SMAP – Aoi Inazuma (a J!-ENT World Groove CD Single Review)

1. 青いイナズマ
2. 真夏の夜は振り向いてはダメなのさ
3. 青いイナズマ (music track)
4. 真夏の夜は振り向いてはダメなのさ (music track)

With the release of SMAP’s last single “Hadaka no Ousama ~Shibutoku Tsuyoku~”, I had no idea where the group would be headed, as the single was the last single for member Katsuyuki Mori who left the group. And aside from Takuya Kimura, Mori’s voice was the most prominent vocals on SMAP’s previous singles.

But with the release of their 22nd single “Aoi Inazuma” (Blue Thunder), I believe it’s safe to say that the guys are going to be just fine! In fact, “Aoi Inazuma” is a fantastic single and a great single to show their fanbase and everyone else that they can still produce cool pop songs without Mori-san.

The song is catchy, addictive and myself along with my friends, we can’t help but sing this song and playing the instrumental portion during our karaoke parties.

As for the coupling track “真夏の夜は振り向いてはダメなのさ” (The summer night is not a bad turn around), the coupling track is quite unusual as it is a rock n’ roll head banger and while Takuya Kimura can pull the vocals off, the others don’t do quite well. Definitely an interesting choice of song to have on the single (especially since it’s so different from “Aoi Inazuma”).

Overall, “Aoi Inazuma” is a pretty awesome single and if you are a SMAP fan, definitely a single worth purchasing!

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