Sunday, October 30, 2011

CD Review :: Saito Kazuyoshi - 45 STONES

Cover for both CD regular & limited editions



1) Usagi to Kame (Rabbit & Tortoise)
2) Sakura Rhapsody
3) Would you join me ?
4) Saru no Wakusei (Planet Of The Apes)
5) Makeinu no Uta (Poem Loser)
6) Niji ga Kierumade (Rainbow To Disappear)
7) Ohkami Chunen (Middle-aged Wolf)
8) Boku to Kanojyo to (I'm With Her) Rock'n'Roll
9) Amayadori (Shelter)
10) Otona (Adults)
11) Guitar


45 STONES is Saito Kazuyoshi's 15th album & it was released on 19th Oct .

No singles are included in 45 STONES . Instead , only a digital single Amayadori (Shelter) is found in Saito's latest album offering .

Saito's last album release was last Oct's ARE YOU READY ? .

45 STONES start things off with a rather weird song that's titled Usagi to Kame (Rabbit & Tortoise) . I wasn't sure what to expect for Usagi to Kame but it turns out to be a rather simple easy listening mid tempo no. .

In the case of the next song Sakura Rhapsody , it's classic Saito in the sense that there's just so many layering of different instruments being utilised in this rather grand sounding track in which Sakura Rhapsody is hands down 1 of my fave tracks found in 45 STONES .

Would you join me ? is pretty random because Saito can be heard reciting the title song many times in here .

However if I thought Would you join me ? was random , the next song Saru no Wakusei (Planet Of The Apes) is even more up there on the odd factor .

With a song titled as Saru no Wakusei , naturally I have no idea what to expect for this just like another animal related song title just now ie. Usagi to Kame .

But for Saru no Wakusei , it's more unusual & it does pay homage to the song title's because I strangely can hear monkey related sounds in it . It's not really something that I would listen to on a regular basis but I have to give credit to Saito for experimenting out of the box .

Luckily the next song Makeinu no Uta (Poem Loser) is something that's less complicated sounding but it still is able to retain a lot of charm & class .

Makeinu no Uta is a very under-stated song that's quite guitar & piano driven . This's something I like & coming from Saito , he did this very well .

Niji ga Kierumade (Rainbow To Disappear) is actually a self-cover that's originally written for Koizumi Kyoko .

Just like Makeinu no Uta , Niji ga Kierumade is another nice track that I enjoy & in here , it takes on a more acoustic guitar route which's great as I feel Saito doesn't need anything else to make things better sounding than this .

Saito basically let his vocals & a simple melody do most of the work in Niji ga Kierumade & he even did a bit of whistle blowing prior to the conclusion of the song too .

Ohkami Chunen (Middle-aged Wolf) is the 3rd animal related song in 45 STONES & it seems that in the past 2 albums I've heard/reviewed of Saito , there always tend to be a song that's slotted in the random department & I guess the same thing can apply for Ohkami Chunen .

In short , Ohkami Chunen is really random if not obnoxious . I thought the earlier part of 45 STONES was quite weird for me to handle but that doesn't seem to be the case after I've heard Ohkami Chunen .

It's definitely not something for the faint hearted to listen .

Whereas in the case of Boku to Kanojyo to (I'm With Her) Rock'n'Roll , this's 1 really catchy memorable track .

Boku to Kanojyo to Rock'n'Roll as the title suggests , is a cheery sounding no. that brings back a lot of old school fuss free rock from the old days . I don't really have much to add except this's 1 song I love on 1st listen .

Amayadori was released as a digital single & this song is something that I've reviewed/talked about a while back ago .

I'm real pleased to see Amayadori in the tracklist as this's 1 song that never fails to stuck a chord or 2 in me . I can tell just how much emotions Saito has poured into this heartfelt piano ballad .

Amayadori is quite a sombre sounding no. as well which's a nod/dedication to the victims of the March 11th earthquake/tsunami disaster .

Otona (Adults) contrasts Amayadori in the sense that Otona is a very uplifting no. which I find it really inspirational .

Also instead of Otona sounding just like any other typical rock song , Saito added in a few little touches of his own such as using a harmonica which gives Otona a bit of more kick than the average standard no. .

Guitar is the last song in 45 STONES & this's yet another simple & fuss free track which I think it's perfect to conclude things .

The vibes presented in Guitar is very simple & clear cut . It's basically just Saito singing alongside with an acoustic guitar melody , with a little bit of percussion on the sideline to make things sound better than the norm .

In 2002 , singer-songwriter Saito Kazuyoshi released the album 35 STONES , named as so because he was at the age of 35 at the time of release .

Nearly 10 years later , Saito - now 45 years old - has released his 15th studio album 45 STONES . Recorded after the March 11th earthquake/tsunami , 45 STONES is a personal album that expresses Saito's thoughts in the post-disaster situation .

Saito's 39th single Yasashiku Naritai (I Want Gently) will be released this coming week on 2nd Nov .



Tuesday, October 25, 2011

CD Review :: Tegomass - Tegomass no Mahou

CD



CD + DVD



1) Mahou no (Magic) Melody
2) Hanabi (Fireworks)
3) Yuuyake to Koi to Jitensha (Sunset , Love & Bicycle)
4) Yuki Daruma (Snowman)
5) Wasuremono (Forgetten Things)
6) Tanabata Matsuri (Star Festival)
7) Mr.Freedom
8) Over Drive
9) Ryoukiteki (Bizzare) Honey
10) Yume Tabibito (Dream Traveller)
11) Aoi Bench (Blue Bench)
12) La La Sakura (CD Only Track)
13) Tadaima , Okaeri (Welcome Back I'm Home) (CD Only Track)
14) Ai no Naka de (In The Center Of Love) (CD Only Track)


Tegomass no Mahou is Tegomass's 2nd album & it was last week released on 19th Oct .

The duo's debut album Tegomass no Uta was released 2 years ago on 15th July & in their latest album offering , Tegomass no Mahou consists of 2 singles with 1 album track that gets a music video .

Mahou no (Magic) Melody is the 1st song that kick things off in Tegomass no Mahou & this's the album track in question that gets a music video .

I can understand why Mahou no Melody deserves to as the concept of the video goes very well hand in hand with the song .

Going with the flow of the album title , Mahou no Melody presents a very fun light hearted cheery side of Tegomass which definitely sets the bar on what to expect in the 1st 1/4 of the album .

The next album track Hanabi (Fireworks) is another catchy memorable track & it has a mixture of piano beats & even a little bit of slight Jazz thrown in for good measures .

Hanabi is 1 of those songs that will bring a smile to a person's face which's a good thing .

Likewise , the same thing goes for the free spirited Yuuyake to Koi to Jitensha (Sunset , Love & Bicycle) except in this case , Yuuyake to Koi to Jitensha takes on a more pop & piano route unlike Hanabi .

Yuki Daruma (Snowman) is an interesting song & with a song title such as Yuki Daruma , I was kind of expecting something probably Winter inspired & it's actually quite true to a certain extent .

This is quite an unusual song because I wasn't sure if I could classify this as a Winter song but I suppose I can , given that this mid tempo song is actually 1 of my fave album tracks in Tegomass no Mahou .

After a couple of uptempo songs , Tegomass has slow things down a bit with Wasuremono (Forgetten Things) .

Wasuremono started with a really pretty piano melody & then it branch out into something that's quite Jazz driven & there's even a big of Bossanova here thrown in for good measures .

Definitely a top notch tune that I enjoy listening to .

Tanabata Matsuri (Star Festival) is Tegomass's 4th single . This is their 2nd single after the duo's debut single Miso Soup which was simultaneously sold at Japan & Sweden's music stores .

Honestly Tanabata Matsuri is a very cute song but it's not something that I will listen to on a regular basis , since there're other good songs that I can cherry pick & enjoy from Tegomass's discography .

Things begin to pick up a bit of a speed in the form of Mr.Freedom .

Mr.Freedom is a bit hard to describe but it has quite a lot of trumpet beats which's combined with Tegomass's signature pop sounds .

It's quite an odd combination but somehow or another it works for Tegomass pretty well .

Over Drive is probably 1 of the more crazy over the top songs in the album as I couldn't help but have vibes of Tegomass no Ai's Cheetah , Gorilla , Orangutan when I 1st heard Over Drive .

Unlike Cheetah , Gorilla , Orangutan which was much more upbeat , somehow or another , the craziness factor is quite toned down in Over Drive but in terms of gritty guitar beats , this can be felt a lot more in Over Drive .

With an odd title such as Ryoukiteki (Bizzare) Honey , I wasn't sure what to expect for this song but surprisingly if not even more stranger , Ryoukiteki Honey has that very strong Carribean vibes that it gives off when I 1st heard it .

I don't know if it's a good or bad thing but I kind of enjoy Ryoukiteki Honey though .

Yume Tabibito (Dream Traveller) is 1 of the shorter tracks in Tegomass no Mahou but this has to be 1 of my faves as this's really simplicity at its best .

In short , Yume Tabibito has the duo belting out this simple heartfelt no. in an almost acapella style . Both of Tegoshi & Masuda's vocals are strong & they compliment each other very well .

It's evident in Yume Tabibito where they make use of their vocals & let it do most of the work . They didn't need anything to complicate things further , which makes Yume Tabibito a really enjoyable track worth checking out .

Aoi Bench (Blue Bench) is Tegomass's 5th single & this's the last single if not the recent single release prior to the release of Tegomass no Mahou .

This song is a cover of the now defunct folk-rock duo Sasuke's hit song Aoi Bench . Tegomass gave a fresh take on the refreshing folk-rock tune , which was heard nightly on television as the February theme song of ranking show Onegai ! Ranking .

The last 3 tracks are songs that're only found in the CD only pressing of the album .

La La Sakura & Tadaima , Okaeri (I'm Home , Welcome Home) were included as the B-side tracks in the Swedish version of Tanabata Matsuri .

Because of this , I find both songs very familiar as I do know how they sound like . I'm actually glad the duo decided to include them in the album because for fans that were not able to purchase the Swedish edition of Tanabata Matsuri , at least now , they will not lose out in this aspect .

Ai no Naka de (In The Center Of Love) is the final no. in Tegomass no Mahou & for this , the lyrics were written by Tegomass & this song was performed during their 2nd tour

I think it's a great way to conclude the album with Ai no Naka de . The live version of the song is pretty something but for them to make a studio version of this really enduring mid tempo ballad , I have no further complaints about it .

Considering the fact that this's the only song in the album that has personal input from both members , I should give Tegomass credit on when it's due .

After experiencing their music & their love , it's time for fans to experience Tegomass's magic with their latest album Tegomass no Mahou .

I don't think it's fair to compare which album of Tegomass is better as in general I really like the type of music Tegomass does but all I can say's that they have shown a great deal of maturity from their early days of their debut single Miso Soup until now .

For Tegomass no Mahou , it's a very enjoyable album from start til the end . I don't really have any complaints about their new album , especially since both of them have really good vocals so in terms of vocals & executing the right styles on what works & what doesn't , they nailed it downpat well here .

Definitely an album worth checking out before 2011 concludes .



Saturday, October 22, 2011

girl next door - ROCK YOUR BODY

CD



CD + DVD A ; DVD footages contains the music video of ROCK YOUR BODY



CD + DVD B ; DVD footages contains live footages of Ready to be a lady , Infinity & Silent Scream



1) ROCK YOUR BODY EXTENDED
2) Nanatsu no Moji (Seven Letters)
3) ROCK YOUR BODY
4) Ready to be a lady (FROM LIVE Destination) (CD Only Track)
5) Nanatsu no Moji (Seven Letters) (Instrumental)



ROCK YOUR BODY is girl next door's 13th single & it was released a few days ago on 19th Oct .

The trio's new single is released less than a month after their previous single Dara Para !! & it's their 2nd of 3 back to back monthly single releases .

The A-side is described as a fun upbeat song & all the songs except for the live take of Ready to be a lady will be reviewed .

This single has 2 different versions of the A-side in the sense that there's both an original & extended version of ROCK YOUR BODY .

The version that's in sync with the music video is about 5 mins + long while the extended version is close to a whopping 9 mins + long .

This's the 1st I've seen something like this taking place for the group but anyway , on 1st listen , ROCK YOUR BODY does sound extremely different from Dara Para !! .

While ROCK YOUR BODY still contains familiar traces of the trio's signature electro pop tunes , this sounds as though they're taking a music step back in time as I can detect sounds of the late 90's disco vibes in here .

Not that it's a bad thing but it brings back to quite a lot of memories for me when I was still in tune with English music

The B-side Nanatsu no Moji (Seven Letters) features lyrics that's written by lead vocalist CHISA herself .

I frankly thought that Nanatsu no Moji might be a ballad to contrast & balance things out but it's still a nice B-side .

Somehow or another , Nanatsu no Moji reminds me of Climber's High a little bit to a certain extent . I couldn't help but when I listen to both songs , the similiarity is pretty close .

ROCK YOUR BODY is girl next door's 2nd work in a trilogy of songs that seeks to deliver smiles & energy across Japan . Utilising rave as its concept , the song will make fans want to get up out of their seats & dance !

The trio's 14th single Boogie Night will be released next month on 16th Nov .



Sunday, October 16, 2011

BENI - Darlin'



1) Darlin'
2) Suki Dakara. (I Like.) (BACHLOGIC REMIX)
3) Anything Goes !! (DJ cool-k REMIX)
4) Darlin’ (Instrumental)


Darlin' is BENI's 13th single & it was released a few days ago on 12th Oct .

BENI's new single comes less than a month since the release of her previous single Koe wo Kikasete (Let Your Voice) / crazy girl & this's her 2nd single release which was released within 2 consecutive months .

I really like Darlin' , it's such a cute enduring song & it's 1 of those feel good no.s that will bring a smile to anyone .

Darlin' is a song about women's empathy on love & it's a happy love song in talking about love that lasts forever between people .

The 2 B-sides are remixes of BENI's previous songs , an idea that her 10th single 2FACE utilised before .

The BACHLOGIC REMIX of her 11th single Suki Dakara. (I Like.) serves as the 1st B-side . The original take of the song is more emotional driven but in here , the BACHLOGIC REMIX gives it a somewhat more lighthearted feeling .

The DJ cool-k REMIX of Anything Goes !! serves as the 2nd B-side & Anything Goes !! was originally found as track #6 in BENI's debut album Bitter & Sweet .

Honestly I'm really surprised BENI choose to sing a remix of Anything Goes !! & it's quite random , given that Bitter & Sweet was released close to 2 years back but I frankly find the DJ cool-k REMIX of the song nothing special .

It sounds almost the same as the original except the song has been twerked a little bit , by adding a little bit of autotune & some extra fanciful beats .

BENI released 3 singles this year & her recent material has been some of her strongest releases to date with Darlin' being no exception .

Her 4th album Fortune will be released next month on 2nd Nov , with Darlin' being slotted in the CD tracklist as track #2 .



Saturday, October 15, 2011

Acid Black Cherry - Shangrila

CD



CD + DVD





Shangrila is Acid Black Cherry's 12th single & it will be released this coming Wed on 19th Oct .

Acid Black Cherry's new single offering comes less than a month after the release of their previous single Pistol .

Shangrila has been described as a refreshing & positive song which combined both rock & orchestra sounds & this's the 2nd single from a 5-consecutive-monthly singles plan (one single per month for five months) .

To say that the mood/vibes Shangrila displayed is vastly different from Pistol is an understatement & it has been quite a long time yasu has released such a happy if not very inspirational upbeat track , the last one being their 5th single 20+∞Century Boys .

But even if so , I have to say Shangrila presents a very different sound/side from yasu & I can't help but feel very happy after hearing it & it doesn't surprise me .

It's great that Shangrila is 1 of those songs that is such a great motivational booster no. & perhaps it's not surprising that I have been loving this song a lot more than Pistol .

The B-side is ANRI's Kanashimi ga Tomaranai (Grief Does Not Stop) which was released in 1983 & this song will not be reviewed .

Acid Black Cherry's 13th single Chou (Butterfly) will be released on 16th Nov .



Sunday, October 09, 2011

L'Arc~en~Ciel - X X X

CD



CD + DVD



1) X X X
2) I'm so happy -L'Acoustic version-
3) X X X (hydeless version)
4) I'm so happy -L'Acoustic version- (hydeless version)


X X X is L'Arc~en~Ciel's 38th single & it will be released this coming Wed on 12th Oct .

This new single comes about 4 months + since the release of the group's previous single GOOD LUCK MY WAY & it's their 2nd single release for 2011 in celebrating L'Arc~en~Ciel's 20th anniversary in the music business .

Despite the rather weird unusual song title , the A-side is actually pronounced as kiss-kiss-kiss .

To say that X X X is unusual , it's an understatement . I wasn't sure what to expect when I 1st heard X X X but I was really surprised how this song turns out to be .

L'Arc~en~Ciel has a tendency to experiment with their music quite a fair bit for the past 20 years or so & this's evident for X X X . X X X is actually has the traits of both mid tempo & fast tempo .

The fast tempo aspect consists of really loud/strong beats that just blahs out from the stereo & it's also quite Orchestra driven to a certain extent .

X X X is 1 of the more unusual songs that I've heard in recent times but for a season veteran artiste such as L'Arc~en~Ciel , they did it really well & nailed X X X downpat .

I'm so happy -L'Acoustic version- serves as the B-side & this song will not be reviewed .



Saturday, October 08, 2011

YUI - Green a.live

CD



CD + DVD



1) Green a.live
2) Let's face it
3) HELLO ~YUI Acoustic Version~
4) Green a.live ~Instrumental~


Green a.live is YUI's 20th single & it was released a few days ago on 5th Oct .

YUI's new single comes in about 4 months + since the release of her previous single HELLO ~Paradise Kiss~ .

Originally schdeuled to be released on 10th Aug , Green a.live was eventually pushed back to its now release date of 5th Oct .

The A-side is described as a sorrowful no. & the song was created after the March 11th earthquake took place .

YUI commented , “I put the title of the song with the meaning of ‘living inside of the earth’ because sometimes , I ask myself if I have not lost something precious while living in a city . I started thinking about fate through this song Green a.live .”

YUI traveled to the disaster-stricken areas to perform concerts & did charity work . This experience & her feelings about the tragedy helped her write this inspirational light rock tune , which is dedicated to those who were affected by the disaster .

The B-side Let's face it contrasts Green a.live really well . While the main A-side is a mid tempo song , for Let's face it , it has a more rockish upbeat vibe .

Let's face it is not as memorable as her previous B-sides & let alone a bit short but this's still something enjoyable to listen to .

The ~YUI Acoustic Version~ of her previous single HELLO ~Paradise Kiss~ wraps up the single & just like her previous singles , YUI will tend to give an acoustic treatment to songs & HELLO ~Paradise Kiss~ is no exception .

The YUI Acoustic Version for HELLO ~Paradise Kiss~ is very nice & easy listening . The original take of the song was pretty upbeat but in here , it has been given a very under-stated feeling which I like .

Green a.live is YUI's 3rd single release for 2011 & the fact that this's her 20th single release overall , it shows just how far she has come & with YUI's thoughts after the March 11th earthquake , Green a.live is sure to became a song that will touch the listeners’ hearts .

YUI's 5th album HOW CRAZY YOUR LOVE is scheduled to be released on 2nd Nov .



Wednesday, October 05, 2011

SID - Itsuka (Someday)

CD



CD + DVD A



CD + DVD B



1) Itsuka (Someday)
2) Aki Kaze (Autumn Breeze)
3) NO LDK (Live from 『dead stock TOUR 2011』)


Itsuka (Someday) is SID's 9th single & it was released last week on 28th Sept .

Their 1st single release for 2011 , Itsuka comes after the release of the group's 2nd album dead stock which dropped this year on 23rd Feb .

Itsuka has been described as a powerful burst of energy that will rock listeners & it was used as the opening theme song for TBS's CDTV last month .

With lyrics written by lead singer Mao & the melody composed by guitarist Shinji , both of them make quite a good combination in making Itsuka sound a complete class of its own .

Shinji doesn't tend to compose as often as the rest but his compositions speak volume & it's quite evident with regards to Itsuka which's a really solid & memorable A-side that I enjoy .

There're 2 B-sides in the single . The 1st one is something that's titled Aki Kaze (Autumn Breeze) & this's composed by bassist Aki .

Aki Kaze really compliments & contrasts Itsuka very well . Itsuka can tend to sound a bit depressing but Aki Kaze presents something that's hopeful sounding if not just being inspirational which I guess it didn't surprise me I enjoy both songs equally as much as the next .

Recorded live from the group's dead stock TOUR 2011 concert/s , it's the live take of NO LDK which's found as the 1st track in the tracklist for their 2nd album dead stock .

NO LDK is actually 1 of my fave tracks in dead stock & I'm actually thrilled that they decided to include a live take of it in Itsuka .

To me , Mao sounds on par if not almost the same as what I listen in a CD which's good as there's always a tendency for artistes to lip synch their material in live performances but thankfully , such a thing does not exist for SID .

After close to a 7 months absence of not releasing anything new , SID is back with brand new material in the form of their latest single Itsuka & what an enjoyable single this's .

All 3 songs on the single are really solid & memorable . It's nice to know despite the rather long absence of not releasing new material for the last 7 months , it's great that the guys returned back in fine form with Itsuka .

Their 10th single will be released on 7th Dec & for that , I can't wait for more details to surface on this in due time .



Tuesday, October 04, 2011

CD Review :: SPYAIR - Rockin' the World

Cover for all 3 editions (CD , CD + Bonus Disc & CD + DVD)



1) Rockin' the World
2) Japanication
3) Samurai Heart (Some Like It Hot !!)
4) BEAUTIFUL DAYS
5) STRONG
6) LIAR
7) Stay together
8) Beautiful
9) I miss you
10) Last Moment
11) SINGING (album mix)
12) My Friend


Rockin' the World is rock band SPYAIR's debut album & it was released last month on 21st Sept .

SPYAIR's debut album contains 5 singles & a B-side & with the release of Rocki'n the World , this's the group's 1st release that charted in the top 10 of the Oricon charts .

Sharing the same title as the album , Rockin' the World is a nice start to what to expect from the guys which's a good dosage of no-nonsense power pop rock with distinct vocals delivered by lead singer/frontman IKE .

Rockin' the World (the song) definitely has a lot of potential should it be a full length track but with it being slotted as the very 1st track in the tracklist , it sets the mood/tone on what to expect from SPYAIR in the next few songs to come .

The next 3 songs are singles that SPYAIR has already released prior to the release of Rockin' the World .

Japanication is the group's 3rd single & for this , it's basically a mean gritty aggressive track that has plenty of attitude & kick .

I can understand why this song's slotted right after Rockin' the World , since sound consistency wise , it's there & let alone Japanication is extremely catchy & memorable .

Samurai Heart (Some Like It Hot !!) is the band's 4th single & for this song , it was used as the outro theme for the anime Gintama .

I really like Samurai Heart (Some Like It Hot !!) , with it being another solid & strong single . Unlike Japanication , the mood that can felt from Samurai Heart (Some Like It Hot !!) is more light hearted & cheery sounding which's really nice .

BEAUTIFUL DAYS is SPYAIR's 5th single & for this , it was used in the drama Don Quixote & it's the guys's most recent release before they released Rockin' the World .

This song can be considered as the band's breakthrough hit even though their past singles were used in the Gintama & BLEACH animes but I guess it's easy to see why more people sit up & take notice of SPYAIR soon after BEAUTIFUL DAYS is released .

Before I decided to listen to SPYAIR , I actually have heard a little bit of BEAUTIFUL DAYS but at that time , I didn't paid attention to them . It was only until I heard the full song & then I can understand why IKE mentioned on TV that this no. pushed up their popularity to a certain extent .

It's hard not to like BEAUTIFUL DAYS , with soaring vocals & with such an emotional driven melody , this probably can be considered as the group's best single which they included in Rockin' the World .

STRONG is the 1st proper album track & just like Japanication , it's 1 highly charged up rock thumping no. . With a song that's called STRONG , this is actually 1 of the more stronger & prominent album tracks found in Rockin' the World .

LIAR is SPYAIR's debut single & this was used to promote the drama Hammer Session ! .

I suppose the fact that LIAR is the band's debut single , LIAR gave them a proper footstart in the industry & even though this was released last year in Aug , LIAR still sounds really fresh & unique which I like .

The next 3 songs are album tracks . The 1st up is something that's titled Stay together .

Stay together is really fuss free sounding . Unlike the other songs which can get a bit over complicated sounding , Stay together presents a more stripped down & chilled out vibe that the song gives off .

Beautiful follows after Stay together & Beautiful is well beautiful in the sense that it has some really nice guitar riffs & also drum beats that's thrown in for good measures .

Likewise for I miss you , it's an emotional charged up mid tempo no. . I thought I miss you might be a ballad but I guess from the song title , I was a bit mislead on things .

Last Moment is SPYAIR's 2nd single & this was used as the outro theme for the anime BLEACH & this's also the last single included in Rockin' the World .

This song can be considered as the 1st song/video I've heard/seen of the guys . I must admit , I wasn't really impressed with what Last Moment had to offer but it's only until much later after I heard BEAUTIFUL DAYS & the rest of the singles , my perception towards Last Moment gradually changed slowly .

SINGING was originally included as the 2nd B-side in the guys's debut single LIAR & in here , it has been given an album mix .

SPYAIR has quite a lot of B-sides from their 1st 4 singles but I'm actually glad they decided to include SINGING in the album & let alone giving it an album mix , as this song's really a class of its own .

My Friend is the last album track if not song in the CD tracklist & I think out of the new songs that're included in Rockin' the World , I consider My Friend as 1 of my faves .

1 of the things that makes My Friend stood out from the rest is that I thought it's brillant for IKE to sing acapella at the beginning before the song breaks out in having this unusual if not cool finger snapping / beats thumping no. , which's something the other songs in Rockin' the World does not have .

I guess I can see why the guys included My Friend as the last song , because I couldn't think of any other song that's more fitting to wrap things up in Rockin' the World than My Friend .

SPYAIR is 1 artiste I can see that they have a lot of potential to go far & Rockin' the World is a really solid debut album from this upcoming talented rock band .

The time duration for Rockin' the World lasts a total of 40 mins but still , this album that contains 12 songs is extremely enjoyable to listen to from the start to the end & let alone , it's great that this's the guys's very 1st release to debut in the top 10 in Oricon .

Their fans have spoken & Rockin' the World is easily the best debut album I've came across that was released this year & I'm excited to have come across SPYAIR's music as this's 1 rock group that definitely can survive in this tough fickle music industry .

I wait & anticipate to see their next single release & with this album , SPYAIR proclaims that they are rocking the world & they're here to stay !



Sunday, October 02, 2011

Anna Tsuchiya - UNCHAINED GIRL

CD



CD + DVD



1) STAYIN' ALIVE
2) JUICY GIRL Feat The SAMOS
3) Master Blaster



UNCHAINED GIRL is Anna Tsuchiya's 13th single & it was released a few days ago on 28th Sept .

Originally titled as STAYIN' ALIVE / JUICY GIRL / Master Blaster , UNCHAINED GIRL is Anna's 1st triple A-side single & her 1st release for the year .

All the 3 songs in UNCHAINED GIRL get music videos which string together a story plot from the start to the end .

The 1st A-side STAYIN' ALIVE is a cover of the 1977 classic Bee Gees number .

It has been quite a while since Anna did a cover song , the last one being a cover of The Sex Pistols's ANARCHY IN THE UK . Perhaps no surprises , her cover of STAYIN' ALIVE is very much drenched with NANA inspired like elements .

The 2nd A-side JUICY GIRL which features The SAMOS was used to promote in the ads of Zespri Kiwi .

JUICY GIRL is interesting because I have no idea what to expect with regards to it but there's quite a lot of electro meets rock influences going on in here .

Combining both music genres might sound like a music recipe for disaster but in actual fact , Anna managed to pull it off pretty well in JUICY GIRL .

Master Blaster is the final A-side included in UNCHAINED GIRL & for this , it was used to promote the Role Playing Game Continent of the Ninth .

The song was written & composed by a famous songwriter Kanno Yoko & is described to to be an emotional number that expresses the magnificent world in Continent of the Ninth & the soldiers who run into battle with monsters .

Even prior to the song’s release , the unprecedented but powerful tag team of Anna & Kanno has gathered much attention from the media .

I think out of all the 3 A-sides , Master Blaster can be considered as the best song if not 1 of Anna's most strongest A-side release to date .

I don't know much about Kanno Yoko but I have to say that Kanno did such a great job with regards to Master Blaster & if that's not evident enough just how good the song's , even guitarist MIYAVI worked on this track as well .

Anna Tsuchiya has been relatively quiet ever since she released her 3rd album RULE last Sept but she came back with this rather solid single release , UNCHAINED GIRL .

UNCHAINED GIRL is Anna's 1st triple A-side single release & I must say , each of the A-side offers something different from her , which shows how versatile she can be .

There're many other models/singers out there but to me , I feel Anna's still able to stand the test of time & being her fan for quite a long time , I couldn't be anymore happier for her .

Anna's 14th single Switch On ! will be released next month on 23rd Nov & for this , it has been selected to be used as the opening no. for the Tokusatsu series Kamen Rider Fourze .




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

# My LiveJournal

# My Twitter






♥ ♥ ♥ BREAKERZ ♥ ♥ ♥











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