J-pop obsession

Singles:
Abe Mao - Tsutaetai Koto (Limited Edition)
alan - BALLAD ~Namonaki Koi no Uta~ (CD+DVD)
AKB48 - Iiwake Maybe (CD+DVD)
Stereopony - Smilife (Limited Edition)

I’m not buying as many Cds as I used to in the moment.
I’ll comment on Abe Mao later on, since I’m planning on making a post about this amazing singer.

Seems like a lot of us alan fans has gotten used to her frequent releases, so when this single BALLAD ~Naminaki no Uta~ was delayed it felt like a long wait. The good thing is this single was surely worth waiting for.
The intro alone in this song is amazing. Once again alan gives us a unique song, with a deeper and almost spiritual feel. The way the song starts out is hard to describe, but we’re left with the conviction that this is no ordinary pop song. This is something more. Then alan introduces us to one of her well known wails and the song starts to follow a more “normal” pop flow. alan slowly leads us the chorus, with very slow paced verses, where she also keeps her pitch low. This pitch is kept now all the way to the end of the chorus, but she still doesn’t raise her voice to what we know she’s capable of, leaving us with a feeling of there’s more in store. This song has a beautiful and heartfelt chorus, which truly captures you. alan sings with such emotion that we’re bound to pay attention. The song builds up to the final chorus, where alan really gives her all, not so much when it comes to hitting the highest notes, but also putting every strong feeling into singing this last part.
BALLAD ~Namonaki Koi no Uta~ is already among my favourite alan songs. This song is truly beautiful and once again this shows us that alan is an unique j-pop singer, who I hope will get more popular with time.
The B-side on this single is a new version of “Shiawase no Kane”. Was a bit disappointed when this was announced, since I hoped for a new song. This new version is a bit slower and has a bit more acoustic feel to it. Shiawase no Kane is not among my favourites, but it’s still a very nice song. This new version gives the song more emotion, which makes me like this new version a bit better.
Because of the lack of a new song as B-side, it’s not possible for me to give this song the highest rate, but very close.
Rating: 9.5/10
AKB48’s newest single didn’t just bring us new songs, but a lot of drama as well. This time around it was decided that the fans now could get the chance to chose the selected members for the single themselves. A big election procedure was kicked off. All the girls got a promotional poster to hang somewhere in the AKB48 theatre and an election video as well. Which was their chance to express themselves and gives the fans a reason to give them a vote. Then when it was time the fans could cast their votes, by cell phones, fan club and similar things. One purchased single of their previous single Namida Surprise equalled one vote.
21 girls were to not only be selected, but ranked as well. Ranked based on the amount of votes these girls got, showing these girls the cruel reality of show business. Where everyone wants to be number one and where your popularity can be measured in numbers.
On the day of the announcement, the whole thing was set up as a big ceremony, where the girls would be called up one by one, from lowest to highest.
Not many was surprised when Maeda Atsuko was announced as number one and therefore the most popular girl in AKB48. Think we all saw that coming. Oshima Yuko got second place, followed by Shinoda Mariko on third. Watanabe Mayu got a, maybe, surprising 4th place. Ranking above members such as, Takahashi Minami and Kojima Haruna.
A surprise to me, was that my second favourite Sato Amina, was not only chosen, but she even got the 8th place.
This made me more happy, than I actually thought I would be. I didn’t feel any worry for my favourite member Kashiwagi Yuki, who has been selected for all singles except one. Where Sato Amina has never been a selected member so her getting 8th was very surprising, but surely also what this amazing girl deserved. The worked hard as a Research Student (girl in training) and got promoted to Team A, where she continued to do her best. And at the election this effort finally paid off. This effort the management didn’t seem to notice, but we fans did. I still remember when she totally won me over last summer, after seeing her and Team A live.
Another surprise was that Minegishi Minami had to settle for a 16th place. Despite the fact that she always seemed like one of the most popular girls, who always got selected and even has her own unit.
The girls who got from 22nd to 30th, was announced as “Under Girls” and would be singing the B-side of the single, even with their own PV.

After all the drama had settled, Iiwake Maybe was announced as the title of the upcoming single and here it is. This single, in my opinion does not live up to the drama at all. To me Iiwake Maybe is one of the most annoying AKB48 A-sides, ever. It’s harsh, but that’s just my honest thought, which I know I’m very alone about. Since Iiwake Maybe seems very popular with most fans. I’m kind of having flash backs to when BINGO! Was released and everybody seemed to love it, except me. And fans still, today talk about how amazing BINGO! is. What is it am missing?
Iiwake Maybe and BINGO! has a lot in common, they’re both overly happy-go-lucky idol songs, with a simple chorus and they both annoy me. I guess, even I, have a limit on how bubblegum happy I want my idol songs. I don’t mind silly songs. I don’t mind childish songs and I surely don’t mind happy songs, but there’s just something about Iiwake Maybe that doesn’t feel right. It’s especially the “maybe, maybe” in the chorus, which leaves a sour taste in my mouth. It’s hard to describe, songs like Iiwake Maybe just sounds, too… generic. I better move on, since I keep on sounding too negative.

Preview:

Tsuji Shion released her 3rd single some weeks ago and even though I had pre-ordered it, it took forever for Yesasia to ship it. For some reason they had stock problems of some kind, but I don’t think it’s because the first stock sold out. Since I had it pre-ordered and Tsuji Shion is not that known, my guess is that they didn’t have a stock to begin with. Late delivery?
Well that doesn’t matter, even though it made me a bit annoyed having to wait about an extra week and in the moment I rarely receive CDs.

My Tsuji Shion collection so far. (Complete)


Singles:
Candy Kicks
Sky Chord~Otona ni Naru Kimi e~ (First Press) + First Press Pencil
M/elody

Other:
Autograph


Her PVs:

Candy Kicks


Sky Chord


M/elody

Tsuji Shion has become known as the “happy YUI”. One of the only things they seem to have in common is their guitar and their love for the word “Baby”. Besides that these two girls doesn’t seem alike to me. Their looks are very different, their personal style and even though their voices are both “girlish” they’re also very different.
Some people seem to complain about this comparison, but I actually think Tsuji Shion’s fans should be happy about it, since it without a doubt has given her extra attention.
It helped me discover her as well, since I had come across Candy Kicks on Youtube and found it boring and average. Then I heard about the “New YUI” thing and decided to give her second chance and it surely helped. Her music kind of needs that “extra” listen. When the preview for Sky Chord was released I also had to listen to it a few times to really like it. Sky chord is a nice, slow paced song, but of course it’s nothing out of the J-pop ordinary - but nice songs doesn’t always have to be that. I was in Osaka when Sky Chord was released and was able to attend a handshake event in Umeda, where she preformed three songs as well. That’s where I got my autograph from, so I don’t have to wonder whether it’s fake or not.

M/elody.

M/elody is a bit more upbeat than Sky Chord, at least when it comes to the chorus M/elody starts out a bit slow, but then it picks up pace towards the chorus. And like with all her releases are the guitar the most dominant instrument in this song.
The song has a nice happy feel to it and it’s clearly the kind of song that’s supposed to cheer us up or just make our mood even better.
When I first heard M/elody, I found it a bit uninteresting and average, but it turned out I just needed to listen to it a few more times, to really appreciate it. Guess that’s the returning problem for Tsuji Shion’s songs, but I like her enough to always give her that extra chance.
I actually think M/elody is my favourite of her A-side songs so far, beating Candy Kicks and Sky Chord. The B-side song on M/elody is Naminori.
The pace seems very like M/elody, starting out slow and then speeding up towards the chorus. Especially the chorus is what’s making this song interesting. The way she sings “naminori” in a high tone really gets stuck in my head and later I catch myself walking around singing the same line. This is a cute and catchy B-side, which matches the A-side. This single beats Sky Chord for me, which had a weaker B-side. I really recommend this single to anyone who likes cute and a bit “average” J-pop songs.


I have some 100x100 icons I made back in January, around 90, which I plan to post soon.

Well, it’s been long since I’ve made an update.
Yesterday three CD orders arrived.

J-pop

Abe Mao - Anata no Koibito ni Naritai no Desu (Limited Edition)
Morning Musume - Nanchatte Renai (Limited Edition A)
ONE OK ROCK - BEAM OF LIGHT
Tsuji Shion - M/elody

C-pop & K-pop

alan - Heart of the East (Limited Edition)
Brown Eyed Girls - 2nd album
Brown Eyed Girls - My Style
Brown Eyed Girls - 3rd - Sound G.
Jewelry - Kitchi Island

I’ll talk about Abe Mao, Tsuji Shion, Brown Eyed Girls and Jewelry later.

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Morning Musume is back with their 40th single, titled Nanchatte Renai.



Once again Morning Musume can celebrate some kind of anniversary. This time it’s celebrated with releasing an extra edition of the single, making the total 4 different editions - which makes me happy about not being one of those fans who buys all editions. I used to buy both Limited editions, but stopped that after Naichau Kamo, to save money.
The limited edition A includes a DVD (like usual) with the dance shot version, which I always prefer over close-up versions.
I love the cover of this release; especially the red background cover and the girls look cute in the black and white outfits. Junjun looks stunning on this cover as well.
At first listen Nanchatte Renai reminded me of Shouganai Yumeoibito, which wasn’t a positve thing for me. I got to like Shouganai Yumeoibito over time, but it’s still not a fave of mine and it took to many listens to like it.
Nanchatte Renai on the other only took me a few listens to love. The chorus is extremely catchy and I’ve had this song on repeat for long and I never seem to get tired of it and it’s already become one of my favourite Morning Musume songs. This single is perfect for celebrating their 40th single anniversary. Another great thing about this single is that all members, except the 8th generation have solo lines. Especially Niigaki and Kamei’s amount of lines has increased and they have almost the same amount as Tanaka. Kusumi has a solo verse as well and she’s finally back in the game.
Now I just want Junjun and Linlin to have lines as well. Sorry I can’t lie and say I wish that for Mitsui as well, at least she has her own unit.

Did anyone watch the making off the PV? Am I the only one who really wants to know what Kamei was on? Haha, besides just the fact it was past her bedtime. Seriously.
EDIT: Okay here's the last part of the making of. Kamei weirdness from 00:20.

ONE OK ROCK.
Not much to say, it’s not a new release. BEAM OF LIGHT is their 2nd album, which I finally got around to order so my ONE OK ROCK album collection would be completed.
Words can’t describe how much I love this group, I still bless the day I came across their “Keep it real” PV.

alan's Chinese album is here...

alan’s Chinese album, east of the heart (or something like that). This album is a “collection” of her Japanese singles, re-sung in Chinese. Every song from Ashita e no Sanka to Kuon no Kawa is included. It’s interesting to hear all my favourite alan songs in Chinese, there’s also a few non-single songs, such as: sign, Sakura Modern, Kimi Omou Sora, Shiawase no Kane (of course with their Chinese titles instead.) and then 加油!你有ME! was included as well. Which hasn’t been physically released before. Some fans complained about this happy and upbeat song being including. It’s true it doesn’t really fit her other songs, but it doesn’t bother me. Since I guess I’m one of the few people who actually like this song and find it cute and catchy. And this song is also the only song on the album I don’t already own on another album, just in another language.
The limited edition of her album, is… huge. It’s two regular CDs long and almost one and a half CD wide. It consists of the CD, a DVD, a photo book and a post card.
When it first was released I found it a bit weird only the limited edition was available for purchase. (not that a big alan fan as me would have bought the regular edition) But I just wondered whether this album would just be limited edition and when it was sold out it would just be gone. Then I wondered if it really was limited edition, but then yesterday I checked Yesasia and the limited edition is now out of stock. So it was limited, which makes me even happier about owning my copy. The regular edition is set to be released on October 22nd. What also made us fans a little disappointed was the fact that she/her management re-used the pictures from her debut Japanese album, making the cover identical except for how they were cropped/cut.

Today I went to Zushi in Kanagawa (an hour outside Tokyo) to see Fukui Mai and alan live at the beach. I got a bit lost in the city (took the wrong turn and then it got confusing) but asked around and finally found the beach.
It was a nice beach, very much like the ones you see in dramas. Danish beaches looks boring compared to this.



Too bad today's weather was cloudy and rainy - not the best weather to stand and wait. At 16:00 (after already being soaked in the rain and heavy wind) the doors opened - for those who had the ticket. I had to wait, then later those without ticket could line up and buy.

The artists preforming was:

(Fukui Mai, alan, Moumon, Rie Fu and RYTHEM)
I only mostly came to see Fukui Mai and alan.

After we got in I found a place to sit and then I waited. First one to preform was Rie Fu, never had any interest in her, since her songs is a bit boring. Then Fukui Mai came on stage and suddenly the crowd woke up a bit and started yelling her name. Fukui Mai was full of energy and asked people to wave their hands - shortly after she told us to stand up. (What Fukui Mai asks - you do).
So we were standing up during her preformance. Where she preformed all my favourites.
The track list:
01. Can Can. So full of energy and she shouted out to the audience at every chance she got.
02. Peace friend. I hoped this would come - since I love it so much. And we all waved with her during the chorus.
03. Aoi E. This is such a beautiful song, I love it and she put a lot of emotion into it.
04. Koi no Yukue. She dedicated this song to those who was in love.
05. Ai no Uta. No Fukui Mai preformance complete without this song.
06. MY SONG FOR YOU. One of the greatest songs ever I was soo happy when she announced it, very sad when she added it was her last of today. I never listened to a song so closely before, I didn't want it to end. And everytime she sang "my song for you" she pointed to us in the audience.

And then she was gone. Then a break (actually one between every artist) I went over to the shopping area in the live house, because I had noticed a T-shirt. I thought they only sold CDs by the preforming artists, but I spotted that a T-shirt said: See you later alligator. (like a line in Fukui Mai's peace friend). And correctly it was a Fukui Mai T-shirt, I had to buy it.


After Fukui Mai, Moumon came on and I was a bit bored again and it was a bit more quiet. Then another break and the next artist were alan!. She is even more beautiful in real life - she was shinning on the stage and she was chatting nicely with the audience and she even tried to joke about finding it hard to keep her dress in place.
Later on she talked about her home town not having ocean and therefore she found the today's surroundings very pretty.
The track list was:
01. Natsukashii Mirai ~Longing future~. Very nice good opening and even the wail.
02. Gunjou no Tani. I really love this song, it's more upbeat than her others and overall just great.
03. Kuon no Kawa. She asked the audience who had seen the movie Red Cliff and a very big part of the audience raised their hands. Not surprising she chose this since it's her most popular son to date - sales wise.
04. Shiawase no Kane. Not the song I had hoped and I was very disappointed when she announced it washer last - what? Only 4? I must admit I had hoped for Ashita e no Sanka or Sakura Modern, but of course the most important thing was to see her live.

RYTHEM ended the show and after that I went home.