Your favorite j-pop albums/singles of 2006?
 

My favorite j-pop albums of 2006 top 10

1. LOVE CONSENT by hitomi
I'm glad hitomi's comeback-album turned out to be great , I started to worry it wouldn't after two mediocore singles ( GO MY WAY & Cra'g'y Mama). I like the 80s-feel the album has & there's a lot of variety on the album. 'so you' is the best ballad by hitomi :)

2. SECRET by Ayu
my faith in Ayu has been restored , I was a bit dissapointed with M(u).

3. BEST ~2nd session~ by Koda Kumi
plenty of great tracks : 'Feel' , 'Candy' , 'DDD with SOULHEAD' , 'Birthday Eve' , 'Ima sugu hoshii' & 'You' (my favorite ballad by Kuu) :)

4. Jewel of Jewels by MAX
I'm glad to see MAX is still around & somewhat active musically. this album was long overdue , the first single off this album was released 4 years before this album was out lol. overall a great pop album with varied type of pop songs from latin to disco to some traditional okinawan music elements.

5. Black Cherry by Koda Kumi
yet another excellent album from Kuu with varied songs from pop & RnB to ballads.

6. GOD SISTA by LISA
one of the best japanese RnB albums , I love LISAs voice :D

7. ARIA by ARIA
THE debut album of 2006 in my opinion. ARIA aka Asuka is a sultry-voiced Rnb singer from Avex rhythm zone label.

8. Miss(understood) by Ayu
eventhough the album was a bit dissapointing with the worst ayu song ever (B&D :P ) , it still has some great songs like 'alterna' & 'HEAVEN'. but overall I found the album tracks just not as good as on Ayu's other albums.

9. Strip Me? by Anna Tsuchiya
finally a full lenght album by Anna. 'Rose' & Anna's cover of 'True Colors' are my favorite songs off the album. 'Slap that Naughty Body' is catchy too

10. MAISELF by Mai
this unique eletronical music album is my choice for the tenth album. Mai is a good vocalists & the singles off this album were great & the album tracks didn't dissapoint me either.

My favorite j-pop singles of 2006

1. 4 Hot Wave by Koda Kumi
with 4 great songs this is the best single of '06 for me :)

2. Renai Shashin by Ai Otsuka
this song has really grown on me , I think it's the best ballad of 2006.

3. A little Pain by Olivia
great comeback-single for Olivia , my favorite song by her.

4. Destiny -Taiyou no Hana- by Hitomi Shimatani
Shimatani's sound of combining classical music with pop works great on this song.

5. Amazing Nuts! by various artists
with songs by various artists from Avex's rhythm zone label this single has a lot to offer. I like the songs by mink & kuu the best :)

6. Fantastic by Ami Suzuki
great trance-like song from Ami.

7. SHOWTIME by LISA
SHOWTIME is a nice song , but I especially like the b-side 'brilliant star' that only appears on this single.

8. Summer Time Love by M-Flo loves Emi Hinouchi & Ryohei
really catchy summer song , best m-flo single since LISA left in my opinion.

9. Call Me by Double
an RnB track made for the clubs , great beat & music. it's nice to see Double's around again.

10. BLUE BIRD by Ayu
kinda typical summerish song from Ayu , but it's still good. I liked 'Beautiful Fighters' myself too , and the single has a the great 'Ladies Night ~another night~' and a ok remix of 'BLUE BIRD' too

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so here are my favorites of 2006 & I'd like to hear others favorites. It's always better if you post some reasons why something is your favorite , just plain lists are boring lol :P

About the albums chart, I was severely dissapointed by every album except Secret and Black Cherry. Plus I have only listened to like eight 2006 releases. So I'mma skip to the singles. :D

My favorite j-pop singles of 2006!

1. Utada Hikaru - Keep Tryin'
One of the best Utada songs ever, it's unbelievably good. Every part of the track works. Plus the lower-than-usual expectations really worked for Utada. The essence of joy.

2. Koda Kumi - Koi no Tsubomi
The first Kumi song that really seemed something to me. Plus the alternate version on the CD single was simply outstanding. With a killer video too.

3. Ayumi Hamasaki - BLUE BIRD
The two main tracks were awesome, but the remixes stole the show. BLUE BIRD has endless replayability, but I can't say the same about Beautiful Fighters.

4. Ai Otsuka - Yumekui
This song is so uplifting and loud and cheery! The melody is very strong too, the strongest among Ai's 2006 releases. The B-side was also pleasant.

5. Koda Kumi - 4 HOT WAVE
This single probably had to much hype to begin with. It still turned out great, but none of the tracks live up to the quality of Koi no Tsubomi. Ningyo Hime, maybe.

6. Ai Otsuka - Ren'ai Sashin
A simple, elegant and beautiful song by Ai. It's strong yet vulnerable, quite a masterpiece. Perfect for quiet early mornings. Ai's most subtle song to date.

7. Yuna Ito - STUCK ON YOU
So very catchy and lovable. Unfortunately it kind of flopped badly. This cheerful song is really something. Plus Yuna's flawless English adds to the appeal

8. Olivia - WISH / Starless Night
A surprise for me, I never expected to like Olivia's style of music. Melody-wise, this is the easiest song to get into, compared to her other releases of 2006.

9. Koda Kumi - Yume no Uta / Futari de...
Another overhyped release, both of the A-sides sounded too similar. However, it still has a good melody, arrangements too. And an amazing remix of Yume no Uta.

10. Bonnie Pink - A Perfect Sky
I hardly knew about her, but thanks to kurisista, now I love her music. This single was very different from the music she used to make. And it's fun too!

God... um my favourite albums XD

01. YUI - From me to You
I love all the songs, YUI is just great ^^

02. HYDE - FAITH
I love HYDE :luv2

03. Outgrow - BoA
At first I didn't like it, but actually I love so many songs on the album, it's great! ^^

04. Koda Kumi's - Best Second Session
The songs are fun, I like Feel a lot, but the others are great too ^^

05. Jolin Tsai - Dancing Diva
Though it's Cpop, but her name begins with a J! XD I love this album all songs are great ^^

And my singles are...

01. Kaoru Amane - Taiyou no Uta
I love her and I miss her I want more Kaoru Amane (Sawajiri!!!!!) T_T

02. YUI - Goodbye-days
Speaks for itself ^^''

03. YUI - I remember you
Such a pretty/nice song ^^

04. Namie Amuro - CAN'T EAT, CAN'T SLEEP, I'M SICK
I just love it ^^ It's dancy and fun

05. HYDE - Season's Call
I love the cover and the pv a lot ^^

06. Utada Hikaru - Keep Tryin'
It's the only song I like from Utada, but it's sooo good!!!

07. Miyavi - Kimi ni negai wo
Great song, great pv

08. Hitomi Shimatani - PASIO
One of the few Hitomi songs I really like, it's dancy ^^

09. NANA starring Mika Nakashima - Hitoiro
I really like this, but I must be in the mood for it

10. Mika Nakashima - ALL HANDS TOGETHER
I just like this song sooo much lol, I think it looks a bit like Bold & Delicious and I love B&D aswell ^^

01. BoA - Outgrow
C'mon, it's BoA.

02. Ayumi Hamasaki - Secret
Another great Ayu album.

03. Koda Kumi - BEST ~second session~
There's a decent amount of good songs.

04. Koda Kumi - Black Cherry
Love.

And my singles are~

01. Ayumi Hamasaki - BLUE BIRD
I KNOW I didn't like it at first, but now it's great.

02. Koda Kumi - 4 hot wave
Very different.

03. Koda Kumi - Koi no Tsubomi
It's a great song.

04. Namie Amuro - CAN'T EAT, CAN'T SLEEP, I'M SICK
It's fun and catchy.

05. mink - Innocent Blue
I really like the songs. o__o;

06. Utada Hikaru - Keep Tryin'
Great song. And by Utada.

ALBUMS

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...vers/boaog.jpg

Artist: BoA
Album: OUTGROW
Release: 2.15.2006

BoA's 4th Japanese album "OUTGROW" is my favorite J-Pop album of the year. This Japanese/Korean Pop singer wanted to change her style with this album, wanting to be more mature. Some fans didn't accept this new style with open arms, including me. Only thing I thought was saving this album at first was only one of the tracks entitled "Stay My Gold", my favorite BoA song on the album and of this year. Once I bought this album though, I fell completely in love with it.
Favorite tracks: Silent Screamerz, Stay My Gold, First Snow

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ers/dcttlr.jpg

Artist: Dreams Come True
Album: The Love Rocks
Release: 2.22.2006

"The Love Rocks" is the first and only album I have heard by Dreams Come True. I love the energy, inconsistency, and vocals on this album. Miwa has great vocals (though not the greatest) that goes well with her songs.
Favorite tracks: Proud Of You, Spoon Me Baby Me, JET!!!


SINGLES

BoA - Nanairo no Ashita ~brand new beat~/Your Color
AI - I Wanna Know
LISA - Showtime
OLIVIA - a little pain

My favourite singles/songs of 2006
Koda Kumi - Someday
Koda Kumi - I'll be there

Mr. Children - Shiurshi

AAA - SOUL EDGE BOY
AAA - Black & White

BoA - Winter Love

ayaka - Mikazuki
ayaka - I believe

Yuna Ito - Precious

ORANGE RANGE - SAYONARA

My favourite albums of 2006
AAA - ATTACK
AAA - ALL/2

Koda Kumi - BEST ~second session~

I liked every single (maybe save 1 or 2) track in these albums.