- The Best J-POP/ROCK/WHATEVER Ballads -

[jknza2664]

OK I'm going to try and do this without making the list 1000 songs long like some people are doing. ONLY THE BEST! lol

In no particular order...

Chihiro Onitsuka - Infection, Ibara no Umi, Ryuuseigun : Infection -- AMAZING build-up, so much emotion in her voice, great arrangement, one of the best ballads, if not THE best ballad, I've ever heard hands down. The other two are just great in every respect. Chihiro Onitsuka is queen of the crushingly depressing ballad.

Remioromen - Konayuki : The verses might take some time to grow especially if you're not fond of his kind of disaffected way of singing them (I happen to be, luckily). But my god, when the chorus hits you just give way under its immense sadness. Having seen 1 Litre of Tears helps, but is not necessary, to fall in love with this song.

NEWS - Ai Nante : On the surface, kind of pathetic that a boy band falls on this list, but the song is real good. I'm not entirely sure why haha ... probably because the vocals sound so heartfelt and it's simple but effective.

Namie Amuro - CAN YOU CELEBRATE : The early 90s production is kind of irritating to me as is Namie's voice early in her career but the brilliance of the song's composition shines through. I think the song is slighty overrated, but that's just because its heralded as the best thing since bread came sliced. It's not, but it's a very strong ballad.

Utada Hikaru - Deep River : Amazing lyrics. The falsetto also gives me chills at times. Very contemplative yet laid back - a perfect fit with the title and island imagery in the video.

Ayumi Hamasaki - Together When, Jewel, Memorial Address: I think a number of people may disagree with me, but I am of the opinion that Ayu has released her best ballads only recently - in the last half or so of her career. The ones regarded as classics like TO BE, Dearest, SEASONS, etc. are definitely good, but these more recent three just strike me as more sincere and possess an understated beauty in their lyrics and composition. Well, except for Memorial Address, it's pretty in your face by the end which makes it an effective rock ballad. Plus that performance of it on tour with Ayu dressed in red (I believe) and crying has stayed with me and remains a good visual for the emotional power of the song.

Ai Otsuka - Kingyo Hanabi : Perhaps this song just brings back memories of a summer i spent in Japan, but I'd like to think it's a great song on its own merits. The end where her voice is drowned out gets me virtually everytime.

Mika Nakashima - Sakurairo Mau Koro, LEGEND(??) : SMK -- A delicate yet sorrowful ballad. Not sure if LEGEND counts as a ballad but I think it's close enough. It takes you floating through another world.

Koda Kumi - 1000 no Kotoba : Before she reached the point where the fact that her ballads would be horrible and generic was as reliable as the fact that the sun would come up tomorrow, Koda Kumi had a few gems. 1000 no Kotoba is one of them, with a great melody, strong vocal performance, and fitting instrumentation. I also have a soft spot for Hands and the never-mentioned Pearl Moon.

Shiina Ringo - Gibs : Just before her plunge into the artistic deep end (which wasn't a bad thing either), Shiina Ringo put out this Alanis-esque rock ballad that was as angsty and desperate as one could ever want such a song to be. Her vocal quirks like the shrieking and tongue rolling add alot of personality to the song which benefits from it.

Ayaka - Mikazuki : You've all heard it. It's good. It's Ayaka. There's little more to say.

Fukuyama Masaharu - Sakurazaka : Laid-back ballad with no climax to speak of but just a flowing feeling of melancholy and nostalgia. Relaxing.

RANDOM MENTION: There's this song called Mihari that's been performed by Kanjani 8 and I think Ryo Nishikido solo but I haven't been able to find any studio recording of it. (Any help appreciated ) Anyway, it's a really really good ballad.

YAY! I think was was just over 15 songs or so! Kind of hard to do but I think it's pretty accurate.

[prussian blue]

i forgot to mention DAI enrai and fukai mori...