35 posts tagged “morning musume”

Hi again!

I'm trying to get lots of blog posts in here and on IW as Thanksgiving break's finally given me the chance to do so.

I heard Lady Marmalade on the radio yesterday, and I looked up the music video. Then it hit me. Why shouldn't Morning Musume cover it? There's no reason not to, so why should they do it? I'll explain here.

 

3. They've already done a cover song, and this one is more of a contemporary AND a disco hit.

Sure, sure. They've done a cover album, a cover version of a Japanese pop hit, and I think they've covered enough other songs to last a carrer on TV, but this would be a cover that they hadn't done: a cover of a cover that was a HUGE hit worldwide, and won a grammy. By covering Lady Marmalade, they could not only get more Japanese fans, but it's highly likely that they'll get more publicity in other countries too, even it's only just a small 20-second segment on the news or a 2-sentence mention on an entertainment blog. Any publicity of any amount is good publicity, right? Considering how popular this song is, a Japanese cover could also boost sales for the single in Japan.

 

2. The musical style is something new for Morning Musume, and it could lead to a new type of music for them

Morning Musume hasn't really done anything truly sexy music-wise. Sure, they do put out suggestive photobooks, and they often don't wear more than miniskirts or short-shorts on the bottom, and some of those dance moves... But, something that's mature and sexy anyway you put it, like Lady Marmalade might help them get into the sexy music. Because Kimagure Princess was a really sad attempt at trying to look sexy. They have to learn that you can't just say you're sexy and think that it will work. You have to dress in what looks like corsets and short-shorts, look the part of sexy, and sing sexily. They've already got the sexy look down from photobooks, so why can't they get a chance to master the art of singing sexily. It's not like their youngest member isn't almost 17. They're old enough to handle that sexy music, so give it to them.

1. The Fan-Factor

Oh, come on. What wota of the male gender wouldn't want to see their favorite Musume singing what essentially means: "Why don't you come sleep with me tonight?" And the wotas would probably be intensely happy with the whole "I'm sexy" act that actually worked. Also, AKB's strategy of getting their girls dressed up in what would normally be called accessorized underwear has been working very well. Hello Morning Musume, you only have one girl under 18 now... Also, I'm sure that the female fans can appreciate Momusu doing a cover of a song sung by one of the biggest tween sensations of the '90's.  There's also an Takahashi Ai and Linlin to belt, which I'm sure all fans and non-fans of Momusu can appreciate thoroughly.

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-Midori

Hello!

This post will be quick since I'm more excited to post the costume review!!!

Kimagure Princess

First, the song is really interesting. Sure, it may go along with the typical H!P song formula, but it still sounds really interesting with all the mixing. I would've liked a more mature sound, but considering that it's Koha's last single, well, you kinda have to go all out and crazy. I still like the song, and it still gets stuck in my head occasionally, but it's not anything special like Nanchatte Renai was.

The PV is one of those PVs that makes me go nuts. I mean, they just sold more copies than they did before Resonant Blue and all we get is this crap?!?! I mean, Mikan sold half of what Nanchatte sold, and we get this? There's no princesses, just maybe cowboy pop stars. Hopefully, this will also be like Resonant Blue, where the original PV was crap, and then the second one that was released was, well, awesome. They said that there will be another PV for this, so hopefully we'll see some princesses, or at least girly girls looking whimsical, 'cause that's what "Kimagure Princess" means.

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-Midori

Hello!

I know I haven't done much of anything lately, blogging-wise, but I'm getting back into the swing of things, so the pace will pick up again soon!

As for this post, well, I can say I love what's going on here with the photo shoot outfits, but as for the other girls...

WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!?!

Seriously, though, what is this? ManoEri looks like she's wearing some type of tribal headdress made out of big bird, while Risako has managed to capture a giant bluebird and turn it into some sort of weird sun bonnet. The fake, shiny flowers that the girls are wearing as belt-type things look terrible, particularly on Risako's, where they make the dress look less flattering then it already was. The tacky fabric doesn't help this look one bit, in fact, in my opinion, the color and pattern of the fabric is the worst part. It just looks bad.

Now onto the good stuff...

The dresses and the acessories look great! They seem to have been chosen to fit each girl well, and to show off the best parts of their bodies, mainly their legs. The color also looks very appropriate with their more mature image, and I must say, they really pull the color off much better than any other. Some of the fluffy bracelets are a little overboard, but they're hard to notice when you're looking at how well the girls look otherwise. The dresses and shoes are also all in fashion, which should draw the attention of people looking for a fashionable idol group, unlike ones that have girls in bikinis or bizarre costumes all over them.

The only problem with this picture is some of the hairstyles. Did Risa really need to put her hair in a hairstyle that contradicts the mature image of the dress? How big can Koharu's poof get? Was Aika attacked by a bear shortly before the shoot? And most importantly, will Junjun's hair get her back to the '80's?

Now, these are some outfits I love. they may be kinda skimpy because they're from a gravure magazine, but they still look amazing on the girls. While Sayu's hair could be less foofy, and her shirt makes her boobs look non-existant, the cute but sexy look is totally Sayu. I could see her wearing this normally because of it's mature yet cute look, something that Sayu seems to fit. She's cute, like the style, but she can pull of the short skirt with the high socks, that so many see as sexy. Ai's garter and high socks draw your attention to her great dancer's legs. The short-shorts along with the long top make the look more of a mature style than Sayu's when paired with the black and white color. The top of the dress works well with her bust, and while it makes her chest look smaller, it still draws attention to that area, which in a gravure magazine is probably a good thing. Her hair also looks very natural, which adds to the mature and sexy look. Junjun's dress may not be fancy or overly-acessorized, but she still rocks the look. The color looks really good on her, and the fit of the outfit and the fishnets really empasizes those legs. The lace on the top is a very good way to add something to the ensemble that makes it sexier. Her hair, like Ai's is casual and natural, which looks great for the image they've gone for with her. With no earrings and natural make-up like the rest of the girls, she looks like she's going for the clothing imitating lengerie look here, which I'd assume is the aim, since it's a gravure magazine.

Since two out of three of these girls aren't yet adults, they seem to have gone for a less lengerie look with them. Koharu looks like she's in the process of getting dressed. She has her hair up, albiet messily, and her nylons aren't completely brought up. Her tie's untied with the vest, which looks great on her. Her green cami along with the purple suspender shorts with the straps not up yet may create a look of her not being fully ready to go out yet. This whole look almost makes it look like she hasn't even decided what to wear yet, but her state of being only sort-of dressed is probably what makes this outfit seem sexy. Reina's red and black dress is already sexy by the colors. Red and black are the colors for most old tango dresses, and tango's considered a very sexy dance. The black belt, lace, and nylons also make it seem like a short little nightgown. The belt and bows around her chest make it look bigger, which is probably a good thing in this type of photo shoot. Aika's little one-piece makes her look a little younger, and not as sexy, but I have no problem with that. She's younger than me, so I think that it's kinda weird to call her sexy. Her nylons draw your eyes straight to her legs, which most wotas would probably drool at. Her tie-shaped necklace and the black ruffled tank-top make this look slightly more dressy, but not too much so. Her messy hair makes this look a lot like they're going for the sexy loungewear look, which makes it work.

This seems like it's going back into the closer to lengerie than clothes area. Linlin's whole ensemble really embodies this look. Her nylons with the lacy tops look like something that would be found in a Victoria's Secret, and those short-shorts barely peaking out under the longer but still short top makes this look like a really itty-bitty nightgown. The way that the polkadot fabric all meets right in the middle of her chest really draws your eyes there, and where it meets with the lacy nylons at the bottoms draws the same effect. The whole look really makes Linlin look great, but I still feel like it's too much like underwear. Risa and Eri's looks are more like clothes. Their nylons make sense with the outfit even as an everyday outfit. The short-shorts and miniskirt look great, and they could be worn as normal clothes. The tops are even more normal, and while they do have lace, the lace is just an add-on, it doesn't make it look like lengerie. Their hair is also put together and done up like they'd have it in a normal photoshoot, so that doesn't even fit the image. They still fit in, just not as well as those who have the almost-lengerie look down, like Linlin or Reina.

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-Midori

Hello!

I'm Ba~ack!

The entire time I was gone, I was worried that Momusu's line-up would change. I don't know why, but this has been a Morning Musume line-up that I don't want to see change. The girls are older, and Koha's voice still annoys me, so I wonder why I don't want it to change...

These are some of the things I've really been thinking that I really like about how MM is now.

5. The Line-up just works-

Auditions are the kind of thing that Morning Musume is famous for, but with how these 9 girls seem to work together so well, and how great they look on stage, I really don't feel that there's room for a new member. Somehow, I'm scared that if a new member is put into Momusu, the group's chemistry will be thrown off. They really just shine on stage, and with them being together for... 3 years now, they have learned how to blend their voices well and what choreography on stage really works well with the line-up. The girls can also play off of each other's energy really well during concerts, which makes the concerts even more fun.

 

 

4. The Music-

I think Tsunku has also found just the type of music that this group can pull off, a mature yet cool sound. I'm worried that since their sales have been raising with this cooler sound, that they might go back to the declining sales if they go back to the bubblegum pop. Usually the time that they go back to this sound is when they have an audition, because they usually get younger girls who don't quite fit that mature image. The girls we have right now fit that image to a "T", except maybe Sayu and Koha when they are trying to be cutesy. Even the youngest, Aika is 1/2 a year from being 17, and all of the girls really seem to act more mature than the Musumes in the past.

 

3. The Changes-

Instead of Morning Musume staying with that pop that obviously wasn't working, they've really changed their strategy. They've really been working harder, and trying for those sales. It's great to see the girls working more in the public eye instead of just seemingly waiting for the sales to come in. I love seeing each girl working for it, which really does help the sales. Also, they've recently been reaching out to more than just fanclub members and those who have bought the CD to promote. They haven't only gone to AX in america, but they've also done more promoting accross asia than any line-up previously has done anywhere. I really like that they're trying to get new fans, not just keep the old ones. It seems not only to be helping sales, but also to be helping their public image.

 

2. The Break-off From the Past-

One of the changes I like is that the group as a whole isn't hanging onto it's past, it's moving forward. While they did just do a performance with the OG on Music Station, to me, it seemed more like a celebration of the 40th single than it seemed to be an attempt to go back to the glory days. Now that the Elders Club has left, it makes me feel more and more like this was a plan to get Momusu out of their past. They seem to be doing less of the old songs at concerts, and they've really been trying to stray from the cutesy-pop idol image that they've been weighed down by in the past. I think they've finally realized that the way to survive in the Jpop market these days is to be cool and mature, and that sticking to being cute idols will do nothing for them. It's nice that they still do some of it for the wota, many of whom like that kind of stuff, but they've been transitioning to something that will work better than their old, pure image.

 

1. Ai Takahashi-

While I know that some people don't like Ai very much, you can't say she hasn't done something for the group. It seems that she's led the group through some tough times, and with sales heading back up, there has to be something going on. She's also spearheaded the group's transition to a more mature sound with her image of maturity. She's also been one of the most consistant performers vocally and in her dancing. She's also a great leader for the group because of how involved she is in it. She's great on stage, and on the backstage stuff, she always strikes me to be a great leader. She's also learned from the best: Iida Kaori. Kaorin was no doubt a great leader for the group, and Ai joined right around the time that she became the group's leader. Also, now that she and Risa are the longest-serving members of the group, she probably knows a lot about how the group works and how she as the leader can improve it. I really wouldn't have it any other way. The group would just seem weird without her.

 

Ai in a long dress

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That's it for today!

-Midori

Hello!

There's lots of news on the H!P front!

First, the OPV contest. I'm really happy that they're letting the fans have a fun time working on something for the girls!

Here are a few examples besides the one at Hello!Blog.

 

 

 

Also, Mittsui's out for a few weeks for foot surgery!

I wish her luck. She's had a little trouble every spring she's been in Momusu! Hope she gets better soon!

 

She needs to get surgery to repair the cartilidge on her foot, because of it being detached at the toe. Too much dancing? They need to pay more attention to her health, being the youngest member of the group. Now I can see why they've been keeping her in the lower heels than everyone else lately. It probably would be better for her to stay in the lower heels.

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-Midori

Hello!

I won't be doing a review of Morning Musume's new PV, because it's just so awesome, so I'll post it here, and from my Buono! PV review, I hope you can know what I think about it.

 

 

1. Ame no Furanai Hoshi de wa Aisenai Darou?- This song just illustrated why the new H!P is so different from the old H!P. The newer girls sounded okay, but the second that the Elder Club started singing, it was appearent how much better singer singers they are. Their tone and their showmanship is amazing! The little dance that the eggs started off with was kinda cool, but essentially pointless. The camera work in this concert is just amazing! I love how they actually made an effort to get as many of the girls in close-up shots as possible, and the panning shots looked really good with how the girls were set up. Junlin sound amazing as usual, and they've only improved!

2. ManoPiano- Mano just frankly sucks. I'm sorry, but this song is really incredibally terrible and her vocal tone is really nasally and young. Is she really 17? 'Cause she sounds like she's 12. At most. Also, there are many parts where she seems to go quite flat. Why did they give her a solo carrer again?

3. Minna No Tamago- I didn't fully appreciate how short these girl were until seeing them standing on that stage. Yuuka is quite obviously the only one singing live. She manages to pull it off quite well, but you can tell even without looking that her microphone is on from the way that her voice sounds compared to the others. This was really cute, and because of the cutesy song, they have complete justification for sounding so young, but the 3 in the new unit have to sound much better to pull off any other song.

4. Come Together- The wotas seem really off beat in this song with their "OI's" for some reason. Maybe it's just me. When I saw the dance for this live, it's extremely obvious that it's way too easy for any of the girls. And while Misa is right (I admit defeat, Misa) that the majority of H!P aren't good dancers, this dance is still a piece of cake for them. Give them dances that challenge them, and they'll get better. The performance isn't really spectacular either. The wotas even seem to lose interest by the end. They sound about half as loud at the end as they did from the beginning.

5. Kenchana ~Daijoubu~- While I will admit she's talented in singing, and that she has a jazzy voice, her music isn't good for her voice, and the wotas can't get into it. It's too boring. It's too much of a difference from the loud dance music of the rest of H!P. And while the other elders sing soft songs, at least they come with some sort of beat.

6. Uwaki na Honey Pie- Now, that's better. I like how since they needed girls to harmonize behind her, they put in eggs, but still gave her all of the important stuff. The eggs match her well on stage for this situation. They really know how to back someone up! I can also appreciate the cowboy hat and boots, because weather it was intentional or not, they fit the whole country musume thing.

7. Kuyashi Namida Porori- Look at those wotas go! I really worship the light-stick wota who made light-sticks into the shape of her name! She looks really happy up there, and she looks happy to be retiring from idol-dom. It's long past time for her. I love her in H!P, and I just think she's a great entertainer, but I think she'll be much happier out of the idol bussiness. Even if she's just a TV personality, she won't be tied down by some of the harsher rules of it. She sings this song like the pro she is, and I love the way that she melts some of the notes at the end of the phrase. I highly doubt that if anyone else was doing this song, that I'd like it. It's also nice how she takes the ear things out at the end so she can hear the fans, not herself. That's a true idol.

8. Hapi Hapi Sunday- While Koharu was okay, as usual, she was totally outshined by those two little girls. They may not be quite good dancers or singers yet, they totally make up for it in their own way of just being energetic and cute! They seem so happy to be up there, that they totally outshine Koha who seems to just be doing her job. While these two aren't quite ready to do anything, I think they'll be very good if they take a few more years to devote to training with their new group, and then when all of those girls are 10 or so, and go through non-harsh but weekly or so training for 3 or 4 years, they're group could be very nice.

9. This Is Unmei- KICKS ASS! Not only is MK in the best shape ever, they also manage to get the wotas off their feet and screaming their hearts out for the first time in this concert. From the second they come out, I love how they really work the crowd as a whole, and some of the wotas wearing C-ute, Berryz, and Momusu shirts are just so into this throughout. This is why these girls deserved so much more than they've gotten, sales and music-wise. I also really like how the choreographer used the stage to have them yelling and pointing accross at eachother. It really looked very effective. The girls really looked like they were about to get into a major idol-argument. If there's one group that the H!P eggs and kids need to learn from, it's this one. I also like how when they said "jigoku" (hell) the whole place went black except for the bright red part of the stage they were standing on.

10. Forever Love- Even though I recognise that Berryz deserves more attention because they've been around longer, C-ute continually owns them. The lighting and their expressions work so well during this, but they still didn't steal the show. I think with time, they'll become a great group, but for now, they're doing just amazing!

11. Dakishimete x2- With this dance, it seems that Berryz is attempting to beat C-ute at their own game, and well, quite frankly it doesn't really work. While the singing is just fine, except for a certain Risako's, they don't put out the performance factor quite as well as C-ute does. They don't seem to be as confident, and they just don't own the stage like C-ute. They still do seem to be improving in both areas, though, so maybe having C-ute as a sort of rival is pushing them to do better.

12. Tanpopo- YAYS! More elders again! During this concert, I feel that I'm enjoying the elders 100x more than the younger girls. Maybe it's the vocal quality, or maybe it's their showmanship. First generation Tanpopo owns this. Their vocal quality is so nice. The second that the other 4 stepped on stage, you could feel that this song just wouldn't sound as good. And... as a side note, why is Risa holding her stomach like Kaorin did when she was pregnant? O.o

13. Baby ~KOI NI KNOCKOUT!~- Maybe it's the song, but the wotas are really pumped up for this one! The dance looks fantastic, and they all sound fantastic! I'm surprised that Kei can still dance like that! Yossie looks feirce in all of her close-ups. I really love this trio as pucchi moni. The energy just doesn't stop! Also, their voices fit this kind of music. Then again, Kei's voice fits all kinds of music. Speaking of Kei, her high note at the end was just great! And her face at the end... she must've been possesed by Yossie or something!

14. Chocolate Damashii- Ayaya sounds great here, as she always does and always will. It's kinda freaking me out how her earpiece is shiny. Are they trying to make it obvious or something? I hear no wotas chanting here, so it's either that the song is way too new, that the wotas are still in the process of finding a cheer, or she's just failing at working the wotas into a frenzy like she used to.

15. YEAH! Meccha Holiday- Does she really have a broken toe? The wotas here still aren't quite as worked up as if this had been 6 years ago, but they still are getting into it by this point. It's really funny that you can see some wotas doing the dance at points. She seems kinda boring at the beginning, but when the wotas start going nuts, you can hear her getting happier and more into it herself. She's very good at the dance now compared to when she did this when the single was released.

16. Egao ni Namida- I didn't really like this particular song. It just didn't really work for me. The dance and the way that it was sung just didn't seem good, instead they seemed kinda awkward at points. Anyways, why does she get 3 solo songs? -.-

17. Hare Ame Nochi Suki- This was a really good performance. While I still like the way that Aibon sings her parts, so I was sad that she wasn't there, it still was nice. By the way, why are they singing this song again? At this same concert two years ago they did exactly the same thing with this song: same people, same costumes, same song. They could've at least done Sakuragumi's other song, which they seem to like to forget exists at every recent oppourtunity to perform it. Also, the line changing with Aibon out would've been easier: you could've just stuck Nacchi into singing her part.

18. Ai No Sono ~Touch My Heart~- While I heavily perfer Otomegumi's 2nd single to this one, I still like this performance, but again, instead of a repeat of 2 years ago, could we have had their other single at least? Is it too much to ask? I liked the smooth transition between the groups, and the girls just started to pump the crowd up from the beginning. Nono's singing has improved slightly, but her dancing seems a little awkward, probably due to her long time off stage. (I wonder if her husband was there to see this?) They also manage to work the crowd quite well, but MK still owns everyone in that aspect.

19. Co.No.Mi.Chi.- Someone's slightly flat on the high note in the beginning. Otherwise, this is typical, cool Buono!. I love how quickly they move around the stage. Momoko sounds like she has a bit of a stuffy nose here, but she really seems to be doing her best to ignore it. She's probably the one who was flat. Still, they seemed to do very well here!

20. Debut! Lian Ai Deng Chang- I don't think that they were ready to debut this early, but I guess they did. They still seem quite awkward on stage, and their singing isn't the best. The dance really doesn't look very good either. With more practice, they might improve, but for now, they look like some kids at a school talent show.

21. Hitoshirezu Mune wo Kanaderu no Aki- This song is such a nice one. I love their singing on it. This is such a nice song for women about their age to sing. It's not extremely mature, but it's very slow and sophistocated piece. This song has such a nice melody, and the background music is made more to compliment it, not to match it. The chords at the end are so beautiful I could cry!

22. Magic of Love- These two look so great on stage together. Their personalities are good matches for eachother. This song fits so well with their voices. I think that both of them singing this song was meant to be. I love how they not only look like they love what they're doing, but how they also seem to be so into the song. They may be on the older end for H!P, but they're cetainly not on the end that seem disconnected to their music.

23. Screen- This was very similar to the version of this performed at the elders club concert, so just refer to that one.

24. Suki Na Sempai- This is the second time that they've sung this song and that they've said it's their last time performing together. With how they're always together, and their great chemistry on stage, somehow I doubt it. This song sounds so much better than it did 7 years ago when they first sung it together. They seem so happy to be together on stage and singing. This is the generation that seems to be the one most likely to reunite later.

25. Romantic Ukare Mode- Miki's improved so much since she first joined H!P, that I would usually have a problem with her singing this. Of course, She sounds great as usual, but she doesn't really seem to be as happy singing cute songs, for which the reason is quite obvious: she's older and probably knew that she would soon be a married woman.

26. Kachoiize Japan- While Biyuuden still sucks at singing, they seem to have gotten better here. I liked the starting set up for this. And while they didn't take the usual Biyuuden wears skimpy stuff route, they chose the show off their boobs one, which is equally effective. They make a great group, to the point where it just seems like they became inactive, not broke-up. I love the way that while the Kids are there, they're there to compliment, not take over.

27. Naichau Kamo- I don't really even want to comment on this since this was also a repeat and the members aren't graduating.

28. Resonant Blue- Resonant Blue sounds good when it's just Morning Musume. While adding other girls in doesn't change the sound, it's kind of really pointless on a song with line distribution like this one. This is a good performance, and I think by now the girls can do this in their sleep, and it looks like they're doing just that. It seems so rehearsed, and not in a good way. This song has to seem spontaneous and kind of like a fit, similar to Shabondama.

29. Namida no Iro- These costumes look just fabulous on stage. Also, Airi's hair appears to be channeling Tracy Turnblad's here. It's even puffier than earlier! The C-ute girls dance just wonderfully during the dance break and generally just own. They seem to be way more into this than Morning Musume, but I can see how considering that they are a lot younger than Morning Musume, and that this is the first song in a while.

30. MADAYADE- Berryz really shouldn't have sung this one instead of something else. I don't know why, but Madayade just doesn't look good the way that they performed it, and for some reason, they just don't seem on top of their game. I can't say that I don't like Berryz, but they were definately given the wrong songs and the wrong expectations for this show.

31. Morning Coffee- I love how the first generation is singing their exclusive 1st generation song. Their voices make such beautiful music in the harmonizing on this song. I love how they sing it. The harmonizing can't be done nearly as well by anyone except the first generation. They also seem like a very close generation. I think that they seem to enchant when they're singing, whereas the other H!P members pump them up. There's something to be said for good old performing, not just acting hyper on a stage.

32. Koko ni Iruzee- This is the other side of Morning Musume: Hyper and fun. The way that they all burst onto stage like that is surprising, and then they go straight into the song. I've always loved the lives of this song because of the enthusiasm that goes into it. While some Morning Musume songs are insanely hyper like this one, this one really seems to be the most fun of them to perform. They just look like they're having fun doing such a crazy dance! Also, when Makoto says "I'm here!", you can really tell how good she's gotten at english. She seems to be a pro at that line. It's also kinda funny how you can see Ai really quickly kick her leg over Makoto's head while she's singing! I can kick my leg over someone's head who's taller than me, but she seems to do it so effortlessly and fast that it's hard to notice!

33. Love Machine- JunLin own the "Oo's" at the beginning: they're the only two I've seen sing them where you can hear their voice over the back-up. Iida does her priceless "Deiyaa" face, and all of Morning Musume performs together one last time before their next anniversary rolls around. I love how they don't seem bored with this song, even after preforming it close to 500 times!

34. Michi Naru Mirai He- I skipped over this for no appearent reason.

MC: Graduation- This really made me cry! It was so emotional. I started bawling when Yuko and Ai traded letters! I think that it was just so emotional!

35. ALL FOR ONE & ONE FOR ALL- This is such a perfect ending, I can't describe it! I think that this song is such a great way to see how H!P has changed over the years. I love how they're singing the "H!P Anthem" one last time as it was meant to be sung, in the order that H!P was built up, before the moment has to be over.

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Your Bawling Blogger.

-Midori

HHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!

I have too much energy today!

Since life would have me worshiping Linlin at the moment, the costume example photos will be mainly of her, but there will be some others thrown in. Actually, I wasn't able to find too many Linlin pictures, but I used the ones I found.

To start off, there's so many costumes for this concert, that Momusu has certantly stepped up their budget. That's not to say that they're good, but it's to say that they're spending more. I have no idea what songs these costumes are for, but I could hazard a guess on one or two.

I'll be doing the overall and BAC as usual for kicks.

 

Linlin's unique costume!

I actually know a number of girls who would love this outfit and wear it to school if it was more normal, so I can't criticize it too much. It may actually be really cute in browns and without that hideous flower stuck on her head!

I really like how they're at least attempting to dress Momusu more normally. While this style of dress may look like a tent, it actally is in style right now, so I have no complaints.

Overall: 4/5

BAC: 0.02 (For good measure on the color)

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Black & Silver zipper dresses

These actually aren't bad at all. I really like how they look like Morning Musume in the cut of the dresses, but that they seem to be going more innovative in the giant zippers. While these are really too shiny for me to fully appreciate, and I don't like how the zipper ends at the top instead of on the dress, I definately agree with the direction that these were going. If they zipped down and revealed a blace mini-dress underneath to accent the over-dress and distract from the shiny-ness, these might have been even better.

Overall: 4/5

BAC: 0.04 (Because of how the zipper ends and the uselessness of it's size)

 

 

 

 

 

The Marching Band-style uniforms

I'm really seeing Black and silver as a theme for this concert. Not that I mind it.

These costumes seem to remind me of Micheal Jackson on some perverse level...

These would only be good in the case that they're worn for SONGS. They seem to fit my image of what the costumes for that song would look like: darker, more mysterious colors, and marching band-esque.

If SONGS isn't at least in the set, there's no excuse for these.

Overall: 3/5

BAC: 0.03 (Really, why would you want to make anyone think of Micheal Jackson in anyway other than Jackson 5 or the Thriller dance?)

 

 

The OMGBBQWTF Outfits

I have no idea what drove anyone to create these...

They must have been really drunk. I feel like they just took a bunch of extra fake flowers from a kids show, along with some really retro fabric and glued them into a dress. Along with some random hats, buttons and belts.

Can you really call this a costume?

These are even worse than the fluff-covered nightmares form fall '07! Really, those at least looked sort-of thought-through, and not "a kids show barfed on me".

Look at it and watch your eyes burn. Or play I Spy.

Overall: 0/5

BAC: 0.3 (Or however drunk you can be without passing out or dying)

 

 

 

The "Mexican" costumes

Really, what were they thinking again?

If these didn't have the fake little hats, they might have been at least a little better.

Frankly though. I hate these.

Overall: 1.5/5

BAC: 0.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Take Off Is now dresses

I know what song these are for because of the poses she was in while the photos were taken. All of them are straight out of this dance.

By the way, did she sneak into Nono's closet and steal all of her bows, belts, and necklaces possible to?

This whole ensemble would have been perfect for her without either of the giant bows or the collar. The gloves also look really bad because they're way too big for her.

Make them classy, but don't try too hard at it!

Overall: 3/5

BAC: 0.15 (Or however drunk you'd need to be to break into the Sugiura residence and steal some stuff)

 

 

 

 

The Frilly Schoolgirl Dresses

I would've LOVED these if the skirts weren't so poofy. And covered in random crap.

These costumes look rather HUGE on the girls up top, and they'd look a lot bettrer if they were tighter, less foofy, and dare I say it... shorter.

The one thing that really bugs me about these is how many little adornments they put on the skirt. Really, all they needed was the one little one on top. Did the designers not go on a drunken fluff rampage, but a drunk adornment rampage?

Overall: 2.5/5

BAC: 0.1

 

 

 

 

The Sexy Cat Outfits

These could've been better without the fake tails.

These costumes look kinda like ones that american singers would wear: they look like snazzed-up and sexy sweat-suits with the lace-up boots. While the fabric's pattern and the excessive bows/frills are slightly off that track, it's certantly closer to american singers than most stuff they have worn in the past and continue to wear. I think Koharu's from this set looks closest, but I just had to post the picture of Reina for some reason.

Overall: 4/5

BAC: 0.06 (When accounting for the frills and bows)

 

 

 

 

 

The Sexy Princess Costumes

I LOVE THESE!

When I first saw them, I was really hated them. Of course, it was in all the cell phone photos, so I couldn't see all the details of them.

Once you see the length with the bows and the lace, they seem like sexy, mature costumes to wear. I really like this set. It seems to fit the current Momusu: It's still poofy, and pink to represent their idol image, but the more sexy and mature image of the whole thing put together is what makes these costumes work, and work well.

They also look like something more mainstream for J-pop. If there was one Momusu costume in recent memory that I could see Ayumi Hamasaki, Koda Kumi, or some other famous J-pop diva wear in a concert, these would be them: Sexy, mature, and cute, rolled into one!

Overall: 5/5

BAC: 0.06 (They'd need to be slightly drunk at least to consider putting Morning Musume in these because of how contrary they are to the rest of the set.)

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Avg Overall Score: 3/5

Overall, the designers must have had a beer party for this concert, did they ever!

-Midori

Hey!

This will be a quick picture/recording spam post! Listen to Linlin go!!!

Also, it sounds that for once Momusu has some live back-up for a concert!

 

 

 

 

Expect a costume review to be up very soon!

<3

Midori

HEY!

I know this is really late, but I've been insanely busy with life in general.

For this post, I'm going to go back to the original post, and re-list what I like & don't like about H!P members & groups.

Here it is, so you can see how my opinions have changed.

Okay! Now on to the post!

Morning Musume has, and I think will always be, my favorite H!P group. While Buono! is tied with them, because Buono's awesome, I think that Momusu just can't be beat in their history and their style. I love all the Morning Musume girls from the 1st to 8th generation, and I think that each girl can and has made an impact on the fans, weather it be Gocchin, who skyrocketted Momusu into J-pop history, or Asuka, who was only a member for only a little while. I really like all of the current line-up, but Ai is a definate standout. All of the girls have their own special place in my fandom, including Koharu, no matter how much I bash her. Everything Momusu does helps dictate what H!P does. I think that they could still choose much better singers in the future, and release more mainstream, mature, and sexy music to get back into the mainstream, but they probably won't do that for a while. Also, I would do them a world of good if they started appearing to talk/perform/bust in on heaps of variety, quiz, and music shows. AKB48 had a drama and has a variety show, and look at how well they're doing.

Berryz Koubou- The kids group that I really don't like at the moment. The only Berryz stuff that I like at the moment is their older stuff. Their new stuff is annoying, too idolish, and getting increasingly farther from mainstream. The decision makers of UFA really need to tap into these girls' individual talents. Saki can dance REALLY well, and if they did a hip-hop or a more mainstream release, she could be the lead dancer and the center of the single. Miyabi & Momoko (but only if she uses her more mature voice) should be the lead singers, and Risako should be left without ANY solo singing time, but still being the center of stuff because of her popularity. I think that Berryz could be successful if they made some major changes in their line distribution, and changed their music style like Momusu.

C-ute- They really need to take the mature route. I love them when they sing their mature songs, and I love how consistant they are live. C-ute could be amazing if they just ditched everything C-ute about them and went to full-time B-adass. Really though, I love all their mature stuff, but the second they turn cutesy, I want to plug my ears and run. Their voices are suited to the mature stuff, and I love how connected they seem to it. They seem almost in pain when they try to act cute, and it's completely natural when they act mature. Airi of course is my favorite C-ute girl because of her singing and maturity, and who can not love Maimi's dancing? Chisato also has an amazing voice, and Erika could be a really great asset to the group if they got her out and on TV more.

Buono!- What's to hate about this group? While I hate their recent shift towards the more pop side of pop rock, they all really do well with what they're doing, and when they're on stage, they make magic. Buono does really well as an anime group, but if they broke into the mainstream with more TV appearences, radio shows, and pop-rock singles and albums, they could potentially be amazingly popular in Japan, and they already have a sizeable international fanbase. Miyabi has the consistant and awesome voice to carry the songs and is good on stage and on TV, and Momo is a good leader for the group. Airi's mature and very strong voice fits great with Buono's music. Airi also seems to speak a little english, which may be good if they do decide to sing for more animes. The back-up band is also really fun and unique for H!P, so I love it! Particularly since it's an all-female back-up band!

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So, my opinions of H!P have changed. Maybe only a little, but they have.

-Midori

Hello!

Wut? H!P revolution? And to think I just had a 1-hour lecture about the Russian Revolution today.

1. Resonant Blue - all- YES!!! My wish came true! I really liked how the other girls really were back-up, but they complemented the song nicely with the dance during the dance break. The leads sound great as usual.
2. LALALA Shiawase no Uta - all except Shugo Chara Egg- This is always 100x more fun the more people that do it, so it was fun, but really, I'm sick of this song already. Why did they mention that SCE wasn't joining in? I didn't notice the eggs at all in either of these songs...
3. Minna no Tamago - Shugo Chara Egg- NOOOOOOO! They all sound like 2-year-olds! NEXT!!!
4. Happy☆Happy Sunday - What? I listened to this and Koharu was live and my ears didn't bleed? Wo0T! This shows that if she tries to sing like the 16-year-old she is, and not the 3-year-old she wants to be, she may have something there, no matter how small.
5. Tan Tan Taan! - Milky Way- YAY MILKY WAY!!! Too bad they're not going to be around much longer. Again, the other two totally outshine Koha.
6. FOREVER LOVE - ºC-ute- This. Was. Intense. My god does C-ute need to get more exposure.

7. Meguru Koi no Kisetsu - ºC-ute, Tanaka Reina and Mitsui Aika- Okay, I'm sorry, but I really don't like this combo. It sucked.
8. MADAYADE - Berryz koubou- They sounded feirce, but I couldn't stand to look at them, so it really wasn't a stand-out perfromance for me.
9. Koi no Jubaku - This was actually a nice combo, but I still think that it could've been better.
10. Lalala Sososo - Mano Erina- I skipped it, and on the one line I did hear, she sounded as young as Koha usually does, which isn't good. At all.
11. Rottara Rottara - Buono!- BUONO ROX MY MULTI-COLORED TOE SOCKS!!!
12. Naichau Kamo - Morning Musume- I like this live, and they all sounded amazing, so I don't really have any comments.
13. Mikan - Niigaki Risa, Kamei Eri, Michishige Sayumi, Kusumi Koharu, Mitsui Aika, Junjun, Linlin, Yajima Maimi, Sugaya Risako- I really didn't care about this performance. It didn't stand out, Risako somehow managed to get so many lines that so many other girls could've sung so much better, etc.
14. Jingisukan - All- Umm... this wasn't fun or exciting for me, and this song has never really been my favorite, so...
15. Shiroi TOKYO - Nigaki Risa, Yajima Maimi, Tokunaga Chinami, Nakajima Saki, Hagiwara Mai, Mano Erina- This was actually much better than I thought it would be. Besides the fact that it had a really nasally and as young as the original group.

16. Natsu Doki Lip Stick - Yajima Maimi, Kikkawa Yuu, Maeda Yuuka, Fukada Kanon, Sekine Azusa, Ogawa Saki- This was all Maimi, no eggs. Maimi just owns this song. I'm sorry eggs, but Maimi owns everyone in every way everytime she sings this.
17. Baka Ni Shinaide - Shimizu Saki, Natsuyaki Miyabi, Kumai Yurina, Sugaya Risako- This was feirce. I didn't like the dance for the music, but it was actually fun to watch. A good follow up song to Natsu Doki Lip Stick.
18. Mr.Moonlight Ai no Big band - Takahashi Ai, Umeda Erika, Tokunaga Chinami, Nakajima Saki, Okai Chisato, Arihara Kanna, Saho Akari, Sekine Azusa- There's only one thing to say: Ai-chan is pimpn'.
19. Soku Dakishimede - ℃-ute- This has vastly improved since C-ute first sang it. Again, these girls need a lot more credit than they get.

20. Gyagu 100kai bun Aishite Kudasai - Berryz Koubou- The sad part about this, is while I like how it was sung, it really pisses me off that they don't sound at all different or improved in any way, and this shows just that.
21. Darling I LOVE YOU - Berryz Koubou, ・℃-ute- The one at the battle concert was better. Hands down.
22. Take off is now! - Takahashi Ai, Nigaki Risa, Tanaka Reina- I LOVE THIS SONG LIVE! It's so much fiercer live and it's just so much better all around live. It's always exciting to watch, and that dance is just kickass at the beginning and end.
23. Renai Revolution 21 - Morning Musume- I just skipped this I was so sick of it.
24. Guru Guru JUMP - All- I LOVE JUNJUN AND LINLIN!!! THEY OWN MY WOTA'D OUT SOUL!!! They just own this! They're really moving up in the world, with solos at a major concert! YAY!!!
25. Ame no Furanai Hoshi dewa Aisenai darou - All- The JunLin bits sound great, but if all the really good singers got solos, why did Risako get one instead of say, Miyabi, Momoko, Captian, or some other Berryz girl? (Not meant to offend Risako fans, but she sucks compared to Miyabi and Momoko in singing. I must say though that she has a great stage presence.)
26. Go Girl Koi no victory - All- I skipped this. Why do I hate this song? I don't know, but I do.

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Overall: 8/10

-Midori