Johnny’s has been supplying Japan with gooey bubblegum pop music for years now. One of the acts under Johnny’s Entertainment, Tackey & Tsubasa have tried to make things a little less sticky with their latest single, “Samurai”.

Say the name “Johnny’s” and watch my face pucker as I step back with repulse. While I have no real reason to dislike Tackey & Tsubasa (タッキー&翼), they’re guilty by association. Arashi, KAT-TUN, KinKi Kids, Tokio? Sorry, don’t get me started.

Tackey & Tsubasa aren’t rock; but their 9th single “Samurai” is, kind of. A better definition of “Samurai” is pop with distorted electric guitars. It’s not as bad as I expected but who are they fooling?

If I heard the song itself, audio alone, and didn’t know who the group was, I may be fooled. I would just assume it to be “typical mass-appeal J-Rock”. While it has that easily-achieved “rock sound”, the composition and style are poppish.

“Samurai” is a decent attempt by the two to mix it up at least.

For the PV, the studio set, lighting, and fighting samurai make things interesting. Meanwhile, Mr. Tackey & Mr. Tsubasa act like rockstars, look their best for the camera, and try hard to work the microphone stands that are oh-so-foreign to most pop stars.

With the duo’s obviously successful pop-ness, the song and video make me want to think the guys dressed up, did the song, went home and said, “look mom, we’re a rock band”. I bet she nodded her head with that “good for you” approval that doesn’t offer any constructive criticism.

“Samurai” is not terrible, it’s a fair effort but it still leaves that sour-apple bubblegum aftertaste. At least there’s no aftertaste while you’re still chewing the gum. Still, my pop-tolerating jaw is worn out for the, er…week.

The PV (The samurai are still the best part):

Note: This post vanished for a few, but it’s back :P