In order to celebrate his 10th year anniversary of being a solo artist Gackt released 4 consecutive singles in a four week span in a campaign known as the “10th anniversary countdown”. 小悪魔ヘヴン was the first of the singles released on 2009-06-10. It's not a bad single but it is strange and overall good to listen to, but nothing more. Gackt certainly could do better, but he still hasn't failed.[...]
This special Minialbum by August Band contains reworks (as well as original versions) of tracks from the Love of Siam OST. This is good to listen to; even those tracks that aren't as good are still nice and easy to listen to…Overall, it's a lovely mini album and a good follow up to the Love of Siam OST. [...]
Gackt's 30th single released on 2009-03-25, Journey through the decade was used as the Kamen Rider DECADE theme song. The track is heavy, tense and dramatic that is easy and enjoyable to listen to whilst the remixes are dull and forgettable. Overall this is not a bad single from Gackt. It doesn't stick out as anything special, but it's good.[...]
Xiao Yu's second album released on 2009-06-09 and it's incredible. The songs are relaxing, gentle and easy to listen to but far from boring or bland. Each song has a very special feeling to it and it’s easy to listen to it again and again without ever getting bored- and in fact learning to appreciate new elements, or discover that the one song that didn’t stand out is actually pretty good. ^^ It also[...]
Takashi Nagayama, or "Nagayan", is a Japanese actor & singer. His debut single [Kokoro Ga.../ My Heart...] was released in 2005. Each song is different from the last, but they are definitely soft, bordering on pop, rock with some jazz and gospel influences. It’s quite a unique style, something I don’t hear a lot of personally. Nagayan's vocals are childish sounding however there is something captivating about them, and it does make his music[...]
Aquarian age was released in 2008 starring Dori Sakurada, Rakuto Tochihara, Takuya Uehara, Keita Kimura, Akio Fukuhara and also a special appearance by alice nine. and Takeru from SuG. I watched the trailer for Aquarian Age a long time ago, and it intrigued me. Now finally I got to watch the movie. At the end of the day you remember the good things about a movie the most, and this movie though not without[...]
VELTPUNCH are an underground, but popular, Japanese alternative rock band that formed in 1997. They are an amazing band with a similar style to LAST ALLIANCE (Who I also adore). Their style is heavy but melodic like LA, and packed with power and emotion. This is their first album released 2000.07.20. It's brilliant. The albums flows beautifully, tied together by definite music styles whilst each songs remains unique and different from the last.[...]
Finally, after two singles with only one track and some filler Gackt released a single with both an A-side and B-side. And for this single, released on 2009.01.28, Gackt would introduce a completely new sound for both. GHOST is the Techno-rock track that nobody could see coming, whilst blue lagoon is a murky synth filled rock number. The cover is awful but the tracks themselves- thankfully two of them and no lives or redone[...]
Kokoro no Gururi is Saito Takumi's first and only minialbum released on December 5th 2007. Nothing about it grabs you and demands you're attention, yet although often soft and relaxing the songs here are really beautiful and contains a lot of feeling (minus duralumin which was ruined). It helps that Saito Takumi's voice is also very deep and emotional, and just as beautiful as the instrumentation. Yes, the instrumentation is really good. Certainly it[...]
Hormones is a 2008 Thai Comedy/Romance movie. It could be compared to Seasons Change as it is also film about teenagers learning the lessons of life: although in Hormones it’s all about love. Set in summer break when school is out, the film features 4 separate stories linked together with themes of teens being teens, and of course love. Each is bittersweet, yet still extremely funny throughout with an ultimately happy ending. Although[...]
A fantastic range of oneshots by Kunieda Saika. They have solid, deep storylines with some interesting themes that are well handled. Each story was unique, with a wide range of different themes and always an unexpected outcome. Only a few of them were explicit BL and the ones that didn’t have it didn’t need it. These are the sort of oneshots you read for the story. And they don’t let down there.[...]
After two successful tie-ins with popular anime Vampire Night ON/OFF return with their fourth single released on March 4th 2009, where once again they surprise me by producing a song with a completely different sound from what they have done before. I also love how with each single they improve so dramatically. Despite like, one flaw, 花篝-ハナガガリ- is such a pretty song. The boys vocals sound like they have improved; they sound beautiful and[...]
This is ON/OFF's third single released on 15th October 2008- and it is a great follow up to ふたつの鼓動と赤い罪! In some ways it is actually better, because although the title track ain't so cool the B-sides are really nice! The single has a noticeable dark and edgy feel and in the case of the B-sides, especially the last two, the songs had great instrumentation and flow to them which worked well with the[...]
Just over a year after Yami no Shuen and some strange projects like slot machine tracks Gackt finally announced a new single entitled "Jesus". The single was released on 03.12.2008 and contained only one new track, much like Yami before it. It was a excellent comeback nonetheless. [...]
Released on June 20 2007 Returner～闇の終焉～ was the theme for Fuurin Kazen in which Gackt had a large role, and this would also (rather surprisingly) be his first single to reach the #1 spot on the Oricon charts. Returner～闇の終焉～ is a beatiful and dramatic song so despite one solitary track this is a great single. Besides, it was nice to hear this side of Gackt again.[...]
Taiyou was released on 2008.08.20, and was the second single after their first major album DIAMOND. It is not a bad single. Although MERRY GO WORLD was a stronger effort and a false hope for things to come: Taiyou was not the worst that could be made (that was yet to be released) The title track is very pretty, even if it doesn't grab you're attention nor pull on you're heart and KALEIDOSCOPE is[...]
Bungee jumping of their own is a 2001 S Korean film. Although I can’t say it had a huge impact on me, it was enjoyable to watch starting lightly before a sad, yet hopeful ending. It’s quite beautiful in its own way- both the story and the gorgeous visuals throughout. The idea of two destined lovers is not an uncommon theme in movies, but Bungee Jumping of their Own takes this theme and uses[...]
