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Archive for July, 2006

Jul

PERSONAL PV: Utada Hikaru’s Automatic

By Johnny 0 Comments

Categories: Personal and Utada Hikaru

UPDATE: JULY 29/06 — Due to YouTube’s removal of several J-Pop PVs, including AUTOMATIC, I had to go to Plan B and use RadioBlog’s flash audio player. Hey, it’s better than nothing.

I have been an avid fan of J-Pop for quite a while now and I think it’s safe to say that I’ve listened to a fair amount of J-Pop songs and watched a fair amount of music videos. Some videos I’ve watched more than others - not only because they’re my favourites - but because they bring back so many fond memories.

This is one of them.

No matter how much I talk about Morning Musume, I am and always will be a Hikki fan first. It may be hard to believe this with all the Momusu eyecandy in the blog but it’s the truth.

Automatic was one of the very first J-Pop songs I’ve ever heard. During the early 90’s, Japanese pop culture was slowly creeping its way to the lives of Filipinos, particularly teenagers. From widely popular sentai series BIOMAN and SHAIDER (big fan of both), to those popular electronic pocket pets Tamagotchi (I owned two), Pinoys just couldn’t get enough Japanese pop culture.

J-Pop wasn’t too far behind. From what I can remember, the first J-Pop song to ever go mainstream in the Philippines was Globe’s cheesy club song FEEL LIKE DANCE. I downloaded the song a few months back just for nostalgic purposes. I still can’t understand why the song became so popular. If anyone remembers this song feel free to share your stories.

Then along comes Hikki’s Automatic. I remember hearing this song being played in Philippine FM stations and became such a hit that it became a playlist staple for a while. It had a catchy R&B vibe the Filipino youth just loved.

Automatic became so popular that it was being used in "dance numbers" during kiddy parties, family gatherings, and school events. I’m sure my Filipino readers know what I’m talking about and have done a "dance number" at least once in their lives.

Back to the video. What I like about this PV so much is that it’s simple yet doesn’t get boring. Hikki’s charm and the way she plays around with the camera was enough reason for you to watch the video.

This particular scene, where Hikki dances in front of that yellow chair, has become so iconic that HALCALI parodied it in their Tandem PV. You can find the PV in the video library.

Let me say this again: I am and always will be a fan of Utada Hikaru first. Nothing will change that.

I can honestly say that Automatic is one the reasons why I like J-Pop so much.

Jul

PERSONAL PV: Utada Hikaru’s Automatic

By Johnny 11 Comments

Categories: Personal and Utada Hikaru

UPDATE: JULY 29/06 — Due to YouTube’s removal of several J-Pop PVs, including AUTOMATIC, I had to go to Plan B and use RadioBlog’s flash audio player. Hey, it’s better than nothing.

This is one of them.

No matter how much I talk about Morning Musume, I am and always will be a Hikki fan first. It may be hard to believe this with all the Momusu eyecandy in the blog but it’s the truth.

This particular scene, where Hikki dances in front of that yellow chair, has become so iconic that HALCALI parodied it in their Tandem PV. You can find the PV in the video library.

Let me say this again: I am and always will be a fan of Utada Hikaru first. Nothing will change that.

I can honestly say that Automatic is one the reasons why I like J-Pop so much.

Jul

Otsuka Ai On My Mind…Again

By Johnny 4 Comments

Categories: Otsuka Ai

I just had the weirdest morning at work today.

While I was doing my usual routine of making gelato, I had the sudden urge to whistle Otsuka Ai’s SAKURANBO. I couldn’t get the song out of my head!

I actually haven’t watched the PV or listened to the song in a while and yet, from out of nowhere, there it was…playing in my head over and over.

I played the song to death when I was really into it. I played it during breakfast, on the bus on my way to school, and even before I went to sleep. I loved the song! Then, like all overplayed songs, I couldn’t listen to it anymore and turned my attention to something else.I guess the song just stayed in my head after that…just waiting for the right moment to come out again.

This is probably one of my favourite J-Pop songs. Easily in my Top 20 list of "desert island songs".

Also, this is one of the first songs I really liked when I was just starting to get into J-Pop. I couldn’t help but like it; the song’s too darn catchy!

I highly recommend this song and I suggest you play the music video after reading this entry.

It was a good thing that no one heard me while I was whistling since I was doing it like there was no tomorrow. Haha!

The song suddenly popping up in my head could be a sign that it’s time to play the music video again. I should probably do that right now…

Jul

Momusu — Hamilton Island Photobook (pt3)

By Johnny 2 Comments

Categories: Morning Musume

Finally, here’s PART 3 of Morning Musume’s Hamilton Island PB. With all the photos I’ve posted from the photobook, I’m sure you’ve made this PB one of your favourites, too.