Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi
This soundtrack to a television show on the Cartoon Network is the latest in a series of attempts to "break" this contagiously fun pop duo on American shores. In their native Japan, Puffi Amiyumi (who were brought together by a manager and record label in 1995) play stadiums, start fashion trends without trying, host a variety show, and have their own action figures. They’ve had a surprisingly long career, but have never made much of a pop culture mark in the US aside from the insanely catchy theme song to the cartoonTeen Titans(which appears here as a bonus track). This greatest-hits collection travels from beach blanket retro-pop numbers to head-banging anthems. Many of these songs are sung in Japanese, but they speak that universal language perfected in 1965 by John, Paul, George and Ringo: very clever, super melodic, three minute pop songs that stick in your head all week long.--Mike McGonigal