The Duck hath returned with another great music act to look out for from the Land of the Rising Sun. This week we look at monobright!
I was watching Space Shower TV (greatest music channel ever, by the way) while staying in Japan one July week in '07, and monobright's first mainstream single came onto the TV. It was called "Mikansei Riot" (or "Incomplete Riot"). For almost four minutes I was spellbound by the most original rock 'n' roll I had heard in years.
monobright - Mikansei Riot
The following Thursday I was in Shibuya, where I picked up the new single; as well as their indie EP "monobright zero." When I listened to both, my thoughts had been confirmed: monobright was going to be the next big thing in Japan, and possibly the world.
Following "Mikansei Riot" came "Atama no Naka no SOS," a bit similar to the first single, but with more of a skip-down-the-street-happily feel to it. Then, their first major album "monobright one" was released a month after. The album mixed past rock, blues, and the current sound to make one solid CD.
monobright - wARp
In late-January came "wARP," a single that opened with something sounding like the classic Adam West "Batman" series; which brought a nostalgic sound into my ears. It was followed in May by monobright's next EP "Ano Toumei Kan to Shounen." That month also saw the band hit the UK for the first time, meeting success by both fans and critics. Whether or not monobright will hit the US anytime soon is anyone's guess; but let it be know that once they do it'll be hard to not notice this band.
monobright - Ano Toumei Kan to Shounen
monobright's music is not currently available in the US (or the rest of the world), but if you got money to spare I highly recommend importing their music through either CDJapan or HMV Japan. If demand is high enough, maybe a good-natured indie record company might pick them up (looking at you, Matador Records!).
This is King Baby Duck: "Ain't born to lose, baby, I'm born to win. I'm so Goddamn slick, baby, it's a sin!"
Labels: Band of the Week, J-ROCK, King Baby Duck, monobright, Music
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