Jpop: Suiyoubi no Campanella - Aladdin (アラジン)

As happens when a cool, quality underground indie act goes mainstream (because it is just that, cool and quality), the die hard fans that was with the group from the beginning starts feeling frustrated, abandoned and like as if the artist has "gone commercial" or not "staying true". This is true for Japanese group Suiyoubi no Campanella, which since "Ra" has had bigger budgets and now with the latest "Aladdin" also has even become slightly sexualized (it is just one single video, but, hey, the world is going under...). I actually get the feeling but I don't sympathize with it. I think that some bands loose their way, but that is not true always, and that you as a fan has to deal with your possesiveness and be happy more people is liking what you like. To make a point, the new "Aladdin" is one of their best videos the last year.

• Suiyoubi no Campanella - Aladdin (アラジン)

Jpop: Suiyoubi no Campanella - Chupacabra (チュパカブラ)

This time around, hip japanese band Suiyoubi no Campanella releases the song "Chupacabra" which is the name of a legendary being which has its origin in Puerto Rico, and which supposedly suck the blood from livestock animals. Even more strange, this song is used for a Red Bull campaign in Japan. The video strikes me as a metaphor for getting high on drugs, but everyone can judge for themselves. It is also a very typical and cool SnC track and that makes it all perfect.

• Suiyoubi no Campanella - Chupacabra (チュパカブラ)

Jpop: Suiyoubi no Campanella - Ono Imoko (小野 妹子)

The excellent and nerdy trio Suiyoubi no Campanella has sung before about the main founder of the japanese tea ceremony in "Sen no Rikyū", so it is no surprise when they continue on the new album with Ono no Imoko, important diplomat from the 6th/7th centruy who potentially founded the first school of flower arranging (Ikebana), most probably inspired by buddist traditions as he represented Japan at the Chinese court. Together with recent songs as Ra and Medusa, this is another nice addition to the groups excellent backlog of videos of beautiful oddness.

• Suiyoubi no Campanella - Ono Imoko (小野 妹子) 

Jpop: Suiyoubi no Campanella - Ra (ラー)

A sign of the attention Suiyoubi no Campanella is getting right now is obvious in how lavish the new egyptian themed video "Ra" is. It has that "no expenses spared" look, and even though it feels like they have struggled somewhat to keep up with the fame and therefore has become a little lost musically , it is video well worth rewatching many times.

• Suiyoubi no Campanella - Ra (ラー)

Jpop: Suiyoubi no Campanella - Medusa (メデューサ)

I like the quirky but melodic Suiyoubi no Campanella. They have released several videos since I wrote last time, finishing up the Triathlon EP with "Utah", and then, in preparation for the upcoming album Zipang, releasing the Sapporo-inspired "Shakushain" (a track counting up foods but with a name after a Ainu revolt leader...), but I like the most the latest "Medusa" for its' musical qualities - not just being odd but instead also having a accessability beyond the others.

• Suiyoubi no Campanella - Medusa (メデューサ)
• Suiyoubi no Campanella - Shakushain (シャクシャイン)
• Suiyoubi no Campanella - Utah (ユタ)
• Suiyoubi no Campanella - Nishi Tamao (西玉夫)

Jpop: Suiyoubi no Campanella - Jeanne d'Arc & Peach Boy

I'm going to cover the two of Suiyoubi no Campanella's latest videos in one review. They did one of my favorite japanese songs last year, Kung Fu Lady, and while these two isn't quite up to that, they both have qualities visually and musically that lifts them up beyond most of their Japanese peers.

• Suiyoubi no Campanella - Jeanne d'Arc (ジャンヌダルク)
• Suiyoubi no Campanella - Peach Boy (桃太郎)