I'm Here is Yuna Ito's 7th overall single, with the title track being used as the theme song for UNFAIR the movie, with the B-Side, "Reason Why", being used as an insert song for the same movie. It debuted at #15, which was also its weekly rank, and it peaked at #10. It was released on the 14th of March, 2007.

Track Listing
1. I'm Here
2. Reason Why
3. Faith -Teardance Remix-
4. I'm Here -Instrumental-

We now have what is definitely the most aggressive piece Yuna has offered us to date. I'm Here opens with a string and piano solo, followed soon by some fast, yet quiet synth, which for some reason I can't describe... This trio stays for the whole song, giving it a dark, almost (for a lack of a better word) suspenseful feeling.
While the verses work well, with Yuna singing in a lower voice than you sometimes hear for her, it explodes into a chorus that sounds alright at first, but also sounds sort of half-finished. It's an extremely unique piece compared to many of her past singles, and her debut album HEART, but the chorus probably could've been somewhat better, as it sounds sort of awkward at parts. It can sound like she's just shouting the chorus instead of singing sometimes, too.

Reason Why comes with a bit more of a generalized sound to it. It consists mainly of a quick synth beat that once again gives it a feeling that makes you feel like you're running out of time in a video game or something (but that's just my way of describing it.). The verses have some awkward lyrics in them ("Ring ring ring, I hear the bell ring" and similar lines), and they sound a bit stupidly out of place at times, as does the bridge (to some extent). The chorus, however, is probably what makes me like this song as much as I like I'm Here. She sounds like she's straining her voice in the verses and bridge, but the chorus sounds a bit better in this respect, and it doesn't sound as stupid either. The background vocals sound a bit odd, too. Very annoying as well. To be honest, I can't even tell if it's a guy or a girl singing back-up... Odd.

The Teardance remix of Faith starts with a jumpy synth that makes me think of A Long Walk, which later appears on her second album, WISH, as well as the sound of rushing wind. I like the overall sound of the music in this song, the back-up sounds like the same people from Reason Why, but they seem to fit better. It sounds DRASTICALLY from the original version of Faith, it's had a total overhaul, and that's no joke. I actually prefer it. It has a much larger focus on the synth, and Yuna just sounds better in it for some reason. I'll admit, at times it sounds like it doesn't fit, mainly in the chorus, but I'm surprised to say that this is actually my favorite song on the single.

Overall Grade
B-

Favorite Song
Faith -Teardance Remix-

I'm Here is a pretty mediocre offering, but it's a refreshing change compared to the highly pop sound of HEART. It'd be great if she gave us more songs like this, just better. I'm a little disappointed that the remix was better than the actual title track and B-Side (they never usually are for me), but hey, that's the way it goes. Keep working on it, Yuna

I swear, sometimes Yuna Ito's writers make her music almost IMPOSSIBLE to listen to (I don't think I need to tell her fans what I'm talking about. I mean, she's fluent in English, why give her half-translated songs?), but when it's good, oh god, is it good. So, as such, I've decided to feature her here. I'll be starting with her first single from the Wish era, I'm Here. Expect it within the next few days.

As for the second artist...

I went through a period where I ignored most of Namie's work. I was never a real fan of her Queen of Hip-Pop album, so I pretty much ignored the PLAY era. I highly regret that now, as she is most definitely the BEST Japanese R&B singer that I have ever heard. I've listened to her for a while now, and her 60s 70s 80s single was my second review on my first blog (Before I became an organizational freak.) So I'm finally going to feature her here. Again, expect the review of the first Play single, White Light / Violet Sauce, in the next few days~

However, I'm missing a few tracks from a number of the singles/albums I planned on reviewing soon, after some computer troubles. It might take me a few days to get it all with the way my internet's acting (It's decided to mess up on me as well, I was lucky to be able to post this blog), so I apologize if I don't get any new reviews done in this time. I'll be trying, but if you don't see anything, my apologies~

These'll be my last features for a while, but I already have a few in mind for the next ones (Namely Otsuka Ai and Eri Nobuchika (Thanks again for the recommendation, blackmager~), plus a few more I'm still not entirely decided on), so keep an eye out. I want to finish the reviews I have lined up so far first though.

MONEY LISA group Show >> from 3th of May at MondoPop.

"La signora si diverte un mondo a vedersi rappresentata in
dieci, cento, mille modi diversi. E in più vuole solo una cosa:

money,
money money".
(dal testo critico di Ilaria Beltramme)

MondoPOP International Gallery di Roma dedica una collettiva
alla figura della GIOCONDA, simbolo dell'arte per eccellenza.

I curatori della prestigiosa esposizione collettiva "MONEY
LISA". David Vecchiato, Serena Melandri e Ilaria Beltramme
sono lieti di invitarvi sabato 3 maggio 2008 alle h.19,00
al vernissage di inaugurazione.
Tantissimi gli artisti che dedicano il proprio omaggio alla
Mona Lisa e alla sua condizione sociale.
Tantissime le Gioconde che riempiono la MondoPOP
International Gallery di Roma.

Ai piatti Ice One, aka Dj Sensei, aka Seby Stardust.
Graphic Design: AlePOP Staffa

Ospite eccezionale l'artista australiano JEREMYVILLE che incontrerà i visitatori.

La mostra è a cura di David Vecchiato, Serena Melandri e Ilaria Beltramme,

è visitabile dal 3 maggio al 5 luglio 2008 ed è organizzata in collaborazione con il Salone del Fumetto Napoli COMICON (Napoli, 24/27 aprile 2008), come evento COMIC(ON)OFF.

La mostra resterà aperta fino a sabato 5 luglio 2008

I Magnifici ARTISTI:

3501, AlePOP, Alice Pasquini, Arturoom, Jim Avignon, Bugo,
Cesko, Marina Comandini, Allegra Corbo, Dr. Pira, Fatima
Blanche, Anke Feuchtemberg, Diana Gaggiano, Massimo Giacon,
Massimo Gurnari, Boris Hoppek, Jeremyville, Laurina
Paperina, Tanino Liberatore, Riccardo Mannelli, Maicol e
Mirco, Miguel Angel Martin, Sergio Mora, Mook, Naoshi, Nicoz
Balboa, Onze, Steve Raft,
Elena Rapa, Ratigher, Stefano Ricci, Michael Rotondi, Luca
Scornaienchi, Seby R. aka Ice One, Serpeinseno, Sten & Lex,
Anna Tufano, Ueialolta, Elio Varuna, David Diavù
Vecchiato, Licia Viero, Zelda Bomba.

And This is my work for this show.

Alcune fotine rubate dal blog di MondoPop.

CAPUT MUNDI POP

Ahhhhhh..ghhhhhahhhhh.

Juxtapoz mi ha segnalato sulla sua home pageeghaaagh.

Thanks Katie.

Today I got my hair cut for the first time here in Japan. My Japanese teacher came with me to help translate what I wanted...but wow is it short. This is the shortest I've ever had it in my life. I don't want to have long long hair, but I always liked a little bit of length to hang on the the long hair I once had in high school. Well that is gone lol. I got the traditional Japanese business look. Sucks. I know a picture would be beneficial here, but I still need to buy new batteries for my camera so just imagine a dude with normal looking short hair.

Japanese of the Day....Tough Point for me... Potential Form....

I can't remember her number.

Kanojo no bangoo o oboeraremasen.

彼女の番号を覚えられません。<-Kanji

かのじょのばんごうをおぼえられません。<--Hiragana

<----Mika's Not Impressed...

Music of the Day.. Yuna Ito again........"I'm Here" She throws in English words at random times.. but this song is just good. Her Fruit hat in the video is weird though.....

Yuna wishes you sweet dreams"Yui yume o................."

1) Yuna Ito - I'm Here - One of my favorite Japanese songs. Expect an album of hers soon

2) Haha, this one explains itself. - Its funny ._.

3) Rie Fu - Decay - Ahh I love her singing :)

4) DBSK - Rising Sun - Hot sweaty Korean boys... Need I say more?

5) DBSK - Triangle - It's a nice song :D! Arent they so cute?

6) Super Junior - Don't Don - Ahh I love this music video. But my opinion still stands: Twelve members ._.

Haha yeah I'm gonna post up Rie Fu's album Tobira Album soon. It's REALLY good, I just have to get it uploaded...

What pleasantly surprised me is his acceptance of his condition and that he wouldn't change a thing, as he realizes that Asperger's is part of who he is. 

Thank you for the education, Alex.  You did a great job!

For more information on Asperger's Syndrome, visit http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/

Lookit!  As if there aren't enough blackholes in my day to explain my inefficiency, I've now been introduced to Twitter (that ubiquitous buzzword popping up in all the blogs lately).  It's like a realtime personal messenger (like AIM), where one can simply type in anything to give the global Twitter community a "Hey, I'm here. What's up?"  Hey, it's better than just staring at your TV screen while matching socks.  Take a look.  Heads up -- it's addictive. 

On Twittervision, a world map with little captions from members continuously popping up, the guy in Oregon just finished his morning run.  The lady over there in Spain, well, sent something in Spanish, and kid in Texas is just thrilled to return to school after spring break.  One can even personalize the map down to a local area.  It's all I can do not to join in, but I'm going to hang back and observe for a while.  It's comforting to feel plugged in/connected.

http://twittermap.com/twittervision

Note to parents: Please safeguard your kids with this, though.  It can be highly personalized to indicate a location for predators.  My kids can watch, but they will not have an account on Twitter or be messaging on this, as it's not worth the risks. 

Last night, after about 6 months didn't contact each other, she sent one messages...