therhinestonehawk

 I had the idea for this essay for... years, I think. I initially wanted it to be my first youtube video but that idea was thrown out because I hate exposing myself, so I'll use this blog for my youtube ideas now. I'll try to make this as textual as possible, so bare with me on this one. In 1986, after releasing her most artistic and experimental album to date, Akina Nakamori was caught up on the flow and decided to make yet another album, but this time, slightly less experimental. She got in touch with Akiko Kobayashi and hugely acclaimed singer/songwriter Mariya Takeuchi , to write the songs, and two arrangers ( Shiro Sagisu and Moonriders's Kazuo Shiina ) to help in the album. Kobayashi composed 5 of the songs (with lyrics by other female writers) and Takeuchi wrote what is arguably the "meat" of the album, with one track in particular being easily my favorite song in Akina's entire discography: Oh No, Oh Yes . Later, in her album Request , Mariya covered...