SPEED reunites and performs on 24-Hour Television

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Fans of SPEED have been waiting for the quartets reunion performance on NTV’s “24-Hour Television” on August 31st.  The group performed a medley of six of their popular hit songs.

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Image courtesy of Sankei Sports
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Tags: 24時間テレビ, SPEED

 

a-nation 2008 festival ends with an exciting rain-filled final performance and surprise announcements made during the weekend

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Hamasaki Ayumi

Not even the rain could stop the excitement at Ajinomoto Inc. Stadium on August 31st for the final showdate for avex’s summer festival a-nation.

45,000 excited fans came to watch their favorite performances from Hamasaki Ayumi, Amuro Namie, Koda Kumi, Every Little Thing, globe, Goto Maki and many more.

The big surprise announcements were made this weekend with DO AS INFINITY announcing that they will reunite.

Also, another surprise reveal made on the final day of a-nation was that globe will be releasing a new CD single (2 years and 3 months later) on November 26th and it will be a cover of TM NETWORK’s “GET WILD”.

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Image courtesy of Sankei Sports

Tags: a-nation, Avex, Ayumi Hamasaki, Hamasaki Ayumi

 

20th Century Boys to be screen in 20 countries

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Japantoday.com reported, “One Japanese movie that will get a wide overseas release is “20th Century Boys.” The science-fiction film, which opened in Japan on Saturday, is the first of a trilogy and will be released in 20 countries and regions. The film is based on a popular award-winning comic series in which a group of childhood friends try to fight against the so-called “Friend”—an evil entity who uses childhood ideas of the group to commit acts of terrorism to gain power. ”

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Tags: 20th Century Boys

 

The One About the Three Tenors – 8.31.08

I sit in my darkened office with the light from my computer illuminating the room and I listen to the three tenors: Jose Carreras, Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti with Maestro Zubin Mehta.

At this moment when I type this, I’m listening to Placido Domingo perform “O paradis” and just love the finish for that song.  Earlier, I listened to Antonio Carreras perform “Il lamento di federico” which was just wonderful!  Next up is “Recondita armonia” by Luciano Pavarotti which I remember loving for the music alone.

This is from an old London tape that I bought right after their historic performance and it was released into stores.

Back in July 7, 1990, what was impossible became possible and the dreams of opera fans all over the world rejoiced as the three greatest tenors of the day joined forces with an orchestra of 200 musicians against a backdrop of the majestic scenery of ancient Rome.

In the famous Baths of Caracalla in Rome, with the stars filling the night and a full moon, Jose Carreras, Placido Domingo and Liciano Pavarotti with Maestro Zubin Mehta presented an eving of arias, songs and medleys.  History was made.

For the 6,000 fortunate people who had the opportunity to watch history unfold, many wished to share that moment and fortunately the recording of the special performance was released, as was the DVD.

When I listen to Pavarotti’s “Rondine al nido”, I just get teary inside because it’s sung so beautiful.  And then listening to Jose Carreras “Core ‘ngrato’” and to hear that whimsical opening as it magically transitions to Carreras voice.  Wow!

I listen to this and just remember how much I treasure my classical and opera music collection.  A lot of them, I still have in cassette tapes when I first originally purchased them.

But sticking on the topic of classical music, many wonder how I became interested in it.  And believe it or not, it was through the film “Pretty Woman”. One of my favorite films of all time and I love the part when Edward Lewis (Richard Gere) and Vivian (Julia Roberts) were watching Verdi’s “La Traviata” and Edward says to Vivian:

People’s reactions to opera the first time they see it is very dramatic.
They either love it or they hate it.
If they love it, they will always love it.
If they don’t, they may learn to appreciate it,
but it will never become part of their soul.

And then you saw Vivian’s face as she watched “La Traviata”.  This scene captured my heart that I purchased “La Traviata” immediately and from that point, opera has become a part of my soul.

And going back to the three tenors, listening to this album just touches my soul.  Just watching and hearing them again is just fantastic now as it was back then.

It’s a moment time that will be remembered and listening to the songs again, I will definitely will miss Pavarotti’s presence and although I wish I could have watched this performance live, it was great to see the performance and to own it as well.

Tags: Jose Carreras, Luciano Pavarotti, Maestro Zubin Mehta, Placido Domingo, the three tenors

 

MARVEL COLLECTOR’S EDITION VOL. 1 – COMIC BOOK LIBRARY (a J!-ENT Digital Comics Review)

“With GIT Corp. no longer releasing the Marvel comic collections on DVD and Marvel now creating their own digital comics portal online, all the GIT Corp. Marvel DVD collections are becoming highly sought after and prices are going through the roof.  But this certain collection, you can find online under $10 and it’s totally worth it!”

BOOK: MARVEL COLLECTOR’S EDITION VOL. 1 – COMIC BOOK LIBRARY

COMPANY: MARVEL COMICS/GIT CORP

Stan Lee Presents X-Men, Spider-Man, Daredevil, The Hulk.

Before they were movies, they were Marvel.  And now with the Marvel Comic Book Library, you can relive the first 10 adventures of 10 classic Marvel characters on one super-powered CD-Rom.  100 complete comic books with character bios and 3 bonus comics highlight the debut and subsequent storylines of the most famous band of heroes.  Also including The Fantastic Four, Captain America, Avengers, The Sub-Mariner, Iron Man and Silver Surfer.

Their first 10 stories including their debut issue!

Spider-Man (1962), The Incredible Hulk (1962), Daredevil (1964), X-Men (1975), Fantastic Four (1961), Captain America (1964), Avengers (1963), Namor the Sub-Mariner (1962), Iron Man  (1963) and Silver Surfer (1966).

When it was announced that Marvel would create their own digital comics online site (pay a monthly fee), that was the nail in the coffin for GIT Corp’s popular Marvel Complete Collection.

These collections featured the complete collection from issue 1 up to their issues in 2006, including annuals digitally via Lizardtech Software’s DJVU software and Acrobat Reader (in later versions).

And now, these collector’s DVD-Rom’s have skyrocketed in price because GIT Corp. are unable to sell them anymore and with a lot of these films being released in theaters, people have interest in the classics.

Fortunately, “MARVEL COLLECTOR’S EDITION VOL. 1 – COMIC BOOK LIBRARY” is the cheaper of the Marvel releases which people can find online for under $10.

But as a fan of the classic comic book series (and having quite a large collection of comic books that I’ve had since I was a kid up to my college years), to obtain the classics, you would either read them via tradepaperback, re-release issues or what you read from your library when you were much younger.

And if you want to read a lot of these, you would have to spend thousands upon thousands of dollars if you were hardcore.  Sure, now you can read them online from Marvel’s website which cost a monthly fee and you read them online.

But with GIT Corp. CD’s, you can read them without having to go online.  Everything was on one DVD and it was so convenient.  I literally just lay back on my bed, grab by laptop and just read these issues.

Around 2003, GIT Corp. released this collection featuring the first 10 issues of major comic book titles from Marvel.

• Avengers Issues – #1-10
• Captain America/Tales of Suspense – Issues #59-68
• Daredevil – Issues #1-10
• Fantastic Four – Issues #1-10
• The Incredible Hulk – Issues #1-6 and Tales to Astonish – Issues 60-63
• The Invincible Iron Man – Tales of Suspense – Issues #39-48
• Silver Surfer – Issues #1-10
• The Amazing Spider-Man – Issues #1-9 and Amazing Fantasy – Issue #15
• Sub Mariner/Tales to Astonish – Issues #70-79
• X-Men Issues #94-102 and Giant-Size X-Men Issue 1

You get a lot of issues, 100 comics and again, you can find this collection for under $10.  That’s awesome!

To access the DVD on your PC or Mac, you need to install the viewing software included on the DVD.  Then you will  need to have Internet Explorer (sorry, this DVD is older and doesn’t not utilize Safari or Firefox and other browsers).  You will see an HTML of all characters (as shown above) and when you click on the character, you will see the comic book covers.

By clicking on the comic covers, you will then access the software which displays the comic page.  On the left hand side, you can click on the page you want to read or use the arrows above.  Interesting thing is you can read the comics in black or white, see how it looks without the color and then of course, normally.

There are no ads or letter to the editor, Stan’s Soap Box or anything like that in this collection (many people requested for those to be included and they were in later comic collection versions).

The pages do have a Marvel Comics watermark in the bottom corner and if you want to print the pages out, you have that ability.

Now, I had no problems installing and viewing everything on an XP machine.  It worked on  my PC Laptop just fine.  But as for my newer Mac, this is where things got a little problematic.

There is no Internet Explorer for newer Mac’s.  Microsoft stopped making a browser for it years ago and you can’t use Firefox, Safari, Opera, Camino, etc.   And the software included is dated.  So, I had to go to Lizard Tech’s Website and download the latest viewing software (note: version 4.0 is included on the DVD but the latest version for the Mac is 6.3).

Then I would have to open up the disc via the finder and go to each comic book file folder and right click to open the comic via the software.  So, in other words, I had to open things up manually.

Granted, it’s not difficult but if you are not computer savvy, I can see this being problematic.

But outside of that, everything worked very well.

You really can’t beat this collection.  10 comic books of each major character.  And the fact that “Daredevil” and “Sub-Mariner” will no longer be released as a collection, I highly recommend this collection.

Now granted, fans of the Mighty Thor or Ghost Rider will be wondering what about their characters and why they are not featured.  I felt the same way but still for the price and for what is featured, it’s still worth the money.

My gosh, you can find this collection for $6-$10 online.  The price is just so low these days for it while the other collections are going up in price (Iron Man which was $39.99 is sold for $139.99 these days).

Mac owners (especially with newer systems) may have some problems but again, if you are computer savvy, you shouldn’t have problems but if you’re not, then yeah, it will get frustrating.  PC owners, should have no problems.

As for the free 3 free bonus comics, this is via subscription and I think this deal is way over.  So, no need to even worry about that.

The bios for each character were quite cool to read and glad they included it on this collection.

To conclude the review, if you are a fan of the classic stories or interested in the original stories of these super heroes, this collection is worth it!  Also, for the price, it’s good to check it out and see if it’s for you and if you are willing to shell out and get the other collections available.

100 classic digital comics of the top Marvel heroes for under $10.  Can’t beat that!  Definitely… highly recommended!

BUY THIS DIGITAL COMIC BOOK COLLECTION ON DVD TODAY!

Tags: Avengers, Captain America, Daredevil, Fantastic Four, Iron Man, MARVEL COLLECTOR'S EDITION VOL. 1 - COMIC BOOK LIBRARY, Namor the Sub-Mariner, Silver Surfer, Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk, X-Men

 

ARJUNA Anime Legends Complete Collection (a J!-ENT Anime DVD Review)

“The anime does preach a lot about ecology but its an anime that is made to make viewers think and whether or not its message gets through to you or piss you off depends on the viewer.  I, for one, enjoyed the series and because anime such as ‘ARJUNA’ is unique in many way, I can understand why it has received 50/50 reviews.  Some will love it, some will hate it.  But it’s all about the message and if one can make a change in their life because of this anime, then its mission accomplished.”

DVD INFORMATION:

DVD TITLE: ARJUNA – ANIME LEGENDS COMPLETE COLLECTION (aka Chikyu Shojo Arjuna)

DURATION: 325 minutes

DVD INFORMATION: Animated, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Subtitled, NTSC

COMPANY: Bandai Entertainment

RATING: Unrated

STAFF INFORMATION:

DIRECTOR AND ORIGINAL CREATOR: Kawamori Shoji

SERIES COMPOSITION: Kawamori Shoji, Ohnogi Hiroshi

CHARACTER DESIGN: Kishida Takahiro

MUSIC COMPOSER: Kanno Yoko

THEME SONG BY: Sakamoto Maaya

High school, archery club, and boys were the things that filled Juna’s daily life. But when an accident leaves her clinging tenuously between life and death, fate intervenes as she becomes the sole witness to scenes of Earth’s destruction along with humanity’s reckless pollution of the sky, the Earth, and water. It is here in which Juna is given a new chance at life and bestowed the powers of the Earth, a power she must wield in order to stop an evil bent on Earth’s destruction.

Contains all 13 Episodes of Arjuna!

When it comes to ecology and the environment, it’s usually a topic that some people welcome and a topic that many people know about but really don’t want to get involved in.

And I suspect that when you have a top tier anime director/creator Kawamori Shoji (“Visions of Escaflowne”, “Super Dimension Century Macross”, “Macross Plus”, “Macross 7″, “Macross Zero” and “Macross Frontiere” to name a few) and composer Kanno Yoko, theme song by Sakamoto Maaya and character designs by Kishida Takahiro (“Tenchi Muyou”, “El Hazard”, “Heat Guy J” to name a few), you expect to have a quality anime series.

The 13-episode TV series that aired on TV Tokyo back in 2001 received a DVD release in the US back in 2002 and for so long I have wanted to watch this series.

The anime series is primarily about a teenager named Ariyoshi Juna.  Your typical high school girl learning archery and spending time with boyfriend Oshima Tokio.

With her skills at archery training not going as well, she tells her boyfriend that she wants to see the sea.  Tokio, being so in love with Juna, decides to take her to the sea via motorcycle and everything seems well until an entity flashes in front of them and in the process, both are thrown of the motorcycle.

Juna is rushed to the hospital and she pretty much is dead.  That is until she hears a voice of Chris Hawken (a powerful entity)  who tells her that he will give her life back if she saves the world.  Juna is given a glimpse of the Planet Earth, especially Japan in terrible shape with drought, famine and more.  Not wanting to leave her mother and Tokio behind, Juna agrees and is given her life back.

All of a sudden, while Tokio and her mother are pretty much saying goodbye to Juna, Juna awakes and runs up to the hospital roof and there she is met by some secret organization known as S.E.E.D.

It appears that Juna has a special power to turn into Earth Maiden Arjuna and able to see these monstrous worm-like entities known as Raaja (which are literally Earth’s bacteria).  Arjuna thinks her job is to use her powers to fight the Raaja but Chris keeps giving her messages of “why do you want to kill?”, “What are you trying to do?” and Juna really doesn’ t know what her job truly is.

Throughout the whole series, we start learning a lot about ecology, organic food and how there is a cycle of everything that we use and eat but because of pesticides and pollution, our Earth is being hurt by it.

In one episode, Juna and Tokio stay at a farm and learn from a farmer about organic vegetables.  Juna and Tokio not knowing why people would want to eat vegetables that have been eaten by bugs.  Also, being taught that pesticides hurt the system.  Because there is a cycle to food.  The bugs, the worms undergorund, the soil, everything has its purpose.

And from that point, we see Juna becoming more of a vegetarian and just can’t eat regular food without having images.  For example, Tokio tries to get her to eat at a fast food restaurant Merikan Burger and images of the cows just make her sick.

She now lives a lifestyle of wanting to protect the environment, eating the right food but yet everyone around her doesn’t understand why.  They don’t like being preached about the environment, especially from her.

So, literally her relationship with her family and with her boyfriend Tokio is being tested.  And her best friend Shirakawa Sayuri seems to be getting closer to Tokio because her involvement with S.E.E.D. and her enviromental perspective is dampening her relationship with everyone she’s close with.

So, for the first eleven episodes, we see as Arjuna comes into contact with the Raaja and Kawamori finds ways to get his message out to viewers on ecology, protecting the environment and how industrial pollution and pesticides and a variety of other things happening in today’s world is really hurting the environment and if people don’t change their ways, it will be too late.

Throughout the series, we meet other characters.  The major player outside of Juna and Tokio is the other person with spirital power, Chris Hawken who is literally dying since he gave part of his life to revive Arjuna.  He can’t talk and communicates through a young telepath named Cindy.  Cindy despises Juna maily because Chris tries to get close to her and Cindy really cares for him.   When Juna screws up, Chris is there to try to help in his weakened state but there is only so much he can do.  But he tries to help Juna become aware of why she was chosen and why things are happening to the planet.

And in the final episodes, that is what happens.  The city of Tokyo has now been invaded by the Raaja, water and food and anything that is absorbed by the Raaja is affected and people now are dying.

The series is a mix of sci-fi mecha, sci-fi bishojou magical girl and your typical high school love triangle all together in one series.   The “mecha” in this series is mainly a protector of Arjuna who shows up to make sure she is not killed.  The “magic girl” part in this series is what Juna can transform into. She can fly and as a weapon, use a specialized bow and arrow to fend off attacks.  And of course, the high school drama is between her, Tokio and Sayuri.  And of course, there is other drama such as Juna’s relationship to her mother and sister, her teacher and of course with Chris and Cindy and other members of S.E.E.D.

VIDEO:

As for the video, I enjoy anime series that show a large variety of scenery.  This is anime features the city, a farming area and various locations that I really enjoy that and it really pushes the staff to create so much scenery and beautifu backgrounds and animation and all in all, I really enjoyed the animation.  Granted it was created in 2001 but nevertheless, in 2008, I enjoyed it very much.

AUDIO:

I watched this series both in Japanese and English.  I enjoyed the Japanese version and found Higashiyama Mami’s acting as Arjuna and Seki Tomokazu’s voice acting as Tokio to be really well done.  But I soon discovered that I really do enjoy the English dub voice acting which I felt was done very well.  Maggie Blue O’Hara and Andrew Francis did a great job with their voice acting as the couple and everyone else as well.  So, both languages are just exceptional.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Special features include interviews with Kawamori Shoji, the cast and an Arjuna dictionary.  Also, music videos.

Just an interesting note that “ARJUNA” features different ending themes and so after each episode, you more than often get a different ending theme which I found interesting.  Also, a live ending that was reminiscent of the bubbly “Kare Kano” but actually featuring a school girl running into the sunset.

For me, it was a plus to get a series from Kawamori Shoji that was not “Macross” related but even moreso, an anime series that would tackle on ecology and various topics within the scope of environment but also a few other things which I don’t want to spoil for the viewer.

The series does get preachy and remember those after-school specials that were shown on TV trying to let people know about a wide range of topics from racism, ecology or something to catch your interest and make you think.

This is an anime series that does just that.  There is a message that Kawamori wanted to get through and even in the anime series, a message of, if one can make a change, possibly that one can make others change.

Reading the various reviews on the Internet, I can see why this anime series is loved and hated.  No one likes things being driven down their throat but on the other hand, for those who are open to hearing out another perspective, then it’s fine.

For me, I try to do my part for the environment but I’m not as hardcore as Juna.  I have no qualms eating my Boca or Veggie burgers, recycling, purchasing organic vegetables and being considerate of the environment but at the same time, I have no qualms of going to Burger King and ordering a double cheeseburger as well.

But Kawamori’s message did reach out to me and this series did give me a good understanding about pesticides and for me, I enjoy learning new things and open to hearing other perspectives.

So, I enjoyed the series for that.  I also enjoyed that twist of, “OK, we warned you that there will be problems if you don’t change your lifestyle” and where people think it won’t be in their lifetime, in this series, problems happen immediately and destruction and chaos comes.

Granted, when we see news about the melting glaciers, drilling for oil in the ocean because of escalating gas prices and the hole in the ozone layer, how does one feel about those topics?  Passionate, bored, interested or don’t care?

So, that is where “ARJUNA” as a series is being interpreted by anime viewers.  You either love it or hate it.  And you either care about the message or look at it as a pathetic attempt to a person’s beliefs being driven down your throat.

For me, I enjoyed the series.  It was a great blend of sci-fi, love triangles and bishojo heroines.  But of course, the main thing about this series is indeed the message of making a change in your life and accepting of what is happening in this world.  You either get it or you don’t.  You either welcome that message or you don’t.

So, by saying that…if you are open to Kawamori’s message on the environment through a series like “ARJUNA”, check it out.  If you are the last person who cares about hearing details on the environment, this anime series is definitely not for you.

+ A cool collaboration from top tier people in the industry, Kawamori Shoji, Kanno Yoko, Kishida Takahiro, Sakamoto Maaya and more.

+ I dig the message on the environment

+ Very good voice acting on both Japanese and English dubs

- Some may find this series to preachy about the environment, thus this anime is not for everyone.

BUY THIS ANIME DVD TODAY:

Tags: anime, Anime DVD review, Arjuna, Bandai Entertainment, Chikyū Shōjo Arjuna, J!-ENT Anime DVD Review, 地球少女アルジュナ

 

Tokyo Rock Catwalk – Visual Kei Bands Big in Japan (a J!-ENT Book Review)

“If you are a visual kei fan who loves the fashion, loves the guys or simply looking for a reference for ideas for an upcoming J-rock cosplay or to look like a visual kei rocker, ‘Tokyo Rock Catwalk’ is definitely the book for you!”

BOOK: Tokyo Rock Catwalk – Visual Kei Bands Big in Japan

COMPANY: Cocoro Books (DH Publishing, Inc.)

PAGE COUNT: 96 pages

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

This is Tokyo Rock Scene

Boys as girls, girls as boys, hideous monsters crooning ballads, nothing as it seems in Tokyo’s rock scene.  Colorful, creative and innovative, this scene is one of the most exciting things in Japan right now.  Are you ready for noise?  Are you ready for TOKYO ROCK CATWALK?

What started out as a small movement of like-minded bands in the late 1980’s is now a force to be reckoned with.  “Visual Kei” bands are sporting some of the hottest looks and creating some of the wickedest sounds in the world and they are finally to make noise overseas as well.  Now is the time for you to find out what Japanese fans have known for years.  Visual Kei is HOT!  We’ve got some of the best new bands on display in here sporting some of the most outrageous outfits this side of GWAR.  Do you think you can handle TOKYO ROCK CATWALK?

TOKYO ROCK CATWALK is the latest volume in cocoro books’ photobook series.  cocoro books is dedicated to bringing you the best and latest pop culture news from Japan and this time we’ve got a whopper for you.  Sexy, scary and out of this world, this photographic guide to visual kei rockers will be appreciated by hardcore fans and total nOObs alike.  Dive headfirst into the world of TOYO ROCK CATWALK!!

I have to really have to credit cocoro books and DHP Publishing for their Japanese book releases.  There are so many niches of Japanese pop culture from cosplay, anime figurine collectors, art books, j-rock, cute bar girls, Japanese tatoos, ninjas…you name it, they have released a book on it.

And one of the reasons why their books have become so successful is the great price and that these photobooks sport full color, full page photos.

With J-rock and visual kei becoming so popular in America, Europe and literally all over the world, we have seen many Japanese visual kei bands brought from Japan to perform at a wide variety of events and many fans who emulate the look or clothing of these band members.

Some who have the look as part of their fashion in their lifestyle and those who just like to cosplay as one or perhaps a hardcore fan who just love these guys!

Cocoro Books “Tokyo Rock Catwalk” is a perfect reference for those who want to large photos as a reference to learn about the styles from 31 visual kei bands in Japan.  Some bands that many are familiar with such as Suicide Ali, Kurogane, Julia, Tokami, Seed and many more.

The book features a foreword by Le Bris Mihara Tadayuki who talks about his life as a visual kei bass player for his band and how in real life, he is a very shy person.  But once he transforms himself with the makeup and clothing, he’s a whole different person.

Another foreword includes Ando Misaki who is a cosplayer who loves to dress up in visual kei clothing with friends in Harajuku.

And that is pretty much the copy content.  The majority of the book are all full color photos dedicated to the bands.

On the table of contents, you are given the page number of the band, a thumbnail photo, the names of the band members, their official website URL and some with MySpace URL’s.

You get full color photos of the group and some with individual pictures of each band member.  Some bands that feature their live photography.  And as mentioned, their are 31 visual kei bands featured.

Again, I think that cocoro books has another hit in their hands.  Many fans really love the magazines or anything that deals with the fashion coverage or photography of visual kei bands.

“Tokyo Rock Catwalk” is pretty cool that it really does showcase the variety of bands and each band have their unique style, not too many similarities.

So, definitely another good photo book reference for fans who are cosplaying, people who are inspired to incorporate the look into their own fashion or fans of these bands or fans of visual kei in general.

Also, the fact that fans can get to learn more about other visual kei bands in Japan through this book is another plus.

This is primarily a photo book, so for those wanting bios or written content for each band, you’re not going to find it in this book.  This is primarily a photo book on visual kei bands in Japan.

So, for it’s great price and as a photo reference, this is another solid release that targets another niche of fans of Japanese pop culture!   Check it out!

Tags: Cocoro Books, Tokyo Rock Catwalk, visual kei

 

Love Psychedelico’s USA release “This is Love Psychedelico” now available on JapanFiles.com

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September 1, 2008 – LOVE PSYCHEDELICO is one of the biggest rock bands in Japan, selling over 4 million albums. Their USA debut, “This Is Love Psychedelico,” debuts on JapanFiles.com this week, featuring the hits “Standing Bird,” “Fantastic World,” and “Lady Madonna.”

The digital release on JapanFiles.com comes just In time for their upcoming Southern California performance on September 4th in Santa Monica.

Kumi and Naoki, two obsessives of the British Invasion and 70’s classic rock, formed LOVE PSYCHEDELICO in 1997 in Tokyo. With an ear for big hooks and even bigger guitar, the duo digested and reconfigured their influences with equal nods to the dance floor, the mod squad, and Laurel Canyon.

Kumi’s lyrics slide almost invisibly between Japanese and English, her voice drawing constant comparisons to Sheryl Crow, and Naoki’s searing guitar riffs conjure up a Keith Richards / Noel Gallagher sonic sandwich.

They recently sat down with BBC Radio, their record hit the CMJ & FMQB charts, and their videos for “Standing Bird” and “Fantastic World” have been picked up by Spike TV, MTV U, Blender.com, and featured on 10,000 custom tokidoki flash drives by mimobot. In addition, the band has been featured twice this summer on public radio – NPR’s “Second Stage” and PRI’s “The World,” and they were just asked to participate in the Indie Travel Guide, which also features top rock bands like Sonic Youth, The Strokes, and Kaiser Chiefs.

Love Psychedelico appears on JapanFiles.com through arrangement with Hacktone Records.

“I can’t imagine ‘This Is Love Psychedelico’ not making my year-end Top 10 list this year. The only record from 2008 I’ve enjoyed as much is Santogold’s debut.”
Bill Friskics-Warren

“No fat, no filler, all fun.”
SPIN

“Riveting rock”
USA Today

“Brilliantly good”
BlogCritics

“Insanely tuneful, back to front, and singer Kumi’s Siouxsie Sioux-worthy pipes are enchanting in two languages. Consider this your first ’summer record.’”
Toronto Star

“Pure U.K., with big Britpop-like choruses bounding out of their tunes, and Pink Floyd-meets-Slade guitar sounds served up throughout. The Japanese invasion is upon us.”
Prefix Magazine

Love Psychedelico links!

Love Psychedelico MP3s – http://www.japanfiles.com/lovepsychedelico
Love Psychedelico Official USA MySpace – http://www.myspace.com/lovepsychedelicous

About JAPANFILES.COM:
JapanFiles.com is the largest online service specializing in MP3 sales for Japanese artists, with over 200 indie bands reaching their USA fans – rock, hip-hop, punk, and techno! All downloads are DRM-free and only 99 cents each!

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Tags: JapanFiles.com, Love Psychedelico

 

Having fun after their performance

Members of Amppez and Red Bacteria Vacuum have fun after their performance in San Francisco.  Photo by J!-ENT’s Angelo Delos Reyes

Tags: Amppez, Angelo Delos Reyes, J!-ENT Off-Shot, Japan Girls Night, Red Bacteria Vacuum

 

Cannes winner Yagira Yuya hospitalized for drug overdose

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Japantoday.com reported, “Yuya Yagira, the youngest Cannes Film Festival best actor, was taken to a Tokyo hospital Friday due to a drug overdose, Kyodo News agency said Sunday. His condition was not life-threatening.”

“Yagira, 18, was sent to the hospital from his apartment early Friday, the Kyodo said, quoting no sources. Officials from Yagira’s management office could not be reached for comment. The Kyodo provided no further details.”

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Tags: Cannes, Yagira Yuya, Yuya Yagira

 

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