Author Archive
REVIEW: SCANDAL “Space Ranger”, “Koi Moyo” and “Kagerou” singles
If you still haven’t gotten a chance to get acquainted with the all-girl rock quartet of awesomeness better known as SCANDAL, now is definitely a good time to do so as CJ does both an excellent job at unveiling their history thus far and also solid and to-the-point reviews of all their three singles. I can’t help but feel excited for these girls and like CJ, I can hardly wait for their first full-length release. Recommended reading.
And hey, I just noticed this now while browsing their MySpace: SCANDAL will be featured on tomorrow’s episode of Music Japan, performing their debut single. This is pretty big news as I believe it to be SCANDAL’s first ever TV appearance (do correct me if I’m wrong), so be sure not to miss it!
Henkka • May 7th, 2008
Blogs, Recommended, Rock • 3 Comments
Oroitsme is back with overviews and plenty of screencaps of episodes 3 & 4 of the Perfume-hosted variety show HAPPY! The concept hasn’t been changed around much from the first two eps; still featured are plenty of cute pets, massage talk and… yeah, that’s pretty much it, pets and massages. Oh, and also some tongue tricks it seems. Still, don’t even act like you won’t watch this; getting your weekly dose of Perfume goodness is essential, no matter what they do on the show.
And still this show seems considerably more interesting than Haromoni@…
Henkka • May 7th, 2008
Blogs, Pop Idols • No Comments
Memorable Snippets: Intro and Part 1 - Kago Ai “Aibon’s Crime”
maiZe starts up a new series called Memorable Snippets where she shares some of her favorite H!P moments in the form of video clips. The first person highlighted is none other than Kago, and maiZe shares an unforgettable clip from one of the infamous Hello! Morning trials. And just what might it be that Yossie accuses Kago of, you ask? Using a balcony fire escape for means of sneakily breaking into her hotel apartment where poor Yossie just happened to be entirely in the nude preparing for a shower, then proceeding to call her disgusting for her nakedness. As to whether or not she was found guilty of this truly cruel and terrible crime, you’ll just have to go watch the video on maiZe’s blog!
This ought to be an enjoyable and entertaining feature, so definitely look forward to all future editions. Recommended viewing.
Henkka • May 7th, 2008
Blogs, Hello! Project, Recommended • No Comments
Live Report 5/1/08, Urawa Narciss: LAVERITE, Ren, MICA-TYPE, Rubic
Highly recommended reading. Elec is back with another report of a live show he did with his Visual Kei band Laverite. He provides interesting notes about various things, such as how they choose the order in which the bands play, nervousness and what he does pre-concert, how he handles himself on-stage and how he has apparently gained multiple fangirls all for himself now. He then does write-ups on the other bands who played that night and also shares a fun story of how he met two of his students who were a little surprised to see their ex-teacher playing in a band! As always, these reports are great fun to read and you can’t help but cheer for him.
Laverite has a handful of shows already planned for the near future and I can only hope Elec keeps writing these reports of the upcoming shows! I wish the best of luck to Elec and his band.
Henkka • May 7th, 2008
Blogs, Concerts, Recommended, Rock • No Comments
Spring 2008 Drama Previews
Hirai Ken - FAKIN’ POP
Elizabeth looks at some of the j-dramas this season, so far finding at least Kimi Hannin Janai yo ne?, Last Friends and Puzzle worth watching. She definitely convinced me to check out Last Friends by this post, so this is recommended reading for all who have yet to choose which dramas to watch this season.
She also does a nice job reviewing Hirai Ken’s newest album, finding it a very enjoyable listen indeed. I really appreciate the detailed song descriptions. She also provides samples of some tracks for you to check out and decide if you want to listen further.
Henkka • May 7th, 2008
Blogs, Dramas, Pop Idols • No Comments
YUI - I LOVED YESTERDAY
Natsumi Abe - Iki wo Kasanemashou
Lex shares his views on the latest offerings by YUI and Nacchi, finding YUI’s new album disappointing compared to her first two mostly due to lack of variety which, I think, is the worst possible attribute for an album to have. On the other hand, Nacchi’s latest single he calls very refreshing and remembers instantly liking it from the very first listen.
Henkka • May 2nd, 2008
Blogs, Hello! Project • No Comments
Morning Musume’s ‘Mikan’ miracle
At the Best in J-Pop, Rad again looks back on his Hello! Project concert experience of January, this time focusing on Mikan. I for one can’t help but feel envious of someone who has actually witnessed a show like this live. While it is impossible for anyone to convince me of Mikan being anything too mindblowing of a song, it is still an interesting read especially since Rad tones it down a little from his usual over-the-top praise.
Henkka • Apr 24th, 2008
Blogs, Hello! Project • No Comments
Morning Musume - Resonant Blue [36th Single]
Amai Wana is very pleased with Momusu’s latest single, considering it to show a more mature side of Morning Musume and even going so far as to calling it one of their very best songs to date - something I quite honestly can’t bring myself to disagree with. Perhaps something of a first, Amai Wana also actually prefers the normal dance shot of the PV as opposed to the alternate edition.
Henkka • Apr 15th, 2008
Blogs, Hello! Project • No Comments
Amai Wana offers us the usual great track-by-track reviews s/he does best, this time of the newest album by aiko, finding it a strong release with clearly lots of effort to back it up. aiko is someone I’ve been meaning to check out for a long time now, and this review has finally convinced me to give her a proper chance, so hey, give this a read!
Henkka • Apr 14th, 2008
Blogs • No Comments
Test-Driving Musume in America: The Teen Factor 1 ~ “I’d Tap That”
Kuri continues the recent trend here on Int’l Wota of forcing your friends or family to be test subjects of sorts, this time introducing her geeky friend Lauren to several Hello! Project songs; four by Momusu, one by Koharu and two by Berryz and C-ute each. I won’t spoil it for you, but highlights include her comments about Resonant Blue, including some worrying over the chastity of Reina (plus some namecalling that is sure to not make fans of her very happy).
Overall, Kuri’s friend hates C-ute and says they’d definitely not make it in the US (mostly due to little Mai), thinks Berryz could possibly make it as an indie act and says Morning Musume could make it if they continue to have Takahashi in their ranks. Interestingly, her friend really seems to hate the clothing choices most of the time (save for the hats). Maybe a complete wardrobe change is the first necessary step for taking over the US? Overall, her favorite song of the bunch appears to be the latest by Berryz, Dschinghis Khan.
As always, it is interesting to see how non-Japanese fans react to hearing the music of Morning Musume and Hello! Project. I have to say though… I don’t know, call me ill-disposed if you will, I just get the feeling me and Kuri’s friend wouldn’t exactly be the best of buddies!
Henkka • Apr 13th, 2008
Blogs, Hello! Project • No Comments