How old was the artist when they released that classic CD album?
At what age did that artist release which album CDs? This time, I’ve selected a few classic CDs from Japanese music.
Spitz “Honey,” released in 1995
The member was 27–28 years old at the time.。
This is their sixth full-length album overall, and for Spitz, it was the first album to reach number one on the charts.
It also includes the million-selling 'Robinson,' which became the band's first top 10 single, and 'Namida ga Kirari☆,' which sold nearly one million copies.
It also includes tracks that straightforwardly convey the messages of the time—such as “Walk On, Clover,” which weaves the theme of ‘living’ into the backdrop of events like the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake and the Tokyo subway sarin attack.
Dragon Ash “Viva La Revolution,” released in 1999
Vo.Kj was 20 years old at the time.
Their fifth album sold 1.8 million copies and, for the first time with an album, topped the Oricon chart at No. 1.
A genreless work that openly releases all the music they’ve been influenced by—from hip-hop to reggae to rock.
THE BLUE HEARTS “THE BLUE HEARTS,” released in 1987
Vo. Hiroto Kōmoto, 24 years old at the time.
Although it's a bit short at 33 minutes and 59 seconds, this first full album since their major-label debut is packed with great songs.
An essential masterpiece you can’t avoid in Japanese punk rock.
I imagine there are many people whose lives were changed by listening to this album.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzNVk18wjXA
Ringo Sheena “Muzai Moratorium,” released in 1999
Ringo Sheena, 21 years old at the time.
The songs included on this album—such as “Akane Sasu Kiro Terasaredo…” which she composed at 16, and “Tadashii Machi” at 18—demonstrate the talent she already possessed in her pre-debut teenage years.
And a variety of legendary musicians are participating in the recording.
ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION “Kimi Tsunagi Five M” released in 2003
Gt/Vo. Masafumi Gotoh, age 26 at the time.
Formed in 1996 within a university light music club, they continued their band activities while each working as a company employee after graduation, and made their major debut in 2003.
Their first full-length album released that year, “Kimitsunagi Five M,” is packed with messages that bring back memories from their school days, making it a powerful, all-killer collection of standout tracks.
Theory of Relativity “Chiffonism,” released in 2008
Vo. Etsuko Yakushimaru, 21 years old at the time.
Formed in 2006, this is the band's first CD release.
Among bands with extremely little media exposure, this album—originally a self-produced release—was distributed nationwide and became a major hit, driven primarily by word of mouth on the internet.
It only has five tracks, but it’s a masterpiece.
Hi-STANDARD “MAKING THE ROAD” released in 1999
Ba/Vo.
Akihiro Namba, 29 at the time, Gt/Vo.
Ken Yokoyama, 30 years old at the time.
All of Hi-STANDARD’s albums are masterpieces, but I chose this one because it was listened to by many generations.
While actively collaborating with overseas artists and hosting his own festival, AIR JAM, it appears he also produced recordings abroad.
Released in 1999, MAKING THE ROAD achieved sales of over one million copies, including outside Japan—an exceptional feat for an indie band at the time.
LUNA SEA “MOTHER,” released in 1994
The member was 24 to 25 years old at the time.
Formed in 1989 and, despite a temporary hiatus, they restarted their activities with this album.
An album that even the members rate highly themselves, with comments like, 'Band magic and recording magic happened.'
It reached a peak weekly position of No. 2 on the charts at the time and is a historically significant masterpiece in the history of music.
Lastly
At what age, and what kind of recordings was your favorite artist making?
The next great album might be your work.
Cheering you on with your recording!