|
 So it was
not a surprise when the MYNIPPON Team asked me to review
a recently released single (produced by Charles Randolph
of The Beat Fossils) of our very own Miki
Ariyama. She has been
modeling for us for
a long time now so we were naturally delighted when we
heard that she has now released her single with the
title "Koibito" ("lover" or
"sweetheart").
(Related:
iPod docking station)
When it comes to Japanese
music, my tastes are pretty diverse. While some
might question my taste for JPOP at this age, but I
simply love it. At the same time, my Japanese
friends freak out when I tell them that I actually enjoy
enka too. I am told only old people listen
to enka and it is true that all my Japanese peers
rarely listen to any enka or
play instruments like the koto. What
surprised me about Miki's song "Koibito" is
her voice. It is very melodious but she has an
accent when she sings in Japanese. As you might
know, she was born in California, so it is indeed
remarkable that she can even sing in Japanese. Now
let me tell you, when I speak Japanese, I too have an
accent like most gaijins - so I love it when I
listen to accented Japanese. In fact, believe it
or not, when I am with Japanese speaking non-Japanese
folks I try to speak in Japanese - so I am quite used to
all kinds of accent. This is the first time though
that I actually got a chance to listen to a singer with
an accent. And I was delighted. (Related
article: Accent
reduction training) The
song also has a very profound theme. As expected,
the guy is madly in love with a girl who does not care
for him and probably even cheats behind his back.
The singer who has sincere love for him is trying to
remind him that he better realize who loves him more and
whose love is genuine. I would strongly suggest
that you should listen to Miki's single on her website.
Recommended:
Eurobeat
music
Yasumasa
Mori - the Elvis of Japan Britney Christian
Club Forplay |
