CANTOY – KILL (Review)
CANTOY KILL Review by David Cirone In CANTOY’s 2010 debut CD MissMatch!?, vocalist miri-pow was at the forefront, with her cute, pixie-ish voContinue reading…
Category: Reviews
Critical analysis of the sounds and stories shaping modern Japan. From the visceral energy of live rock, pop, and idol performances to the subtle mastery of award-winning manga and deeply personal films, our reviews offer an expert lens on the craftsmanship, production, and cultural legacy of Japanese media.
Mai Fukui – Beautiful Days (Review)
Mai Fukui Beautiful Days Review by David Cirone Mai Fukui’s earthy voice really shines in “Yakusoku no Bashou,” the theme song for Final FantContinue reading…
MIYAVI vs YUKSEK – DAY 1 (Review)
MIYAVI vs YUKSEK DAY 1 Review by David Cirone Give credit where credit is due: Miyavi isn’t standing still. “DAY 1” is ambitious, and certainContinue reading…
m-flo – SQUARE ONE (Review)
m-flo SQUARE ONE Review by David Cirone m-flo’s SQUARE ONE is determined to hammer you from all directions, with results ranging from sublimeContinue reading…
JUDY AND MARY – The Power Source (Review)
RETRO REVIEW JUDY AND MARY The Power Source Review by David Cirone Opening the album with the show-stopping “Birthday Song” is a big risk,Continue reading…
exist†trace – VIRGIN (review)
exist†trace VIRGIN Review by David Cirone exist†trace’s new album VIRGIN is a mixed reward for fans. Taking its name from the band’s concContinue reading…
MONKEY MAJIK – Somewhere Out There (Review)
MONKEY MAJIK Somewhere Out There Review by David Cirone Novelty act MONKEY MAJIK, politely called a “hybrid band” in Japan’s mainstream Continue reading…
Tommy February6 / Tommy Heavenly6 – FEBRUARY & HEAVENLY (Review)
Tommy February6 / Tommy Heavenly6 FEBRUARY & HEAVENLY Review by David Cirone Tommy x 2! It doesn’t feel fair to review the two albumsContinue reading…
May’n – 2011 RHYTHM TANK!! at Nippon Budokan (Review)
May’n Special Concert BD 2011 RHYTHM TANK!! at Nippon Budokan Review by David Cirone May’n’s power as a live performer keeps growing, and it’Continue reading…
BLOOD: The Last Vampire (Review)
BLOOD The Last Vampire (Film Review) Review by David Cirone All the live-action, none of the cool. Sloppy adaptation of a revered anime classContinue reading…