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Japanese Music (Pop, rock and all 'dat) |OT|

S

SolidSnakex

Member
So, AKB48's new single sold 1,170,554 on its first day. That gives it their highest first day sales single ever. Which is impressive since they have 2 other singles that sold a million on day 1. I guess that it's not surprising when you've got people doing this

agpizwvizwuyc2vlchuleopuzx.jpg


And here are the preliminary results for their 27th Single Senbatsu

1. Oshima Yuko 15,093 votes
2. Kashiwagi Yuki 12,654 votes
3. Watanabe Mayu 11,329 votes
4. Sashihara Rino 9,337 votes
5. Takahashi Minami 8,955 votes
6. Shinoda Mariko 8,619 votes
7. Matsui Rena 8,460 votes
8. Matsui Jurina 7,795 votes
9. Itano Tomomi 6,595 votes
10. Miyazawa Sae 6,280 votes
11. Kojima Haruna 5,334 votes
12. Yokoyama Yui 4,301 votes
13. Takajou Aki 3,661 votes
14. Umeda Ayaka 3,484 votes
15. Minegishi Minami 3,396 votes
16. Kitahara Rie 3,302 votes
17. Kasai Tomomi 3,227 votes
18. Yamamoto Sayaka 3,218 votes
19. Watanabe Miyuki 2,976 votes
20. Takayanagi Akane 2,471 votes
21. Satou Amina 2,392 votes
22. Shimazaki Haruka 2,340 votes
22. Furukawa Airi 2,340 votes
24. Hata Sawako 2,312 votes
25. Masuda Yuka 2,182 votes
26. Suda Akari 2,149 votes
27. Mukaida Manatsu 1,948 votes
28. Ooya Masana1,919 votes
29. Ogiso Shiori 1,788 votes
30. Mutou Tomu 1,757 votes
31. Ogasawara Mayu 1,746 votes
32. Akimoto Sayaka 1,743 votes
33. Yagami Kumi 1,671 votes
34. Kuramochi Asuka 1,653 votes
35. Kizaki Yuria 1,624 votes
36. Nakaya Sayaka 1,348 votes
37. Yakata Miki 1,345 votes
38. Nakagawa Haruka 1,244 votes
39. Matsumura Kaori 1,194 votes
40. Nakata Chisato 1,188 votes
41. Fujie Reina 1,166 votes
42. Yamada Nana 1,136 votes
43. Kobayashi Kana 1,110 votes
44. Kimoto Kanon 1,039 votes
45. Iwasa Misaki 1,023 votes
46. Hiramatsu Kanako 998 votes
47. Yamauchi Suzuran 988 votes
48. Ishida Haruka 985 votes
49. Miyazaki Miho 970 votes
50. Ooya Shizuka 964 votes
51. Katayama Haruka 955 votes
52. Oota Aika 912 votes
53. Nagao Mariya 818 votes
54. Fukumoto Aina 816 votes
55. Maeda Ami 810 votes
56. Ooba Mina 786 votes
57. Matsubara Natsumi 750 votes
57. Kinoshita Yukiko 750 votes
59. Ichikawa Miori 702 votes
60. Nonaka Misato 701 votes
61. Kikuchi Ayaka 653 votes
62. Sayaka Eto 641 votes
63. Nakanishi Yuka 618 votes
64. Tanabe Miku 616 votes
Click to expand...
 
xxczx

xxczx

Member
F1pqEm.jpg

Anyone excited for MEGs new single TRAP?
I prefer her music before Nakata, she sounds more real and TRAP is just omg. My bby is back<3

iqWdmm.png
Vsd7fm.png

LIL has a new album called L2 which will be released 11th of July and a single in late June which includes 99 and &#24651;&#12399;PUSH! feat. HALCALI

Recent songs I've been obsessing listening too
1000say - LOSTMAN
&#9733;STAR GUiTAR - Tonight feat. CICO from BENNIE K
MADEMOISELLE YULIA - WAO feat VERBAL
immi - Alice
HYNA - TARATIKA
Kyarypamyupamyu - Chan Chaka Chan Chan (even though it's just an ending track, I just can't get it out of my head)
 
G

genjiZERO

Member
I always ask about this and never get a good reply.... Is there anything that is really artsy in Japanese popular music? Something on the same level of, say, Radiohead (I'm talking Kid A) or Portishead? Things music theory snobs talk about? Supercar comes close (they have a good Flaming Lips vibe), but still it's not quite "serious" enough....

Sorry if this post is too pedantic.
 
V

Vard

Member
Probably

Quruli - The World Is Mine
Fishmans - Kuchuu Camp

decent list to reference:
http://www.keikaku.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1576

Don't know if 'music theory snobs' talk about them but they're highly regarded albums by Japanese music critics as well. Boredoms, The Jacks, and Blankey Jet City also fall into that sort of realm of being unique & influential.
 
A

Akira

Member
genjiZERO said:
I always ask about this and never get a good reply.... Is there anything that is really artsy in Japanese popular music? Something on the same level of, say, Radiohead (I'm talking Kid A) or Portishead? Things music theory snobs talk about? Supercar comes close (they have a good Flaming Lips vibe), but still it's not quite "serious" enough....

Sorry if this post is too pedantic.
Click to expand...

Big fan of Portishead and I like Radiohead, but I don't really know what is considered classic by Japanese standards. Or what kind of discourse they have about music in Japan. But out of the music I've listened to, maybe Shiina Ringo and The Pillows stands on the same level art and music-wise as those two groups you mentioned. And a shout out to Kashiwa Daisuke, his instrumentals can be called "artsy" I suppose and I don't know if he's well regarded in Japan but his music is amazing.

The best answer is probably Nujabes. He almost birthed a whole new genre of music by himself.
 
F

fly high ~ayunite~

Member
Did anyone check out the albums Supercar released last year? Full of remixes, unreleased, demos and stuff. Really worth while checking out. The albums have an official site -
http://www.resupercar.com/

I would agree that Supercar fits that Radiohead tier well, maybe Tokyo Jihen but they don't really do the whole Kid A thing. Maybe Boris too? The Kokuhaku/Confessions sound track with Radiohead's "Last Flowers" and quite a few Boris tracks is great.
I don't get why K-pop has such a following here on Neogaf when Japanese music is universally considered substantially better, not to say all Korean music should be based on the Idol stuff worshipped here but the Korean music industry doesn't really want to know anything but groups and idol solo artists.

Can anyone recommend a good Boredom and The Pillows album to start with?
 
V

Vard

Member
fly high ~ayunite~ said:
Did anyone check out the albums Supercar released last year? Full of remixes, unreleased, demos and stuff. Really worth while checking out. The albums have an official site -
http://www.resupercar.com/

I would agree that Supercar fits that Radiohead tier well, maybe Tokyo Jihen but they don't really do the whole Kid A thing. Maybe Boris too? The Kokuhaku/Confessions sound track with Radiohead's "Last Flowers" and quite a few Boris tracks is great.
I don't get why K-pop has such a following here on Neogaf when Japanese music is universally considered substantially better, not to say all Korean music should be based on the Idol stuff worshipped here but the Korean music industry doesn't really want to know anything but groups and idol solo artists.

Can anyone recommend a good Boredom and The Pillows album to start with?
Click to expand...
I still need to check out that Supercar remix album. Three Out Change is one of my favorite albums in the past decade.

As for Boredoms, they're much better live than on studio albums in my opinion. Super Ae is their most popular, but I preferred Seadrum/House of Sun. As for The Pillows, I like their stuff from 1998-1999 the most. You can pretty much ignore anything after Thank You, My Twilight. I recommend starting with those late '90s albums or Fool on the Planet (their pre-2001 greatest hits album).

I listen to some Korean indie stuff but it's a lot more fragmented and unpopular for reasons I don't really know. It's not as diverse or large as Japanese music's scene too, that's for sure. The Korean indie label Pastel Music is a good place to start if you're interested in exploring Korea's non-idol scene.
 
F

fly high ~ayunite~

Member
cousins said:
this is great, but, is there a full version? this is less than a minute.

And, thanks guys.
Click to expand...

http://club.ados.fr/notre-monde-a-nous/question-ecoute-145993/video/amuro-namie-yeah-3507757.html

Avex Trax (her label) delete everything from youtube. Some Namie tracks I like..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4EX1hTE_SY&ob=av2n

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vn5JQoOXIZc&ob=av3e

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkYuUQbRxaw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hgU09CW1Ig

Though for me her second album Concentration 20 is one of my favourite Jpop albums but she doesn't really do that style of music anymore.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L85EHgCEFpk
^ Awesome use of T-Rex sample.
 
F

fly high ~ayunite~

Member
Vard said:
I still need to check out that Supercar remix album. Three Out Change is one of my favorite albums in the past decade.

As for Boredoms, they're much better live than on studio albums in my opinion. Super Ae is their most popular, but I preferred Seadrum/House of Sun. As for The Pillows, I like their stuff from 1998-1999 the most. You can pretty much ignore anything after Thank You, My Twilight. I recommend starting with those late '90s albums or Fool on the Planet (their pre-2001 greatest hits album).

I listen to some Korean indie stuff but it's a lot more fragmented and unpopular for reasons I don't really know. It's not as diverse or large as Japanese music's scene too, that's for sure. The Korean indie label Pastel Music is a good place to start if you're interested in exploring Korea's non-idol scene.
Click to expand...

Gonna look into Pastel Music, thanks. I'm downloading Little Busters from The Pillows now as it's the highest rated on rateyourmusic.com Gonna check out Seadrum too but it's a bit difficult to find.
 
V

Vard

Member
fly high ~ayunite~ said:
Gonna look into Pastel Music, thanks. I'm downloading Little Busters from The Pillows now as it's the highest rated on rateyourmusic.com Gonna check out Seadrum too but it's a bit difficult to find.
Click to expand...
No problem. You'll notice Korean indie tends to be rather mellow and folk-inspired. Acts like Bluedawn did that sound best. If you want to hear a band that's more "Brit pop-inspired" or a sort of "pillows equivalent", you should check out Sister's Barbershop. Their first album from the mid-90s is ace.
 
F

fly high ~ayunite~

Member
Vard said:
No problem. You'll notice Korean indie tends to be rather mellow and folk-inspired. Acts like Bluedawn did that sound best. If you want to hear a band that's more "Brit pop-inspired" or a sort of "pillows equivalent", you should check out Sister's Barbershop. Their first album from the mid-90s is ace.
Click to expand...

I've heard of Sister's Barbershop, can't think where though!

immi is awesome, I love her Cure "Love Song" cover.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5kU36Sh9oM
 
M

MattJon

Member
Did I ever mention I've met Ayu twice? It's the one thing I can brag about, lol.

Still have massive respect for her, but I don't really listen to her stuff anymore. The last album was pretty disappointing, her golden era is long gone (Memorial address is my favourite album by a long way).

"All I Want Is You" by m-flo is the song of the year so far. So, so good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1N6WvFh63Wc&ob=av2e
 
Zoe

Zoe

Member
Well Koda Kumi asked me what size panties I wear :p

Shame she's on hiatus right now... pregnancy's a good reason though :lol
 
F

fly high ~ayunite~

Member
MattJon said:
Did I ever mention I've met Ayu twice? It's the one thing I can brag about, lol.

Still have massive respect for her, but I don't really listen to her stuff anymore. The last album was pretty disappointing, her golden era is long gone (Memorial address is my favourite album by a long way).

"All I Want Is You" by m-flo is the song of the year so far. So, so good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1N6WvFh63Wc&ob=av2e
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Wow how'd you manage that? I know she's very friendly with Western fans which is really cool and remembers to tweet the many that she's met.

My favourite from her last two albums..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eIdjH-BgFs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjdzbnIrpR8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hmMnp6Qhlc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPTaPdROiWc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VaK_EcHbIg
And of course Progress from Tales of Xillia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PU3dpWLOIKg

The closest I've come to meeting anyone is seeing Utada at her show here in London two years go.
 
M

MattJon

Member
fly high ~ayunite~ said:
Wow how'd you manage that? I know she's very friendly with Western fans which is really cool and remembers to tweet the many that she's met.
Click to expand...

I live near London, so went when she was recording R'n'RC and Party Queen. She seems to actively encourage foreign fans to come meet her. Really can't fault her, she took time for signing autographs and individual photo's with everybody that turned up. More than a lot of people in her position probably would.

I also went to AT08, 09, 10 and 11. Giving it a rest this year though!

Ah, I went to In The Flesh too, on the last night in London. Was pretty great.
 
F

fly high ~ayunite~

Member
MattJon said:
I live near London, so went when she was recording R'n'RC and Party Queen. She seems to actively encourage foreign fans to come meet her. Really can't fault her, she took time for signing autographs and individual photo's with everybody that turned up. More than a lot of people in her position probably would.

I also went to AT08, 09, 10 and 11. Giving it a rest this year though!
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Oh wow I went past her hotel one day near Oxford Street when she was recording Party Queen to see my friend who was waiting outside for her all day. I think she sent them Starbucks that day and some fans ordered Pizza which pissed off the hotel. Yeah I was at the last night too for In The Flesh, was really great.
 
M

MattJon

Member
I only went the one day with my friend, but we really lucked out. We were only there for about an hour before she came out. Some people were there for like two weeks solid, which is quite... "devoted"? I wouldn't personally.

It's good that some artists come over here for shows, but it's usually more the J-Rock type groups. My tastes are pretty R'n'B-ish. Stuff like JAMOSA, JUJU and CHIHIRO.
 
B

BlazingDarkness

Member
MattJon said:
I only went the one day with my friend, but we really lucked out. We were only there for about an hour before she came out. Some people were there for like two weeks solid, which is quite... "devoted"? I wouldn't personally.

It's good that some artists come over here for shows, but it's usually more the J-Rock type groups. My tastes are pretty R'n'B-ish. Stuff like JAMOSA, JUJU and CHIHIRO.
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Yeah I've seen a lot of J-rock bands in London in the past, like Dir en grey and D'espairsray and Giru, The Gazette etc - I've not been to one in a few years though, work commitments and whatnot
You'd have people queuing up as early as a week early outside the venue (with tickets already!) just to be at the front near the band lol
 
M

MattJon

Member
I guess they have the right mix of not being too big in Japan, and having a solid fanbase abroad. Really doubt Ayu would do a show here. Hikki could've arguably soldout a bigger venue than the Islington O2 though.

I got there for 2pm that day, think doors opened at around 7pm? There was already a queue round the corner of the building. I managed to get very close to the stage though, which was nice.
 
F

fly high ~ayunite~

Member
I'd love to see Dir en grey. Yeah shows here are rare..either they can't afford to do it (most of them) or they can do an arena show in Japan making 100x as much money with a fraction of the bother doing a show overseas (Ayu).
 
M

MattJon

Member
Yeah, after seeing Ayu and Kuu on tour myself, you can see why they stay in Japan. Which is fair enough. The profits from all the merchandising and sponsorship must be huge, why would they bother going to some little 500 capacity place the other side of the world?

Utada had an album to promote, and is definitely more Westernised than most, so you can see why she did it. Plus, she was sort of on semi-hiatus (as always!) so had the time to do it.
 
Acquiescence

Acquiescence

Member
cousins said:
recommendations for someone unfamiliar? J-pop, please.
Click to expand...

Seimeiryoku.jpg


Chatmonchy - Seimeiryoku

The greatest J-Pop band in my eyes, and this album is just stuffed with A-grade pop tunes. Could be a Best-Of album. All their music vids used to be on youtube but I can't find anything now.

s300_06a53f7b06f1569278a67854880342e2.jpg


Kimura Kaela - 8EIGHT8

World-Is-Yours.jpg


Mass of the Fermenting Dregs - World Is Yours

Probably more rock than anything to be honest, but the pop influence is there.

Truth be told though, when it comes to Japanese music I'm more into the shoegaze/post-rock/electronic side of things. Those are the genres where the nation's bands/artists can really shine. This year has been a bit poor for releases thus far though.
 
Antiochus

Antiochus

Member
genjiZERO said:
I always ask about this and never get a good reply.... Is there anything that is really artsy in Japanese popular music? Something on the same level of, say, Radiohead (I'm talking Kid A) or Portishead? Things music theory snobs talk about? Supercar comes close (they have a good Flaming Lips vibe), but still it's not quite "serious" enough....

Sorry if this post is too pedantic.
Click to expand...


First of all, "artsy" and "Japanese popular music" rarely if ever go together, though that is also the truth for Western and Anglosphere popular music (not as much in the past, another story)

I will take your question to mean high level Japanese bands/musicians in the indie rock/ indie pop/electronica/trip hop genres, which actually means you have a wide array of choices to choose from.

Other than Supercar (comparable to the best Western indie rock of the last 10 years), here are some acts you may be interested in:

Spangle Call Lilli Line (indie rock/art pop/shoegaze/downtempo mix unique to Japan):

B

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=el6NpZNKM4Q

Nano
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gueZhLK1v_4


Clammbon(indie pop/art pop):

Zansyo (Fragment of Summer)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT-Gd00agp0

Folklore
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfsiUamZaBI

Hartfield(shoegaze):

Reason
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7X8bd4SNE4

Girl Like You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOnfHDBW7SA

Toe (math rock):

Goodbye
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQn5lN3GSjc

Artschool (alternative/grunge/punk, has so many here forgotten them already?):

Diva
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HsYOYSyGIM

Mizu no naka no knife (knife in the water)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRa8osg1Cx0

&#12514;&#12470;&#12452;&#12463; (Mosaic)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fg1IXtUJr4

Leo Imai (new rave/rocktronica)

Blue Technique
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VN6o-pm0E9U

Sakanaction (new rave/synth pop/synth rock, their 2011 album is particularly worth a gander):

Native Dancer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zo4JPwCdXTU&feature=related

Rookie (one of the best last year)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdWX0IDhbCU

Because of Listening to Bach's Melodies at Night
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWoVRr9UbgQ&feature=relmfu

If you like Portishead, then the following WILL be suitable for you:

ACO (R&B/downtempo/minimal/glitch/trip hop artist, criminally underrated and never mentioned here. Great for those seeking the avant garde):

&#24742;&#12403;&#12395;&#21682;&#12367;&#33457; (Joy of Blooming Flowers)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HViqH2HGj8M

Spleen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhkRMG3wx2Y

4 gatsu no hero
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o85wfd47Z4U

Irony
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XysZarMF9Is

Tujiko Noriko(trip hop/glitch/minimal/darkwave? for those fond of nightmarish dread):

Tokyo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEZn-uVvmLQ

Narita Made
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7JeYTXhMo0

Niagara Hospital
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nms4UjaPcoM

Antennasia (trip hop/drone, for those seeking edgy psychedelia):

Emotion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuyCAAP3jko

Velowich's Trick
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAnyVuHX_yY

Sorrow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQ2Bz2bBm9A

Suilen, meaning sleeping lotus (trip hop/goth/dark wave/break beat, for those dark, pulsing beats)

&#22805;&#40372;&#20250;(Yuzurukai or gathering of cranes)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJZaps1-hfo&feature=related

Spine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CouFqK8sQQ

&#26584;&#27060; (Zakuro or pomegranate)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1WhauiDp_0

Hi-Posi(shibuya kei, though early works tends to dream pop and downtempo, for those wanting to smile and relax):

&#36523;&#20307;&#12392;&#27468;&#12384;&#12369;&#12398;&#38306;&#20418; Mindy, Body, and Music
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sptMK4za78

&#12354;&#12392;&#20309;&#26085; (After Many Days)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jljEJRTcXEI
 
Acquiescence

Acquiescence

Member
^^^ Spangle Call Lilli Line are an excellent band. They've got a dauntingly huge back catalogue, but most of it is riveting stuff. I'd say my favourite albums by them are Purple and Isolation.

Some of ACO's stuff is great too. Her album Irony is like the Japanese equivalent of Bjork's Vespertine; really wintry and intimate sounding. Definitely in my top 20 favourite Japanese albums.
 
G

Gaspode_T

Member
The best Japanese bands struggle for popularity here because most, like 99% of what sells is basically forced upon the public through business deals with TV and media. It is waaaay more pervasive here than in the US or anywhere else.

Here is a great example of a sort of indie band:

Fuzzy Control - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqNM6Uqg2mg

Their female drummer Satoko is a bad ass: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8yjVJLAuXA

Here is another one that is fairly popular, Sake Rock:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvbgID-v9c8
 
R

radios shipping overview

Member
Man, what the hell happened to Halcali since their first two albums? They went from some really polished and fun pop-hip-hop and fresh pop songs to soupy, average J-pop junk. They need to hire some decent producers again. But since that's unlikely, I need to explore Japanese hip-hop more. I'm familiar with more atmospheric, moody stuff like The Blue Herb, Nujabes, and DJ Krush, so I need to find more stuff that's fun and influenced by oldschool hip-hop in the same way early Halcali is.
 
T

T.O.P

Banned
Ok, never been outside Korean music so i'm pretty new here...but holy fuckin shit

news0829_sakanaction_jk1.jpg


been listening to this and other Sakanaction albums...i'm in love
 
G

genjiZERO

Member
S

Subprime

Member
Its sad that when people think of japanese music they either think of ancient shit, or of repugnant pop music. Nisennenmondai, boris, merzbow, etc. These are bands that are worth glorifying, not the borderline pedo girl band shit.
 
H

Human_Shield

Member
fly high ~ayunite~ said:
What's everyones favourite Shiina Ringo track? I love Yami ni Furu Ame and honnou.
Click to expand...

Solo stuff:
Toki Ga Bossu Suru, Shuukyou, and Ishiki (from Watashi to Houden).

TJ:
Toumei Ningen (from Dynamite In), Blackout, and Atarashii Bunmei-kaika

Also, Soil&Pimp's "My Foolish's Heart ~Crazy on Earth~" is such a great song to wake up to. SR's wonderful on that track.

Subprime said:
Its sad that when people think of japanese music they either think of ancient shit, or of repugnant pop music. Nisennenmondai, boris, merzbow, etc. These are bands that are worth glorifying, not the borderline pedo girl band shit.
Click to expand...

You shouldn't really look it that way. It's like getting mad at Justin Beiber or Selena Gomez because they're currently the most popular part of US music. They, just like AKB48/Morning Musume/Girls' Generation (Korean, yes, but still), have discovered a way to exploit their particular audiences to generate vast amounts of income and be "the face" of popular music. Their audience also just happens to be way more vocal than yours. They're not taking money or music away from your favorite bands, and they're not keeping you from listening to them. When AKB48 sells a million copies of their new single on Day 1, I don't don a Tokyo Jihen flag and knock over the magazine racks at the nearby Mitsuwa. I say good for them. It's nothing that I listen to, so I'm not going to get mad about it. Shiina Ringo will still be making music, I'll still be able to buy it, and everyone gets what they want. The people that know better music will find their way to it eventually.
 
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