Morning Musume - 4th Ikimasshoi!

Fourth album released by Morning Musume (obviously xD). The singles included on this album are from The Peace to Mr. Moonlight. If anyone remembers I've already talked about the singles from that time span in an earlier post, so I won't ramble on about them again. And yes, I know that some of the singles have been remixed to 'album versions' but as I couldn't care less about that and replaced all the 'album versions' with the real versions in my iTunes, I don't care much about noting any differences.

Track #1, The Peace!: Review Here

Track #2, Ii Koto Aru Kinen no Shunkan: Oh this song is so Tsunku. The intro is so Tsunku it's funny. One thing I love about H!P is that Tsunku's production style turns even typical idol pop interesting. It's not the greatest MM song, but it's nice. 3.5/5.

Track #3, Mr. Moonlight (Ai no Big Band): Review Here I will say something random though. I know Tsunku's a huge Beatles fanboy and today I just learned while searching for this video on YT to add to the playlist that the Beatles have a song called Mr. Moonlight. Interesting.

Track #4, Hajimete no Rock Concert: So this was completely different than I was expecting but in a good way. Kind of reminds me of Sexy8's shuffle single. 4/5.

Track #5, Otoko Tomodachi: There's nothing really super special about this one. Can't really remember it after listening to it. 3/5.

Track #6, Souda! We're Alive: Review Here

Track #7, Dekkai Uchuu ni Ai ga Aru: Review Here

Track #8, Ikimasshoi!: This is the song I was expecting to hear for the title song. I was expecting something a little higher energy, but it still fits what I thought in my head about it. Wait.....was that.....howling? What? Did that actually happen? Oh my gosh xD *Horrible EXO Wolf flashbacks xD* At least it's incorporated better than Wolf...just saying. Kind of liking this song. Might end up being my favorite. 4.5/5.

Track #9, Densha no Futari: Pretty good song. I'm actually fairly impressed with this album so far. Their earlier albums were all pretty boring (which makes sense because of the style they were going for at the time) but this one's pretty fun. 4/5.

Track #10, Honki de Atsui Theme Song: Much better of a song than I was expecting one with the words Theme Song in it to sound. Pretty catchy. 4/5.

Track #11, Suki na Senpai: This is probably the weakest song on the album. Kinda boring, not as cutesy as I thought it would be, but still not interesting enough to catch my attention. 3/5.

Track #12, Renai Revolution 21: I debated on whether to review this song here or wait until I typed up the review on their Best Album 1. So I decided on the latter. Please look out for that! (I'll add that link into this later.)

Track #13, Nanni mo Iwazu ni I Love You: Oh gosh this is so 80s sounding. I love it. Maybe I'm a hypocrite because I always say I can't stand ballads, but H!P certainly has a lot of ballads that are actually worth listening to. Or I'm just incredibly biased....which is most likely the truth. 4/5.

Pleasantly surprised with this album to be honest. Wasn't too fond of their first three albums but this is certainly a step in the right direction. 4/5.

℃-ute - Lalala Shiawase no Uta

Our journey through C-ute's earlier material continues! Haha.

Really not a big fan of this song. Probably the weakest of their singles by this point. The lalala's are kind of catchy but it's not enough to distract from the rather boring feeling in the rest of the song. As for the video....I don't think we have any right to complain about the videos nowadays because ouch this video. The dance is silly, the camerawork/editing looks bad (or maybe it's just the quality but still), and who in their right mind thought those outfits were ok? They're hideous. I'm so sorry those girls had to wear them. 3/5.

Lalala Shiawase no Uta MV:

The coupling track for this single is Saikoukyuu no Enjoy Girls. Awkward title with those English words but whatever. Oh this should have been the title song. I really like this. Reminds me a lot of ZE:A's Mazeltov though with the naming of the days. 4/5.

Saikoukyuu no Enjoy Girls (Audio Only):

Not the greatest single, but at least the B-side is really fun. 3.5/5.

SKE48 - Kono Hi no Chime wo Wasurenai

FINALLY done with finals & final papers....I was fortunate this year and don't have anything for the rest of the week xD So yay for more posting time before work starts up again xD

This release is SKE48's first and only (so far) album. SKE48 is the first sister group of AKB48 and was founded in 2008. I've always wondered why SKE48 hasn't released another album yet. It's been over two years since this was released so they're due for a new album. I've heard that this album didn't sell particularly well, but for future releases that's easily remedied by including 2 shot tickets. It just would be nice to have a new SKE album, especially since both AKB and Nogizaka are releasing one in January and NMB released one earlier this year.

Track #1, Tsuyokimono yo: It's rare that first single from a group would wind up as one of my favorites. They really need to do some new songs in this style with the violins and the darker feel. I think only "Escape" is a better song in their discography than this. The music video really isn't anything special. It's just them dancing in a warehouse/airplane hanger. I find it so incredibly hard to believe that Jurina was only 12 here though. She looks so much older than she actually is. 5/5

Tsuyokimono yo MV

Track #2, Aozora Kataomoi: It's always sad to me that SKE didn't stick with the Tsuyokimono yo style for more than one single. Before I listened to their earlier singles, the only song of theirs I knew pre-2013 was Kataomoi Finally and when I listened to Tsuyokimono I thought "Wow! SKE is the cool more dancey group! It'll be exciting to learn their older songs!" I was pretty wrong. It's not that their other singles are bad, but I would be lying if I didn't say that I was very disappointed that there weren't more Tsuyokimonos. This song is fairly generic idol pop. Nothing special. The music video's ok. Pretty low budget. It even has the annoying H!P-esque sparkles in some spots. The outfits are nice though. I guess this was before AKB really exploded though so it'd make sense that there wasn't a huge budget.There's one girl in the video that really looks like Aya Matsuura to me though but I don't know who she is. The only girls I can pick out in this video are Jurina, Rena, Yukiko, and Kumi. 3/5.

Aozora Kataomoi MV

Track #3, Gomen ne, Summer: Again, there is nothing really special about this song at all. It's better than Aozora Kataomoi I guess. The music video is beautiful though. The environment that is. The actual video is a bunch of running and a dance shot...thinking about it, I think SKE has a few MVs where they just run in it. Which is a little strange. But anyway, where was this filmed? Where in Japan is this place? It's SO PRETTY! 3.5/5

Gomen ne, Summer MV

Track #4, 1!2!3!4! Yoroshiku!: Not sure how I feel about this song. It's certainly better than their last two singles, but it's a little weird at the same time. Even though I'm not sure what I think of it, I'm glad they at least went with a different feel for this single instead of going with the same style from the last two. The music video's strange like the song. 3.5/5.

1!2!3!4! Yoroshiku! MV

Track #5, Banzai Venus: I like this song. So catchy! The music video is like Koisuru Fortune Cookie before Koisuru Fortune Cookie lol. And features more running by SKE. 5/5.

Banzai Venus MV

Track #6, Pareo wa Emerald: The beginning of the song begins so promising.....and then it's back to the typical summer sounding track. Music video is the typical summer one as well. 3.5/5.

Pareo wa Emerald MV

Track #7, Oki Doki: This song reminds me slightly of Junjou U-19. Don't know why though xD. The song's great. It's very much like Banzai Venus with how catchy it is. The video is like a combination of Yoroshiku and Banzai's music videos. 4/5.

Oki Doki MV

Track #8, Kataomoi Finally: This is the only song that I had heard from them that was released prior to 2013 before I made the effort to dig deeper in the 48s catalog. Looking back on the song now, it's really not as great as I remember. Tsuyokimono is miles better. I think I enjoyed the song so much at the time because it was a "darker" song in a sea of bright pop songs by the 48s. It's not bad or anything, just not as great as I remember. 4/5.

Kataomoi Finally MV

Track #9, Hula Hoop de Go! Go! Go!: Now we're on to the songs with no videos. Before this week I had never heard any of these either so this was an adventure for me. This is Team S's song on the album. Unfortunately, it's one of those generic idol pop songs. Not bad, just not special. 3/5.

Track #10, Shikatte yo, Darling: This is Team KII's song on the album. It's more unique than Team S's track, but it's still not anything special. In fact, I think I enjoyed Team S's song more. 3/5.

Track #11, Mitsubachi Girl: This is Team E's song on the album. It's looking like Team S will be my favorite Team song on the album. Kind of disappointed in the new tracks so far. Hopefully there's at least one good one in here. 3/5.

Track #12, Sono Saki ni Kimi ga Ita: This is the Kenkyuusei's song on the album. It's a change of pace I guess? Just not a good one. If there's one thing I hate more than ballads, it's idol pop ballads. They ALL SOUND THE EXACT SAME. Seriously. Why couldn't the Kenkyuusei have gotten a crazy genki track instead. 2.5/5.

Track #13, Sunenagara, Ame: This song is performed by Selection 8, so essentially the popular girls of the group at that time. This is probably the best album song. It's pretty good but I don't have a complete opinion on it yet. I think when I listen to it more it'll become one of my favorites. 4/5.

Tracks #14 & #15, Ponytail to Shushu & Beginner: Just AKB48 covers. Obviously AKB's are better, but these are pretty good too.

I realize that they also covered Heavy Rotation on the CD/DVD version of this album, but I didn't buy that version and it's a cover anyway so there's no use talking about it.

The singles are miles better than the album songs on this CD. It makes sense that they would be, but I was still hoping that there would be a standout track among the new ones, but there's really not. Sunenagara gets close to being standout though. Maybe when I listen to it more it'll click. 4/5.

Team Syachihoko - Himatsubushi

So I was originally going to ask if it was Syachihoko or Shachihoko officially, but then I saw what their official YT romanized it to so that's the official way in the title I guess xD To be honest I bought this album purely because I liked Ii Kurashi and I had enough CDJapan points to get it for free so I decided why the heck not. They're a sister group of Momoiro Clover Z and Shiritsu Ebisu Chuugaku and I really love MCZ so I was hoping that this CD would be pretty good too. So before sitting down to listen to this today, the only song I had heard was Ii Kurashi. So this was an interesting experience. Everything written here is my first reactions so it's very weird xD

The tracks that are on YT will be linked in a playlist at the end.

Track #1, Space Himatsubushi: So I was NOT expecting the "rapped" intro by the dude. That was interesting. I have a feeling that this album will be hard to get through because of the girls' vocals. MCZ has the same problem, but the songs are so great as stand-alones so hopefully Shachihoko will too. This song certainly has the off the wall-ness that MCZ has, except more. I kind of like it. It's weird but really cool. 4/5.

Track #2, Shuto Iken Keikaku: Yep. They're definitely like MCZ. I really like this song. It's so un-idol pop it's great. I've been missing out on this group. The only gripe I have is their vocals. The song goes for 5:30 so it does drag with their vocals a bit. However, I couldn't stand MCZ's Mugen no Ai at first because of vocals and now it's one of my favorite songs (and most played song) of all time, so I expect this to meet a similar fate. In the music videos.....aren't this essentially the same outfits as in Ii Kurashi? This came first though. Hm. Wonder why they used the same-ish look. The music video contains lots of signs in Japanese I can't read, and what I'm assuming to be pictures that have something to do with the words which I obviously don't get. 4/5.

Track #3, Dakishimete Anthem: Hugging/Embracing Anthem? Well hugs are good and I think they do deserved to be praised more often xD Semi-kidding of course. These titles sure go along with the interesting titles from other Stardust groups. I really hate to keep comparing them to MCZ because they're their own group, but I think it's a pretty major compliment to say that a song sounds like something that could've fit on 5th Dimension. Gosh this purchase was SO worth it. The "video" for this song on their official channel is essentially a dance practice video with costumes, but the costumes are adorable. 5/5.

Track #4, Ndatte!!: Syachihoko's answer to Babymetal? Kind of I guess, felt like it with that intro. So far this is probably my least favorite track, but it's still pretty darn good. Now that I think about it for a second, it feels more like Love Live's After School Navigators than Babymetal, which is still awesome. (Shameless plug alert: English ID for Love Live [595559611], Japanese ID for Love Live [345154852]. Both my screen names are Kyrie...except it's written in Hiragana in the Japanese which would be Kirie but yeah xD Add me if you'd like xD)

Track #5, Ai no Chikyuusai: As soon as this song started I knew I'd love it. I'm a sucker for anything even remotely electro sounding. Not sure if this is better than Ii Kurashi or not, but it's pretty close. I'm only five songs into this album and I'm super impressed. I swear I heard a bit of Pitbull's "Hotel Room" beat in here too....which although that is a terrible song, the beat is kind of cool. I have NO clue what's going on in the music video though. And I thought that MCZ had weird videos. This is just insanity. Not quite Kyary Pamyu Pamyu insanity, but close. 5/5.

Track #6, Ii Kurashi: This is already an automatic 5. Both song and video. I was incredibly impressed when I heard this song for the first time. I've been trying to branch out to other Japanese girl groups over the past year and really haven't found a great deal of ones I actually think anything of. So I love when I come across that one song that just completely blows me away. This was one of those moments. 5/5.

Track #7, I Don't Care: First thought in my head was Fall Out Boy's song (fantastic song btw). This is another weak song for the album. However, their "weak" songs are incredibly strong compared to a lot of other group's discographies so it feels wrong to label this as weak. It's actually really growing on me the longer the song goes. Dubstep that ACTUALLY WORKS?! K-pop please take note! 4/5.

Track #8, Akamiso Blood: This song is very short for a J-pop song. This song is SO COOL and SO DIFFERENT! It features a beat boxing pianist. I'm actually surprised that they were able to pull this off. The video in the playlist is from the beatboxer's channel & it's a concert video and it's pretty cool to watch. 4.5/5.

Track #9, Colors: Well this is for certain the weakest track on the album. After the previous eight tracks, heading into pretty normal territory for Japanese girl groups is strange, but I guess you do have to have a track that isn't completely off the wall. I actually like the track for being a bit of a combo breaker. I feel that this was probably a good place to dial back the crazy. 3.5/5.

Track #10, Akeboshi: Nope, spoke too soon. THIS is my least favorite. Colors was catchy in it's own way, this is just a ballad. But at least it's not the normal ballad that you'd expect. It's not a generic idol pop ballad that makes you want to slam your head into the wall. Maybe it's because of the pretty violins. 3/5.

Track #11, Yoroshiku Jinrui: One of the girls in this group seems to have a really strong voice? Is it yellow girl? (Don't really know who the girls are xD). With this song we're kind of half in the crazy and in the typical, which at this point is okay. Perhaps this album won't suffer like 5th Dimension does with playing through the whole thing in one sitting. As much as I absolutely adore 5th Dimension, it's incredibly difficult to sit through the whole thing unless I'm in the mood for it. Maybe this one will be better to get through more than a couple times. The end of this song reminds me of a Christmas song. The video for this is a cute animation. 3.5/5

Track #12, Country Girl: WHAT? WHAT IS THIS?! Oh my gosh xD This is so great xD Not in a I'll listen to this a million times way, but in a oh my gosh who thought to put THIS together way xD THERE'S A BANJO IN IT haha xD I actually know someone that plays the banjo so this is just strange. I'd actually be completely ok if H!P's new girl group (or revival group whatever) Country Girls sounds like this. 5/5 just for the complete surprise.

Track #13, Otome Juken Sensou: YES. The album ends on the perfect high note. I just really have no more words. 5/5.

Playlist (doesn't include all of the tracks, just official videos)

Wow. I cannot believe that this album is as amazing as it is. I'm just sitting here in shock and awe over what a purchase that I just made because I was running out of time to use points turned out to be. Someone please remind me to buy things on whims more often. Everyone PLEASE check this album out! It's SO WORTH IT!. 4.5/5.

S/mileage - Tabidachi no Haru ga Kita

I'll have to retag this in the future when they reveal their new name. Not sure how I feel about the new name and possible complete rebranding of S/mileage. Within the past two years I've really begun to love them. I just hope they continue to have songs that show Meimi's incredible voice. Or just give her a solo career. That's ok too. I do highly approve of the three new members though. I've liked Mizuki for a while in the Kenshuusei. I'm trying not to dislike Rikako as I originally did like her until everyone started acting like she's going to be the savior of S/mileage. She's got the charisma and the raw talent to be great, but she's really not a great singer and she's a little over enthusiastic when performing. However, I'm sure once they really integrate into the group she'll stand out in a good way and grow in her performance ability. Maho's the wild card in all this though. From the pictures I've seen she looks very pretty but I know nothing of her singing voice. Can't wait to find out what she sounds like.

This song was their first release in 2013. It has that whole graduation vibe to it, I guess because it was released around the normal graduation time. I had overlooked this song for the longest time because I was paying attention to their other releases, but this song is very good too. It's not one of those slower songs that you would expect with the graduation feeling and I'm happy for that. I'm glad that they sing more maturely now though. One of the things that kept me from getting into S/mileage until last was the vocals. I love the video for this. It's simple but the outfits are adorable. 4/5.

Tabidachi no Haru ga Kita MV:

Ok I'd never listened to Doushiyou before today and WOW am I shocked. I was expecting something COMPLETELY different but when I heard the dubstep-ish beginning my mouth dropped open. This song is GREAT! Why did I wait so long to buy this single? I put it off for forever because I didn't think it was as special as their newer stuff but gosh you never know what you miss out on with that attitude. 5/5.

Doushiyou (Audio Only):

It's not their best single of 2013, but it managed to surprise me. Doushiyou is my new jam. 4.5/5

AKB48 Team Surprise - Itoshisa wo Marumete

This is the fifth Team Surprise single released from the Bara no Gishiki stage. It features AKB48 members Yuki Kashiwagi, Haruna Kojima, and Yui Yokoyama.

This is one of only three really good songs on the new Team Surprise stage in my opinion. It's not as good as Hell Or Heaven, but I like the rock feel to it. This is pretty much the song I was expecting when I saw who the girls were for the single. Yuki has a really good voice and I generally see Haruna in "dark/sexy" concepts, so I figured the song would be pretty good. Yui I wasn't too sure on though. Nothing about her really stands out too much to me, but I think she did well in this song and her voice doesn't sound bad. The music video was pretty neat. I like the concept of it with all of the TV screens. 5/5

Itoshisa wo Marumete MV

Update

Hi all! So I've been incredibly busy the past few days and with finals week next week I don't know when the next time I'll be posting something will be. Hopefully before the new year. Speaking of the new year though, I've decided that I'm going to be doing a giveaway! I'll be posting it on YouTube and on some other sites to drum up some interest so please look out for that! It'll begin in early January (haven't decided on a solid date) and will include some J-Pop CDs and K-pop/J-pop photocards, so I hope I can get some good participation for the giveaway! Thanks for reading! Good luck with finals for all of the university students out there that have them coming up :)