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.

The single “Tanabata Matsuri” sounds significantly different from Tegomass’ previous works. It’s in a significantly lower range and focuses more on Massu’s vocals than Tegoshi’s. There doesn’t seem to be a focus on harmonizing and instead more on singing the melody. The song itself is a cheerful midtempo with an almost country-western feel to the instrumentation at times. The vocals are spot on as usual, and the song is fun and catchy – perfect for a summer festival mood.

If you’re pining after the amazing ballads Tegomass usually releases though, you’re still in luck, because the coupling B-side to the single “Hanamuke” gives just that: a midtempo ballad with gorgeous harmonizing in their trademark smooth vocals paired with an amazing orchestral and synth instrumentation.

The PV is also refreshing as it puts Tegomass in the middle of what looks to the a temple, playing with kids for what we can assume is Tanabata while still looking very Johnny’s-stylish. The limited edition DVD has the full version of the PV as well as the making-of clip.

As for their debut album, the tracklist is

1. ミソスープ (Miso Soup)
2. キッス～帰り道のラブソング～ (Kiss~ Kaerimichi no Love Song; Kiss~ Going Home Love Song)
3. アイアイ傘 (Ai Ai Gasa)
4. 片思いの小さな恋 (Katamoi no Chisana Koi; Little Love from One Side)
5. たったひとつだけ (Tatta Hitotsu Dake; Just the ONly One)
6. 夏への扉 (Natsu e no Tobira; Summer’s Door)
7. What’s going on?
8. くしゃみ (Kushami; Sneeze)
9. HIGHWAY
10. POWER OF EARTH
11. サヨナラ僕の街 (Sayonara Boku no Machi; Farewell My Town)
12. 四季彩 (Shikisai; Color of Four Seasons)
13. 雨のち晴れ(Ame Nochi Kare; Rain Then Clear) *
14. チキンボーヤ (Chicken Boy) *
15. MISO SOUP *
* Regular Edition only

The limited edition to the album has a DVD with live footage of (according to Johnnys-net) a Ai Ai Gasa Live, with Miso Soup, Moshimo Boku ga Pochi Dattara, Bokura no Uta, Ai Ai Gasa, and Kiss ~Kaerimichi no Love Song~, as well as a documentary of Tegomass in Sweden.

If you’re a fan of Tegomass, let’s be serious: when have they disappointed with their releases? No matter what you think songs like “Chicken Boy” are going to sound like or if you’re unsure if “Tanabata Matsuri” is really your type of song, you can be sure that they’re going to deliver fun and deliciously well sung pop songs.

And as always, support the boys! “Tanabata Matsuri” and “Tegomasu no Uta” will both be showing up at my doorstep come July, let it come to yours too!

Tanabata Matsuri:
CDJapan: Limited // Regular
Yesasia: Limited // Regular
HMV: Limited // Regular

Tegomasu no Uta:
CDJapan: Limited // Regular
Yesasia: Limited // Regular
HMV: Limited // Regular

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.

“Ashita no Kioku” is a gorgeous midtempo ballad backed with dramatic strings and piano and has a great hook. Arashi songs have this tendency to have unforgettable moments in its music, and this is no difference: tell me you’re not hooked when the dramatic music led off into the chorus at “meguri meguru” – yeah, now you’re singing it too, right?

The PV will be boring if you’re a casual listener, but it’s a fan’s dream. A washed out pastel palette with five minutes full of just gorgeous casual shots of the boys. Yes, the taking pictures and sticking up photographs of clocks does tie in for the theme of time and memories and stuff – but let’s face it, if you managed to sit through more than one minute of this video, you’re watching this because everyone looks so good in this scheme.

Still amazing but on a completely different front, “Crazy Moon ~Kimi wa Muteki~” is an energetic and infective dance number. It blends heavy synth with electric guitar and a killer hook. From the very start, the song bursts with energy and simple but catchy melodies that get stuck in your head.

And with the PV, Arashi proves they’re one of the JE bands who can actually dance – or at least be able to hire good choreographers. The entire video is a flowing intertwined dance routine that is engaging to watch the entire time – it’s probably one of the best Johnny’s dance choreography I’ve seen in awhile. Visually, the boys look terrific dressed in monochrome and red in an open and empty stadium – slick, stylish, and just really cool.

I kind of hate that with every Arashi release I sing high praises, making me sound terribly biased – but what can I do when everything they release lately is just good? With strings of hits already, you’d think Arashi would mess up soon, but if it’s ever happening, it’s not with this single. Terrific music, terrific visuals, and altogether yet another amazing release from the group.

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).

Producer Matsuoka said NEWS was chosen because “NEWS are active as individuals and as a group. The have the support of young women as well as people of all ages, and with their appeal to the public, they deserve to be the main personalities. NEWS can sing and dance, but they also have a smart image, and through this program I want to show viewers the NEWS that shed sweat and tears just like them.”

Personally, I’m thrilled NEWS is finally getting a chance to have something to do in television! Although they have no experience hosting their own show, I hope they do a great job as hosts.

Also, since it’s 24 Hr TV, there’s bound to be a wide variety of clips and events. I’m hoping for:

- giant NEWS medley sometime in the midnight hours

- Yamapi acting in a touching melodrama

- Tegomass songs!

- NEWS goes and visit people in need of help.

- Kame appears and there is a reprisal performance of Seishun Amigo somewhere.

- A lot of money raised for good causes, thanks to NEWS!

Each member had a comment. A quick and rough and possibly incorrect at parts translation:

Yamashita Tomohisa: Hopefully I can help viewers smile for 24 hours.  I hope what we do will help change the world for the better.

Koyama Keiichiro: Being on 24 Hour Television is one of my dreams. I don’t know what I myself can do, but this is a great program. I always watch this program and is always touched by thoughts of “the value of life, hope, courage.” I’m very happy to be able to be a part of this. 24 Hr TV is summer’s big event and will be the best of your time!

Masuda Takahisa: Becoming the TV personality that children watch on 24 Hour TV, I’m really happy! I’ll do my best to help everyone smile!

Kato Shigeaki: I’m glad to participate in this ledgendary program.  I want to do NEWS proud when I am on this program.

Tegoshi Yuya: 24 Hour TV is on each year, and I hope to learn from my seniors who have hosted this program before. I know there are many viewers, and I look forward to it.

Nishikido Ryo: In the past decade, 24 Hour TV has become ledgendary, to let NEWS be hosting this, I’m honestly very happy.  To make the show the best end of summer, I’ll work hard and do my best.

Information is all on the main site. Definitely something for NEWS fans to look forward to!

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.

The facts are pretty clear cut and has been well covered by all news sources: (sanspo, tokyograph) Kusanagi Tsuyoshi got drunk, went out in the park screaming like loud drunks do, and somehow the alcohol made him want to get naked, I guess. He got arrested for public indecency and is currently still detained. He has already been taken off television for his CMs and his position on numerous other shows is still uncertain.

Johnny’s has issued a bland apology statement that they don’t know what Kusanagi was doing that day; obviously, this isn’t just some paparazzi scandal some cold hard yen can cover up.

This is an actual crime, so he’ll inevitably have some sort of punishment from law enforcement, although it probably won’t be too bad. The problem though would be his career. When his groupmember Goro ran from the cops for a parking ticket, he was suspended for half a year. Although public drunkeness and nudity isn’t as harsh a crime, Kusanagi still faces possible suspension and definite halt of work. Also, Kusanagi currently holds a “good” image: softspoken member of SMAP, appearing in ads for the government and acting in romantic dramas and films – the image not associated with someone who goes wild after a night of drinking.

Of course, since he is a SMAP member, his popularity will undoubtedly allow him to return to work in showbiz – a luxury granted by his popularity that few in Johnny’s Jimusho can have. However, his career will definitely suffer: SMAP is still wildly popular but not as relevant as it was five years ago; will he be able to rebuild his shattered image? And how will his longtime fans react, now that their idol – usually calm and reserved – has shown such a wild other side to himself?

I must wonder: as one of the most popular men in Japan, with work continuing to pour in even after so many years in the industry – what’s the chip on his shoulder, getting drunk then screaming his woes to the world in a park while unclothed? Is the Japanese entertainment industry and Johnny’s really so hard to deal with? Are drunk scream sessions common for him? In such an embarrassing public situation, we’ll probably receive a bland and apologetic statement from Kusanagi never hear the actual truth behind this from the man himself – so after all that’s said and finished, it’ll be the one question that will always hang in the air.

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.)

10. SMAP – Can’t Stop!! -LOVING-

By putting SMAP in last place, I know I’m coming off as a total SMAP hater (I’m not really, honest) – but even the biggest SMAP fans can’t help but admit the group’s early musical releases aren’t exactly… good. Debut songs are supposed to be embarrassing and overdone in Johnny’s universe, but the song is such terrible bubblegum idol pop that it’s no wonder they didn’t get popular when they first debuted, and no wonder the group doesn’t sing this song EVER.
Can’t Stop!! -LOVING’- Live

9. V6 – Music for the People

Firstly, isn’t it odd when the song comes out around when half the members had barely broken voices, but still sound deeper and huskier than they do ten years later? Hard techno, deep voices – the song is actually really catchy, but sounds much better when they sing it years later without all the seriousness – yeah, V6 sounding really serious while singing a ridiculous song is probably what puts it in this spot. (This is where every song on the list becomes good, and the rankings are, to be honest, pretty arbitrary.)
Music for the People PV || Music for the People live, 2006

8. Tackey & Tsubasa – True Heart

Okay, so technically this was on a debut album – but let’s not be technical, okay? The song should otherwise be a bad song – cheesy lyrics, boring instrumentals, mediocre vocals – but the simple tune wedges into your head in your head, and before you know it, you’re singing along to “I feeeel… I dooo” in all of this debut song’s melodramatic glory.
True Heart PV || True Heart live at Hatachi concert (hilarious!)

7. Hey!Say!JUMP – Ultra Music Power

“Ultra Music Power” is catchy, catchy, catchy. I know, some of you aren’t fans of this group because it’s like watching a group of middle school (primary, if you stare too long at Morimoto or Chinen) boys try to be sexy, but it’s just hard to not sing along. Musically, it’s somewhat standard, and the longevity of this song might be limited by how long Chinen can keep his voice from breaking, but this is just catchy to death.
Ultra Music Power PV || Ultra Music Power live

6. Kanjani8 – Naniwa Iroha Bushi

I wouldn’t say “Naniwa Iroha Bushi” is a song most people listen to often anymore unless they’re big Kanjani8 fans, but there’s no way you could get this out of your head when you first hear it. The mix of semi-rap parts and enka (both good (from Subaru) and bad (from everyone else, sadly)) so unique and unforgettable.
Naniwa Iroha Bushi PV || Naniwa Iroha Bushi rock version live

5. NEWS – NEWS Nippon

The song had fast paced pop portions, ballad portions, and rap portions – it’s like they tried to fit every genre into this song. Actually, each portion is charming and catchy in its own way, but the pop chorus is what sticks with you for days. You’ll never forget their name (I am 100% in support of sneakily placing your group name into the song MULTIPLE times) and never forget the chorus either.
NEWS Nippon PV || NEWS Nippon live 2004 || NEWS Nippon live, 2007

4. KinKi Kids – Garasu no Shounen

Put together two boys with the same last name, have them sing about glass boys (yeah, everyone first snickers at the song title) in a catchy tune against a really dramatic backing track – and you’ve got a hit that no one forgets. Even as KinKi Kids become KinKi Men, this is still one of their title songs that represents the duo – which says something about its awesome staying power.
Garasu no Shounen PV || Garasu no Shounen live, 1997 || Garasu no Shounen live, 2007

3. Real Face – KAT-TUN

It’s not often you debut with a catchy single that sells a million plus copies. That’s “Real Face” for you. No matter how much good singing, rock, tough rapping, beat-boxing, or obscene sound effects KAT-TUN tries to throw in the future, nothing can exceed this song because it has all of the aforementioned and does each aspect to perfection. Not only does the song have terrific composition and production, it’s iconic and established KAT-TUN as Japan’s hip-thrusting, tough-looking slutty idols wth just one song.
Real Face PV || Real Face live

2. TOKIO – Love You Only

“Love You Only” is an amazingly sweet and fun song and, quite honestly, is one of the best songs the group has ever had. TOKIO obviously agrees with me, because they even re-recorded this song in their more modern rock style at their tenth anniversary. Aside from the normal cheese factors of being a Johnny’s song and singing about love as if the entire group were middle schoolers, the song is actually pretty good just as a song. Plus, who can forget the short-shorts Nagase wore that are almost synonymous with this song? Whether it’s because you love Nagase’s legs or is just traumatised by them, the answer would be no one.
Love You Only live, 1994 || Love You Only PV || Love You Only, 2004 ver PV

1. Arashi – A.RA.SHI

It’s one thing to have your fans love your debut song ten years after your debut – it’s another to have everyone still love this song everywhere. “A.RA.SHI” is catchy, employs rap, ballad, and tempo changes, and name drops the group the most out of any debut song on here. You know it’s a good song when it’s still performed on national television even a decade after its debut and, not only does it manage to not sound too dated, people still love it despite your popular image and sound being completely different now. Ten years later, people can still associate the “arashi, arashi for dream” dance motion with the song. Now that’s a debut song done right!
A.RA.SHI PV || A.RA.SHI live, 1999 || A.RA.SHI live, 2008

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?

Well, now it makes sense why it sounds a little 80s – because they’re going for a total Saturday Night Fever style. Okay, okay – music first: the song is, in typical NEWS style, fun and catchy. It pretty much goes full on synth – drumkit beats, synth effects, even some techno background effects thrown in. The vocals are good this time from everyone – even Shige sounds decent and has a fairly large amount of solos. And Tegoshi’s solo bridge at around 3:00 – man, that boy can SING. The song is funky and funny and infective – I’m singing along to the “Koi ooo koi ooo AB OOoooo” right now.

The PV though is the real star – it’s just FABULOUS. Watch and see for yourself. NEWS starts off the PV as cool hosts in a swanky club, smoothly picking up girls – then go DISCO. And we’re not talking Nakata-style “cool disco” – no, NEWS is busting out all the oldschool disco moves, and then some. By the end, they’re doing the disco in white racer suits, with stunner shades and wild hairstyles. It starts from cool-NEWS and dissolves into transforming into a giant dorky disco party. I love videos where the boys don’t take themselves too seriously while still staying classy – exactly something like this.

The boys look terrific – those closeup shots are amazing. This video looks like it actually had a decent budget, with extras, camera effects, and (we haven’t seen this since, what, TEPPEN?!) multiple sets that aren’t just set in front of a greenscreen! Plus, cool suave NEWS doing a disco is honestly one of the most unexpected yet awesome ideas there are.

And if you’re like me, you were waiting for it while watching the entire video…

Yes! Score another PV for the YamaP cups.

A great song plus all the extras (a NEWS release with an actual DVD!) make this a definite buy. I have to say, this is the first time since “weeeek” that I’ve really been anticipating getting my copy. If you’re a fan, remember to support the boys!
Limited Edition: CDJapan/HMV/Yesasia
Regular Edition: CDJapan/HMV/Yesasia

On just it’s first day of release, Arashi’s “Believe/Kumori Nochi, Kaisei” single sold 214,618 copies.

No, I did not type that wrong.

200,000+ copies. In a day. And only from the record stores that submit their sales daily. It’s currently the fourth best selling single of 2009 with just one day of sales.

And it’s a fairly reasonable 3 version release too – just a double A-side with great songs, great PVs, and smart tie-ins.

I knew Arashi is still extremely popular in Japan – but I could never have predicted sales of this level!

This single looks like it has the ability to overtake the tremendous success “truth/Kaze no Mukou e”. For the third year in a row, Arashi looks to have an amazingly successful year.

UPDATE: “Believe/Kumori Nochi, Kaisei” easily became the number one single with just two days of sales. Its first week sales were an astonishing 502,000 copies – easily placing it as the number one single of 2009 as well as the highest first week sales of the year.

Arashi’s first single of 2009, “Believe/Kumori Nochi, Kaisei” will be a double A-side single to be released March 4th. “Believe” is the theme to the live action Yatterman starring Sakurai Sho. “Kumori Nochi, Kaisei”, technically by “Yano Kenta starring Ohno Satoshi,” is sung by Ohno for his drama Uta no Onii-chan.

This single will come in three editions: two limited editions for each main song, and a regular edition.

I think if we’re talking about big hit material, “Believe” is it. High tension, catchy, paired with a really kickass PV. The song itself is a fast, high-energy song blending piano and orchestra with synth bass. It bears a lot of similarities to their big hit in 2008, “truth” – except “Believe” is a lot more positive sounding, even though it still has a serious mood. It switches between a fairly mellow bridges to bursts of energy in the chorus. I love the moments where they employ syncopated singing into the bridge, then switch to machine-gun rapid pace in the chorus – and melody of the driving chorus is just unreasonably catchy. There’s even a nice rap portion – when was the last time Sho had his rap featured so much? The vocals are even all surprisingly well-done – even in the solo parts in the middle of the song (which all of them get this time!) they all sound great.

The music video itself is, to sum it up in one word, gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous: everything is in black, white, and grey, giving it a sophisticated view. There’s some emphasis on a tree, which I don’t understand, but is probably related to Yatterman in some way. And the dance sequence is pretty awesome too. I realize my words about this is sounding like fangirl squealing – but it’s really pretty great.

There’s also a as-of-yet unreleased animated version of “Believe”, where the five members are made into anime Yatterman characters, saving the world. There’s been a few previews, and it looks to be pretty awesome.

“Kumori Nochi, Kaisei” is a much more laid back but just as positive sounding. It’s used as the theme for a drama about a children’s television show, so it has a simple and infective melody. At the same time, there’s a depth in the use of both ragtime piano, big band, and synth to create a smooth accompaniment. Ohno’s vocals are good, as you would expect from the best vocalist in Arashi after all.

The video for “Kumori Nochi, Kaisei” is also set in monochrome – but I was amazed by how it blended childish and sophisticated aspects. There’s cute prop cutouts and exaggerated comic actions; at the same time, it blends a mature color scheme and a fluid hip-hop dance sequence. It’s able to both relate to the children’s show the song is for, as well as to Arashi’s core audience – in all, the music video is a work of brilliance.

I think both songs on this double A-side are hits! Like last year’s “Truth/Kaze no Mukou e“, the two songs are incredibly different but both are excellent. With the same double-A side, three version format, Arashi is definitely trying to recreate their explosive success with this single. Can they do it? Well, I’m never going to try to predict Japanese tastes ever again – but I’m going to say they have a good shot at it.

It’s that time of year again! For those who are new to this: Johnny’s releases calendars for their artists every year, but according to the school year: that is, from April of this year to March of the next. All calendars are around 2000 yen and go on sale late February or early March. (Only Arashi and groups that debuted afterwards have calendars – so for big fans of V6, Kinki, or SMAP, sorry.)

You can watch the news clip to see everything, but if you are lazy/your internet is slow/youtube takes down the file, I’ve summarized everything below with available online purchase links. (Remember: Yesasia jacks up the prices, but calendar shipping is pricy – around $20USD to get to North America. Play around with it to see which is cheapest for you.)

Arashi: A thick 125-page planner-calendar plus a large 7-page poster wall calendar filled with gorgeous, sexy member photos shot by Mika Ninagawa. Oh, and holographic stickers as an extra.
CDJAPAN/YESASIA/HMV

Tackey & Tsubasa: A 32 page wall-calendar plus an extra Love Q&A book, which is kind of like a text-y photobook.
CDJAPAN/YESASIA/HMV

NEWS: A pink binder that can have pages removed to fold out into strip calendars – with about 3 standard paper sheets’ of a photo folding out under a calendar. Also comes with a large poster.
CDJAPAN/YESASIA/HMV

Kanjani8: A school planner-calendar, plus some extra hot-spring themed member-special goodies and postcard, since the photos were taken at a hot spring.
CDJAPAN/YESASIA/HMV

KAT-TUN: A weekly frame calendar: has a CD-sized frame that you change a weekly photo+calendar into. Everything comes in a nice box case.
CDJAPAN/YESASIA/HMV

Hey!Say!JUMP: A 15-page desk calendar, the kind on a cardboard stand that you flip. Also comes with a “secret card” set, which you can take as a set of nice photo postcards.
CDJAPAN/YESASIA/HMV

Johnny’s Jr: A huuuuge wall poster-sized calendar.
CDJAPAN/YESASIA/HMV

If you have no strong bias for a Johnny’s group but want a Johnny’s school calendar, I would reccommend you to GET THE ARASHI ONE. They’re one of the most popular groups in Japan right now and it’s their ten year anniversary – when else is JE going to spend this much effort designing a calendar again? The calendars are generally pretty nice this year but Arashi really just outdoes it, and if anything, that wall-poster (see right) is well worth it.

In what I consider the biggest upset choice of the year – this year’s anan sex issue’s posterboy is KAT-TUN’s Kamenashi Kazuya.

Unlike previous years (like Yamapi’s risque photos last year) there is no female model and there’s only a tame amount of skin being shown in the photos – the most baring of which only showing Kame’s upper body.

(Scans credit baidu) I’ll add more scans as I find them, if they exist, since the magazine isn’t technically out.

What do you think?

As someone who’s not really a Kame fan, I don’t have much of an opinion. The leaked photos are pretty good, but after getting used to the photoshoot for the sex issue being really hot, steamy, and involving foreign models, I feel a little – I guess, cheated? Perhaps after the controversy from Yamapi’s shoot, JE has decided to not allow full nudity and/or shoots with models anymore.

On a sidenote, I would’ve bet good money that Jin – you know, #3 on the anan’s sexiest man list in 2008 (opposed to 11 for Kame) – would’ve gotten the sex issue this year, but that only shows how unpredictable JE is.