Review by TommyVD
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Dai (2) Seicho KiBerryz KoboWell worth the price
This is quite an enjoyable album. A lot of great singles are included like Special Generation, Koi no Jubaku and Nanchuu Koi wo Yatteruu YOU KNOW? and you could easily purchase it just for those. The included album songs are good enough, provided you keep in mind that at this stage in Berryz Kobo's existence these were still just little kids singing their hearts out. You can (and should) expect the occasional false note or off-key line. I'm perfectly fine with that. I'm not expecting miracles from kid-idols who are in their very early teens. It's worth picking up, especially if you're a recent Berryz Kobo fan. It's a wonderful piece of idol history.
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Saki Nakajima 2nd photobook W SakiKuwajima TomokiTommyVD
The theme of this PB is "black and white" both when it comes to locations and outfits and Saki's demeanour. You start out super cute with white before slowly making your way over to the sexy, sultry black portion of the photobook. Even the background music on the included making of DVD nicely switches from your typical idol DVD music to sultry jazz at just the right times. This is a definite purchase for any Saki fan or photobook fan in general and I hope we see Saki release more of these in the future. She's got the modelling bit down pat.
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Kono Chikyu no Heiwa wo Honki de Negatteirundayo! [Regular Edition]Morning MusumeA beautiful sendoff.
This truly is a beautiful single for Takahashi Ai to graduate on. Kono Chikyu is disco-infused uplifting funk while Kare To is hyper and slightly insane (but in a good way). I find this to be a spectacular release. If you're a Morning Musume or Hello!-Project fan I probably don't need to tell you to buy it. You've in all likelihood already done so.
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Sekaiichi Happy na Onna no Ko [Regular Edition]CuteAs cute as C-ute can be
Sekaiichi Happy na Onna no Ko is a very cheerful song that has the power to immediately put someone in a good mood. I particularly enjoyed the guitar in this song as well as the accelerated lines leader Yajima Maimi gets to sing. I was also pleasantly surprised to learn that Okai Chisato contributed to the chorus. It's gratifying to see her continuing vocal improvement being recognised.
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Yoshikawa Yu Photo Book "YOU"Naoki Rakuman / Yu YoshikawaGreat first showing
This PB is a true work of art. Being an idol is a flexible occupation. One has to sing, to model, to go on TV & radio, appear on webshows and in magazines, etc. It's safe to say from this PB that Kikka has the modelling bit down pat. She's utterly gorgeous in this PB which is as much a credit to her as to the photographer and whoever was in charge of the wardrobe. She gets to be in a nice variety of outfits and settings (I believe this PB was shot in Okinawa) and her facial expressions are just perfect. All in all I really recommend this PB
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Reconquista [CD+DVD]HANGRY&ANGRY-fI'm glad they're back
I must say that I really enjoy listening to Reconquista. It's a lot more of a pop song than anything H&A-f have released before and I for one like this new direction they're taking. The song has an addictive instrumental that worms itself into your brain. The slightly processed vocals sound good and the random shouts of Yoshizawa Hitomi and Ishikawa Rika in the background just made me smile. This release also includes two remixes. One of Morning Musume's Renai Revolution 21 and the other of their debut song Sadistic Dance. The Renai Revolution one is especially well done, which is as much a tribute to the quality of the original song as it is to the skill of the remixer. The Sadistic Dance remix is decent, nothing especially mindblowing but a nice new take on the original song.
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Scarlet KnightNana MizukiA sweeping masterpiece
SCARLET KNIGHT is right up my alley. A powerful, sweeping song. A song that just makes your jaw drop upon hearing it. The PV is very well done as well. I love the gauntleted hand, the violinists and the red dress. I really recommend it.
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Uchoten Love [Regular Edition]S/mileageEnd of an era and the start of a new one
Uchouten Love is just a fabulous song. No, it's not Yumemiru Fifteen 2.0 like some people wanted. Instead it's something completely different and original. It's a parara filled electronic whirlwind infused with just enough Tsunku voice samples that it will either fill you with glee or drive you completely insane. The fact that I'm still not bored of this song even after hearing it being looped nonstop during the S/mileage audition livestreams says something about how much I enjoy this song.
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Morning Musume. Concert Tour 2011 Haru Shin Soseiki Fantasy DX - 9 Kimen wo Mukaete -Morning MusumeThe reborn Morning Musume
I urge everyone who is a fan of things that are awesome to buy this DVD this very instant. The 9th generation is awesome. The other members are awesome. Everything about this DVD is awesome!
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D' no JunjoMomoiro Clover ZMomoclo Keeps On Going Strong
I've been waiting for Momoclo (now Momoiro Clover Z) to wow me ever since the triumph that was their debut single and this new single has done just that. D'no Junjou is exactly what I want from idol music. Electronic goodness, decent vocals, a wonderfully funny yet awesome PV. It's everything Ikuze! Kaitou Shoujo was and more.
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My Days for You [Regular Edition]Erina ManoBoth Mano's are present
When you talk about Mano there's the serious (some say boring) Mano and the genki/upbeat Mano. It's fortunate then that this release caters to fans of both Mano's. The main song is a very mellow song (though not as slow as a ballad) that nicely highlights Mano's vocals. The coupling 10 Carat no Kirameki. is a lot more upbeat, with a kind of retro-idol vibe about it. Releases like this are the best, with both the main song and coupling being very enjoyable.
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Only you [Regular Edition]Morning MusumeDidn't think it would be this good
Morning Musume doesn't dissapoint. This release turns the concept of their previous release around by putting the more mature and emotional (though still very powerful and awesome) song first and putting the more genki, energetic and quirky song as the coupling. Only You is fierce. It harkens back to the Emomusume era, but doesn't take too much from it. The best parts were undoubtably Niigaki Risa's two solo parts. Yes, she's autotuned and while I'm always suspicious of this technology, in this song it works. It doesn't dominate but nicely compliments the song. 9th gen member Sayashi Riho proves she's leadsinger material as she nicely compliments Ai and Reina, who both are awesome as usual. Line distribution is completely unfair, but as long as the end result is great, I really don't care. If you're dying to hear a song with better line distribution and more lines for the rest of the 9th gen, may I suggest the coupling song? Yamette yo! Sindbad is this release's genki song. Upbeat, quirky with even line-distribution for the 9th gen, this is one of the best couplings in a long while. It get's a bit too goofy at times, but that's not a big complaint.
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Mano Erina Photo Book "MANO DAYS - Hatachi no Hatsukoi -"Shusaku Kuriyama / Erina ManoManobum FTW!
I can not stress this enough: this photobook is incredible. Mano's turned 20 and she wants to show it. What happened to that cute girl who bookended Yorosen! and Berikyuu!? She's turned into an incredibly beautiful woman. It's almost unbelievable, but in a year where both Takahashi Ai and Suzuki Airi, the photobook queens, released awesome PB's, Mano sneakily manages to deliver the best PB I've seen this year. It's going to be hard for any other photobook to come close to the bundle of hotness that is this PB. The book itself is a beautiful hardcover, nice and thick with lots of photo's. It features photo's of Mano at both 19 and 20 years of age and it nicely highlights the contrast between the girlish 19-year-old Mano and the new 20-year old adult Mano. This PB is a must-buy.
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Ai no Dangan [Regular Edition]Berryz KoboAnother solid release
The song is great, I enjoyed it a tad more than Heroine ni Narou ka even though it's heavy on the guitars. I love that both Momoko and Captain got to go high pitch at the end. That was just great. The coupling song also bears mentioning. Omoide is a very solid coupling song full of electronicy goodness. So, all in all, I really recommend it.
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Eri Kamei Photo Book Eririn w/ Making-of DVDKouki NishidaA must buy
I never thought I'd end up buying photobooks, but as I was watching some of her graduation footage I just wanted to support the girl in some way. I actually really love the photobook and have ordered two more (both of them from her fellow rokkies).
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Momoiro Sparkling [Regular Edition]CuteAs cute as C-ute can be
I'll be honest and say that when I initially heard the first radio-rip of this song I kind of went "bleh" and decided that I didn't like it. Listening to it a few more times made me warm up to the song and by the time the PV was released I was committed: I had to buy this single. That's how it goes: some H!P songs are instant enjoyment, while others are more of a slow burn. I'll fully admit this may not immediately appeal to everyone, but watch the PV a couple of times and tell me you're not charmed by this song. Overal I really recommend this single. If C-ute can't sing cute songs then I don't know what they can sing.
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Hello! Project 2007 Winter Live DVD Box [Limited Release]Hello! ProjectThis is the one to get
I mentioned before that, when it comes to Morning Musume "Single Daizenshuu!!" is the one DVD to get. Well if you want the same deal but for all of H!P then this the one to get. It is the best of the best. A massive conflagaration of energy, joy and sheer badassery. Let me say again, if there is a single H!P DVD (apart from "Single Daizenshuu!!" and maybe the 2008 boxset) you should own, it is this one.
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Kikkake wa You ! [Limited Edition / Type A / Jacket A]You KikkawaA wonderful debut single
This single is great. Kikkake wa YOU! is almost cliche idol pop, but when you're watching the PV and are seeing Kikka's facial expressions, you can't help but smile. Sayonara Namida goes quite deeper and truly shows Kikka's potential. I know I shouldn't say this but Kikka sort of is Matsuura Aya if she hadn't started singing slow (and often boring) songs. The whole package is there, the facial expressions, the choreography, everything. I'll be following her efforts with great interest and so should you. Or to say it in geekspeak: the Force is strong in this one.
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Takahashi Ai Photobook "Love No 10"Ai Takahashi / Yoshinobu NemotoI approve this PB!
Love No. 10, Takahashi Ai's 12th PB. You know as soon as she announced her graduation, we would be getting this (and you know she has at least one more coming up). This PB is slightly smaller but thicker than usual. It's also hardcover. I luuuuv this PB. Takahashi Ai mentioned on her blog that she had a bit of input on clothing and make-up choices this time and boy does it show. Huge bows, dorky glasses, amazing eyelashes. It's like an ode to her My Coordinate posts she does on her blog. And yes, you worried fans, there's plenty of bikini shots and the (in)famous Aibutt makes its appearance yet again. I highly recommend this PB it's a doozy.
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Majidesuka Ska! [Regular Edition]Morning MusumePerfect
Maji Desu ka Ska! is the hyper, upbeat and genki song everyone was wanting (and was expecting). It has shades of Koko ni Iruzee and there's also a fair bit of S/mileage influence in there. Line-distribution is perfect. While still technically an Ai/Reina lead, both new and old members get a bunch of lines. I will say that it wasn't an instant hit for me but after one or two repeat listens I was hooked. Motto Aishite Hoshii no on the other hand seems to me, what would have been the 45th single if EriJunLin hadn't graduated. It nicely builds on the Emo/Ero Musume style of song we've been accustomed to since 2008 while incorporating some of the electronic stylings of other recent H!P singles like Heroine ni Narou ka and Kiss Me Aishiteru. I feel like it could have been included on the 10 MY ME album as well. It's another Ai/Reine lead (par for the course) although the other old(er) members do get some lines. 9th gen is only featured in the chorus but that's to be expected. Suffice to say I adore this single: it's perfect (apart from the instrumental which is decent but nothing special). It has some old, some new, some tradition and some originality.