New PV Releases

Nami Tamaki - LADY MIND Wonder Girls - The DJ Is Mine   


SunnyHill - The Grasshopper Song

S/mileage - Please Wait A Little

Rainbow Pixie - Hoi Hoi
Morning Musume - Pyoko Pyoko Ultra
9muses - News
T-ara - Lovey-Dovey
Kikkawa Yuu - Early Snow
TEEN TOP - Crazy
SDN48 (Undergirls G) - Yaritagariya-san

Buono! - DEEP MIND

Buono! - Hatsukoi Cider

Jin Akanishi - Test Drive ft. Jason Derulo

Mano Erina - Doki Doki Baby

Change for Better or for Worse in Hello Project

A lot of H!P fans weren't too far off when they predicted that Niigaki and Takahashi would graduate together.  Niigaki announced that she will be graduating at the end of their spring tour.  They may not have done it together, but Niigaki sure didn't last much longer.  Although, I don't know why she didn't go with her.  I guess Niigaki didn't want to be overshadowed.  Now there are rumors flying around about graduations and new members being added to the other Hello Project groups.  Hello Project is being weird like that.  Their music and strategy at the moment seems to be to hold onto their core fan base, but with all the changes in members will they stick?  Or better yet, will the other members?  Key members of Morning Musume have jumped ship but that isn't surprising because it was only a matter of time.  However, s/mileage was a surprise.  

I've kind of lost interest in Hello Project.  The main reason is that I'm not very intrigued by their music.  S/mileage was a beacon of hope when they went major, but their singles following their first album were underwhelming like the rest of Hello Project (in my opinion).  I finally got what I wanted for Morning Musume: graduation of Niigaki and Takahashi and new members.  I fear that it won't help if the music side doesn't try harder.  I'm giving up on seeing Hello Project take risks.  I find it dull.  My new dream is that they quit and audition for NMB, HKT, of start a new idol group.  If they have ambition they would leave.  Sorry if that opinion hurts your feelings.  (Look at it this way.  I think the girls aren't living up to their potential.) 

Graduations, AKBingo!, and Recent Scandals

I don't have too much to say about all these.  I just mostly want to share.  I am really sad that Yui (SKE48) has to graduate because or her injury and more recovery time.  She was talented and one of my favorites, even when she was gone.  She'll be missed.  I do have hope that after all of her recovery is over she'll re-enter the entertainment industry.  Now onto Saki (S/mileage).  I'm surprised this hasn't happened more often.  The good news is that this doesn't mean she is leaving show business.  She might just want to leave Hello Project.  This has occurred: at a local radio station one of the members of a popular morning show duo left the show for 'something different', but ended up having his own show on a different station.  This might be the same breed.

Lately AKBingo! is trying to win back my affection.  Every week I would watch it as soon as it hit YouTube.  However, I haven't been following it lately.  But the last couple of weeks they brought back one of my favorite segments, fashion, and a new classic, ikemen.  I mean they look amazing as guys.  I hope one day they do a cross-dressing single.  So good work people at AKBingo!.

I've bet you've all heard about NMB48's and Team 4's scandals and the fortunate outcome.  My opinion on the whole thing is that Mina should become a bad-ass character because I could totally see that.  The whole strong language use on pictures doesn't bother me at all, but it is refreshing.  I find it adorable when idols swear.  The underage drinking isn't anything big either, but she should make sure to keep it under wraps if she does it now.  If it was smoking I wouldn't be so laissez-faire.  The issue of enjo-kousai is more serious.  However that was only talk, she didn't say she did anything.  So I am going to give her the benefit of the doubt, but I would like to see the translation of the post.  Dating and sex before joining is even on my radar of concerns.  They should go crazy if they shouldn't date once they join.

A cool thing going on Tumblr is confession posts.  Here are some:

New PV and Previews Spam

UPDATED: Tons, and Tons of PVs!

Isn't this fun to watch(5 min later)oh did you say something?

I was originally going to review all of these, maybe it is the weather, but I am starting to be quite lazy.  Now I will post the following PVs after the jump, to keep things from slowing down:
S/mileage
DiVA
Meisa Kuroki
4MINUTE
Tokyo Girls' Style
Kara +1
GIRL NEXT DOOR
SNSD
Passpo☆
2NE1
AKB48
Mika Nakashima

High Pitched Albums Review: AKB's WH and H!P's S/mileage

Two young, adorable, and squeaky idol groups have both released their first album.  I got both (regular editions) for Christmas.  I've already listened to both a couple of times so I thought a review would be nice.  I'll start with the one that was released first: 

Watarirouka Hashiritai (渡り廊下走り隊) - Don't Run in the Corridors! (廊下は走るな!)

猫だまし
This is the first album song.  It really matches the singles well: happy, fun, idoly.  I like the little sumo moves in the song and the solo lines.  The only problem with this song is that I would hope they would use all the album songs to add some variety because their singles are quite similar.  Although, this the first track so they probably should follow the same basic mold.      
☆☆☆
 
初恋ダッシュ
As you expect, the singles are usually the best part of albums.  WH does their niche well, but it gets a little tired after a while in my opinion.  I wonder if the new members will help mix it up.
☆☆☆☆
 

完璧ぐ～のね
If you listen to the very beginning, it reminds me of the first song off the album.  This was the first single I heard from them, and my first favorite.  I find that it is more catchy and enjoyable than the ones before it.
☆☆☆☆☆

ドジ
Here is my first favorite album track.  It adds a different tune to it, but it still flows well with the rest.  I really bad at describing music.  I wouldn't say it has a slower tempo, but possibly a more relaxed mood then the ones before it.
☆☆☆☆☆

青い未来
The album continues to bring variety.  It still doesn't have a slow tempo, but it sounds like a ballad at the same time.  It isn't a happy song, how bout that.  I'm sorry I can't say much else, but I don't understand everything and I am too lazy to look up the lyrics.
☆☆☆☆☆

アッカンベー橋
I fell in love with this sub-group as soon as I heard this song.  It is by far my favorite song on this album.  I understand that a lot of fans didn't care for it because of how childish it is.  However, I think that it suits them well.  They usually release fun, high-tempo singles.  Their voices are so high pitched that it works.  I thought it was a nice contrast to what they usually release (ear bleeding, loli tracks). 
☆☆☆☆☆

骨折ロマンス
This follows their usual style, but I find that it is catchy. 
☆☆☆☆☆

麻友のために (Mayu Solo)
What I don't like is the obvious preferential treatment Mayuyu gets.  I understand that she is the most popular member.  But, if they are going to include a solo song then they should at least give the other members duets.  
☆☆☆☆

ギュッ
This may be the cutest song ever.  They say gyu like from 70-100 times in this song.  This is a song that someone besides Akimoto produced.  What else can I say about this song; I do like to dance along.  
☆☆☆☆☆

やる気花火
Let the ear bleeding begin!  Although, they do include violins (luv violins : 3).  I do like this song a lot, but the chorus I just can't withstand. 
☆☆☆☆

柊の通学路
This is the closest thing we get to a ballad.  It is a happy, slow song.  I think it is pretty, but their typical sound but slower is slightly dull.
☆☆☆☆

青春のフラッグ
I adore this song.  I don't care how whatever it is.  I think it is as catchy as sh*t (don't take literally please).  The solo lines are spectacular and everything fits perfectly. 
☆☆☆☆☆

WH's 1st CD Average Score:  ☆☆☆☆ (4.5)
Overview: Really good and almost amazing, but it lacks variety and some songs could use improvement.  They stick to their group/ musical personality and for the most part do it well.  CD Info HERE.

Is it just me or are their skirts too high?

S/mileage (スマイレージ) - Evil Brat① (悪ガキッ①)

同じ時給で働く友達の美人ママ
Their most recent release.  I've always enjoyed this track, but I became addicted because of this dance shot.  This follows their style, which I love, so that is probably why I love the song.   
☆☆☆☆☆

踊ろうよ
Tsunku has this problem with albums: there is always a crap song.  This reggae guy introduces the group which doesn't suit their character.  Parts are okay, but then they keep echoing their lines which I do not care for at all.  Some of the parts tend to repeat too much at one time, repetition isn't a virtue.
☆

女ばかりの日曜日
This song doesn't have any problems to it per say.  However, it isn't catchy in my opinion.  I just don't like it.  It is just okay.  These two songs I usually just skip.
☆☆

夢見る 15歳
I was extremely impressed by their first major single.  This is the first beginning of their costume and song style.  I wouldn't change a thing.
☆☆☆☆☆

シューティング スター
The song starts off with an old fashioned 50s brass band, but then loses some of it sparkle when they do a cliche 'yeah!'.  If they had stayed closer to the retro style it probably would of kept that last star.  You can still hear the vintage style, but intermixed with the stereotypical idol style it becomes slightly mediocre. 
☆☆☆☆

○○ がんばらなくてもええねんで!!
Good news!  Another single.  It is just like their other singles, each with a twist of the same ingredients. 
☆☆☆☆☆

スキちゃん
During their indie singles you can hear their future style, which is more perfected than these are.  However, they add a little more contrast to the major singles within the album and are still catchy.
☆☆☆☆ (4.5)

学級委員長
A refreshing slow song. . . zzzzzzz. Oh what happened.  It reminds me of AKB's choir songs, but they have more variety with natural vocal pitch.  There are too few girls all at a quite high pitch, so it doesn't come across as well.  Then there is a weird noise (which I can't describe anymore than artificial and UFO-like).  I imagine this is much better if you heard it/ saw it live in concert.  I do appreciate them trying to incorporate some variety.  Another problem is that not all of the girls are great singers, so they are limited.
☆☆☆

しっかりしてよ! もう
This is an odd track.  I like verses, but not the chorus.  If they improved the chorus, maybe something more catchy, it may of earned another star.  
☆☆☆
 
オトナになるって難しい!!!
This was the first indie single that I adored.  It is the closest to the style that they adopted once they debuted. 
☆☆☆☆ (4.5)

あすはデートなのに、今すぐ声が聞きたい
This indie single grew on me and now has surpassed the previous song in my heart (in the indie category).  It is pretty simple and not anything that creative, but I still love it.  I also adore it for how different it is to the other songs on this album.  You have to admit it could use more variety.
☆☆☆☆☆

ぁまのじゃく
This was a pretty good first single.  I did quite like it.  The outfits for this single could of been better because it didn't suit everyone's figure.  I recall that at that time I didn't think they were going to amount to much.  H!P does have a tendency to form temporary units for anime or ones that just don't do well.  This is even more simple, but beautiful and gentle. 
☆☆☆☆☆

S/m's 1st CD Average Score:  ☆☆☆☆
Overview: They also have a niche that they have perfected.  However, the album lacks variety and when they try to break out of the mold (in the album songs) they are never as well done.

Hello Project News!

Yeah, great time for all this crap to be coming out.  My first final is on Sunday, but no I'm not going to ban myself from my computer.  It makes for a nice study break.  First off, anything that includes a video will be posted after the jump.  Here we go!

It seems S/mileage members have been getting the run around.  It was announced that Ogawa Saki would release a photobook, but apparently that was a prank done by the staff.  It has also been announced that Wada Ayaka will release her first photobook and DVD.  The release is set for 2011.03.02.

Risa, Maimi, Airi, Momoko, and Reina have all released a cover song of Tanpopo's Seinaru Kane Ga Hibiku Yoru on the Japanese iTunes.

Here are the five finalists of the Morning Musume 9th Generation Auditions.  I'm disappointed that it is only five because there tends to be more if they add four members.  The good news is that out of the five, four look like they could make it in, and three of those four look like they have great potential.  The first two and the last one (in order of top to bottom of the pictures) got my vote.  It is hard to tell during the audition process because they are so raw.  Plus, remember how KonKon failed the audition, but still made it.  I adore KonKon.  It seems most of the look-a-likes were cut.  They might of not wanted any look-a-likes so soon.  The video is after the break.



Mitsui Aika (Morning Musume) will release her first photobook and DVD, wow H!P is on a role!  The photobook is titled Aika.  The DVD is titled Mittsi.  They plan to release them on January 26th.


Here are Arashi's and AKB48's performances at Best Artist 2010.



As most of you know, Kamei Eri, Jun Jun, and Lin Lin have graduated from Morning Musume and Hello Project.  I've found some performances from their last concert together, enjoy! (I'll review the concert when I have more time. I didn't check to see if it was the whole thing or if it was in the right order.

My Top 20 Songs of 2010

I noticed that people have been posting these.  Part of me wanted to wait till January, but the Oricon charts and many Japanese awards pick them early (which is why you won't see Beginner included in most of them).  Three stages from AKB48 have been premiered, so I wanted to include songs from those as well.  BUT, I am going to separate them.  I'll first do my Top 20 singles and then my Top 10 stages songs (no units).  I think that some will be surprised with the variety, even I am.  These are my opinions on what I liked best, not even what I think are in fact the best songs.  If the videos aren't showing up you'll have to go off the main page by clicking the read more link or whatever.  When I posted it all together it seemed slow. 

Top 20 Singles of 2010!

1. Beginner - AKB48
2. Troublemaker - Arashi
3. 1! 2! 3! 4! Yoroshiku - SKE48
4. Monster - Arashi
5. Ikuze! Kaitou Shoujo - Momoiro Clover
6. Oh! - Girls' Generation
7. Love Song - Rain
8. BBI-RI-BOP-A - Narsha
9. Sakura no Shiori - AKB48
10. Makenai Kokoro - AAA
11. Ponytail to Shushu - AKB48
12. Otakebi Boy WAO! - Berryz Koubou
13. Akkanbe Bashi - Watarirouka Hashiritai
14. Lupin - Kara
15. HUH - 4Minute
16. Onegai Dakara - Mano Erina
17. GAGAGA - SDN48
18. Wild - Amuro Namie
19. Shock! - C-ute
20. ooGanbaranakutemo Eenende!! - S/mileage  

Okay, I was going to give an explanation for each single one, but the formatting that I started out with wouldn't let me,  So either I had to reformat it or just do an overall explanation.  I guess it is for the best.  I have finals in less than a week and they probably wouldn't have been that good anyway.  When I was considering these I considered a couple of elements.  One was what my original feelings were towards the song.  This mostly played out if the song was addicting when I first heard it.  I also considered the artist themselves and whether it was that impressive coming from them.  I was more impressed with songs that sounded unique in comparison to what else was released from that artist and the market in general.  For example, while I thought 4Minute's singles are catchy and fun to dance to their catalog isn't that broad.  The song sounds similar to their other songs.  Personally, I like artists who experiment with their style.  There isn't anything wrong, and I am not a huge 4Minute fan, so that was my impression.  This also was the case for S/mileage and C-ute.  One of the songs that did well based on that criteria was Sakura no Shiori.  Some people say that AKB48 sounds like a choir, which isn't true at all.  They have a couple of songs that sound like that, but it is not common.  That single was a big risk and stood out from pretty much everything else released by popular groups, but that wasn't my only reason why.  I think it is a beautiful song.  As for what didn't make it. . . anyone notice that Morning Musume didn't make the cut?  It has been a bad year for them.  Last year they would of had a couple songs on my list, but nothing impressed me this go round.  If you want to hear an explanation for any song in particular just let me know in the comments.  



Top 10 Stage Tracks

1. I'm crying - Team A

2. 夢の鐘 - Team K

3. 100メートルコンビニ - Team B

4. ジグソーパズル48 - Team K

5. 摩天楼の距離 - Team A

6. 勇気のハンマー - Team B

7. ウッホウッホホ - Team K

8. 命の意味 - Team A

9. 隕石の確率 - Team B

10. いびつな真珠 - Team A

You know what.  Now that I formatted in a friendlier way, I don't really have anything to say for this part.  This ranking is pretty much just what I love in order of how much I like it.  If you want me to clarify. . . I'll consider it ( : 3 )

MOAR News! Uddles and Yoodles!

I usually don't report the news.  Usually forums and other blogger tend to get there faster or do it anyways, so I assume you get it elsewhere.  However, when ever there are tons of releases and news being pumped out I like to spam it all at once.  I hope you learn something new!

There will be an OG Spring Tour!  Those who are attending are all graduates of Morning Musume: Nakazawa, Iida, Abe, Yasuda, Yaguchi, Ishikawa, Yoshizawa, Tsuji, Ogawa, Fujimoto, Kusumi.  That is quite a list.  The performances will be starting 4/23.  KonKon probably isn't attending because of her new position at TV Tokyo.  I really hope the whole issue with Kago Ai would get resolved so that we can see her perform with them again.  I understand that she and Goto Maki want to distance themselves from it, but was it really that bad.  They can't even do a reunion tour!  It might have to do with the fact that they are under different labels and agencies now.  The other sad thing is that Kamei Eri, LinLin, and JunJun won't be attending.  One tour wouldn't hurt Kamei that bad, and I bet the pandas would love to go.

Kamei Eri is releasing not one, but two photobooks because of her graduation.  One is solo and the other is with the rest of 6th gen, except Mikitty.  She did just release a solo pb.  So if you didn't think that the pandas were being shafted enough, there is one more thing.  Kamei Eri will be releasing nine cover songs on iTunes.  That is an album right there.  This is a part of the "Hello Cover" project where members of H!P release solo covers.  I'm guessing we won't see JunJun or LinLin do the same before they graduate.  You can start downloading these today! 
  
Memory Seishun no Hikari - Morning Musume
Furusato - Morning Musume,
Koi wo Shichaimashita - Tanpopo
Seinaru Kane ga Hibiku Yoru - Tanpopo
Egao ni Namida ~thank You! Dear My Friends~ - Matsuura Aya
Love Namidairo - Matsuura Aya
Koi no Hana - Abe Natsumi
Onegai Miwaku no Target - Melon Kinenbi
Kousui - Melon Kinenbi


Eri Kamei (Morning Musume) Graduation Photobook "THANKS" w/ DVD

Eri Kamei Sotsugyo Kinen Haroharo! - Memories -

Guess who else is getting a photobook?  Pretty much every member in either C-ute or Berryz Koubou who hasn't released one will, and then some.  Unfortunately this doesn't include Morning Musume because there are three members who really need to.

Okai Chisato (C-ute) will be releasing both a photobook and a DVD.  The release is set for December 24th.

Kumai Yurina (Berryz Koubou) will be releasing an Alo! Hello photobook.  This is her third release.  It is coming out December 17th.

Arihara Kanna, a graduate of C-ute, will be releasing her first photobook on December 18th.

Last but not least, Shimizu Saki, also known as Captain, (Berryz Koubou) will be releasing her first photobook and DVD.  It will be a new 2011 release on January 12th.   

Buono!'s 11th single will be released February 2nd.  Yep, they are not dead yet.  Not surprising because I think they are more popular than their perspective groups.  I will post more as covers and a PV is released.

S/mileage will release their 4th single, Shortcut.  The date is set for February 9th.  Maeda Yuuka has also cut off her long hair.  More information will be posted when it is leaked.

*:--☆--:*:--☆:*:--☆--:*:--☆--:

Hello Project isn't the only group spewing photobooks and DVDs these days.  The 48 Universe is taking advantage of AKB48's new found popularity to promote the both the Undergirls and Theatre Girls.  Here are the lucky ladies who are getting some much needed individual promotion:

Rumi Yonezawa (Team K) released her first photobook in NOVEMBER!  I would buy it, but it isn't even on CDJapan?  Rumi is pretty sexy so I expect it is pretty spectacular.  The fans are keeping the scans on the low down because she needs good sales.

On January 26th, Mika Komori (Team B) will be releasing a solo DVD.  Not much else has been leaked, but she is known to be an oddball.


Chisato Nakata (Team A) will be releasing her first photobook as well, DVD included.  It is going to be released on the 15th of this month.  Guess what!  The preorder is already sold out at CDJapan!  AKB48 is keeping up their tendency to release their PBs pretty cheap.  This is about $20!  Nice right!

"Chi-Chan - Chisato" w/ DVD

On the 22nd Nonaka Misato (Team K) and Matsubara Natsumi's (Team A) DVD "Natsumicha" will be unleashed to the masses.   


Guess who is releasing their second single.  FRENCH KISS.  Yep, they aren't a one single unit like many other idol units.  It is another anime song, but that is fine.  Here is a quote I copied:

"French Kiss' 2nd Single "If", will be used as the theme song for anime OVA "Kyo, Koi wo Hajimemasu". Continuing from the 1st single, there will be a special drama made which is set at the same school, as well as a new digital comic version, featuring the members voice acting parts of the manga."

I will post more info and such as it is released.  However, if it comes out in the next two weeks I won't because of final exams.  (cringe)  This single comes out on my birthday. . . and Rika Ishikawa's too!  Now you know when right.  Okay it is January 19th.  

Tomomi Itano (Team K) will be releasing her first solo single.  It could be considered her second because she did release a para para track.  She is one of the most popular members.  She recently modeled wedding dresses at a fashion show.  This one is also coming out January 26th. 


SKE48 will released their 5th single on February 9th, but that is not important right now.  The bigger news about SKE48 is the formation of Team E and the reshuffling of Team KII.  On top of that, four Team KII members were demoted!  Rough day for those girls.  There is no official statement as to why they were demoted, but there are rumors floating around as you'd expect.  Now each team has 16 members, unlike the flagship group. . .

Six of the eight being promoted.  The second to the left is Yui who replaced Erena on Team K.

Eight research students (also known as kenkyusei or what I like to call them trainees) are being promoted.  No news as to which teams they will get promoted to but this one is causing some stir.  Many people are guessing there are graduations on the way because this is taking them over the 50 mark.  The oldest member is Shinoda Mariko (Team A); she is 24, two years under the unofficial 26 limit.  Based on age the other possibilities are: Kojima (22), Akimoto (22), Umeda (21), Kuramochi (21), and Oshima (22).  Age is the most reliable predictor, but there tends to be many other reasons why members graduate.  Only recently, with the formation of SDN48, did members graduate from AKB because of their age.  Is there a big concert coming up because that is when they like to jump these things on you?  I am curious as to why you think such a large number were promoted (if not because of graduations), or who you believe are graduating soon (there are eight slots to fill).

Mine?  Don't take this personally because I am just going by age, outside potential, and who is not too dependent on the group:
1) Shinoda (Team A): even though popular she has plenty of outside jobs.
2) Sayaka (Team K): she does enjoy musicals and the recent scandal has demoted her from her captain position.  She loves AKB, but she did say on her blog that she was confused about her role because of K6.  She was also disappointed with her senbatsu ranking; the producers on the other hand have demoted her further down as she is no longer senbatsu.
3) Kojima (Team A): I could see her working either as a charisma model or something along those lines.  No3b would be one reason I would see her stay, but they are releasing their album.
4) Maeda (Team A): Acchan has so many options outside of AKB, but she can do it within too.  She is very popular so I am not sure.  She enjoys acting, but not as much as Erepyon did.  Unlike other members, she doesn't need AKB to stay relevant.
5) Katayama (Team A): she has been doing some musicals as well.  She has a strong voice and she is just and Undergirl.
6) Umeda (Team K): I could see her transferring to SDN48.  AKB transfer to SDN tend to be some of the most popular members because they are more well known and carry over a fan base.
7) Sato (Team B): Natsuki is attending a University right now.  She may need to focus on her studies.
8) Masuda (Team B): She is one of the best singers, she isn't that popular, and she has been doing some acting.  She was an original Team K member, so she has been around for some time.

NMB48, stationed in Osaka, will be debuting on New Years Day.  It will be a two hour show where they will be performing Team A's third stage.  They have 25 members, but only 16 are apart of Team N.  Those left over are trainees, so they may not make it to an official team.  There are some crowd favorites in A3; I think it is an excellent choice.

AKB48's 19th single, Chance no Junban, hit the number one spot today on the Oricon charts.  The grand total is 471,242, which is about the same area that I was expecting (500K).  That is even higher than Heavy Rotation's first day sales.  I am more excited to see the PVs for Team A and Team K tracks.  Three of the tracks, all of the them on Type A, are used for various promotions.  Congrats for another Top 10 first day sales of 2010!