[Album] J-Pop: An Introduction (and discussion)

I think you're in luck because SOUL'd OUT just came out with a singles collection album in December. If you're looking to get into an established artist, the best way is usually through their "Best Of" or "Singles Collection" albums. They give you a taste of all their music over the various years they've been in the business.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Just recently announced, there have been apparently some new additions to Morning Musume. The interesting part is that Tsunku has decided to go international this time and added two Chinese teenagers to the mix (Li Chun, 19 and Qian Lin, 16). They still need to take some dance, vocal, and Japanese language lessons, but their first appearance is scheduled for the March 18 ep of Hello! Morning.

Well, as long as they sing and dance I guess >_> Looking at their photos, they honestly blend in pretty well with the rest of the group.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

I'd like to put in my 2 cents for the latest "Best of" album to hit the market, namely "Greatest Hits" from Sukima Switch.

While "Best of" albums are usually a pass for diehard fans, I think that Sukima Switch has gone by unnoticed by most J-pop fans (at least previously...they've gotten some good exposure with "Zenryoku Shonen" popping up on Ouendan 2). I can't think of another group I'd compare them to, other than maybe Yuzu, but with a piano in there instead.

In any case, it's definitely a good intro into a great pair if you're interested.

http://us.yesasia.com/en/PrdDept.asp...id-1004882259/

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

A lot of J-pop is about image and marketing. I'm not surprised Leah Dizon was able to break into music. I'm pretty sure any idol with a reasonably sized fanclub could get enough people to buy their music. They're training a lot of idols to get into the visual as well as musical arts. I know I did a doubletake when I saw Yamada Yu get on Oricon's Top 30 several months back. Geesh.

I was speaking idiomatically.

And really if anything, smoking is even more accepted/commonplace in Japan. The social stigma isn't as bad over there.

I think the main reason there was such a fuss with Kago Ai was that her image bred her to be this cute, ditzy girl that could never mess with such things as underage smoking.

The private lives of most idols are kept under wraps very well. If you have a good company backing an idol, you'll only hear what they want you to hear, i.e. whatever sells the image they're promoting. Her little indisrection went against the image, which had her banished away from the public eye for a little bit in order to do damage control.

Of course, it wouldn't do any good when she would released from her contract later anyway.

Same thing is happening with her counterpart Nozomi Tsuji, in that their private lives are starting to sneak out. Apparently pregnancy, not as big of a deal as underage smoking over there.

Shoot, if you want a real story about J-pop singers behaving badly, here you go:

http://mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/waiwai...dm003000c.html

Haven't heard of her? That's probably because once her problems started to surface, everything about her disappeared from public knowledge.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Tokyo Jihen's newest single "Killer Tune" has been out since the 22nd! I'm sure you've grabbed your copy, since it's currently occupying the 5th spot on the Oricon Weekly charts.

Good classic sound from Shiina as always.

FELIPE NO