Gaijin Kanpai Ep.062 - "Double Neck Fingering"

It's that time of the week again, everyone... Gaijin Kanpai is coming for you in the night like a ninja! NINJA!!!

062 - "Double Neck Fingering"
UVERworld - LAST
Downloads: [iTunes/M4A] | [MP3]

Zer0 had a social life on recording night so she wasn't there for the whole album review, but she's there for most of the show. The guys did do a very good album review, so be sure to listen to LoKi and Jaylee and enjoy what Zer0 was lame enough to leave behind.

Oh NOOOOOOOOoootes!

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Gaijin Kanpai Ep.061 - "Flowers and Honeydew Melons"

Happy Mother's Day! If you're a mother, go you! If you have a mother, give her a call or send her flowers or candy! Remember to suck up. ^_^

061 - "Flowers and Honeydew Melons"
Ikimonogakari - Arigatou / Sakanaction - kikUUiki
Downloads: [iTunes/M4A] | [MP3]

In the meantime, we have a good show for you to this week... though probably not a great show to play for your mother. We do (in our opinion) a damn good review of Sakanaction's fourth album, "kikUUiki," and talk a bit about the new ikimonogakari single. Enjoy, and tell your friends!

OMGNOTES!!!!!

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Sakanaction Special Interview Translation

Original: Oricon-Style
Translator: Erin Grace

After “Aruku Around,” Sakanaction’s “Finally been able to create the embodiment of the sound in our heads, after nine years of ideas.”

Sakanaction’s 4^th album “kikUUiki.”  The album – titled for the phrase coined to describe the place where fresh water and sea water mix – is dance, electronic, progressive, and guitar rock.  It’s a title that gives you a feeling for the identity of the people creating this rare musicianship, fusing pop and dub.  The same is true of the contents of the album.  The natural fusion distinctive of the band is fully developed in each song.  Now that their newest single, “Aruku Around,” has gained success as for ranking 3^rd on the Oricon charts and the group has gained the popularity that goes with that, what will they give us next?  We spoke with the group’s vocal and guitar, Yamaguchi Ichiro. 
 

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Sakanaction "kikUUiki" Available on US iTunes

For Gaijin Kanpai episode 61, we reviewed electro-pop/new-wave band Sakanaction's new album "kikUUiki". If you enjoy bands like School Food Punishment that use synth as well as practical instruments you rarely hear in popular music, these guys are a real treat.

Why do I say this? Well, it's because the album's available on US iTunes right now! 

We absolutely love supporting Japanese music when it's available here in America, especially digitally, so do everyone a favor and at least sample some of the tunes. I personally recommend "Arukuaround", but they're all great examples of the genre they portray.

Tell 'em LoKi sent you and you'll...still pay full price :P

Sakanaction
kikUUiki
$9.99 on iTunes

Gaijin Kanpai Ep.060 - "Nobody Likes You Aiko"

Good eeeeevening or morning or maybe even afternoon or perhaps dead of night. Good dead of night, if that's what it is where you are.

060 - "Nobody Likes You Aiko"
SPEED - Himawari / Dazzle Vision - To The Next
Downloads: [iTunes/M4A] | [MP3]

Remember when we went to that anime con in Seattle about two months ago and we saw that awesome band with the chick who screamed and looked totally cute? Well we're reviewing their album this week, so put your hands together for Dazzle Vision! What did we think of the album? Listen to our review and find out!

And SPEED are of course totally classic. The old school meets the new school in this ep, it's kinda badass.

These notes.... are musical. :)

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BENNIE BECCA: A Match With the Potential to be Made in Heaven

Written by Erin Grace

“BENNIE BECCA” is the self-titled album created by the BENNIE K and Becca collaboration.  In this album, Yuki moves away from the mic to focus on producing, leaving Cico to rap against Becca, a newer artist on the J-Rock scene. 

I was excited coming into “BENNIE BECCA.”  Although BENNIE K isn’t my usual M.O. music-wise, I’ve always loved their hip hop fusions with different musical styles – their album “THE WORLD” was a particular treat for me.  As a J-Rock fan, I was especially intrigued that they planned to collaborate with Becca: I figured pairing BENNIE K with rock could only make the music even better.  (Though I also couldn’t help but think that since BENNIE K wasn’t broken, why fix it?)  I was a little concerned to hear that Yuki was backing out to focus on producing, but Becca’s voice delivers: it’s strong and bold, and complements Cico’s rapping the way that Yuki’s did, if in a different way.  Although I can’t say that she’s a “replacement” for Yuki, she’s a worthy stand in.  Cico’s rapping is solid as ever, though it’s clear that some of the English sections challenge her abilities to get her mouth around the words. 

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Analysis of Ayumi Hamasaki's "Rock'n'Roll Circus" PVs, Part Three: "Lady Dynamite"

Hamasaki Ayumi is one of if not the biggest stars in Japan. Her popularity has declined over the years but she is still one of the most recognizable names and faces in Asia. Throughout her career she has crafted videos with deep symbolism that critiqued the record industry and fame culture. She has touched millions of fans through her personal lyrics. She is an artist who wears a pop mask.

In part three of our “Rock’n’Roll Circus” PV analysis, I will be delving into the symbolism and inspiration behind the video. Just a warning, this analysis is more image based than Zer0's and may not be suitable for children.



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