Morning Musume - 12, Smart
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.
Buy the album on:
iTunes (US)
YesAsia (Japan Version)
YesAsia (Korea Version)
CD Japan
Amazon Japan
* 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.
Only you
Maji desu ka Ska!
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