Mr. Children come of age at 20

While I try to stay more or less in the loop when it comes to Japanese popular culture - it helps with writing a blog like this for a start! - I must admit that one area in which I have become somewhat out of touch in recent years is Japanese popular music (aka: J-Pop). This isn’t for lack of trying, however. Many is the time I’ve plugged myself into the listening post in Tower Records or wherever, drawn by the exotic promise of the nonsensical band name (Flumpool, Bump of Chicken, Thee Michelle Gun Elephant) and curious to discover some new sonic delights, only to be ultimately underwhelmed. At such times, I find myself getting nostalgic for the days of the late ‘90s / early noughties, when I used to listen to a fair amount of J-Pop, and regularly find bands whose music genuinely moved me and left a lasting impression. Chief among these was the only-slightly-weirdly-named Mr. Children (or “Misu-Chilu” as they are affectionately referred to by most locals).

In a Japanese popular music scene dominated by tweeny girl groups like AKB48 and so-called “visual-kei” acts such as L’Arc En Ciel, who seem to be more about the look and the product than the actual music, Mr. Children have long stood out for me as a proper band with proper tunes. If I had to liken them to any Western band, I guess it would be U2. Apart from the relative longevity and massive popularity, their musical styles are fairly similar, with back catalogs bursting with soaring stadium-sized anthems, tailor made for being played before seas of lighter-waving fans. The two bands’ lead singers also have quite a bit in common. As well as taking on the lion’s share of songwriting duties, like Bono, Kazutoshi Sakurai is a captivating on-stage presence, in possession of a chameleon-like voice just as suited to screeching a rousing rock chorus as it is to crooning a heartfelt ballad.

Fortunately for me, listening to Mr. Children is not just a matter of nostalgia, as they remain just as wildly popular now as they were back in the ‘90s. Indeed, the spotlight is shining on the band stronger than ever at the moment, due to the fact that May 2012 marks their 20th anniversary. To celebrate this landmark (which makes me feel pretty damn old…), two best-of albums have been released, and unsurprisingly shot straight to the top of the charts – “micro” covers the period 2001-2005 while “macro” takes us up to 2010, basically repeating the pattern of their 10th anniversary, when two best-of albums covering their career up to 2001 were released. Mr. Children have barely paused for breath over their two decade career, having released a total of 16 albums and 34 singles to date. This prolific output is even more impressive when you consider some of the obstacles the band have had to overcome, not least in 2002 when lead singer Sakurai was diagnosed with a serious brain infection. The fact that he was back on stage again within a matter months after such a potentially life-threatening setback is testament to his and the band’s unshakable spirit and commitment to their work.

In my opinion these four best-of albums are an ideal showcase of Mr. Children’s charms, and an effective riposte to anyone who thinks that J-pop music lacks emotional power. If I had to recommend one of the four compilations as an introduction to the band, it would be “micro” (2001-2005) as this period arguably represents their popular and creative peak. The fact that 14 of the 15 tracks on the album are credited as either a TV drama or commercial theme song just goes to show how deep the band’s penetration of popular culture in Japan was at the time. Tunes like “Youthful Days,” “Any” and “Hero” have lost little of their impact over the years, while some of the videos, also included in the album package, have rightly earned all-time classic status. For example, the beautifully shot “Kurumi” tells the touching and humorous tale of a down-and-out salaryman who rediscovers his ‘mojo’ with the help of an old acoustic guitar. I dare anyone to watch it without feeling moved!

The fact that Mr. Children have managed to remain at the top of the musical heap in Japan for twenty years is certainly a feat worth celebrating. However, Mr. Sakurai and Co. are unlikely to rest on their laurels. I wouldn’t bet against them continuing the pattern and releasing another pair of best-of albums ten years from now, packed with just as many quality tunes as ever.