Cool.

I'm interested in seeing where the pillows go next. With Tokyo Bambi, is it possible that there will be a 4th period added to the 3rd one? I mean there is a pretty notable distinction between their PML-THYMT, and Good Dreams-TB. I really can't way to see the next album or single... I just don't know what to expect in turns of sound.

[quote="Tidusauron12"]Gotta' know when I'm beat.

Anyways, Busterkun. Do you at least agree with what I'm saying on-topic wise? You know, about the style thing?[/quote]

Yeah I agree more or less. The newer stuff I like but some songs dont catch me like the older ones do.

But I'm in a band and the Max peek you can get is Fans in other countries, and its just the number of fans

I see where you guys are getting at and I think they pillows could or could not gain fans. I mean now they are publishized more and all that, and its just who happens to hear you by chance and if they like it who they tell and thus the word spreads you know? Like butter in a hot pan But Some of the newer stuff its good but it again doesn't attract me as much as before. But I've yet to be really let down by the pillows. I cant find myself really disliking a song, just some don't make the tops of my playlists.

I do want to see where they go though, as ive stated earlier, when they get a new pedal they seem to make a new CD with it lol

I've always seen it as three main styles. I hear the first one as a jazzy, almost lounge rock, mixed with a little ska (which is understandable, with Manabe being heavily influenced by Bob Marley). The second musical period was definitely harder, more rock, especially with songs like Advice, Stalker Goes To Babylon, Sleepy Head, and Crazy Sunshine. Finally, in more recent years, they're mellowed out a little, and have used that to their advantage to make some great harmonies (the newer stuff sounds more Pixies-ish than their earlier stuff, in my opinion). What I love about it is how through all these years, they've still been making great music with a good, if not plain humorous lyrics and meanings.

[quote="SaferSaturnX"]I've always seen it as three main styles. I hear the first one as a jazzy, almost lounge rock.[/quote]

You're forgetting about Pantomime, 90's My Life, Moon Gold, and White Incarnation. I think it was mentioned before, but the "style" present in those releases is hard to peg down. If anything, they, (well, some of White Incarnation at least) sounds sort of like The Smiths...but that's just me.

I'll just call the style: "Early pillows."

Colorful Pumpkin Fields = This Charming Man. My opinion.

At GR:

Nah, [Mr. Lostman] mentioned to me that White Incarnation has a very Smiths-y feel to it, and I'm inclined to agree.

sums it up

http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_pillows

(Japanese)

I have asked a few of my friends from Japan if they've heard of the pillows, and none of them have said yes. 0. My friend Tomo found the cover of Tsuyogari on my computer and said "it was good, but I like Mr. Children's version more." They are straight-up not popular.

[quote="discovolante"]They are straight-up not popular.[/quote]

Quite a few of my friends haven't heard of Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Bonnie Raitt, or, well, The Smiths. Hell, my mom hasn't even heard of The Smiths. All popular artists from different time periods, too...

Unless by "popular" you mean "[i]household-name[/i] popular" then I think it's pretty safe the pillows are popular. This is judging from their ability sell out quickly at big venues all around Japan, their huge turnouts for music fests in Japan, their connections with other major bands (Mr. Children in particular), all the promos stuff they've been doing on TV.

I think they were on a slow but steady incline in popularity before signing with Avex...but now that they're with Avex, their popularity is pretty much skyrocketing.

They're no AKG, Mr. Children, or Ellegarden (thank god/vishnu/etc), but I'd say they're doing VERY well for themselves.

Well, I've always wondered... what's the reason for the pillows 'low-level' of popularity up until recently? Was it only because of their low-exposure with King Records? Is it because of the type of music they were making (changing styles over time)?

Well i feel this to be debatable. I mean think about it, ive went up to people who grew up here in the states and they dont know who Led Zepplin, Ozzy, Black Sabbath, Queen, etc are. Some haven't heard songs I thought no one could have missed. It is possible for people to live in Japan, especially in a place like Tokyo and never hear of the Pillows. I understand the Pillows aren't as big as other world traveling bands, but I think its a little unjust to say they arent that popular, when I feel they are, if you have fans in other countries and its not just a small group of 100 kids, then you've made it as a band and all you can hope for is more fans, and to positivly impact peoples lives.

[code]Tidusauron[/code]

I'll refrain from replying to you just yet. I dont want to sound ignorant because I'm not as up to date as some members are here, though I do have some ideas as to why they arent as big.

Actually, I mean compared to other rock-band 'giants' in Japan... like Mr.Children. Also, looking at the Oricon charts, it seems to be missing the pillows alot, especially during their 'breakthrough years', with the long string of cool singles from 1996 and 1997.

It just seems like their music wasn't being listened to as much as others. Is there any particular reason? I'd at least like to here some speculation. Also, keep in mind that I'm not saying "how come NO one in Japan knows about the pillows."

Since 1999, they've been pretty well known in Japan I think, for the most part, and their notoriety has been growing... but am I missing something here? Am I wrong to suspect that their was something holding back their exposure within Japan in the 90s?

Im curious about your question too, id like to have that answered. i can only answer it with a questioni like " why doesnt everyone know minus the bear" they're super awsome

[quote="GoldenRhino"][quote="SaferSaturnX"]I've always seen it as three main styles. I hear the first one as a jazzy, almost lounge rock.[/quote]

You're forgetting about Pantomime, 90's My Life, Moon Gold, and White Incarnation. I think it was mentioned before, but the "style" present in those releases is hard to peg down. If anything, they, (well, some of White Incarnation at least) sounds sort of like The Smiths...but that's just me.

I'll just call the style: "Early pillows."[/quote]
That's true...I was going to liken it to The Beatles, but a lot of other pillows stuff is very Beatles influenced, even their new stuff. Some of the stuff back then was pretty varied, like Paris Girl Marie (rock) and Never Find (practically reggae), and those were even on the same CD. I guess like someone else said, they were still looking for a style back then.

And yeah, I've talked to a few people who've been to Japan, and they said the pillows were surprisingly unheard of amongst the general public.