Columbia Records want you to think that Kaela Kimura is different from other idols, which is why they've manufactured her image out of the most adorably kooky component parts -- take the endearingly under-rehearsed dance routines of Tommy February6, quirky costumes stolen from Yuki's wardrobe, and then stick her behind a guitar, like Shena Ringo.

But the music on "Circle" isn't substantially different from any other Japanese idol, albeit with slightly more guitars. "Rirura Riruha" bounces out all McCartney-esque bon viveur, but overall the album is forgettable, and it's telling that for all its rockist pretensions, the one standout is the dance-pop title track.

Kimura is first and foremost a glamour model, which is the reason for her pop career's success -- and probably the reason why in a year or two she'll be yesterday's news.