If this is the only thing to come of the Morning Musume 20th anniversary, well, I'll still be disappointed, but this is a surprise. Just watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThUHrBnBBnQ This makes me happier than this guy right here: I can't put into words how happy I am that Asuka was able to put aside her differences with … Continue reading Oh HELL Yes!
Author: JPope
Rena Ogawa Leaves Kobushi Factory and Hello! Project
And another on bites the dust. Kobushi Factory's Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Year continues apace with the announcement of the retirement of Rena Ogawa today (Japanese). She had been diagnosed with anxiety disorder back in July, around the same time it was discovered she had been dating a boy (OMFG, a 17 year-old … Continue reading Rena Ogawa Leaves Kobushi Factory and Hello! Project
Morning Musume ’17 “Wakaindashi” – First Impressions
The first song of Morning Musume '17's new single has been radio-ripped to Youtube. If you haven't heard it yet, here's your big opportunity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Px4rBfIGIeA I know this is only half the song, but I really hate this. It's musical pabulum. The arrangement feels mailed-in and directionless, which is odd for a Tsunku production. It … Continue reading Morning Musume ’17 “Wakaindashi” – First Impressions
Postmodern Jukebox Takes on BABYMETAL
Is there any more irrefutable confirmation of having made it in today's music world than having Postmodern Jukebox cover your music? They are the modern-day "Weird Al" Yankovic in that respect, so it's cool to see them take on BABYMETAL's "Gimme Chocolate" and confirm BM's place in the not-Japan music scene. Going with 20s-era jazz … Continue reading Postmodern Jukebox Takes on BABYMETAL
Speaking of Mash-ups…
Henkka's Tsubaki/Wonder mash-up reminded me the one I did about three years ago, that is possibly the most ridiculous mashup ever: AKB48's "Beginner" and 80s one-hit-wonder Kingdom Come's "Get It On". Don't ask how this popped into my head -- genius can not be explained, but merely accepted. Set aside such uncomfortable questions and just … Continue reading Speaking of Mash-ups…
“Shuukatsu Sensation” / “I Wish” Mash-up
No, not that "I Wish". Henkka over at Wota In Translation did this quick-and-dirty mashup of Tsubaki Factory's "Shuukatsu Sensation" and Stevie Wonder's "I Wish". He had to lower Stevie's voice substantially to match the key, but this is pretty clever. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKXP2KHL798 You nasty boy. I love that people are re-mixing and mashing-up H!P songs … Continue reading “Shuukatsu Sensation” / “I Wish” Mash-up
Danbara Ruru’s Got Her Mojo Workin’
The latest episode of Hello! Station is out, and it includes footage of Juice=Juice n00bs Danbara Ruru and Yanagawa Nanami recording their lines for "fiesta! fiesta!" Yanagawa is first, and she's as solid as we were told she was. Nothing special, but above average for an idol. Ruru, however, appears to be even better than … Continue reading Danbara Ruru’s Got Her Mojo Workin’
The Problem With LoVendoЯ
So the cover art for LoVendoЯ's come-back mini-album Яe:Start has been released, and the girls look just like... an idol group. Here, bask in the plenary pinkness of Reina's rock band: The only things missing from this cover are Sayu and Koha, and it encapsulates the problem I've had with LoVendoЯ from the start: this … Continue reading The Problem With LoVendoЯ
First Look at Juice=Juice 7-nin Lineup
We got a taste of the new Juice=Juice 7-nin lineup on Youtube today, and they're not coddling the n00bs. Performing their upcoming digital release "fiesta! fiesta!" at the Hello! Gathering Summer Tour, the first solo line goes to new member Danbara Ruru, and she sounds great. Neither she nor Yanagawa Nanami look at all out … Continue reading First Look at Juice=Juice 7-nin Lineup
Holy Hell, I found that DJ Kuno Remix I mentioned in the last post…
Buried in the deep recesses of an old hard drive is this remarkable fan remix of Morning Musume's "Roman ~MY DEAR BOY~", which is really a three-way mash-up of MM, Namie Amuro ("Strobe") and HALCALI ("Tandem"). It's a stunning work that represents, in my opinion, the absolute peak of the fertile Morning Musume remix scene of … Continue reading Holy Hell, I found that DJ Kuno Remix I mentioned in the last post…