If you had to isolate one characteristic of the pillows and their music that was your favorite, what would it be? What property of the pillows is most beloved by you? What's the number 1 reason you like their music (and them)?

I personally love the versatility. They've developed a lot over time, which is cool, and unlike some other bands (Asian Kung-Fu Generation, whom I also like) they can span across genres. For instance, Hybrid Rainbow is more Brit-Rock influenced, Ladybird Girl American pop, No Self-control is Nirvana-esque, and Tokyo Bambi is just.... well... amazingly different. Whereas Ajikan just sort of stays pretty much the same (World World World was a great album in which the songs sort of changed).

So what's the big reason why do you like them? The guitar? Sawao's voice (and seemingly random cries of "OH YEAH!!!")? Lyrics? FLCL?

Homoeroticism.

[quote="sheerheartattack"]Homoeroticism.[/quote] lolz @ dis.


I absolutely love the guitar riffs and what I can only attribute to my search for the God riff--the one riff that's so mind-blowingly orgasmic that it can't be obtained.

Kim Deal? Swanky Street? Bokura no HARE...? That shit's where it's at.

[quote="Blank"]Kim Deal? Swanky Street? Bokura no HARE...? That shit's where it's at.[/quote]

I think your definition of "riff" might be different than the typical one. The riff from Black Dog. Now that's what you're looking for, in terms of Godliness. Or the Heartbreaker riff.

I always liked the pillows' sense of melody, and Manabe's sound. Those are the two things that initially drew me into the pillows. I guess the attitude just makes you stay for the ride.

Oh dear, I have never been able to ascertain the definition of the word "riff." The most accurate analysis I can give is, "I know it when I hear it." The riffs in "Black Dog" and "Heartbreaker" (which is without a doubt my favorite riff) for sure, but "Kim Deal" - that's more of a lead. Riffs are typically part of the rhythm section. Of course, simply playing a chord progression whose chords change every measure is not a riff, which may discount "Swanky" and "Bokura," which are chord progressions with a lead on top of them.

I can easily classify these songs as possessing riffs, though: "Babylon Verses of Angel," "Carnival," "Dead Stock Paradise," "Non Fiction," "Ride on Shooting Star," "Sad Sad Kiddie," "Scent of Sweet," and "Wake Up, Frenzy!" Interestingly, I don't really have to point out which parts of the songs I'm referring to for you to know.

However, are these riffs? "Come Down?" "Juliet?" "Skeleton Liar?" "Terminal Heaven's Rock?"

Shrug.

One of my favorite aspects of the pillows is that they just make really happy music, without coming off as fake, or cheesy, or saccharine. There's no Rock'n'Roll god posturing, no dark angst. Sawao just makes really good major-key feel-good songs. It sounds a little simple to say, but, that's really just it.

I like how the music is happy, but the lyrics sound like Sawao cuts his wrists every night.

I love them because they're Japanese and I love pocky.

[quote="Aplaca"]I love them because they're Japanese and I love pocky.[/quote]

I hereby honor you with the -BEST POST OF THE YEAR- Award

Congratulations!

Someone explain this love for pocky among Japanophiles. It has got to be the least interesting foodstuff that the entire country has to offer. I mean, shit, it's not even that different from what we have here in the west.

[quote="sheerheartattack"]Someone explain this love for pocky among Japanophiles. It has got to be the least interesting foodstuff that the entire country has to offer. I mean, shit, it's not even that different from what we have here in the west.[/quote]

Because it's used a lot in anime

Because its Japanese. They think it tastes better than western snacks solely because it is primarily a Japanese snack food. Kinda like the effect of a placebo for lack of a better comparison.

I'd have to say it's the pillows sense of melody for me. Sawao's capable of coming up with so many different melodies, and over 20 years to boot. That and like others have said, the songs are happy and uplifting. I can listen to a song by them in any mood, and I'll be just fine.

Also, you haven't had Pocky until you've had milk-flavored Pocky. That might sound disgusting, but trust me, this is why people love it so much.