surrealism]

Oh I love these year-ender threads, so I shall post mine! Note: Incredible biasedness ahead.

Favourite Albums of the year (Jpop):
1. Tokyo Jihen - Kyouiku
Even before this was released, there was no questioning that I was gonna list them as the best of the lot this year, and while my expectations weren't exceeded, they were met delightfully. Easily the most focused effort this year.

2. Every Little Thing - commonplace
I wasn't expecting to like this alot, given that I thought SORA AI wasn't very good, but this turned out to be a huge sleeper hit for me. The whole acoustic-esque sound for ELT works, and complements Kaori's coarser (right now) vocals perfectly. Samidare is ballad of the year as far as I'm concerned.

3. m-flo (and 21409812 other artists) - ASTROMANTIC
The biggest party album this year, with a whole s**tload of awesome artists collaborating with them. Great polished pop sound, and the various attempts to diversify into jazz and stuff on a couple of tracks didn't sound inane either. Lovely mixed platter, I didn't miss Lisa one bit.

4. Mr. Children - SHIFUKU NO OTO
The most....intimate (?) rock band out there. Sakurai is an excellent lyricist, and a great composer too. Every song just hits the right spot in your heart, but I mostly loved this album because Kurumi's on it, and it's easily my favourite Misuchiru songs.

5. Bonnie Pink - Even So
She's one of the most Benign songwriters I've come across. I can't find anything about her that I could possibly classify as bad-ass. Lovely set of songs, there is nothing much to fault, actually.

6. GO!GO!7188 - Ryuuzetsuran
I thought that this was possibly one of their weaker albums, but when you're talking about GO!GO!, weak is still pretty darn good. They lost abit of the melody here, but many of the songs here now have a 'muddier' edge to them, which works well on the album, though I wouldn't say the same if I were to judge them as standalone songs. Still a great rock record though.

7. Aikawa Nanse - 7 Seven
This album had lots of great pop hooks, and a great (albeit less hard core compared to her previous works) rock sound to it. It just washes over you like a huge gulp of a fizzy drink or something. Awesome singles on this one, R-shitei, Shock of Love, Ai no uta, I love them all.

8. GARNET CROW - I'm waiting 4 you
This album didn't quite grab me at first, and as much as I love the band, I was kinda apprehensive about awarding this. But I think this one was similar to ELT's commonplace for me as this one also took quite a few listens before I started to warm up to it. Their previous album had great singles with great hooks but suffered from album tracks that tried just a little too hard. This time round, the arrangements were more down to earth, and the end result is an album perfect for the winter season. Ame agari no blue would probably be a huge contender for pop song of the year for me.

9. LOVE PSYCHEDELICO - LOVE PSYCHEDELICO III
Just because no other band has a lead vocalist who sings English like she does Japanese and Japanese like she does English.

10. Supercar - ANSWER
I can't believe I almost overlooked this album till a week ago when I realised that I had put it on to my iPod. I can't really describe it, it's sorta like rock with flashes of electronica in it. Or is it the other way round? Whichever the case, I ended up liking this Alot more than I was expecting to.

Honourable mentions: Tommy february6's "Tommy airline", Ayu's "MY STORY", Mikami Chisako's "Watashi wa anata no uchuu", ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION's "SOL-FA", both Otsuka Ai albums

Favourite songs of the year (jpop):
1. Tokyo Jihen - Sounan
Absolutely the classiest song released this year. Lovely guitars, nice piano quirks by HZM, and the lyrics are actually pretty sexy. I thought there was almost nothing to dislike about this song.

2. Tokyo Jihen - Gunjou biyori
Awesome waker track. Just the thing I need for my kick in the morning. The guitars were messy and all over the place but I loved the chaotic-ness of it all, simply -kewl-.

3. Every Little Thing - Samidare
Koibumi's their best single, but Samidare's the best song they've released this year. Great melody, I am dying to watch them perform this live.

4. Tommy february6 - MaGic in youR Eyes
This one's really catchy in a ditzy way. Lovely 80's pop sound.

5. THE BACK HORN - REQUIEM
I loved this the moment I heard its guitar intro on the CASSHERN trailer. Simply put, this song Kicks Ass.

6. ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION - LOOP&LOOP
They released a whole string of awesome singles this year and a fairly good album. This one has the catchiest chorus, and is thus most memorable. REWRITE was awesome too, but this one's more fun.

7. Mr. Children - Sign
Just liked it ALOT.

8. GARNET CROW - Float World
This is the best song they've released all year, beating Ame agari no blue by just a slight bit and it's a B-side. Gorgeous arrangement, it was like hearing Enya with rhythm and oomph and attitude. A total shame that this wasn't included on their album. In fact, the band released loads of great B-sides this year, both B-sides on the Kimi wo kazaru hana wo sakasou were great.

9. Tommy heavenly6 - Hey my friend
Quite a frivolous choice, but I must admit I listened to this song a hell lotta times, so I obviously liked it quite abit.

10. SPITZ - STAR GAZER
Ditto the Mr. Children comment. Awesome awesome melody, and the same can be said from their Masayume single. More than 10 years and counting, and these guys are still totally in this game.

I'm not doing the whole honourable mention thing cause I'm tired.