 | SMAP – Hadaka no Ousama ~Shibutoku Tsuyoku~ (a J!-ENT World Groove CD Single Review) |
May 5, 1996 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment
SMAP’s 21st CD single features the final single for SMAP member Katsuyuki Mori (who is leaving the group to become a professional moto racer). Upbeat, catchy and an enjoyable pop track from SMAP!
GROUP: SMAP
CD SINGLE: Hadaka no Ousama ~Shibutoku Tsuyoku~
LABEL: Victor
CATALOG #: VIDL-10770
DURATION: 16:13
RELEASE DATE: May 5, 1996
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- はだかの王様 ～シブトクつよく～
- 急がば回れ
- はだかの王様 ～シブトクつよく～ (music track)
- 急がば回れ (music track)
Popular Johnny Jimusho boy band SMAP is going to go through some major changes as this single will be the final release to feature SMAP member Katsuyuki Mori. Mori will be pursuing his career as a motorcross competitor and is leaving the Johnny’s Agency indefinitely.
Needless to say, I wouldn’t be surprise if their 21st single “Hadaka no Ousama ~Shibutoku Tsuyoku~” (The Naked King: Stubborn and Strong) ends up a #1 seller as fans will probably want to get the final single with Mori.
The single is an upbeat pop track and a single in which Mori’s voice is quite prominent. To tell you the truth, I can’t imagine SMAP without Mori, but I suppose we’ll see how things go when the group releases their next single. But “Hadaka no Ousama” is a catchy track and I have been listening to this song over and over.
As for the coupling track “急がば回れ” (Less Haste), it’s an OK song but pretty much a no frills coupling pop track in which Mori’s vocals are quite prominent once again.
Overall, “Hadaka no Ousama ~Shibutoku Tsuyoku~” is another enjoyable single and if you are a Katsuyuki Mori fan, you will definitely want to pick this single up as it will be his final single as a SMAP member.
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| My Little Lover – Alice (a J!-ENT World Groove CD Single Review) |
May 2, 1996 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment
“My Little Lover’s fourth CD single features a tie-in to their Website and a more synth-pop based track. Overall, another solid CD single release.”
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BAND: My Little Lover
CD SINGLE: Alice
LABEL: Toys Factory
CATALOG #: TFDC-28043
DURATION: 19:47
RELEASE DATE: April 22, 1996
- Alice
- Meguirau Sekai
- Alice (Instrumental)
- Meguriau Sekai (Instrumental)
The group My Little Lover which consists of popular producer/musician Takeshi Kobayashi (on keyboards), Akko (vocals) and Kenji Fujii (guitar) return with their fourth CD single “Alice”.
For their latest single, My Little Lover went for a more synth pop-based tune with “Alice”. The Single was released in conjunction with the group’s Website which was launched last year and gives access to viewers to watch footage from the making of their video but also footage to view the making of their album “Evergreen” and recording in Los Angeles.
The coupling track “Meguriau Sekai” features a more rock-based sound that has the same style of music that fans are used to hearing from the group. Overall, a solid coupling song.
The remaining two tracks feature the instrumental versions of the two songs and the CD sleeve features the lyrics and production credits to the song.
Overall, another cool single from the group and its great to hear the band with a new single again!
