Tag: Nana

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J Pop Music Reviews

Anna Tsuchiya – Nudy Show! – Catchy, Very Catchy

As the vocalist behind one of the two bands in the popular Japanese anime series “Nana”, at times I wonder if Anna Tsuchiya has made the anime famous or it is the other way round.  I think it is a bit of both.  Her second album “Nudy Show!” (2008) follows closely with the style of her first album “Strip Me?” (2006).  Catchy rock music, with majority of the songs and lyrics in English.  The direct imported version from Amazon.co.jp comes with translated lyrics in Japanese (?!) and a DVD that contains 7 music videos and other bonus clips.  I did not think that I am capable to order from a Japanese website but I did it.

Two beautiful songs from the Nana anime has made it to this album – “Lucy” and “黒い涙”.  The latter one written in entirely Japanese, which is unusual for Anna Tsuchiya.  What stands out in this entire album besides the catchy tunes is the quality of the band.  The tracks are creatively played.  It is enjoyable to listen to each instrument taking turn to do its solo.  The amount of production is just nice.  Not too highly produced until you cannot tell who is playing what.  Nor too under produced until you feel empty with the gaps and repetitions.  The track “Ginger” stands out to be the most contagious track, a collaboration with the Japanese band Monkey Majik.

Below is my favorite track “黒い涙”.  For those who have watched the Nana series, this song connects to our emotional core.

And if you prefer an upbeat song, check out “Ginger”.  I think “Nudy Show!” has enough materials for Nana had the manga author decided to continue with the series after her hospitalisation.  As for me, I have Anna Tsuchiya’s upcoming album to look forward to (end of September release).

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J Pop Music Reviews

Anna Tsuchiya – Strip Me? Where Do You Draw the Lines?

I thought long and hard before buying the new album by a Russian/American/Japanese singer, model, and actress Anna Tsuchiya (土屋アンナ).  Exactly how do you draw the line between a good rock abum and a not so good vocalist (*ahem* I am looking at my band)?  Call it a Japanese album when 98% of the lyrics are in English?  A half Japanese who is not fluent in English but yet deliver an album not in Japanese? It’s hard to draw the lines.

One thing for sure though: She is hot!

“Strip Me?” is a rock album, no doubt.  And since I love the rock genre, I can overlook the vocal ability of Anna Tsuchiya.  Her opening track “Zero” does remind me of one of my favorite Japanese star Aikawa Nanase.  Where is Aikawa these days?  I have no idea.

Japanese artists these days like to cover English songs.  Mai Kuraki (倉木麻衣) does “Over the Rainbow”; BoA does “Last Christmas”; Yuna Ito does “My Heart Will Go On”; Mika Nakashima does “What A Wonderful World”.  They all stick to the original arrangement.  Mika Nakashima does create an offbeat version of  “My Way” that is not necessarily pleasing to the ears, but it’s fun to listen to.  And what about Anna Tsuchiya?

Some may say she (and her band) murders the song “True Colors”.  OK.  At first listen, you may not like it.  I thought the arrangement is pretty refreshing.  A lot noiser I suppose.  But she is a rock star, no?

I have been listening to the slow song “Forever” on repeat for many times.  It’s just Anna and the piano and the song is so, sad.  Below is the video clip for “Rose”.  Now come I am not surprised to find out that this song is related to the Nana amime series?  “Strip Me?” comes with a 15 tracks CD and a DVD of 4 songs – one of which is from her previous album I suppose.  OK, the song “Slap That Naughty Body” is so so but video is anything but.

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J Pop Music Reviews

Nana Starring Mika Nakashima – Catchy Tunes

Does this picture remind you of some religious figure?Lately, there aren’t many good English albums around and though you may see Japanese albums keep popping up in my website, Japanese CDs only contribute to less then 5% of my CD collection, believe it or not.

Fans of Mika including me are shocked that she has ventured into the genre of rock music when time after time, she delivers pop to pop-jazz albums. The band “Nana Starring Mika Nakashima” was formed from a live-action show “Nana” (which subsequently has a sequel called “Nana 2”) that Mika has acted in based on the manga of the same name. This album “The End” is Nana Starring Mika Nakashima’s debut and their last album (hence … the end).

“The End” is written by a number of famous Japanese artists such as L’Arc~en~Ciel’s front-man Hyde, Glay’s leader Takuro, as well as the manga’s author, Ai Yazawa. The melody of the entire album is catchy and I find myself repeating listening it again and again.

The song 一色 (One Colour) as played below is the theme song for the movie “Nana 2”. In the album, there is a faster version that I like better. Nevertheless, this version is well-liked by many. I often find it odd when such a soothing voice meets with the rock music tracks. Perhaps it is what makes this album stands out as different.

My favourite track is the last track called “My Way” that is a complete rewrite of the English oldie. I guess they picked the song because it fits the theme of the album well with the beginning of “And now the end is near …”. It is a live recording when the band just jammed out the song for fun – which is very fun even to listen to. There are mistiming, doubtful reaching of high notes, and hilarious lyrics. I don’t remember the original version has the F words as well as killing a cat that they have tastefully censored with a beep.

If you like catchy tunes in a rock music background with a not-so-rock female voice, “Nana Starring Mika Nakashima” is for you.