Filed under: Leah Dizon
Leah Dizon really gets no respect. Sure, we’ve all loved a song or two of hers now and then, but no one has real respect for her as an artist – some even downright despise her. I’ve been pretty ambivalent towards her the whole time: she can’t sing and her kouhaku failure was hilarious, but she does get great producers sometimes – either way, I don’t care for her too much. A thought actually hit me like randomly a few days ago: love her or (more commonly seen) hate her, I think you do have to admit that Leah Dizon is actually kind of a cool girl.
Tegomass will be releasing their single “Tanabata Matsuri” (Star Festival) on July 8th. The following week, they will be releasing their debut album “Tegomasu no Uta” (Tegomass’ Song) on July 15th. These releases will accompany their first around-Japan summer tour. Both the album and single have limited editions that contain DVDs.
Arashi’s latest double A-side single “Ashita no Kioku/Crazy Moon ~Kimi wa Muteki~” was released earlier this week. “Ashita no Kioku” is the theme for Sakurai Sho’s drama “The Quiz Show” while “Crazy Moon ~Kimi wa Muteki~” is a CM song for Kose. The single is released in three versions – two limited with DVDs, and one regular with karaoke tracks – and no b-sides are included.
I was on vacation so I’m a little late with my write-up; by now, if you cared about Arashi you’ve probably heard the songs already. If you didn’t, maybe you should, because this single is amazing.
I never understood why GIRL NEXT DOOR was such a big hit in Japan. Yes, they’re pretty much avex’s nostalgic pet project, but why did the public catch on? How did the public get to like them? Why did they get onto Kouhaku when they have yet to have a big hit?
Filed under: Utada Hikaru
For those of you residing in the States – you have a chance to party it up with Utada. Myspace is hosting a Utada Karaoke contest. Up until 5/11, record your version of “Come Back to Me” and you could qualify to win prizes – including a trip to Japan to have a “karaoke session” with Utada!
You need to have an account, record the song, and have 100 views before the due date to qualify- so what are you waiting for? And please give a click to the version I’ve recorded! (Yes, this is me shameless promoting myself.)
Also, for those in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Honolulu – there are upcoming Utada appearances to promote her new album in May, so you can pick up your copy of “This is The One” and see Utada at the same time. (:
NEWS will be the hosts of this year’s 24 Hour Television, NTV’s yearly fundraiser that takes donations while broadcasting – you guessed it – 24 hours straight of related television. (It’s pretty much the Japanese form of PBS Telethons for charity.) Pretty much every JE group, including most recently Arashi, have been hosts before; this will be NEWS’ first time. The program will start August 29th. It’s the 32nd time, and the theme this year is “START!~Ippo wo Fumidasou~” (START! Taking One Step Out).
Japanese celebrity “scandals” are so stupid, it almost catches you off guard when a real one happens.
The media seems to love Johnny’s gossip, but the most biting scandal of 2008 was probably of Arashi’s Ohno smoking pot – a rumor that fizzled out when there was no proof, and all the magazine ended up proving was that Ohno actually got laid and that Johnny’s will ruthlessly cut your business down if you hurt their prized moneymakers. So far for 2009? Yawn-worthy girlfriend rumors – oh, and that Nishikido Ryo rear ended a lady on the highway. Leave it to SMAP to have an actual scandal.
Filed under: Arashi, Hey!Say!JUMP, Johnny's Entertainment, Jpop, KAT-TUN, Kanjani8, KinKi Kids, NEWS, SMAP, TOKIO, Tackey & Tsubasa, V6
I think Johnny’s always have the best debut songs and everyone else needs to take a note with their new artists. A Johnny’s group’s discography might not always be good as a whole, but their debut songs are generally epic – cheesy, exciting, infective, which, when all put together, mean totally awesome.Unlike many other artists, who try to gain momentum with their later releases, JE debut songs always have a strong impact and often stay as one of the group’s most popular songs throughout their career.
Here’s a ranking of the best 10!… or, since I’m only considering the still active groups (aka nothing BS: Before SMAP) the best and worst. (…what, my title isn’t that deceiving.)
NEWS’ next single “Koi no ABO” will be released April 29. The song is currently being used in NEWS’ new promotions for the RUSS-K brand. The limited edition of the single will have a 12-page booklet and a DVD with concert clips, while the regular edition will have two additional songs – including a live concert recording.
When I first heard a 30-second clip of the song, I wasn’t particularly impressed. It was really catchy right on the spot, but the music itself sounded a little dated. Besides, aren’t they singing about blood types?
Made it in time for April 1st! 
Winter season was good, here’s hoping the momentum carries on this season.
So my “recommendations” for watchable dramas has sucked consistently – but just look, one of these days I’ll correctly predict the good dramas. For the new shows this season, I’ll be keeping an eye out on Atashinchi no Danshi, Quiz Show, and Meitantei no Okite.
