"Hard Rock" Cafe Buono!

Cafebuono

This spring, the Nakayoshi Battle Concert is set to decide the victor between Berryz Kamen and Cutie Ranger.  I'm having a difficult time deciding who to root for.  At the moment, I am buying more Berryz product, listening to more Berryz CD's, and watching more Berryz concerts.  But if you asked me a couple of months ago, I would have unequivocally voted for C-ute and the adorable Yajima Maimi.  But recently a third party has just entered the ring...

And Buono! is kicking both of their asses all over Honshu, hands down!

This is a truly "kickass" album.  Once in a while the groups of Hello! Project put out a song with a fast pace, hard rock beat, and loud, distorted guitar licks.  My favorite of all being "Yuujyou ~Kokoro no Busu Niwa Naranee!~" by Otome Gumi.  Cafe Buono! is full of songs like that, at least half of the album!  If that is your cup of tea, you'll want to buy this album...quickly!

Cafe Buono ~ Fun, rock sounding start to the album.  What's really great is hearing the super-cute voices of Miyabi, Momoko and Airi over the heavy guitars.  It's a great contrast that happens again and again throughout this CD.  And I love them yelling between the lines, although I don't know what they're saying most of the time.

Nakimushi Shounen ~ I've read some reviews that this song as the best on the album.  As for me, I'm in TOTAL AGREEMENT!!!  I don't believe it, Buono! is a heavy metal act!  I didn't know.  I have an album by a group called Fluf.  The music here reminds me of them.  The singing here is less "effect altered" than the first track, which I prefer.  Driving beat, screaming guitars, and extremely edgy lyrics.

Renai Rider ~ Needs no review.  If you've ever heard of this group, you've heard this song.  And the limited edition comes with a "Dance Shot" of the PV, which I like.  But I also like this "close-up" version (from the LE single?)...

Honto no Jibun ~ I have to admit I didn't love this song when the PV first came out, and it took a while to grow on me.  Hearing it on CD through good speakers, as opposed to YouTube and my computer makes a HUGE difference.  It sounds alot fuller...and alot more hard rock.  It's now one of my favorite tracks.

Baketsu no Mizu ~ Brings the music back into the "bubblegum pop" realm.  It's still a catchy tune, with a fast paced verse.  And for some stupid reason, I always get excited when I hear "desu ka" with a pronounced "U" being sung.  Don't ask me why.

Garakuta no Yume ~ I've never loved Miyabi's voice this much before.  She's really great.  Forgive me for any "Lenoesque" chin references.  My friend Wendy thinks she is the cutest in the group.  This song has a "funk"-y little intro.  More of a medium tempo song, but very pretty nonetheless.  All of these tracks have an extremely prevalent drumbeat.

Internet Cupid ~ Buono's tribute to "The Buggles"?  "Pac-man"?  The lyrics are computer-altered to an extreme.  This can be best described as Buono! trapped in a circa-1980's video arcade.  But it's saved by a catchy melody.

Last Forever ~ I'm having a severe case of Deja-vu listening to this entire CD...I got it.  Buono! reminds me of the amazing, but short-lived Pipo Angels!  Jeez did I love them!  This is the best "strictly pop" track on the CD.  But when I say strictly pop, everything on this CD has an edge to it.  I just don't get the "jackboot" sound effects bookending the song.

Kokoro no Tamago ~ The B-side to the Honto no Jibun single.  This is the first song that sounds anything similar to something Tsunku would write.  Very safe, but very catchy.  And another "Dance Shot" on the Limited Edition DVD...

Hoshi no Hitsuji Tachi ~   It's pretty.  But to be honest, I am not into ballads.  It's the first song on this CD I usually hit the "skip" button on.  But I am not the best resource for a truly unbiased view of this kind of song.

Rock no Kamisama ~ Great, the guitars are back.  Cool, plenty of distortion on the chorus.  This song reminds me alot of the first track, intensity wise.  It's "poppy" at the start (almost sounds like Mikan), but builds momentum as it heads to the chorus.  From then on it's a rock song.

Kimi ga Ireba ~  One more slow song.  Sounds like an Abe Natsumi single.  It's an appropriate ending, but not one of my favorites on the CD.  But it's slightly redeemed by a decent guitar solo towards the end. 

Overall, this is a great CD.  The fact that this group has an "Anime" connection doesn't bother me at all, as I am not into Anime.  It doesn't have a bad song on it.  The best songs on it are absolutely amazing.  As a group they seem to be selling well and creating alot of "buzz"  This gives me a thought...

This CD is produced by the Pony Canyon Label.  Not Zetima.  Not Hachama.  Not Piccolo Town.  Pony Freakin' Canyon!!!  And I am yet to read a negative review of this CD.  The consenus likes the songs, likes the PV's, and likes the three girls in the unit.  Maybe Pony Canyon should be producing EVERYONE in Hello! Project.  The sound here is something different from what anyone else in H!P is doing, and look how well-received it is.  Just maybe... 

I will be very interested to see how well C-ute's 3rd ~LOVE Escalation~ does in comparison to this.

CK in California