~~My favourite idol~~

Hello guys!
Today I wanted to do a different post to what I usually do and I wanted to talk about my favourite idol, how I came across them and why it is that I love them so!

My all time favourite idol is Takahash Ai! She joined Morning Musume in 2001 as a 5th generation member of Morning Musume and was a very popular member within her 10 year reign as a member of Morning Musume! After Yoshizawa Hitomi graduated 2007, and then after Miki Fujimoto graduated soon after Takahashi Ai become the leader of Morning Musume and ran a fantastic line up through the Platinum Era and into 2011.

I first discovered her when I watched the Onna ni Sachi Are PV and I just adored how she acted on camera and how she really captivated you with her amazing acting skills. Then after watching a few Morning Musume live performances I was blown away by how amazing Takitty's voice was. She surpasses the typical talent you expect to find in an idol a hundred times over and I am not surprised she received so much work after graduating Morning Musume. She truly deserves it!

As I listened back to her debut and the first few years of her career in Morning Musume I was very surprised she wasn't straight at the front of the line up. I always found her to have an amazing voice even in her audition clips. However, I am glad that she slowly worked her way to the front, so it proved to people that she did deserve the lead lines she received in singles throughout her Morning Musume career. And it allowed her to learn about herself as a person and an idol and what her weaknesses and strengths were so she could work on them. Not everyone is perfect but by the time Morning Musume got to the Platinum Era Takitty was in full force. Not just as a leader but as the perfect idol! She become a confident performer and she owned herself in a variety of songs. She could do everything from sexy, fun to cute.

And that made me learn how much of a cry baby Takitty was. I found it a very appreciated quality of hers that I loved from the start. She isn't afraid to show her true emotions and with this I could feel what she felt and I could empathize with her and I felt much closer to her as a fan. I know Takitty is just an idol that I will never ever meet in my life, but sometimes I do think of her as a sister. She's a huge influence to me and I couldn't think of any other idol who will ever have the same impact on me as Takitty.

I really loved it when Takitty performed ballads too and even though she was such a versatile performer and could perfectly do whatever she put her mind too, I always felt her strongest expertise was ballads. She could perfectly put so much emotion into a song that once she started to tear up singing the song that's when the performance captivated me. When I saw eng subs of these performances it made me appreciate the song, not just for it's sound, but for it's lyrical content. 

I also feel like I'm similiar to Takahashi Ai in some parts so that's what makes me feel even more connected to Takitty. She's a cry baby like me, seriously the littlest things can make me cry especially if it includes cute bunnies and puppies. I have a passion for singing and theatre like she does and one main thing is that we're both shy yet when we're both performing we have this confidence that we wouldn't usually have in reality.

I will continue to support Takahashi Ai! I know she has a bright future ahead of her in the future and I will never stop believing in Takahashi Ai! I will always support her! I love you Takahashi Ai!

Thanks for reading!~~

Shangai Honey - Orange Range (Review)

Hello guys!

Now today's blog post is a little different to my usual blog posts. Usually, I have planned what song I want to review next but this week I've been in the mood to discover some new Japanese acts (well not new-new but acts that I've come across for the first time). Phew! I'm glad I got that confusion out the way! And back to the topic I basically asked people I knew online if they had any requests to send my way and my good friend Nakatsu asked me to review Shangai Honey by Orange Range!

Now the song didn't click with me straight away cause the rapping was a turn off for me (out of the J-Rock bands I know Uverworld is the only band that's impressed me with their rapping) but apart from that I like the rest of the song! The group has a lot of energy and really know how to gel together well. The chorus' were very catchy and I still have them stuck in my head! I'm a big fan of J-Rock and a lot of stuff I get introduced to or discover is usually v-kei and a lot of it is dark, so many J-Rock acts I like have dominantly dark music material. But it's a nice breath of fresh air to discover a band such as Orange Range who are still rock but they have a much more upbeat, positive vibe about them. And it's a very catchy song for me to listen to through the summer and I think with a few more listens I will definitely download it. Songs are only legit for me once they are downloaded onto my mp3 player because I cannot leave the house without it. And i cannot risk 40 minute bus drives to university and back if there isn't any good music to listen to. I think this song will be a grower on my list just for it's catchiness and simplicity. I'm glad it wasn't an  over the top and complicated song.

Then when I watched the PV (Original version) and I just couldn't stop giggling throughout the whole thing. It was like they were doing a slap stick of a typical 90's RnB music video with the bodyguards stood with the speakers and the typical slim women swimming around in a pool. But then you get this other woman who enters who is completely different to the other women (in this case she is much more muscular and less feminine) and suddenly the band are all rushing to grab her attention instead of the typically beautiful women you'd expect them to fawn over. So I loved how they tricked us into thinking they were being serious and then pull one over on us when they do something different to what I expected. So I learned my lesson in the sense that just because you see a beautiful woman doesn't mean every man is going to bow down to her feet to be their prince charming. Thank you Orange Range for giving me morals! (Sorry I sound so hyper in this I'm drinking wine as I'm writing, naughty Jen! haha!)

Speaking of wine as I watched this PV I giggled and laughed a lot at how many sexual innuendos there are in the music video! They're better in screencaps because wording them will not give them justice:

Here is the stereotypical white bikini I always seem to see in music videos to suggest supposed "innocence". All I can think is Beeeatch please!

And the more I watch this the more I realize why they have white bikinis. Well Orange Range don't have X-ray vision do they? Dirrrrty! Hehe! Can't blame a guy for trying!!

However, these girls know what Orange Range's gameplan is and so with their oh-so-awesome dance moves they show the guys that they are thinking to insinuate they have intelligence and should not be just looked at! You go girls you show them! Let them work hard for their Asian rendezvous! GRR!

No, girls this isn't a pure love when you ruin your plans by shaking your toooshe to the camera! I thought we had something here girls but oh well...keep shaking the booty!

Oh but these girls don't care what I have to say do they? I thought it was sisters before misters.

Well no more respect from me! Even though those bikinis are quite pretty!

One compliment and they agree with my thoughts again! Women should not be seen as a common object! So they brought their friend Gunta to prove a point! You go girl! You flex those lady muscles!

Now these guys just can't make their minds up about who they want can they? And you white vest dude, put your mic away! We're in public! Come on it's so strategically placed you have to turn onto dirty mind mode here!

But I think Gunta has the same idea as me about these perverted men! She's shown her rage with lightning and hurricanes to scare them off! Make them work for your affections! Go Gunta!

Pfft! Didn't take long for these two did it! What happened to sisters before misters and bros before hos? You all make me sick! I'll just drink more wine to drown my sorrows!

Now this guy can agree with me! Bring on the bubbly, we'll both get drunk while these young'uns go on with their escapades of orange themed fun!

But don't think that popping that bottle open in that way is going to make me think dirty thoughts!
You sir are totally wrong!
I'm sorry but can anyone else see this innuendo? It's too rude for me to put it simply!

But through all of my mind war games of morals and people popping mics and bottles we forgot about one poor little fellow! The drummer who hasn't managed to have a break! Through the PV I realized the drummer was not interested in those women at all. He's probably looking for an intelligent woman to share clever banter with, I can spare some time comrade!

Or you could hang out with these two cool speaker dudes and fill out the health and safety forms? With all of that water you knew there would be loads of paperwork! You could have ran with the ladies but instead you decided to work hard! Good for you!

Sorry for the weirdest screen caps! It's just when I watched this music video this is what I was thinking throughout the whole thing. There were so many suggestions and innuendos that with all of the wine I've had it made me giggle so much and I had to share this with you! It's a very fun music video to watch and it was a simple stage set, pool and beach and I liked the whole white and orange themes of the women's bikinis to showcase different things. From my perspective I think the white represented the plain look that we get given in the media when it comes to women in Japan and then we get this orange bikini'd woman who is not the type of girl we see in the magazine, and the way the band are attracted to her proves something. That girls we see everyday in the magazines aren't what men always want. Everyone has different types and it's a shame the media can't really recognize that.

I think I might give Orange Range a chance and listen to more of their songs! Despite it being catchy it didn't click with me straight away so I might check out more of their other songs to see if they can still pull me in and make me a fan! And thank you to Nakatsu again for this request I had a lot of fun writing this blog post!

Guys if you have anymore requests for me in the future, please do not hesitate to request them to me! They can be H!P, AKB, any other idol groups, J-Rock or even some K-Pop if you feel adventurous!

Thanks for reading!

Tanaka Reina ~~Graduation Commemoration Post~~

How can you write about a Morning Musume member who is due to graduate yet you don't really know what to write? Tomorrow is Tanaka Reina's graduation from Morning Musume and of course a lot of wotas and fans hearts will be breaking that their MoMusu oishii will be leaving. Do not fear though Reina will not be disappearing from the face of the earth, she will still be in the music industry with her new rock project Lovendor. So it is a big massive part of Morning Musume that will be graduating but at the same time it isn't going to end the world.

Now when I first became a fan of Morning Musume Reina did stand out to me at the start. At this point the first song I'd come across by Morning Musume was Onna ni Sachi Are and Reina was one of the girls that was pushed to the front. So, really I had no choice but to take notice of her. And she did stand out to me, with her sultry glares, I would have said stares but glares sounds more like our yankee Reina. I thought she was very beautiful and really fit with the theme of the song with her pretty vocals. I've never thought of Reina as having a strong voice in terms of Ai and Gaki but she always had this pretty tone to her voice that I always liked.

However, after a while and becoming more familiar with Morning Musume and all of their other member, I learned to realise that this was the Reina I would always be given. In Onna ni Sachi Are I thought her careless attitude was due to the song being a serious one and this was just her relating to the songs. However, in singles after that and even to this day I realised this was the Reina we would always have. She still had amazing talents and looks but it never seemed like she was as passionate about Morning Musume like Michishige Sayumi for example.

In earlier songs such as Shabondama Reina had passion and looked like she enjoyed herself and that was the Reina I loved. I will be honest and say I loved Reina from the beginning of her Morning Musume career compared to the Reina now. I still like her, but I loved her energy and much more mature sounding voice in her earlier years in comparison to now. Through the Platinum Era Reina's vocals turned very squeaky and now she does sometimes sound mature but that's only depending on the kind of song she is given to sing.

There was times where I really loved Reina in her career and then there were times where I still liked her but she just meshed with the other members of Morning Musume who also just meshed into the background. But I have never had a dislike towards Reina, she has always been one of my favourite vocalists. Of course behind Ai, because if you know me, you will know that no other idol no matter what will top Ai in being the perfect idol. And in terms of being an idol, despite all of the glitter and cat ears etc, Reina never really seemed like an idol to me. Her bored personality kind of took her away from that and her lack of an idol personality made me think of Reina as more of a much more serious, professional singer. From what I've heard of Lovendor so far Reina does need to transition from her idol vocals to a much more rockier vocals but it isn't going to happen overnight. And if Reina doesn't want to be seen as an idol anymore she really needs to get rid of the glitter and cat ears she has been wearing in performances because even if she is graduating, it still makes Lovendor Reina look like the Morning Musume Reina.

It isn't going to happen overnight but if Reina manages to change her image and vocals to conform better to a rock group then they will sound fantastic. And from the previews I've heard of their first album so far I have good hopes for this group, but I don't know how they will do sales wise.

In terms of Reina's graduation I do hope she goes out with a good farewell due to her 10 long hard working years as a member of Morning Musume. I do hope the concert is one that showcases Reina well with plenty of glitter and bows to last a lifetime. Even though there were times where Reina didn't stand out the most to me, I've always liked her and respected her as a member of Morning Musume. There have been times in her career where she was isolated from the rest of the group but she still managed to go onto the stage with a smile and interact with her fans which I think is a true quality in an idol. No matter what happens you can always smile and keep the spirit within your fans hearts. I will miss Reina, but at the same time I am very excited to hear what Morning Musume have to offer once Reina is gone.

What do you think of Reina's graduation? With only 24 hours left I will be excited to hear what the other members have to say to Reina as their farewells. Another member of an amazing era has retired her idol microphone ready for the next line up of Morning Musume to take it's place.

Farewell to the glittery yankee of Morning Musume! I wish you all the best for Lovendor!

Cascada - Glorious (Review (The Cheesy Eurovision Edition))

Today is the final of the Eurovision song contest and it's an hour before it airs in my country! Now one of my favorite contenders this year to be the winner of Eurovision 2013 is Germany's entry this year which is Glorious by the world famous Cascada. Unlike the UK, sorry to bash my country but it's true we suck with out entries, apart from Jade Ewen, Germany have took a good card out of the deck and have crowned Cascada as their representatives for this year. So I decided to review Glorious. I know it's a lot different to my Japanese music reviews but with Eurovision airing tonight I knew I had to review this song.

Cascada is a band that I grew up listening to since their first single Everytime We Touch and they've gone through quite a transformation since their debut and they are pretty famous in the dance scene in Europe now. So when I found out they were performing in Eurovision this year I was quite shocked yet so excited to see what they had up their sleeves. I was quite shocked because a lot of UK acts have used Eurovision as an excuse to push themselves back into the spotlight which doesn't work, but luckily Cascada have managed to maintain popularity since their debut. And their vocalist Natalie Horner is one of the best vocalists I have heard out there in my music favourites.

Now I decided to in this review express my opinions on not just the song but also the performance because I saw it for the first time in the semi-final performance and it gave me goosebumps from the get go. I'm not just saying this because I love Natalie Horner, but because I went through some years where I hadn't listened to Cascada at all. So this year is the first event in a while where I've listened to them again, and Natalie's voice is still as amazing as ever, if not better than when I last heard her. And she is also one of them rare talents where they sound amazing in both recordings and live performances.

Now I was very happy with this performance because it still maintained the pink colour scheme that it had from the music video. I also loved the simplicity of it because out of Eurovision all of my favourite acts have always had simple performances and not over the top stage performances that a lot of countries use in Eurovision. The simple staging in this performance was a platform with stairs leading to the real stage, two backing singers and white drapes that were used well so they could change colour depending on the lighting which was also very simple and didn't distract away from the performance itself. Just Natalie's amazing vocals did it justice by itself and I loved how the backing singers didn't try to sing too loud because sometimes backing singers can really clash with the main vocalists badly.

Natalie's costume was also very pretty and I loved how it matched the drapes of the stage but also maintained the classical costume that she has worn in Cascada performances in previous years. The top half which looks like some sort of sparkly corset reminded me of the Because the Night music video so I loved the connection with that. She also wore a simple, short, white skirt with a lace trail at the back to add an elegance to it. And I cannot deny that it showcased her beautiful legs well. She might as well add some sexiness to get votes eh? ;)

When I was watching this performance it actually felt like I was watching a winners performance and I loved the energy that Natalie was showcasing throughout the song and that's a quality I love in her as a performer. She knows how to work the song, the crowd and still maintain the emotion of the song whilst also maintaining the technicality of her amazing vocals. I am not lying but I had chills throughout the performance! And it made me love the song all the more! I also think her voice sounds just like the recorded version but it had a more raw sound to it in the performance to add more raw emotion in it and she knows how to belt a good chorus!

Now in terms of the song itself I think it's a very impressive song for a Eurovision entry and to also cater to Cascada's original fan base. The song maintains that same formula of verse, chorus, long instrumental, verse, chorus, long instrumental, chorus. It allows the classical European dance sound to emit itself in classical Cascada style, so it makes me want to dance to it like I would do with any other Cascada track. However, in terms of lyrics and how the chorus' are so powerful and carry the themes of believing in yourself, it also conforms itself well to the typical poppy formula that is seen in Eurovision.

In terms of competition, I can't say for sure whether Cascada will win but they have a pretty good chance, They are pretty popular all over Europe so just the mention of their name may give them votes. However, there are some other fantastic acts in Eurovision this year and in such a huge competition like this it's never easy to predict a winner for certain. Even if she doesn't win I know for sure she'll be a very high ranking in the table! I just gotta listen through a long hour or so of the points being tallied by the different countries!

Who do you think will win Eurovision this year?