So you're interested in ZAN but you don't know what to start with? or perhaps you're familiar with the group and is searching for something more?

First off, think about what instruments the group uses : shakuhachi, koto, seventeen string koto, and fue. They are all traditional Japanese music instruments. Historically most of the instruments ZAN use are based on Chinese music instruments given but through the centuries it assimilated into Japanese culture and aesthetics. Okay, perhaps that was a bit too deep, but you have to consider the roots of the instruments and the music backgrounds of the members of ZAN. Their music roots is traditional Japanese music.

So, there's traditional Japanese music, combined with pop music? Yes! that's it! Japanese pop music has a different feel from other Asian pop music. Japanese pop (and rock) music has both similar and different aesthetics when compared to Asian popular music, both which are very noticable if you've been listening to Asian pop music for a number of years (I grew up listening to HK and JPOP, so...). The main problem would be Japanese Pop music versus American Pop music : there are alot of differences, but in ZAN's case there shouldn't be a problem. ZAN should be 'music friendly' to people who mainly listen to Western music because it doesn't harbour alot of the Asian pop music characteristics other than the instruments and perhaps the mood the songs promote.

The singing : As written in the earlier paragraph, Japanese pop (and rock) music has both similar and different aesthetics when compared to Asian popular music. Japanese pop music is different to western pop music in many ways. One of the most noticable features would include the use of vibrato in the singing (vibrato is basically the vibration of sound). If you listen to Japanese artists such as GACKT or Hamasaki Ayumi, you will hear alot of vibrato. When compared to popular Western artists, rarely do they use any vibrato. Now, consider who the vocalist of ZAN is? He is Kominato Akihisa. Kominato-san also plays the shakuhachi, and the shakuhachi being one of the hardest wind instruments to play, I think you get my drift now. Kominato-san can really sing. Even if you don't even listen to Japanese music, or if you don't listen to pop music altogether, Kominato-san's singing voice is really something.

How did you come up with the following list? I have made alot of my friends both online and in person into fans of ZAN or to simply appreciate the music. Even if they avid western rock music listeners (Corrin), HK indie pop rock enthusiasts (Mr.Tango), to hard core Hamasaki Ayumi fans that seem to dislike all the music I try with them (you know who you are! "The ff7 girl"), it's been all done. ZAN is really listener friendly if you ask me. It's just that you have to open up to certain music aesthetics.

If you like slower songs...

• 風籟 -Furai- : This was actually the song that made me interested in ZAN in the first place. The vocals and the music is quite soothing. Whenever I find a song I particularly like I tend to describe the way I feel with the word "melt". This song makes me feel just that. The is a reason why this was ZAN's debut PV and first track on their first mini album when signed onto the RhythmZone label.
• 昴 -Subaru- : If you've grown up listening to Japanese pop music or are familiar with the music, you probably will know this song or recognize the tune. When I first played this song in the car, my father started talking about how he had a karaoke of this song. A month later, he starts playing the karaoke for this song and my mother becomes all giddy and is suprised when I showed her that I bought a single with the song on it. So, I'm not the only person who likes this song in general in my household. This song is a 'classic'. Apparently, according to my 仲間, this version is better than the original. But, if you ask my father, he prefers the original.

If you like faster and upbeat songs...

• 溢れるチカラ -Afureru Chikara- :
• まつーり -Matsuri- : When I first listened to this I thought of the following things : samurai, horses, battle, etc. Now I introduce another one of my interests, Japan history. This reminds me of all the epic battles that you can read such as the numerous battles of Kawanakajima. I don't know, maybe it's just me. This song in general sounds very epic like. It's quite short, but interesting. It sounds like something from the 戦国無双 videogames or a movie if you ask me.

Instrumental only?

• 結 -Yui- (both versions): I remember talking to Janice/仲間 about wanting a instrumental only version of this song. In ZAN's 「溢れるチカラ」 release, they provided me with just that. The 「溢れるチカラ」 is more 'pop' than the 「風籟 ～Furai～」 released version, but takes a bit of time to grow onto when you've been addictedly listening to the 「風籟 ～Furai～」 version of it for the past year. The reason why I like the older version better is the begining of it. It's extremely faint, but you hear the koto as if it's dripping water. The background music just adds more to it. It's as if it's some 'help' if you're not familiar to the suggestiveness of traditional Japanese music. If you understand it, the begining of the song itself creates a beautiful picture.
• Spirit :
• Eastbound (both versions) : When I first listened to this I thought of it like the music you tend to listen to in hotels or for live bands. It has quite a different feel to it than the other instrumental pieces ZAN has released. Compared to the remake version released in 「溢れるチカラ」, the 「乱～RUN～」 version seems to suit my taste more. The only difference is that the 「乱～RUN～」 version is more 'lighter' and has less instruments than the newly released version.
• 疾如風 -Hayakikoto　Kazenogotoshi- : Of the many ways I can describe this song, it is great in many ways and I shall try to explain it without using the word that seems to throw everyone off and make people listen to this differently after I say 'the word'. Perhaps you should stop reading now if you don't want to be 'scarred' whenever you hear this song? In general, this song is upbeat. As one of my textbooks describe something like this, this song has a noticable tension and rise to climax to it. In that part, you get to hear the shakuhachi in all its glory. It's almost as if it's a bird crying out. I'm probably explaining it vaguely, and if you do not understand what i'm trying to get at good job. On a off note, one of my friends also describe this song to sound like 'Chinese New Year'. To me, it has a bit of a Chinese feel to it, but it's not quite New Years music.

Vocal only? For the pop enthusiast...

For the avid listener looking for more?

• 「乱～RUN～」 - Their debut album is all I can suggest because you can hear how much the group has progressed. For example, Kominato-san's singing has noticably improved greatly since this album.

Woah, this page is long...

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