I think there is one reason and one reason only why more Americans don't listen to Japanese music. And that reason is ... they don't sing in English.

LET ME FINISH xD

I think in general ALL PEOPLE don't care who makes a song, where it came from, ect. as long as it sounds good. It's music, and people just like good music. BUT there are significantly less people *in the U.S. (I say only U.S. because that's where I'm from, I can't really speak for other countries)* I think that are willing to listen to good music in a language they don't understand. I'm just saying, disagree if you will, but I really think it's a certain kind of person that can listen to a song and appreciate it just for the music without understanding the lyrics at all.. (on a side note, one of the reason's I love L'Arc and HYDE as a musician so much is because I feel I understand the meaning of their songs very very well just by listening to hyde's voice and the music. I feel I don't need to know the lyrics because I already felt their meaning in the song... does that make sense XD

...which leads me to another reason why more American's don't listen to Japanese music (so I guess technically I have 2 reasons XD) And that is..

people just don't know who they are.

I really think it's that simple. If more people were exposed to VAMPS the way we're exposed to any other American band here, I think VAMPS would have just as many fans (more if you ask me). I really don't think Americans are as discriminating as people think...as long as they sing mostly in English- Just look at LOUDNESS. They were quite popular and mainstream even here in the U.S. for a while, and they did it all while being Japanese. People just have to be exposed to something great..and if it's great they'll like it.

CASE IN POINT
I recently got a new job and one of my co-workers (his name is Adam XD
his I.Q.'s like 169 too O.o...) Anyway he asked me what kind of music I like. I basically replied with "HYDE!! @_@" and he said "oh, I'd like to hear some, l always like new music"
I burned him off a couple CD's ...
and now he really like's HYDE L'Arc and VAMPS :)


~~~

Also, I just wanted to say as a huge pillows fan I don't think people like them cause they're "weird" o.O I love them because they Rock..and that is all. They are the reason I started playing guitar after all (someday I will HAVE A FENDER MUSTANG :L ) and even if their lyrics are nonsensical, I don't think it's fair to say that's why people like them so much.

AND if hyde wasn't famous, I wouldn't look at him twice.. I would stare with my mouth open and probably lose my voice (which is pretty much what happened when I met him anyway XD)

seriously, I can't really say what I would do though...because that's just not the case. hyde is famous, I love his music...and when I saw him I lost my voice XDD
though I think I can honestly say I don't care that he's famous or good looking, because I'm just not that kind of person. I think he's attractive sure.. but that's not why I like him or his music.. I just like his music because I think it's Great :)


rant *off* now XD