Visual Kei

I’m not sure how many of you out there listen to visual kei (VK) bands but I know I sure enjoy their music. Most of the stuff I listen to (as in the genres) usually changes every few months or so. You know, like you’ve been eating rice for too long and decide to have noodles for once. Yeah, that’s what’s happening in my WMP and PSP lately, been changing quite a few songs though I still listen to some J-pop too as well.

And for those who are clueless about visual kei, Wiki would say that…

Visual Kei (ヴィジュアル系, vijuaru kei?) refers to a movement among Japanese musicians, that is characterized by the use of eccentric, sometimes flamboyant looks. This usually involves striking make-up, unusual hair styles and elaborate costumes, often, but not always, coupled with androgynous aesthetics. Some sources state that Visual Kei refers to a music genre, or to a sub-genre of J-rock (a term referring to Japanese rock in general, with its own particular sound, related to glam-rock, punk and metal, and with strong emphasis on its unique style of dress; and some sources state that Visual Kei’s unique clothing and make-up fashions, and participation in the related sub-culture, is equally as important as the sound of the music itself in the use of the term.

 

Well, some of the VK bands I’d listen to are alice nine., the GazettE and Kagrra,. The most interesting part about VK bands is that I find their music more enjoyable as compared to a normal rock band, say High and Mighty Colour (yikes, don’t get me wrong, Maki-chan is still cute!). Though I feel that more people actually prefer a VK band’s looks and appearance to their quality of songs and music. Either that or majority of the fans are just girls. =/ Wait, aren’t they the same? Anyway, I find listening to some rock actually helps me to be in the mood and to keep me awake to sit down and actually do some studying. Most of the time, especially when studying, I would often blast some rock songs sung by the bands mentioned above. Particularly GazettE’s latest single, Guren (紅蓮).

PV of “Guren” by the GazettE.

Oh, besides rock and pop songs, I also listen to quite a fair share of trance as well, which all of the tracks come from Granado Esapda’s OST. ^^; Hmm, what kind of music do you usually listen to?