Help roll up more fun music

December 11, 2009 9:36 AM

I want more music in Katamari Damacy's groove...

The soundtracks for Katamari Damacy and We Love Katamari contain two hours of fun, playful music that always lifts my spirits without getting cloying or irritating.

Help me find more music that never fails to turn your mood around. I want music I can legally purchase in the U.S. by CD or download - if you know it's only available at collector's prices because it's out of print or an import, please say so - if you don't know either way, no biggie.

Links to videos or previews are welcome.

posted by ardgedee to Media & Arts (15 answers total)

I get the same happy bubbly dancey feelings from listening to Coeur de Pirate. Here is one taste and another that is less bouncy but still very sweet.
posted by bewilderbeast at 10:18 AM on December 11, 2009

Try YMCK: 8-bit computery sounding melodies with jazzy female vocals (in Japanese). Never fails to make me smile. Available in the U.S.
posted by whiskeyspider at 10:19 AM on December 11, 2009

Also try Halcali: Japanese poppy, hip-hop -- with style. I first learned about them from a Katamari Damacy review actually. The reviewer mentioned something about how they would make a great addition to the already great soundtrack. Available through import.
posted by whiskeyspider at 10:26 AM on December 11, 2009

Fantastic Plastic Machine and Pizzicato Five do this for me. In fact, the whole genre might be up your alley.
posted by mendel at 10:30 AM on December 11, 2009

Japanese Pico Pico pop is full of fun, bouncy music similar to the Katamari soundtrack. My fave is Mac Donald Duck Eclair - their music is a bit hard to find in North America (a few tracks on iTunes) but Japanese import sites like JList or Play-Asia.com would carry it.

Here is a playlist of pico pico pop on Youtube, including Mac Donald Duck Eclair, Katamari, and the aforementioned YMCK.

This article mentions a few other pico pico pop bands, like Plus-Tech Squeeze Box, and predecessors, like Pizzicato Five (here is Lupin the 3rd, which is simply awesome).
posted by Gortuk at 10:33 AM on December 11, 2009

The soundtrack from Vib Ribon on the original Playstation is absolutely excellent.
posted by krilli at 10:39 AM on December 11, 2009

Sorry, that's Vib Ribbon.
posted by krilli at 10:40 AM on December 11, 2009

Seconding YMCK. Also try Perfume (another Japanese group. Sample 1, Sample 2, Sample 3.
posted by specialagentwebb at 10:51 AM on December 11, 2009

Err, I should add that although you'd have to get import CDs, Amazon at least has a few of their singles albums for <$20.
posted by specialagentwebb at 10:56 AM on December 11, 2009

Yes, pico pico pop for sure. Mac Donald Duck Eclair definitely gives off a Katamari vibe and YMCK's certainly obtainable - they have three albums available on iTunes.

Slightly different, but also bouncy and happy-inducing, are tunes from MeFi's own carrotadventure. Most of what he does is upbeat and synthalicious. Examples!: Spin Dash, CyberLover, and Snow Cone, Faux Cone, Bro Cone (with bonus alternate version featuring a legendary solo from dagosto). Lots more available on his site, too.
posted by cobwebberies at 12:19 PM on December 11, 2009

The Orb is great and I definitely recommend picking them up sometime, but they sound nothing like the music one hears in Katamari Damacy and its sequels.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 2:35 PM on December 11, 2009

Seconding Halcali. Their music does sound like it came from Katamari.

Baby Blue

Strawberry Chips

Marching March

All of these would mix well with the sound of panicked citizens crying out for help as you add them to your sticky ball of doom.
posted by Ghidorah at 5:57 PM on December 11, 2009

Two Japanese artists for you: always thought the first Handsomeboy Technique album would've made a great Katamari soundtrack, and Halfby works pretty well too. Examples:

Halfby - Rodeo Machine
Halfby - Screw the Plan
Handsomeboy Technique - Beside the Fountain
Handsomeboy Technique - Miami Radio Flash
Handsomeboy Technique - Your Blessings

Looks like you can buy the Halfby and Handsomeboy Technique albums on Rhapsody. Other than that, your best bet is to import CDs.
posted by chrominance at 9:21 PM on December 11, 2009

Going outside some of the genres mentioned already:
- The Books
- DNTEL, though specifically two older albums: Early Works For Me If It Works For You and Something Always Goes Wrong
- Optiganally Yours
- Combustible Edison

I'm really enjoying listening to the KD playlists on youtube. If something else comes to mind I'll let you know.
posted by carsonb at 9:36 AM on December 12, 2009

I think you will love this. It is amazing.
posted by mintcake! at 9:52 PM on December 12, 2009