Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Matsushita Yuya - SUPER DRIVE

CD Regular



CD Limited ; Comes with a photobook



CD + DVD A ; DVD contains the music video & making offshot clips for SUPER DRIVE



CD + DVD B ; DVD contains the SUPER DRIVE music video & US documentary



CD + DVD C ; DVD contains the SUPER DRIVE & Lonely Rain music videos





SUPER DRIVE is Matsushita Yuya's 9th single & it was released last week on 24th Aug .

Matsushita's new single release comes in about 3 months + since the release of his previous single Naturally .

SUPER DRIVE is described as a dance tune that has a bass-thumping melody with an aggressive choreography to match . The song features a heavy dance beat that gives Matsushita a chance to show off his talents as a dancer .

I have been waiting for Matsushita to deliver another hot R&B dance track after he released Paradise & Naturally which were 2 mid tempo's no.s back to back so when he finally decides to do something upbeat once more , I couldn't be any happier than this .

SUPER DRIVE on 1st listen , is seriously very catchy & immediately when I 1st heard it , I knew what a very memorable song this's & the video also complimented things extremely well .

Just like his previous harder sounding R&B tracks such as Trust Me & YOU , SUPER DRIVE is another 1 of those songs that once the song hits , it will be quite impossible for it to leave someone's mind in the next few days or so .

There're 3 B-sides in SUPER DRIVE which're all scattered in different pressings of the single .

Found only in the CD regular edition , it's ROCK WITH YOU & this's actually a cover of the late Michael Jackson's .

Matsushita is no stranger to do cover songs since he covered 6 songs that were scattered in 6 different limited editions with regards to Naturally . But still , for him to cover something by the Michael Jackson , it's something not to joke about .

Honestly , I have no recollection of how the original take of ROCK WITH YOU sounds like but I suppose Matsushita had a valid reason on why he choose to cover this song . His English dictation's quite ok but the melody included in ROCK WITH YOU , it's really funky .

Found only in the CD limited edition pressing of SUPER DRIVE , it's something titled Lonely Rain .

Lonely Rain has been described as a ballad & it's the 2nd B-side of Matsushita's to get a music video , the 1st being Negai ga Kanau Nara ... (If My Wish Comes True) ... , which was found in his 3rd single Honesty .

For Lonely Rain , it compliments & contrasts SUPER DRIVE very well in the fact that SUPER DRIVE is an intense upbeat R&B mid tempo no. while Lonely Rain is a rather sad sounding ballad .

Lonely Rain sounds as though it picks up from where Trust Me's B-side Futari ... (2 Of Us ...) left behind but this's still good stuff to enjoy & Lonely Rain definitely does deserve to get a music video that's for sure .

Found only in the CD + DVD A , B & C pressings of the single , it's the last B-side that's titled Hot Girl !! .

Described as something which has an 80's sounding music influence , Hot Girl !! is a pretty hot tune . It's slightly less catchy than SUPER DRIVE but I really don't mind this but it managed to make an impact on me eventually after I gave Hot Girl !! a few more listens after that .

SUPER DRIVE is Matsushita's 3rd single release for 2011 & once again , this's another single that I really enjoy .

I feel that all the songs on the single were nailed down well , with each of them having their own distinct identity & it's nice to see as each release of Matsushita goes by , he continues to mature in his craft .

I really hope next on his music agenda will be a new album since after releasing his debut album I AM ME last year , he has already put out 4 singles , inclusive of SUPER DRIVE .

But if he's going to replicate on what happened in I AM ME (it includes his 1st 5 singles) , then I suppose a new single will follow up next before he delivers his 2nd album .



Friday, August 26, 2011

V6 - Sexy.Honey.Bunny ! / Takaranoishi (Treasure Stone)



From left to right : CD + DVD (Honey Version) , CD + DVD (Bunny Version) & CD


Sexy.Honey.Bunny ! / Takaranoishi (Treasure Stone) is V6's 38th single & it was released 2 days ago on 24th Aug .

This new release of V6 comes close to 11 months since the release of their previous single only dreaming / Catch .

Sexy.Honey.Bunny ! has been selected to be used as theme song for the drama Shin Keishichou Sousa Ichi-ka 9-gakari Season 3 starring Inohara Yoshihiko while for Takaranoishi , it's used as a song tie-up for the latest Waseda Academy ads .

Despite being a double A-side single release , Takaranoishi does not get a music video .

Honestly before I heard Sexy.Honey.Bunny ! , I was a bit worried whether will this be a cheesy sounding no. but luckily my fears were relieved when I heard the song .

Sexy.Honey.Bunny ! is not as bad as what I thought it might be . I kind of prefer this over Swing ! but I suppose this style of music gives V6 a chance to showcase a different music side of the group .

In the case of Takaranoishi , this's 1 A-side that's a winner from the very beginning . The moment I listen to it , I immediately love it & I'm a bit sore that this does not get a video as it really deserves so .

Takaranoishi plays a great contrast to Sexy.Honey.Bunny ! & the best way to describe Takaranoishi will be a cross hybrid mix of ARASHI's truth & Monster . In closer related to V6 , Takaranoishi gears more towards LIGHT IN YOUR HEART which's fantastic .

The following songs serve as B-sides in the single :

- Mission of Love
- WALK

Both songs are only found in the CD only pressing of the single & they will not be reviewed .

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Kanjani∞ - Tsubusa ni Koi (Wing Song)

CD



CD + DVD






Tsubusa ni Koi (Wing Song) is Kanjani∞'s 19th single & it was released last week on 17th Aug .

The group's new single comes about 2 months + since the release of their previous single 365 Nichi Kazoku (Days Family) .

Tsubusa ni Koi is currently used as the outro theme for the drama Zenkai Girl starring Aragaki Yui & Ryo Nishikido .

Described as a mid-tempo ballad , Tsubusa ni Koi is also Kanjani∞'s 1st theme song for a "Getsu 9" (Monday , 9pm) drama , known as the hottest time slot for a television drama on Japanese television .

Honestly on 1st listen , Tsubusa ni Koi sounds like something that's picked up & continue on from where their 17th single My Home left behind since both songs have that really strong somewhat indie feeling .

Not that I'm complaining because I frankly like this type of music style Kanjani∞ does as it really does show a different side of themselves if you were to compare the music they do against their other Johnny's counterparts .

There're 3 B-sides in the single . The 1st one is something titled I to U .

I to U is basically a simple under-stated no. that's quite heavily acoustic guitar driven . It's still almost in the same music vein as Tsubasa ni Koi , but for I to U , it's almost quite stripped down & fuss free sounding .

The next 2 songs are only available in the CD pressing of the single .

Something that's called Nanairo (Seven Colours) Parameter is up 1st . I wasn't sure what to expect for this song but it's quite a pretty sounding no. .

The usage of synth can be felt quite a great deal for Nanairo Parameter while it utilises the same sounds as the 1st 2 songs in the single .

Hi & high is the final B-side & for this , it's basically a crazy over the top song , something that Kanjani∞ is famously known for when comes to their A-side singles .

While Hi & high is not as crazy as their other songs that have the same music direction , this hold rather nicely as in general , the whole single has that grown up mature feeling except for this .

Tsubusa ni Koi is Kanjani∞'s 4th single release for 2011 & they definitely do not show any signs of slowing down at this pace they're releasing material this year .

I still feel that they're 1 of the more under-rated Johnny's & it's nice to know that they've paid their dues & have come a long way to get to where they're at now .

I do hope next on their music agenda will be plans to release a new album .



Saturday, August 20, 2011

Koda Kumi - 4 TIMES

CD Regular



CD Limited (Comes With 50 Postcards) ; this edition only contains 1 song in the CD which's Poppin'love cocktail



CD + DVD



1) Introduction ~sunny time~
2) Poppin'love cocktail Feat TEEDA
3) Interlude ~sunset time~
4) IN THE AIR
5) Interlude ~midnight time~
6) V.I.P.
7) Interlude ~time to ... love~
8) KO-SO-KO-SO


4 TIMES is Koda Kumi's 50th single & it was released a few days ago on 17th Aug .

The original release date for 4 TIMES was supposed to be 10th Aug . As the single title suggests , 4 TIMES contains 4 songs which all 4 of them receive music videos .

Similiar to Koda's previous singles such as 4 hot wave & 3 SPLASH , 4 TIMES also contains an introduction & interludes so at times , it feels like listening to a mini album instead of a single .

The 1st A-side is something called Poppin'love cocktail which features TEEDA .

Poppin'love cocktail is currently used in the TV ads for H.I.S. .

Summer is currently in full throttle & Poppin'love cocktail has been described as a rock dance no. .

Interwined with TEEDA's rap , Poppin'love cocktail is a refreshing no. & the feeling gives off an impression of that of a sun-drenched ride .

Poppin'love cocktail is filled with plenty of fast paced energy & vibes . The last time Koda released something pretty similiar sounding to Poppin'love cocktail was 3 SPLASH's Hashire ! .

At the end of the day , Poppin'love cocktail basically screams out fun fun fun in the sun .

The 2nd A-side is titled IN THE AIR .

Wanting to help the person you love , surrounding them always like air , this song describes the heart of a woman in love in this heart-warming track .

IN THE AIR is currently used as the theme song for BEE TV's Rabusupotto ~Koi ga Minoru Basho~ .

A warm gentle ballad , a sample portion of the lyrics for IN THE AIR reads "I want us to help each other" "Especially during painful times , let us join hands" .

I thought IN THE AIR is such a sweet song . I know Koda's ballads can get a bit mundane at times & I personally can't find any fault with regards to IN THE AIR , especially lyrically , it's real encouraging & inspiring .

The 3rd A-side is titled V.I.P. .

Described as an electronica dance song , it's said that Koda showcases her true worth in this aggressive electro-sound cool track .

In actual fact , V.I.P. was the 1st song I heard from the 4 TIMES single & hearing it in a much higher quality , it is really solid .

V.I.P. follows in almost similiar Koda songs that have this electro dance vibe such as ECSTASY but for V.I.P. , it's more meaner , gritter & packs plenty of punch & attitude .

Also , the small inclusion of a violin strings influence thrown in the middle of V.I.P. was quite cool too .

The final A-side in 4 TIMES is titled KO-SO-KO-SO .

KO-SO-KO-SO is currently used as the theme song for Nihon TV's Dorama -Piece Vote- .

Described as a scandalous song with sexy breaths interwined , KO-SO-KO-SO is a no. that is about mingling , mixing & attraction .

Furthermore , KO-SO-KO-SO narrates a situation just before dozing off at a sparkling dawn .

KO-SO-KO-SO is pretty much a seductive song that shows off Koda's sexy side & the lyrics for this are pretty raunchy , so much so that the video has been reportedly to be too explicit to be aired on TV .

Then again , considering that this's after all Koda's 50th single , I suppose she wants to do this to pay an homage to her ero kawaii days as frankly , some of her older works that had the ero kawaii-ness to them such as CUTIE HONEY , Butterfly , could be considered as some of Koda's best if not classics to enjoy even up to this day .

Koda Kumi has come a long way in the music business since debuting in the scene in late 2000 & releasing 50 singles is no laughing matter but I have to say the whole 4 TIMES single was done really well , downpat .

From the covers to the songs to the videos to the choice of music variety in the single , every single aspect she had it nailed down in a really brillant way & 4 TIMES feels like it picked up from where 4 hot wave left .

Also , the 4 songs in 4 TIMES each showcase a different side of Koda which I really like & it showcase her versatility when comes to her music .

Koda has come a long way since her early days & 4 TIMES is testimonial to that .

Her 51st single Ai wo Tomenaide (Do Not Stop The Love) will be released next month on 21st Sept .



Friday, August 19, 2011

Kis-My-Ft2 - Everybody Go

CD



CD + DVD A ; DVD contents -> the video & making offshot clips of Everybody Go



CD + DVD B -> live footages taken from LIVE Eizou from ~Kis-My-Ft ni Aeru deShow vol.3 ~ 2011.2.12 @ Yoyogi Stadium



1) Everybody Go
2) S.O.KISS
3) KISS FOR U
4) Wakamonotachi (Young People) (CD Only Track)



Everybody Go is Kis-My-Ft2's debut single & it was released last week on 10th Aug .

The A-side was used as the theme song for the dorama , Ikemen Desu ne , a Japanese remake of 2009's Korean drama , You're Beautiful .

In August 2005 , two Johnny's Jr. units , Kis-My-Ft & A.B.C. Jr. , combined to form Kis-My-Ft2 .

The name comes from the first letter from each of their last names ; Kitayama Hiromitsu , Iida Kyohei , Senga Kento , Miyata Toshiya , Yokoo Wataru , Fujigaya Taisuke , Tamamori Yuta & Nikaido Takashi ("ni" in Kanji is the number 2) .

They performed as a 8 member group until end of March 2006 when Iida Kyohei left Johnny's due to furthering his studies , leaving Kis-My-Ft2 without its "I".

This year on Feb 12th , during their concert they received an envelope which was opened during the MC . It announced that they will have their debut in May under avex trax .

I know about these guys for quite a while , especially since they usually tend to open for their seniors during concerts such as for KAT-TUN .

I was skeptical to try their music at 1st but I was quite surprised when I listened to Everybody Go .

Everybody Go doesn't stray so much from what KAT-TUN does , especially since both groups's music influences are almost similiar but what I like about Everybody Go is that , it doesn't try hard to sound good , the result gives off this catchy song in the process .

There're 3 B-sides in the single . The 1st one is something called S.O.KISS & for this , it feels as though the song takes a note or 2 from KinKi Kids's Time as both songs have this similar angsty driven vibe .

Then again , I'm not complaining because I feel Time was really good & I don't have any issues with S.O.KISS , except that I feel the rapping going on is a little bit weak & it felt a bit out of place .

KISS FOR U is the 2nd B-side & out of the 3 B-sides , I think this has to be my fave even though it eerily sounds like a cross mix of ARASHI's Love so sweet & Aoyama Thelma's WITHOUT U to me .

Both S.O.KISS & KISS FOR U have the inclusion of rap but unlike S.O.KISS which I wasn't that fond of the rapping , the one that is done for KISS FOR U is much better & flows well with the song .

Found only in the CD pressing of the single , it's the last B-side track which's titled Wakamonotachi (Young People) .

Wakamonotachi is a fast paced no. with plenty of bite . It sounds like the grown up version of Hey ! Say ! JUMP's Ultra Music Power except in this case , Wakamonotachi presents a more grown up & fun side to Kis-My-Ft2 .

It took a good 8 years for Kis-My-Ft2 to finally debut on the scene & I think they have paid their dues before getting the chance to debut alongside with their seniors .

Everybody Go was quite a solid single for Kis-My-Ft2 to get things started . My only grouse for the single is that the songs all somehow sound like carbon copies of songs that I have came across from other Johnny's groups .

I would like to see Kis-My-Ft2's next single to have more of their own style & identity but with that said , I have confidence Kis-My-Ft2 will have potential to shine on their own & only time will tell if this's so .


Thursday, August 18, 2011

Suga Shikao - Aozora (Blue Sky) Pedal & Real Face





Aozora (Blue Sky) Pedal & Real Face are 2 songs that're taken from Suga Shikao's 2nd acoustic album Sugarless II which was released last week on 10th Aug .

Sugarless II was released to celebrate Suga's 15th anniversary in the music business .

The album features self covers , inclusive of a collaboration song with Mr. Children's lead singer Kazutoshi Sakurai which's titled Fastener .

Aozora Pedal & Real Face were songs that were released by 2 respective Johnny's groups , namely ARASHI & KAT-TUN some 5 years back .

Found as track #13 in Sugarless II , Aozora Pedal was ARASHI's 17th single . This song was written & composed by Suga .

I have been waiting for a very long time to hear Suga's rendition of Aozora Pedal , especially since he had a hand in both writing & composing it but I wasn't disappointed in any single bit when I finally heard Suga's take on Aozora Pedal .

Suga's rendition of Aozora Pedal is pretty much classic Suga at what he does best . It's simple , carefree & easy listening but Suga is able to transform this under-rated no. into something that doesn't sound anything like the original song that ARASHI released which's great .

Found as track #18 in Sugarless II , Real Face was KAT-TUN's debut single . Unlike Aozora Pedal , Suga only wrote the lyrics for Real Face while the melody was composed by B'z's lead guitarist Tak Matsumoto .

Suga's rendition of Real Face is quite unusual , considering that his main focus in his music lies in a lot of jazz , funk & soul . I wasn't sure how was he going to tackle such a harder rock style of a song but he managed to pull it quite well .

In fact , I feel Suga's take sounds a bit similiar to Real Face #1 which was found in KAT-TUN's Best of KAT-TUN , only for Suga's case , his's a lot more mellower while I'm still able to detect quite a lot of influences Suga incorporate on his own accord .

I also thought it was nice of Suga to include the rap lyrics found in the original version of Real Face & that Suga incorporate them into his cover of the song despite the rap lyrics portions can be somewhat not very audible here .

At the end of the day , it took close to a good 5 years for Suga Shikao to release his own renditions of Aozora Pedal & Real Face but I must say , it's really worth the wait .

I respect Suga as a musician & after being in the business for so long , he still has got what it takes to separate himself from so many other artistes . I haven't come across any artiste that has an unique sound & also a distinct voice unlike for what Suga has to offer .

Suga's renditions of Aozora Pedal & Real Face are really top notch & the fact that he did a great job in making both songs sound nothing like the original , that speaks volume .



Sunday, August 07, 2011

KAT-TUN - RUN FOR YOU

CD Regular



CD Limited



CD + DVD





RUN FOR YOU is KAT-TUN's 16th single & it was released a few days ago on 3rd Aug .

The group's latest release comes in about 3 months + since the release of their previous single WHITE .

The A-side RUN FOR YOU is currently used to promote in the ads of SUZUKI's SOLIO , which's the same thing like what their 14th single ULTIMATE WHEELS did as so .

A song about chasing a person's dreams & moving forward , RUN FOR YOU is an inspirational gift from the boys to their devoted fans .

Way before RUN FOR YOU received an official release , I already have heard the preview of how the song sounds like in the SUZUKI's SOLIO ads which sounded promising & needless to say when RUN FOR YOU was announced to be released as a single , I was thrilled .

And I was not disappointed with what RUN FOR YOU had to offer & it's very catchy & memorable on 1st listen . Unlike WHITE , RUN FOR YOU takes on a music route that's quite similiar to the group's previous autotune driven no.s such as THE D-MOTION & RIGHT NOW but thankfully , RUN FOR YOU is a class of its own which's great .

There're 4 B-sides found in RUN FOR YOU , with the 1st 2 found in both the CD regular & limited pressings of the single .

The 1st B-side is something called COSMIC CHILD . It's currently used in the ads for Wing's (Wacoal's lingerie brand) new products Zurui Bra & Zurui Pants and the inclusion of JOKER can be heard here .

I wasn't sure what to expect for COSMIC CHILD but it's such an unique no. & I find it hard to compare this with other songs found in the group's discography & just like the A-side , it's another solid catchy track .

What intrigued me about COSMIC CHILD was the melody which's hard to describe it in words as it's a mixture of a lot of music genres put together as 1 .

The 2nd B-side DIAMOND was used as the theme no. for NTV's broadcasted Yomiuri GIANTS baseball games .

Before RUN FOR YOU was officially released as a single , DIAMOND is actually the 1st song I heard before it was included in RUN FOR YOU but I did not had a good impression of the song , maybe because what I heard is the radio rip of the no. .

However , my perceptions towards DIAMOND changed after I heard a much higher quality version of the song & I have no problems with it now & this goes to show that sometimes , a radio rip of a song doesn't do justice to the higher quality of a no. .

Only found in the CD regular pressing of the single , it's a song titled SWEET CHAIN & the inclusion of JOKER rap lyrics is found in here .

SWEET CHAIN is an unusual no. to say the least . It's a mid tempo ballad but it's not a typical sounding one . For once & probably the 1st time , this's quite falsetto driven which surprised me at 1st but once I get over this , I actually do enjoy SWEET CHAIN a significant deal .

Found only in the CD limited pressing of RUN FOR YOU , it's the last B-side no. titled & FOREVER .

Out of al the 4 B-sides in the single , & FOREVER is probably my least fave but it does not mean I dislike the song completely . It's just that I feel after listening to 3 distinctive B-sides , there's something about & FOREVER which sounded quite plain for my liking & it's frankly a typically sounding Johnny's happy go lucky tune .

But with that said , & FOREVER is still worth checking out for .

KAT-TUN has been on a music roll for 2011 & RUN FOR YOU is the group's 3rd single release & once again , they delivered another solid release which I enjoy listening to from the start to the end .

Since the release of CHANGE UR WORLD , they have proven time & time again that despite the departure of their former co lead vocalist Akanishi Jin , the reminding 5 members are still able to soldier on & deliver great material & it's evident in CHANGE UR WORLD , ULTIMATE WHEELS , WHITE & then now RUN FOR YOU .

I'm proud of how far KAT-TUN has come by so far & I really hope a new album will surface soon but until then , I'm going to be plugging in RUN FOR YOU on repeat mode .



Tuesday, August 02, 2011

CD Review :: B'z - C'mon

Cover for both CD & CD + DVD's editions



1) C'mon
2) Sayonara Kizu Darake no Hibi yo (Goodbye , The Days Of Wounds)
3) Hitoshizuku no Anata (Only A Tiny Bit Of You)
4) Homebound
5) Don't Wanna Lie
6) DAREKA
7) Boss
8) Too Young
9) Pilgrim
10) The Meister
11) Dead End
12) Meimei
13) ultra soul 2011


C'mon is B'z's 18th album & it was released on July 27th .

The duo's last album release was 2009's MAGIC & in C'mon , the album contains 2 singles & 1 B-side .

Sharing the same title as the album , it's C'mon which's concidentally the very 1st (album) track .

Just like the duo's 48th single Sayonara Kizu Darake no Hibi yo (Goodbye , The Days Of Wounds) , C'mon was selected to be used in the ads of Pepsi's NEX (which the duo appear in the ad) & it's the only album track that gets a music video .

I can understand why C'mon is the only song in the album that received a video because it's such a simple under-stated no. . I haven't heard that many songs of B'z that presents a somewhat more raw feeling which I really like .

From another Pepsi's NEX ad promotion song to the next , in comes Sayonara Kizu Darake no Hibi yo which's B'z's 48th single .

Before C'mon , Sayonara Kizu Darake no Hibi yo was 1st used to promote in the ads of Pepsi's NEX , which B'z appears in the ad alongside with model Kagami Reina .

It was fairly recent Sayonara Kizu Darake no Hibi yo was released this year but still , this's 1 song that I really like as it's basically a downright bad ass & angsty driven song which's more or less classic B'z at its best .

Hitoshizuku no Anata (Only A Tiny Bit Of You) is the 2nd album track & I wasn't sure what to expect when comes to this but it more or less pick up from where Sayonara Kizu Darake no Hibi yo left behind .

The mood is still set in a rather upbeat & heart thumping tone with 2 of such songs that're similiar sounding back to back with each other .

Homebound was 1st found as the B-side track of B'z's 49th single Don't Wanna Lie . This was served as the ending theme song for TBS's nationwide television series NEWS 23X .

Described as a grand ballad number , I was really pleased to see Homebound make the cut in C'mon because this's 1 B-side that I enjoy & it does contrast Don't Wanna Lie really well .

From a B-side to an A-side , in comes B'z's 49th single Don't Wanna Lie which's also the last single to be included in C'mon .

Don't Wanna Lie was used as the theme song for the Detective Conan movie Detective Conan : Quarter of Silence .

Unlike Homebound , Don't Wanna Lie is an upbeat medium-tempo tune & this's still something that I like as it somehow has a more happier sound attached unlike Sayonara Kizu Darake no Hibi yo .

After Don't Wanna Lie , the reminding tracks found in C'mon are all new material .

DAREKA is track #6 & this's an interesting song because it has a bit of an American flair which I detected when I heard this . With that said , DAREKA is quite fun to listen to .

Boss & Too Young are the next two songs & I believe both no.s are connected with each other to a certain extent because after the mid tempo Boss finished , the melody for Too Young continues on where Boss left .

Out of all the album tracks in C'mon , Boss & Too Young are probably the 2 slower sounding no. but luckily , there's a bit of experimentation going on , especially for Too Young which had quite a Bossanova flair which I thought it's quite refreshing to boot .

From 2 mid tempo tracks , in comes Pilgrim which's basically a no nonsense uptempo track .

Unlike the standard rock no. , I'm able to detect a faint bit of Orchestra influences in the melody which's more than enough to give Pilgrim an edge it deserves to have .

In addition , I can't help but feel that Pilgrim sounds a bit similar to the duo's 47th single MY LONELY TOWN . It's not as prominent as somewhere in Pilgrim , I'm able to draw comparision with both songs , so there .

Following after Pilgrim , The Meister is yet another uptempo track . Honestly , I don't find anything special about The Meister . It's a standard rock fare that B'z does but that's that .

Also , it took me quite a while to recall how The Meister sounds like as well but I noticed that The Meister has some music resemblances to MAGIC's long time no see .

Dead End fares much better than The Meister because for Dead End , it's almost like an identical cousin of the song that shares the same title as MAGIC .

I'm not sure if this's a good or bad thing but considering that I like MAGIC (the song) , I don't really have any issues with regards to Dead End .

Meimei is the 2nd last album track & despite the rather strange name , this's 1 song that I really enjoy listening to as it's probably the only album ballad available in C'mon .

Immediately when the song started , I was drawn into just how emotional Meimei is & the melody is very beautiful .

Coupled with shades of Orchestra & acoustic guitar strings , it makes Meimei a winning combination

ultra soul 2011 is the conclusion track for C'mon & this's actually a remake of the duo's 31st single ultra soul .

For the updated version , ultra soul 2011 was selected to be used as the theme no. for the 2011 World Aquatics Championships which was held in Shanghai .

I never heard the original take for ultra soul but I have to say , the updated version for ultra soul 2011 is very cool & unique .

Out of the many album tracks in C'mon , I thought it was great for B'z to wrap up their album with an updated version of 1 of their earlier single releases & after listening to this , it makes me feel complied to give the original take of ultra soul a listen .

After being in the music business for close to 23 years , the best selling Japanese act of all time , B'z , shows no signs of slowing down & it's evident in the release of their latest album offering C'mon .

Artistes come & go but I feel B'z is 1 of the rarity few that is able to display a really long standing power in line with the impact , numerous accomplishments & records they have attained since making their presence felt for the past 23 years .

With the release of C'mon , they have once again set a significant number of new records & C'mon definitely will not be the last this legendary rock duo has to offer , that's for sure .




Blog Personnel









Karen Pang

# 10th Jan

# #1 BREAKERZ fan in Singapore since 2008 debut single ♥

# My music blog consists of JPop/Rock singles & albums reviews that I put my heart , efforts & soul into writing them as I'm disgusted with the way that JPop/Rock music is being treated/written/reviewed in Singapore so to the local media (yes you TEENS , Teenage Magazine & The Strait Times) , screw you all . I basically can write better JPop/Rock reviews , period

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Upcoming New JPop/JRock Releases

# L'Arc-en-Ciel's 30th L'Anniversary LIVE DVD + Blu-ray , 270324 , Wed

# Saito Kazuyoshi's KAZUYOSHI SAITO 30th Anniversary Live 1993-2023 30 DVD + Blu-ray , 270324 , Wed

# B'z's B’z LIVE-GYM Pleasure 2023 -STARS- DVD + Blu-ray , 030424 , Wed

# Ichi no Mori Daigo's debut solo single Ichi no Mori Daigo Desu / Modotte Okure , 100424 , Wed

# Koda Kumi's 19th album UNICORN , 170424 , Wed

# GRANRODEO's guitarist's e-ZUKA debut solo album LET’S GET STARTED , 240424 , Wed

# Hilcrhyme's BEST 15 2009-2013 -The Beginning & Flying- , 290524

# GRANRODEO's vocalist's KISHOW debut solo album title tbc , July 2024

# BREAKERZ's 8th album title tbc , July 2024

# GRANRODEO's 35th single title tbc , Sept 2024





Album Reviews


# SPYAIR - Orange EP

# Hey ! Say ! JUMP - PULL UP!

# NEWS - NEWS EXPO

# Shota Shimizu - Insomnia

# ayaka - Funtale

# NEWS - Ongaku -2nd Movement- EP

# KAT-TUN - Fantasia

# ayumi hamasaki - Remember you

# Hilcrhyme - SELFISH

# Hey ! Say ! JUMP - FILMUSIC!

# NEWS - Ongaku

# B'z - Highway X

# Mika Nakashima - I

# KAT-TUN - Honey

# SID - Umibe

# flumpool - A Spring Breath

# GRANRODEO - Question

# Koda Kumi - heart

# ayaka - LOVE CIRCLE

# Aoyama Thelma - Scorpion Moon

# Hilcrhyme - FRONTIER

# V6 - STEP

# BREAKERZ - WITH YOU

# Shota Shimizu - HOPE

# Domoto Koichi - PLAYFUL

# Ken Hirai - Anata ni Narita Katta

# SPYAIR - UNITE

# GRANRODEO - Bokutachi no Gunzo EP

# YUI - NATURAL EP

# Fukuyama Masaharu - AKIRA

# Hey ! Say ! JUMP - Fab! -Music speaks.-

# Koda Kumi - angeL + monsteR [MY NAME IS...] EPs

# ARASHI - This is ARASHI

# Shota Shimizu - period EP

# JASMINE - S EP

# Beni Daniels - MADE IN LOVE EP

# Mika Nakashima - JOKER

# BENI - Y/our Song EP

# Hilcrhyme - THE MC

# JASMINE - M EP

# AKi - Collapsed Land

# Kis-My-Ft2 - To-y2

# flumpool - Real

# FLOWER FLOWER - Target

# NEWS - STORY

# Koda Kumi - re(CORD)

# JASMINE - JASMINE2.0 EP

# Hey ! Say ! JUMP - PARADE

# Kanon Wakeshima - odd sting & intrigue EP

# SID - Shonin Yokkyu

# KAT-TUN - IGNITE

# B'z - NEW LOVE

# GRANRODEO - FAB LOVE

# Kis-My-Ft2 - FREE HUGS!

# Matsushita Yuya - BLACK NEVERLAND

# NEWS - WORLDISTA

# Hilcrhyme - Hilcrhyme

# Yamashita Tomohisa - UNLEASHED

# BENI - CINEMATIC

# ayaka - 30 y/o

# GRANRODEO - M・S COWBOY no Gyakushuu EP

# Hey ! Say ! JUMP - SENSE or LOVE

# Koda Kumi - DNA

# Shota Shimizu - WHITE

# SID - Ichiban Sukina Basho EP

# Aoyama Thelma - HIGHSCHOOL GAL

# ayumi hamasaki - TROUBLE EP

# Hilcrhyme - One Man EP

# Kis-My-Ft2 - Yummy!!

# NEWS - EPCOTIA

# FLOWER FLOWER - Spotlight

# Koda Kumi - AND

# B'z - DINOSAUR

# ARASHI - 「untitled」

# BREAKERZ - X

# Aoyama Thelmas - 10TH DIARY

# SPYAIR - KINGDOM

# SID - NOMAD

# V6 - The ONES

# Shota Shimizu - FLY

# Ken Hirai - Utabaka Dake ni.

# Acid Black Cherry - Acid BLOOD Cherry

# Kis-My-Ft2 - MUSIC COLOSSEUM

# Mika Nakashima - TOUGH

# NEWS - NEVERLAND

# Koda Kumi - W FACE ~inside~ & W FACE ~outside~

# GRANRODEO - Karma to Labyrinth

# GRANRODEO - Pierrot Dancin'

# Hilcrhyme - SIDE BY SIDE

# Kanon Wakeshima - luminescence Q.E.D

# ARASHI - Are You Happy?

# Mao from SID - Maison de M EP

# Hey ! Say ! JUMP - DEAR.

# Ken Hirai - THE STILL LIFE

# BENI - Shiki Uta summer

# Kis-My-Ft2 - I SCREAM

# ayumi hamasaki - M(A)DE IN JAPAN

# MUSCLE ATTACK - HERCULES ROAD

# Aoyama Thelma - PINK TEARS EP

# Shota Shimizu - PROUD

# flumpool - EGG

# NEWS - QUARTETTO

# AKi - EPHEMERAL EP

# BENI - Undress

# SPYAIR - 4

# ARASHI - Japonism

# Aoyama Thelma - GRAY SMOKE EP

# ayumi hamasaki - sixxxxxx EP

# BREAKERZ - 0-ZERO-

# Domoto Koichi - Spiral

# Kis-My-Ft2 - KIS-MY-WORLD

# Hey ! Say ! JUMP - JUMPing CAR

# Namie Amuro - _genic

# ayaka - Rainbow Road

# THE TURTLES JAPAN - ELECTRONIC HUMANITY

# ayumi hamasaki - A ONE

# Hilcrhyme - REVIVAL

# MUSCLE ATTACK - ATTACK

# Koda Kumi - WALK OF MY LIFE

# B'z - EPIC DAY

# Acid Black Cherry - L

# Kanon Wakeshima - Tsukinami

# NEWS - White

# FLOWER FLOWER - Shiki EP

# AKi - ARISE

# FLOWER FLOWER - Mi

# ARASHI - THE DIGITALIAN

# Anna Tsuchiya - LUCIFER EP

# Yamashita Tomohisa - YOU

# Aoyama Thelma - Lonely Angel

# Yamashita Tomohisa - Asobi EP

# Kis-My-Ft2 - Kis-My-Journey

# ayumi hamasaki - Colours

# KAT-TUN - come Here

# Hey ! Say ! JUMP - smart

# Fukuyama Masaharu - HUMAN

# Miliyah Kato x Shota Shimizu - THE BEST

# JASMINE - Welcome to Jas Vegas

# SID - OUTSIDER

# Shota Shimizu - ENCORE

# Hilcrhyme - FIVE ZERO ONE

# DAIGO - DAIGOLD

# Koda Kumi - Bon Voyage

# Tegomass - Tegomass no Seishun

# MUSCLE ATTACK - MUSCLE

# KAT-TUN - Kusabi -kusabi- EP

# ARASHI - LOVE

# Yamashita Tomohisa - A NUDE

# Matsushita Yuya - #musicoverdose

# JASMINE - Complexxx

# SPYAIR - MILLION

# BENI - Red

# ON/OFF - DICE EP

# NEWS - NEWS

# Namie Amuro - FEEL

# AKIHIDE - Amber

# Kis-My-Ft2 - Good Ikuze !

# girl next door - Life of Sound

# V6 - Oh ! My ! Goodness !

# ayumi hamasaki - LOVE again

# Mika Nakashima - REAL

# flumpool - experience

# ayumi hamasaki - again EP

# Hilcrhyme - LIKE A NOVEL

# ayumi hamasaki - LOVE EP

# ARASHI - Popcorn

# Domoto Koichi - Gravity

# SPYAIR - Just Do It

# SID - M&W

# Yamashita Tomohisa - Ero

# Namie Amuro - Uncontrolled

# Hey ! Say ! JUMP - JUMP WORLD

# Kis-My-Ft2 - Kis-My-1st

# Acid Black Cherry - 『2012』

# Shota Shimizu - Naturally

# ayumi hamasaki - Party Queen

# Matsushita Yuya - 2U

# KAT-TUN - CHAIN

# Kuroki Meisa - UNLOCKED

# L'Arc~en~Ciel - BUTTERFLY

# ayaka - The beginning

# Koda Kumi - JAPONESQUE

# Kuriyama Chiaki - CIRCUS Deluxe Edition

# girl next door - Agaruneku !

# Hilcrhyme - RISING

# ON/OFF - Legend Of Twins II -Zoku Futago Densetsu-

# BENI - Fortune

# YUI - HOW CRAZY YOUR LOVE

# Saito Kazuyoshi - 45 STONES

# Tegomass - Tegomass no Mahou

# SPYAIR - Rockin' the World

# BREAKERZ - GO

# ayumi hamasaki - FIVE EP

# B'z - C'mon

# School Food Punishment - Prog-Roid

# ARASHI - Beautiful World

# Aoyama Thelma - WILL

# Ken Hirai - JAPANESE SINGER

# GIRL NEXT DOOR - Destination

# Tackey & Tsubasa - TRIP & TREASURE EP

# Shota Shimizu - COLORS

# Koda Kumi - Dejavu

# SID - dead stock

# flumpool - Fantasia of Life Stripe

# Yamashita Tomohisa - SUPERGOOD , SUPERBAD

# Kuroki Meisa - MAGAZINE

# ayumi hamasaki - Love songs

# BENI - Jewel

# Hilcrhyme - MESSAGE

# Saito Kazuyoshi - ARE YOU READY ?

# Mika Nakashima - STAR

# Kanjani∞ - 8UPPERS (Pacchi Uppers)

# GLAY - GLAY

# Anna Tsuchiya - RULE

# NEWS - LIVE

# JASMINE - GOLD

# Domoto Koichi - BPM

# Aoyama Thelma - LOVE ! 2

# Hilcrhyme - Recital

# ARASHI - Boku no Miteiru Fukei

# Kanon Wakeshima - Shoujo Shikake no Libretto ~LOLITAWORK LIBRETTO~

# YUI - HOLIDAYS IN THE SUN

# Hey ! Say ! JUMP - JUMP NO.1

# KAT-TUN - NO MORE PAIИ

# BENI - Lovebox

# Matsushita Yuya - I AM ME

# Acid Black Cherry - Q.E.D.

# Acid Black Cherry - BLACK LIST

# school food punishment - amp-reflection

# Tegomass - Tegomass no Ai EP

# BREAKERZ - B.R.Z ACOUSTIC EP

# ayumi hamasaki - Rock'n'Roll Circus

# V6 - READY ?

# DAIGO☆STARDUST - HELLO CRAZY GENTLEMAN

# DAIGO☆STARDUST - The space toy

# Shota Shimizu - Journey

# Koda Kumi - UNIVERSE

# NEVER LAND - Beautiful Days EP

# abingdon boys school - ABINGDON ROAD

# BENI - Bitter & Sweet

# GIRL NEXT DOOR - NEXT FUTURE

# LANDS - Olympos EP

# flumpool - What's flumpool !?

# Kuroki Meisa - ATTITUDE EP

# Yusuke - Ano .. Konnan Dekimashita Kedo.

# KinKi Kids - J album

# Namie Amuro - PAST < FUTURE

# BREAKERZ - FIGHTERZ

# alan - my life

# LOVE - LOVE.IT EP

# B'z - MAGIC

# Dew - PRESENT

# Saito Kazuyoshi - Tsuki ga Noboreba

# Aoyama Thelma - Emotions

# SID - hikari

# Kobukuro - CALLING

# Domoto Koichi - mirror

# Tegomass - Tegomass no Uta

# ON / OFF - Legend Of Twins I -Futago Densetsu-

# Fukuyama Masaharu - Zankyou

# Kanon Wakeshima - Shinshoku Dolce

# GReeeeN - Shio , Koshou -SALT & PEPPER-

# flumpool - Unreal EP

# Yuna Ito - DREAM

# Kanjani∞ - PUZZLE

# KAT-TUN - Break the Records -by you & for you-

# Kuroki Meisa - hellcat EP

# Kanjani∞ - KJ2 Zukkoke Daidassou

# ayumi hamasaki - NEXT LEVEL

# Utada Hikaru - DEEP RIVER

# Utada - This Is The One

# Kanjani∞ - KJ1 F·T·O

# ARASHI - Dream"A"Live

# Kanjani∞ - Kansha ni Eight EP

# alan - Voice of EARTH

# Aoyama Thelma - LOVE !

# Koda Kumi - TRICK

# Aoyama Thelma - DIARY

# YUI - I LOVED YESTERDAY

# YUI - CAN'T BUY MY LOVE

# BREAKERZ - BREAKERZ

# GIRL NEXT DOOR - GIRL NEXT DOOR

# GReeeeN - A , Domo. Ohisashiburi Desu

# YUI - FROM ME TO YOU

# GReeeeN - A , Domo. Hajimemashite

# BREAKERZ - CRASH & BUILD

# ai otsuka - LOVE LETTER

# Mika Nakashima - VOICE

# BREAKERZ - BIG BANG !

# NEWS - color

# Anna Tsuchiya - NUDY SHOW !

# Soundtrack Of High School Musical 3 : Senior Year

# L'Arc~en~Ciel - KISS

# BREAKERZ - Ao no Mirai EP

# ai otsuka - LOVE PUNCH

# ai otsuka - LOVE COOK

# ai otsuka - LOVE JAM

# KAT-TUN - cartoon KAT-TUN II You

# OLIVIA - Trinka Trinka EP

# NEWS - touch

# NEWS - pacific

# ARASHI - Iza , Now

# ARASHI - One

# NANA Triple Billing

# OLIVIA - The Cloudy Dreamer EP

# Anna Tsuchiya - strip me ?

# ARASHI - ARASHIC

# KAT-TUN - Best of KAT-TUN

# Anna Tsuchiya - Taste My Beat EP

# ARASHI - Time

# Electrico - We Satellites

# ayaka - Sing to the Sky

# ayaka - First Message

# KAT-TUN - KAT-TUN III -QUEEN OF PIRATES-

# Koda Kumi - BEST ~BOUNCE & LOVERS~

# Jesse McCartney - Departure

# The Veronicas - Hook Me Up

# Ken Hirai - LIFE is ...

# Ashlee Simpson - Bittersweet World

# Ken Hirai - gaining through losing

# Yuna Ito - HEART

# Utada Hikaru - HEART STATION

# Ken Hirai - FAKIN' POP

#
Yuna Ito - WISH

# Ken Hirai - SENTIMENTALovers

# Koda Kumi - Kingdom

# ayumi hamasaki - GUILTY

# ai otsuka - LOVE PiECE

# abingdon boys school - abingdon boys school

# ayumi hamasaki - I am ...

# ayumi hamasaki - RAINBOW

# The Great Spy Experiment - Flower Show Riots

# Koda Kumi - BEST ~second session~

# The Click Five - Modern Minds And Pastimes

# Soundtrack Of High School Musical 2

# Koda Kumi - Black Cherry

# Namie Amuro - PLAY

# Maroon 5 - It Wouldn't Be Soon Before Long

# ayumi hamasaki - Memorial address EP

# NANA starring Mika Nakashima - THE END

# Mika Nakashima - YES

# Jamie Michael - People Watching

# ayumi hamasaki - A BEST 2 -BLACK- & A BEST 2 -WHITE-

# ayumi hamasaki - (miss)understood

# ayumi hamasaki - Duty & MY STORY

# Muse - Blackholes And Relevations

# Utada Hikaru - ULTRA BLUE

# ayumi hamasaki - Secret

# Utada - Exodus

# Vanessa Hudgens - V

# The Veronicas - The Secret Life Of The Veronicas

# Jesse McCartney - Right Where You Want Me

# Maksim - Electrik

# McFly - Motion In The Ocean


Other Posts Worth Checking Out


# Fave Songs Of 2010

# Fave Singles Releases Of 2010

# Fave Albums Releases Of 2010

# Fave Songs Of 2009

# Fave Singles Releases Of 2009

# Fave Albums Releases For 2009

# The Best Music Releases For The 1st 1/2 Of 2009

# Fave New Acts Of 2008

# Fave Songs Of 2008

# Fave Singles Of 2008

# Fave Albums Of 2008

# The 1st Song I Heard From My Future JPop Acts

# The Best & The Worst Music Releases For The 1st 1/2 Of 2008

# Fave Albums Of 2007

# The Click Five - The Band Behind The Band Documentary

# 987 Control Songlist Set

# Hot Review Of Maksim's Electrik

# Lu Yong Find My Shoes Journey

# Eric Dill Of The Click Five Got Punk'd !


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Credits

designer - Chronicles

imageeditor - adobephotoshop

music - radioblogclub

image - fortminorwebsite