Hirai Ken - Canvas

Comment: I'm not a big fan of Hirai Ken but I really love this single, especially "Canvas". It's such a warm song and Hirai Ken's voice gives justice to it, I believe.

Tracklist:

1. Canvas
2. Kimi wa Suteki
3. Cry & Smile
4. Canvas (Piano)
5. Canvas (Less Vocal)
6. Kimi wa Suteki (Less Vocal)

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John-Hoon - Sakura Tears

Comment: John-Hoon (Kim Jeong-Hoon) has gone a long way from his first release. This is evident from the way he pronounces Japanese words. Aside from that, I believe his songs are better from his past albums, melody-wise especially. His songs are distinctly different from the other Korean singers singing Japanese songs... in a way. Try it. :)

Tracklist:

1. Sakura Tears
2. Glass Rain
3. Ai no Uta (Love Song)
4. Sakura Tears (Instrumental)
5. Glass Rain (Instrumental)
6. Ai no Uta (Instrumental)

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Title: ご近所ものがたり (The Neighborhood Story)
Mangaka: Yazawa Ai
Genre: Shoujo, Slice of Life
Length: 7 Volumes
Scanlator: Shoujo Magic

Summary: (from Shoujo Magic) Ever since he was small, all the girls in the neighborhood have fawned over Tsutomu Yamaguchi, whose name came from a song and whose adorable face closely resembles the monkey character Monchichi's. Even back then, it was enough to make his friend and neighbor Mikako sick. Now that he's a little more grown, Tsutomu looks like the lead vocalist of Manbou, Ken Nakagawa, and that makes him even more popular with the ladies. But Mikako -- now a trendy teen with modern sensibilities -- couldn't care less. Or could she...? "Gokinjo Monogatari" is a sharp-witted and stylish slice-of-life story!

*A personal favorite of mine. Somehow, all of Yazawa Ai's works are my favorite. If you like her other mangas like Paradise Kiss or Nana, you might like this one too. :)

Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3
Volume 4
Volume 5
Volume 6
Volume 7

Arashi - 5X5 Best Selection of 2002-2004
Release Date: 2004

Comment: I'm not a really really big fan of Arashi, but I do love them (especially Matsujun) to the point of having all their albums. Haha. Their voices may not be the best out there, but hearing their songs, you'll get to love them too. They always have an upbeat tune to them, that will definitely make you dance to the beat. Try it!

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Clazziquai - ZBAM
Release Date: 2004

Comment: I have always loved Clazziquai from the moment I first heard them. Their music is uniquely theirs because they transcend the normal genres--they're always a mixture of everything, and yet they manage to blend all these very well. Although they can be classified as electronic, there would still be hints of other genres in their music.

This album is a compilation of remixes of their past songs. I really recommend listening to this!

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