4 posts tagged “perfume”

Finally a post that is focused on Hello! Project.  But first...

I love that all of the idol groups seem to be omnipresent around Japan.  I was walking through a department store yesterday and they had Kimagure Princess playing in the store's audio system.  I was LOLing at that.  And on the JR trains I have seen a video ad for some website featuring Idoling!!!, and a promotion for Kojima Haruna's upcoming photobook.  But what I really love are the billboards!

The first one I noticed was this ad for Pino featuring Perfume at Tamachi station.  I haven't big as big a fan of them as some others, but I love the ad.  Really cute!  The next one is a little dark because I took it in bad weather at night...

I was walking to dinner with some friends in Ueno, and I grabbed this pick quickly as they weren't interested in hunting for Idol stuff.  But that is AKB48's Fujie Reina and Chikano Rina promoting...ice cream???  I think that is what it's for, I'm not sure.  Finally...

I think the funniest thing about this Manoeri ad is that it is right next to the AKB48 theater!  (hehe)

Okay, I finally got to do something H!P related other than hunting for pics at the H!P stores.  I was a little bit disappointed because I tried to strategize the day so I could see both AKB48 and Berryz Kobo.  But the AKB48 email system screwed me up by sending me a phantom message hinting that I won a show, then it turned out I didn't.  Some sort of glitch in the system.  Whatever, I was kinda tired yesterday, so two shows would have definitely wiped me out!  But I made it to Tokyo Koseinenkin Keikan in plenty of time, bought my Maasa shirt and photoset, and I was ready for action!

As I got to my thirteenth row seat i was a little bit further to the left than i thought I was going to be.  That's okay, I was still in front of the stage.  The best gauge is whether I am paying more attention to the monitors or the girls on stage, and I was definitely focused on the live action.  Scanning the audience, most of the people around me were either Risako or Momo fans.  Although there seemed to be a good mix of all the girls different colors.  I would say the least represented color there was for Captain, but I did have a Saki fan right in front of me.  A girl, and her wotagei-ing was as intense as anyone's!  behind me was another girl in Yurina colors, to my left was a Miyabi fan, and to my delight another Maasa fan sat down on my right!

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The moment the show started...WOW!  Everyone around me was dancing like crazy!  Both of the guys next to me knew every step and hand gesture to the first three songs, which were the new single tracks and Tsukiatteru no ni Kataomoi.  The first thing I noticed was Maasa (of course).  Oh man, she is turning into a total woman!  She is still thin, and her dancing has gotten much better.  She was smiling and jumping down to the front of the stage ala Gaki-san, beckoning the fans to sing along.  She also led the opening intro MC.  She is a new and improved Maasa, and I love it!  BTW, Ryuusei Boy is a great song to open with!

After Madayade and Munasawagi Scarlet, they did a cute little skit (starring Maasa again, see a pattern forming here?) and went into Chinami's solo.  As high a voice she has, I was a bit surprised she was having trouble hitting the high notes.  So I was slightly disappointed, unlike the next two "unit songs".  I especially like Helation Summer.  But one of the coolest performances of the night was the "beatbox" version of Dschingis Khan.  In fact I will go as far as saying that this version is better than the original.  Chinami and Captain voiced the percussion parts, with Miyabi doing the bass.  It is really cool!

And for those of you who know the setlist and were wondering, Momoko did an excellent job with Very Beauty.  She is just a fantastic performer, and makes it look easy the entire show.  The next great moment came in Special Generation.  Huh?  I usually complain about that song being overplayed.  But the Sea Breem cosplay costumes were hilarious.  And they kept wearing them during Nigiyaki na Fuyu, which I had never heard before.  I loved it!!!

I was excited about the "special medley" because it had so many great songs in it.  I only wish they had done more of Kiche Desse.  And unlike what it says on H!O, it was Momo on the Xylophone for this show,  But Maasa carried it onto the stage.  Hehe, Maasa is strong!  Suhada Pichi Pichi was another great performance, especially by the fans.  For some reason my hangover came back during Monkey Dance.  I dunno, maybe it was the song itself.  I quickly felt better once they started singing Rival.  And for the encore...

BTW, what is it the fans say during the encore chant for Berryz?  "Berryz something or other"  Whatever it is, I thought it was cool, just like the "Berryz saiko!" chant after the show.  Clap was a nice song to end with.

Keep in mind that I watch the show with "Maasa colored glasses" on, but I thought she was absolutely sensational.  She is a totally different performer from when i saw Berryz Kobo live last year.  The only bummer is that she seems to be taking the leadership role away from Captain, who barely said a word throughout the show.  I was also impressed with Risako.  Her singing has gotten much better, and she was always smiling when I watched her.  I think she is becoming slightly less self-conscious, which may have been her problem before.  And Momo is always great!  Miyabi is a great singer, but she just doesn't stand out to me for some reason.  So at the end of the day I adore Maasa even more than before, and Riichan takes a huge leap in my BK pecking order.  Who'da thunk it?  Oh, and the coolest part...at the end of the show the guy to my right shook my hand as he was glad to meet another Maasa fanatic.  Partners in battle!!!

So there ya go, Berryz are great.  My next H!P review will be Morning Musume this Sunday.  That will surely be an awesome show!  between then and now i have more AKB fun in store, and you never know what surprises might pop up.  I will leave you with another pic of my latest infatuation, the adorable Chisaki Hatakeyama from SDN48.  I have also been checking out her Ameba blog, very nice!

CK in Tokyo

I was originally planning to do this as a continuation of my last post about AKB48.  Since I have now declared them my favorite J-pop group, it is time to begin my AKB collection.  I had finally reached the point where I had most all of the old H!P CD and DVD's I wanted, and now I could focus on just buying new releases.  It's not that I don't already have a few AKB48 items, I do!  This is going to be total hell on my wallet all over again.  But I am really excited about this "new beginning"!

Fly To High posted this What J-Pop Do You Buy post earlier this week.  To answer the questions on the post...

I buy "most" of my collection on EBay.

Most of my collection has come from Japan, although I do have a few overseas versions mixed in.  A few of my DVD's are Hong Kong bootlegs.  But after I bought an all-region DVD player I have only purchased Japan DVD's.

I have purchased quite a few items from Yes Asia.com, but now I am buying most of my stuff from HMV Online.  And for special items I almost always buy from the amazing Ohta!

As I begin to turn my attention to the girls of Akahibara, let's see what kind of damage has been done to my bank account so far.  Shall we?

 

Morning Musume

"First Time" CD

"Second Morning" CD

"3rd Love Paradise" CD

"4th Ikimasshoi" CD

"No. 5" CD

"Ai no Dai 6 Kan" CD

"Rainbow 7" CD

"7.5 Fuyu Fuyu Morning Musume Mini!" CD (LE)

"Sexy 8 Beat" CD

"Souda! We're Alive!" CD Single

"Aruiteru" CD Single

"Mikan" CD Single (LE)

"Resonant Blue" CD Single (LE A&B)

"Resonant Blue" Event V

"Morning Cop" OST CD

"Best Morning Musume 1" CD

"Best Morning Musume 2" CD

 

Melon Kinenbi

"1st Anniversary" CD

"Fruity Killer Tune" CD

"Kokuhaku Kinenbi" CD Single

"Akai Freesia" CD Single

 

Berryz Kobo

"1st Cho Berryz" CD

Dai 2 Seichouki" CD

"Special! Best Mini~2.5 Maime no Kare" CD

"3 Natsu Natsu Mini Berryz" CD

"Anata Nashi Dewa Ikita Yukenai" CD Single

"Fighting Pose wa Date Ja Nai" CD Single

"Happiness~Kofuku Kangei!" CD Single

"Tsukiatteru no ni Kataomoi" CD Single

 

C-ute

"2 Mini ~Ikiru to lu Chikara~" CD (LE)

"Sakura Chirari" CD Single (LE)

"Meguru Koi no Kisetsu" CD Single (LE)

"LALALA Shiawase no Uta" CD Single

"Edo no Temari Uta II" CD Single (LE)

 

Country Musume

"Daizenshuu 2" CD

 

W

"Duo U&U" CD

"2nd W" CD

"Koi no Fuga" CD Single

"Ai no Imi wo Oshiete" CD Single

"Miss Love Tantei" CD Single

 

Matsuura Aya

"First Kiss" CD

"T.W.O." CD

"X3" CD

"Double Rainbow" CD

"Matsuura Aya Best 1" CD

"Tropical Koishiteru" CD Single

"The Bigaku" CD Single

"Ne~e" CD single

"The Last Night" CD Single

"Kiseki no Kaori Dance" CD Single

 

MiniMoni

"MiniMoni Song Daihyakka 1 Kan" CD

"MiniMoni Songs 2" CD

"MiniMoni Telephone! Rin Rin Rin" CD Single

"MiniMoni Hinamatsuri" CD Single

"Lucky Cha Cha Cha" CD Single

"Kazoe Uta" DVD Single

 

Buono 

"Cafe Buono" CD (LE) 

"Gachinko de Ikou" CD Single (LE)

 

Athena & Robikerottsu

"Shouri no Big Wave" CD Single

"Seishun Love Lunch" CD Single

 

ZYX

"Shiroi Tokyo" CD Single

 

v-u-den

"Single Best 9 Vol. 1 Omaketsuki" CD

"Hitorijime" CD Single

 

Goto Maki

"Yaruki! It's Easy" CD Single

 

Abe Natsumi

"Hitoribocchi" CD

"Date Ikitekanakucha" CD Single

"Koi no Telephone Goal" CD Single

"Yuma Naraba" CD Single

 

Kusumi Koharu

"Mitsuboshi" CD

"Kirarin Land" CD

"Balalaika" CD Single

 

Fujimoto Miki

"Boogie Train '03" CD Single

 

Tanpopo

"All of Tanpopo" CD

 

Nochiura Natsumi

"Renai Sentai Shitsu Ranger" CD Single

 

High-King

Cinderella/Complex CD Single (LE)

 

Milky Way

"Anataboshi" CD Single

 

THE Possible

"Happy 15" CD Single

"Love Message" CD Single

 

Hello! Project

"Otome Gumi Ai no Sono" CD Single

"Otome Gumi Yuujou" CD Single

"2003 Shuffle Units" CD Single/PB

"H!P All-Stars 2004" CD Single/PB

"Pucchi Best 1" CD

"Pucchi best 2" CD

"Pucchi Best 3" CD

 

Photobooks

Matsuura Aya Alo-Hello (2003)

Matsuura Aya- Ma! Chura (2004)

Abe Natsumi- Nacchi (1999)

Abe Natsumi- Natsumi (2001)

Abe Natsumi- AloHello (2005) *DVD*

Takahashi Ai- Photobook (2002)

Yaguchi Mari- Yaguchi (2002)

Yaguchi Mari- Love Hello! (2003)

Iida Kaori- Kaori Kaori Kaori (2002)

Kago Ai- Go on the Journey (2003)

Kago Ai/Tsuji Nozomi- TsujiKago (2002)

Ishikawa Rika- Photobook (2001)

Ishikawa Rika- Photobook (2002)

Kamei Eri- 17 Sai (2006)

Tanaka Reina- Reina (2005)

Tanaka Reina- AloHello! (2007)

Konno Asami- Photobook (2004)

Konno Asami- AloHello! (2006) *DVD*

Tanpopo- Photobook (2001)

Morning Musume- AloHello! (2003)

Morning Musume- AloHello! (2004) *DVD*

 

Concert DVD's

Morning Musume First Live at Shibuya Kohkaido 1998

Morning Musume Memory Seishun no Hikari 1999  (Fukuda Asuka Graduation)

Morning Musume First Live at Budokan 2000  (Ichii Sayaka Graduation)

Morning Musume Live Revolution 21 Haru 2001  (Nakazawa Yuko Graduation)

Morning Musume Green Live 2001

Morning Musume Love is Alive! 2002 Haru

Morning Musume Love is Alive! 2002 Natsu  (Goto Maki Graduation)

Morning Musume Concert Tour 2003 Haru "Non-Stop!"  (Yasuda Kei Graduation)

Morning Musume Concert Tour 2003 15nin de "Non-Stop!"

Morning Musume Otome Gumi Concert Tour 2003-2004

Morning Musume Concert Tour 2004 Spring "The Best of Japan"  (Mika Todd Graduation)

Morning Musume Concert Tour 2004 "The Best of Japan Natsu~Aki"

Morning Musume Concert Tour 2005 Haru "Dai 6 kan Hit Mankai"  (Ishikawa Rika Graduation)

Morning Musume Concert Tour 2006 Aki Odore! Morning Curry

Morning Musume Concert Tour 2007 Spring Sexy 8 Beat  (Yoshizawa Hitomi Graduation)

Morning Musume Concert Tour 2007 Aki Bonkyu Bonkyu Bomb!

Morning Musume Concert Tour 2008 Single Daizenshuu

Hello! Project 2002 Kotoshi no Sugiozo

Hello! Project 2002 One Happy Summer Day

Hello! Project 2003 Winter Tanoshinjattemasu!

Hello! Project 2003 Natsu Yosha! Bikkuri Summer!!

Hello! Project 2004 Winter C'mon! Dance World  (Abe Natsumi Graduation)

Hello! Project 2004 Summer Natsu no Doon!  (Kago Ai/Tsuji Nozomi Graduation)

Hello! Project 2005 Winter All-Stars Dairanbu, A Happy New Power!  (Iida Kaori Graduation)

Hello! Project 2005 Natsu no Kayou Show '05 Selection Collection!

Hello! Project 2007 Winter Live DVD Box  (Country Musume Graduation)

Hello! Project 2007 Summer 10th Anniversary Dai Kanshasai

Hello! Project 2008 Winter Live DVD Box

Matsuura Aya First Concert Tour 2002 Haru "First Date"

Matsuura Aya Concert Tour 2005 Haru 101 Kaime no Kiss

Matsuura Aya "Captain Koen" Hello Pro Party 2005

Matsuura Aya Live in Shanghai 2006

Matsuura Aya Concert Tour 2007 Autumn

W "Standby!" Double U and Berryz Kobo 2004 Natsu

Berryz Kobo Live Tour 2005 Aki ~Switch On~  (Ishimura Maiha Graduation)

Berryz Kobo Concert Tour 2006 Haru, Nyoki Nyoki Champion

Berryz Kobo Concert Tour 2007 Sakura Mankai

Berryz Kamen/Cutie Ranger Nakayoshi Battle Concert 2008 Spring  (Berryz Version)

Melon Kinenbi 1st Anniversary Live Tour 2003

MiniMoni Special Live Dapyon! Haru 2003  (Yaguchi Mari Graduation)

 

Other DVD's

Morning Cop

Pinch Runner

Tokkaekko

Nama Tamago

Koinu Dan no Monogatari

The MiniMoni Movie

17 sai Tabidachi no Futari

Sukeban Deka, Codename: Asamiya Saki

Morning Musume Musical "Love Century"

Berryz Kobo Event V 2005

MiniMoni Single Clips 1

W no Eizo no Sekei Vol. 1 (Single Clips)

Hello! Project 2000 Shuffle Units DVD

Sakura/Otome Gumi Single DVD "Sakura/Yuujou"

 

Now for my Non-Tsunku related items...

 

AKB48

"Aitakatta" CD Single

"Bingo!" CD Single (LE)

"Set List" 2006-2007 CD (LE)

"Team K 2nd Stage" CD

"Team K 3rd Stage" CD

"Team A 4th Stage" DVD

"Set List, Live at Shibuya-AX 2008" DVD Box

 

Perfume

"Game" CD

"Electroworld" CD Single

 

Pipo Angels

"Luvly, Merry-Go-Round" CD Single

"100% Pure" CD Single

 

Ketchup Mania

"Everytime Music Freak" CD

"Greetings From Tokyo" CD

"U.R.G.E." CD

"L.O.V.E." CD

 

SCANDAL

"Hello Scandal" CD/EP

"Space Ranger" Single CD/DVD

 

Various Items

Andromedia DVD

Battle Royale DVD

Densha Otoko DVD Box

Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon DVD Box

Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon OST Vol. 1

Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon "Dear My Friend" OST

 

T-Shirts

SCANDAL Concert T

Hello! Project 2008 Winter T-shirt plus sweatband

 

 

Oy!  That list was a total pain in the a$$ to put together!  If you add the cost of two trips to Japan plus concert tickets, that's a pretty big dent in the savings.  I'm not really into collecting rare items, instead I focus on CD's I want to listen to and DVD's I want to watch.  When I first started collecting I was enamored with the thought of watching Hello! Project on my big TV screen and cranking up Morning Musume in my car during the daily commute!

Now it's all about AKB48.  Let's see how much of their crap I can amass over the next year!

CK in California

Every once in a while I am introduced to a song out of the realm of Hello! Project that really catches my attention.  A few months ago Henkka posted an Uta Doki Pop Classics episode where Yaguchi Mari covered the Juicy Fruits' Jenny Wa Gokigen Naname.  I love that tune!.  And Mari is so cute doing it.  But what I really fell in love with was Perfume's version of the same song, which was the c/w track of their Sweet Donuts single.  It is a lot of fun, and the lyrics are great.

Last week Berryz Kobo International did a post about a recent Berikyuu episode where members of Berryz Koubou and C-ute did a cover of Natsu Matsuri.  The song was originally done by Jitterin' Jinn and more recently covered by a really cool J-rock group called Whiteberry.  I really love this song too, especially Whiteberry's version.  And the original is pretty good as well.

 

CJ, formerly of Stuck in a Pagoda (check out his great new blog here) commented on IW that Niigaki Risa recently covered that song on Uta Doki too.  That prompted me to search You Tube for more versions, as Japanese pop classics tend to be redone by multiple artists.  I had seen some of the Uta Doki episodes of that week with GakiKame, but somehow this performance slid under my radar...

Now I really like Gaki's version as well.  Risa looks adorable with that haircut!  And the ending is great with Kamei joining in on the fun!  I had commented once before that Gakisan has what it takes to be a popular solo artist.  And this performance doesn't change that opinion at all.  But the "best" thing that came out of my search was the discovery that the relatively new J-pop group Idoling!!! also did a cover of Natsu Matsuri.  I've never heard the girls in Idoling!!! sing before.  Let's see how they do, shall we...

Uggh!!!  Doesn't Idoling!!! have any girls that can sing?  That was a disaster!  Japan's version of The Monkees has got to do better than this if they think they are going to make a dent in the music industry.  In fact, the members of The Monkees all had musical talent.  The girls of Idoling!!! are cute, but what else do they have to offer?  It should also be noted that Idoling!!! also covered Pucchi Moni's BABY! Koi ni KNOCK OUT!  And that was slightly...slightly better.  To borrow one of my favorite pics form Morning Berryz blog...

I can only imagine what our good friend Simon would have to say.  I would really like to become a fan of Idoling!!!  But what I have seen so far just hasn't impressed me.  Perhaps they sound better on some of their original material.  So I won't write them off just yet.  In any case, Natsu Matsuri is an amazing song.  And thank you to Pengie (this might be a record for references to other bloggers) for turning me on to Whiteberry!

CK in California

I swear I could freakin' cry!!!  I just spent 21/2 hours doing a review of this CD that I was totally proud of.  And (thanks to the Vodka) I accidentally deleted it just before hitting the post button!  Does that make me akin to Ernest Hemingway?  I will try to recreate it from memory.  I usually don't swear in my posts but...

MOTHERFUCKER!!!!!!!

Okay, I've put my $5 bill in the "swear" jar.  You could also say that I am "beating a dead horse" with this review.  But I don't want to incur the wrath from PETA.  Anyway, they are probably too busy in Maryland for the Preakness Stakes.

I received this CD (the regular edition) about a week ago.  It came in a package along with Perfume's "Electroworld" CD, which I love.  I remember getting hooked on that song after watching YouTube legend LucyMisser utilizing it for her latest sexy video.  And the same package contained the "totally out of place here" debut CD from Milky Way.  What the folks who put together my order were probably thinking...

"Jeez, this guy must've been tripping on Ecstacy to order these CD's AND Anataboshi!!!"

Now "techno" and "rave" music are not my usual cup of tea.  I am more of a hard rock guy.  In fact, it is a miracle I am into Hello! Project in the first place.  So developing an appreciation for this genre of music is quite a stretch for me.  It took me about a week to listen to the CD all the way through, as I kept switching back to the Electroworld single for another five plays before progressing to the next track.

The biggest inspiration for me to do this review was the post by Key's to Everything I read this morning.  I was having a hard time verbalizing my feelings about this CD until I read that review.  KTE mentioned that "This album really isn’t a casual listen. It’s underwhelming if you don’t give the songs your full attention, but when you apply yourself to the tracks it’s easy to see why Perfume are so popular." 

I completely agree with that statement.  When I listen to this CD in my house while I am doing other things, it doesn't grab me.  But when I listen to it "full blast" in my car, like I do with most of my J-music CD's, I have a totally different experience.  What the people in the #3 lane must be thinking when I play...

Anataboshi ~ "That guy is a total geek!"

AKB48 ~ It depends, "Dear My Teacher" is cool enough, but "Aitakatta"..."Who is the pedo in the sport utility?"

Ketchup Mania ~ "That is one angry dude in the fast lane!"

Anything by Buono! or Berryz ~ "Did the Chipmunks come out with a new CD?"

I am also prone to blasting "Rainbow Pinku" from Momusu's 7th CD while caught in rush hour traffic.  The sentiment from my fellow commuters couldn't be anything other than "What the f**k is that???"

Perfume is one of the first J-pop CD's I am not self-conscious about cranking up on my car CD player as I am heading down the Eastshore (AKA Nimitz) freeway in Northern Cali.  It sounds a lot like many other groups in their genre.  And quite often you can hardly tell that they are singing in Japanese (according to my friend Chanta, who is Cambodian).  But I find myself listening to the same few tracks over and over.  Those tracks are...

1) Polyrhythm ~ This is an amazing song!  One of the keys to me liking a techno tune is it usually has to have an "ethereal" quality to it.  Most of the songs I like on this CD have that same quality.  My favorite part is that "skip-py" part in the middle of it.  I find myself listening to track #1 & #2 more than anything else...

2) Plastic Smile ~ After I got over the fact the Perfume has an extremely 80's feel to it (especially this track), I really started to like this song.  Overall it is a fun listen with a "head-rockin'" beat.  Very pretty and catchy.

5) Chocolate Disco ~ Another fun song with a cute hook.  (Yes, I know I skipped Baby Cruising Love, it's just not one of my favs)  I can imagine myself in a club tripping on the strobe light after a little too much alchohol...

7) Ceramic Girl ~ This might be my favorite song on the CD.  It's a tough call between this and Polyrhythm.  It completely registers into my "ethereal" requirement.  And it has a fast beat/verse that I really like!  A song I really enjoy and highly recommend...

11) Twinkle Snow Powdery Snow ~  Man I never realized how much of a "trip" this group was!  It takes a while to get used to the heavily synthesized voices.  And all of these references to "snow" have me experiencing some major cocaine flashbacks...

This is a really good CD, even if it isn't the genre of music I usually listen to.  When listening to it for the re-review, I even started to like track 6) Macaroni and track 12) Puppy Love.  When I was visiting Japan in January Perfume played at Shibuya AX the week after I left, bummer!  I'll have to check out their tour schedule for my next return trip.  After seeing some of their "live" videos on YouTube, I would love to see them in person!  As far as recommening it, I am not sure it is for everybody.  But I can now understand why it is selling so well.  I'm not saying you need to be "high" to enjoy this CD either...but it helps!

Well, I still think my first post was superior, but I guess no one will ever know.  It is lost to the internet gods!

CK in California