I know this post might be very personal to some people and some people will agree or disagree with what I have to write in this post. However, this is just me stating my opinion so don't take me too seriously. I know this blog post will be touching on a sensitive subject but I will try my best to write about it maturely.
So I was checking through my facebook to see if there was anything interesting posted, and most of the time there isn't, but this time I came across a video that really made me very curious. Uploaded onto the universalmusicjapan youtube channel was Robin Thicke's Blurred Lines, but the music video had been re-shooted to guest star Oshima Yuko and Kojima Haruna from AKB48.
Now this summer I have lost count of the number of stories in the media (mainly US) about rape cases. Most of these articles have showcased how society has jumped to the conclusion that these victims were actually the ones who initiated the rape. For example, a young girl had participated in a flirtation with a teacher, of who raped her later on when she was still underage. And due to the horrific incident, unfortunately the poor girl then committed suicide. Sickeningly, even after her death, her rapist only received 31 days in prison and the judge accused the girl of acting older than she was to get the teacher to rape her. Basically he accused her of initiating the rape, and when I reas the story it left a sickening taste in my mouth.
Also, this summer Robin Thicke released his song called Blurred Lines in which many people have read the lyrics and assumed he has been encouraging rape. The music video I agree does degrade women, and the lyrics also do the same thing, but to be definite that it's about rape I cannot really agree or disagree. In the music industry these days I think women do get objectified a lot in music videos and as much as I wish it stopped, unfortunately I don't think it will do anytime.
Now some people have been very negative about Thicke's collaboration with AKB48, and I don't blame them. However do we really need to be shocked? We do remember that AKB48 are idols, and being the most popular idol group in Japan they haven't exactly done a great job in not objectifying themselves. Many of their fans are males wota and many of their commercials, music videos and photobooks, as beautiful as the girls are, have showcased the members as eye candy for the male wotas. Even before this collab, AKB48 have objectified themselves anyway and have caused their own controversies such as their commercial when they were passing a sweet between their mouths and many people didn't think it encouraged a positive image.
Now I do not support rape or rape culture in the slightest and I have been close to this kind of situation before and it is a scary experience and I do want to encourage this to happen to any woman or man. And as much as I dislike Blurred Lines for objectifying women in a degrading manner, why am I not surprised that AKB48 have decided to collab? Blurred Lines has been a hit this summer and AKB48 have of course jumped onto his fame to collab with him and make people want to be interested into AKB48 for performing with a popular American singer. They are the most popular group in Japan and of course they will really do anything to gain and maintain their mass popularity. I am not saying that AKB48 are sellouts, in fact I love some of their songs and I am proud of their popularity. All I am stating is that AKB48 have done risky things to promote themselves before so I'm not surprised that they collaborated with Robin Thicke.
However, there is a part of me that feels bad for Yuko and Kojima, that they are participating in a video that objectifies women and makes these two girls look like silly little fangirls that would make themselves vulnerable for the all amazing Mr. Thicke (heavy sarcasm used). Who knows if they knew the true meaning of the song by reading the English lyrics and understood what they meant? However, even if they did know the meaning of the song or not, it's sad that management has decided to use these two girls to jump onto the bandwagon that is the fame of Blurred Lines and risk the chances of people not being able to take these two girls seriously as idols. I love idol music and I know this industry has been portrayed in a negative light, and I do agree with some faults but I don't want those faults to dissuade people from listening to their amazing music and avoid idols in general. Being a fan of idols for a long time they have made me a very happy person with their infectious personalities and music.
There could have been a lot more American artists they could have collaborated with, but what made them pick Robin Thicke remains a mystery to me.
Some people will be a bit saddened that AKB48 are supporting an artist that is accused of supporting rape. However, I am just a little disappointed that once again AKB48 and their management have allowed these girls to be objectified yet again.
What do you guys think about this? Do you think this is an overreaction to this collaboration? Or do you think there is something to be taken seriously here?
I apologize that this isn't a normal music review, but I just wanted to quickly blog about this to get it out of my mind.
Today Berryz Kobou are making a comeback to Merodii Paradise with their 33rd single and today I am going to be reviewing the second A-side of the single Rock Erotic. The PVs were just released on Hello Station today and when I saw both of the music videos I loved both of them so I knew I had to review them. Today I decided to review Rock Erotic due to it being my favourite out of both of the A-sides. Usually the last few Berryz Kobou singles have been good but they haven't blown me away and their sales have been stale in comparison to other H!P groups so due to their success sadly Berryz kind of faded into the background with me. However, with this release they have made me pay attention to them once again so I do hope the girls get promotion for this single which may be a lot to ask of UFP...damn UFP!
Anyway let's get into this review!!!
The opening reminds me of Resonant Blue by Morning Musume! Let's hope this song doesn't also have a bad line distribution...
The lights look like a spaceship, Berryz have come back to try to take over the idol world!
They have brought their own little bunny pet to make people love them with their cuteness! And I can see some sexy "guys" in the background.
They are all stood and ready to take their stance against the idol world for their takeover!!
BERRYZ Power!!!!
Risako introduces herself once again with her signature pout but Yurina is liking it a lot!
Yurina: My love, I will take you for my own!
Miyabi looks like such a pretty, gothic princess!
Wow! Is that Saki...? She looks stunning...she looks like someone though!
Risako: Don't take any notice of Captain! I am your #1 Berryz you should be worshipping me!
Don't worry Risako I could never stop loving you, you will always be my number 1 you sexy, pouting angel! >.<
So Maasa and Chinami are paired off in their own little romances with Captain and Momoko and then Yurina is just strutting her pimpy stuff with her pair of bunnies.
Yurina: Do you love me?
Of course, I love you Yurina! You're beautiful but I'm sure you have enough women! One for each arm!
Risako on one arm and Miyabi on the other! Don't have your cake and eat it too.
Never break a girls heart Yurina!
Captain's hair looks so beautiful! I recently had my hair cut and had a bit of length cut off so it's not as long as hers anymore. I want my long hair back again so I can look as lush as Captain!
C'mon does anyone else see the massive resemblance she has to Takahashi Ai in Onna to Otoko no Lullaby Game? Seriously? Is it just me?
Yep, there is definitely true love going on between Chinami and Momoko!
Look at how Momoko is swooning!
Momoko: Finally, I don't need my awful pigtails to find true love!
Chinami: That's right, I love you for the inside!
Awww Chimami you sweetheart!
Miyabi who's got their eyes on you? Your precious Yurina?
WHAT?! Yurina, I thought you wanted Risako, Miyabi and ME?! D:
Fine, go for Momoko and ruin her fairytale romance...Chinami!!!!
Awww Risako is smiling! :D She looks so beautiful she doesn't need to pout!
You are a natural beauty Risako do not deny it!
Yurina: Do not say anything to Chinami about my affair with Momoko...got it?
I will not say a word Yurina, please don't hurt me!!!
Captain looks so sad in this shot, c'mere and I'll give you hugs! I'll hug you tiny Saki!
Chinami is soooo pretty those eyes make me want to melt.
I can't break her heart!!!
Berryz are still determined to abduct us all and probe us with Berryz spirit!
Ufft Miyabi is so beautiful and she knows how to emote to the camera!
I will not break your heart Miyabi I will always be there for you!!!
I'll even give you plenty of carrots, they give you good eyesight don't you know! They can make you see past those massive ass spotlights!
We want you to join us!!! Of course!! Wota chants!!!
I swear this is their alien sign language!
Berryz: Initiate Plan A...
Risako why you so sexy?!!! And without even trying, show me your sexy wisdom.
Risako: Maaaybe Jenny. Lesson #1 the pout.
I think I've seen you pout so much that I could easily do it without lessons now.
These silhouette shots are making me think of so many fanfiction ideas right now XD
Maasa, you have been the underdog so far! Here am I thinking Chinami is a prince charming and Yurina is a womaniser when I think you could be both. You are their competition!
Who will be Berryz Kobou's sexy and suave ikemen?
Chinami just knows how to be such a gentleman and make girls feel like a princess!
She must have found out about Momoko and Yurina's affair...oh no!
I thought we had something special Risako! You're my oishii D:
Fine, but if she breaks your heart don't come crying to me :( Heart is broken right now.
Yurina is acting like nothing has happened, she's pretending I didn't know a thing about her affair.
Yurina: Jenny, see, I am in love with Miyabi!
Risako: Jenny, I am sorry! Chinami isn't my special fangirl, I need you again!
Yay! Pouting buddies UNITE!
Yurina do not touch my Risako!
I am getting tired of your pimpy ways!!!!
Maasa: Don't worry, Jenny. I will take care of Berryz Kobou with respect!
I hold you to that Maasa :D I am so proud of you you beautiful ikemen!
Maasa, you have some sexy moves...I think I'm also falling in love.
That stare between them, sparks are in the air!!! :D Maasa has stolen the beautiful Miyabi from Yurina. Miyabi can have her broken heart fixed now!
Yurina: Momoko, my love!!!
Yurina knows that Maasa is now competition and is trying to prove she is Berryz ikemen!
I'm sorry but no, Maasa is just captivating me more and more. I am so sorry Yurina, this is what happens when you break women's hearts.
She has now managed to steal Momoko away from Yurina's clutches. Go Maasa! Save Berryz and bring the balance back!
*Side not in this part of the dance it does actually look like Maasa is spanking Momoko...oo-er!*
It seems everything is back to normal now. Now that Berryz are no longer distracted by love its back to the mission!
Berryz Kobou: Do not allow love and sexiness to distract us from taking over the idol world!!!
Saki has decided to use her sad eye stare to make people feel sympathy for her so they will support her as an idol. Well done Captain I am your victim!!!
Momoko decides to go with the innocent girly girl tactic, that's great. One piece of advice, the horrible pigtails will reveal your alien identity. That hairstyle will never be accepted on Earth. I've lived on this planet for 19 years to know this.
Maasa is just captivating me with her sexy ikemen stare. Take me Maasa! XD
This just proves yet again that Maasa just oozes "Hey sexy lady...my love...flirty flirt".
Swoon!
Risako: Has Maasa come between us?
No, don't say those things Risako I will always love you!!!!
Chinami is just so pretty and has had her heart broken D:
Support Captain, she has no one to love, she looks so sad.
Yurina: I will have my revenge!
I foiled your womanizing plan, you will never defeat me MWAHAHAH!
You will never defeat my woman intuition. Men all over the world have tried to vanquish me and all have failed.
Risako: You're woman intuition is very intriguing.
I know Risako, so next time you want to show me your new man they will have to pass my intuition test!
I am the the only person who knows who will be your true love. :)
She looks like a Playboy Bunny but without the horrible blonde hair and the fakeness!
Risako is all natural!
Pretty Momoko is like a doll!
Saki: Mirror, mirror on the wall...
Don't ask the mirror you're beautiful! :D
Miyabi: To be or not to be that is the question?
And the champion ikemen has been revealed as Maasa!!
Well done Maasa!!!
Berryz are going to take over the world...
Just you wait...
Did you enjoy the screenshots? If you did, then you will enjoy the music video even more. When I found out Berryz Kobou's 33rd single was going to be a double A-side it didn't make me too excited. Their last few releases, apart from WANT! have been a bit meh and haven't made me want to listen to them over and over again like other H!P groups have done with their latest releases. Berryz Kobou have honestly been shoved to the side by UFP (as much as I hate to admit it). So when I heard they were releasing another single, I didn't have too much excitement over it. However, I listened to both of the A-sides and when I heard Rock Erotic I was over the moon.
It's been a while since H!P have released a really amazing rock orientated song and this is what Rock Erotic has done. The title of the song intrigued me for a while and when I saw the concept of this song it made me even more intrigued. I instantly knew this song was going to be very powerful and sexy and it didn't fail at all. The rock instrumentation throughout the song made me want to listen to it for longer and longer. As the song continued I was smiling more and more and thought: Please don't end this song. Then Rock Erotic ends and it just makes me want more. Just that effect alone makes me wish that Berryz get a good result from this single. Rock Erotic may not get promoted as their main A-side, however I hope people's ears take notice of this song and buy a copy. Berryz have been neglected and deserve their time to shine again!
The line distribution was very fair and allowed all of the girls to have decent lines as well as still maintaining the front girl roles of Risako and Miyabi. Miyabi and Risako sound fantastic in this single once again and make me realize why I love these girls so much. Plus, the beauty of Risako always pulls me in so I may be a little biased. Saki also had very impressive vocals in this for me too and of course everyone sounded amazing. I also like Momoko's voice, but sometimes she sings a bit too high? for me. Some people will say that's how the song is composed but the way she sings those high notes stand out for me in an odd fashion.
The music video of course was very simple with most of the shots being concentrated on a dance shot with the solo and silhouette shots to accompany it. I like the simplicity of it because the mixture of the outfits of the girls allows them to play roles that makes you interested in what's going to happen. Maasa, Yurina and Chinami look like gentleman who are trying to capture the hearts of Miyabi, Captain, Risako and Momoko. It's a simple little storyline but I like it, and it's nice to have a little creativity like this in the music video. I wonder if the sexiness of Chinami, Maasa and Yurina will pull in some female fans to have girl crushes on them? That is a good idea!! It worked for me!
I am a big fan of rock music and to have it mixed in with a poppy sound of an idol group I do like gives me a very impressive new release with this A-side. I am not too sure if they will get promotion or not due to them having had a lack of it, but I do hope that with the impressive sound Rock Erotic has I hope it makes people realize that they should not give up on Berryz. They are a talented bunch of girls and it is a shame they are not being showcased to their full ability. However, Rock Erotic does just that. It's an amazing song I want to listen to again and again, and with such an amazing music video and concept...that is just the icing on the cake!!!
RATING: 10/10
(The Rock Erotic music video begins at 6.23)
Check out the music video and let me know what you think! I'm always curious to read other people's opinions :D
