Arashi - Wish

arashi-wish I have been lacking in the music department lately. I apologize. Hopefully, a little boy band music will make you feel better.

Wish is popularly known as the theme song for the first season of the Hana Yori Dango jdorama. Of course, both Arashi and HYD feature Matsumoto Jun. Not only is the song cute on its own but the video for it is also adorable. It features a little puppet man trying to win the heart of a little puppet girl. I think, thanks to the HYD connection, that this was my first introduction into the world of Arashi. Let the cuteness wash over you!

Music review: Hitomi wo Tojite by Ken Hirai

At first, I wasn't sure how I felt about Ken Hirai's music. I liked the pop stuff but the bluesy songs that he's really known for never really interested me. Then I decided to sit down and truly listen to what he was singing. That is when I realized how amazingly talented the man is. "Hitomi wo Tojite" is one example of how well he can handle a ballad. A lot of the time, ballads come out contrived and boring. Yet Hirai manages to express that feeling of love without making it feel forced. I have to admit that nowadays, he's one of my favorite artists.

Utada Hikaru - Colors

I have been debating how to handle the music reviews for the site. On one hand, the previous format was handy and had some pretty good information. On the other hand, it was tedious and boring. So, for now, I'm just going to write about songs. They may contain a lot of hard information or they may contain nothing but my personal feelings. You'll still learn about songs you may have never heard before, which is the whole point of talking about them.

First up is Utada Hikaru's "Colors." This was her only single released in 2003. The B-side of the single, "Simple and Clean," may have been more famous than the A-side since it was the theme song for a couple of the Kingdom Hearts video games. "Colors" wasn't put on an album until the 2006 release of Ultra Blue.

The song itself starts out fairly laid-back. In the beginning, the lyrics flow like a lazy river. They pick up a little at the chorus, which is the best part of the song. The background instruments are unusual enough to catch your ear but not too strange that they turn you off. As a whole, it sounds a lot like "Simple and Clean" with a few slight differences. It's not surprising that the single was so popular.

Music review: BoA - Rock With You

Artist: BoA Album: Love & Honesty Release date: 1/15/04 Video link: Via YouTube

English translation: Hey, hey get it up You try this Gonna make you hot Yeah, yeah pump it up Do you wanna rock with me?

Hey, hey get it up You try this Taste my rock and roll Stand up get it up...

Uh-huh

Unlock your heart and listen… Ride out these unfair times skilfully It’s against my principles to believe rumours

I’ll walk with you even though no one else believes in you Even though the situation is still serious So that you don’t run away Before you get the message…

Hey, hey give me your love We can never go back! Yeah yeah! We’ll enjoy even the impossible This warmth that is yours without a doubt Makes me love you more Now I’ve found myself

I want to know more about you Gonna rock with you…right now

Hey, hey get it up You try this Taste my rock and roll Stand up get it up...

Turn up the volume on the stereo And when the night eventually comes, turn back time I want to show you That I’m the only one who understands That you’re just pretending not to be sad So that you don’t try to deny the person you are

Hey, hey give me your love I want to keep dancing with you Yeah yeah! Life will always change From this day, that’s totally because of you A totally new history is beginning

I feel like if I don’t pay proper attention to you you’ll go away So I’m gonna rock with you…right now

I’ll walk with you even though no one else believes in you Even though the situation is still serious So that you don’t run away Before you get the message…

Hey, hey give me your love We can never go back! Yeah yeah! We’ll enjoy even the impossible This warmth that is yours without a doubt Makes me love you more Now I’ve found myself

Hey, hey give me your love I want to keep dancing with you Yeah yeah! Life will always change From this day, that’s totally because of you A totally new history is beginning

I want to know more about you Gonna rock with you…right now About the song: BoA got a little more rock and roll with this song. While her songs are almost always good, they frequently have a typical pop sound. Rock With You relies more on drums, synthesizers and a throbbing bass. The result is a great dance song with the added benefit of BoA's strong vocals.

Music review: W - Daikishimenaide ~Nikki Tsuki~

Artist: W Members: Kago Ai, Nozomi Tsuji Album: 2nd W Release date: 3/2/05

English translation: Don't hold me Don't hold me What kind of facial expression should I make?

After we kiss After we kiss I can't look at your face 'Cause... I just can't look...

We were born far away from each other And then we met

There's a lot we don't know about each other, but We went shopping and got asked if we were siblings For some reason, I felt happy

I won't show my tears I don't want to show them I don't want to tell you what kind of tears they are

Everything, I mean everything! I like you This moment, just like this I want it to freeze

The environments we were born into Even our accents are different But still we met

We've still got a long fight with the unknown There's a lot of restaurants nearby, so let's go That station is famous for its ramen

April 9th, a clear Saturday. I wonder how many times we've gone on a date now. It was really fun. But really, I know what number date it is...

I know what number date it is, but... But, I can't count 'em... the second kiss I like you. I like you I like you. I like you. Ahhhhhhh!!! I like you.

The environments we were born into Even our accents are different But still we met

There's a lot we don't know about each other, but We went shopping and got asked if we were siblings For some reason, I felt happy

About the song: Another W song about liking a boy. Surprised? Like the rest of their songs, this is pretty cute but it's not as powerful as some of their other ballads. The way the lyrics are divided between them is interesting. They even share a 'deatta.' One sings de, the other sings at and the first sings ta. It makes the song a little bit different but it's nothing special. All in all, a forgettable song.

Music review: Ken Hirai - Pop Star

Artist: Ken Hirai Album: Ken Hirai 10th Anniversary Complete Single Collection '95- '05 Release date: 11/23/05 (album), 10/26/05 (single) Video link: Via YouTube

English translation: I wanna be a pop star and be more to you I’m lifted from the ground in a daze A sparling pop star I spread my wings and do my magic just for you

When I’m with you I’m so happy but then I’m so sad when I’m not Taking each other’s hands we run straight into a love affair I can’t fly to the sky but I can sing my song of loneliness at night if that would bring a smile to your cheeks When I held you close for the first time It was as if God himself came down upon me Now my destiny is to be a hero, just for you

*I wanna be a pop star and be more to you I’m lifted from the ground in a daze A sparling pop star I spread my wings and do my magic

**I wanna be your pop star try harder for you so come here so I can hold you A sparling pop star I spread my wings and do my magic just for you

I want to hide in darkness and have you pick up me gently If I’m imporatant to you, then hold me tight I keep walking this road, towards the light Using my right hand to protect you from pain so that I can hold you with my other hand

You’re gonna be my pop star and be more to me You smile in a daze A sparling pop star In your eyes, I do my magic

You’re my only pop star try harder for me Hold me, and don’t let go A sparling pop star Right now, in your eyes, I do my magic

As you fall in love anybody can be anyone’s pop star As God himself came down upon me Ny destiny was to be a hero, just for you

*Repeat **Repeat About the song: POP STAR is most famous for its video where Ken Hirai plays every role. It is a very catchy song and I can guarantee that once you hear it, it'll be very difficult to get it out of your head. All I can really say is listen to it. I hope you'll love it as much as I do.

Music review: Do As Infinity - Remember The Hill

Artist: Do As Infinity Members: Tomiko Van, Ryo Owatari, Dai Nagao Album: Boukensha Tachi (single) Release date: 9/5/01

English translation: It's all right, I haven't forgotten about That dream from then. I know that hill, that light, About how I shone there more than anything -- I'll walk straight ahead...

Continuing to sigh, shivering a little, I knew that reality Wasn't going to be that easy.

It's all right, I haven't forgotten about That dream from then. I'm sure there's no way I'll be satisfied If it's something I can easily get right away, A path that only I can open.

Even though it seems I'm pressured By loneliness and worries, I keep a balance that seems like it's going to break.

If I'm sad for whatever reason, And end up without confidence, I'll once again remember that day, And the hill that holds your promises... The day of that refreshing wind...

A storm of despair with rain striking down... A dream full of tears...

It's all right, I haven't forgotten about That dream from then I know that hill, that light, About how I shone there more than anything...

If I'm sad for whatever reason, And end up without confidence, I'll once again remember that day, And the hill that holds your promises... I'll walk straigth ahead... About the song: It's easy to tell why this is a B side song. While there are some interesting string instruments being used, the song is still boring. The chorus parts are drawn out while the verses use a normal pace. It leaves the song feeling a little uneven. If they had left out the slow chorus parts, the sound would have been a bit better. Though I think it would still have a bland feeling to it.

Music review: Mika Nakashima - RESISTANCE

Artist: Mika Nakashima Album: Love Release date: 11/6/03 (previously released as a single on 12/7/02) Video link: Via YouTube

English translation: A while angel’s feathers are fluttering down and start to pile up Cry! In a faithless city, life is sacrificed Crushed down Give a KISS of grief...

If you sleep, morning will come the land of freedom is scary It’s just foolish kindness a fleeting road is all that remains

When this girl cannot sing she turns to search for a reason Along in a group, going into the darkness The murmur of voices is interrupted

The snow started to lead me for now, it illuminates a shape But it’s just my own beating heart

Looking through the gaps in my fingers The world is quickly narrowed towards the future Cry! Scorn this foolish love Spread your arms and give a KISS of grief...

My pulse keeps going up as I find the deceitful voice Those without all colors are left with just beauty

But like the snow eventually it’ll get dirty Unless you get away from this city you’ll live in a dream

A while angel’s feathers are fluttering down and start to pile up Cry! In a faithless city, life is sacrificed Crushed down the angel gives a KISS of grief...

Untill you arrive you will call out for the light you lost God’s voice, is just your throbbing heart

Looking through the gaps in my fingers The world is quickly narrowed towards the future Cry! Scorn this foolish love Spread your arms and give a KISS of grief... About the song: This is one of my absolutely favorite songs from Mika Nakashima. Her voice gives the song a sort of ethereal feeling despite the heavy drumline. It's the type of song that can help lift your spirits and just make you feel good about the world.