Ayumi on ViVi, January 2006 Issue
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Artist: Ayumi Hamasaki
Product Code: AVCD-17837/8
Release Date: 2006.01.01
Highest Ranking: #1
Genre: Pop
Label: avex trax
Format: CD or CD+DVD
First Press: Photobook
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J-Pop diva, Ayumi Hamasaki has walked into 2006 with a brand new album which has again topped the charts and has sold over 817,162 copies to date. avex trax released two versions of this album which were a CD-only and a CD+DVD version. Both had a different cover. The first press edition came with a coloured photobook for each version. The photobook of the CD Version was titled “off my day” and was based on Ayu’s daily life, while the CD+DVD edition photobook was titled “on my way” and was more artistic.
Unlike her previous albums, (miss)understood boasts of having a variety of genres ranging from eighties pop, techno, R&B and even rock which has shown a colourful side of Ayu. In this album we have definitely seen a bolder and more daring side of this singer who has experimented with different genres and broken down the stereotypes of music making this album sound so unusual and transgressive. This album focuses more onto her career, her take on feminism and life itself.
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Biyuuden (or Viyuden, or V-U-DEN) have released their first album on October 26th, titled Suite Room Number 1. This album contains their 5 singles, plus 8 new tracks (which include 2 dialogues). This album is different though- it is arranged as if the girls are in a hotel, and the songs have to do with their stay there, and the hotel. The songs go from 80’s style, to the regular J-pop, to a Middle Eastern hip-hoppy flare.
Let’s take a look at the songs!!
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heavenly
Release Date: 1995.09.01
Peak Position: #3
Label: Ki/oon \ SONY Records
Product Code: KSC2-114
First Press: Picture Label Disc
Other Formats: Mini Disc (Product Code: KSY2-2037)
L’Arc~en~Ciel Official Web site |
The album “heavenly” by L’Arc~en~Ciel is oft abandoned by new fans. It doesn’t maintain the importance that “Tierra” had as their debut, nor is it distinguished as being a million seller as with the band’s first #1 junior effort “True”. It’s the middle child of the sakura-era albums that’s lacking much needed attention and needs to be recognized. Prior to the release of this album, one single was produced: “Vivid Colors” (peak at #16), as well as a video single: “and She Said”. About a month after the album’s release the single “natsu no yuu-utsu [time to say good-bye]” (peak at #15) was released, which was a reworked ballad version of the seventh track. Let’s see how this much forgotten album fares.
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1. pretty voice
2. 桃ノ花ビラ
3. さくらんぼ
4. GIRLY
5. 雨の中のメロディー
6. しゃぼん玉
7. 石川大阪友好条約
8. 片想いダイヤル
9. ハニー
10. 甘えんぼ
11. Always Together |
LOVE PUNCH, Ai Otsuka’s debut album, was released on 2004.03.31. This album debuted at #3 on the Oricon album chart, which is an impressive feat considering that she had only been in the industry for 6 months, and was also facing strong competition from more experienced artists such as L’Arc~en~Ciel (their album SMILE debuted at #2 on the same day) and Utada Hikaru (her single collection debuted at #1). So far, over 660,000 copies of LOVE PUNCH have been sold, according to Oricon sales figures. For people who enjoy first press extras, the LOVE PUNCH first press CD only version comes with a 60 page booklet thick with drawings drawn by Ai herself.
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1. Akashi
2. SARARIIMAN
3. Sae Zuri
4. For Tomorrow
5. GO!
6. Yume no Kakera
7. + . – . × . ÷
8. Hitoshizuku
9. Confidentially
10. Ashiato |
ZONE’s sophomore release “O” came out on November 27 of 2002. The jacket photos have a fall theme which is fitting for that time of year. The pictures are beautiful and this is actually one of the best jackets I’ve ever seen in an album. After gaining success with hits like “Hitoshizuku” and “Akashi”, when sitting down and planning this album an idea was to have each member of the band perform a solo song. But the question is this: will the members be able to sing a song on their own without the vocal support of the other members? Will each girl shine on her own or fall flat on her face, bringing with her any positive thoughts about the album itself? Let’s see!
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