Review by Holly

I have to say this is one of my top 5 J-pop songs of 2010. I thought it was truely amazing. Not being a fan of either of the Kanon's I stbled upon the MV for Calendula Requiem by accident and was blown away. The song is inventive and masterfully moves between modern pop rock to more a more traditional Japanese feel. The vocals are first class, powerful and emotional and I love Kanon's use of a cello. The look of the video, like the song is a bizarre mash-up of modern on traditional and the costumes are stunning. I only wish that these two would release more work together in teh future as this was definately one of my musical highlights of 2010!!!!

Well despite some reviews I have to say this is one of my top 5 J-pop songs of 2010. I thought it was truely amazing. Not being a fan of either of the Kanon's I stumbled upon the MV for Calendula Requiem by accident and was blown away. The song is inventive and masterfully moves between modern pop-rock to more a more traditional Japanese feel. Contray to other reviewer's remarks the vocals are first class, powerful and emotional and I love Kanon's use of a cello. The look of the video, like the song is a bizarre mash-up of modern and traditional and the costumes are stunning. I only wish that these two would release more work together in the future as this song was definately one of my musical highlights of 2010!!!!

Jasmine is a new discovery for me and thank God I have found her out!!!! Her album Gold is simply wonderful. With a mixture of RnB, pop, electro and ballads this album has it all. Jasmines voice is a combo of Namire Amuro and Ayumi Hamasaki and like Ayumi she writes and composes all of the songs featured on the album, which is always nice to see ^_^. To be honest it is hard to pin point the best tracks as to be fair there are so many hits but I think the RnB ballad Cry, the ridiculously addictive electro pop anthem L.I.P.S and the rock chick track Bad Girl has to rank amongst my top three. To be honest I am a bit astonished that she is not a bigger star than what she is but I think if she keeps making music of this quality it will not be long before she is a strong contender of the J-pop diva crown!!! This release also features a bonus DVD of 5 music videos. All of them show her in various colour coded ensembles, my particular favourite being the purple geisha look for Jealous (Nikki Minaji eat your heart out!!!).

Jasmine is a new discovery for me and thank God I have found her out!!!! Her album Gold is simply wonderful. With a mixture of RnB, pop, electro and ballads this album has it all. Jasmines voice is a combo of Namire Amuro and Ayumi Hamasaki and like Ayumi she writes and composes all of the songs featured on the album, which is always nice to see ^_^. To be honest it is hard to pin point the best tracks as to be fair there are so many hits but I think the RnB ballad Cry, the ridiculously addictive electro pop anthem L.I.P.S and the rock chick track Bad Girl has to rank amongst my top three. To be honest I am a bit astonished that she is not a bigger star than what she is but I think if she keeps making music of this quality it wont be long before she is a strong contender of the J-pop diva crown!!!

Piko has one of the most refreshing singing voices I have heard in ages. Classed as a Ryoseirui singer, meaning he has the vocal range of both a male and a female, Piko's voice is truly extraordinary. Although he has been performing for a few years now and has become a favourite on the Japanese version of You Tube with his anime songs (he even has a album out called Infinity) this single is to be considered as his first as a major artist. Recently signed to Sony, Piko is now attempting to break into the mainstream Japanese music industry and considering the quality of this release I do not think it will be long until he is a established star!!! The title track story is a powerful rock/ballad hit written by Piko himself. Sure, the initial novelty is that he basically sounds like a girl, but move beyond that and not only are his vocals unusual but they are also beautiful and utterly heartbreaking. The other two tracks are much the same in terms of their rocky / ballad style but each showcases Piko's talent wonderfully. The bonus DVD contains footage from a concert where he performs 3 live tracks from his album Infinity. Here is where Piko truly shines as his live vocal ability is pure perfection. I am so excited about this artist I really hope that his conquers the J rock world as his talent his is so unique. I look forward to his next single out in December. So go on take a chance on this artist, and expect big things from Piko.

Well here is the second release from Sony?s new artist Piko. Following on from his debut single ?Story? is ?For-get-me-not?, another melodic rock ballad that is the perfect showcase for Piko?s wailing vocals. Again Piko?s voice is stunning to listen to on this track showing both its potential power and sensitivity all in one hit, although perhaps this track isn?t as memorable as ?Story?. Again as with his first single you get two further tracks, the first (sorry but I don?t know it?s Romanised name ^_^) is a cutesy number complete with softer vocals and a tinkling chorus. This song really isn?t to my liking as it sounds a little dated and doesn?t pack the same punch as his other songs. The third track is called Stardust and is written by Piko himself!!! Despite its sweet name this is a much stronger song than track 2. I love the changes from the laid back guitars on the verse to the more frantic tempo on the chorus and Piko sings a little deeper showing the full range of his voice. The bonus DVD comes with three live tracks performed over the summer. Piko certainly knows how to work his audience and has a voice that delivers a wonderful performance on a live stage. I hope Piko gets more recognition for his talent in 2011 and I can?t wait for the release of his first album!!! Piko is definitely one of the most promising, talented and interesting artists in the Japanese pop industry today!!!

Well here is the second release from Sony?s new artist Piko. Following on from his debut single ?Story? is ?For-get-me-not?, another melodic rock ballad that is the perfect showcase for Piko?s wailing vocals. Again Piko?s voice is stunning to listen to on this track showing both its potential power and sensitivity all in one hit, although perhaps this track isn?t as memorable as ?Story?. Again as with his first single you get two further tracks, the first (sorry but I don?t know it?s Romanised name ^_^) is a cutesy number complete with softer vocals and a tinkling chorus. This song really isn?t to my liking as it sounds a little dated and doesn?t pack the same punch as his other songs. The third track is called Stardust and is written by Piko himself!!! Despite its sweet name this is a much stronger song than track 2. I love the changes from the laid back guitars on the verse to the more frantic tempo on the chorus and Piko sings a little deeper showing the full range of his voice. The bonus DVD comes with three live tracks performed over the summer. Piko certainly knows how to work his audience and has a voice that delivers a wonderful performance on a live stage. I hope Piko gets more recognition for his talent in 2011 and I can?t wait for the release of his first album!!! Piko is definitely one of the most promising, talented and interesting artists in the Japanese pop industry today!!!

Well it?s finally here ? Alan?s first live concert and it was definitely worth the wait!!! Singing a mixture of songs from both her debut (Song of Earth) and more recent albums (My Life) Alan sets the stage alight with her utterly fantastic voice. She sounds note perfect, exactly as she sounds on her CD, if not better!!! There is no chorography, no fleet of dancers, only a couple of costume changes and the stage is small and intimidate but despite not having all the bling and extravagance that other performers have Alan puts on a wonderful and truly touching performance. She starts off with her J Pop style tracks?. highlights including the club style hit Are You Ready, which really gets the audiences fired up!!!! She then has a beautiful costume change into a Tibetan look and performs her Tibetan/ Chinese influenced tracks that show off her incredible voice and her signature wail? her live performance of Nobody Knows But Me was breathtaking!!!!! Then after another costume change she treats us to her epic songs from Red Cliff and also a solo on that traditional instrument she plays ?. I don?t know what it?s called but you play it with a bow!!!! She ends with a more relaxed costume change and a encore. As I said before this performance is simple and uncomplicated. At times she is accompanied a string orchestra and a girl?s choir and by this fantastic wooden flute player who really knows how to play!!! But the simplicity of the concert is perfect for Alan because it serves to fully showcase her vast musical talent and her voice, a voice which is in my opinion one of the best voices in the world!!!! For fans of Alan ?. and for any fan of music ?. this concert is a must have in your collection!!!!

I have just finished watching this series and I have to say its one of the best J-Dramas I have seen!!! It follows Daichi, a delinquent or a ?Yankee? who is a social outcast in his school due to his seemingly violent behaviour. Invisible, alone and unmotivated, he coasts through school reading manga?s on the school?s roof?. That is until Hana transfers to Windy High. Geeky and over eager, Hana tries to get Daichi involved in the joy of school life, but she hides her own violent secret. Hana is not just the class nerd but is Hurricane Ada, the most powerful and feared of all Yankees!!! The series then follows the two as they try to find normality, but ultimately understand who they truly are as people. This series is incredibly well written, its funny yet has a series message about labelling people and making assumptions about others. So although there are moments of side-splitting humour (the ghost house scene in ep 9 especially) there is always a serious theme of identity and trying to find out who you really are. The acting is FANTASTIC, Narimiya Hiroki and Naka Riisa are superbly cast as the two leads and their on-screen chemistry makes the series as joy to watch. As for the ending? you will be screaming for more!!!! Witty, thought provoking and just plain crazy, Yankee Kun to Megane Chan is the best J drama of the year!

W-inds for me is a brand new discovery and one that has truly been like a breath of fresh air (or should that be w-ind :D) into my CD collection!!! If you are the kind of person who loves a good electro pop track, a flash back to the 80s or even a club anthem this is the album for you!!!! Okay so at the moment a lot of artists are playing around with these sort of sounds but with this album W-inds truly brings something original to your lug holes. The music, although dominantly electro is incredibly diverse as it takes you from chilled summer sounds, to mournful ballads, to body popping anthems. The vocals themselves are incredibility impressive and lead singer Keita clearly shows of his incredible range and at times wonderful ability to capture emotion particular on the track ?Can?t Get Back?. Highlights include: New World Starts with a electric beats and builds into a wonderfully sophisticated retro track Can?t Get Back A vocally stunning ballad with the sound of a synthesized music box Rain is Fallin? My ultimate track ?not only does it contain an insanely addictive 80s club vibe but it also features some English rapping by my person god G-Dragon Truth Part produced by Ne-Yo it makes you think of summer every time you hear it The DVD The DVD included was a excellent addition and I recommend that you pay more to get the DVD version. You get five music videos?. All with stunning dance routines but probably most impressive is Rain is Fallin? which, if I?m not mistaken, you can view with a pair of 3D glasses to see the guys pop from your TV!!!!! You also get two live performances and boy they know how to put on a show?. They sound as good live as they do on the CD!!! W-inds has just become my number one J-boy band?.give even a spin in your CD player because they just might be yours too!!!

Well in contrast to the other reviewer I was incredibly impressed by the song. It is insanely to catchy and has a chorus that just makes you want to get up and dance! I love the combination of the dirty baseline with Keita's gentle, almost vulnerable vocals. It is my ultimate 'driving-fast-in-my-car-on-a-saturday-night' song!!! In addition I find the video querky and interesting. Their dance routes are, as ever, top notch and I love their new leather styling! Bonus points for the use of manniquins!!!! All in all Addicted to Love is a club classic and follows nicely on from their New World sound!!!

Okay so I watched the film verison of Koizora and loved it ..... I watched the drama series and I was crying for a whole evening afterwards!!!! This 6 episode adaption is truely sensational.... not only is the storyline more indepth due to the longer running time than the film but the actors wonderfully portray the characters and bring them to life in a way that far transgresses the film. Seto Koji is heartbreaking as Hiro and is easily one of the best actors in Japan today. What is so beautiful about this film is the moments of silence, when the emotion and relationship between Mika and Hiro is expressed not through words but through their looks and gestures. Indeed many things are incredibly similliar to the film such as types of shots and lines of dialogue but for me the drama series went that extra mile in emotion department.... I watched the film and sniffed back a few tears..... I watched this series and ended up with black mascara streaks down my face and neck..... in the last episode I think I wasn't crying for only about 3 minutes of it!!! The one thing to mention is that this drama is a slightly cleaner version..... i.e there is less violence, less sex (not that there is bearly any in the film.... but they do did 'it' a extra time in the film) and the attack on Mika by a gang of boys is far less serious than it is in the film. This did detract somewhat for the intensity of the story but on the plus side it has made it more suitable for a younger audience. If you loved the film this series will break your heart, if you haven't seen either it's a fantastic place to enter into the Koizora world!!!! P.S I know there has been a lot of negativity towards this series and indeed the film due to its weak portrayal of women but frankly if you don't take either too seriously and just enjoy theme as a melodramas I think you will be pleasently contented by them!

Well I have just finished watching this first and it is absolutely fantastic!!!! 2010 certainly seems to be the comeback year for J-Drama what with the equally brilliant yankee-kun to megame chan also being shown. Tumbling is certainly another drama that deserves recognition. In the vein of Waterboys and Swing Girls it follows a somewhat unsuccessful group of Male Rhythmic Gymnastic competitors. Although they never have enougth members to enter any competitions and they are always battling against the girl's team for practice space their luck suddenly changes when Yankee Wataru joins the team. A combination of trying to impress the new girl and trying not to displease his mom Wataru half-heartly attempts the srict regime of the tumbling profession.... or tamborine as he likes to call it!!!!! But after witnessing the determination of the team's leader Yuta (played by heartthrob Seto Koji from the Koizora TV Drama) he soon puts his heart into the perfomance not for the sake of the girl or his mother but for himself. Of course in the first episode good intentions don't always mean high points!!!! Even after one episode I was immediately gripped by the storyline and the characters. There are so many dramas about Yankee's trying to chnage their ways but this one has a edge for me. Fantatsically acted and already showing some amazing tumbling routines I can't wait to watch the rest!!!So if you are a Waterboys fan/ Stick It, gymnast enthusist or just enjoy the thrill of Japanese boys stretching and sweating Tumbling is for you!!!!

Well I have now watched the entire series of Tumbling and I have only one word to describe it?. Stunning!!! Each episode focuses on a different character, and the personal struggles they face be it poverty, death, homosexuality, friendships, family? to name but a few. As such the series, despite having fantastic comedy moments, manages to tackle to serious issues that affect young adults? not only in modern Japan but on a global scale. In fact I don?t think there was a single episode that didn?t have me in fits of laughter at one moment and the floods of tears the next!!!! The acting (particularly from Yusuke Yamamoto and Seto Koji) is outstanding and is far above the standard you may expect from TV. And you can really feel that this group of actors had a strong bond that is so evident on screen. Considering that none of the leads are professional gymnasts the ?tumbling? itself was breathtaking. Okay so possibly there may have been a few stunt doubles? I?m not sure? but it looks as though it is the actors actually doing the routine and if this is true I take my hat off to them!!!! The one thing to note is that I watched this series online, so as to the specifics of this box set I can?t say anything?.. it?s just a pity that eng subs aren?t included as I definitely would have brought a copy!!! To date Tumbling is my all time favourite Japanese drama, the storyline and acting puts it miles ahead other dramas I have watched recently. My only complaint?.. I wish it was longer!!!!

For all you BB fans out there this is a really nice DVD to add to your collection as it features some of those classic BB videos we all know and love and if you are not from Korea or Japan its a great opportunity to see some more of the boys!!!! Highlights include the videos, My Heaven, Gara Gara Go, Haru Haru and Sorry. Some of the videos even have mini behind the scenes footage that mostly is of outakes .... like D Lite falling on his butt while rolling skating :D!!!! Two little negatives though .... we all come to expect a lot from the packaging on our BB products, I mean their concert DVDs and Album packaging are always fantastic but this DVD is in a very simple cardboard case with only a few photos from each video. And secondly this collection is really missing a few fantastic videos like the one for Lollipop and With U to name but a couple. Since this is a collection I don't see why they didn't include all of the boys videos to date and not just a selection. Anyway its great to have these few in your collection, here's hoping they do vol 2 soon!!!!!

Piko has one of the most refreshing singing voices I have heard in ages. Classed as a Ryoseirui singer, meaning he has the vocal range of both a male and a female, Piko's voice is truly extraordinary. Although he has been performing for a few years now and has become a favourite on the Japanese version of You Tube with his anime songs (he even has a album out called Infinity) this single is to be considered as his first as a major artist. Recently signed to Sony, Piko is now attempting to break into the mainstream Japanese music industry and considering the quality of this release I do not think it will be long until he is a established star!!! The title track story is a powerful rock/ballad hit written by Piko himself. Sure, the initial novelty is that he basically sounds like a girl, but move beyond that and not only are his vocals unusual but they are also beautiful and utterly heartbreaking. The other two tracks are much the same in terms of their rocky / ballad style but each showcases Piko's talent wonderfully. The bonus DVD contains footage from a concert where he performs 3 live tracks from his album Infinity. Here is where Piko truly shines as his live vocal ability is pure perfection. I am so excited about this artist I really hope that his conquers the J rock world as his talent his is so unique. I look forward to his next single out in December. So go on take a chance on this artist, and expect big things from Piko.