Magi-Kat presents "Morning Meteora"

Disclaimer: I wrote this in only a few minutes as I now decide to actually write it (so it's not the nitpicking as I oirignaly intended before this writing). Also, save for minor edits, this is what was flowing out of my head as soon as I took the pencil to paper as they came so no offense, Reina fans. (I'm also serious about the blog hosting questions too).

   It's September 22nd, one day from one month that could change the blog forever. As I write about this potential entry in my new journal while "Tsumiki-Asobi" by Shiina Ringo (Favorite. Song. Ever!) plays, I let my thoughts flow. Isn't this free writing, an important skill, an important technique in writing they teach you in school? I only have one day to make this entry, this piece of writing, work. I may stop to sharpen this increasingly dull pencil but why? My thoughts flow further....

"Should my revival be on WordPress or IntlWota?"

"How would my fanbase react to what I had planned?"

"Why am I writing next to my dinner plate, sitting on a desk in the computer room in my new home?"

"Should I stop? My hand hurts from writing with... OWWWW!"

Pause!

Continue.

"Reina is hogging the spotlight again! I know she's the ace but come on! Even the other leads had to share lines, you harpy!"

"Man, my blog is vacant."

"I doubt Pengie would host this blog; it's too... so not 'unchained.'"

Pause!

Continue.

    Is this what my blog is? 11 months of robotic reviews, pseudo-rants, batches, over-looked mini-essays, failures, and absenses? Do I want a blog that is a cheap parody of itself? I'm a random, "light" fan whose thoughts often simmer around in her head more so than on paper or cyberprint. Well, I'm only beginning the process and that is always the hardest part of it all, be it writing or blogging.

    It may or may not be more empty due to me currently being in college but I WANT MoniMete to last long. Now that I'm one month away from my biggest blogging achievement from being noticed by "International Wota" (even if I classify more or less as a casual fan than as a "wota." Then again, the mood and tone of the blog reflects that and it's always nice to hear from a different perspective).

    As I look at these white pages with their magenta lines and pink flowers, my dinner reacting to the air, the shining fuschia ribbon bookmark that looks like something Michishige gave to a charity, listening to Ringo-san sing "I really feel it too," I jot down my thoughts with little idea of the point of it all... or my point's already made.

    In the meantime, enjoy some pepper (I'll review it later, another time as the countdown continues)...

BTW Eat as many of the cookies from the cookie jar as you want because Henkka only had one ;). (Besides, I promised a "strawberry" for guessing the title to the previous post but meh *gives Henkka-san his promised gift*).

Morning Musume is going to cover "Pepper Keibu"?! This is going to be fun. How do I know? Simple:

• As we already know from "Morning Musume no Hyokkori Hyoutan-jima," the b-side to "Egao YES Nude," Berryz' "Dschingus Khan," W's early work, "LALALA Shiawase no Uta," and just about every concert performance and episode of "Berikyuu!"/"Uta Doki!" (even if some of the listed may or may not count as "covers" per se), H!P can do covers and they can do them good. How will Morning Musume are out with their second cover single? I see good fortune in the stars (speaking of stars, given its (the song's) significance, don't you dare bellyache about Takitty getting 70% of the lines (50% of that that 70% slice of the pie had better be shared with (if not, given to) Niigaki-san. If not, expect Gaki fans to riot and revolt).
• I may not have heard the original Pink Lady version but I fell in love with the song through GO!GO!7188's version. Those who have heard it know how kickin' awesome it is! I need not explain further.

ペッパー警部

GO!GO!7188

One other hope: Great costumes and a stellar PV. (Wait a minute! That's two! Meh, being a H!P fan takes a lot of patience and wishful thinking. Before I fall out of love with H!P for good, what are some good idol groups and other J-music artists? Been getting somewhat interested in AKB48 and I'm starting to like Shiina Ringo's work after having a taste. So, if you have any recommended J-idol/rock/indie acts, give me a shout out. Darnit, Kat! Stay focused!).

Back to our topic: I see good things on the horizon for Momusu's 37th. Go Musume! Kick butt! For the sake of a first impression, I've decided to withhold reading all blog posts related to this event (though I do admit I read Nakane's color-coded lyrics (those who read it know how... I won't spoil it for those who don't know) and Arashi's post but hopefully, I'll forget all of that by the time I post this).

In other news, Morning Musume's releasing a cover album of 70's song this November. (Why does this remind me of W's first album? Meh, it's not important). Supervised by Hiroshi Itsuki (whou would also appear on the album apparently, according to IW),

- Magi-Kat
<3

P.S. If you can figure out what the title of this post refers to, I'll give you a strawberry from the "strawberry fields" for "baby, you're a rich man"!

(BTW what's a good place to host a blog besides Vox?)

    In an age of blogs, comebacks, hiatuses, exterminations, scandals, rants, snark, and all sorts of things I can go on about, we experience a variety of subject matter and events in our lives as fans and as people. Of course, since they’re people too, our favorite stars, Eastern and Western, experience them too. As a person, I experience these twists in the plot of life. Will it continue? Yes. Will various bumps and pit stops along the road influence how we live our lives? Of course.

    This blog article, this entry is about that. Wait, scratch that, it’s actually about one of them: comebacks. Our cousin John coming back to family and society after being in rehab (ironically after he said “No, no, no!”). Our little sister Naomi coming back to America after studying abroad. Us coming back to work after debilitating illness. Comebacks are universal and never-ending.

    Which brings me to my comeback as a blogger. As you may or may not know, I have graduated from high school three days before v-u-den’s disbandment. Even before marching on that stage to “Pomp and Circumstance” played on a piano (read: keyboard), I have considered returning to my blog after I unconsciously abandoned it. With the support of my fans, along with anyone and everyone, I humbly thank you from the bottom of my heart.

    I had a lot of doubts about the direction my blog was taking but now I realize it was a case of emptiness, a deficiency of confidence as a blogger, and me being a perfectionist, especially at one… small… hobby…. People actually do this for a living and even if this is just a pet project on the side, I can’t abandon “Morning Meteora” (or “Magic Meteora” as it’s beginning to be called by some blogs. You can tell by the subtitle).

    Yes, I had uncertainties, I had things within and outside my own power and control that prevented me from being “Magi-Kat the Blogger” but the build-up of my feelings, the acknowledgement of my writing talent (I won awards for my writings), and knowing I’m appreciated is enough to make me want to “come back.” Thank you all for supporting me.

(I would like to also give a shout-out, albeit somewhat belated for him to notice, to Henkka for mentioning me in his blog. It made me bashful and honored to be named among other great bloggers (in fact, that's part of what led me to do this) and for someone as young as me, it says a lot so arigatou gozaimasu. Ganbare~!).

    Now that I have my comeback pretty much set up and known, it’s time to get into other comebacks as well.

• Goto Maki - the comeback of Maki Goto had officially come and for once, fan speculation really paid off! (In fact, it was on the dot). I have been only a recent “fan” of Gomaki and I was sad to she her leave. I mean, I love “Glass no Pumps” with a passion (who doesn’t?) and with her last album, her career with Avex can only go in one direction: upwards. Ganbare Gomaki! You have the pipes so go crack some glass in a good way! (Hey, you may even get me back into listening to Avex artists. I mean, among some of my first J-pop experiences was with hitomi and Ayumi Hamasaki).

• Tsuji Nozomi - Tsuji’s first post-pregnancy appearance was, albeit minor, like a dream come true. I was happy to hear about it when I first read it at Hell! Project. I was like, “Tsuji’s back in less than a year? She’s back? SHE’S BAAAAACK!” It was a bit odd to see her as “Nozomi Tsuji” and not just as “Nono” but it was worth it. She has grown up into a respectable woman. Sure, it wasn’t as crash-and-burn as her [possibly former] buddy Ai Kago but Nozomi has found life outside the idol light. Even if she is married with a kid and probably qualifies more as a talent than an idol, Nozomi Tsuji (along with Kago) will always be my #1 favorite Hello! Project member and I will support her no matter what. Even if we don’t see much of her, she will always remain my favorite (though I do admit I haven’t been rigorously checking Kago’s blog like a good fan should).

• Ogawa Makoto - Screw the Haromoni, we got Mako. (I doubt any of you would get that reference). Pardon the moment but let me get this off my chest first: Mako-cha~n! When I heard about her comeback on International Wota, I was excited! I… I… I… I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I looked forward to the Haromoni@ episode and while she didn’t really get to do much, it was nice to see her. (Besides, as a member of the Elder Club, she’s pretty much stock to UFA). Considering her high scores on those tests, she has a bright future ahead of her, maybe doing some translation work and possibly bridge the gap between English-speaking fans and H!P (but that’s just a fan’s speculation). I even imagined “Makoto Ogawa’s Surprise English Lessons”! (Trés impossible! C’est trés impossible, chacun). I look forward to your future, Makoto, and may great things come to you.

• Iida Kaori - Imagine my surprise. I mean, I always thought it’d be years before we’d hear from Kaori-san (if not, ever! Ditto to Nono). After all, didn’t she say it was her dream to be a happy mother? Well, dreams do come true after all. Good luck to her and Mini-Kenji. (However, I highly doubt her spectacularly unique “Euro-enka” releases are gonna continue, especially with the bia- er, preference towards the Wonderful Hearts by UFA. BTW happy [early] 27th, Kaorin!).

I’ve been away from this blog for so long that it’s probably forgotten (or is it?). I thank TLS’s survey for giving me a reason to post a new subject, along with Henkka’s comment for giving me the confidence to blog.

See, I’ve somewhat lost the want, the confidence to blog with how gimmicky the subject matter was becoming, along with how my blog appears to be “not as good” as the others covered on IW. My attempts at blogging for other subjects is proving somewhat difficult because there are so many to choose from. The fact my computer broke down  mid-May further made me away from the blogging board (the survey was posted from my mom’s computer). I mean, it was at the point I was making a post with the following paragraphs:

It’s time to sit down here again. April 23rd was the 6-month anniversary of the day “Morning Meteora” hit the cyber airwaves. I had a few things planned: a revised version of that disgraceful essay comparing Koharu Kusumi and Chester Bennington, a long essay about my past, or a list of things a la Pagoda. One idea was one asking “What’s wrong with Morning Meteora?” and “How I can improve as a blogger?”

How can I improve as a blogger? I may not have had the same “blogging fire” as I did back in late 2007 (most likely induced by school and the fact I grew new interests and somewhat moved away from H!P and Linkin Park) but part of me doesn’t want this blog to die so easily. This was such a great hobby for me and a good way for me to express my feelings and share them with those who share them. Isn’t that the point of blogging anyway?

However, while it’s nice to be back like my favorite idols (Mako-chan, Aibon, Kaorin, Tsuji-chan, Gomaki) and express my desires of writing on new subject matter, that’s not what this post is about (though I’d like to cover all of these comebacks and other current events at a later date). This post is about…

V-u-den_Fleur_de_Fleur

February 2008

Farewell, Biyuuden, for you have joined the cover crowd. No wonder nobody likes H!P anymore (save for the Gatas and the Hannah Montana of Morning Musume).

April 2008

V-u-den’s new song hits the airwaves and it’s rather good. It nearly brought tears to my eyes (and listening to “Leave Out All the Rest,” which will be Linkin Park’s next single, isn’t helping). Well… I wish I could write more about it but that’s for another entry. I will say this though: the b-side being solo songs for each member was a nice touch. Kudos to Tsunku, his posse, and UFA!

The covers looks heavenly also, though I’d think the regular edition would’ve been the purple cover (since the limited edition covers are supposed to be somewhat “better” and “more marketable” since they’ll be here for a short time). I mean, they look as though they could spread their wings and fly into Hello! Heaven. Either way, they look lovely.
The PV is a fine tribute to the friendship the group had (and yay! No “Jaja Uma Paradise Part 2”!). Sales were declining since their debut single and it brings great closure to the Biyuuden PV collection. The white background in one scene reminds me of the “Itoshiki Tomo e” PV from more than half a year ago. The scenes with them on the beach only amplify the sentiment of the single. (Either way, the PV and it being a better one than “Jaja Uma” was a dream come true)

• Rika Ishikawa would continue as a member of Ongaku Gatas, no doubt. Why should we even worry about that?

• Erika Miyoshi, originally selected to be in a “new unit,” goes into a solo career. Either that or: form a group with some people or 2. Form a group with Yui. Since the latter hasn’t materialized, it appears that Erika-chan will be a soloist.

• Yui Okada joins a unit of her fellow Eggs. Why am I also thinking of Yui going solo also? Can’t she go into modeling and let her assets do the talking? Then again, why waste someone like her? She has fans, a good appeal to wota. Knowing UFA, she’ll be put somewhere. As of now, however, it appears that she is a soloist like her former bandmates.

Let’s brighten up the future with the latest fruit to bloom in the Field of Berryz:

• A cool dance that I know fans will be dancing to. (If I can grow the guts to dance to an idol song, I would. I mean, I tried to dance to “Anataboshi” but I kept chickening out).
• A rockin’ song that is a reminiscent of their earlier releases.
• I knew it was going to have a silly side judging by the title itself. Personally, I’d never think I’ll like the song but I’ve proven myself wrong. I like this song even more than “Dschingus Khan” even!
• I heard a lot of praise for more even line distribution. Now, I’m not as familiar with the “voices” and the faces as much as other fans so I’ll take their word for it.
• I can sense that the lyrics, despite its silliness, has a “Go for it! Chance!” message. It’s just intuition and I’ll save it for when translations come out.
  

This was a survey that True Life Seek has put out there for bloggers to try called "Help a Blogger Out: A TLS Survey." I felt it was interesting so I gave it a shot.

It also made me think about the goals I had for "Morning Meteora" and what I had in mind for this space in the blogosphere, along with its place. For a long time, I was asking myself these questions: "What's wrong with Morning Meteora?" "How can I improve it?" I've been trying for ages to get these feelings, these inquiries into an entry but circumstances kept me from doing so. Now, I've decided to vent out these emotions into this survey since they made me go inside myself, become introverted about what I did, what I do, and what I will do.

Goals:

• Why do you blog?

I blogged to share my ideas. It started as a hobby out of a desire to start a blog, inspired by the many great blogs at IW. IroIro Aru Sa, HNPH, the big blogs, the ones we read the most and look up to the most.

• What long-term goals do you hope to accomplish, if any at all?

I've already achieved "Get noticed on International Wota" so I rarely have any "long-term" goals. Become a better blogger perhaps?

• Where does your blog fail to meet your goals?

It's too stagnant (it's mostly my fault for being "lazy" and pre-occupied with life atm), not to mention somewhat "closed." I want to expand my horizons and show that I'm more than "Hello! Project and Linkin Park." After all, "Morning Meteora" is just a name.

• If you do have goals, what will accomplishing them do for yourself?

It'll help me establish a sense of expansion and share my thoughts with fellow fans. Besides, isn't it good to keep your mind (and blogging palette) open?

• What do you want to gain out of blogging? A creative outlet? Praise from others? Personal satisfaction? Money?

Mostly personal satisfaction, a creative outlet, and praise from others. However, I've grown to accept that not everyone is going to like my blog (as we all have our detractors) so I'd might as well expect less praise.

• Do you feel that your blog should meet a requirement for amount of entries? Do you feel any particular entry should be a certain length?

One per day. If I make any more, I feel like I'm bombarding you. I want to space out my posts because everyone doesn't have as much free time as I do.

As for entries, if it's short like the one for Milky Way and Iida Kaori's baby boy, it's too short for me, too "drop of candy." Then again, it's good to have a variety of lengths to keep yourself flexible.

• For any particular entry, what motivates you to start and finish blog posts?

Any ideas that pop into my head and current events.

• Do you actively consider long term goals for each individual post?

Rarely. I've even stopped expecting every entry to be covered because, compared to other blogs, it's pretty low on the totem pole.

Subject Material:

• What do you blog about?

At first, it was about Hello! Project and Linkin Park (hence the name "Morning Meteora," stemming from H!P's flagship group and LP's second album). Right now, I'm considering making an entry about Polysics (because I love the song "Rocket" and it's high time I spotlighted my love for the group) and another about the various versions of "Computer Obaachan."

• Would you be keep a blog even if it wasn’t about the subjects you tend to cover?

Maybe, maybe not.

• Do you write about the material to promote it to others?

At times, yeah. The "Linkin Berryz" entry served the purpose of attempting to bridge the two worlds, along with the Chester Bennington Birthday post that took a look at H!P members born in his decade.

Readership:

• How much do you care about readership?

Used to care a lot but now I don't. I've come to realize that, while I need to advertise more, my blog may not be as popular as the blogs that inspired it.

• Does it satisfy you to know people are reading, even if they don’t comment?

Yeah. Blogs are meant to be read after all.

• What effect does receiving a comment have on you?

Gives me a sense of well-being. It makes me feel that someone is still supporting this blog.

• Do you write with a particular audience in mind or an unspecified general audience? Why?

At first, I tried to cater to the Hello! Project fan because H!P was something I truly knew about (even with the LP fanlove). The Linkin Park thing came later because I was showing to other people and they're more likely to know about Mike Shinoda than Miho Shinoda. Right now, I want to expand even beyond that because I'm more than just out-of-style idols and a rock band.

• If you write for a particular audience, is it International Wota? If yes, why?

At first, it was the International Wota crowd because it was the crowd that inspired my blogging. Now I realize that I may have fallen out of favor of the crowd with how out-there and rambling my posts tend to be. Plus, some of my most thought-out posts are ignored nowadays =P.

Community: (The International Wota section)

• If International Wota didn’t exist, would you blog?

IW was what led me to blogging in the first place so no.

• When IW covers an entry of yours, are you encouraged to blog more or less?

Yes, because it's exciting to know someone's reading and reviewing. However, after a while, I just wrote entries just so they can be covered (hence the decrease in quality).

• When IW does not cover an entry, are you encouraged to blog more or less?

Yes, because I had a hope that the next entry would be covered. Now I've come to the conclusion that I may never be covered on IW again. Would I still blog? Maybe (as soon as I get the motivation and inspiration).

• How often do you read other blogs?

I check IW every day but now I have little motivation to read every entry (partially due to current circumstances I'd rather not share).

• How often do you comment on other blogs?

Not much... I have little to say, despite being wowed by the words. Also, the pressure of commenting and the self-promotion sorta takes away from my motivation (even if the lack of comments is probably why I don't get that many comments on my own blog).

• If another blog covers a topic that you wanted or wished to cover, do you still blog about that specific topic? Why or why not?

Yes and no, because we share the same interest so there's a chance that we'd think the same thing. "Great minds think alike," ya know? At the same time, what's the point? It's covered.

Commitment:

• How serious is your attitude towards blogging? Do you consider it just as something to do for fun?

Half serious, half fun. I do want to put in more quality work into this quaint little blog.

• How often do you blog? How often would you like to blog?

In the beginning, very often. Why? Because I wanted it to be covered by International Wota and I wanted to see it covered more. Then, after a while, I grew lazy and somewhat mentally fatigued. The "attention" aspect of the blogging left me and when I tried to be more creative, my blog was left alone. Some of the etnries were rushed and the quality of my blog suffered because of it.

Now, I'll blog for as long as I can because I've just stopped caring about "attention" and "How fast can I get the scoop so I can be covered (read: ignored)?" somewhat (my blog is low on the totem pole, I want to make it better, and sitting around is not going to solve anything).

• What priorities do you or have you put aside in order to blog? Why?

Quality, creativity, presentation are the priorities I put in blogging.

What I put aside is my schoolwork but I try to blog when I have free time.

• Do you see yourself blogging in 6 months? Why or why not

Maybe, maybe not. Why? I have other commitments in my real life perpaining to my future and blogging is just a hobby, a side-project if you wish.

Personal:

• Would you say you blog for yourself?

In some ways, yeah. My thoughts, my feelings, myself is in this little blog. In all of my thoughts of abandoning it, I just couldn't because it's like a baby to me.

• What is your feeling after posting an entry? Is it relative to the time and effort you put in an entry?

I feel a sense of well-being, along with a bit of nervousness as to the reaction. Plus, in some of the lesser-quality ones, I feel somewhat ashamed at putting junk like that on my blog. As for stuff I put real thought into (like the French-laced review of "Seishun! LOVE Lunch") I feel a sense of happiness (though I was somewhat dismayed that my Linkin Berryz post wasn't covered. Then again, I don't think Morning Meteora's covered anymore anyway).

• What needs does blogging fulfill?

The sharing of ideas and feelings, getting the news out there and stuff like that.

• Do you consider yourself a writer?

Yes. I'm a bit more of an artist than a writer but writing is one of my talents.

• Do you consider yourself good at writing? Good at blogging?

Yes. In fact, I know I'm a good writer. I don't really consider myself good at blogging though. Sure, I've gotten better with time and experience but there are better bloggers out there to inspire me.

Or maybe... I've just lost the will to blog (blame school and the fact I have to spend more time getting ready for graduation and college than looking up idols).

• How much of your personal life do you share on your blog? If none, why do you leave this out?

No, because I really don't feel comfortable putting all of my business out there. Plus, it's a blog about my interests, not my life. As much as you know about me is my country of origin, gender, and that I'm in high school. That's it. Besides, it's good to leave an air of mystery.

So that's that. One thing though: If this survey replied gets covered, I'm going to laugh on the floor and smile because that's a miracle.

- Magi-Kat

Ayaka_1500

Anyway, Ayaka (and Mutou-san), you have lived your time in H!P and spent it with a smile. I dunno what kind of acting you want to go into (drama, movie, etc) but I wish you the best. Ganbare, Nagate Ayaka!

Same to you, Mutou Mika-chan. Ganbare~! (And you know it’s bad when the only bit of H!P you want to listen to is Kirarin Revolution stuff. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still a Musume person but I guess it’s beginning to wane on me as I discover new music. In that aspect, Koharu really was a miracle because, besides the 8th Gen and Takitty to a smaller extent, she’s the only person who I care about in the entire group!). That’s for a different entry since I seem to have a “rambling” problem. (You know what this means…).

(Possibly big post ahead)
Dreams do come true in Hello! Land. They all may not be in ways that we want (Kikkawa Yuu getting a larger role, a new soloist who isn’t involved in anime) but with a little magic and wishing, we can make it happen:

• Gocchin is back! Imagine my happiness at the news that Goto Maki has reopened her blog, presently staying in LA no less. Dance lessons? Vocal training? I smell a comeback. Well, after getting hooked on “Genshoku GAL wa Hade ni Yukube!” I guess I don’t really have a choice but to see how she’s doing.
  

• Tsunku is going to be a daddy! Personally, I am rather surprised he didn’t have any children until now at his age. Now to believe in a similar thing with Nakazawa (though part of me is telling me she’ll be a childless woman… even a spinster). I know one thing Tsunku will have that neither Iida, Tsuji, or Nakazawa won't: twins.

• Well, how this even might affect his songwriting is anyone’s question. Will we hear songs of happy praise or continue to write breakup and loneliness songs? While that’s the norm and what we want… we will never know. Hmm…

• Buono is getting a new single called “Kiss Kiss Kiss.” It’s not necessarily a dream come true since we were anticipating this after “Honto no Jibun” and “Renai Rider” single, along with their “Café Buono” album.

• Reina fans were delighted to hear the Queen is going to be a voice actress on a Sanrio anime. Now, will this mean an anime-oriented solo career a la Koharu? An anime unit a la Athena & Friends? We are not sure at the moment. (Although, the name of her character, “Kirara,” reminds me of her fellow bandmate, Kusumi Kirari. Plus, imo, she looks a bit like Nono to me).

• V-u-den’s new song hits the airwaves and it’s rather good. It nearly brought tears to my eyes (and listening to “Leave Out All the Rest,” which will be Linkin Park’s next single, isn’t helping). Well… I wish I could write more about it but that’s for another entry. I will say this though: the b-side being solo songs for each member was a nice touch. Kudos to Tsunku, his posse, and UFA!

• More Eggs get the spotlight as Happy! Style takes the stage in a recent announcement. Lead by Ongaku Gata Noto Arisa (or “Nocchi” to her fans and wota), the group also features the members of Hello! Project Kansai alongside Aoi and Yui (rookie trainees). It is unknown whether they’ll be part of H!P or TNX but they are a part of “Up-Front Style.”

• One final dream I’ll mention is Milky Way’s “Anataboshi.” You have no idea how addictive this song is. I mean, it’s like they made this song to my particular taste (I’m a nut for international sounds). While in other blogs, I’ve seen favorable reviews towards Sayaka, I’m actually a fan of all three. (Then again, I’m not as familiar with [most of] the Eggs than some of you are, though I have some minor favorites). As soon as the single comes out, I… must… have it! (It’s the J-pop equivalent of moondust-sprinkled cupcakes with lemonade under a starry night).
  Anataboshi (PV) Milky Way

• I recently took that Musume quiz and here’s my result:
  

  Niigaki

• Took yet another quiz and it turns out the Musume I’m most like is… Ai Takahashi. Now that is a big surprise. Then again, I put most questions in the “middle” sections of the priority bar. Plus, Takitty is my third favorite Musume (after Mittsi and Kussun). The other Musume I'm supposedly like are:
  

• God Save the Queen! Speaking of going solo, while listening to music the other day, I thought of Reina as a soloist. What style of music could she go for? (Hopefully something not boring like Yuko-san’s “Danna-sama”). Well, I never really could get into that Kira Fuyu song she sang (it was too sweet for me) and I feel that style is just… too “shiny shiny girl” for me. Then again, I’m no Reina expert. Her Kirara role, if we’re lucky, would see us some solo releases (but they’d be “Kira Fuyu” songs most likely!).

• After the 9th Gen auditions, if Tanaka-san doesn’t go solo, Takitty will. A graduation at this point is hazardous to the health of Morning Musume since, as “Resonant Blue” proved, she and Tanakacchi are the “faces” of Musume nowadays (Koharu is also a front but only because of Kira☆Revo). With the 9th Gen auditions, if they select more than one person (2-4 is fine) and at least one great singer, either one of the present “aces” are cleared for graduation. (They can go soloist, form a unit, or leave H!P to pursue other opportunities. Heck, they might even join the other Musume in in the Japanese population!).

• *crosses fingers on more Eggs debuting in groups* I know that’s a possibility but it doesn’t hurt to dream. Hey, I hoped Kikkawa Yuu gets a second chance since she’s popular with the fans and lookie what we have here! Milky Way! After Milky Way, hopefully, Kikkawa-san gets put into a group or, better yet, a solo career (what’s with me and solo artists?).

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• Rob Bourdon was born in the same year as Miyoshi, Maeda, and Michiyo but his birthday was in earlier (January 20), making him older than all three.

• Brad “Big Bad Brad” Delson was born in 1977, along with Azusa and Miwa. He is younger than them since his birthday is December 1.

• Dave “Phoenix” Farrell was also born in 1977 but with a birthday of February 8, he is younger than Azusa while older than Miwa.

• Joe Hahn is another ‘77 baby. He is younger than all of the mentioned members with a birthday of March 15 (three days before Cake Day).

• Mike Shinoda was (of course) born in the same year that popped up, his birthday being February 11. He is younger than Azusa while older than Brad, Dave, Joe, and Miwa.

You know… while I like this song very much (and heard so much praise from the International Wota comminuty at large), I’m somewhat disappointed at what I find. Don’t get me wrong - “Resonant Blue” is a grr-reat single Well,  I don’t really feel like pinpointing everything:
Pros

• I didn’t recognize you, Kussun! You’ve improved so much from the last time we saw you (and the last time those Kirari songs somewhat strain your voice). Then again, someone at YouTube said your voice in this song was edited (which I’m not afraid to believe somewhat since I heard your solo in “HOW DO YOU LIKE JAPAN?” on the Bon Kyu Bon Kyu Bomb Tour).

• Love the background the “blue” theme.  Whoever said this song was one of the more “cool” ones was spot-on (the ice at the bottom did/did not exactly help the case also).

• The dance on the break. Sexy, snaky, seductive-y, *insert -y adjective here*.

• Major bonus points for the fashion - kakkoii desu ne~! (Sure, let the lead singers be identified with their outfits as well ;P).

• If you didn’t like Takitty and/or Reina, you might not like the song since it’s basically “GAR & Takatanattsu (featuring Tsukishima Kirari).” I personally thought the lines were distributed more evenly but looking at the PV, I saw the truth. I don’t know what kind of ears I had XP. (OMG! I forgot Niigaki had gotten a line or two. Well, with TakaTanaka hogging handling most of the lines).

• I was somewhat bored throughout the PV - it was almost like one big dance shot.

• Just because we have a closer view on the dancing Musume doesn’t mean that it’s a “close-up.” Well, a “close-up” in the truest/most common sense of the word.

• Sayumi’s “HELP ME!” at the end reminds me of “Shabondama.” (Others have spoken on that so...).
  

I’m sure you’ve heard the Resonant Blue preview. I must say this is my kind of song and it’s almost exactly like the kind of song I wanted the Musume Team to release.
If you’re a fan of Reina and/or Ai (I don’t even consider Koharu as a “lead” because all she does is say “Help me.” I’m sorry, Kussun but that’s the truth. Watched the PV again. You have some lines but you‘re still a guest singer. Wait… for some reason, after the third or fourth listen, you sound like Michishige! Either that guy was right about your voice being edited or UFA is unfairly having Koharu take credit for Sayumi’s lines! Let the former be true, please).

The night’s become hot and groovy, baby so let’s groove tonight!
You mean “steaming cold,” Magi-Kat, “steaming cold.” Don’t forget the ice that Morning Musume’s GAR & Takatanattsu featuring Tsukishima Kirari’s hotness (at least either in the mind of the wota or the wota themselves) have melted, leaving a little space for them to dance.

I actually don’t mind the single being pushed back because it doesn’t need to compete with their Hello! Project Kid Rivals. Berryz and C-ute already have releases that are guaranteed to battle each other for #1 position like shark fetuses in their mother’s womb (even if the Melons’ juicy new single is about the only “cool” musical release this month).
Yup, GAR & Takatanattsu featuring Tsukishima Kirari don’t need to compete with the Hello Kiddies - as popular GAR is, they’ll do just fine.

Time to check it off!
Now, a few questions and hopes to hopefully resonate in the heads of the Powers That be (which I doubt with UFA since it’s all about face, wota/sex appeal, and the Yen-jamins, baby) and not leave me blue (doesn’t hurt to be hopeful):

• Let the PV be kick-butt awesome! (At first, due to the “Egao” comparisons, I imagined a vid like that. Now, I imagine a sexy nightclub/nighttime city PV). Don’t get me wrong - the PV kicks major derriere (though I do admit that the slight lack of varied shots made it a bit bland). It’s just that it left me somewhat cold and blue (no pun intended). The focus on GAR made me somewhat let down (I wanted more 8th Gen since I was getting more into them and I don’t mind the minimal role Kussun plays also).

• Have the outfits in the album cover be consistent (even if some PV outfits appear deep In the album liner). (TBD)

• Have it go #1 in the Oricon charts (or within the Top 5). (TBD)

It’s antics like this that makes people want to GTFO of the Hello! Project fandom but something makes me want to stay (like being optimistic about 8th Gen and the overall future of GAR & Takata- er, Morning Musume and the rest of H!P). (For some reason, after watching this PV, I was like “Takahashi, graduate already! You too, Tanaka!” Don’t ask me why. Maybe either can have a solo career or take my “form a unit” advice -like they follow through with what fans wish-. Maybe they can do it after the 9th Gen come or whenever Lovely and the Queen feel like leaving their background singers/dancers behind).