News: Universal Backs Free Music Site

Aljazeera.net:

A new free music website has won the backing of Universal Music Group, creating a model that could challenge market leader Apple Computer's iTunes.

New York-based SpiralFrog, which plans to launch its service this year, said the world's largest music label had agreed to make its library available to US and Canadian customers of the service.

Users can download an unlimited number of songs or music videos if they register at the site and watch online advertisements.

The tracks cannot be burned to a CD, but users will be able to transfer music to portable media players equipped with Microsoft Windows digital rights management software, Ford said.

Simply take a look at Universal Music's Wikipedia entry to get yourself an idea of what kind of impact this will have on the music industry. If this project is handled properly, it can revolutionize the entire digital music scene. For a list of Japanese artists under the Universal label, see Universal J's official site. However, I suspect that since the SpiralFrog service targets North American consumers, music from Universal's Japanese division won't be made available.

The fact that the files are incompatible with iPod is rather annoying, however. Because I am an iPod owner (like many others out there), I can't derive as much benefit from this service as people who use players with Microsoft DRM (are we still hung up over that?). Whether this is an actual blow to Apple remains to be seen. But honestly, I wish the files can play on iPods. *is sad*

Update - more information from Techcrunch:

Spiral Frog will offer a desktop downloader for Windows Media Files (no iPods!) that can be listened to on one PC and two portable devices. Here’s the kicker - you must log in to the Spiral Frog service at least once per month, and see their ads, or your files will stop playing! The details aren’t fully set in stone, but it will be something like that. There will be links to third party sites of the record labels’ choosing if you’d like to buy your freedom to at least skip the ads.

Spiral Frog will also offer far more than just music, but also video and other digital content. The selling point here is that users will be able to access media legally, without the malware, bad network connections and pirate’s shame that comes from other online media sources. Weird Al’s new “Don’t Download This Song” must be linked to in reference to those arguments!

SpiralFrog told the Financial Times that they were in talks with Warner, EMI and Sony-BMG as well.

Looks like SpiralFrog is trying to pull in the support of all four of the "Big Four record labels". Jesus, this is about 80% of the world's music. Information on the Big Four can be found here.

Spare Our Wallets!

What is with indie labels producing so many different versions of the same release just to milk the merchandise for all its worth?

I'm one of those suckers who like to purchase the limited editions of releases because of the bonus material and that nice exclusive feeling. While I'm perfectly aware that I'm being taken advantage of, I still cannot help myself. "Here I am, please exploit me to your heart's content."

But, when the labels really start to capitalize on this (irrational) fan psychology by releasing TWO versions of the limited edition, I just can't take it anymore and must blow my fuse.

This blatant manipulation, this abominable abuse on fans' goodwill drives me up the wall. Why can't the labels simply package the bonus materials in one edition? We're not freaking ATM machines, with endless supply of money for you greedy corporate monsters. Isn't it enough that many of us are willing to purchase a limited edition out of our love for the artists? Why must you burden us with the decision to 1. buy only one version of the limited edition, 2. buy both versions of the limited edition, or 3. heaven forbid, buy all three versions.

Are you actually trying to encourage piracy? Because if I really want to retaliate, I can simply download all 3 versions online for free and leave you without any profit. But then, don't the artists end up being the innocent victims of your ill thought-out scheme? Do you really think this is a good long-term strategy for the company? Where is your conscience?

We fans are not stupid, despite what you may think. We're willing to make some allowances as long as your business practice isn't out of line. However, you have crossed the line, you have crossed it many times. I do not know how much tolerance the rest of the fan population possesses, but let me assure you, our patience is not limitless. We won't take this lying down forever.

Update: Now that I look at this entry 3 hours after I posted it, I think I got a bit carried away by my irritation. The words may have been harsh, but I'm glad that I got that off my chest. Oh well, call me melodramatic. :D

...

By the way, it has just been announced at the Budokan concert a day ago that SID will be releasing a 12-track (including the A sides of the 3 latest singles) album called "play" on November 8, 2006. It comes in 3 (THREE!) spanking versions. (news courtsey of mahiru_no_koe of SID LJ community)

Type A: CD, with photobook, @ 3800 yen
Type B: CD, with DVD, @ 3800 yen
Type C: CD, @ 3150 yen

Pre-order begins on September 10.

I bet you anything that they'll all come in different covers. I think I'll at the very least get Type B though. Plan to pre-order it ASAP. Argh.

News: Dir en grey at Family Value Tour 2006

One.

YOSHIKI (formerly of X Japan, currently producer) was spotted at the Family Value Tour San Bernandino concert. (From mivanx77 of Batsu J-Rock Forum)

Two.

Kyo of Dir en grey was rushed to the hospital after falling down from a crate/platform during performance at the Family Value Tour Toronto concert.

Kyo looked fine for the first song. During the second song, he fell down. Most people thought it was part of the act. He took a long time in getting back up, and several roadies rushed to his side, concerned and helped him back up. He made it back up after an uncomfortably long time, but looked disoriented (he banged into a mic stand). None of the other band members stopped.

After the show, I talked to fans who said he was bleeding around the face, but I didn't notice myself (my eyesight's on the crummy side), and it could've been part of the act.

A couple of songs into their set, Kyo lifted a red cage-like platform. I didn't see any struggle, but it's possible he overexerted himself then.

After the Diru show, while Flyleaf was playing, people started noticing a commotion backstage. There was an ambulance and paramedics there, and someone was being taken away. It was Kyo, by all consensus. It definitely wasn't someone from another band, because the rest of Dir en grey were standing close by, looking agitated (I saw Die and Toshiya specifically, but I'm assuming Shinya and Kaoru were there, too). Then security told everyone to piss off.

There was no meet-and-greet for Toronto. I don't know if is related to Kyo's health or not. It wasn't cancelled or anything, it just wasn't planned at all.

That's the extent of public and my personal knowledge. Despite the fact that he was clearly not feeling well during the show, the band finished their set with aplomb. It was a great performance everything considered, and they have my kudos for that. I hope Kyo will be alright. :/

From iro of Batsu J-Rock Forum

The Kagrra, Visual Evolution

I have a love-and-hate relationship with Kagrra,'s... hm, visual presentation. During the early period (2000-2003), the band was always seen in incredibly elaborate costumes, with massive amount of makeup, and tons of hair gel. What saddened me was, Isshi, the vocalist who was essentially the frontman of the band, always (pretty much without exception) looked GOD BLOODY AWFUL! He has a large frame, which means his body build is completely unsuitable for pulling off that delicate-Japanese-beauty-in-kimono effect. In fact, I think it's an abomination that so many had to put up with Isshi's "I'm a really manly looking woman. Oh wait, I'm actually a man who completely fails at looking like a woman." for so long. Everytime I look back at those early band photos, I can't help but wince at Isshi's ungainliness.

It was with great relief on my part when Kagrra, finally moved on from their visual kei days. Their image post-2003 is much more toned down and natural. I blessed my stars that Isshi's photos no longer assault my poor eyes. I think that Kagrra, has found their best looks. They belong in khakis, jeans, and T-shirts, not those awful kimono costumes.

What Makes a Good Live Report

I've read quite a number of live reports. I'm sure all of you have found also that while some reports are powerful, intense, and gripping, others are simply... bland and mediocre. What separate the fantastic reports from the so-so ones?

I present two case studies. These are two reports that floored me with their passion and earnesty, the best I've read in a long time.

One, Gazette's Nameless Liberty Tour at Fukuoka on April 11, 2006, written by shirann of LJ. Some parts that really stood out to me:

Sometime during this song, I think Ruki's ring or maybe the mic cut his face open just beside his nose, but he didn't even seem to notice. He seriously looked delerious with... something... as he sang the slow part, and then he exploded into madness again for the chorus! I don't think I've ever seen anyone get that much into a song. I didn't really watch the others a lot during this, mostly because I couldn't tear my eyes away from Ruki. He just... I fell in love with his raw power. His emotion is right there, swirling in giant currents around him and over everyone else.

...

During the bridge, I think there was more orchestrated hand movement, but by this time I was seriously too lost in the experience to notice the crowd much anymore. Uruha was smiling at the crowd a lot during this song. At one time I looked at him, and I think he spotted my FUCK wristband, cause he smiled at me again! One thing stands out very prominently in my mind for this song, though. At one point, Reita was relatively close to the edge of the stage, playing to the crowd and looking over us a few times, so... I flipped him off. OMFG, I GAVE REITA THE FINGER! I don't know what made me do it, but it just kind of... happened. Anyway, he definitely saw it, because he kind of blinked, then looked down my arm and paused for a second on my face. And I'm sure I must have had this "OMFG PLEASE LET ME JUST DISAPPEAR" look on my face because he smirked slightly, and went back to backstage. I feel so bad! But maybe he was amused by it. I felt like facepalming, but I couldn't because I seriously couldn't get my hand to my face at that point, it was so crammed.

Take a deep breath and sit back. Here's the second live report. alice nine.'s 2nd Oneman Tour (Zekkeishoku) at Fukuoka on May 20, 2006, written by direngrey_ of LJ.

This was the only song of the night where 将 [note: Shou] was off a bit. The beginning `Shishiza wa ~` was clearly off key, and I saw him look to the side after he sung it and grimace, like "Get yourself together, 将!!"

The rest of the opening was a better, but still a little off...

After the opening, he nailed every note.

But, I`ll never forget that look on his face. A while back on his journal, 将 wrote about how painfully embarassing it is for him when he can`t perform perfectly as a vocalist. He`s come such a long way, but I still feel 将 often doubts his ability. I touched on this in my letter to him, as well...

I hope 将 can completely believe in himself one day, and embrace his unbelievable talents without doubting himself. He deserves that...

...

沙我 [note: Saga] did something totally random during 暁 [note: Akatsuki]. I had my hands out, and so did the 2 girls to my left. 沙我 walked a little closer, licked his finger... and then drew it accross my left hand.
I was dumbstruck.

That got a total `Wow, YAY!!!` in my head, but I was also like `沙我, you`re SO RANDOM!!`.

And yes, I`ve washed my hands MANY times since then, so no one ask me to clone him XD I REFUSE!

Reading these leave a huge smile on my face. What is it about these two reports that I absolutely love? I find that I really enjoy details on band-audience interactions. The interactions, I believe, are the heart and soul of all lives. This is why we pay to see our favorite bands in concert. Nothing else can capture the magic of attending an actual live. The DVD recordings completely pale in comparison to being a member of the fired-up crowd, headbanging, moshing to the music. When a band member actually makes eye-contact and/or smile or wave at you, you feel your heart stop and all blood rush to your face. That moment of intensity simply cannot be found anywhere else.

Another factor that really weighs in is that these two writors of the reports obviously love, love the bands whose lives they attended. They worship the bands and they're not afraid to bare their souls and put their love into passionate words. They're sincere and earnest. On a certain level, the readers are able to attend the concerts vicariously because they can so easily relate to the writors. It was a pleasure, a true pleasure and honor, for me to share their experiences. shirann and direngrey_ will probably never see what I have written here, but still, I want to thank them.

Thank you sincerely for bringing the concerts alive to us readers and allowing us to experience those magical moments with you. You guys are the best.

Music Review: ガゼット (the GazettE) / NIL

1. THE END
2. Nausea & Shudder
3. Bath Room
4. Maggots
5. 生暖かい雨とざらついた情熱 (Namaatatakai Ame Tozaratsuita Jounetsu)
6. D.L.N
7. SHADOW VI II I [watch]
8. バレッタ (Beretta)
9. Cassis [watch]
10. SILLY GOD DISCO [watch]
11. DISCHARGE
12. 体温 (Taion) [watch]

CDJapan (Limited / Normal) / HMV (Normal: Germany / Japan) / YesAsia (Limited / Normal)

1. THE END / The first track of the album, and it's named "the end"? How interesting. This is more of an instrumental piece that sets the mood for the album (I wouldn't call what Ruki and the rest of the band do singing, in the strictest sense). Dark, mysterious, and very catchy.

2. Nausea & Shudder / This is a heavy song with pretty hard instrumentals yet a great melody. Here, you get the first taste of Ruki's vocal improvement since Gazette's last album, Disorder. If you haven't been following their 2005 singles releases, you might be caught off guard by the vast difference of Ruki's singing. His voice is richer, more powerful, and more dynamic. In this song, he sounds so passionate and has beyond met my expectations. ♥

3. Bath Room / Ahh, this song has an awesome beginning. Once again, it's a relatively heavy piece. I think my favorite part is right after the guitar solo. Ruki restrains his vocals most of time during this track but breaks into intense full voice singing that truly enhances the climax of the song. Solid work.

4. Maggots / Wah, a head banging heavy metal song! I think metal fans can probably appreciate this track better than I can. This song is so very masculine, which reminds me once again that despite the band's beautiful appearance, these are men. Heavy instrumentals, heavy chanting, very hardcore.

5. 生暖かい雨とざらついた情熱 / I think my jaw dropped when I first heard this track. It... sounds like... SWING?! Had I been a better swing dancer (or at least more agile on my feet, because trust me, this song requires serious footwork), I'd break out into a dance to this song. I am so pleasantly surprised by this new style. It really showcases the fun side of the band and shows its willingness to experiment. Bloody cool!

6. D.L.N / Oooh, a ballad! My gosh, the chorus part is absolutely beautiful. The children's voices really complement and enhance Ruki's singing. He puts so much passion, so much fire into his performance. This is a song that tugs on my heartstrings and really makes me feel. Simply fantastic. ♥

7. SHADOW VI II I / Holy crap, this song has an awesome bass line, wow! I normally don't pay as much attention to bass lines because they often don't stand out, but man, it's hard to ignore this one! Reita does amazing work on his bass and really makes this track unique. This is once again a swing-like, completely danceable song. But this suddenly changes about 2/3 through the track (the bridge), the tempo shifts and what the... this song is now funk?! Then just as quickly, it returns to the original swing beat and left me sitting there blinking. This is some serious experimentation. I love it! ♥

8. バレッタ / This is a semi-ballad song, semi, because I think the beat is too fast throughout for it to be a true ballad. This particular track doesn't really stand out for me. It's very nice and might work better had it been a single or even the B-side to a single. But in an album, it gets overshadowed (probably because it's sandwiched between two of my favorite tracks). Meh.

9. Cassis / Nice, another beautiful ballad. The guitar solos featuring Uruha and Aoi freaking kick ass. After seeing the PV, I realized that Ruki plays the guitar too in this song. He even gets a mini guitar solo right after Uruha's solo (well, kind of)! This song once again characterizes my favorite aspect of Ruki's vocals, the rich timbre and the impassioned singing. ♥

10. SILLY GOD DISCO / I really should have seen this coming, since clues have been dropping with 生暖かい雨とざらついた情熱 and SHADOW VI II I, but I was still caught off guard when this track came on. I think I must have jumped off my chair and started leaping about the room. *sweatdrop* Gazette + funky disco = holy crap, this song is too awesome for words. This is such a fun, wacky, wicked piece! Very very sexy, it's just... argh! Too bloody brilliant. Ruki's English is awful and I can't understand a word, but who cares?! ♥

11. DISCHARGE / Hehe, another heavy metal track. This would be a great piece to play during lives because it'd really get the crowd worked up. I can already imagine the headbanging and roaring. The fangirls are going to go wild.

12. 体温 / This is such a dark and harsh song. By harsh, I'm not just talking about the heavy instrumentals, but really mean the emotion conveyed through this piece. It feels so naked and raw, liking stripping away the outer layer and finding what's underneath bleeding and screaming for release. This song really really moves and resonates within me. This is probably the most emotionally powerful song and a wonderful end to this masterpiece album. ♥

Yes, I think this is Gazette's best work so far. Ruki's amazing vocal improvement truly stands out. It's worth every yen of the ¥3600 (actually, it's more than that since I have to pay for shipping).

Rating: Fantastic

News: US, Japan to Share Blu-ray Region Code

Macworld:

Blu-ray Disc players and movies expected on sale later this year in Japan and the U.S. will share the same region code, Sony said Thursday.

Current DVD discs and players on sale in the two countries use different region codes so that software bought in one country will not work on players purchased in the other country. The system was designed to allow content producers to better manage release and sale of content around the world.

The theory is that a movie can go to DVD in the U.S. before it hits movie theaters in Japan with little impact on Japanese box-office takings because the U.S. discs won’t play in Japan. In practice, the system has proved easy to hack, and multi-region players that accept software from any region are readily available and popular among consumers.

In all, there are six DVD regions but content producers and hardware makers have been discussing changes for the new Blu-ray Disc system, which is being positioned to replace DVD for high-definition content. Backers of the competing HD DVD format are waiting on a decision by the Blu-ray Disc Association with the idea of using the same region coding system to avoid confusion among consumers.

This is excellent news for us J-music/culture fans. It'll certainly save me a trip to buy a region free blu-ray player in the future.

Gazette Rocks & Rolls

Wohooo, I just got a Gazette T-shirt while shopping today!

Okay, it isn't an official Gazette shirt, but when I saw this black shirt with a skull design and the words "Rock or Roll" on it, I knew I just HAD to get it because it'd be a perfect Gazette shirt (Gazette the band's logo is also a skull). Since I can't get the official shirt (you can only get those at their lives), I'm making do with this.

This was the last skull rock and roll T-shirt the store had and it's a size L. It's a bit big on me, but still perfectly wearable. ^_^ This is so my favorite T-shirt right now. Hahaha!

Music Review: アリス九號. / 絶景色 (alice nine. / Zekkeishoku)

1. 光環 (Koukan)
2. ヴェルヴェット (Velvet) [watch]
3. FANTASY [watch]
4. 3.2.1.REAL -SE-
5. 春、さくらの頃 (Haru, Sakura no Koro)
6. DEAD SCHOOL SCREAMING
7. 黒海の海月 -Instrumental- (Kokkai no Kurage -Instrumental-)
8. jelly fish
9. ワールドエンドアンソロジー (World End Anthology)
10. Q.
11. 九龍 -NINE HEADS RODEO SHOW- (Kowloon -NINE HEADS RODEO SHOW-) [watch]
12. ARMOR RING

CDJapan / HMV / YesAsia

1. 光環 / What a fantastic opening song! I was instantly grabbed by Shou's clear, pure voice. The song utilizes Shou's vocals very well. The melodious music is thrilling and pure enjoyment to the ears. Bloody brilliant. ♥

2. ヴェルヴェット/ Excellent music, excellent singing. Velvet is a "rockier" song compared to Koukan, but it still manages to delight me because it's so fun. This song has really grown on me after a few listens. ♥

3. FANTASY / This song very definitely belongs to the popular rock genre. The opening showcases Shou's great vocals, for he dives straight into singing full voice. This was alice nine.'s most recent single (along with Akatsuki/Ikuoku no Chandelier) and I was very pleased to see the tremendous improvement in Shou's singing, definitely one of my favorite alice nine. songs. ♥

4. 3.2.1.REAL -SE- / This track is a short instrumental, with interesting sound effects. It sounds like an experimental track, just for the band to try out arranging the different effects. It works very well to link FANTASY to the next song... which is

5. 春、さくらの頃 / This sounds like a down-to-earth song that descibes everyday life. Just like the life of a person, it may not be dramatic, but it is fun nevertheless. A quite decent track.

6. DEAD SCHOOL SCREAMING / DEAD SCHOOL SCREAMING has an unusual melody and contrary to the image evoked by the title, the song itself is not as heavy and aggressive as I first thought. An okay song.

7. 黒海の海月 -Instrumental- / Another short instrumental piece, it has an ethereal quality. Since the title is about the jelly fish of the Black Sea, I think it makes sense that this track has that floating, pulsing feeling. It serves to bridge this track to the next, which is

8. jelly fish / Track 7 is "jelly fish of the Black Sea", we get "jelly fish" for track 8. This song uses acoustic guitar instead of the usual electric, a decent piece.

9. ワールドエンドアンソロジー / This song evokes a similar mood as tracks 5 and 8. Decent, but the songs are starting to become dull because they're so similar. I want to emphasize though, that this song stands well on its own. However, because I was listening to the tracks on this album in order and in one setting, I became weary at this point.

10. Q. / Ah, just as I was thinking I have enough of merely "decent" songs, alice nine. breaks the pattern and gives us another kick-ass track. Hehe, surely I'm not the only one who's reminded of Linkin Park by this song? Shou starts off with a strong voice and is joined by Saga (of all people!) in the chorus/harmonizing sections. I'm very pleased with the Shou and Saga combination because it sounds so good. I'd like to see more singing from Saga in the future. ♥

11. 九龍 -NINE HEADS RODEO SHOW- / This is the heaviest song on the entire album with much more aggressive guiltar and chorus. The entire band joins in with the chanting. I can already imagine this song driving the crowd wild at lives because it rocks so hard. It really gets the adrenaline pumping.

12. ARMOR RING / The final track is a nice and mellow ballad, again utilizing Shou's voice to maximum effect. It wraps up the album and leaves the listener with a feeling of contentment.

With this album, I gained a lot of respect for Shou and Hiroto (not to mention I was delighted to discover that Saga can sing). It's apparent that Shou's vocal trainings had paid off and he now sings fantastically. Why Hiroto though? Most of my favorite tracks on this album were written by Hiroto (tracks 1, 2, 3; the 4th favorite, Q., was written by Tora) ! The music he writes really speak to me. I now pay a lot more attention to Hiroto because he's a musician after my own heart. One problem I noticed with this album was the track order. There was a string of mellow songs that caused my attention to wander. I wish the order was mixed up a bit to spice things up.

Rating: Fantastic

News: YOSHIKI and Gackt to Tour in US

News from a Livejournal community

gekka-no-neko translates it: here.

Essentially, YOSHIKI (formerly of X Japan, currently producer) and Gackt (formerly of Malice Mizer, currently solo artist) will begin a project together later this year and recording will take place next year. A live tour is planned and will occur first in the US.

I want to weep in happiness at this news. I'll give up an arm to see them on tour in the US.

Music Review: Kra / 星空列車の汽笛を聞きながら (Hoshizora Ressha no Kiteki wo Kikinagara)

1. 時の列車 (Toki no Ressha) [watch]

2. 街の灯 (Machi no Hi)
3. ﾀﾞｲｱﾘｰ (Diary)
4. 行方知れぬ時 (Yukue Shirenu Toki)
5. 天の川逃避行 (Ama no Gawa Touhikou)

CDJapan / HMV / YesAsia

1. 時の列車 / The melody is absolutely beautiful. The arrangement sounds simple, yet perfectly suitable. Just as I was getting into the track, however, Keiyuu started singing. Keiyuu's voice is dull. It also lacks the finesse and clarity of tone needed to pull this one off. I'm not saying his vocals is bad, just entirely average and therefore uninteresting. This song might have become one of my all-time favorites if only it was done by a better vocalist. Though, I'd like to see Toki no Ressha arranged into an orchestral piece. I'm certain it'd sound freaking amazing. ♥

2. 街の灯 / This is a quite pretty jazz-influenced track. Yet once again, I'm not taken with Keiyuu's vocals. It's entirely too restrained. He needs to sing with a fuller voice and not hold back.

3. ﾀﾞｲｱﾘｰ / 4. 行方知れぬ時 / 5. 天の川逃避行 / See my comments above about the vocals. All of these songs suffer from the same problem. I'm not going to bother typing it out again. I also feel that these songs lack harmonic complexity, as if the band's cutting corners when putting the music together. While it was okay with Toki no Ressha because the gorgeous melody made up for the arrangement simplicity, this simplicity is a defect in these songs.

It's a shame. This otherwise promising mini album is held back by the mediocre vocals. There's a lot of room for arrangement improvement, too. I'm considering not touching Kra's releases again until either Keiyuu improves his singing or the group gets a new vocalist. However, that wouldn't be fair. So instead, I'll give them more chances in the future.

Rating: Tolerable

Mp3 Tagging Headache

I know most people simply label their Japanese mp3's as either "J-Pop" or "J-Rock", however in my case, my entire collection consists of 95% Japanese music. As a result, only using "J-Pop" and "J-Rock" on these files loses its point because it really doesn't work well in categorizing the music. How helpful is it to have half your music labeled as "J-Rock", and the other half "J-Pop"? Not very, obviously.

I need more specific genre labeling.

But further breaking down the genre is very very troublesome. Should I assign the genres based on the individual songs or individual artists? If I label genres by songs, I'll never be able to finish with my entire collection because there are just way too many files to relabel.

If I go with artists, what about the artists who suddenly change their style? Take Amuro Namie, for example, she used to be pop, but now with the latest 2 albums, she's all of a sudden R&B. Or m-flo, I'd call them R&B back when LISA was still with the group, but these days, they're very obviously hip-hop/rap. Or there are some artists who are just so eclectic that I'm at a complete loss.

The genres aside, there's also a problem with the artists' names. First of all, most times there are at least 2 versions to their names, Japanese and romanization. Angela Aki is also アンジェラ・アキ, SID is written as シド officially in Japanese media. I saw from somewhere that HYDE's name, when referred to in his solo work context, should be written all capitalized. When referred to in L'Arc~en~Ciel context, his name is "hyde", all lower-cased.

Then, some artists like to change their names in the same manner a foreign language student can't make up his mind about his new name in the language he studies. 雅 is aka miyabi is aka miyavi is aka 雅-miyavi- is aka MYV. Gazette aka ガゼット recently started writing their name as the GazettE. Kagrra, went from Crow to Kagrra to Kagrra, to KGR (in a few instances, probably miyavi influenced). Stop messing with us, please. Just pick a name and stick with it.

This is not all. Some artists love to confound us with weird symbols in their names. Take 関ジャニ∞, what the heck is this infinity sign? Oh, it's actually the number 8? What, are you serious? Why can't you just write "8" instead of rotating the symbol 90 degrees?

Mp3 tagging for Japanese music is one huge mess. I don't know what to do with it.

ガゼット (the GazettE) / THE $OCIAL RIOT MACHINE$ (PSC Tour 2005)

Jesus Christ, I can't stop watching this amazing performance. The explosive energy, the wild crowd, THIS is what lives should be like. Gazette kicks so much ass!

PV Review: シド / 御手紙 (SID / Otegami)

The setting for this PV is a brothel! My god, scandalous! (Just kidding!)

First of all, let's talk about the music. This is the first time I've heard "Otegami" (the single comes out on the 16th) and I have to say, I'm impressed. The fusion of traditional Japanese melody and Western rock delivery successfully lends the song an aura of exoticism and it sounds even, shall we say... alluring? The music is sweet, coaxing, and seductive. Mao's caressing voice pleasures the ears and touches the inner heart. Definitely another of my SID favorites, I'm very pleased with "Otegami".

The video itself is almost perfect. The red-on-black color scheme and lighting are oh-so-gorgeous. The band members' wardrobe in this PV is tasteful and stylish (okay, maybe except for Mao's pants). [fangirling] Aki, especially, looks amazing. I nearly expired when he licked his finger near the end. Ahh, how you tempt me. [/fangirling]

What's not good in this video, however, is the courtesan (aka that girl with opaque eyes in the kimono). I don't in fact mind her presence, but when she sticks out her tongue, her eyes become mere slits. The image momentarily reminds me of a suicide victim who hanged herself. She'd look a lot more seductive if she'd just sit still and look delicate and NOT make her eyes into slits while sticking out her tongue and/or taking off her kimono.

Rating: Fantastic