1. Hatsukoi Cider 2. Deep Mind 3. Hatsukoi Cider (Instrumental) 4. Deep Mind (Instrumental) Source
Buono!'s first release of 2012 is arguably their best since their Shugo Chara days. "Zassou no Uta" didn't have a very distinctive tune (I can't remember anything about it and "Juicy He@rt" except the generic heavy guitar sound.) "Natsu Dakara" was a fresh song, but better enjoyed in retrospect. It was a drastic image change for a single a-side. And to be honest, my main exposure to "Partenza" was on their YouTube live-streamed concert, so I can't really speak about it. From previews and the live stream, it sounded okay.
But this double a-side hooked me on first listen. Instead of splitting up the group's image and charm, each song is whole. We get our rock and beautiful harmonies!
Hatsukoi Cider had me hooked in the first 30 seconds, which is rare for a song to do. It wasn't a "listen and choose whether to re-listen and hope it grows on me" song, but a "can this song be more beautiful, oh gosh it just did, squee" song. The guitars have a nostalgic oldies twang, Buono!'s voices blend beautifully, and the chorus is a more relaxing upbeat. It's a feel-good pop-rock song, optimistic and sweet, lacking fierceness and all-out energy and making up for it with charm and an interesting melody. And the music video is very cool, very retro. It's just the girls, their band, a white background, and their sharp pink suits. Camera angles and a nesting effect sync up with verses to add some action. The flow is amazing.
The second a-side, Deep Mind, was actually the first that I heard due to previews. Maybe that spoiled it, as Hatsukoi Cider's music video was sudden, with no previews (so no preconceived expectations for the video.) The song itself is all right. The variety in the tune makes it dynamic and it has the hard rock sound everyone expects out of Buono! nowadays. But after listening to Hatsukoi Cider, "Cider" totally outshines it. Deep Mind's chorus is too jarring for me to want to listen to it multiple times. It fits because it was used as the theme song to a horror movie, but still, it's a song that's best appreciated in single, isolated doses. (Don't get me wrong, the chorus sounds cool. But it's not relaxing.) The video is just darkness and fierce girls. It's all about the music and girls' performance in this video, down to basics. Same as "Cider", just with an opposite mood.
Rating: Classic, just for Hatsukoi Cider alone. Deep Mind is more in the Fondly Remembered category. It could have just blended in with the "Zassou no Uta" single songs, but its unique chorus and tune changes save it.
1. Please Mini Skirt Post Woman!
2. Te wo Nigitte Arukitai (Regular Version)
2. Konnichi wa Konban wa (Limited A, B, and C Versions)
2. S/mileage Singles Gekiyaba Remix (Limited D Version)
3. Please Mini Skirt Post Woman! (Instrumental) Source
Yay, Yuuka's last single! And it's a lot better than their last one, which I can barely remember at this point (though it was super repetitive.) The song's verses have a lot of variety, which makes the song fast-paced. And this time all the girls get individual singing time, revealing Rinapu's surprisingly decent, smooth voice. The group's squeakers, Dawa and Dracu- er, Meimei, combine their high-pitched vocals for adorable, pleasing verses, which are then followed by Kanyon's powerful voice. Kanyon's really taken it upon herself to carry the group vocally, it seems. She's the badger in the midst of chipmunks, really increasing her importance in the group. Yuuka is present, but subdued, which is probably best given the situation. Fans still get to hear her in her last single, but the new line distribution can transition easier to the next single.
The new set up: Dawa and Meimei get lots of face time and lyrics. Kanyon and Takechan carry the sound with their superior singing. Rinapu and Kanana fill out the group and are thrown a bone or two with lines. Oh, and they are the butt of jokes. Yuuka's applying for AKB48.
Speaking of AKB48, is it just me, or is Dawa beginning to resemble Yuko Oshima in this music video?
The music video! It's cute but simple. Their postwoman duties (or rather, goof-off hi-jinks) keep it interesting, though the girls' cuteness will probably keep one's attention just as well. Meimei is just plain adorable, unless you don't dig her fangs. The music video is not mind blowing, but it does its job and complements the song.
The main b-side, Konnichi wa Konban wa, is a mello, classy song reminiscent of their second indies song, "Asu wa Date na no ni, Ima Sugu Koe ga Kikitai." It's pleasant, with S/mileage's trademark cuteness. It would have been cool if this song got a music video, too, because I imagine it being very dream-like (they could green-screen and CG it like Morning Musume's epic "Kare to Issho ni Omise ga Shitai!" video.) Strange voices are scattered within the song, making me think of S/mileage meeting weird creatures at a cafe, or some likewise "classy" place.
Other versions of the single also include a cover of Maki Goto's Te wo Nigitte Arukitai, a song which should have been sung by a group like S/mileage in the first place, and a remix.
Rating: Fond Memories. Probably not going to be a defining single, but not the pits either. Has the solid S/mileage sound.
Berryz Koubou x C-ute - Amazuppai Haru ni Sakura Saku
1. Amazuppai Haru ni Sakura Saku
2. Tanjyun Suginano Watashi... (Berryz Koubou Version)
2. Kirai de Kirai de Kirai (C-ute Version)
3. Amazuppai Haru ni Sakura Saku (Instrumental) Source
First in the collaborative releases from last fall was Berry Koubou and C-ute's Amazuppai Haru ni Sakura Saku, the theme for a horror mystery movie the two groups starred in (or rather, Airi from C-ute and Yurina from Berryz starred. The rest of the girls formed victim fodder.) It's happy and generic, but I think it works well in context. It's a cheesy and ironic theme for a movie where only a few survive at the end. And I think it could make good background music for a playlist of happy songs to raise one's spirits. The music video has a basic graduation theme. The girls are pretty in their kimono, but the video itself is dull, so not really re-watchable. Re-listenable, though, yes.
Tanjyun Suginano Watashi..., the b-side on the Berryz version, is a classy sounding ballad. Its sound is soothing, but just that. It fits with the a-side as a relaxing song.
The C-ute version's b-side, Kirai de Kirai de Kirai, is a bit more interesting. It's darker, cooler, and more powerful. It's not upbeat enough to imagine a dance accompanying it, except maybe a slow rhythmic one with backdancers while the current singer belts out the powerful bits. But it doesn't sound like a ballad either (power ballad? I'm sure that's the wrong term, though.) It's a mood setting song, and probably would have made a logically better theme song for a horror movie (but not a cheesy one, like most idol horror movies are.)
Rating: Forgettable. Unless reminded of the song in concert setlists or re-listening to the groups' discography, there are just too many better Berryz Koubou and C-ute songs to listen to.
* There are also limited versions available with different cover photos and DVDs.
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Mobekimasu - Busu ni Naranai Tetsugaku
1. Busu ni Naranai Tetsugaku
2. Moshimo... (Regular and Limited A Version)
2. Kacchoii Uta (Morning Musume Version/ Limited B Version)
2. Kacchoii Uta (Berryz Koubou Version/ Limited C Version)
2. Kacchoii Uta (C-ute Version/ Limited D Version)
2. Kacchoii Uta (Erina Mano Version/ Limited E Version)
2. Kacchoii Uta (S/mileage Version/ Limited F Version)
3. Busu ni Naranai Tetsugaku Source
Mobekimasu's single, Busu ni Naranai Tetsugaku, like its predecessor "All For One & One For All" by the H.P. All Stars, is a snapshot of the current Hello!Project's music trends. Instead of being light and full of happiness and cheering like the late Golden Era, Mobekimasu focuses on being mature and cool. Two incidents can hardly be considered a pattern, yet this still fills me with hope since both songs defined an era, both musically and through active groups and members. Ends are tied neatly for a new era begin, one that has already started with Morning Musume's "Pyoko Pyoko Ultra." There's going to be a variety of songs, but I can't wait to see what will emerge as the new "sound" of the Project. The sound that will be used in the third collaborative single years form now, sung by a few nostalgic old hands (perhaps remnants of Berryz Koubou and C-ute), grown up versions of today's new generation, and a bunch of new generations and groups. The future is bright.
But this song, while being decent to listen to, doesn't grab me or make me nostalgic. "All For One & One For All" had a logic to it, starting with founding members and working their way down to the newbies, showing how far the Project had come from 1997-2004. In Busu ni Naranai Tetsugaku, everyone is tossed together as equals. Unless they are a front girl of their respective group, that is. Then they might get a solo or duet line (but only some of the most popular members in "All For One & One For All" got solo lines, so there's no difference there.) But Busu ni Naranai Tetsugaku lacks the historical element that appeals to my nerdery.
Also, Busu ni Naranai Tetsugaku's sound does not appeal to me. The chorus sounds like whining. The funk sounds all right in the beginning, but once they start whining, it turns me off.
The music video fits the song and it's nice that each girl gets screentime in a close-up and twirling pose. But I was disappointed that not all the girls got a funny face or regular close-up. It would have been nice to see both sides, or, as that would take too much screentime, to focus on just one so as not to get one's hopes up (like if one wanted "x" to do a funny face and instead she did a regular close-up.) I love funny faces, but those could have been omitted due to the tone of the song. Though they do add a nice irony given the song title ("Philosophy of Not Becoming Ugly.")
One of the b-sides, Moshimo... was less annoying to me, even though it was probably substantially more annoying to a lot of other people. It takes some of the most polarizing voices from each group and they all sing a sweet little ballad. We have Morning Musume's wallflower Mizuki Fukumura, Berryz Koubou's helium-inhaling Momoko Tsugunaga, C-ute's nasally Saki Nakajima, H!P's bland soloist Erina Mano, and S/mileage's screechy Ayaka Wada. Fukupon, Momo, Nakky, Mano, and Dawa. If they were the last girls left in H!P, most people would quit for the safely of their ears. This is like when the worst singers of Morning Musume sung a song on the Hello!Project Happy Marriage Song cover album.
Yet they all sound really cute together and the instrumental is nostalgically H!P. It totally wins for me.
Finally, on each group-specific version, instead of Moshimo..., there is a group-specific version of the song Kacchoii Uta. In my opinion, this is the best thing about this release. The groups may not work together like in the other two songs that include the whole Project or group ambassadors, but we get to analyze the unique points of each group because they sing the same song (the control in this experiment.) I can't decide which one is best. We hear Morning Musume's variety of voices, Berryz Koubou's unique blend and front girls, C-ute's strong harmony with each others' voices, Mano's lone blandness, and S/mileage's adorable chipmunk voices. It's really a matter of preference.
It's a cool rock anthem, with high energy, and the vocals contain an interesting way of singing some of the non-chorus parts. I think I mean the vocal technique? Well, the sudden changes from high to low in a single line sound really cool to me. I think this could have had a cooler music video than the title track, but they would have had to make five of them, which would have been expensive, or a collaboration, which would have ruined its gimmick. Oh well, still a cool song. If you like a group, you'll probably like their version.
There should have been a Buono! version, though.
Rating: Classic. It didn't really appeal to me that much, but someday it will be nostalgic to fans of the 2005-2011 era. It's something to look back on when the H!P Kids graduate, Morning Musume only has members from this decade, and S/mileage mutates even more. Also, Kacchoii Uta may become an H!P concert staple and fan favorite.
The last of the H!P shuffles was originally released digitally during the summer concerts and was re-released physically this winter. It lacks Morning Musume, being just Bekimasu. Also, the S/mileage is pre-mutated S/mileage.
Makeruna Wasshoi! is a mix of electronic and traditional music. Lots of energy, perfect for the concert setting it was designed for. It sounds fun, but to be honest, it just makes me want to listen to similar H!P songs like "Sukiyaki" and "Dancing! Natsu Matsuri" instead. The bug costumes the girls performed in are super cute, though.
Rating: Forgettable. It's similar but not better than other H!P modern-traditional-style songs and some of my favorite members (Momo and Kanyon) didn't get solo lines so BAWW.
1. Give Me Love
2. Only you
3. Silver no Udedokei (Reina and Riho with Gaki and Aika rapping)
4. Suki da na Kimi ga (Sayu, Mizuki)
5. Kaiketsu Positive A
6. Kono Ai wo Kasanete (Aichan, Gaki)
7. Kono Chikyuu no Heiwa wo Honki de Negatterun da yo!
8. Kare to Issho ni Omise ga Shitai!
9. My Way ~Joshikou Hanamichi~
10. Otome no Timing (Aika, Eripon, Zukki)
11. OK YEAH!
12. Maji desu ka Ska! Source
I'm in love with Morning Musume's latest album. Not only does it have solid tunes in a variety of styles (H!P's, and more specifically, Morning Musume's, hallmark), but it also brings me memories of other songs I like. A lot of times, using similar sounds to other music is unoriginal and boring. It just makes you want to listen to the original. But I think if a song uses similarities to other music to its advantage, incorporated in an interesting way, such that I want to listen to the new song over and over again instead of the original, then it passes a test. And boy does this album pass the test.
First of all, I love video game music. Old-school Sega Genesis (Mega Drive for the PALs out there) Sonic the Hedgehog, especially. And to be more specific, Sonic 2 and 3. Some of the instrumentals in this album remind me of those beloved games. Reina and Riho's duet, Silver no Udedokei, makes me think of Aquatic Ruin Zone from Sonic 2 with its electronic bubble sounds in the background. Sayu and Mizuki's Suki da na Kimi ga has a break toward the end that makes me think of Hydrocity Zone Act 2 from Sonic 3. I almost cried when it was over, even though that song was probably the cutest and one of the most awesome songs on the whole album. I loved every second of that catchy electropop tune, yet I almost cried manly tears when the Sonic 3-like instrumental solo stopped. I- I- oh my gosh. Moooore please. Maybe old-school Mario, Pokémon, or Final Fantasy-like tracks on the next album?!
Memes are another source of great music (sometimes the intent to annoy dulls after time and we become so desensitized that it becomes a part of us.) OK YEAH! reminds me of not one, but two memes. And they both feature Ronald McDonald! It's the insane parapara Eurobeat sound! If people thought chicken suits were terrible and random, what would they think about Ronald McDonald outfits?! Oh gosh, that would be such great promo for them. I want to collect all their Happy Meal toys. The memes are: Ran Ran Ru! and LOL, Internet. What next, will Sayu rick-roll us in the next album? Or will Reina Steal the Precious Thing?
Kono Chikyuu no Heiwa wo Honki de Negatterun da yo! / Kare to Issho ni Omise ga Shitai!
(a.k.a. PURE AWESOMESAUCE)
Lots of H!P Classic here: Kono Chikyuu no Heiwa wo Honki de Negatterun da yo! is as funkadelic as a Danceman song; Aichan and Gaki's Kono Ai wo Kasanete duet could very well be a mid-2000's H!P ballad solo (just as boring as one, too!); Otome no Timing (Aika, Eripon, and Zukki's song) sounds like it could fit in with a Morning Musume or C-ute 2007-ish album, it's so syrupy sweet and bubblegummy; Maji desu ka Ska and Kaiketsu Positive A are goofy ska sounds à la happy-go-lucky 2003-2004 Morning Musume (Kaiketsu Positive A in particular has hilarious vocals. Eripon and Riho are terrible at sounding fierce and powerful and come off as yapping puppies. Even Gaki, whose voice is most suited to the song, sounds ironic. This is more like a parody of ska.) Even Kare to Issho ni Omise ga Shitai! (which, by the way, has one of my favorite music videos ever) is undeniably Morning Musume in the chorus. The greatest bone thrown to Golden Era fans since Dream Morning Musume. What next, Joshi Kashimashi Monogatari 2012?? (Because I've lost count how many versions there are now.)
Give Me Love's vocal harmonies remind me of Star Trek and I have no idea why. Since AKB48 is doing a half hour drama music video for their next single, Morning Musume could have a "Morning Musume Holiday Special" later this year. It could be taken down hours after being uploaded to YouTube, all copies routinely hunted and taken down, its release canceled, and no goods or events materialize except suspiciously on auction sites. Then they tease the audience about it in concert MCs. The content of the video? The girls (or just the staff) clucking Twinkle Twinkle Little Star while reusing the chicken suits.
That just leaves Only you, which like Give Me Love, sounds like Tsunku was trying to use up his similar-sounding mature songs from the past several years in anticipation of 10th gen and a younger Morning Musume. Give Me Love would have made an awesome single in the Leader Aichan era. So, what next? Awesome, fun songs no matter the genre? No more Seishun Collections? Please!
Rating: Classic. It already sounds nostalgic! It's a nice mix of happy, young voices and the talented older members (Sayu and Aika are more in the happy younger members category instead, but what's new?) The variety almost guarantees that at least one song will make you happy. Or two. Or twelve.
* Save for the Korea Version, I have linked to the Regular Versions. For the special edition with the DVD (with Aichan's solo song music video), you may have to search the related links.
Haruka Kudo. I'm so glad I've found a girl to obsess over in each of the new generations, so now newbies are topping my lists of favorite members. Anyway, Haruka is pretty much the second boy of Morning Musume (Yossie being the first.) It's refreshing and awesome to see a member who doesn't act girly, showing the variety of real females. Though it would be pretty funny if when Haruka starts going through puberty, she really does turn out to be a boy. Scandal! Nah, she's cooler as a tomboy.
The reason I lover her so much is that she reminds me of me when I was 12, or at least the person I aspired to be like when I was 12. She's tomboyish, intelligent, a perfectionist, a sponge for information, a mischievous teaser, and a bit bossy. And she has fangs! I adore fangs. I have a fang. She even likes my favorite colors! I'm a little sad she dislikes seafood, though. That's one of our major differences (the others are that I'm a pale, indoorsy person and not fond of meat.)
I enjoy rooting on kindred spirits. In Morning Musume, Kudo is that kindred spirit.
And it's very funny when she gets paired up with the hyper younger members (that are older than her), just to see the contrast! And Zukki making fun of her manly voice, hehe.
Okay, I know I was supposed to post this on Thursday, but uggh. Must not let 2012 kick my butt!
First up in my feature of favorite retro idol songs is Onyanko Club's "Koi wa Question" and "Anmitsu Daisakusen," the theme songs for the anime "Anmitsu-Hime." I wanted to start off with a video that actually shows the girls, but there weren't any on YouTube of the songs I wanted to show at this time. :( This was back in the 80's, before music videos were widespread in Japan (please prove me wrong, though! I just can't find many.) There seemed to be more live television appearances, like how American music was promoted in the 60's and a lot of the 70's, so the likelihood of many songs from that era getting legally uploaded by their record companies is slim. :(
Anyway, I really dig Onyanko Club's retro sounds, with the bass beats. I can really hear where some of AKB48's stage songs come from in respect to the intention that they are supposed to be reminiscent of Onyanko Club and 80's idols. Well, their producers are the same, so that helps. It makes me think it would be cool if there was a stage of just Onyanko covers!
And I really appreciate what Onyanko Club started... if it weren't for them, there wouldn't be a Morning Musume or AKB48, at least not as we know them.
So, about these songs in particular: "Koi wa Question" is the kind of song that gets stuck in my head! It's so bubbly and cute. The ending song, "Anmitsu Daisakusen," reminds me of some recent idol groups, like Momoiro Clover, with the cute "talking as though singing" parts. Both of these songs are pleasantly nostalgic, yet I think they are still relevant in the current idol industry. I think anyone that's a fan of idols in general will find something to appreciate with this group.
Well, I hope this first post was enjoyable, and I hope to share my thoughts on another favorite retro idol song next week!
