Lite - Tokyo’s Lite are well on their way to usurping Toe as my favorite Japanese band, which is quite a hefty accomplishment. Their sound is deeply entrenched in the instrumental math-rock universe, but their newest release Phantasia takes a much more mature and refined approach — the results of which are gleaming. This band just keeps getting better and better.

Ovum - Instrumental post-rock spiced with a bit of shoegaze-y goodness. Their debut full length Microcosmos was released in Japan this past April on XTAL Records and is rock solid. Ovum are currently supporting the UK’s Maybeshewill as they tour across Japan, which will hopefully garner them some of the attention they rightfully deserve.

Water Fai - At long last: a female take on the testosterone laden post-rock scene. Osaka’s Water Fai originally formed in 2002 and took four years to release their debut Girls in the White Dream. It took another two for White Shoe Records to bring it to the US. While largely instrumental, Water Fai throw in the occasional dreamy vocal layers to their catchy as hell blend of psych-pop and post-rock.

Muddy World - Highly improvisational math-jazz from this superb Tokyo trio — think Tortoise’s brainy Japanese cousin. The 2006 full length album Finery of the Storm is so packed full of groovy loops it’ll make your head spin, and is definitely going to be a tough act to follow. Their sophisticated sound will appeal to a wide array of listeners; from the PBR swilling Indie kid to the Port sipping Jazz snob. The band is currently playing new material to audiences in Japan, so be on the lookout for something good in late 2008 or early 2009.

Heaven In Her Arms - SAL execs got it right when stating that there are plenty of bands that should have left their singer on the roadside somewhere. Heaven in Her Arms is one such band. I’m all for screaming, but this resembles a sound not unlike that of a mortally wounded hellcat in need of euthanizing. But if you can manage to get past the ear piercing shrieks you’ll hear some truly potent hardcore riffery and pretty post-rock style accents thrown in for good measure.

Akira Kosemura & Haruka Nakamura - Both Akira and Haruka are ambient/electronica artists from Tokyo, though Haruka is known to incorporate acoustic guitars and vocals into her own work. The two collaborated in 2007 and released one of the most beautifully expressive albums I’ve had the pleasure of listening to: Afterglow. Any fan of ambient, piano centered songs should definitely pay these links a visit.

Perfect Piano Lesson - This is Japanese Indie Rock at its finest. Their brand spanking new album Terra Incognita was released earlier this month on Zankyo and can be purchased here for 2000 Yen (about 18 bucks) and may well be worth it for the song “Springstorm” alone. Check it out. I’m not going to spoil it with words.

This installment just scratches the surface of some of the great music our Japanese friends are creating. Do yourself a favor — explore.

Dynamite Arrows

Good Luck

Red And Blue (members of Get Bent!)

The State Lottery (ex-Gibbons!)

Traffic & Weather (ex-Gibbons!)

Transit

Young Hearts (ex-Dear Tonight)

Mirror - Exciting, jazzy, instrumental stuff from Japan. On, Then, In is the band’s 2007 debut album and it’s an impressive slice of mathy rock.

September Malevolence - The new songs this Swedish band have posted for their upcoming record are tremendous. Post-rock with vocals? Yes indeedy.

White York - New York band that play gruff pop punk rock. Just got the band’s new seven-inch in the mail!

The Read - Cincinnati band that owes more than a few licks to bands like Gang Of Four and Q And Not U. The band’s demo is rough but promising.

Foals - These guys are signed to Sub Pop so you will probably see them everywhere shortly. For good reason though. Similar to Bloc Party at times but a lot more experimental in nature.

Boyandroid - German band that reminds me of good, sensitive (emo?) rock like Death Cab For Cutie but with more balls.

Stolen Bikes Ride Faster - Ah, these guys rule…seriously. I’ve seen the band name around forever (and what a great band name it is) but had never listened til getting their Nothing Has Changed EP recently. Pop/punk rock to the tens! Viva Italia!

Fear Like Us - Folk/punk that’s actually really good. From Australia and the vocals are really similar to Chuck Ragan of Hot Water Music. Some female vocals arise as well. Fans of Rumbleseat should take note.

Marionette ID - From Budapest, Hungary, these guys play moody post-hardcore in the vein of Engine Down. This is really impressive stuff. I have a review almost ready to go on this. You can download the full album here.

A Great Big Pile Of Leaves - Somebody sent me a link to these guys recently. The vocals get close to that annoying emo whine at times but always recover pretty well. I really like this. You can download the band’s EP, The Fiery Works, for free here.

Get Bent - I got this band’s demo in the mail earlier in the week and the name threw me off. It sat for a few days til I turned it over and realized Phil from Latterman recorded it. Doh! Awesome pop/punk rock stuff! You can get this demo for $2 (to cover shipping) from the band.

Six Gallery - Found a few songs by this band online recently and was very impressed. Cool instrumental stuff that I need to get my hands on more of.

Little Brazil - I remember listening to this band a few years ago and being unimpressed. But, their late 2007 full length, Tighten The Noose, is a nice step. I don’t remember such a strong Smoking Popes influence but I certainly like it.

The Wading Girl - I first heard of The Wading Girl at a Tim Barry show. They were his backing band and did a fine job. I figured if they were good enough for him than I needed to give a listen. That was over a year ago…yeah, I might be slow but I’m persistent. Anyway, I finally got the band’s 2007 release, The Miriam Demos. It’s like Jenny Lewis joined the Avett Brothers? Sure.