Monday, August 27, 2012

NOT a review of Yuna Ito's love you


While sitting in the bus on the way home my iPhone shuffled to Yuna Ito's love you. I'd usually skip it but since I've never heard it in quite a while (like 2 years) I thought I'll just give it a listen. To be completely honest, I thought it actually sounded decent when I first heard it back when DREAM just came out, but it is only now that I realise that just like her career prospects, it's actually pretty shit.

Whoever thought this mess was a good idea probably just wanted to experiment with percussion-driven songs only to fail miserably, mostly because of the poor arrangement and the melody being totally off. I did, however, remember being disappointed hearing it as an album opener compared to WISH's Power of Love.

Speaking of which, is she still alive? She's being like Ai Otsuka minus the shotgun marriage. I did find her Twitter account though, with only like less than 300 followers, probably because many can't take a Twitter username like that seriously. All she tweets about is like, her ~*big sister*~ AI. Last time I actually heard news about her dying career is that she's working on her next studio album but she's probably lying because... I just think so.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

What the fuck is wrong with Nocchi


From my amateur Japanese skills, apparently Shiho was asked about must-have items and I think she answered an exercise pole (as pictured in the corner) so Nocchi was probably like BITCH IMMA STEAL THAT SO I CAN POLE DANCE TO NAKATA-SAN ALL DAY

Damn, Shiho-san better be sleeping with one eye open.

[Music Video] VERBAL - BLACK OUT feat. Namie Amuro & Lil' Wayne



Talk about an oopsie whoopsie! VERBAL probably feels like shit now, because apparently the video that was never supposed to see the light of day (har har har) is now out in its full glory, and in fact, has already been since last year. I guess this late discovery makes sense because the video totally looks cheap and fanmade. Despite that, I still like it. At least it has its own unique points although they clearly had a small budget given that they had to cut short Lil Wayne's part obviously so that they can create lesser animations, duh. I can't help but laugh at the birdcage on VERBAL's head though. Sorry, I just can't.

Trivia time! VERBAL did not intend to release this video because it reminded him of the dark times (har har har) from last year when the March 2011 earthquakes happened as it was planned to be released during that time as well. However, it's probably because he didn't like the edited outcome and doesn't want to embarrass himself.

UPDATE: The video has been changed to Private apparently but you can still view it via her unofficial Facebook page here

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

[CD Packaging] Perfume - Spending all my time (CD+DVD)


Here are packaging pictures for the CD+DVD edition of Perfume's latest single, Spending all my time!


I would also like to add that the paper quality used for the slipcase, inserts and everything feels pretty shit.



This marks the first Perfume release to be released under their own sub-label, Perfume Records.



And of course, the single has certainly proven that Yasukata Nakata has what it takes to become the best songwriter in the world!


Lol


Anyway, CDJapan also gave out posters as an external bonus and tada:


The posters are matte and the paper is REALLY thick. As you can see even CDs cannot hold it down completely.

And that's it! Hali bali pali, juicy juicy sweetie

Sunday, August 12, 2012

[CD Packaging] ayumi hamasaki - A SUMMER BEST (2CD+DVD)


Just collected my copy of ayumi hamasaki's A SUMMER BEST (2CD+DVD) yesterday at the post office!

Was quite disappointed to see that the jewel case used is different from NEXT LEVEL's 2CD+DVD one because I preferred that. That's just me though, because I like to call this type of jewel case the "do-nails" casing because of the annoying lines on top and below it.





Sad to say, as in typical Ayu fashion, they have once again chosen the wrong pictures for the 2CD cover. Don't believe me? Bam:



and bam:


MmmmMMMmmmMMmmm.

[Music Video] Crystal Kay - What We Do


Ma gurl Kuri Kuri, despite having pretty shit sales, managed to still make another music video for What We Do! Then again, that's probably because of the fact that it's partly sponsored by LOUNGEDRESS which is a... clothing line? Brand? I dunno, all I know is they have clothes, and the video sure is one hell of a clothes-fest in the video. 75% of the video is of Kuri and 9000 other friends, or maybe only 2 but they all look the same anyway, getting all dolled up and deciding on what clothes to wear, and they are either indecisive as hell, or that is a subtle-but-not-really product placement. Heheheheheh. The other 25% of the video is Crystal serving up some hot choreography again. Lavvit!

You can watch the video embedded below from wat.tv or here at MTV Japan.

[New Release] Perfume - Perfume Global Compilation "LOVE THE WORLD"

CD+DVD | CD

What... a load of crap. Sorry but I'm not sorry, but those covers are a MESS with a capital M E S S. Not only that, but it's also rather disturbing. Who's gonna pick that shit up on the shelves? Oh well.

You wanna know what else is a mess? The tracklist. Once again, sorry but I'm not sorry, but I don't know who picks the songs themselves because they are soooo missing out on all the other good songs. I feel like Nee is one of their best songs of all time (putting aside its cringe-worthy lyrics), and I think Kasuka na Kaori deserves a spot too. Having only 3 JPN songs does not make it fair! *slams table*

At least on the bright side, I like 80% of the tracklist. That doesn't mean I'm still gonna buy it though (Or am I? Eheheheh). You must be thinking, "But Travis! There's a PV for FAKE IT!" Sorry to burst your bubbles guys, but the FAKE IT PV is just going to be the live performance at the Yokohama Blitz.

It'll be interesting to see how well this sells because other than the fact that it's Perfume, 2 songs are getting new mixes and maybe, erm, Polyrhythm, there's hardly any selling factor in this at all. Oh well, we'll see.

Perfume Global Compilation "LOVE THE WORLD" will be released on 12 September 2012.
CD Tracklist
  1. Polyrhythm (ポリリズム)
  2. edge (⊿-mix)
  3. love the world
  4. Electro World (エレクトロ・ワールド)
  5. Chocolate Disco (2012-Mix) (チョコレイト・ディスコ)
  6. SEVENTH HEAVEN
  7. GAME
  8. Secret Secret (シークレットシークレット)
  9. NIGHT FLIGHT
  10. Baby cruising Love
  11. Butterfly
  12. FAKE IT
  13. Laser Beam (レーザービーム)
  14. GLITTER
  15. MY COLOR (LTW-Mix)
  16. Dream Fighter

DVD Tracklist
  1. FAKE IT -Video Clip-
  2. FAKE IT -Video Clip Making-
  3. Polyrhythm -Historical Live Act Version- (ポリリズム)

I will do anything for the duck... ANYTHING


Koda Kumi's fanclub Koda Gumi posted up some exclusive goodies only for fanclub members as part of promotion for Beach Mix!

イヤホンジャック¥1,200/ラバーコースターセット(倖田組)¥1,500/うちわ¥800

Of course, there is a reason why I made the duck above the largest of the three. The 1200-yen iPhone jack clearly steals the show because it looks so stupid, I LOVE IT. We all know everyone would want a Kuu duck sitting on top of our iPhones. If only I lived in Japan ;(

The other two goods are 800-yen Uchiwas and 1500-yen rubber coasters. The coasters look pretty lame though, but ok.

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

[CD Packaging] Koda Kumi - Beach Mix (CD+DVD)

Look what I received today! The CD+DVD edition of Koda Kumi's latest remix album, Beach Mix!


Comes housed in your typical 2CD jewel case as you would expect.


Back Cover



The only booklet picture available is shown in the picture above. Yea.

Monday, August 6, 2012

[New Release] Superfly - FORCE



As previously revealed to you in an earlier post, here are more details for Superfly's upcoming album, Force!

Force is Superfly's fourth studio album to be released on 19 September 2012. This album also happens to be released on the year of her 5th anniversary!

This album, unlike her previous albums, will be released in three editions: a regular CD only edition, a limited 2CD edition, and a 5th anniversary limited edition. The 5th anniversary limited edition, sold at an annoying 5555 yen (god knows what her 10th anniversary would bring), comprises the 2CD edition of the album, a bonus LP of the album and a poster.

In addition to the three editions that will be widely available to everyone, convenience store Lawson has decided to be a tightarse and release a special edition of the album none of us overseas will have access to. This exclusive edition includes a bonus DVD.

Quite unhappy with the fact that they decided to not include a DVD this time but oh well! I brought it upon myself since I should have bought the singles if I wanted music videos. RIGHT, WARNER MUSIC?! IS THIS WHAT YOU WANNA HEAR?!?!

The second disc that comes with the limited editions is pretty much the entire album again, except it was recorded live from her "Live 4th YOU", so it's not like you're missing much. Damn, does she preview her songs this early all the time? It's so hard to keep up with her live concerts because she just has so many everywhere. Either that or I'm just retarded, that's why I only keep up with her CD releases.

CD Tracklist
  • Disc 1
  1. Force
  2. Nitty Gritty
  3. No Bandage
  4. Kagayaku Tsuki no You ni (輝く月のように)
  5. Ai wo Kurae (愛をくらえ)
  6. Shuuen (終焉)
  7. Heisei Homo Sapiens (平成ホモサピエンス)
  8. Get High!! ~Adrenaline~ (Get High!! ~アドレナリン~)
  9. 919
  10. The Bird Without Wings
  11. Standing Ovation (スタンディングオベーション)
  • Disc 2 (Live 4th YOU)
  1. Force (Live)
  2. Nitty Gritty (Live)
  3. No Bandage (Live)
  4. Kagayaku Tsuki no You ni (Live) (輝く月のように)
  5. Ai wo Kurae (Live) (愛をくらえ)
  6. Shuuen (Live) (終焉)
  7. Heisei Homo Sapiens (Live) (平成ホモサピエンス)
  8. Get High!! ~Adrenaline~ (Live) (Get High!! ~アドレナリン~)
  9. 919 (Live)
  10. The Bird Without Wings (Live)
  11. Standing Ovation (Live) (スタンディングオベーション)
DVD Tracklist (Lawson special edition ONLY)
  1. Ai wo Kurae (愛をくらえ) (Music Video)
  2. Kagayaku Tsuki no You ni (輝く月のように) (Music Video)
  3. Ochi Shiho's Comments on Each Song

Sunday, August 5, 2012

[Album Review] Angela Aki - BLUE

Weeee!
Angela's last good studio album was ANSWER in 2009. LIFE almost became as good as that but some of the English tracks were just meh, and I refuse to acknowledge WHITE as part of her discography. WHITE was obviously a rushed release because of her pregnancy and I can count the number of good tracks on just one hand. Oh wait, I can even count the number of tracks on the entire album with both my hands. Top that along with the fact that 2 of the songs were unnecessary, reductive self-covers. That's how rushed that shit was. Angela is in need of a good redemption with her 7th studio album, BLUE, before her career drops down to the bottom of the blue sea.

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Ayu gets second place on NINKI, hacks Oricon for consolation



The horrors of horrors! Your eyes are not playing tricks, everybody. A SUMMER BEST has been placed at an unfortunate #2 on the NINKI prediction charts on ORICON. What's even more unfortunate is that the index is a mere 79.90 while Party Queen's was 171.30! Dun dun dunnn!!

I thought A SUMMER BEST was just an excuse for Ayu to continue her record of one #1 album every year since her debut, but it looks like even avex can't be bothered with that record anymore!

I think there's a slim chance that Ayu might still end up being #1 anyway because SMAP's last album in 2010 only sold 180k in its first week, and to put things in perspective Rock'n'Roll Circus released the same year sold 205k first week and Love songs with also 180k. Plus, this time it's a best album sooooo yea, they can have fun battling it out.

Or as we can follow the Ayu stan logic, "Party Queen got #1 for NINKI but #2 weekly, so this time, A SUMMER BEST will get #2 on NINKI and #1 weekly!" sigh... god bless our souls.

In addition to this calamity, this has certainly driven ayumi hamasaki herself even crazier than she already is, thereby causing Oricon to have what seems like a technical glitch, although deep down we all know this is definitely the doing of the queen of J-Pop.



The Top 40 best-selling singles of 2012 are A BEST 2 -WHITE-, A BEST 2 -WHITE-, A BEST 2 -WHITE-... ... and A BEST 2 -WHITE-! I find it funny how there's only 3 Facebook likes, but that's not the point. Ayu clearly misses the time where her career was at its musical peak, and what better to represent it with than A BEST 2 -WHITE-?

It's been up on Oricon since early this morning and still hasn't been fixed yet. Ayu must be one skilled hacker.



"Ohhh how desperate I am to reclaim the crown that once belonged to me... oh fliday night... when GUILTY got #2... I... who have nothing..."

[Album Review] Crystal Kay - VIVID

AHHHHHHHHHHH

VIVID is Crystal Kay's 10th overall studio album and her 1st since her label switch from Epic Records to Delicious Deli Records over at Universal Music. This release comes with a CD+DVD limited edition containing the music videos for 3 of her past singles, "Superman", "Delicious na Kinyoubi" and "Forever" along with the making-of footage to "Forever" as well as the regular edition with only the 14-track CD.

First of all, I think the cover says nothing about the word "VIVID". I was expecting Crystal Kay to dish up some A+ shade to BoA's horrendous Vivid single cover but noooo she's just standing there looking boring. I don't hate it entirely, I just think it looks too simple for an album with a title like that. One thing I do like about it is how pretty Crystal looks. Once again, Crystal Kay does her classic one-edition-one-pose-the-other-another-pose combination for this release despite her label switch. Lovely.

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