Personal Fad: Hamasaki Ayumi the Japanese Pop Goddess

Hamsaki Ayumi is the Japanese equivalent of Britney Spears: she is THE female pop star that's been around for the longest time (eclipsed, perhaps, only by Amuro Namie). Honestly, though, the only thing she's got going is her really cute look. As a former model, her body is skinny as hell without any trace of voluptuous sexiness that I associate with porn stars and Western celebrities. Her singing isn't all that powerful (like Aoyama Teruma or Misia). She might, though, have something to say about fashion as her clothes are immediately imitated by every Japanese girl.

Katou Miliyah

Just discovered Kato Miliyah (or Katou Miriya or 加藤ミリヤ or how-the-fuck-ever you want to write it). Post-Utada J-R&B with a dash of Koda Kumi would be the label I'd give to her style of music. I especially like the upbeat songs - Lover Forever, Love for You, and Sayonaraベイベー.

Yes, this probably shows how poor my music taste is.

Just like books, good songs you want to listen to over and over again are hard to come by.