Sunday, August 31, 2008
alan - Ashita e no Sanka (A Hymn for Tomorrow)
CD Only Cover :
CD + DVD Cover :
Tracklist :
1) Ashita e no Sanka (A Hymn for Tomorrow)
2) Sakura Modern (Modern Cherry Blossom)
3) Ashita e no Sanka (Instrumental)
4) Sakura Modern (Instrumental)
Ashita e no Sanka (A Hymn for Tomorrow) is alan's debut Japanese single . This was released last Nov on the 21st in Japan .
This's the song that 1st got me in touch with alan's Japanese music & not to mention video wise . I do admit that I disliked Ashita e no Sanka at 1st because I wasn't used to the style that alan delivered in her music & not to mention I still have a thing or 2 with her screeching in Ashita e no Sanka but I must admit this's 1 song that's growing really well on me .
I also began to appericate the melody of Ashita e no Sanka as it has strong Tibetan influences & there's just something about songs that I like which contains such unique melody & beats .
The only B side on the single is called Sakura Modern (Modern Cherry Blossom) & as the song title suggest , the melody of the song has a more modern & updated upbeat pop spin to it . You can definitely tell it's way different than Ashita e no Sanka but this does a nice contrast to the A side anytime of the day .
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Anna Tsuchiya - Virgin Cat
Virgin Cat is Anna Tsuchiya's 9th single . This's going to be released on 10th Sept in Japan & it's apparently used to promote The L Word in Japan (yes I know I can't believe it . If you're wondering why , just do a wiki search on the show & you will know why) .
This's possibly the reason as to why Anna's 3rd album was pushed back to a much later release date in Oct . The title of her new album's not confirmed yet but it's rumored to be named erm NUDY SHOW ! .
When I 1st saw the title & not to mention the cover of Virgin Cat , I was like ?!?! but thankfully this song's something that's not to be taken seriously & you got to hand it to Anna for coming up with such a quirky song & somemore she wrote the lyrics to the song which's quite something (I guess) .
This's quite a jazz influenced no. & I find the lyrics quite amusing to say the least especially at the end of the song but you have to give props to Anna for doing such a thing shouldn't you ?
Now's to wait for her new album NUDY SHOW ! that will be released in Japan next month on the 29th .
alan - Kaze no Tegami (Letter of the Wind)
CD Only Cover :
CD + DVD Cover :
Kaze no Tegami (Letter of the Wind) is alan's 5th single . This's going to be released on the 10th of Sept in Japan & this's the 3rd of alan's five singles centering around a theme of the classical Japanese elements Godai with this song having a wind theme .
When I 1st heard Kaze no Tegami , I was blown away big time simply because I find the melody quite stunning & this's quite different from her usual works as it presents a more rock edge unlike her previous material .
Initally , when I found out that this song's going to be a rockish no. , I was a bit worried because I wonder if she can carry off a rock song but thankfully she managed to pull it off quite well .
Kaze no Tegami grabs me in an instant just like her previous single Sora Uta (Sky Song) & this's 1 solid A side .
I can't wait to hear the B side Kagome real soon & also the last 2 singles which centres around the theme of fire & water .
In fact I have already heard the Japanese version of Xin Zhan ~RED CLIFF~ which's called RED CLIFF ~Kokoro Ikusa~ (~Heart, War~) which's incidentally alan's next single & it sounds really good . Watch out for that !
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Yuna Ito - miss you
miss you is Yuna Ito's 11th single . This's going to be released next Wed in Japan & this's her 1st single after the release of her 2nd album WISH .
Originally miss you was supposed to be released somewhere last month but it has since been pushed back to Sept 3rd as the final release date .
I must admit after she put out WISH , I really miss some new material of Yuna & naturally I was thrilled to find out that she's finally back with a new single .
When I 1st heard miss you , I was quite impressed with it because the lyrics & melody play a perfect contrast with each other . The melody of miss you reminded me of something that I would hear if I'm lounging/chilling out at home but yet at the same time , the lyrics of the song's quite sad as evident in the title .
I guess it's the same like ayumi hamasaki's fairyland too .
miss you is quite a fitting comeback for Yuna since I do like her mid tempo ballads like in WISH's alone again & I rather she put out such material rather than dancey upbeat no.s which I frankly feel doesn't suit her vocals at all .
Monday, August 25, 2008
KAT-TUN - Real Face
Real Face is KAT-TUN's debut single . This was released 2 years ago on 22nd March in Japan .
This's KAT-TUN's most successful single to date in terms of sales & chart performance wise . When Real Face was released , it debuted on the top spot & stayed there for 3 weeks which's a feat rarely achieved in the Japanese music industry & it sold 754,234 copies in its first week which broke fellow JE boy band ARASHI's record for their debut single , A.RA.SHI .
Eventually Real Face sold over a million copies at the end of 2006 & was certified as the best-selling single of 2006 by Oricon .
Well it's quite a no brainer as to why Real Face did extremely well when it was 1st put out because although by right KAT-TUN officially made their debut 2 years back , they were actually formed way back in 2001 so naturally fans who have followed them since then waited 5 long years before the sextet made their official debut & 2 years ago when that happened , a massive wave of hype surrounded their debut single , dvd & album in which all 3 shattered records in terms of sales .
Music wise , this's the song which established the group's league in the Japan music industry . Unlike other JE bands , KAT-TUN gravitates to a more hard rock , R&B sound as compared to their JE counterparts which already makes them stand out in 1 manner or another .
+ when you have 2 lead singers , a rapper & a beatboxer in the group , it just take things to a whole new level . This's 1 song that I adore instantly when I 1st heard it simply because how charged up it's as not to mention I love rock music .
& oh the rearrangement of Real Face on their debut album Best of KAT-TUN titled Real Face #1 is ain't 1/2 bad either . Real Face #1 was rearranged musically by Tak Matsumoto who's 1 1/2 of the best selling Japan act of all time , B'z .
alan - Hitotsu (One)
CD Only Cover :
CD + DVD Cover :
Tracklist :
1) Hitotsu (One)
2) Kimi Omou Sora (The Sky that You Think About)
3) Tokyo Mimei (Tokyo Daybreak)
4) sign
5) Hitotsu (Instrumental)
6) Kimi Omou Sora (Instrumental)
7) Tokyo Mimei (Instrumental) Hitotsu (One) is alan's 2nd single . This was released this year on 5th March in Japan & so far this's the only single of alan that contains 3 B-sides .
The main A side Hitotsu is a simple beautiful piano driven no. . I like it for the simplicity of it as the music arrangements is not as complex as her debut single Ashita e no Sanka (A Hymn For Tomorrow) & also alan's vocals seems to be at ease when she belts out Hitotsu & she really allows her powerful voice to work her way in this song which's great .
You can definitely tell Hitotsu still manage to retain a fresh modern somewhat Chinese influenced spin to the melody which's nice .
The 1st B-side in line is Kimi Omou Sora (The Sky that You Think About) . Unlike Hitotsu , this's a pleasant upbeat no. & for the matter of fact , I find the melody quite breezy for that matter although I must admit it took me a while to remember how Kimi Omou Sora sounds like .
The next B-side is something called Tokyo Mimei (Tokyo Daybreak) & this's quite a slow no. just like Hitotsu except the melody for Tokyo Mimei is less complex & more simple than Hitotsu . I think this will do fine if it was to be released as an A side .
The 3rd & final B-side is incidentally my fave B-side outta the whole lot simply because of how distorted & unique it sounds . Titled sign , this's 1 interesting song because I seldom hear much of alan's vocals going on in here but she makes up the lack of it with really strong Indian/Tibetan beats in sign . This's kinda like a closing instrumental song if you like to call it but if you do , it's quite a fitting & good no. to do that .
B-sides :
Kimi Omou Sora
Tokyo Mimei
sign
abingdon boys school - HOWLING
Tracklist :
1) HOWLING
2) NERVOUS BREAKDOWN HOWLING is abingdon boys school's 2nd single . This was released last May on the 16th in Japan & the main A side was used as the first opening song for the anime series , Darker than Black .
The song would later be featured on the band's self titled debut album except it goes by the name of HOWLING -INCH UP- .
This's the very 1st song that I heard from the JRock quartet which sparked my further music interest on them & which led me to become a big fan of their music subsequently .
I just like how charged up this rock no. goes & although the opening was a bit creepy for my liking but still there's something hauntingly beautiful about this angsty rock song & not to mention I seriously like the melody of HOWLING with the combination guitar riffs & DJ scratching effects courtesy of band members SUNAO , Shibasaki & Toriyuki .
The B-side is titled NERVOUS BREAKDOWN & just like their other B-sides no.s , this's performed solely in Eng & as the title of the song suggest , it's another angsty driven no. & I think frontman Takanori did a pretty good job in nailing this although there're times where his voice got drowned out by the melody but still this's not bad at all & his Eng dictation's commendable .
HOWLING
B-side :
NERVOUS BREAKDOWN
NEWS - Cherish
Regular Edition Cover :
Limited Edition Cover :
Cherish is NEWS's 3rd single . This was released 3 years ago on 16th March in Japan .
Unlike their 1st 2 singles which're quite trance/pop influenced , Cherish presents a more mellow side coming from the group .
I actually had to get used to this song when I 1st heard it because I was so used to NEWS doing upbeat techno dance no.s as evident in their 2nd single Akaku Moyuru Taiyou (Burning Red Sun) , their 4th single TEPPEN (Top) & the 2nd 1/2 of their 6th single Hadashi no Cinderella Boy (Barefoot Cinderella Boy) among others although I must say it's a nice change for them to release a mid tempo almost ballad slow driven no. at that time in their career
Cherish
Friday, August 22, 2008
ARASHI - Smile (truth / Kaze no Mukou e's B-side)
Smile is the B side found on ARASHI's 23rd single truth / Kaze no Mukou e single which was released in Japan 2 days ago . The song is only found in the CD only edition of the single .
When I 1st heard Smile , I was quite surprised as the melody began with some finger snappings groovy beats & it has quite an infectious beat to it although I must say it took me a while to get used to Smile as at 1st , I can't even remember how Smile sounded like but it's a B side that's growing well on me .
Smile
Koda Kumi - KODA KUMI LIVE TOUR 2008 ~Kingdom~ DVD Covers
Regular Edition Cover :
Limited Edition 1st Press Slipcase Cover :
The covers for Koda Kumi's KODA KUMI LIVE TOUR 2008 ~Kingdom~ DVD were released officially today & 2 words - WOW & HOT .
I must say that outta the 5 concert DVDs that she has put out to date (including this latest release) , this's so far my fave outta the whole lot . After I was being dealt with terrible covers from her previous Black Cherry Tour 2007 ~Special Final~ in TOKYO DOME - DVD , my expectations for covers of her new DVD release were quite low but after I saw the covers for this , it's really something .
Between both covers , I prefer the regular edition more . I really like the whole get up & the leopard fedora hat in both covers I must say but I like the regular edition slightly .
You can read about the DVD details via here if you want to find out the tracklist of the DVD & etc .
Koda's going to put out her new / 41st single titled TABOO which will be released on 8th Oct in Japan so watch out for that .
OLIVIA - Rain
CD Only Cover :
CD + DVD Cover :
Rain is a song taken from OLIVIA's upcoming 6th mini album Trinka Trinka . Her brand new EP is set to be released next month on the 17th in Japan .
Trinka Trinka comes in almost a year & 8 months + since her last mini album The Cloudy Dreamer .
Rain's the only song on the 6 track Trinka Trinka EP to receive its own PV for a matter of fact .
OLIVIA's another artiste that I missed new material from her as she really took her own time to consolidate new material & in a way I'm very happy that she's finally back with some good material .
When I 1st heard Rain , I was surprised because it's quite different from her usual pop/rock no.s especially when it's evident in the opening of the melody of Rain . It's a pretty catchy song for that matter too .
The part where OLIVIA went 'the rain is back , oh shit' , that's pretty cute .
I like the kaleidoscope touch/feel that's going on in the video , nice .
ai otsuka - Kurage , Nagareboshi (Jellyfish , Shooting Star)
CD Only Cover :
CD + DVD Cover :
5th Anniversary Covers ::
CD Only Cover :
Momo no hanabira (Peach Flower Petals)'s Cover :
CD + DVD Cover :
Momo no hanabira Cover :
Kurage , Nagareboshi (Jellyfish , Shooting Star) is ai otsuka's 18th single . This's set to be released next month on the 10th in Japan .
4 different covers were released in which 2 of them are dubbed 'The 5th Anniversary Covers' which pay homage to the covers of her debut single , Momo no hanabira (Peach Flower Petals) whose release this single is meant to commemorate .
You can see the similarities going on in both the 5th anniversary covers for Kurage , Nagareboshi & Momo no hanabira .
After the somewhat lacklustre performance that otsuka's previous single Rocket Sneaker / One x Time has obtained , she has stepped up her game with this fantastic single which was described as a "heartwarming ballad for the summer" .
I admit I was a bit worried when I 1st saw the title of her new single as I can imagine how many jokes are ready to be thrown at her but when the covers , video & full song were finally released , I heaved a major sigh of relief , big time .
I personally think that Kurage , Nagareboshi is like the love child of her previous 2 ballads like Kingyo Hanabi (Goldfish Fireworks) & the masterpiece that's of Planetarium if you ask me & not to mention I also like how sincere otsuka comes across with Kurage , Nagareboshi .
The video was finally released recently in Japan & it's also a step notch or 2 from Rocket Sneaker . It was shot at Okinawa for the matter of fact .
The background & scenery's just amazing & breathtaking . I can't help but to be almost choked up when I heard the song & watched the video at the same time .
This's more of a fitting comeback for otsuka than Rocket Sneaker / One x Time & here's wishing her a belated & great 5th anniversary .
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
alan - Natsukashii Mirai ~Longing Future~
CD Only Cover :
CD + DVD Cover :
Tracklist :
1) Natsukashii Mirai ~longing future~
2) Seed of Green
3) Gasshou (Choir Chorus) [Natsukashii Mirai ~longing future~]
4) Natsukashii Mirai ~longing future~ (Instrumental)
5) Seed of Green (Instrumental)
Natsukashii Mirai ~Longing Future~ is alan's 3rd single . This was released on 2nd July this year & is the first of alan's five singles centring around a theme of the classical Japanese elements Godai with this song having an earth theme .
So far this's alan's most successful single to date in terms of sales & chart wise as Natsukashii Mirai ~Longing Future~ managed to crack the top20 . I guess it helped that the main A side was used as the NHK TV special program SAVE THE FUTURE's theme song, as well as for the drama My Island/Her Coral's ending theme song .
I find Natsukashii Mirai ~Longing Future~ to be very calming & soothing on the ears . I still have a bit of problem whenever alan screech in her songs but I guess it's part of her unique way of singing & standing out from the masses .
The 1st B side is titled Seed of Green . Much like the A side , it's also another calming no. although the melody's more poppier than Natsukashii Mirai ~Longing Future~ but still I think it's a pretty good B side no. .
The 2nd/last B side on hand's the Gasshou (Choir Chorus) of Natsukashii Mirai ~longing future~ & this's 1 unique B side that I have not come across in a long time simply because as the name of the song suggest , it features a choir belting out the A side & you don't find any traces of alan's voice in here which it's a really interesting concept .
B-sides :
Seed of Green
Gasshou (Choir Chorus) [Natsukashii Mirai ~longing future~]
KAT-TUN - SIGNAL
CD Only Cover :
CD + DVD Cover :
SIGNAL is KAT-TUN's 2nd single . It was released 2 years ago on 19th July in Japan & it was the 5th most sold single that year according to Oricon .
Within the first week , SIGNAL has sold more than 450,000 copies , which makes them the second artist to break the record of selling more than 400,000 copies for the second single after Utada Hikaru .
Also with SIGNAL , KAT-TUN became one of the few artists to have consecutive singles with over 300,000 sales & the 1st to have consecutive singles of 400,000 sales .
I remembered when I 1st heard SIGNAL , I was quite stunned because unlike their debut single Real Face & their future singles after they put out SIGNAL , the melody's unlike I have ever heard from the sextet .
The reason's simple - it's poppy ! that's why I got a bit of a shock when I 1st heard SIGNAL . I didn't like it at 1st as like what I said it was a bit too poppy for my liking & I was quite used to their hard rock charged up no.s but I must say that I really like SIGNAL now as it's unique in their singles discography .
I always tend to listen to the song if I'm having 1 of those off day moments .
Sunday, August 17, 2008
NEWS - TEPPEN (Top)
Regular Edition Cover :
Limited Edition Cover :
TEPPEN is NEWS's 4th single . This was released 3 years ago on 13th July in Japan . The song used as the theme song to Fuji TV's coverage of the Women's Volleyball World Grand Prix 2005 .
As the title of the song suggest , this's 1 very highly energetic charged up song & this's 1 of my fave NEWS singles that the guys have put out to date . It instantly perked up any gloomy loomy day once you listened to it .
& since the Olympics are currently being held in Beijing , probably this's a fitting song to be used as well ?
TEPPEN
Friday, August 15, 2008
abingdon boys school - Nephilim
Tracklist :
1) Nephilim
2) LOST REASON
Nephilim is abingdon boys school's 3rd single . It was released last July on the 4th in Japan & it was used as the Playstation 3 game FolksSoul -Ushinawareta Denshou-'s opening theme song .
I miss these guys a lot as I'm a huge fan of this JRock quartet & besides they haven't put out a new single this year yet since BLADE CHORD which was released last Dec on the 5th so I thought why not I do a review for their past 3 singles as I realised I haven't done so yet .
Nephilim is a bit different from their previous singles because it's mainly a piano driven no. courtesy of band member Kishi Toshiyuki who does the synthesiser & programming in abs .
Unlike INNOCENT SORROW & HOWLING which were composed by the band guitarist Shibasaki Hiroshi , Nephilim was composed by Kishi & I was drawn immediately to the melody of Nephilim .
The song started off slowly with the tinkling of the piano & then slowly but surely it lashed off at full force .
Just like their previous B sides , LOST REASON's a full angsty Eng song & the version found on the album's different as you got HOME MADE Kazoku's MICRO to come onboard to lend his rapping touch to an already great track .
I had a bit of problems taking notice of frontman Takanori's Eng dictation but other than that , LOST REASON's solid .
Nephilim
B-side :
LOST REASON
alan - Sora Uta (Sky Song)
CD Only Cover :
CD + DVD Cover :
Tracklist :
1) Sora Uta (Sky Song)
2) My Stage
3) Sora Uta (Instrumental)
4) My Stage (Instrumental)
Sora Uta (Sky Song) is alan's 4th single . Her latest single release was put out 2 days ago in Japan & this is the second of alan's five singles centering around a theme of the classical Japanese elements Godai with this song having a sky theme .
1st of all before I go on any further , this young newcomer who debuted last year in Japan with Ashita e no Sanka (A Hymn for Tomorrow) has an interesting story background .
alan was actually born in China & she is a Tibetan/Chinese singer & was scouted by avex China whom held auditions in Beijing , where she sung covers of Namie Amuro's NEVER END & Rimi Natsukawa's Nada Sousou & in Japan , her Japanese material's released via avex trax .
So technically her 1st language's Chinese followed by Tibetan & Japanese .
I remembered the 1st time I came into contact with her Japanese music was when I saw a bit of the video for her debut Japanese single Ashita e no Sanka on MTV Taiwan & at that time I wasn't really that impressed with what I have heard . Not to mention the full song & video wasn't even played to begin with .
But yesterday I decided to give her music a shot especially since prior to that , I have heard quite a fair bit about her non music wise & so technically Sora Uta's the 1st proper song I heard of her .
When I 1st heard Sora Uta , I was quite impressed with it as the song has quite a lot of Tibetan influence going on in the tune & also as the song title suggest , Sora Uta somehow has a calming effect whenever I listened to it & also alan doesn't screech at all as compared to her debut single & a fair bit on her previous single Natsukashii Mirai ~longing future~ .
Her voice's still raw & I can definitely tell that her grasp on Japanese is still not up to mark as sometimes when I'm listening to her Japanese material , it sounds like Chinese songs that she put out on certain occasions but you have to give this young lady some due credit as it's really not easy to make your mark in Japan .
The B side My Stage's pretty good as well . It's a light breezy pop song & it's nice to hear alan singing it & I believe just like Sora Uta , My Stage has also somewhat a calming feeling when I heard My Stage .
& speaking of Chinese songs , she sang the theme song for the movie Red Cliff which's directed by John Woo . It's called Xin Zhan (心战 ; Heart War) ~RED CLIFF~ & it's not bad really . Can tell that alan's more comfortable in singing in her 1st language from the sound of things .
From July through November , alan will release five singles in Japan - one per month - themed around the Japanese elements (Godai) elements : Earth , Sky/Heaven , Wind , Fire , & Water .
It has been confirmed so far that she will be releasing the next 2 singles in the next 2 months to come : Kaze no Tegami (Letter of the Wind) on 10th Sept which centres around the theme of Wind & RED CLIFF ~Shin.Sen~ (~Heart.War~) on 15th Oct which centres around the theme of Fire .
I look forward to more of alan's Japanese & Chinese material in due time .
Thursday, August 14, 2008
KAT-TUN - Bokura no Machi de (In Our Town)
CD Only Regular & Limited Editions Cover :
CD + DVD Cover :
Bokura no Machi de (In Our Town) is KAT-TUN's 3rd single . This was released 2 years ago on 7th Dec in Japan .
This's so far the group's only single that did not feature fellow KAT-TUN Akanishi Jin's vocals after he took a leave of absence from the band .
The song was used as the theme song for the dorama Tatta Hitotsu no Koi , starring fellow KAT-TUN members Kamenashi Kazuya & Tanaka Koki .
In addition to being the only single so far not to feature Akanishi's vocals , Bokura no Machi de is also so far the only ballad that KAT-TUN has put out to date .
I do wish that the guys can put out even more ballads for their future single releases as I do feel that they shine a lot in their ballads alongside with their hard rock r&b thumping no.s .
It's evident in Bokura no Machi de & also in their albums such as PRECIOUS ONE , SPECIAL HAPPINESS , MOTHER / FATHER & OUR STORY ~Prologue~ .
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
ARASHI - Hitomi no Naka no (In the eyes) Galaxy / Hero
CD Only Cover :
Tracklist :
1) Hitomi no Naka no Galaxy
2) Hero
3) Hey Hey Lovin' You
4) Hitomi no Naka no Galaxy (Original Karaoke)
5) Hero (Original Karaoke)
6) Hey Hey Lovin' You (Original Karaoke)
CD + DVD Type A Cover :
Tracklist :
1) Hitomi no Naka no Galaxy
2) Hero
3) Hitomi no Naka no Galaxy (Original Karaoke)
CD + DVD Type B Cover :
Tracklist :
1) Hero
2) Hitomi no Naka no Galaxy
3) Hero (Original Karaoke)
Hitomi no Naka no (In the eyes) Galaxy / Hero is ARASHI's 13th single . This was released 4 years ago on 18th Aug in Japan .
Their 3rd double A side single was released in three editions : two limited editions (Type 1 & 2) , each with a different DVD track , and a regular edition with an additional song Hey Hey Lovin' You .
& interestingly , all the songs included in the single starts with the letter "H" .
Before I go on any further , this's the last ARASHI single that I will be talking about , past single wise .
The 1st A side is Hitomi no Naka no Galaxy . The song was used as the theme song for the dorama Minami-kun no Koibito 2004 in which fellow ARASHI member Ninomiya Kazunari starred in .
I remembered when I 1st heard Hitomi no Naka no Galaxy , I was surprised because it's a ballad & it's not often ARASHI put out ballads as single releases & perhaps not surprisingly , Nino's vocals's the 1st thing that you will hear in Hitomi no Naka no Galaxy since the song was used in the drama that he starred in but still this's 1 pretty solid A side .
The other A side is titled Hero . The song was used as the theme song for NTV's Olympic Coverage 4 years ago .
Unlike Hitomi no Naka no Galaxy , Hero's a mid tempo guitar driven no. which's quite a perfact contrast to the ballad Hitomi no Naka no Galaxy & not to mention the lyrics for Hero are quite encouraging & uplifting too .
The only B side in this double A side single is incidentally only available in the CD only edition of the single . Titled Hey Hey Lovin' You , this's quite a pure pop ARASHI song & it practically screams out summer as this's 1 song that I can picture myself listening to it if I'm on the beach .
& speaking of double A side , in exactly a week's time , the band's going to release their 4th double A side single truth / Kaze no Mukou e in Japan which's their 1st double A side in 4 years . Concidence much ?
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
ayumi hamasaki - A COMPLETE ~ALL SINGLES~ details
3CDs Only Cover :
3CDs + DVD Cover :
Tracklist
A COMPLETE ~ALL SINGLES~ is ayumi hamasaki's 5th best album . This's going to be released next month on the 10th in Japan in 2 different formats , a 3CDs only & a 3CDs + DVD edition in which the first press of the latter will come housed in a special box along with a 48-page photobook that includes previously-unreleased alternate single covers .
This latest release coming from ayumi's to commemorate her 10th anniversary in the music business & the 3 discs will include most of her single tracks that she has released since 1998& just like A BEST 2 , all the songs in A COMPLETE ~ALL SINGLES~ will be remastered .
Honestly as much as I hate to admit it , I don't think it's quite fitting to call ayumi's latest best album A COMPLETE ~ALL SINGLES~ simply because a lot of fantastic A sides are excluded from the 3CDs tracklist which include the following :
- too late
- Trauma
- End roll
- July 1st
- HANABI (Fireworks)
- Greatful Days
- HANABI ~episode II~
- is this LOVE ?
- alterna
- Pride
- Born To Be ...
- fated
- Together When ... (even though techincally it's a digital single)
I find it a bit weird that both HANABI songs are being cut off from the tracklist & WHY's Pride excluded AGAIN ?!
Pride was already cut off from A BEST 2 & then now this ? meh
In fact if you realise , most of the songs that have been excluded comes from ayumi's A , H and & singles .
I think I will get a copy of this when Warner S'pore produces the 3CDs + DVD locally here .
Honestly if not for the DVD which contains a lot of fantastic footages , I wouldn't have thoughts of getting this when it hits stores next month in Japan on the 10th .
Monday, August 11, 2008
Aoyama Thelma - ONE WAY
ONE WAY is the debut single released by Aoyama Thelma . This was released last Sept on the 5th in Japan .
For me when I 1st heard ONE WAY , I was surprised because as compared to her subsequent 2 singles Soba ni Iru ne Feat SoulJa (I'm by Your Side) & Nando mo (How Many Times) , ONE WAY is an extremely upbeat R&B influenced no. .
Compared to Soba ni Iru ne & Nando mo that're rather slow jam no.s , the melody of ONE WAY's extremely infectious & has a great hook . That's why I was surprised that ONE WAY only managed to debut at no.98 on the Oricon weekly chart .
But in anycase , ONE WAY is a pretty good debut single for this JPop newcomer .
ONE WAY
NEWS - Sayaendou (Green Peas) / Hadashi no Cinderella Boy (Bare Footed Cinderella Boy)
Regular Edition Cover :
First Press Limited Edition Cover :
Sayaendou (Green Peas) / Hadashi no Cinderella Boy (Bare Footed Cinderella Boy) is NEWS's 5th single and the last one before their one year suspension began . This double A side was released 2 years on the 15th of March in Japan .
This's so far the 1st double A side single that NEWS has put out to date & also this's their lowest selling single at this point in time clocking in at 222,848 copies .
Despite the lack of promotion for this single , it still managed to become the 39th most sold single in 2006 & yes it debuted at no.1 on the daily & weekly Oricon charts .
Sayaendou (Green Peas) is the 1st A side & this's 1 of NEWS's most unique single that they put out to date simply because of the melodies which incorporated exotic Carribean beats . Must be a nod to the fact that Sayaendou was used as the opening song for the movie of One Piece & this gets catchy as each listen goes by .
The other A side is called Hadashi no Cinderella Boy (Bare Footed Cinderella Boy) . At 1st when I saw the title of this song , I thought a ballad but I was so wrong . This's typical NEWS fare in that it's very heavily emphasised on the techno & trance factor which shocked me at 1st .
But once I got over the hurdle , I like Hadashi no Cinderella Boy now although I still think that it's better for them to put out an upbeat no. & a ballad to contrast each other .
Sayaendou
Hadashi no Cinderella Boy
KAT-TUN - Yorokobi no Uta (Song of Joy)
CD Only Cover :
CD + DVD Cover :
Yorokobi no Uta (Song of Joy) is KAT-TUN's 4th single . This was released last June on the 6th in Japan & it's the 1st single to feature the 2nd lead singer in the group Akanishi Jin since his come back after he left KAT-TUN for 6 months to study Eng in US .
The song was used as the opening theme song for TBS's dorama Tokkyu Tanaka 3 Go , starring Tanaka Koki .
Just like their previous & future single releases after Yorokobi no Uta was put out , this's classic KAT-TUN . Yorokobi no Uta is a charged up R&B and Rock no. that's extremely catchy on 1st listen & of course with the appearance of Tanaka's rapping & Nakamaru's beat boxing , both guys took things to a whole new level in making Yorokobi no Uta sounds even better as each listen goes by .
The only drawback that I have on this song's that the chorus tends to get repetitive as time goes by & it might be better if Akanishi were tone down on those weird things that he's saying at the background .
ARASHI - Sakura Sake
CD Only Cover :
Tracklist :
1) Sakura Sake
2) Te Tsunagoo (Let's Hold Hands)
3) Sakura Sake (Original Karaoke)
4) Te Tsunagoo (Original Karaoke)
CD + DVD Cover :
Tracklist :
1) Sakura Sake
2) Te Tsunagoo (Let's Hold Hands)
Sakura Sake is ARASHI's 14th Single . The single was released 3 years on 23th March in Japan .
The single was released in two editions ; a limited edition with a DVD and a regular CD only edition with both karaoke tracks included .
The A side Sakura Sake was used as an image song for Johnan Yobiko , a prep school , featuring Sakurai Sho .
Sakura Sake's 1 of my fave ARASHI singles + it's 1 of their more rock influenced single/s that they put out to date & it's extremely catchy on 1st listen . In fact this's somehow their last rock single that they put out as their subsequent single releases doesn't have such a strong rock impact feel to it .
Somemore I love the Sakurap going on in Sakura Sake & it's 1 of my fave Sakurap going on in a song .
The only B side in the Sakura Sake single is called Te Tsunagoo (Let's Hold Hands) & it's such a charming no. . Unlike Sakura Sake , the melody of Te Tsunagoo is quite a simple song that has a pure pop sound to it . I can detect synths going on in the song but there're not that heavily emphasised as compared to some of their B sides & non singles that're found on their albums .
Te Tsunagoo's a perfect contrast to Sakura Sake as the A side's an extremely upbeat no. while Te Tsunagoo's a rather slow no. .
