(the) Road to the Deep East

Ex-member of legendary heavy metal band, Marty Friedman talked about his love for JPOP. This 45 year-old who sold 10 millions copies in the world as a member of Megadeth is now living in Japan and known as a defender of Japanese pop music. And in the short interview from a local news paper, he talked about the details of his JPOP love.
　
(original article from Fukushima Minyu)
http://www.minyu-net.com/newspack/2008051901000111.html

In this interview, he criticises American hit charts, and explains why he loves Japanese music.
"I may not like any of Top10 from American hit charts, but I like over 8 from Japanese Top10."
"I discovered JPOP in the middle of 1990s, and I liked it very much. Everybody sings the song in karaoke, so it has powerful and comprehensive melody, and it has a modulation like tsunami."

He also answers the favorite songs from recent songs.
1. Polyrhythm (perfume), 2. Kodoku no mukou (Hirahara Ayaka), 3. Smile (Genki Rockts.)

Amazingly, this heavy metal guitarist loves Perfume! But why?

He says has been listening to Perfume since their debut ( *I think he means their major debut in 2004, though) and explamins: “Polyrhythm is pop song in Japan, but in America, only Progressive rock musicians can understand its irrational rhythms.

Not only this interview, In another interview with Japanese musician Chikada Haruo, he is also commenting about Perfume.

"To use effector on voices sound like Joke, but this man (Nakata) has a certain musical background so it won't become jokes. Matured progress of codes, voicing like jazz, and modulation with beautiful melody. It might become like otaku, but it didn't. (after he compared with maid cosplay group's album.) “Perfume is okay,because it's fashionable."

(original article)
http://www.cdjournal.com/main/interview/interview.php?ino=110&page=1

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Since Perfume became national idol last year, I'd been wondering how this attorney of Jpop looks at Perfume, but here came the answer. And his words must be ultimately true.

JPOP is interesting, but most of Japanese underrate them and think it is humiliating to expose it to the world. Especially Japanese who listen to Western music don't like the music from their own country, and disrespect them calling them 'pakuri'( imitation) of foreign music.

However, they should notice and I say, the pakuri is occurring even in the Western countries. I mean even foreign musicians imitates foreign music. The young imitates the old, that's how the pop music evolves, or how the culture is handed down to the next generation.

At least, now one foreign musician from who succeeded in the country they adore approves the quality of JPOP. Those Japanese JPOP haters should listen to JPOP again and judge them after trying to understand what he says, and what he thinks interesting.

Anyway, it seems Mr Friedman had released a book about JPOP(written in Japanese). Iijan J-pop, Dakara boku ha nihon ni yatte kita.(that's why I came to Japan).

It's an interesting topic. I'd like to buy it when I dropped at a book store later and write its review later.