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Scott & Rivers Self-Titled Album Review

2013-05-15T21:26:52Z

Written by: Zer0

When you hear that Scott Murphy of Allister and Rivers Cuomo of Weezer are doing a J-Pop album together, you pretty much know what you're getting into. Or so you think. The end result will either make people say, "Wow, this is really stupid and ridiculous," or "Wow, this is really not bad!" I fall into the second category.

Weezer and Allister fans will have to forgive me - I have listened to little of these bands, because I've listened almost exclusively to Japanese music since about 2000. My experience with Murphy’s solo work is limited to his cover of "Voyage" by Ayumi Hamasaki, which I wasn't crazy about. And while there are a few Weezer tracks I enjoy, the band has never caught on with me. However, I really enjoyed this album. Whatever complaints I had about Cuomo and Murphy on their own, the synergy here is a resounding success.

Gaijin Kanpai Ep. 200 - GK Best Hits 2009-2013

2013-05-09T00:44:12Z

Thank you all for bringing us this far. We wouldn't have made it four years without an amazing audience.

The Final Episode
200 - GK Best Hits 2009-2013
ONE OK ROCK - Jinsei Kakete Boku wa
Download: [MP3]

We hope we were able to change your life just as much as you changed ours. It's been a long and bumpy road but we've finally reached our destination, and we hope you join us in celebration of our time together. Things get a touch messy and there's some crying (a lot if you're Jaylee) but we give you a bit of everything this episode. So block out a good two and a half hours so we can say a proper farewell to the most important people in our lives.

THE-NOTES-ARE-SOBBING-IN-AN-UGLY-FASHION!

Live Report: Haruna Luna & Eir Aoi at Sakura-Con 2013

2013-04-11T17:44:34Z

Written by Erin & Jaylee

Kind thanks to Imran Ismail from Cosplay Victoria for the photos used in this article.

As short instrumental selections introduced both of the artists performing at Sakura-Con on the concert hall’s main screen, cheers gave way to shouts of excitement when Haruna Luna and Eir Aoi took the stage together. A stillness came over the crowd as both artists stood in position while the introduction to the Madoka Magica opening theme, “Connect,” played. It only took a few short syllables sung in unison before the crowd burst into applause. The two artists worked great together, foreshadowing their performance styles: Eir with her magnetic personality and Haruna with her refined and nuanced movement.

Eir Aoi Interview at Sakura-Con

2013-04-08T18:30:02Z

Eir Aoi is something of a newcomer to the Japanese music scene, but with two singles charting in the Oricon Top 10, she's certainly an artist to watch for. Aoi gave a stirring performance at Sakura-Con this year, performing favorites from her hit debut album, "BLAU." The next day Aoi sat down with the press to discuss her creative process, the artists that inspire her, and some surprising hobbies.

Kind thanks to Imran Ismail from Cosplay Victoria for the photos used in this article.

Q: Last night at your concert, a lot of people seemed to enjoy the Madoka Magica opening song, your collaboration with Haruna Luna. What made you pick the songs you sang last night and would you consider doing more collaborations in the future?

EA: I come from the same place in Japan as ClariS, and I have a lot of respect for them as artists. I hope we can do more collaborations like that in the future.

Haruna Luna Interview at Sakura-Con

2013-04-06T15:08:02Z

After an energetic performance and an extended autograph session the night prior, up-and-coming anison artist Haruna Luna sat at the head of the table to a round of applause from the press. While one might expect the jet lag and exhaustion from the trip to have taken a toll on the artist who debuted less than a year ago, Haruna impressed the panel with her engaging conversation while still serving up her trademark refined Goth-Loli style.

Kind thanks to Imran Ismail from Cosplay Victoria for the photos used in this article.

Q: Last night at your concert, a lot of people seemed to enjoy the Madoka Magica opening song, your collaboration with Eir Aoi. What made you pick the songs you sang last night and would you consider doing more collaborations in the future?

Haruna Luna: I really like collaborations. There’s a big difference between when you sing by yourself and when you sing with different artists. It’s very stimulating. I learned a lot by being able to sing with other people, so it really energizes me and inspires [me].

Gaijin Kanpai Ep. 199 - Pair O'Crocs

2013-03-15T15:23:53Z

So you won't slip on the green beer this weekend.

199 - Pair O'Crocs
Koda Kumi - Color the Cover | BoA - Only One
Download: [MP3]

LoKi is in for some punishment in the penultimate episode of GK as we review Koda Kumi's second cover album! The crew gets pretty distracted and go off on quite a few tangents this episode but since we're ending the show in less than a week we doubt you'll mind. Make sure to join us on Saturday, March 16th and 7PM PST on ustream so we can all say goodbye to each other!

NOTES-ON-THE-BRINK-OF-TEARS!

Gaijin Kanpai Ep. 198 - Better Than Novocain

2013-02-21T22:08:19Z

Dental work makes all music better.

198 - Better Than Novocain
NEGOTO - 5 | Noanowa - Barairo no Dance
Download: [MP3]

This week we dive headfirst into girl fronted rock with beloved GK rock group Noanowa and Pop-rock younglings Negoto. Opinions are surprisingly divisive this episode so we need you all to be the tie breakers! Fire off in the comment section about what you think of these new releases and check back in episode 199 to see if your opinions get brought up (they probably will)!

FLOSS-YOUR-NOTES!

Gaijin Kanpai Archival Complete!

2013-02-19T21:34:34Z

The great archival of classic GK episodes is now complete! You can go on over to our Episodes page and listen to every single show! Try not to judge us for how awful the first several where; we were new at this!

Suggested Listenings:

GK 004 - Two Guys, A Girl, And A Podcast
First podcast with LoKi, Zer0, and Jaylee!
GK 017 - Do The Podcast
The most referenced episode of GK.
GK 089 - Koreans Just Wanna Dance!
Our first foray into K-Pop.
GK 106 - And I'll Form The Head
The first appearance of Erin (and an oft repeated joke).
GK 118 - Zer0 Loves AKB48
Where the love that dare not speak it's name is revealed.

Gaijin Kanpai Ep. 197 - Do As I Say, Not As Ayu

2013-02-15T16:17:05Z

Words to live by.

197 - Do As I Say, Not As Ayu
Ayumi Hamasaki - LOVE again | TF6 - Be My Valentine
Download: [MP3]

Love is in the air this week as we review the latest single by the ever-gimmicky Tommy February6, "Be My Valentine," as well as Ayumi Hamasaki's "LOVE again." (Don't forget to shout the first word and whisper the last word like a creeper; typesetting is important!) But are the magicks of February 14th enough to make us fall head-over-heels for this music? Once again we've tricked you into needing to listen to the show! We are evil geniuses.

Disclaimer: Erin talks a great deal about race in the B-roll which may make some listeners uncomfortable.

LOVE-POTION-NUMBER-NOTES!

Jaylee's Top 10 Ballads of 2012

2013-02-14T16:02:02Z

The time has come again for another one of my fabulous lists of the best ballads of the year! Valentine’s Day is upon us, and though I hate to put a dampener on it, I have to remind you all that the podcast will be breaking up with you after episode 200. It’s not you, it’s us. So let’s get messy drunk, blast some tear-jerking love songs and gorge on ice cream to celebrate another year of Japan’s favorite genre, the ballad.