Comments for Dolorous Haze

Comment on That’s All, Folks! by Vee

Vee — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 05:13:19 +0000

It lasted longer than you figured it might.

GG, Ray. GG. As always.

Comment on That’s All, Folks! by Cat

Cat — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 17:22:48 +0000

Thank you very much for this dedicated project! It was incredibly fun for me to read it while it lasted

I wish you good luck, and a very happy 2010!

Comment on That’s All, Folks! by Anna

Anna — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 19:23:29 +0000

I’m really sad to see this place go. There was obviously a lot of hard work and care put into the creation of this site and I feel lucky enough to have been a part of it. Best of luck in your future endeavors!

Comment on AKB48 Senbatsu Ranker by got bored « da di du de do da di!

got bored « da di du de do da di! — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 04:01:38 +0000

[...] AKB48 Senbatsu Ranking Favorite (Top) to Least Favorite (Bottom) [...]

Comment on That’s All, Folks! by J

Sun, 03 Jan 2010 06:37:00 +0000

I loved checking this website daily. Goodbye for now, and thank you so much for taking the time to update with news everyday.

Comment on That’s All, Folks! by Langdon Alger

Langdon Alger — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 23:09:07 +0000

it was incredible while it lasted

Comment on That’s All, Folks! by Shirow

Shirow — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 14:26:35 +0000

All good things eh?

Thanks for the frequent positive write ups Ray!
I hope you jump right back into the habit sooner rather than later

Comment on Pink Wota Reacts To Ayu Concert Setlist by Vee

Vee — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 21:17:04 +0000

In the interest of not perpetuating a common misconception, CDL is a two-night annual concert, not a tour. Just a friendly out-pointing.

Comment on HanKyung Contract Trial Begins January 8 by Julia

Julia — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 17:29:43 +0000

It’s been confirmed that none of the others are suing.

(…For now, anyway.)

Comment on Deflowering H!P Virgins, One Song At A Time by ladybird

ladybird — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 10:15:58 +0000

You have a very dirrty mind and I love it
‘Rottara Rottara’ is a good idea but unfortunately it’s not a 2009 song

Comment on Berryz Next Single Has Anime Tie-In by solo-kun

solo-kun — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 00:41:57 +0000

I’m really diggin’ these tie-ins. I hadn’t thought of some sort of con appearance tho, that’d be great.

Comment on appears Lists Top Albums And Songs Of 2009 by CJ Marsicano

CJ Marsicano — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 01:04:10 +0000

The approach sounds familiar…

Comment on Watch A Movie With 2PM! by Julia

Julia — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 23:07:18 +0000

…Jaeded. The fans might get Jaeded.

Idk this is getting lulzy to me. Thank you for all the updates. I am entertained.

Comment on JaeBom Wins Another B-Boy Contest by Julia

Julia — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:35:53 +0000

I’ll become a fan if he grabs a taquito combo.

Comment on 2PM Album Is JaeBom’s Welfare Check by Julia

Julia — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 18:41:29 +0000

It’s kind of funny how I’m following this whole thing through your updates here. You of all people, heh. But the one thing that bothers me the most about all of this is how we’re always hearing from the other six members, but never from him. I know he’s gone and we don’t know if he’s coming back and obviously releasing official statements is not something he’d want to do, but it makes it sound like the other six are pathetic clingers desperately begging for their friend to come back. I’m not saying I actually look at them that way, just that that’s kind of how it comes across when we hear about their devotion to him all the time and that’s it.

Surprisingly, after writing a short paragraph about this, I’m not a 2PM fan. *shrugs* Nothing against them, though. Only two boy bands in my heart, and all.

Comment on Swiper No Swiping! Swiper No Swiping! Swiper No Swiping! by Selryam

Selryam — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 09:07:51 +0000

The stupidity/hilarity of the picture is half the reason I used it. :3

Comment on Merry Go Round Shares Top Ten Love Songs by Amy

Amy — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 23:37:49 +0000

you really should! I adore Revolution so much. I told everyone to guess what my #1 love song would be and I also said it was from one of the artists in that post, but I might as well say it: my #1 love song is from KARA’s Revolution as well!

Comment on WPB 49 Has Koike Rina, Itano Tomomi, SDN48 by Siggy

Siggy — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 05:11:17 +0000

Koike Rina! <33 forget the rest XD

Comment on Miya Gets Hammered by Julia

Julia — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:07:07 +0000

She can punish me.

Comment on Merry Go Round On Kpop and Boy Bands by Amy

Amy — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 19:28:09 +0000

I’m glad you thought it was important enough to write more than a paragraph about! And you’re right, I did forget a lot of stuff (I probably should have given it some time so I could think of more examples XD) so now I’m rethinking my stance. How did I forget the Jonas Brothers ._. but thanks for responding, I was hoping people would!

Comment on Selective Hearing Chooses Songs Of The Year by Greg

Greg — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 01:51:48 +0000

Hahahah.. force of habit the numbering thing… =)

Comment on The Koha Roundtable by Tsuyoki de Yukoze! » 今から、元気に行こうぜ、小春ちゃん！！

Tsuyoki de Yukoze! » 今から、元気に行こうぜ、小春ちゃん！！ — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:02:59 +0000

[...] too long ago, around the time that Koharu’s graduation was announced, I had participated in a roundtable concerning what her future looked like and what this graduation might mean for [...]

Comment on we to U Has Tomoeda Shougakkou Chorus-bu Christmas Concert by ryuuchandesu

ryuuchandesu — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 09:52:01 +0000

Thx u 4 all the tracking back..

but i prefer u to address me as her other than his ^______^

Have a great day ^__^

Comment on “That’s Like A Silent Hill Thing!” by Vee

Vee — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 05:12:40 +0000

That tag is so awesome. Keep that around, I have a feeling we’ll need it in the future for Mika Nakashima.

Thank you for the high praise, Ray.

Comment on A Reason To Like Reina Again? by Langdon Alger

Langdon Alger — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 21:24:07 +0000

droool for the spam and eggs…and for Reina as well

Comment on This Week’s Poll: The USA AKB48 River PVs by Monitha

Monitha — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:49:03 +0000

oh! thank you so much for this good news!! it will be great to see new ranker in new year! thanks for you hard work!

from russia, with love :з

Comment on This Week’s Poll: The USA AKB48 River PVs by Ray Mescallado

Ray Mescallado — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:08:21 +0000

Hi there! I'll be setting up new Johnny's rankers at J-Excite. Hopefully all the major ones will be there by the end of this month. Other AW rankers will be here.

Comment on This Week’s Poll: The USA AKB48 River PVs by Monitha

Monitha — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 08:51:07 +0000

sorry for my english, i just want to ask you^ what’s wrong with johnny’s ranker? it will work, is it? i really loved it

Comment on Tejima Yuu In BIG LOVE by rohan

rohan — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:58:17 +0000

Tejima Yuu says she’s got an i-cup full of love
http://www.japansugoi.com/wordpress/tejima-yuu-has-an-i-cup-chest-filled-with-love/

Comment on Kashii Yu Will Be In Boxing Movie by christine

christine — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 01:17:49 +0000

say the same words. Hey! Kahii Yu

I like her movie and drama.

Comment on Summer Sea Looks At Young Nacchan by Julia

Julia — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:17:21 +0000

Probably the place where CHASE filmed their PV.

Comment on Chinami Number Three Enters The Picture by zush

zush — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:33:35 +0000

right, but I think we all prefer (most) the original

Comment on Ayumi at the Crossroads: “A Song for XX” and its Perpetual Resonance by Anna

Anna — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:59:41 +0000

“A Song for XX” is certainly one of the most enigmatic songs in Ayumi’s discography and this essay does an incredibly amazing, intricate job of describing just how poignant and essential it is. But because “A Song for XX” resonates so deeply, I’m not sure you can talk about the song without mentioning its new arrangment during lives (though you do touch upon just how powerful this song is when performed) as opposed to the album version. In addition, A BALLADS features that new arrangement in a sort of studio set-up, though it’s clearly trying to capture that arena energy with its addition of acoustic and electric guitars and of course, those breathtaking screams at the end that seem to sum up her entire existence in several incinerating blows.

It’s a gorgeous song, practically a summation of every theme she would tackle in later songs. But interestingly, it’s not until those special live versions cropped up that I think the song came alive. In 1999, A Song for XX was a diary entry; in 2009, it’s a monolithic, all-encompassing ethos.

You captured all of those feelings so well in this essay. I absolutely loved reading it.

Comment on This Chinami Looks Like Our Chinami! by zush

zush — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:49:52 +0000

amazing! …but our Chii has the most winning legs

Comment on It’s S D N Plus L U V For C K by CK

CK — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:48:35 +0000

I am blinded by the front teeth

Comment on Ayumi at the Crossroads: “A Song for XX” and its Perpetual Resonance by Pink Wota » [External] Ayumi at the Crossroads

Pink Wota » [External] Ayumi at the Crossroads — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:09:04 +0000

[...] Ayumi at the Crossroads: “A Song for XX” and Its Perpetual Resonance” >> Dolorous Haze [...]

Comment on SNSD’s Yoona Is Not A Badass by momolove

momolove — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:59:28 +0000

Hey Ray, it was Tiffany & Yoona and that accident, not Jessica!
Plus, in Korea it did become a case of intimidation, although that is ridiculous (as you said). And about having a thick skin, I used to think the same about korean artists (given the fact that they do commit suicide a lot)… it seems like few of them can handle the netizens & their comments (yes it moslty the netizen, not the media, who is at fault).
And finally, she is not NOW afraid of cameras, but she was afraid of who would be filming her for a bit after the accident. Anywayz, that’s what she said.

Cheers^^

Comment on Boats Against The Current, Borne Back Ceaselessly Into The Past: Ayumi Hamasaki and The Price of Fame by Anna

Anna — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 04:05:12 +0000

Lisa: Fame isn’t very good currency in this world. The sheer amount we see fame as negative creep up in artistic work speaks to that. Thanks for reading!

Comment on Boats Against The Current, Borne Back Ceaselessly Into The Past: Ayumi Hamasaki and The Price of Fame by Anna

Anna — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 04:02:33 +0000

Vee: A lot of what you said got me thinking, especially in terms of the conclusions to my article where I met with a lot of difficulty. The thing you said about how she finds a connection with her audience that she doesn’t with her real relationships hits the nail on the head. If my entire article revolves around how deeply connected Ayumi is to her fame, then that says it all. Frankly, I find it a dangerous territory for her to be in, especially considering how fast her popularity has plummeted. In your a-nation article you mentioned the tattoo she got of her own A symbol: she has officially branded herself an idol. I suppose I wouldn’t go so far as to use the word “delusional” at the moment, but she has clearly created her entire world around being a product (even if she says that’s not the word she uses any longer, her A symbol is a kind of a franchise logo, something she’s given up body space to advertise – it brings to mind MATTEL stamps on dolls, etc.). Her devotion to her fans evokes the same age-old question about love: do you love someone as a pure kind of feeling, or do you love someone because of the good (“selfish”?) feeling of how it makes you feel in return (and I’m not saying it’s not insincere – just that without her fans, the world she created would crumble)? I think the quote I picked out about her ignorance of real world issues is still pretty succint: for Ayu, there is no “real” world. Her entire world is the music she creates and her performance on stage (and of course, posing for pictures, filming music videos, etc.). There is no longer a fine line. Where she used to be able to distinguish between the person and the product, they are one and the same. For someone who’s been a fan for so long, it’s worrisome.

My article stems from a place of sincere empathy for her; this woman used to be a person I looked up to a lot. Maybe it’s just that I’ve grown up and gotten crankier, but it’s hard not to step back and judge a bit more critically. As an idol, yes, Ayumi definitely stands out from the rest with her ability to craft meaningful stories through her songs and videos, a reason I always wince when I type the word “idol” in reference to her in terms of the Japanese meaning of the word. She’s not an idol: she’s an artist. I still look forward to her new releases, and I still listen to and enjoy her music with the same wide-eyed wonder I did as a kid, but looking up to someone who is unaware of real-world issues is impossible when I’m bombarded by them now more than ever.

(As a side note, I don’t necessarily think she peaked with I am…. In the context of this article, I use it more as a representation of the last album she wasn’t wholly consumed by her role as an idol, though it is a great album, and certainly one of her best).

Thanks for taking the time to read and respond. I appreciate the comments and compliments and can’t wait to read your upcoming work!

Comment on Boats Against The Current, Borne Back Ceaselessly Into The Past: Ayumi Hamasaki and The Price of Fame by Vee

Vee — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 05:32:42 +0000

I loved the article, most definitely, even if I do find some of the video interpretations, as you even stated, to be a stretch.

I really do believe that you miss the point here, though. Call me naive, but for about two decades (I can’t say I paid attention to music that much before I was ten years old) I’ve been searching for a star with the dedication to her audience that Ayumi has. I don’t think she’s delusional, I just believe that she finds a connection to her audience that she cannot find in her real relationships. Love her or hate her, anyone would be hard-pressed to say that she doesn’t give it her all in performance, promotion, and enthusiasm.

Her role as an idol is not to cater to our fears and talk about issues (although when she touches on issues, it is lightly and accessibly i.e. ‘My Name’s WOMEN’, ‘Beautiful Fighters’, and I do believe the music video for ‘Because of You’, which seems to me more of a feminist statement than one about fame), it is to provide an escape. Is that what she wants to be doing? Who knows. But the fact is, she’s blessed and cursed to have fallen into this role, and to do it well. It’s also a cultural phenomenon – how many stars in Japan really do address hot-button issues in their ‘escapist’ entertainment?

I just can’t abide by the multitudes of people who love Ayumi but claim she peaked with ‘I am…’. Everything is subjective, and everyone should be left to draw their own conclusion. But in the world of Ayumi Hamasaki, it seems that nothing is worthy of anything but scrutiny beyond that album. It makes me almost resent the album, even if it was brilliant.

I digress. I could write scads more on the topic. But I want to point out that, with the exception of wota and boy-band devotees, the Japanese public has never been the most dedicated over the long term. We may pore over the minutae of the numbers and sales game now, but most artists experience lapses in public favor as they become older and “uncool”. Let’s hope Namie Amuro can effectively slay that dragon of misconception with her forthcoming album.

To her credit, at least Ayumi moves forward with her styles and tries to reinvent herself. I’d have gotten sick of five albums that sounded exactly like ‘I am…’ by now.

As always, your writing astounds me, though. Loved it.

Comment on Boats Against The Current, Borne Back Ceaselessly Into The Past: Ayumi Hamasaki and The Price of Fame by Fame, it’s not your brain « appears

Fame, it’s not your brain « appears — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 05:11:09 +0000

[...] the mean time, I have an article up on Dolorous Haze about Ayumi Hamasaki, music videos, and fame, by far one of the most fun essays I’ve had writing in a while. I’m a huge fan of the [...]

Comment on Wotaku Now! Shares Maimi’s Letter To Erika by Maimai

Maimai — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 02:14:50 +0000

LOL! They paid the guy to stalk on Megumi?

Comment on Boats Against The Current, Borne Back Ceaselessly Into The Past: Ayumi Hamasaki and The Price of Fame by Lisa

Lisa — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:22:59 +0000

Wonderful article, well written with a wonderful flow. It’s easy to have that love/hate relationship with fame, I’d imagine. Who doesn’t wish at some point in their life for fame and fortune? And as for those who obtain it, what’s the price to keep it and stay in the spotlight?

It’s the quiet life for me, for sure.

Comment on This Week’s Poll: Being Erika by Amy

Amy — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:14 +0000

…oh my god you watch Being Erica? I love that show

Comment on Pics Of f(x) Backstage Of Digital Music Awards by Vee

Vee — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:29:28 +0000

I actually know she appeals to girls with suppressed lesbian tendencies (or just lesbians), so sorry Ray, but YODC.

Comment on Morningtime On New C-ute Album Cover by Ray Mescallado

Ray Mescallado — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:34:11 +0000

Four sounds about right to me, too.

Comment on Morningtime On New C-ute Album Cover by Morningtime

Morningtime — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 21:28:31 +0000

It’s debatable how many people that would leave. I reckon it’d be 3-nin Berryz if just going for looks or 4-nin if you left in Momoko too as at least she’s entertaining. Mind you I wouldn’t have Risako in so my tastes are obviously very different to the mainstream H!P fans.

Comment on V6 Nagano Hiroshi In Car Accident by Christian

Christian — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 02:45:16 +0000

Everyone could makes mistake. And surely everyone could get into accident. As victim or maybe the cause. At least Nagano-san was honest.
I knew some people who wouldn’t admit it honestly and even blamed other party as the cause.
I feel sorry for Nagano-san. If he isn’t a star, people wouldn’t care about this case. Cause accident in a common thing. An accident without anyone hurted wouldn’t be attract everyone’s attention.
So this wouldn’t change anything. Nagano-san aka Madoka Daigo in Ultraman Tiga would always be my hero.

Comment on V6 Nagano Hiroshi In Car Accident by mousoufest

mousoufest — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:35:45 +0000

You mean Ryo…

Comment on Jappydolls Has Ohori Megumi by Valerie

Valerie — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 05:25:35 +0000

oh you…

*grabs pics*