Release news round-up: CHARA, Spangle call Lilli line, THE PREDATORS

Some release news items I’ve been neglectful in mentioning this past few days. I’ve been exploring the world of digital video these past few weeks, nothing of which has to deal with this site. So, yes, distracted. All items mentioned in Bounce.

  • CHARA releases a mini-album titled Kiss on Sept. 24. Hot on the heels of her new studio album honey, the five-song EP contains a cover of Cyndi Lauper’s "Time After Time", a collaboration with Hanaregumi for a Lauper tribute album. Other tracks include "Kieru", the theme song for the movie Hebi no Pierce, and "Tomorrow", a song used in a commercial for Astellas Pharma.

  • Also coming out Sept. 24 is the new studio album by Spangle call Lilli Line, titled Isolation. Bounce has a very interesting description of the band’s current sound: "Gothic classical meets Spangle call Lilli line". The band has been producing more "salon music" (I guess that’s the Japanese term for chamber music?) since their last album or, and the new album has been likened to black & white European films. That should be interesting.

  • Former SEAGULL SCREAMING KISS HER KISS HER mastermind Higurashi Aiha recently changed the name of her new band to Higurashi Aiha and LOVES! (Yes, the exclamation point is part of the name.) She also launched her own label, change! change! records!, to release the second LOVES album, NOW is the Time! Higurashi is really loving those exclamation points. SLOTH LOVE CHUNKS/ex-NUMBER GIRL bassist Nakao Kentaro lends a hand, as does saxophone player Nakamura Hiroshi. NOW is the Time! hits stores Sept. 10.

  • THE PREDATORS, which includes members of the pillows, Glay and STRAIGHTENER, releases a 7-track mini-album and DVD on Oct. 15 titled Kiba wo Miseru. The DVD includes three promo clips.