No Japanese music group has been more interesting these past two years than AKB48, but "interesting" doesn't always mean "good." Several of the 89-members-and-growing outfit's most notable moments have been ugly (the Minami Minegishi head-shaving scandal tops that list), but the idol group has also made some strides pop-wise — the occasional great hook and a handful of creative music videos that have demonstrated some self-awareness. The already-a-million-plus-sold new album "Tsugi no Ashiato" ("The Next Footsteps") encapsulates the hits and misses of AKB48 — and modern J-pop — perfectly.