Musekinin Hero (Jacket C)(Normal Edition)(Japan Version)

As every Johnny's single is pretty much ripe to be covered countless times on Shonen Club, all the songs from all the groups begin to blend together after a while, which is of course all the better for those Johnny's Jr theme medleys. There is a certain sound and style associated with every Johnny's act, but ultimately most of the groups aren't too far off from each other in music. Kanjani8, however, for better or worse, live in a world of their own, distinguishable not only within Johnny's but within J-pop in general. Kanjani8 singles sound like "Kanjani8 singles", and they don't quite sound right when they're not sung by Kanjani8. The Kanjani8 style comes from their modern enka leanings and the whole-hearted injection of the group's loud personalities and Kansai roots into the music. Could anyone else have released Osaka Obachan Rock? Having one of Johnny's most distinctive vocalists - Shibutani Subaru - around also helps.

Kanjani8's latest single Musekinin Hero is another crowd-pleasing, upbeat smiler with flighty motivational lyrics declaring themselves "legendary irresponsible heroes" with "limitless dreams". Similar to previous singles like Wahaha and Zukkoke Otokomichi, Musekinin Hero has an energetic enka-influenced pop melody and silly chorus, with their usual ad lib-style exclamations sprinkled throughout. Veteran songwriter Makiano Koji, who composed many of Kanjani8's songs including Naniwa Iroha Bushi, Osaka Obachan Rock, Sukiyanan Osaka, and Kanfu Fighting, is reliable as always in delivering a catchy melody, although it's the fun, brassy arrangement that particularly stands out.

No abstract love song lyrics when it comes to Kanjani8 singles. Penned by Inazuma Sentai's Uenaka Joya (also wrote It's My Soul and Zukkoke Otokomichi), the carefree song cheers about living and laughing through tough times. I particularly like the opening lines of the first verse: "Showa and Heisei have come and gone / We've tasted both the bitter and the sweet." The "jajaja" chorus is also a nice touch.

I've always felt that Kanjani8 gets better album artwork than other Johnny's groups, if only because they're less likely to fall back on the unoriginal staples of floating heads or gathering stiffly in a group and looking straight ahead with cool, expressionless faces (that's right, I'm talking to you, NEWS, Arashi, and KAT-TUN). This is perhaps incidental, but again shows how Kanjani8 stand out in style from their fellow idols. This time around, the Musekinin Hero covers are my favorite yet from the group. The two Limited Edition covers have amusing mugshot pictures, and the fabulous Normal Edition cover shows fake political campaign posters of the members. Murakami Shingo for president, anyone?