04.30.09

Mr.Children go Bossa Nova

Kawarasaki Kou (of POMERANIANS), Quinka with a Yawn, and Sasaki Atsushi (of Melting Holidays) have teamed up once again as 'Dog's Holiday of Yawn' to release 'LOVED', which covers some of J-pop's popular songs in a bossa nova arrangement. Included in the album will be 'OVER' by Mr.Children in addition to other popular pop songs 'Tsunami' by Southern All stars, 'SAKURA DROPS' by Utada Hikaru, and 'Akai Ito' by Kobukuro. 'LOVED' goes on sale June 24, 2009.

BEST OF J-POP COVER ALBUM - TOKYO JUKEBOX

Former lead guitarist of American heavy metal band Megadeth, Marty Friedman, will be releasing 'BEST OF J-POP COVER ALBUM - TOKYO JUKEBOX' on May 20, 2009 which will cover Mr.Children's 'GIFT'. The songs picked for the cover album were based on the influence Friedman had after moving to Japan, on a poll voted on by the public, and 2007's ringtone melody downloads released by 'Nikkei entertainment' and karaoke manufacturer 'JOY SOUND' in 2007. Friedman is fluent in Japanese and was featured in the Japanese TV show 'Jukebox', in which he and two Japanese hosts translated the lyrics of various English songs into Japanese.

Leigh Hula Trolley Tour

Mr.Children's 'Hana no Nioi' will be covered in fulare_pad's 'Leigh Hula trolley tour' album which will be released on May 20, 2009. The concept of the album was "Travel to the sea of summer getting on the fulare pad and trolley". Illustrator Kuroki Yutaka creates the artwork for the album. Fulare_pad's acoustic rendition of 'Hana no Nioi' can be heard on their official website and youtube.