Sexy 8 Beat

Blogger is being afucktard again, so I am saving this here for future posting on my H!P site. It’s here! I was going to post about Koharu’s solo debut album Mitsuboshi, which I finally got a chance to listen to today, and it’s fantastic! But a little slip in the mailbox has derailed my plans for another time.

Morning Musume’s 8th album, Sexy 8 Beat has dropped into my hands and it’s time for a track review! (I’m leaving out the tracks already released as singles.) But first, the album itself. I have the limited edition version so I’ll be commenting on that.

First off I am totally in love with the interior photo shots. The girls look beautiful. I love the black on black look. It brings the girls to the forefront and showcases their beauty very well. Plus it looks damn sophisticated.

The back cover features the girls in their Regular edition colored outfits, which I think are damn frumpy looking. Hitomi looks like she’s wearing curtains. Reina is dressed the best.

Genki+
Holy crap. If the whole album has this much energy it will be the best Momusu album yet. This track is fantastic and should be a single. I love the beat and the bass.

Mirai no Taiyo
A really upbeat song. Nice beat and something you could easily dance to in your car in the summertime. Features the trademark Momusu energetic Yay!

Haru Beautiful Everyday
Features one of my new favorite engrish phrases. “It’s a beautiful everyday.” This is a really great track from Eri & Aika. They compliment each other’s vocals quite nicely. Upbeat and yet very relaxing. This is a song I can definitely hear myself humming at work in the future.

Sono Deai no Tame ni
Hitomi’s first solo song! Another relaxing song. The end of the song really does a nice job of showing her vocal range. I was hoping for something a little more upbeat, but this is a nice emotive graduation song for her.

Shanimuni Paradise
Another song that has a really great beat! And yet somehow, is so relaxing! It’s feel good music that is definitely for sure.

Takara no Hako
Wow! A ballad from Shigepink and Kohapink! Very relaxing. They both sound a bit nasal in this song, but it in no way detracts from the enjoyment. It’ll be interesting to see it performed in concerts. I wonder what type of costumes they’ll be sporting for it as well.

BE Positive!
I’m not quite sure what I could say about this track that I didn’t about the others. Upbeat, fun pop stuff.

Kago Ai has been fired from H!P & UFA

Yes, it’s true. After the latest scandal involving her smoking AGAIN AND running away to spend the night with her boyfriend who is twice her age, Kago Ai has been fired from H!P. I’m on my way out the door for work, so I just thought I’d post a quick reaction for now.

From a fan’s point of view I am extremely angry about this, and angry at Kago herself. For a year the fans were kept on tenterhooks, hoping against hope for her comeback and checking the news sites everyday for good news. Now, less than a month after the announcement that she was back and on her way again (albeit slowly) she fucks up royally again and is fired completely.

I understand it is her life, and she can live it how she chooses to, it’s just frustrating to see someone you think had so much potential piss it all away.

In the end, I am more upset for Tsuji, who has gotten quite the shaft due to Kago’s actions. Her idol career has been going steadily, but her singing career has come to a standstill with the hiatus of W. Hopefully, as she has an excellent voice, Tsunku will see fot to launch a solo career for her.

2 more girls in 8th gen!

And they’re Chinese! Story at Hello!Online

To quote:

At the same time as the 8th gen auditions in Japan, there was another audition in Beijing, China. The result of that was Linlin. Jujnun was recommended to Tsunku by a friend and joined the H!P eggs. After seeing her perform at concerts, he was impressed by her abilities. Tsunku says that these two will be key for their planned expansion into Asia for their 10th anniversary year.

Junjun and Linlin will be considered part of 8th Gen along with Mitsui Aika. While Aika was chosen for her singing abilities, these two impressed Tsunku with their experience on the piano and other instruments.

No wonder Tsunku only picked one girl from those auditions, he had two more on the sly. Wow! This is completely shocking isn’t it? I guess that was a little wink he was giving us after Aika’s acceptance with the conquering Asia speech. I thought he meant the 10th Anniversary single and was like, Well that wasn’t much of a campaign. Little did I know!

I will reserve judgement until I see them in action. The man’s been Oh so Right before, so I’ll have faith. But still. WOW!

Official announcements:
Hello Project Online
Tsunku’s Official Comment

Yay for Tax Refunds!

I just got mine today and after putting down a little on my car loan I put in a substantial order at CDJapan.

Ordered:
Morning Musume 2006 Spring Concert – Rainbow 7
W – Duo U&U (first album)
Morning Musume – Egao Yes Nude single (regular pressing, first edition. All limited editions sold out. Rats!)
Kusumi Koharu – Mitsuboshi (limited edition)

Pre-Ordered
Morning Musume – Sexy 8 Beat album (limited edition)
Hello! Project 2007 Winter Live DVD Box (Limited Release)

I was also going to order the next Momusu single, and the last for Hitomi, Kanashimi Twilight, but I saved that for a future order. I have an anime con coming up and need to save the rest for that. Woohoo! In relation, it was at an anime con that I first bought Morning Musume merchandise. A couple packs of trading cards and the 2004 Spring concert wristband. Here’s hoping I come across some more Momusu loot this year.

Berryz Koubo – Very Beauty

I finally got around to watching the PV. I have to admit that out off all the Berryz releases, the only two I’ve ever really loved are “Anata nashide wa sekite yukena” and “Munasawagi Scarlett”, but this one would probably rank as third.

Very Beauty is a song I can easily see growing on me. At first listen the melody reminds me of a warm lazy afternoon. There’s something nostalgic about it. The video is very nice, washed out colors and cute outfits that fit the song well. There are several high notes in the chorus that are strained to be hit, but it doesn’t in any way detract from the song.

The single was released on March 7.