Customer Reviews

Nippon Pop

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is an necessary but flawed intro to Japanese popular music, from a writer who in BILLBOARD magazine introduced me to such jpop stars as UA and COSA NOSTRA. Coverages runs the gamut from old school (e.g., Pink Lady), through the likes of Seiko Matsuda and Shonen Knife, and all the way up to Pizzicato Five and Namie Amuro. McClure offers some history and quite a few capsule overviews of artists in this colorful, photo-heavy book.

Yet there are a few problems to be aware of. For one, the book has dated quickly. A number of major stars surfaced soon after this book's publication date (i.e., Misia, Hikaru Utada, and Ayumi Hamasaki). Secondly, not to plug my favorites, but I was disappointed that the vital Japanese acid jazz scene--Monday Michiru, Mondo Grosso, etc.--is nowhere to be found. And thirdly, some of the artist overviews are too brief (for example, UA gets several photos, but only one short paragraph of coverage--not sufficient to tell the reader WHY her music is acclaimed).

Although I like the graphics, I wonder if a more informative set-up would be to organize the material in an alphabetical, encyclopedia-like format, with more consistently substantive biographical and discographical information. Also, maybe having several writers participate would ease the burden on McClure and allow coverage of a wider variety of jpop artists. Still, thanks are due to the author for getting the ball rolling with NIPPON POP.

With the growing interest in Japanese pop artists among English speaking people, this book has come at the right time. Not meant for someone only interested in one or two genres, or in what is fleetingly popular, McClure focuses on a wide range of styles and introduces you to the important movers and creators who have shown their lasting worth. There are a few interesting oversights, but only two complaints of substance. First, a lot of space is used up by graphic design which could have been used to give more information. We need data on these people more than we need photos. Second, a CD sampler of their music would have clinched his arguement that Japan is producing some of the most original contemporary music around today. Still, this is well worth a look by readers with a wide interest or willing to have their taste expanded.

Don't let the name "Nippon Pop" fool you! This book covers just about every style of Japanese music from pop, rock, country, techno, and more!

It mainly features reviews and information about bands, however it has a lot of information about the Japanese clubs, censorships, culture, fashion, Indies, and more!

Some of the bands that are featured in this book are: X Japan, Globe, B'z, Luna Sea, Shonen Knife, Guitar Wolf, and much much more!

If you want to learn more about the Japanese music industry or see a lot of really good bands, This book it the perfect source!

An interesting book but dated. Very dated. I think the latest band covered was 1994 or thereabouts. Smap is mentioned. Other than that, you won't find any big J-pop stars you hear about today. It's interesting as far as the history of the Japanese music scene, however, Japan is a place where stardom can be very, very shortlived, and your Japanese friends won't remember more than half the groups covered in this book.

I also feel that this book was written just as Japanese pop music was about to change a bit-- right around the corner was a barrage of boy bands, visual rock, pop punk, and the really HUGE idol female vocalists like Amuro Namie, Utada Hikaru, and of course Hamasaki Ayumi-- not to mention Morning Musume and all its infernal incarnations and product tie-ins. Plus, the R&B/soul, hip-hop, reggae, and rap scenes have exploded. The musical landscape is pretty different now than it was back in 1995 when this book was compiled. You won't find anything current here, but you will find info about the basic workings of the Japanese music industry as well as popular singers of past eras. It's a good source as far as the pop-music history of Japan.

By the way, as far as graphic design concepts and layout, this book is incredible. As a graphic design major I devoured the artistic style. LOVE.

It's about time someone put out a book on Japanese popular music and this is a great starting point to explore. My complaints do not deal with performers that aren't covered in the book, though I would like to have seen something on Shiina Ringo or even Ayumi Hamasaki. My complaints are that almost 80% of the performers covered are no longer available on CD and that the author supplies no internet resources to purchase them.

"Nippon Pop" is, perhaps, one of the most comprehensive sources for "JPOP" outside of the web and its English-based format will help all those that can't comprehend the myriad of publications that are sadly written only in Japanese. With artist pics, history and some "this-and-that", Steve Mcclure makes the entire industry of Japanese Music accessible to its multitude of "jingai" fans. A definite read!