This isn't exactly about [i]your[/i] favorite albums(although, it could be), but more like the ones you'll save from a burning building of 'historical documents'. For example, I'm not an avid fan of Bob Dylan, but I can pick out at least 4 albums that are considered essential - stood the test of time.

Or think of it like this; you have a shot at convicing the entire world that J-pop/rock was to be taken seriously as an art form, ain't no game, etc. What albums do you show? You can include [b]an[/b] album by the Pillows or a compilation from other bands/artists.

The Pillows: Runner's High
Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra: Moods for Tokyo Ska, We Don't Know What Ska Is!
Judy and Mary: J.A.M.

GO!GO!7188 - Dasoku Hokou
Sambo Master - Atarashiki nihongo rock no michi to hikari
Blankey Jet City - BANG!
L'arc en Ciel - Dune (even though I hate Hyde's voice, the band can play)
Asian Kung-Fu Generation - Kunkei Faibumu
The Pillows - Thank You, My Twilight or Pantomime

and maybe even Synchronized Rockers for a compilation

[quote="xtsquintx"]Asian Kung-Fu Generation - Kunkei Faibumu[/quote]
The title's actually Kimi Tsunagi Five M. I think it was CDJapan that was originally responsible for that horribly incorrect romanization.

I think it's a good album, but Sol-Fa just completely blows it out of the water. It just gets better and better each time I listen to it. It's probably too soon to call Sol-Fa an essential, but I think it deserves the title more than Kimi Tsunagi Five M.

I really haven't listened to enough JRock to pick out too many true essentials. But from what I've heard, I would say:

the pillows - Little Busters
L'Arc~en~Ciel - Ark

Short list, I know...

[quote="xtsquintx"]
Blankey Jet City - BANG![/quote]

i haven't heard BANG! but i'd put their 1997-2000 best collection up there. it's solid.

and

husking bee- the steady state theory
the pillows- happy bivouac

The pillows - Please Mr. lostman

zero... i believe he meant j-pop or [b]j-rock[/b].

Oh, sorry XD

I just saw him mention Bob dylan and then I thought it was Jrock and Rock...

Pillows- Happy Bivouac (It has most of their popular "hits")
AKFG- Sol-fa for sure. Sol-fa is a masterpiece.

The Pillows - Please Mr. Lostman
hide - Junk Story
L'Arc~en~Ciel - Ark
X Japan - PERFECT BEST
AKG - Sol-Fa
YO-KING - tie between Love and Rock&Roll and Its my Rock&Roll
ZEPPET STORE - CUE
Noodles - tie between Long Long Chain and Slow Coaster

[quote="overAmped"][quote="xtsquintx"]Asian Kung-Fu Generation - Kunkei Faibumu[/quote]
The title's actually Kimi Tsunagi Five M. I think it was CDJapan that was originally responsible for that horribly incorrect romanization.

I think it's a good album, but Sol-Fa just completely blows it out of the water. It just gets better and better each time I listen to it. It's probably too soon to call Sol-Fa an essential, but I think it deserves the title more than Kimi Tsunagi Five M.
[/quote]

oops.. I never updated my folders after I downloaded it, so it was still labeled that. But I just see Sol-Fa as a collection of all those old singles plus a few filler songs, so when I listen to it I usually skip the singles since I've heard them for so long already and then skip most of the other tunes cause they're not all that interesting.

Also, I think you have to take into consideration albums that were like "the first" to showcase something, kinda making older = better. So I think AKG's first album is more essential since it was so solid and was their first real breakout. Plus, the songs seem more cohesive than the ones on Sol-Fa.

I also didn't think you should include 'best of' albums, since they were released after the fact and are showcasing a timeline rather than one defining point in the artist's career that stood out. I mean, they can be considered essential in the fact that most of the time they feature the best songs/singles, but it's more of a summary rather than a solid statement.

Is there any point in buying any AKFG singles since all of the songs on them are on the albums (except the siren remix deal and Entrance).

[quote="BlazingSage"]Is there any point in buying any AKFG singles since all of the songs on them are on the albums (except the siren remix deal and Entrance).[/quote]

Absolutely: you can own more of Yusuke Nakamura's brilliant art, I love his work. But also, there's a remake of 'Hold Me Tight' on the 'Kimi no Machi Made' single. But I think that song was pretty hokey in the first place.

The Pillows - Please Mr. Lostman
Weezer - Blue
Mock Orange - The First EP and Nines & Sixes

That's just me, though.

Hmm...really hard.....

The Pillows-Please Mr. Lostman (my favorite album by them)

Asian Kung-Fu Generation-So fla

NOODLES-God Cable and Long Long Chain

Hide w/Spread Beaver and Lakaru-Umm...really it's just a mix cd of like
30 songs by them.

ORANGE RANGE- 1st Contact (heh, even though I don't like rap, ORANGE RANGE is acceptable for some reason)

GOING UNDER GROUND - Kayowaki Energy (thanks to Cajun for that a I really liked that Album.)

[quote="xtsquintx"][quote="BlazingSage"]Is there any point in buying any AKFG singles since all of the songs on them are on the albums (except the siren remix deal and Entrance).[/quote]

Absolutely: you can own more of Yusuke Nakamura's brilliant art, I love his work. But also, there's a remake of 'Hold Me Tight' on the 'Kimi no Machi Made' single. But I think that song was pretty hokey in the first place.[/quote]
+ Rocket No.4, Yugure no Kurenai.

BUMP OF CHICKEN - jupiter
GOING UNDER GROUND - Kayowaki Energy
L'Arc~en~Ciel - HEART
Okuda Tamio - LION
SUNEOHAIR - a watercolor, Fo-ku
YO-KING - Ongaku to Humor no Tabi