They both seem ambitious enough to try and push their way to centre stage even in the midst of a disaster, so there's no question there. Risa is softer, squishier and more annoying, but would that make her more susceptible to being caught by the virus than Yuko? Honestly, I don't think so. I'm going...

The single seems to be back up to 4 today. We could still be looking at a top 10. But maybe I'm being too optimistic.

I quite like the preview. Nice piano. The covers are pretty good by H!P standards, too. Time will tell if this is the big, dramatic panda send-off we're looking for, I guess, but UFA's been dreadful to them since they joined, so I'm inclined to be cynical.

This video is really cute with all the references to old videos and the Kuma Chang head, but part of me misses the Earnest!Utada of old. I know that attitude was probably what produced some of her more pompous work on Exodus, but I kind of like that.

I don't think I've liked a Perfume single so much since Dream Fighter. The vocal mixing is ace. The song doesn't change the Perfume formula much, but I'm not sure that could really work for Perfume as they currently stand. My only real criticism would be that the video isn't quite as good as some ot...

Everyone involved will forget about the scandal as soon as they see LinLin being all teary and apologetic and she would get out with no more than a slightly wounded ego. The fact that she's Chinese also gives her immunity from the Chinese press. Miki, on the other hand, wouldn't give a shit and woul...

I'd agree that Makoto would be preferred by the aliens for extensive experiments, because I doubt that the aliens want to spend their time on Earth trying to deal with a noisy, whiny, high-maintenance pop star like Reina. On the other hand, I think Makoto would evade capture more easily (for reasons...

I don't buy into the whole "what happened in the past now affects what people can and can't do now" thing. But you're rejecting all the historical forces that make us what we are today. The implications of what you say and do matter to people. I mean, what are you going to do? Knowingly s...

I agree but I stand by all my points that whatever has happened here has jack shit to do with Japanese history during ww2, So it's just coincidence that the girls' actions can be related to these old, familiar Japanese ideas of racial superiority? OK. This is what eri means when she talked about pe...

Racism is when someone HATES someone because of what race they are, Kamei, Reina and Sayumi clearly don't HATE anyone thus what they did isn't racist. simple. Your definition is off. Let me help you: rac·ism noun \ˈrā-ˌsi-zəm also -ˌshi-\ Definition of RACISM 1 : a belief that race is the primary d...

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. You take that to be a reasonable maxim? I mean, language forms a pretty integral part of our reality. People saying racist things may not directly hurt anyone physical, but it's a big part of what enforces racist power structures. ...

[quote name='Al Kusanagi' post='87049' date='Nov 4 2010, 03:43 AM']What consequences? Are their massive Korean album sales going to go down? Other than some labels making money off their current minstrel show of a "Korean boom," no one IN Japan gives a shit. It's all amounting to k-pop net...

I'm inclined to agree with Ap here. I don't see why Eri and Reina shouldn't be blamed, or be "less responsible" simply because of cultural differences. I've never understood why people factor intention into their ethics rather than consequences. They have to take responsibility for the off...

I don't necessarily blame the girls for this entirely , but to an extent they need to take responsibility for their own ignorance. Nonetheless, I think there are probably bigger racist fish to fry in Japan than a few stupid pop stars doing a offensive Korean impression, like actual Koreans families ...

Great song overall, although the chorus strikes me as a bit weak. I have to say, it didn't remind me of The Manpower at all. Despite the reuse of strings, I actually can't think of any other MM song to compare it to, which is nice considering that their last single was so formulaic. I'm hoping for a...

I like Rainbow. They have more '80s bombast than most K-Pop. This new song is pretty good, although A is better, IMO.



So I did some brief research and my God, Hyun Young is so damn cute. How did I not see this. Now you got to her first.

Listening to Pyramid Song, my favourite Radiohead song. Suppose I must be in a pensive mood.

The PV was slightly unsettling during the screaming bit, but not that violent. But then it's a fairly dark song, so it's not really surprising. Shame that it was censored, because it looks like their best video for a while. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.png' clas...

That's the anti-commercial, anti-idol and ever so slightly elitist attitude that made Utada my first J-pop love! More respect to her for speaking out about it and making sure her fans don't think she's become a sellout. I know she hasn't released a whole lot of material lately, but I don't mind this...

Cute, colourful, fun, etc., if a little uninspired. Boots are nice. In some ways, it's nice to see a lighter, softer look for Morning Musume, but I'll miss the current-gen's more "mature" image.

Happy Birthday, my favourite member. Continue being my favourite member. Love and chocolates. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... /heart.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':dance:' />

Apparently, it's too violent because of Atsuko Maeda's hand being cut off. Considering that Beginner is the best thing I've heard from AKB since Sakura no Shiori, this kind of pisses me off.

A theme song for the G20 Seoul Summit? <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... /lmfao.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> Is this some novel way to interest more of the public in politics?

You don't like fangs? <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... weirdo.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':cryalot:' />

Oh yes , I really like this type of H!P song. The instrumental part from 3:24 onwards is really fucking epic, as is the ending. Lots of strings, which I would normally take issue with, but they're used really well here. I can't wait for a HQ rip. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticons/<#...

After seven days, he was quite tired, so GAAAWD said...



Gotta love that shit. Also, I came across a newish synthpop duo called Monarchy and got hooked on their single, Love Get Out of My Way. Why is that synthpop artists always come in twos?

AKB48 in Vogue! I never thought I'd see the day. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':ph34r:' /> It speaks volumes, though, about the way AKB are perceived as "fashionable" in a way that idol groups rarely are. Correct me if I...

Mana Ogawa is a member of Canary Club, but I think he was referring to Risako rather than Mana because the latter girl's group is hardly "big" (not to say it isn't great, though).

Mana Ogawa is a member of Canary Club from NGP. She's released one album already, Teenage Blues, which I highly recommend. She also voices a character (Mimi Kitagami) in an anime named Gokujou!! Mecha Mote Iinchou and released several singles that were used as opening and ending themes for said anim...

[quote name='strawberryjam' post='85859' date='Sep 28 2010, 10:49 AM']For anyone that doesn't know, I love Moeno A LOT especially because she featured both of the fanletters I sent her on her blog!!!! <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/puppyeyes.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' ...