From the monthly archives:

July 2006

Sakura and Otome Gumi

by Lainay on July 10, 2006 · 15 comments · AddThis

Sakura Gumi Morning Musume Sakura Gumi
Otome Gumi Morning Musume Otome Gumi

In late 2003, the current 15 members of Morning Musume was split up into two groups: Sakura Gumi and Otome Gumi. This was done as a way to fit them on smaller venues (the groups had a tour separately), give more time to shine to members that didn’t usually get a chance to, and release more singles. Tsunku noted that the size of the groups were close to the same size as when Morning Musume got its start. When it was announced, fans all over were shocked, including myself. It was thought that Morning Musume would be forever gone and that it would only be these two new groups. (Fortunately, 15 member Morning Musume released a single soon after, and many more followed).

Morning Musume Sakura Gumi consisted of Natsumi Abe (the leader), Mari Yaguchi (the leader when Natsumi graduated Morning Musume in 2004), Ai Kago, Hitomi Yoshizawa, Ai Takahashi, Asami Konno, Risa Niigaki, and Eri Kamei. This group was cherry blossom themed (sakura means “cherry blossom”) and accordingly they wore a lot of pink. Their singles were low-paced ballads.

Morning Musume Otome Gumi consisted of Kaori Iida (the leader), Rika Ishikawa, Nozomi Tsuji, Makoto Ogawa, Reina Tanaka, Miki Fujimoto, and Sayumi Michishige. Otome somewhat translates to meaning “young girl”, and that made perfect sense, as three of the four newly added 6th generation members were in Otome Gumi. The songs also showed youth – they were fast-paced and exciting, but yet they were not songs that the H!P had encountered before.

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OLIVIA – a little pain

by Rinoa on July 4, 2006 · 39 comments · AddThis

a little pain promotion

a little pain promotional clip
 Artist: OLIVIA inspi’ REIRA
Product Code: CTCR-40237/8
Release date: 2006.05.31
First Press: Sticker
Debut Ranking: #8
Label: cutting edge

Indies princess, OLIVIA released her first single since her hiatus in 2004 titled “a little pain“. This was also her first single in four years. After her relatively obscure and unsuccessful album, “The Lost Lolli”, Lufkin disappeared from the entertainment scene for around two and a half years without any single inkling of her future plans. Olivia would later mention that she had needed a hiatus after her hectic release schedule and the depression arising from low popularity. This left her fans from all over the world extremely disappointed.

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Tsukiko Amano – Karasu

by Rinoa on July 3, 2006 · 6 comments · AddThis

Karasu Promotional Image Artist: Tsukiko Amano
Product Code: PCCA-70161
Release date: 2006.05.31
Oricon Ranking: #47
Label: Otokura
Distributor: Pony Canyon

Tsukiko Amano is a solo underground artist to the J-Rock music scene. Her style varies on the lines of alternative rock and her releases aren’t really considered huge hits. Nonetheless this artist still manages to release excellent and exciting material with haunting and dark melodies. Apart from being a singer, Tsukiko is a talented lyricist, guitarist and artist. Her style of art is very unique. She is mostly known for her theme songs for Fatal Frame II and III.

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