2 posts tagged “v-u-den”

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…

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).

I mean, seriously, I don’t even like the song they’re covering but now I’ll force myself to like it for Biyuuden’s sake. I was expecting a single that closes the great (to the fans and the jerk-off wota) Biyuuden catalog but instead, it’s an ode to Rika’s Musume days. I guess it won’t be that bad after all. Goodbye, Biyuuden, goodbye. Reminds me of a Spice Girls song but I’ll get to that when they’re disbanding. (I just hope that the PV isn’t as bad as for “Jaja Uma Paradise,” which I doubt considering Biyuuden’s “Some Boys’ Shrew in Touch ‘n Catch Screw Paradise” image). *Loses points for the lame Maki Goto reference*.

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)

Now, I wish Biyuuden the very best and this was the perfect ending song. May seem cheap but it’s the thought that counts (and indeed, it has the same sentiment). Now… let’s try to speculate the futures for the legends:

• 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.

Well, farewell fellow graduates (I graduated from high school three days ago so I often consider myself "graduating" alongside these three). Let’s go towards the future!

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

Kawaii, silly, very Berryz-ish, it’s just a good song! Why?

• 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.
  

Now that the Berryz have lightened things up a bit, I’ll be signing out now!

(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?).