iTunes Japan in August?

[5300cs]

... I think over here, the groups have to have at least a certain level of singing ability before they can get anywhere. Over there, there are many examples of female singers whose only talent is being cute, and they still sell albums. ...

I watched "Asayan" way back when they were choosing people to make Chemistry and even new members for Morning Musume (or some breakaway faction thereof) and it was grueling. They don't just take anyone off the street and make them a star, as this show proved. There were thousands of girls trying to get "in" and they rejected just about everyone. There was plenty of heart break and tears, all the stuff the Japanese love watching on TV.

As for the music itself, I've seen a transition since I first started listening to Japanese music in the early 90s. Back then there was a focus on the music as well as the singing, these says it seem the music is an after-thought. Write the words, sing it and all that and we'll just add in some music later. That's why I think everyone sounds the same these days and I get a headache just watching TV (never mind the horrendous commercials.)

But, that's just my $.02. I don't listen to "popular" music like pop, rock and all that. I listen to mostly house, drum & base, and other electronic music. I'm 'weird'. (Call me a dumbass if you want 😀 )

 

[Eastend]

I was going to add something to this conversation, but then I looked at my iPods songs, both Japanese and western, guess I'm in a different generation, songs are all 70's and 80's mostly.

Brian

 

[shidoshi]

A) I love it when non-Japanese say this: American Idol is one of the most popular programs on TV. It's televised manufacturing.

Was the "I love it when" comment was directed at me, or the American Idol quote? I'm a bit confused.

C) Morning Musume - only weird older guys and middle/elementary school girls (and one of my American Japanese professors...) likes them, for the most part. SMAP is more cross cultural popular but that has at least as much to do these days with their variety TV program and their interest in Korea.

No matter who you want to say likes MoMusu, they were still a very popular group, and their big talent wasn't singing. I certainly didn't deny that SMAP was popular for what they do, music or otherwise, but that doesn't change their equally questionable musical abilities.

 

[shidoshi]

I watched "Asayan" way back when they were choosing people to make Chemistry and even new members for Morning Musume (or some breakaway faction thereof) and it was grueling. They don't just take anyone off the street and make them a star, as this show proved. There were thousands of girls trying to get "in" and they rejected just about everyone. There was plenty of heart break and tears, all the stuff the Japanese love watching on TV.

Watching Sayumi "singing" in the 6th gen introduction program pretty much proved to me that the MoMusu auditions are meaningless. 😉

 

[Aglio]

Here in Japan, while being reluctant to cooperate with iTMS, all major domestic record companies already launched jointly a very expensive download site, which is named MORA.
Should they have consulted a dictionary before, or does MORA (L. f. delay, hindrance, obstacle) show their intentions against iTMS Japan?

 

[studiopix]

i wish that i could get jPop songs from iTMS in america -_-

I agree with you Eva01. I was hoping with the launch of iTunes Japan that the US version would automatically incorporate the Japanese songs. Imported CD's are so expensive!