speena, Kaela Kimura, Pace Wu, Chemistry, FLOW, Lead, ELLEGARDEN, Arashiro Beni
Hello!! Looking at Oricon, Orange Range fans will be pleased to know that 'Hana' is still dominating the charts, though nevertheless this week's releases aren't that great either with only Gackt managing to jump to number one once, Orange Range is still sitting comfortably at no. 1 at present.
Six new/relatively new songs picked out this week including the requested. Also added one C-pop song since the genre was wanted and an Indies track as usual.
Any requests are to be left in your comments, I'll try my best.
Enjoy!!~
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speena~ Tsuki ni naku [月に鳴く] ~ SNATCH
Album - Chu Chu de Vista!!
Style - Ballad
Language - Japanese
Release - 2004.08.25
Quality - High
Rating - ★★★★★
Official Website
speena is a band of 3 girls, Kanako [vocals], Shiho [guitar] and Shoko [drummer].
All three members have had experiences in other bands before. Moreover, Shiko and Shoko met in 1997 and paired to form a band, it wasn't until two years later when they met Kanako and became 'speena'! A year later in October 2000 speena released their debut single 'Calm Soul'. Their most popular single was their third release in 2001 August 17th titled, ジレンマ [Dilemma] sustaining top ranking on Oricon for an amazing ten weeks!
'Chu Chu de Vista!!' is their much anticipated 2nd album released this month, 月に鳴く [tsuki ni naku] comes from their 9th single, the song reminds me very much of their classic 'Dilemma', another wonderful ballad, speena is a band that has a unique characteristic touch which can be heard in especially the vocalist's voice. May be I'll upload 'Dilemma' sometime since it really is worth checking out for those who've missed it.
speena's 10th single is due to release on December 15th!
Kaela Kimura ~ Happiness!! ~ SNATCH
Single - Happiness!!
Style - Pop
Language - Japanese
Release - 2004.10.27
Quality - High
Rating - ★★★★☆
Official Website
Kaela entered the media at 2002 as Japanese 'Seventeen' magazine's model.
She also appears on the popular TV show of TVK [Television Kanagawa] 'Saku Saku'.
Her first single came in June 23rd this year titled, 'Level42'.
'Happiness' is Kaela's second single, I quite like this song, glad that I've found the CD rip to share for this update; though perhaps you'll probably find 'Happiness!!' is nothing too special really, which you'd be right in thinking, but its definately very enjoyable and up beat, not forgetting 'happy' =P
If you're interested Kaela has a public blog at: http://kaela.jugem.jp
Lead - Delighted ~ SNATCH
Single - 手のひらを太陽に/Delighted
Style - Pop, Rap
Language - Japanese
Release - 2004.10.27
Quality - High
Rating - ★★★☆☆
Official Website
Lead started off with three members, Shinya Taniuchi, Akira Kagimoto and Hiroki Nakadoi who all met at Osaka 'Caless Vocal and Dance School'.
Together they were known as 'remix' but in May 2002 the group title became 'flow', further changes were about to come as they were looking to recruit an additional forth member. The search was over when they discovered Keita Furuya, who had succeeded out of over 8000 hopefuls in the Okinawa 'Star Light' new talent audition. Keita finally became the forth member on 18th May 2002.
Shortly after the complete group formation 'flow' became to be known as 'Lead'.
At the beginning of July 2002 Lead held their debut street live performance at Osaka Castle Park, attracting 7000 spectators.
After their 2nd album this Summer, 'BRAND NEW ERA', Lead is back with their 7th single 手のひらを太陽に/Delighted, a double A-side release, ranked at number 5 on it's debut at Oricon.
I prefer 'Delighted' much more than 'Tenohira wo Taiyou ni''. Delighted continues with their focus, a pop and urban fusion that is progressing steadily and suiting their style much more, however, there is still room for more improvement.
Pace Wu ~ 閃著淚光的決定 [Tear Shining Decision] ~ SNATCH
Album - 少女標本/Kira Kira Bishojo
Style - Pop
Language - Mandarin
Release - 1998.May
Quality - High
Rating - ★★★★☆
Official Website
Pace was originally a model, starting at the age of 15, she had the perfect height, figure and trendy teenage image to match that got her jobs in even Japan and Korea for television commercials.
She was also the face of many beauty brands and frequently appeared in several glossy magazine titles including ELLE and VOGUE.
Pace left her modelling career in 1997 and signed with ROCK RECORDS AND TAPES who had already produced some of the big names in Taiwanese pop including Karen Mok.
Pace's debut came when she was 19, her single was titled 'My Pace' released in May 1998, the A side, which is the song uploaded, is a cover of a Japanese song I believe, I heard a Japanese version by chance when I was walking past a shop in Japan -If you know the title and name of artist who sang the Japanese version please let me know! -Got the answer, the song is a cover of Okamoto Mayo's 'Tomorrow', thanks to Mippa for the answer ^^
Pace was once big in Taiwan as well as Hong Kong and other neigbouring Asian countries, thanks to her record company who also signed three other potentials at the time, the four girls, Pace, Yuki, Angelica and Cheer were heavily promoted together in a cute, trendy Japanese image. They released a special debut compilation together titled 少女標本/'Kira Kira Bishojo'. No doubt the hype of Japanese pop was the most suspectable cause for this, it was the late 90's and Jpop was becoming hot in Taiwan.
After her 3rd and final single Pace's debut album followed in December of the same year releasing in Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China as well as Taiwan, this was however also her last ever release.
In March 2000 Pace went back to her modelling career and resided in Japan. She later returned home and acted in movies. In 2003 she appeared in the second series of the popular Taiwanese drama 'Meteor Garden 2' [流星花園II] as well as starring in Japanese movie '4 MOVEMENT', her second movie in Japan 'INTO THE SUN' opens next year.
Back to this song, it was the only song I ever liked of Pace and had since been a favourite of mine, although it was released in '98 it doesn't sound near as old whilst maintaining a slight classic touch of '90s pop. Highly recommend for Jpop lovers!
ELLEGARDEN ~ ジターバグ ~ SNATCH
Single - ジターバグ
Style - Rock [J-Indie]
Language - Japanese
Release - 2003.11.12
Quality - High
Rating - ★★★★☆
Official Website
ELLEGARDEN were formed in December 1998, originating from Chiba.
The rankings of their first album and mini-album have indicated an increasing progression further emphasised by their sell outs one-man lives.
This is ELLEGARDEN's 3rd single released in November last year, they have since re-released their debut single 'Bare Foot' which was originally released in October 2001 and was the 'TOYOTA HEART LABEL' CM song. Their second album 'Pepperoni Quattro' was out earlier this year in May.
ジタ−バグ is a lively rock track, also the first song I've heard of ELLEGARDEN, impressive, hope to hear more from them.
Their 4th single 'Missing' is due out this Wednesday, November 3rd.
Chemistry ~ Long Long Way ~ SNATCH
Single - Long Long Way
Style - Ballad
Language - Japanese
Release - 2004.10.27
Quality - High
Rating - ★★★★☆
Official Website
Their latest single is the CM song for 'Suntory Whisky', hence the yellow on the CD jacket mirroring the color of the whisky. The single debutted at number 3 on Oricon.
'Long Long Way' is actually nothing too exciting, a smooth ballad, typically what Chemistry does best.
A song to listen to at the end of a tired long day.
FLOW ~ Life is beautiful ~ SNATCH
Single - Life is beautiful
Style - Rock
Language - Japanese
Release - 2004.11.03
Quality - High
Rating - ★★★☆☆
Official Website
FLOW is a band of 5 consisting of 2MCs', drummer, bassist and guitarist.
The brothers Kohshi [vocals] and Take [guitars] established FLOW in 1998 and within the next two years Keigo [vocals], GOT'S [bass] and Iwasaki [drums] joins the band forming FLOW as we know it today.
FLOW started off with a private record label, their first single 'SUNSHINE 60' was limited to releasing in Okinawa. The break through came in January 2003 when their single 'Okuru Kotoba' released selling a record 270,000 copies securing a consecutive number one ranking on the indie chart for seven weeks! On April 30th FLOW followed on by releasing a limited edition single topping the charts with a breeze. Their best album 'SPLASH!!!' came in May 21st hitting number two on first day of release.
FLOW whilst continuing their success are now in a contract with SONY MUSIC. Their single 'GO!!!' released at the end of April this year became the opening theme to anime 'NARUTO'.
Their long-waited first full album 'GAME' released on May 26th this year.
FLOW's latest single 'Life is beautiful' is finally here!! -[Well, not on sell until November 3rd]. There's something about this song, it's okay, not their best, thought I put it up anyway for those who want to check it out.
[Requested]
Arashiro Beni ~ Infinite ~ SNATCH
Single - Infinite
Style - Pop
Language - Japanese
Release - 2004.10.20
Quality - High
Rating - ★★★☆☆
Official Website
If you're interested, you can read Beni Arashiro's profile at her official site which is available in English too, expect much praising on the fact that she has an American background with emphasis that even though she's living in Japan she is in fact living in an 'American Culture'. -Moving along, 'Infinite' is her 2nd single after 'Harmony' released in June this year.
Beni is the leading member of girl group Bishoujo Club 21.
3rd Single 'Here Alone' is already on its way, due to release on November 25th.