Magi-Kat presents "Morning Meteora"

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

Since we’re on the topic of “dreams,” let’s talk about other dreams.

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

  Niigaki

Might explain why I’m slowly getting into this girl. Nii Nii has a recognizable face but I wasn’t really into her (and I didn’t get a “favorite Musume” until Kusumi joined and starting twinkling like a moon island).

• 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?).

• 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).

Cons

• 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.

Other

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

Now, let me go back to when it was just a radio rip, okay? read more

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)

Of course, the single covers and (of course) the single hasn’t come out so I can’t exactly say for sure right now. However, I will keep track and pay attention. Now that the PV is out (and I’ve seen it), it’s only a matter of time before the covers come out so please, UFA, you’re starting off smooth but still rocky. Don’t spoil it for the Musume (I also hope the b-side has more even line distribution. If they wanted a unit made up of Ai and Reina, they should just get off of their butts and make one instead of shafting, like the other six members!).

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).

Special thanks to Radicalipton in advance for the inspiration of this entry’s topic:

Speaking of Linkin Park, you might want to check out Chinamist's fine remixes on YouTube (formerly of the extinct but excellent Stage6 site), in which he interfaces Linkin Park songs (3 to be exact) with Berryz Kobo PV footage. Crazy? Yes, but it really works!

I decided to check out the videos (turns out there’s actually five Hello! Park videos instead of three but how was Big Bad Rad supposed to know? Only the Berryz had straightforward names and you’d have to be a LP fan to know that the two C-ute videos were of the same caliber as well).

First vid
Video Name: C-ute A Peace of My Head
Hello Kiddie Group: C-ute
Linkin Park Song: “A Place for My Head” from Hybrid Theory (2000)
My Two Cents: Putting aside obvious errors in the name, this is an example of the footage blends about almost exactly to the song. For example, the first few seconds blend almost as though they were made to “A Place for My Head” (considering it wasn’t released as a single). While the “You tried to take the best me. Go away” part was a little questionable (the first few seconds was rather energetic, unless you consider the rhythm of Chester’s vocals. When he starts screaming and the music goes on again, the dancing becomes slow but again, it’s okay if you consider the constant flow of the music). I also likes the small breaks near the end. The choreography provides a nice fusion of rock and little idol kids.

It was also interesting to see Cuties “rapping” and “singing”/“screaming” Mike and Chester’s respective parts (I think it was Saki was appeared to be doing Mike’s lines for the most part, though she also “does” Chester’s lines at some parts. Maimi also joins in some parts).

One additional little highlight from me is Maimi in the beginning. There are no words spoken in the beginning so the vid (the footage provided for said part) gives the impression that she is imitating the bass.

One last thing from me is that the lyrics, when put into the perspective of the Hello! Project, could be descriptive of the feelings of the harshness of the idol industry and the fans/wotas involved from the idol’s point of view (i.e. Maki Goto).

Second vid
Video Name: C-ute What I've Done
Hello Kiddie Group: C-ute
Linkin Park Song: “What I’ve Done” from Minutes to Midnight (2007)
My Two Cents:  This little vid incorporates not only concert footage but also behind the scenes footage and clips from the “Tokaikko Junjou” PV as well, making it a well-rounded piece.

The black-and-white outtakes show their funny side, adding some sentimentality to the work. It was like watching an episode of LPTV (think the backstage footage you see on Single Vs), only with C-ute.

Now comes my little critique of the PV footage used. Chinamist was right to use “Tokaikko Junjou” for the mood and the setting blends well with the LP, almost like watching a C-ute cover of “What I’ve Done” (you’d have to often remind yourself that it’s not -it would be considered an OPV-). For example, when Chisato bounces the baseball, showing her hand at “…with the hands of uncertainty” and when Maimi takes the baseball and chucks it towards a river, almost symbolic of the song’s “moving on from the past” message. The choreography also fit with the song (I’ve overused this phrase. I apologize).

I also admire the ending, also using the “Tokaikko Junjou” PV, with a closeup of the face and then fading into a background.
When put into Hello! Perpsective: The song itself is about accepting your faults and moving on with the past (duh. I said that before). We can interpret this as C-ute moving on from their past as background dancers and “indies” singers into a future as full-fledged idols, competing against “oneesan” Berryz and “oneesama” Morning Musume. Then again, this “accept what’s yesterday, move on with tomorrow” attitude can be applied to any Haropro group or any music act in the world (like the Mikan Controversy and the present issue with “LALALA”).

First vid for the Berryz.
Video Name: Linkin Berryz Part1
Hello Kiddie Group: Berryz Koubou
Linkin Park Song: “Numb” from Meteora (2003)
My Two Cents: Using slowed-down footage from a Haromoni@ (that is where it’s from, right?) performance of the Berryz Single Everyone Hates Nowadays (aka “Tsukiatteru no ni Kataomoi”), this Meteora gem of a closer (it’s the last song on the album) is Berryfied in the best way possible. Choreography and timing praise is abound.
When put into Hello! Perpsective: The song talks about the strain coming from the pressure to live up to someone’s standards. We’ve seen it all before in our lives as wota - idols “letting us down” when they “do something wrong” or out of what we’d expect them to be. Some wota even believe that an idol should stay within what we think of them forever. It could be a message from the idol to the wota (and idol management because they play a role too) about this issue.

Second for the Berryz.
Video Name: [Linkin Berryz] Part2
Hello Kiddie Group: Berryz Koubou
Linkin Park Song: “Breaking the Habit” from Meteora (2003)
My Two Cents: The Dance Shot version of the “Tsukiatteru no ni Kataomoi” PV is the primary source of footage for this OPV. However, unlike the slowed-down live performance, this is sped-up.

The blending of Hello! Choreography and Linkin Lyrics are practically spot on (much like “Cutie Park”’s “A Place for My Head”). In fact, this is probably the video that has the most precise timing of the Berryz with the Linkin (except with the ending; I think it should have been slower. Although, that’s going with the music. If you go with the sound effects and whatnot, you can say they’re on-key. Plus, the ending effect certainly makes up for it.

(BTW this was my first Linkin Park song).
When put into Hello! Perpsective: The name of the song says it all - breaking a bad habit that tears you life apart from limb to limb. When Mike Shinoda wrote this song, it was dedicated to a friend of his who was terribly addicted to drugs yet was unable to quit. While the Hello! Project at large aren’t for the most part drug junkies (then again, we have smokers and leg-spreaders within H!P, along with blogger-made accusations of Kusumi Koharu -and even Tsunku- being on drugs), the “break a bad habit” theme can be seen within idol culture. One example is the scandals (Aibon anyone?). In fact… we all have bad habits that we wish to break, don’t we? I’m sure that our idols have some too under those smiles and smirks.

Third for the Berryz.
Video Name: Linkin Berryz Part3
Hello Kiddie Group: Berryz Koubou
Linkin Park Song: “Faint” from Meteora (2003)
My Two Cents: Like Part 2, the Dance Shot version of the “Tsukiatteru no ni Kataomoi” PV is the primary source of footage for this OPV. However, unlike its predecessor, it’s at normal speed.

It’s like the Berryz are getting accurately timed videos (not that C-ute has off videos - they’re pretty good) because it’s almost like the dance was designed for this song! (Okay, there’s an obvious effect near the end but still). I don’t really have anything to highlight other than it being 100% “Linkin Berryz.” (If Chinamist was practicing his transitions and his timing in the other vids, I’d say he has gotten it down pact with this one. Five stars! Two thumbs up! Two “rock on” horns up as well!).
When put into Hello! Perpsective: The lyrics suggest a want (or need) to be noticed after circumstances and that attention will be given, “like or not.” Another expression of the idol and their life, their circumstances, their “need for attention” to not only the wota and the idol management but also the world at large. The song also expresses a need for whoever they’re talking to “don’t turn their back on them” for “they won’t be ignored.”

This makes a nice finale to the series (along it being one of my favorite Linkin Park songs).

Now, the videos overall were pretty well-done imho. While in some videos, things were a little off, Chinamist provided a fascinating bridge between the alternativeness that is Linkin Park and the idolicious goodness that is the Hello! Project (using the Kiddies as examples). Also in Chinamist’s channel are videos featuring Buono! and Lucky Star (along with more Berryz and C-ute videos) combined with a variety of artists like TM Revolution, Judy & Mary, and even those guys who did “YATTA!” so feel free to check it out.

    On March 3, 2008, the music video for Linkin Park’s newest single, “Given Up,” premiered exclusively at the Linkin Park Network (LPN) widget at their website at 4PM Pacific Standard Time (7pm where I am, midnight GMT). One day later, on March 4, the new video was added to the band’s YouTube channel (linkinparktv) for all Internet viewers to see. (The “Given Up” single was released in January 2008 in Malaysia, digitally in the United Kingdom on February 17, and worldwide on March 3. It is the second track and fourth single from the album “Minutes to Midnight,” the eighteenth single overall for the band). The music video was a live video (somewhat like Melon Kinenbi’s “Charisma Kirei” PV), created using footage from concerts held at the MEN Arena and the O2 Arena in the United Kingdom. The video also features some stock footage (somewhat like the album’s first single, “What I’ve Done,” famous for its use in the Transformers movie),  most to all of which has been accused by fans of having subliminal messages if one reads between the lines. (Among the extra clips were pieces of previous Linkin Park videos like “Breaking the Habit.”

    Now for my two cents: “Given Up” is one of my favorite songs from the new LP album so it was natural for me to be happy when it was announced as a single (even if it was erroneously announced after “What I’ve Done”). This is pure LP rock and a good bridge between the “old” Linkin Park and the “new” Linkin Park (and another reason to praise Chester and his vocal control skills - he held a screaming for seventeen seconds. Beat that, Koharu! Beat that, Sayumi! Heck, beat that, Reina!). As shown on LPTV, the distinctive sound effect in the song was produced by jingling Brad Delson’s (“Big Bad Brad” among us LP fans) car keys while Mike Shinoda claps his hands (distinctive, indeed). This song also breaks a certain convention with Linkin Park (the utterance of a profane word, the “F” word in this case), which’ll make it interesting for radio airplay (xD).
    The video was pretty good. I was sorta bummed when I found out it was a live video but I mellowed down to it. After using my imagination to  think up a possible video scenario (I planned to draw a storyboard of it but I didn’t get to). Now that the video is out, I can see how close I came (I barely came close). According to Mike, the song is “pretty punk rock” and the video should reflect a “do-it-yourself” sort of feel. Well, it certainly does look homemade (and it wasn’t me when I had a “Cloverfield” vibe while watching the first time. You’ll see what I mean). I basically enjoyed the video for the most part and I hope you will too. (BTW, if you still want to see the movie I had referenced, click that link at your own risk. Don't say I didn't warn you! =/).

Help! I need somebody. Help! Not just anybody. Help! I need Morning Musume’s new song! Help!

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. Let my comments on others’ blog epitomize how I feel:

Morning Musume never failed to disappoint me and I have a good vibe about “Resonant Blue.” Let’s hope for Oricon success! (Genki!Musume)

May this song resonate in my soul for all time. I had some doubts but now that I’ve heard the song, it’s groovy!

Let’s hope this single sells better than Mikan *crosses fingers*. (LOVE Tantei)

I’ve heard comparisons to “Egao YES Nude” (which took me a while to get into), “Summer Night Town” (which was okay), “Narihajimeta Koi no BELL” (I may need to listen to it more to get into the song), “Anata Nashi de wa Ikite Yukenai” (only in the beginning), but I feel it’s good by its own merits. The night’s become hot and groovy, baby so let’s groove tonight! (Crud… I’m not helping much since CJ compared the sound a bit to P-Funk, which is wicked cool. I have also heard some less-than-pleased comments pertaining to the song, saying its "semi-hip hop" (feel free to show me because I don't see it) sound is "shocking" and makes them sound like a "wannabe SPEED."

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). I mean, “Dschinghis Khan” has conquered hearts and world and C-ute’s just LALALA-ing away so Godspeed to the wota.

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).

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

• Have it go #1 in the Oricon charts (or within the Top 5. Knowing "cool" and "sexy" songs like this, there's a high possibility).

If any of the three are fulfilled (mainly the first and third. The second is a secondary thing), I’ll be a happy Magi-Kat and I’ll feel less guilty about not jumping on the "Sugaya & Friends" and "Airi & Company" bandwagon (as much as I liked DK and LALALA). This is also helping me get over my slight disappointment at Milky Way (as much as I like Koharu and the fact more Eggs are getting exposure, I was really hoping it was a regular H!