Pink Wota

[Article/Pimp] Diary of a Mad H!P Fan

2008-07-07T01:50:42Z

Where have I been, blogosphere? Where, oh where has Vee gone? I'm sure you've all missed the absolute nothing I bring you, but I've noticed that a lot of blogs on IW and elsewhere seem to be slowing down. I have a nice little excuse tied up in a pretty bow, though: I've been experimenting. Technically, I've been running this experiment since late last year, but just now is it all beginning to coalesce into something that's worth writing about.

Before I tell you a little bit about what it's like to be an H!P Groupdubber, though, I'll share with you this:

...that's me, dancing Tokaikko Junjou on my new YouTube account (pinkwota) after my last account (ShadowOmega) was not-so-ceremoniously suspended and purged by avex's lawyers. D: I think this dance is head and shoulders above my last attempt - Honto no Jibun, if you remember - and I really wish for it to meet with the approval of the fan masses. Well, the fan masses who like to see overweight American wota gals replicating dances originally done by 80 pound Japanese girls. Eh. I did my best, and I'm happy with it.

I have a survey to complete, too, by none other than one of my favorite people in whole blogosphere, Celestia, but duty calls for the moment.

In 2006 I was on Gaia Online a lot for some time. I chanced to join the Morning Musume "Guild", and on those preteen-addled boards I put forward the idea of doing karaoke covers of MM songs together. People bought it, and they wanted to do it. Then one would say they didn't have a mic. Then one would disappear off the face of the Earth. Then one would say their mom didn't like them making too much noise so she couldn't record her lines. Fuck this popsicle stand, I thought, and I braved the auditions for a karaoke group on Livejournal known as Shuffle Moni. I didn't make it.

So, I just started to keep my own singin' blog (pinktrax), posting admittedly pretty terrible covers. It was only around November 2007 that I started to get better at the whole thing, learned how to use Audacity, and...remarkably...found an audience.

I think it happened while I was cruising the internet at my boring job as a shipping manager last year (this job also helped me become part of IW, though, and allowed me to discover D-BOYS, so I owe a lot to it...). I was surfing YouTube as usual and, while searching for Morning Musume videos, what appeared in front of me? A KARAOKE COVER. Dubbed to the original PV! Why, this concept was just stunning and revelatory for me. I had a new purpose in singing. I had the audience I'd been looking for. I threw myself headfirst into auditioning, and it turns out that I did so in the incubative stages of what is now a full-on YouTube PHENOMENON. Groupdubbing, it's called. Most groups cite Shuffle Moni as their initial influence, as that group has been around since 2004, though did not have a presence beyond Livejournal. Second to them would be KawaiiMusume, a dubbing group that is arguably the grandmamma of all YT groups. I chanced into a spot in JunjouMusume, a new group, in December, and so began a bitter, terrifyingly bitchy comment war with members of KawaiiMusume who claimed the group was stealing their idea, cramping their style. Imitation? On MY internet? It's more likely than you think. I was just singing Yoshizawa Hitomi's part in a sub-par dub of 'Aruiteru', so I stayed out of things.

Tempers calmed down, and groups began to form fast and furious. As of this writing, I'm member of no less than seven separate dub groups, one founded by me. This might sound like a lot, but really, what does it take to record some lines and put up a link? The hard part is with group leaders (which is why I only run ONE), who have to mix songs, wrangle lines, and dub to PV's. Let me say...after having run two independent dubs (not attached to a group), the range of talent/dedication/reliability amongst dubbers is ALL OVER THE PLACE. I promised myself I'd write this little expose without mentioning any (screen)names, and I intend to do just that. But I will say that they are girls I would love to chat with for hours who can't sing all that well, and then there are girls who can sing but act like complete diva-bitches. Then there are the untalented AND unkind ones. I'm not passing judgment on any but the diva ones. Who can really blame them? The median age of YT dubbers is 14. I feel VERY repressed on there, let's just say. But it's a great way to do something I love, and make other people happy in the process (usually it's just fellow dubbers - I'd say there's a crop of about 30 who are really active on YT right now, all in different groups and all with their vocal chords in different pies). The ones who really enjoy what they're doing and are in it for a good time - you can tell. You can also sniff out the divas. It's just like any other thing that has to do with performing.

It's a microcosm of society, dubbing. Each group has its own forum, each group has its own drama, each group has its own victories and its own strengths and weaknesses. I'm loving it and hating it at the same time. Dub quality ranges from dreadful to amazing, and mostly is somewhere in between.

Here are a few links to acquaint you with the magical world of H!P YouTube Groupdubbing:

"Groupdubs I'm In" [My playlist.]

"Kanashimi Twilight" [This is an example of a single singer stealing the show. I made this dub - organized it, stressed over it, mixed it, and let me just say that all those comments about JPNSinger101 sounding "just like Miki" are RIGHT ON]

Chibi♥Love do 'Koisuru Angel Heart' - Nami and Mari are my favorite singers on YT, probably, and it's all because they sound so AMAZING together.

KawaiiiMusume [The great original]

HenryProvince [I'm this dude's #1 fan - he rocks it out, and I am so glad to hear a guy daring to sing H!P songs. We're set to do a duet of 'Sakura Mankai']

And, as if all that weren't enough, I feel compelled to share things I can't share elsewhere on YouTube - namely, my Ayumi Hamasaki songs that would get me banned. These are my favorites to sing. Boo.

"Independent" by Vee
"Evolution" by Vee
"HEAVEN" by Vee
"Pride" by Vee

...will that do in lieu of a PinkCast this month?

[Survey] Cutie Party's Music Questionnaire

2008-06-22T05:59:06Z

1. What was the first Japanese song that you ever listened to? Traveling back in time, I'll admit it was 'Give A Reason' by Megumi Hayashibara, which was the theme song to one of my first anime series', Slayers NEXT. I would say it was the Tenchi Muyo or Sailor Moon theme song, but it wasn't - I didn't listen to either of those in the original Japanese until after I'd fallen in love with the Slayers soundtracks.

2. Did it inspire you to like that group/singer, or did it turn you away? Totally inspired me. I was spending hours downloading huge .wav files of ripped tunes by Hayashibara, and ordering (expensive, and still usually bootleg) anime soundtracks soon after. I still love listening to all those old CD's - Hayashibara's voice stands the test of time. Back in the day (1996-1999?) it was a common thing to say Megumi Hayashibara was the most overrated thing in all of J-Pop, because of her connection to anime. At least that's what I kept hearing whenever I'd go on bbs and ask for more info about her.

3. What is the one song that you have been listening to for the longest time? Wow...I'd say Ayumi Hamasaki's 'Trust'. Or Matsuura Aya's 'Ne~e?' or 'LOVE Namidairo'

4. What group/singer have you liked the longest? This has to be Megumi Hayashibara, but since I never followed her beyond about 2001, I can't say I know much of her stuff from beyond then. Actually, I know none of it. So...if we're talking about time I've followed a singer/group's actual career, that would have to be Morning Musume.

5. What is the song with the most plays on your itunes/media player? It says here Melon Kinenbi's 'Saa~! Koibito ni Narou'

6. Is that song your favorite? It's definitely in my list of favorites, yes. But I couldn't ever pick a "favorite" song and be 100% sure about it.

7. If not, what is? See above. If I had to make an educated guess at this, though, I'd say it's a toss-up amongst Garnet Crow's 'Float World', Ayumi Hamasaki's 'Humming 7/4', and Morning Musume's 'Say Yeah! Motto Miracle Night'

8. Is there any one group that you can listen to all/most of the songs by? Ayumi Hamasaki. I have yet to find a song of hers that hasn't had multiple listens by me, even if I claim I don't like it. I will still listen to it over and over, just to confirm that. Usually I'll end up liking it. Funny, that.

9. What is your favorite agency? avex trax, most definitely. Ayumi, Namie, BoA, AAA, Koda Kumi, Kato Kazuki, and now Maki Goto? Wow, they're lookin' to take over the world, and I'll go right along with that.

10. What is your favorite group/singer? Well, this should be an easy one for most, shouldn't it? However, I must make the distinction between group and singer. Garnet Crow is my favorite group. Ayumi Hamasaki is my favorite singer. Distinction made so I can provide two answers to one question.

I should be in bed. Now I'm up listening to old Slayers songs.

[lol avex] Welcome back, Gomaki!

2008-06-20T06:45:04Z

avex really has a way of turning its idols into tarted-up, high-dollar hookers.

I am just sayin'. I'm not sayin' I disapprove, I am just sayin'.

Icon is appropriate.

[Article] Taking Back Things That Were Never Ours to Begin

2008-06-15T13:41:41Z

PREFACE: Those of you close to me have heard, no doubt, whether directly or indirectly, that I've been staid from blogging due to a finger injury. Well, I'm writing this little bit of nonsense in a rare hour or so of unbandaged glory, while my finger is still board-straight and not prone to danger, but I don't have a pesky half-ton of splint and gauze weighing down my dominant hand.

So AiWish wrote an article that really got me thinking, about things I've thought of again and again. Remarkably, it's not so much the argument about Japanese wota being batshit crazy that taps into my blogger urges - I'm in full agreement that these guys are almost unilaterally creepy and overzealous. Even when I consider the "older" Western wota that I know personally or semi-personally, there is no way they come anywhere near the infamous dudes on the Berryz wotagei video.

What sparks my interest, rather, is the concept of "wota" being a subjugated term, much like "otaku" has become here in America over the last ten years. It's not even worth it, for the most part, to explain to the 14-year-olds in the manga section that otaku was and is a derogatory term in Japan. Don't bring up the murderer news story. Just smile and nod and hope they don't wreck the section so I'll have to come and re-organize it later. Those who know the origin and meaning of otaku either don't buy into it and politely keep their mouths shut over the whole categorization issue, instead using the more appropriate Western term "fangirl" or "fanboy", which is equally derisive amongst certain social groups but comes nowhere near bearing the stigma of otaku...OR...they feel the need to point it out to everyone who uses the word, along with pitch-perfect pronunciation. These are also the people who painstakingly correct how others say "manga", or, even more ridiculously, "yaoi", because lord knows there's a correct pronunciation for that...okay, I'm ranting. It's been a while and I'm working on a new book. Ray at least will know what I mean by that. Either way, we're still part of a fan subculture wherein a term has been propagated and reinvented by its Western wannabes (what? Americans, steal things from other cultures? No wai!). Now that the anime and manga fandoms have become phenomena here in the United States, it's unlikely to change the way up-and-coming fans view their newfound cultural identity. Having a cultural identity is part of what makes being a genre fan so much fun, especially in your early teens when life is one huge crisis after another. Even if you're worrying about whether daddy will buy you a Benz or a Range Rover at your Super Sweet 16 bash, being a teenager is nothing but drama. Trust me, I remember. I have really embarrassing journals to prove it. So, you don't really care about the history of the term "otaku" - you just know your friends are using it, the net is using it, and that's what you are. Search up "otaku" on Google, if you dare, and you'll understand if you don't already.

Such is how I feel about "wota". The word, not the people. If I were to go out on a limb, I'd say that the Wota propagation began with the AW/IW crowd. I would love to see it grow, but I'm not sure it will. J-Pop is still such a fuzzy area, even to existing consumers of Japanese culture in the United States. Idol groups are the biggest problem. Looking past the "pedophilia parade", as one coworker dubbed the H!P concert I was watching on YouTube at work, looking past the commercialization of young, attractive, scantily-clad girls...it's a difficult thing, I would imagine. As a young girl, it's easier. As an older girl - as an older anything - it's hard. Let's face it - it's nearly become illegal to have fun in the United States. Everything, even genre (almost especially genre) has to be SRS FKNG BSNS or else UR DOIN IT WRONG. God forbid I listen to Ayaya to feel happy to put a smile on my face before work, god forbid I do the Love Revolution dance to boost morale and look goofy in the process. I just don't see these things catching on with the OMFG SRS FKNG BSNS crowd of fans out there today. Bitches don't know 'bout J-Pop.

But enough of my curmudgeonly tirade, there. What I'm saying, dear readers, is this: in a culture where identifying yourself by what you like and what you do is the norm, we are wota. It's a subjugated form of the original term, yes, but we are just that. We're a subjugated form of wota. After all, the vast majority of us don't even have access to half of the things Japanese wota do. But we still enjoy our idols, they still make us happy, they still make us angry, and we still listen to the music. To follow the news and developments of Japanese idol groups, even casually? You're doing more than 99% of the Western population. You're something different, buckaroo. You're wota. So you're not waiting in line for five hours with a clutch of perverts for a chance to catch a glimpse of Risako, but you're this thing called wota nonetheless. What does it mean, in the United States and beyond? In places other than Japan, what does it mean to be wota? Well, I think we're laying down the groundwork for that, now. If we play our cards right, those of us who show pride and a modicum of self-restraint early in the stages of J-Pop's Western spread (and let's hope these are early stages...and that the fad doesn't die away and turn us into foreigners preaching the gospel of long-since-defunct groups ten years after the fact...) will influence the way things will go from this point forward.

Which isn't to say we're that important. Hooray! Five more people are showing a passing interest in Morning Musume! VIVA LA REVOLUCION! Still. What did I say before? Not everything is SRS FKNG BSNS, and that's not how I'd like wota to be seen in the non-Japanese world. Catfights, shit-talking, lots of things I could point out? At least we're not all drooling over pantyshots of Mai, but those things still turn me off from being a vocal wota - and have recently made me consider giving up blogging, and turning it over to the blogging maneaters. I'd like harmony, balance, and a genuine loveliness that just can't be defined. Wait. I'm talking about the Golden Age of MM.

Maybe that's a nice guideline, right there.

Ever read The Outsiders?

Be Golden Age, Western wota. Be Golden Age.

Now the splint goes back on, and I shut up for another stretch of time. I'm sure some of you love that part. ;)

[Shenanigans] The Good, the Bad, and the So Ugly They Threw Him Out

2008-06-06T01:26:05Z

I know this first bit should go on Date Kouji Can't Stop Crying, but humor me. This is a BFD.

Well, a couple of days ago I chanced to check the Official Prince of Tennis Musical Site, and I was at first excited beyond all comprehension to see a new cast list up for Hyotei - mostly because several of my boys were returning. I could have predicted that Kato Kazuki, Takumi Saitoh, and Date Kouji would not return (though I don't get why no one can see "no reason why Date isn't returning" - EXCUSE ME HELLO HE HAS GIGS, TOO. Just because he isn't an avex superstar-in-waiting like Kato doesn't mean that he isn't playing the little clubs and DEAR GOD I WANT TO SNUGGLE THAT BOY), but I could never have expected the ***DRAMA*** that played out in relation to their replacements. OK, just one replacement. Apparently Oshitari's and Date's replacements were well-received by the Japanese fans. The English-speaking ones didn't seem to have THAT much to say about them either - only lamenting that the old guard wasn't returning. But Atobe? Oh my God. I would never have expected this, but it happened: A CAST MEMBER WAS KICKED OUT OF THE PRINCE OF TENNIS MUSICAL because of what bordered on fan REVOLT. He was cast for nepotism, I hear on the grapevine, and he's been a bad boy who's been photographed doing pretty much everything Kago Ai has, only with the opposite gender. >__> And he's only 16. Not to mention, fan revolt was mostly over the fact that he was...well...not Atobe. "They kicked him out because he was ugly" many fangirls have espoused, though this is not entirely true. He's a cute enough kid, but "cute" is hardly the embodiment of Atobe Keigo. I'm just sayin'. So, in what was perhaps the week's greatest upset, A-no-be was booted from the TeniMyu cast rather unceremoniously. The official website APOLOGIZED for the inconvenience, in a way that sort of made me think "sorry about that whole Atobe mess, we promise we'll try to get it right next time." nicovideo clips read of multiple thanks and expressions of relief for this decision. Ouch. Poor kid.

Now that you've read all that (or haven't), on to the reason I really opened the UPDATE window in the first place.

They changed the High King video.

NO YOU GUYS I'M TOTALLY SERIOUS THEY CHANGED IT. And they took out one of my favorite parts (Reina's cute little "juunichi" camera hog replete with spinning inside-the-platform point-of-view. That whole sequence is gone. Well, Hell. That was half of what made the PV sparkle for me. Not just Reina, but the whole look of that sequence.

STOP MESSING WITH PV's I ACTUALLY LIKE, UFA. D: D: D:

[Review] Takahashi Ai Can't Stop Touching Her Face

2008-05-31T05:26:42Z

Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love C/C

The actual guise of a PV review is just a cover for the fact that I want to say a few words about this song. Now, Tsunku knows what makes good music, but oft-times he'll throw in a few elements that destroy the broad picture. With 'C/C', I think he finally manages to get it right after a long spell of "almost, but not quite". It's not the main hook, although that is wonderfully cliche R&B made for mass consumption at its best.

It's the chorus. How the beat suddenly changes, how the quality of the vocals shift (and the vocals are already pure quality - every girl on this single is made of win), how the tango rhythm is punctuated by the minor key transitions of the girls. That sort of thing, musically, burrows under my skin in a very pleasant way. This could have easily been another 'Kowaranai ai ga Hoshii no' (it even has the "YES YES YO!", though only a few embarrassing exclamations of "COME!") or 'Suki Sugite Baka Mitai' (super-group, anyone?).

The blend of voices is just superb. The more mature-voiced girls are complemented by the "kawaii" ones. as for the PV, if Takahashi Ai could stop fidgeting with her face and hat for about five seconds she would be pulling off something genuinely sexy. Reina needs something other than those ponytails. Saki, Maimi, and our new favorite Egg (except Sayaka. Sayaka is still my favorite) need more screen-time, but look fabulous.

My favorite part is how the camerawork breaks down the old "spinning platform" thing at the 3:00 mark - that's very well-done. And Reina brings home the gold star for her ultra-cool and ultra-kawaii treatment at 2:40. Most people will call that camera-hogging. Those are the Reina-haters. Watch for them.

To be honest, I was hoping for a more dynamic dance. This has its moments, certainly, but the old 'Krishna Arms' gimmick is getting old (though I like how they handled it in this, better than 'Resonant Blue's take). I mean, these girls are all AMAZING dancers, right? Oh, well, we can't have it all.

All told, I can't stop listening to this song. and I really hope 'High King' isn't just a one-time deal.

[Personal] Why We Blog

2008-05-19T03:20:33Z

I think, or at least I would like to think, that my reaction to Brian's survey, without even the context of writing, says all that needs to be said about my reasons for blogging. I've found myself thinking about these questions, my answers, the existential purpose of me as a beautiful and unique snowflake in the blizzard of blogs, off and on since he posted it. The prospect of finally typing up my answers gave my pause, but it also made me smile. I knew I couldn't plan ahead on the whys, because I find that my fingers have a bizarre habit of typing whatever they damn well feel like regardless of how much forethought I've put into whatever I'm writing. This explains my consistent tangents. Case in point, now.

This is for Brian, but it's also for me. If other readers and fellow bloggers may derive some edification or inspiration from it, to whatever end, I'll be doubly satisfied. These are things I think about occasionally, but never for too long. Only when the chips look down on the personal end and I decide to take it out on my outlets. So, onward with the soul-baring.

Goals:

Why do you blog?

Simply, it's good for my soul. I feel happy when I blog, or if I'm aggravated I can let it out in a post. If I'm excited I can let it out, too. I get a chance to stretch my writerly muscles without committing to a mammoth writing project that will tie my brain in knots.

What long-term goals do you hope to accomplish, if any at all?

From blogging? Wherever I go, there I am. I've never been goal-oriented with blogging, except on a short-term basis (series, etc.) I'd say Intl Wota Press has provided me with a significant opportunity, but that seems to be more of a by-product of blogging, and not about blogging itself at all. Oh, and I want an army of Sharks With Lasers on Their Heads.

Where does your blog fail to meet your goals?

Nowhere. It's my blog. It's just…what I think. A good 90% of it may be clownshoes, but it's mine regardless.

If you do have goals, what will accomplishing them do for yourself?

A sense that wherever I am in life, whatever I'm going through, I will always have something of quasi-permanence to turn to. Blogging/reviewing has been a hobby of mine for almost ten years now, and in addition to being therapeutic, it's also very much a comfort place.

What do you want to gain out of blogging? A creative outlet? Praise from others? Personal satisfaction? Money?

As I stated above, mostly just the comfort of having somewhere to go and write shit down. The audience has become a strange entity that has formed because of my efforts at Pink Wota specifically, and I think I have to amend any selfishness to say that I want to continue blogging in order to maintain the friends I've gained through the blogosphere of Intl Wota and beyond.

Do you feel that your blog should meet a requirement for amount of entries? Do you feel any particular entry should be a certain length?

Depends on the topic. I never pay attention to word counts – more to the overall roundness of a blog's read. If I can write three paragraphs and manage to get everything across, that's a solid article to me. No need to go for the gusto. If a screencap needs only one word to communicate my thoughts, that's cool. I'm not out to win a Pulitzer, but occasionally the mood strikes me to go balls-out literary on a post. These moods are few and far between, but when I can ride that edge, it's very satisfying. As for amount of entries, nuts to that. Pink Wota is like a manic/depressive blog (hmm…that hit a little too close to home, that one did…). My personal blog is much the same. If real life takes precedence, I don't mind. I'm not delusional enough to think everyone's wondering "WHERE DID VEE GO!?" I have my personal blog to keep up with personal friends.

For any particular entry, what motivates you to start and finish blog posts?

This is a very interesting question. I've been sitting here thinking about it for some time, and I find myself thinking "Yatta!"…that's seriously the extent of my answer, but I'll attempt to extrapolate. When I find myself in a writing rut, which is a lot, and that chapter or that rewrite isn't coming along as it should, I can usually say "okay, fuck it, I'm going to write a few paragraphs about how awesome ______ is and post it on Pink Wota" and finish that. When I do, it's like I've accomplished something in my writing life, and it motivates me to get on with what I've reinforced my ability to do. Write, damnit.

Do you actively consider long term goals for each individual post?

God, no. Though Sharks With Lasers on Their Heads are always a goal.

Subject Material:

What do you blog about?

On my personal journal, Absolutely Nothing At All. And by that, I mean Everything. On Pink Wota, it's usually Hello!Project or Ayumi Hamasaki.

Would you be keep a blog even if it wasn’t about the subjects you tend to cover?

God, yes. I've thought about giving up my personal blog, and that thought alone is enough to bring me to tears. It seriously is my diary, even if it has an "audience". It's my friend. ;___; I'm so pathetic and lonely.

Do you write about the material to promote it to others?

Oh yes! I love recommending things, which was a motivation behind my PinkCasts. If I believe very strongly about the quality of something (Date Kouji, Ayumi Hamasaki, all that damned H!P stuff) I will force it down the readers' throats. I'm even worse about this on my personal blog.

Readership:

How much do you care about readership?

Tons. I'd pretend to be all aloof and say "It's my blog, I don't give a fuck what you say", but, while that's true to an extent, no blog is an island. Except maybe Hello!Island. >__> I felt defensive and hurt when I was attacked over my Takahashi post. I felt validated and elated when I was voted Best New Blog. I really love getting comments, and I love it when my fellow bloggers post entries. I'll track comments to see what other people have to say. I take things personally, which is something I should really get over if I want to be a journalistic writer of any sort, but I sometimes use those emotions to the end of writing I can be truly proud of.

Does it satisfy you to know people are reading, even if they don’t comment?

God, yes. No further explanation needed.

What effect does receiving a comment have on you?

Warm fuzzies. Seriously. Unless it's "Die in a fire", then I quirk an eyebrow and feel very, very angry, then sad, then probably hungry because all those emotions take a lot out of me.

Do you write with a particular audience in mind or an unspecified general audience? Why?

I'm answering only for Pink Wota on this one, because for my personal blog the answer is, of course, my friends. Can, um…can my answer be "Specified General Audience"? The answer is "The J-Pop Crowd". Since my blog is on LJ and I have a lot of readers who've probably never heard of IntlWota (even though I mention the site so much I might as well be driving a NASCAR under its sponsorship), I can't narrow it down to IW. I like to give the PW audience the benefit of the doubt and presuppose that they know enough about J-Pop to appreciate or at least be intrigued by what I'm saying. A working knowledge of J-Pop is almost mandatory, though I've had friends who don't know a lick about things aside from my frenzied crash courses become regular readers (what's up Erin you sexy bitch).

If you write for a particular audience, is it International Wota? If yes, why?

See above! \:D/

Community: (The International Wota section)

If International Wota didn’t exist, would you blog?

Of course! LiveJournal has been my "home" since 2001. Even if I had ten subscribers or less, they'd all probably be from my friends list and that would only mean I could turn up the foul language, indoctrination, and rampant biased opinions! Even if LiveJournal didn't exist, I'd blog SOMEWHERE. Here's the part where I tell you all about Blocking the Wall. See, back in 1999 I started a movie review site called Blocking the Wall, and I started to get frustrated because I couldn't generate any traffic to my site. These were the days before "social networking" sites. I received some of the best advice I've ever gotten on a BBS: "You have to be passionate, and persistent. You may wait five years or five days for your site to pick up. It may never even happen at all. But when it does you'll want to make sure that the body of work you've accumulated is exactly what you want it to be. Take pride in your site because "popularity" isn't everything – it's passion." I have taken this to heart. If a tree falls in the woods and no one is around to hear it – hey wait! I CUT DOWN THAT TREE! I'm here! In other words, I guess, I can entertain myself for years at a time.

The irony here is that I gave up on Blocking the Wall about the same time I dropped out of film school and joined LiveJournal, which all happened in the space of about three months. >_>

When IW covers an entry of yours, are you encouraged to blog more or less?

The same. IW coverage is like a cherry on top, but I'm having fun playing with my neat little writing toys! Wheee! Mom put my picture on the refrigerator! I'm so happy! I've drawn five thousand other pictures, too!

When IW does not cover an entry, are you encouraged to blog more or less?

The same. IW are busy peeps and sometimes my entries are totally pants.

How often do you read other blogs?

Often enough. If some of you only knew how often I silently stalk your blogs…!

How often do you comment on other blogs?

Not as much as I read, sadly. Sometimes I just don't know how to say what I want to say.

If another blog covers a topic that you wanted or wished to cover, do you still blog about that specific topic? Why or why not?

Depends on the topic. If it's a very specific thing, then of course I won't take on the same topic. But if it's a new PV, or something broader, I always try to throw my $.02 in. Again, my audience is on LJ, and some of them may not hear about 'Namida no Iro' unless I say something. XD

Commitment:

How serious is your attitude towards blogging? Do you consider it just as something to do for fun?

Not just for fun, but it's not SRS FSCKNG BZNS either. It's something that has had great meaning in my life, before and beyond Pink Wota. But where Pink Wota is concerned, it's had some great impact there, as well. The friends I've made through the blogosphere – I wouldn't trade them for anything. CJ and Wu especially, with whom I have regular personal correspondence. Even the IW-based conversations with pengie or hanachan or Julia leave me feeling very fulfilled. Boy, my Cancer side is showing, isn't it? I want to edify through blogging, but more than anything I think it's about emotion for me. Whether it's the emotion I want to convey, the emotional brush with which I choose to paint my blogging canvas, or the emotions I get from the act of blogging. I think this has been dubbed "comfort blogging". That's it for me.

How often do you blog? How often would you like to blog?

Enough. It's just right. J

What priorities do you or have you put aside in order to blog? Why?

Priorities are Priorities. Some days writing or blogging may BE my priority, but if the days priorities are "grocery shopping, clean house, pay bills, work", then blogging probably won't enter that. Still, when it's one of my priorities it's very rewarding to say I accomplished something with it on that particular day.

Do you see yourself blogging in 6 months? Why or why not

Most definitely. See my very first answer.

Personal:

Would you say you blog for yourself?

Definitely. You see…and this is going to sound so sad…a good 90% of my friends live in different cities, states, continents. Blogging gives me a sense of social identity, and, therefore, it's sort of an extension of myself that I can present to my friends, and, by proxy, to my readership at large. All that was very existential. I need to put on some music that's a little less pretentious. *plays Buono!* This is better.

What is your feeling after posting an entry? Is it relative to the time and effort you put in an entry?

I always feel accomplished. I wouldn't push "post" unless I felt confident and satisfied with the content, even if my efforts are subpar. Everyone has their off days on a grand scale, but I think "yaaay I wrote something!" every single time.

What needs does blogging fulfill?

See above. All of the above. O___o

Do you consider yourself a writer?

Above all other things.

Do you consider yourself good at writing? Good at blogging?

The former, definitely. The latter, it depends. What defines "good at blogging" anyway? Where are the critics? I suppose so…though I could be a little more active in the extra activities such as commenting and Wota Chat.

How much of your personal life do you share on your blog? If none, why do you leave this out?

A lot. Too much, some might say. I don't know any way to write other than personally. I studied under the works of Hunter S. Thompson, Bill Hicks, and Lester Bangs, after all, so there isn't much about my writing that doesn't have a flair of my personality, and, by extension, my life, interwoven. My life might be pretty cool to you. I swear, in my head it's awesome. Have you ever seen 'Romy & Michele's High School Reunion'? My best friend and I are those two. Delusions of grandeur which become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Bloggers of the world, believe you are fabulous, believe you are interesting, and fuck the haters. Even if you are the world's biggest asshole, fuck the haters. Because we all have our audience. Wheee. There I go again. I hope this helped.

I want those Sharks With Lasers on Their Heads.

[PinkCast] All Killer, No Filler

2008-05-16T04:41:54Z

Sorry for stealing your line, Ru. >__> This PinkCast presented without comment, because why would I record something if I had the presence of mind to write an article?

I'm currently obsessed with Sayaa-kun, but that seems secondary to my obsession with Robert Downey, Jr., which was around before Iron Man, THANK YOU.

I recorded this yesterday, on my day off.

TRACKLIST
x 01 x Aiko Kitahara x Little Honda x
x 02 x Morning Musume x Wagamama x
x 03 x Ayumi Hamasaki x SURREAL + evolution + SURREAL x
x 04 x Shuntaro Okino x Cloud Age Symphony x
x 05 x Hyotei Gakuen (TeniMyu) x Koori no Emperor II x

PinkCast 05

[ DIRECT DL ]

[News] If You Don't Buy One Concert DVD This Year...

2008-05-12T05:44:08Z

...make this one it.

I sort of jest...but not really. As the concert that took place just a few days prior to the press release announcing Ayumi Hamasaki's diagnosed deafness in one ear, Countdown Live 2007-2008 10th Anniversary, it sort of makes sense that watching this made me wonder where Ayu had gone and what they'd done with her. Who was this woman singing? Trying to sing? I didn't know.

On May 9th Ayumi's Official Website (look at them making an English page for it. Bless, they try so hard) announced the upcoming release of the CDL 07-08 DVD. The DVD version of any CDL concert is always interesting to compare next to the "live" television airing, as the vocals are usually cleaned up and the direction is almost always better. But I will be most intrigued to see what they do with this one. It was a lackluster concert, at best. 'Together When...' and 'untitled ~for her~' were definitely the stand-outs. Some of the stagings were very innovative and fun, especially Ayumi in a leather Catwoman costume for the coda of 'Ladies Night', but there is a give-and-take between showmanship and vocals. Her vocals were, for the most part, atrocious during CDL 07-08. She started off about a quarter-note off in 'talkin' 2 myself' and rarely recovered. I was so shamed, watching the concert I'd personally hyped like a well-paid shill, that I daren't breathe a word of it at length on Pink Wota. Well, here I am to tell you: not the Ayumi DVD you want to buy. If you want to see a great show, pick up her Tour of Secret disc set.

Or, if you're a completionist/masochist like me, you're going to go ahead and get this one anyway. After all, it does have Ayumi in a Catwoman costume. The price is way too much for something like this. For ten dollars more on YesAsia you can pick up the stunning Countdown Live 2004~2005 - worth every penny, that one.

I also note, with no small amount of amusement, that every shred of CDL 2007-2008 has been stripped from all my usual internet streaming video sites. Not that I blame avex at all.

But here's someone - a die-hard fan, at that - telling you it's a trap.

[Anniversary] Today, We are One

2008-05-09T02:59:37Z

This is a few hours early, but I don't think I'll remember to post it tomorrow. Also, I posted it VERY early, one month ago today. Ray saw it. The rest of you who did: heh, sorry for the false alarm. This is the real deal.

Funny how time slips away from me. By this time I'd already wanted to get pinkwota.com completely set up on Wordpress. One year ago, Ru and I decided to make this little blog and post rotating reviews and/or good J-Pop downloads to share with our friends who might not otherwise have the desire nor the access. We both started off with nifty little articles chock-full of downloads, and already the potential for our combined J-Pop love became apparent. Now it's a year later. I've gained so many friends, we've all gone through so many things, our Pink Wota family has grown by three other bloggers, we've had guest bloggers, we've seen International Wota's first birthday, we've seen Eggs go solo, units disband, singles fly and singles flop. I've called things wrong, I've called things right. There have been arguments, there have been laughs.

I've done a lot of things around these internets since I first had my 28.8 Prodigy connection back in 1996, but I can say that in all that time not much has been as rewarding to me as a writer and a fangirl than Pink Wota. Sure, fandom is fine in any capacity, but unless you're writing it purposefully with the intention of changing the names later (>__> what, who's doing that? Not me), fanfiction always leaves an empty feeling inside, no matter how much you might love it as your work. I love my work for Pink Wota, and I want to constantly make it better. For myself, as a writer (especially with the advent of Intl Wota Press, which may be my first ticket to true publication. Because this novel doesn't seem to be getting edited. I'd make a joke about a layer of dust, but I wouldn't actually be kidding), and for the readers.

I really hope you all enjoy what's gone on here at Pink Wota v.1. v.2 is on the horizon, mostly because LiveJournal's Domain Aliasing technologies are terrible and I'm not paying for pinkwota.com without any thoughts toward expansion. I may even brave the waters of blogging sites I'm unfamiliar with. I do so hope you'll all follow me when that time comes. Pink Wota's LJ will remain open and active, unless all my fellow bloggers decide they want to follow me with accounts to update on Wordpress (where you can currently find the parked post heralding Pink Wota v.2).

...no cupcakes, sadly. No time for even making a suitable dinner for myself. Grand Opening is tomorrow. Ganbaremasu.

[Article] UFW to Ongaku Gatas: "Fuck You"

2008-05-07T23:15:52Z

Usually I will hesitate to include a blatant use of profanity anywhere in my articles, most especially in the title, but there just seems no other way to say it. I've been gone for a while, pulling between 60 and 70 hours each week for the last month or so. Our store is open now, and Grand Opening festivities begin on Friday. I thought I'd take this little bit of downtime to mash out a new article. I've missed blogging - it's been calling to me, amidst the endless stream of work/sleep/eat/shower/work ad nauseum. Sure, I've been able to sneak in the odd Guerilla Wota moment - I convinced my first "regular customer" at our Mix 'n Burn station that she had to download Utada Hikaru's version of 'Fly Me To The Moon', and the woman (no less than 55, I'm certain, and a fan of torch songs and standards) ended up asking me to burn a mix of Clazziquai, w-inds., and Orange Pekoe (thanks, Wu!) after I gave her a listen on my iPod. I still have to make that CD, and I don't know how many laws I'll be breaking in the process. Maybe I'll meet her at Panera Bread for the drop-off, I don't know. I've been making sure to face out our copies of Shugo Chara!, though that's far more under the radar than searching up Morning Musume imports through our special order system.

All that is interesting and all, with the capability to hold my attention for days at a time while I don't have internet at my disposal, but not having anyone to fantard with takes a lot of the drama out of...well...wota drama. I can't believe how hard the news of Mutou Mika's departure hit me. She was the underdog, she was the ugly duckling who made me cheer for her despite all the fan-ribbing. And we only ribbed on her because we loved her, right? (You'd better damn well say yes) This was the blow I couldn't understand. I was just as baffled by the hyperspeed move of Manoeri from Gatas to soloist, but with her overwhelming popularity I could understand UFW trying to cash in on the possibility of having another successful soloist after lo these many years and lo these many scandals. Why baffled, why gobsmacked by restructuring within Ongaku Gatas?

Because, futsal gimmick aside, they had potential. I don't say this just out of a biased loyalty to the unit boasting both Yossie and Rika. I say it because their first two singles really were on par with the Big Three of Hello!Project. I go back now to my dear Wu's December post on OG and wonder at how prophecy may have been spoken in that article. Maybe the early album was too much too soon. I look at the line-up that produced NKnBELL and Yattarouze! now and I just can't stand to imagine it without Manoeri or Mucchi. Even though I never got around to a proper review of 1st GOODSAL, my thoughts were proliferated as best I could through the blogosphere - I considered it mediocre. I listened to it and thought "my girls can do so much better than this". I could easily imagine every track being as catchy and danceable as their two singles, but it's just not what happened. To be honest, I haven't even given the whole album more than two or three listens. Which also probably explains the lack of a review. But um, anyway, back on track.

Wu was right. There was a certain intrigue and romance about OG in the beginning, as wota went crazy for Manoeri and I marvelled at KonKon's puffy face being GoneGone (though her voice had improved markedly) and everyone's legs being just amazing.

Pull OG's fan favorite, and its fan least-favorite (though I really do believe all the hate-ons for Mucchi were in jest, for the most part. Who remembers when Tsuji was considered "the ugly one"??), and just watch what happens? Is that the plan, here? I really don't know what the future holds for Ongaku Gatas, but we know a few things for sure: Mai won't be spearheading a new Country Musume (and, frankly, Ayaka's auspicious graduation has me worried if they're on a "get rid of the last vestiges of the Golden Age" kick...) and Rika doesn't have her hands full with v-u-den anymore. This leaves four "major" H!P idols with not much else to do (exclusing Elder Club concerts) and four promising Eggs with not much else to do (excluding backup dancing). I'd have thought the sudden loss of two members would have meant a sudden push with a new single, a new concert, something. But maybe they're biding time on OG. Is it too late for that?

I can't find a suitable answer, and it's too trivial in the long run for me to think about it too much, but I want OG to be in the big leagues (sports pun unintentional, though damn I'm good). They've already got big league talent, and some big league potential. Even without Manoeri or Mucchi, they can and will persevere. But where do they fall on UFW's Priorities List? I'm sure there is one, and right at the top are things like "Release More Risako Photobooks" and "Keep Denying Eighth Generation Photobooks" and "Make HaroMoni@ Less Appealing". Maybe somewhere on there in a scribbled in suggestion: "Market Ongaku Gatas???? Maybe???", but as far as I know that might be under "Remember To Lock Koharu's Padded Cell at Night". Hmmm, now that I think about it, that has to be a pretty big priority. Maybe there is hope, after all.

[Article] Collab Creation Dreams...Ran's Ver.

2008-04-25T15:30:14Z

I hope Vee doesn't mind. Ever since I read her article, I've really wanted to do my own. So, please suffer through mine. I'm not as musically... knowledgeable as Vee (up until last week I didn't know who Jimmy Hendricks was....and I still don't like him but playing guitar with your teeth is pretty impressive...D:)....Anyways, here we go!

                               AAA / A*Teens
Maybe it's just the fact that their names both start with "A". Or maybe it's the fact that they are both bi-gender singing/dancing groups. Or maybe I just wanna see Marie & Nissy AT THE SAME TIME. But whatever the reason, I think this colab would rock. Yes, I know A*Teens has disbanded but it's a dream colab. So stuff you.
I know alot of people would say S Club 7 for AAA, but I highly disagree. S Club 7's sound is nothing like AAA, they're more laid back and mellow compared to the hyped-up AAA. Therefore, I chose the A*Teens, because they are similar. I could really see this working very well, maybe like a AAA vs. A*Teens. Almost like that one the Sugababes did with..was it Girls Aloud? I think so...
I think that Nissy's voice would blend well with Marie's. They both have very smooth voices, even when singing really up-beat songs. And can you imagine the dancing if there was a PV?! It would bee so amazing...I don't even dare to think it...Except, I'm pretty sure Marie is taller than Nissy..O well. I can dream.


               Morning Musume / Ashley Tisdale
Ashley Tisdale is by far the best thing that has come out of Disney in a long time. Yes, I was debating putting Hannah Montana but I'd love to see Ashley sing with the Musumes more. Despite it's lack of promotion, her "Headstrong" album was AMAZING. And I think her sound would fit very well with Neo-Morning Musume. I could totally see them doing a cross between her "So Much for You" song and MM's "Onna ni sachi are". I think it would be really awesome. I can see Ashley getting along well with the girls, and I'm pretty sure she knows about some Asian music. On her album she has a cover of "The Zoom Song(Don't Touch)" by Tata Young. And I heard a rumor once that Ashley liked Morning Musume. I could also see lot's of awesome dance moves for them, since Ashley is a great dancer.


                   Ayumi Hamasaki / Belinda
Think of the new "Utopia" Belind, not her earlier stuff. But really imagine this would you? Yes, Ayumi is WAY older than Belinda, but I really would love this pairing. Now I'm thinking more like the "Free & Easy" Ayumi with the "Utopia" Belinda. I love Belinda's voice and I think it would sound great in a techno-y song with Ayumi. I'm sure mounds of Ayu's Spanish fans Spanish & Japanese would mix very well. And since Belinda can't dance all that well I'd want a really artistic PV, but Belinda should have no problem with that. Both girls are super gorgeous and I'm sure this would just push me over the edge. Belinda even did a MV for her song "Be Free" which looks so much like Ayumi's "Free & easy", so maybe she already knows of her? I don't doubt it. Belinda's a very worldly girl.


                             BoA / Hilary Duff
Don't shoot me. But I could really see this working. And yes, I do like Hilary Duff. So. YEAH. But really, I think that their sounds are similar. BoA is def. sexier than Duff but for a colab, I could see a nice poppy song. Somewhere between BoA's "Lose Your Mind" and Duff's "With Love". BoA has already done a colab with Westlife, so another one isn't totally out of the question. It's doubtful it will be Duff, but it's my dream. Both have been stars for a while and both have gone through alot of changes with their music. And these two would be perfect for a PV. I mean gosh, could you not see that? Lot's of cool dancing from both girls, and awesome close-ups....ahhhhh. I would die. And it would make BoA known to the U.S.A's general public since Duff is such a big name here.


                     YUI / Natasha Bedingfield
I'm not crazy. I know this, because I can totally see this. You know you can too. The sweet guitar melodies of YUI and the sunny campy songs of Natasha would blend so well...it's a match made in Heaven. I swear. I think maybe this would be the perfect colab. The colab to end all colabs. I doubt that either of them knows of the other, but I don't care. This would be the music played in Heaven, or the perfect music for a sweet summer day. Or skipping through a field...hahaha. Alright, but really, listen to Natasha's "Unwritten" or "Pocketful of Sunshine" or "Happy" and compare it to YUI's first album. Would you not die to hear that?! I would love to hear Natasha do a colab with such a sweet voiced person since her own voice is very vibrant and..lemony? And vice versa with YUI, I would love to hear her angelic voice with the spicy Natasha.


                    Utada Hikaru / Макsим
I doubt that anyone who reads this has heard of the siren-like vocals of Макsим, but this is MY dream, not yours. I do hope some of you will look her up. You won't be disapointed. And you'll understand this TONS better. I would try "Знаешь ли" as it's my favorite song from her. Anyways, if Natasha&YUI would kill me..this would kill me in all of my future/past lives. Because that's how pwnful their colab would be. And yeah, this is by far the most far-fetched idea on here because Макsим is only really popular in Russia, very few people in other countries know about her. But GAWDAMN Hikki and Макsим would be so killer. I would want a really deep/sad ballad because Макsим is best at those, and so is Hikki.

[Review] Kiss! Kiss! Kiss! and The Way of the Harmonica

2008-04-24T18:39:52Z

If Buono! are out to beat me up, take my lunch money, and have me come crawling back for more, on the metaphorical fangirl level, then they just keep on landing punches. On the metaphorical fangirl level. I've been a busy bee these last couple of weeks, but today I had occasion to check out not only the PV preview, but also the full radio rip, for Buono!'s newest single, Kiss! Kiss! Kiss! (which I've already pre-ordered, of course) (that's where the "steal my lunch money" bit comes in).

I mean, the song is good enough as it is. Catchy, pure Buono!-style, complete with great vocals, arrangement, and a rockin' chorus. Oh, and Momoko's irresistible "Ai~shi~te~ru~!" Thank you, Momoko. I need to be told that as much as possible. :3 If that wasn't enough, the costumes are out of this world. Holding to the "seifuku-gone-punk power" theme that Buono! seems to be adopting, we've got a ties, oh boy have we got ties. But it's not quite that simple. Airi's rockin' an unexpected newsboy hat and suspenders complete with FLAIR, and all of them are bangin' out hardcore in the "close-up" shots.

But. But. Wait for it.

This song has harmonica in it.

Lo! I am raptured!

I think something must have happened to me in a past life, or possibly before I can remember...but no matter what, if a harmonica is involved in a song, that song usually gains a few points automatically. Usually. I'll perk up like a dog to a kettle whistle, get all doe-eyed, and go "ooooo!" But, like all things, the harmonica can be abused to oversaturate a song, but in the right genre sometimes even too much harmonica is too little. Why, yes, I listen to the blues. But I think having a fever and the only cure being More Harmonica came from listening to a lot of Janis Joplin and Bob Dylan in my youth. Dylan, mostly. The Beatles also had their notable harmonica victories. Simon and Garfunkel, too. So, you see, I zero in on the sound of a harmonica like JunJun zeroes in on bananas.

Buono! has the advantage of a harmonica inclusion that is not overbearing and not just a tease, and manages to be just right.

GO~! GO~! BU-O-NO~!

Also, I nominate this song, when written out with the band's name, to be the most gratuitous overuse of exclamation points in the well-known J-Pop library. I desperately want to be proven wrong because I crave the amusement, but I think four in a row sort of wins.

[PinkCast] When Vee is Happy, Everyone is Happy

2008-04-19T19:56:23Z

Or not.

This month's PinkCast (because I sincerely don't believe I'll get around to recording another one what with all the Grand Opening craziness coming up on us...) features an amalgam of old and new, J-Pop and American Indie and Brit Alternative and...okay, actually, there's nothing "new" here. It's all sort of dated. And I'm not sorry! How can you resist?

I wavered on whether or not to do a theme that used English-language songs with Asian themes, but when I figured out that, aside from 'Rains in Asia', I only really had 'Big in Japan' (Alphaville's version) and 'One Night in Bangkok' to choose from, I decided to shelve that idea. So I went with no theme at all. Bizarro Vee! Me do opposite of what normal Vee do!

I have some flash-lightening pink hair color to apply to my lovely Masae-inspired coif, and I also purchased a flattening iron so I can take proper care of the style. Finally, huh?

Hee hee, I'm listening to my Dream Live 3rd soundtrack and I am endlessly amused by how unexpectedly deep and sexy Hirofumi Araki's voice is. This is only amusing if you're familiar with what Araki looks like. For reference, check out the layout I did for ashkta, my idk bff/fellow blogger over at Date Kouji Can't Stop Crying. By the way, WE plan on doing a full-on running commentary to 'Boys Love' when she travels into town shortly...be on the look-out for that, it promises to be good times. Especially since it is, at it's core, a RIDICULOUS FILM.

OK, here comes the PinkCast!

x TRACKLIST x
x 01 x Rains in Asia x Jump x
x 02 x Yokushitsu x Shena Ringo x
x 03 x Lovestruck x Iko x
x 04 x See/Believe x Frente! x
x 05 x Call My Name x Garnet Crow x
x 06 x This is Cracker Soul x Cracker x

PinkCast 04

[ DIRECT DL ]

P.S. - One error - the "dicking around on guitar" quote is from Mr. Show with Bob and David, not MST3K. Bad me!

[Roundtable] Betrothed by Voice

2008-04-15T04:20:55Z

Raid asks, and I answer. In his latest entry, he makes a compelling argument for the three singers he would marry based purely on voice. After explaining his choices comes this little nugget of why I love the blogosphere: "That said, I'd love to see some other bloggers' own views on the matter. ... Who would you guys marry based purely on voice?

Keep in mind, I am aching from head to toe, I really should just go to bed, but as blogging is something that gives me an intense rush of joy, I had to crank this one out. Raid, man, I just can't resist a direct address.

I don't know if these first three are in any particular order, and narrowing it to a Top Three had me nearing heart failure. I know it's the "rules", but a little anarchy goes a long way. So, I have a Top Four. Not surprisingly, all of the maybe-not-in-any-order runners-up I discovered thanks to TeniMyu >___> But each stands on his own right. The #1 spot is the easiest thing to guess if you've ever listened to me blather on about who I believe has the most beautiful voice in all of creation...

#4 - Date Kouji

Did you have one of those weird food things, like peanut butter and potato chip sandwiches, or wasabi with french fries, that you absolutely adore but you really don't ever want to even try to foist it off on your friends because it just sort of garners you weird looks most of the time, it's so ~*fringe*~? That's how I've come to feel about Date Kouji. He's sort of this personal mission I've taken on, stateside, but it's a very quiet, very reserved mission, because I'm not going to convert the world to him and I'm probably one of the few who really, really, really loves his boyishly raspy, straining-to-hit-the-high-notes, surprisingly beautiful falsetto voice. It's just...raw, and powerful in a way that Date on his own just fails to appear. Ever. Seriously, in a recent blog photo he almost beat out a puppy AND a kitten for "most adorable thing in this picture". Though I never held an official poll about it. See, I'm listening to '18 Nen'me no Yoru' again and thinking "...I can't be the only one who wants a voice like this to sing me to sleep every night." VOICE SLAVE, HITHER! I WISH TO BE SERENANDED! VOICE SLAVE, I NEED TO DO THE DISHES, BRING YOUR GUITAR!

I also find little bits of info like hearing that he stopped the crowd during a club performance once because their off-rhythm clapping was distracting him, and had to start over, to be really endearing. <3___<3

#3 - Kato Kazuki

Okay, this guy's voice legitimately DOES things to me, and he's more than once prompted conversations which basically amount to "Can a photo get you pregnant? Because...um..." To be honest, I'm not all that interested in his solo work, as such, even though he has a far more exciting and successful career than Date at present. Probably because he does legitimate pop. I'll watch his PV mostly to feel a little dirty (in the good way), and then I just switch over and watch an old TeniMyu performance again. Ha ha ha, Kato, you will never not be Atobe to me. My main argument in the "voice made of pure sex" arena would be the this short but stunning duet with Shirota Yuu which gives me chills every single damn time I hear it.

I also happen to think he looks better with silver hair. Heh, maybe that's ~*~*~just me~*~*~

#2 - Takumi Saitou

This is probably the cheapest, basest, most blatantly hormonal decision I've ever made. I was so excited that I even braved the quite-disappointing solo mini-album he released. He can sing. OH HE CAN SING. But the album left absolutely no impression on me. Stunning, I know, that I chose actual song quality over the fact that Saitou's voice makes me spontaneously orgasm (not...not really...but...you know, it's a really great voice). It's just that deep, always-sort-of-sounds-like-he-just-woke-up, effortlessly melodic voice that found Ashkta and I sitting through his idol DVD just because. That, and he was haggling with Chinese shopgirls. I feel silly, in some way, choosing someone whose only musically vocal merits I will willingly extol come from gay tennis musicals, but, that's how the cards fall, guys. Also: Aggressively Attractive Man. What can I say? Unf, I'm listening to his lines in 'Season' as I type this, and...yeeeaaahhhhh. 400 babies. Saitou, I believe these are yours.

#1 - Nakamura Yuri

IT'S A GIRL!!! Imagine that. Nakamura-san, lead singer of Garnet Crow, is far and away the winner. In fact, those boys up there? If I were marrying a voice, JUST A VOICE, I would gladly never listen to any of them ever again if it meant I had the honor of Nakamura's nightingale-warble for the rest of my days, to love and to honor. Her range is incredible, her deeper register is majestic, and her higher register brings to mind angels and goddesses and other such other-worldly beings. Her voice is like an instrument unto itself. I cannot stress this enough. On my worst days I'll spin 'Spiral' or 'Float World', and there's my angel Nakamura to transport to another world of technically brilliant and emotionally gut-rending song. OH NAKAMURA-SAN'S VOICE, WILL YOU DO ME THE HONOR OF BECOMING MY WIFE???

...now I'm so tired it's not even funny. But, there you have it, Raid! And anyone else who might care.

[Article] These are Unmei

2008-04-13T20:48:35Z

Well, ten hour shift of unpacking and shelving is imminent tomorrow as Panama City Beach attempts to open its first Borders store, with yours truly at bat. It will be a fantastic hotspot for literati and just plain cool people. On the downside, I'm weary to my bones from yesterday's sort, but on the upside I'm really hyped to get stuff done. I don't know really, why I'm opening a Pink Wota article with a lengthy treatise on my own state of being, but in my most Garrison Keillor of moments I like to pretend that I can mix my personal with my objective blogging and something great will come of it. Hopefully this will not be people just scrolling past my introductory paragraphs; hopefully this will be a little way to bring you all inside my head, to show I mean it when I say "comfort blogging".

I was feeling very down and out about Pink Wota this week. Maybe it was just a lack of serotonin, or a lack of adrenaline, but suddenly it seemed like I couldn't, and didn't really want to, keep up with the crowd. Celestia said pretty much everything I wanted to say regarding the Resonant Blue Another Version PV, except this: Sayumi and Eri aren't exactly resonating sadness when they're having a ball at the amusement park. :\ It just seemed out of place. Everyone else seemed sorta lonely - even the Pandas. But Sayu and Eririn? Just chillin', eating ice cream. "Oh, I'm sorry, were we supposed to be resonating sadness? Okay, we'll just glare at the camera, here."

And yes. Koharu more than makes up for making me want to punch her for smiling all through the Dance Shot by being smoking hot in the story footage.

Thus, finding not much to say about current events in the J-Pop world - and learning that one of my longtime friends is going to be in Japan with the JET program for Ayumi Hamasaki's 10th Anniversary Tour (and has more or less promised to bring me back swag of epic proportions) - I find not much to do here on Pink Wota. Just a slump, just a slump.

What lies beneath is an article I've been kicking around for a month or so. It's not much, but I like to think a good retrospective is nice once in a while.

No secret that Melon Kinenbi's This is Unmei is one of my favorite H!P songs of all time. No secret that I practically worship Masae Ohtani and modeled my new split-level hairstyle after one of her many incarnations. No secret that Melon Kinenbi is just fantastical.

But what struck me as I started to stalk YouTube, watching performance after performance by the group (spurred on quite a bit by the live-footage PV of Charisma, Kirei, is that they work more effectively than any other H!P commodity as a live act. I don't mean this in the arena sense of "knock your socks off" showmanship, not really. Morning Musume, Berryz, C-ute, Ayaya, Gomaki, all have put on amazing concerts and cannot be discounted as things unforgettable by fans who have had the pleasure of seeing them in person. But Melon Kinenbi brings a more dressed-down, "club" feeling to their performances. This translates very well onto DVD. Most notably in their recent fan club release, ~LOCK ON!~

So I began to compile the live clips I could find of my favorite Melon Kinenbi song - This is Unmei - in order to extoll the virtues, the evolution, and the mystique behind Melon Kinenbi live.

Live Tour 2003 Haru ～1st Anniversary～

I always love it when they retain the opening lineup as featured in the PV. The way they sell their "lines" even though they're obviously piped in is excellent, and you'll see that in every one of these examples. This is the craziest I've seen the crowd yet, with crowd surfing. CROWD SURFING. The exploding streamers are a nice touch. This reminds me of TeniMyu, to admit something really embarrassing. Perhaps this is because I've not watched any TeniMyu in a long time and I'm having a jones.

All this aside, everyone's outfits are sort of wtfery.

Smoke machines also - they're pulling out all the stops. This is Masae's best "No no no noooooo!", in my opinion. Sometimes she loses her voice, but here she rides that perfect line between belting it out and breaking the mic.

They sound vocally stunning, and I love the crowd energy, but they're not really owning it yet.

Hello!Project 2005 Natsu no Kayo Show

A truncated version of the song, yes, but their outfits are super and I love how they own the crowd even at H!P concerts. Even next to MiniMoni, Berryz, and C-ute, they're in a class all their own.

What's up with Koharu's squeaky little "san ni ichi!" all on her own? D: Oh, yeah, it was her premiere year. But wooowwww...how anticlimactic THAT was.

This pales in comparison, I must say, to the H!P Wonderful Hears performance of 'Saa! Koibito ni Narou', in which different Kids, and even Okada Yui, take on the opening lines with great power. From that performance alone I draw my belief that Maimi is destined to be the next true Bitch Goddess of H!P, and I mean that in the best, most complimentary sense ever. For instance, Hitomi and Masae are the Bitch Goddesses of MKB.

Live House Tour 2006 Syakunetsu Tengoku in Yokohoma Blitz

This one has a great opening, featuring a spoken word of the monologue. It is in this year, 2006, that I really start to get the feeling of the MKB we know today. The progression and maturation, not at all a stagnation, has done them well. They are aging like the finest wine, or perhaps the finest volatile rum. I draw your eyes to Hitomi rocking the amp, and the great crowd energy which has become par for the course. Hitomi, I should point out, has gone from being the would-be-gyaru that I sort of hated in H!P to one of my top H!P crushes. That, and she has a butch way about her these days - see the next video for ultimate proof of this. The camerawork for the arm-spreading moment right before the breakdown at 3:00 is awesome.

As much as I love Megumi, there's always something off about her delivery of the "Ii ko de ne" line that lacks Hitomi's commanding tone, but then, Megumi and Ayumi sort of make the "good little girls" of MKB while Hitomi and Masae are - were you reading the last review? - the Bitch Goddesses.

~LOCK ON!~ House Tour 2007

NOW THIS IS WHAT I'M TALKIN' ABOUT.

I love the "club" feeling, their dressed-down outfits, Hitomi's super-dyke look (I'll let you know when I pick myself up off the floor), everyone's hair, everyone's energy (even Ayumi is rockin' it like a punk chick!), just...EVERYTHING. The staging (come on...Masae on a bench, with Megumi standing on top of her???) is incredible and impromptu-feeling. Look at Hitomi's amp-rocking hip thrusts! For that matter, just look at Hitomi's hips. This is proof positive for me that MKB are THE superior live Hello!Project act. This might be because this is the sort of live act *I* like to see. A group just having fun and rocking out.

At the same time, though, I'm in love with over-the-top stagings the likes of which you'd find in an Ayumi Hamasaki Arena Tour. I suppose, for me, it has to be one of the other. A perforance that sort of makes you smell beer when you're watching it, or a performance thattransports you to a completely different universe. I want nothing in between, perhaps, because the results always seem to strike me as either over-ambitious, or unrealized potential.

There were many more performances of This is Unmei that I wanted to include, but I figured both for brevity's sake and the fact that YouTube pulled them, I would just overlook those.

[Eyecandy] Biyuuden's Last Stand

2008-04-06T01:29:55Z

As we all know by now, Biyuuden's last single is here. I was very interested to learn that the last single would be an old school Morning Musume track. But by jove, I really love it. And the PV is so bittersweet. Such an amazing song for them, too bad it's the end.

Well, let's enjoy it while we can, ne? I want to bask in glory just one last time.

It starts out as usual. Erika & Yui stand just behind Rika, on either side. Yui's got her usual ponytail, and Erika has her vaguely Rika-ish hair. Then there is Charmy herself, again, nothing about her appearance is surprising. I do really like the dresses. Very Koisuru inspired. Alltogether, nice opening shot.

The next shot is of Rika, gazing off into the distance. [Insert some cheesy line about the future]. Classic Charmy pose. They're keeping things simple.

These are by far the best shots of the PV. Grainy and very home video-ish, they add to the simplistic tone the PV is setting. No frills or fanfare. Just the good old Biyuuden.

Erika & Rika, getting their camwhore on. I just love this cap. You can really feel the friendship during these parts. The happy-go-lucky trio really seems to enjoy themselves at this beach. Wherever it may be. Again, notice the classic Biyuuden hairstyles and clothes. VERY SIMPLE. And yes, I am going to emphasize that many more times. Deal with it.

Here is Yui's little solo shot. Very lovely, I must say. The worst voice of the group, but to me, by far the prettiest. Yui gets the piano in her scene. How nice.

And finally, Erika's solo shot. Smiling at the camera as always. LOVE her hair. For some reason I think it looks particularly good in this shot. She's by the closet? I guess. I can't tell, but it looks like it.

Again, Rika is gazing off into the distance. Looking forward to her uncertain but very bright future. *cue dramatic music, probably violins involved somehow*

Erika singing by her closet. Still looking at the camera. I think I like it better when Yui does her "I've just looked up!" routine. But, hey, I'm not complaining. Gorgeous shot.

Yui running on the beach! Very stylish of you, Yui. But, the scarf bothers me a bit. Why does one wear a scarf to the beach? I cannot imagine why. Hmmm.

YEAH YEAH YEAH! These scenes are by far the more joyful ones. I really enjoy them for their clarity. The amazing simplicity that this PV gives me is only enhanched by these shots. I love them so much. I just wish they had more of the Erika & Yui, not just Charmy Channel. I do hope they release an Up-Close ver with these. I would just about die.

And we've come to the dance! I'm reminded of Cinderella during the dance scenes. They are very Disney to me. But maybe that's because years of babysitting have forced me to watch everything Disney known to man..at least a hundred times each. O well. Suffice it to say, I think the dance is cute.

YUI. <3________<3

New type of scene. Kanashimi-ish. Idk. I'm not a huge fan of these parts. They don't fit with the rest of the PV.

YAY CINDERELLA DANCE

*_______*

Lovely scene of the girls together. With the sunset. *tears up*

*waves goodbye*

Another gorgeous shot of Charmy.

Finally, a shot of Erika here. LOVE. PURE LOVE

Yui's shot. CAN WE SAY ANGELIC, MUCH?

The Cinderella dance has come to an end.

And here we are. The end. With a lovely shot of the Leader. Charmy. Rika.

See you later girls.
<3

[Review] Who Wears Short-Shorts? (hint: C-ute)

2008-04-04T18:15:06Z

So, are we not supposed to be staring at their asses?

I'm not complaining. In fact, I'm having a bit of a crisis, here. The "image" of C-ute was already starting to shift to a more mature one with Tokkaiko Junjou, only to be obliterated by LALALA Shiawase no Uta. Now, with Namida no Iro, they are rocking the sort of smouldering sexiness that U-15's are far too good at pulling off, sometimes. Even Morning Musume's having a problem pulling this off lately. But, if nothing else - even if the debate of "is this too sexy too soon" consumes the blogosphere, I'll make two things known now:

1) I like the sexy C-ute. Nay, I LOVE the sexy C-ute. They seem more at home with this PV and with Tokkaiko Junjou.
2) If nothing else, these next few months should be magnificent for Hello!Project sales. There are passionate fans for every upcoming release - this, Anataboshi, Resonant Blue, Nannimo Iwazuni I LOVE YOU...an EPIC second quarter for H!P seems evident. At least, I can hope so.

Maybe it's my big sister complex kicking in and they're not as sexy as I see them, or maybe I'm a dirty U-15 pervert in disguise. Whatever the case, they manage it with demanding poise. Does that make sense? Take a look at the PV. They're dancing their hearts out (no knee-flapping or goofy moves in sight...), rocking wonderful costumes, and everyone (even MaiMai D:) seems to be saying, with her eyes, "bring it on". Oh, C-ute. You are working your way up my Hello!Project favorites list steadily and surely. True to the most optimistic speculations across the blogosphere, LALALA Shiawase no Uta seemed to just be a wrinkle in the C-ute fabric. It's almost (almost) safe at this point to assume that Berryz is being marketed now toward the safe, fun, charismatic "Golden Age MoMusu" crowd, and C-ute is playing right into the hands of the current J-Pop market. Which is fine by me. That the Kids groups seemed far too similar in the early couple of years was troubling, but I think here in 2008 they've finally discovered identities - or UFA has shaped them into those identities. Or maybe I'm just wildly speculating. Or maybe I'm just so excited about how cool this PV is that I'm going to try and spin some sort of credible yarn into my review without just slobbering my fangirl all over the page.

All that said, let's talk presences. Maimi (and her ass) is the Number One draw, as usual. And she deserves it. She looks absolutely stunning, sounds absolutely stunning, and...is Maimi. Is it just me or does it seem that she's grown about three years since we last saw her in that horrid pink furry chicken suit PV? Airi is, again, a force to be reckoned with, but much like my beloved Koha of Morning Musume, my beloved Airi of C-ute just doesn't seem to know when to turn off the kawaii and go for the kakkoi. She's stellar, vocally, as usually, and her ass looks great, but she's just a tad too happy-looking. This is not a happy song. It's not like she doesn't look great with a more sorrowful expression - past PV have proven this. But when she's singing, her whole face lights up. It might just be me, but it seems incongruent with the song and the rest of the images. Erika is the surprise winner of the PV, with numerous close-ups and a kickin' hat. MaiMai still pisses me off just a tad, and if I had any complaint about this PV she'd be it. But, I take C-ute as a whole, and she's part of the package. When she grows up by a couple of years I'll probably love her. Nakki, despite an unfortunately-screenprinted t-shirt (thanks for the free advertising, but this is a video about asses), looks downright fabulous and icy cool in something I would've worn while I was in high school (and probably did, with a different graphic. I'll try to find photos. That hat is just TOO familiar). She gets her fair share of screentime, as well.

It doesn't matter to me that Kanna and Chisato are shortchanged in the screentime department, because Chisato (my sentimental favorite, if you know me) just SHINES in this video, with a calm, mature radiance I always expected but never...prepared myself for, I suppose. If I could stop talking about these girls' costumes for a moment, I would, but I can't. Seriously, Chisato's outfit has to be my favorite, with the rad off-the-shoulder sweater, the single fingerless glove, and those boots. They're finally doing her hair right, too. She looks like a mini-me of Ohtani Masae, and I could only hope they'd follow this "punkish" image forward with her. That's just me, however. Every moment she's onscreen, she's completely in control. Kanna doesn't have the same sparkle, probably because they stuck her with the most unfortunate costume. Oh, well. Ass check? Terrific. This makes up for it.

What a great PV, what a great song. The lighting, the staging, the dancing, the screentime given to every girl - it all seems to be the antithesis of Resonant Blue (though I loved the dance on RB...I seem to be alone in that department...T___T). I'll quickly cast my vote for Namida no Iro (so help me, everytime I type that I want to type LOVE Namidairo!!!) having the best dance of this round of singles. The PV is a toss-up; are we even considering Dschingis Khan with this round, since it's already been released? Regardless, the styles are SO dissimilar, it doesn't matter! Berryz wins in their own way, C-ute wins in their own way. An ulcer that was threatening to form over my divided loyalties regarding the Kids groups has calmed, finally. Because they are now markedly different...if only UFA keeps this up.

To the untrained eye they may look like they don't want to be here, but these are just their "SRS BZNS" faces.

It seems that they've invaded some grad student's long-labored-over installation-piece art school final to shoot their dance shot. "You damned kids get off my installation piece!" I love it, though.

As Jerry Seinfeld once remarked regarding gymnasts: "they should sell advertising space on their asses. 'Hey, who's winning?' 'I don't know, but suddenly I really want to buy some Dr. Pepper.'"

Maimi looking gorgeous and about five years older than she is in the alt shot.

Airi looking...sort of pissed...in the alt shot.

CHISATO AND ERIKA ALERT!!!! They both look so fabulous...

Proof that they really don't have any concept of English slang. Never mind that, look how great Nakki looks. Poor thing has languished in "what's her name, again?" for too long, and here I think she's finally established herself individually.

...I just think she's too little for her britches, but acts too big for them. :\ Nothing against her, really...she's got a solid voice and nice moves. And she got a great costume, here.

...unlike Kanna. x__-

DEAR LORD CHISATO IS GORGEOUS. THANK YOU, PV stylists, for finally showing her off.

Namida no WHY CAN'T ERIKA AND NAKKI BE WEARING SHORT-SHORTS, TOO!??! T__T

Presented without comment. <3___<3

Unexpected Maimi Sex-Eyes Close-Up #1!

Gaaaah. Airi. You're my favorite. But. >:| You're doing it wrong!

Unexpected Erika Sex-Eyes Close-Up #1! (lookin' a little like Koda Kumi here, or is it just my perception??)

"OH GURL YOU KNOW DAS RIGH'!"

Take a break. Keep posing like that. Radical.

MORE CHISATO AND ERIKA ALERT!!!

HOORAY!! \:D/ THAT'S HOW IT'S DONE, AIRI!

MaiMai, on the other hand, just looks like she's cranky and needs a nap.

*clings to Chisato's furry-booted leg and never lets go*

Unexpected Maimi Sex-Eyes Close-Up #2!!

More Erika. Because I love that hat, her, and that lighting.

"Yo, NAKKI, let's grab a couple of Snapples, our skateboards, and hit Warped Tour '94!"

"...I was born in 1994."

Fabulous.

They look so cohesive, like a completely attuned group, but each girl manages to stand out on her own. Except Kanna. sorry, Kanna, you lose this PV. :(

So, if someone asks me "what's this PV about?" I'll be like "....U-15 asses." I mean, I don't want to LIE to people!

I really give props to C-ute for seeming so much like a dance crew in addition to being an idol group. Sometimes it's as if dancing is their primary focus as a group. I mean, they get INTO it, and they NAIL it.

I think Airi's going to punch me if I say anything else about her ass...

Here, it's simple to me. Pardon the unimpressive screencaps, but Maimi is giving me a strong Fujimoto vibe, Chisato for Mari in '08, and Erika for The New Kaorin.

"...am I really too cracked up on caffeine for this PV?" "...not right now! <3__<3"

"Yay!" "...damnit you did it again!!!"

"STOP! IN THE NAME OF SHORT-SHORTS!"

No real reason...I just love this shot...

Kanna: "Hope you enjoyed my five seconds of screen time!"

[Article] Collab Creation Dreams...

2008-04-03T19:40:29Z

In light of the recent Avril Leviathan (nope, I'm not a fan)/Puffy AmiYumi collaboration news, I thought instead of writing what would basically amount to an article agreeing with six of one side (I don't think Avril Lavigne is a talented songwriter by any means, and it sort of cheapens Puffy in the eyes of a lot of their longer-established American fans) and half a dozen of the other (Puffy will be able to say they have more to their name on the American cred tip than "Teen Titans", Avril is probably a fan like the rest of us and, you know, good for her in some way), it would be more productive (and fun!) to write an article about American/Japanese musical artist collaborations I'D love to see.

Of course, this whole thing is just a flight of fancy. But shall we just agree that Max Matsuura reads my blog, and might get an idea from this? And, hey, this is an open invitation for a blogosphere-wide dialog on Dream Collaborations. Because, of course, everyone has their preferences!

AYUMI HAMASAKI / MADONNA
Sort of a no-brainer. There is no way Madonna is unaware of Ayumi's existence - sometimes I wonder who was taking style cues from whom, for a while. But, obviously, Ayu has borrowed a great many of her "looks", concert stagings, and general styles from Madonna. After all, Madonna is one of her self-proclaimed idols (look at that t-shirt). I just think the collaboration would be a match made in heaven. Ayumi seems to finally be ready to shake things up and break out of the "good girl" image, and Madonna's a Ma-momma who's laying off the self-promotion for the first time in her career, so the timing seems right. What type of collaboration am I talking about here? Well, I thought Britney Spears' credibility as an actual pop identity was solidified when she recorded her duet with Madonna (which I loved, by the way, just so you know). A duet with Madonna? How much higher on the top of the mountain could you get, as a foreign pop artist? It would be a great move for Madonna as a pop music ambassador, too. At least I believe so. Ayumi (hopefully) is not going to go and throw away all the effort Madonna might put into exposing her to an American scene...which in itself is debatable, as Madonna is not unknown to do underground or less-publicized collaborations.

SHENA RINGO / TRENT REZNOR
Two musical mad scientists would be really, really, REALLY interesting. Seriously, the thought of this collaboration ever becoming a reality makes my skin tingle a little bit (maybe that's because I'm re-listening to Year Zero right now) I'd love to hear the sort of song Trent would compose and arrange around Ringo's lyrics. Now, as Trent is rooted deeply in (that is to say, against) the politics of the music industry, it's unlikely that he'd take kindly to the musical machine which is Japan, even when genuine talent such as Shena Ringo and Tokyo Jihen is involved. As for Ringo...well...I have no idea. At times she makes me think of a Japanese Bjork, or a Japanese Exene Cervenka, or...man, I just don't know what to say about her. I listen to 'La salle de bain' and I get all tripped up again each time I think I have her pinned.

MORNING MUSUME / CHRISSIE HYNDE
I ran through a LOT of Morning Musume collaborations I'd like to see - Run DMC, Grandmaster Flash, Damon Albarn, etc. - because Morning Musume goes through different musical styles like they go through costume changes. But then I remembered that this is MY fantasy, and in MY fantasy the Mother of All Pop-Rock Goddesses would come in to write the lyrics for - and possibly help DANCE*MAN compose - Morning Musume's first English-language single. Crazy, aren't I? Well, she IS made of awesome...not to mention, I could easily hear Chrissie performing (GOOD) English-language versions of songs like 'As For One Day' or 'Shabondama' or 'Roman ~My Dear Boy~'...

BUONO! / SLEATER-KINNEY
First of all, yeah, I know they're on hiatus, but it doesn't mean there's bad blood, it just means there's babies. You may think I'm at the pipe dream to end all pipe dreams, but NO, that comes last. This is actually halfway considerable if you're able to stretch your brain drum-tight. Sleater-Kinney may be the most prolific Grrl Rock band out there, but it doesn't mean they don't love to have fun. They've done collaboration after collaboration, and always with pretty good to excellent results. Even if Corin or Carrie bopped over to play on a Buono! track, or helped give the girls (and Pony Canyon) a lesson in rocking out, it would be worth it. The major hurdle I see is Sleater-Kinney's politics getting in the way, but isn't that going to be a problem with ANY label endorsing an American artist collaboration (unless that artist has no politics - hi, Avril)?

DATE KOUJI / PAUL SIMON
Yeah, this is the one to end them all. Hardly-known in his own home country? Yeah, the odds on this look nil-to...-nil for Date Kouji, but I'd still love to hear it. He's still so young! He needs just one professional nudge from a legendary fellow singer-songwriter (arguably one of the best ever) to jump-start what could, conceivably, be an amazing career. Add a few unexpected rhythms behind Kouji's guitar-playing, harmonica-pullin' sound, and it would be heavenly. Just bring Paul Simon in for a consultation and it would be magical...if Kouji didn't just cry the entire time out of humble shock...

[Guerilla Wota] The Buono!Roll

2008-04-03T04:34:14Z

If you've been around these internets, which most of you have, you know about the RickRoll. If you didn't know about it before April Fool's Day, you probably know about it now, because many a website used the RickRoll as their weapon of choice for Poisson d'Avril. Now, C.J. and I agree that Rick Astley is a pantywaste. Not that I hate the song entirely, because it has that certain old-school charm about it that always makes me groove in an absolutely ridiculous "I KNOW I look like a weirdo" way. So, C.J., being the genius he is, falsely led us all under a cut on his LJ to premiere...

The Buono!Roll.

While most internet memes of the Japanese variety have been borne of anime and otaku culture, and usually draw upon existing derision of said meme (see Sayonara Zetsubou-sensei, Motteke! Serafuku, and Caramel Dansen), the simple act of memeing is also known to pull in just as many legitimate, existing fans. Now people actually watch those anime!

...I don't want to get people watching Shugo Chara, I want people listening to Buono! and knowing that Hello!Project exists. For the first time, or all over again.

Maybe I'm just a dreamer. But I'm not the only one. Is it possible that, if enough of you Anon out there (THERE MUST BE SOME OF YOU), spread the Buono! word through, not pedobear, but a genuine Buono!Roll, some people who who never knew about H!P might actually take a listen?

What might come next? People checking out Buono's next single? Legions of devoted fans on /b/? Yuri eroguro fanart of Miya/Airi? (D:) Whatever the case, memes come and go like new J-Pop blogs. But it's worth at least a shot.

The concept is essentially the same as the RickRoll. Not much explanation needed there. That said, I heard u liek mudkips? (that's my homegirl kichara, there. You know I love it when you call me Big Poppa)

I suggest using this link if you want to initiate a Buono!Roll of your own: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEW--Ro_kuw

Comments, concerns, thoughts on plotting to make this register as even a blip on the internet radar?

[Review] Wish Upon a Star...Tambourine...or something...

2008-04-01T19:06:14Z

Unabashed Koharu Kusumi fan though I am, I am not, in fact, a fan of Kirarin Revolution. I enjoyed Kira*Pika well enough, but would have liked to hear more from them. With the exception of Buono!, there just isn't an H!P/anime unit that's stuck in my head and in my heart for very long. That said, I still love Koha and I believe she brings a life to these Kirarin units that otherwise wouldn't have stood a chance from the outset.

So I hope you'll understand how disappointed I was when I heard that Milky Way was going to be another anime tie-in group. I threw my hands up and sort of promised myself I wouldn't talk about them.

But, Milky Way's first full PV is up.

(PV embed will be removed when YouTube pulls it)

I just have to comment on this. The surprise I feel. The way the song is stuck in my head, the way it reminds me of MKB's 'This is Unmei' and Ayaya's 'Yeah! Meccha Holiday' and C-ute's 'Oooki na ai de Matenashite', just...wow. I was NOT expecting to be riverdanced by Milky Way. Of all the musical influences I've heard H!P take on in the past, this is the first time I can say I've heard such an overt Irish/Celtic sound.

The dance is pretty incredible. Different from most H!P dances, and almost certainly challenging for these girls (they don't quite have the knack of every move in the PV, but who could? They probably rushed this on them, and I'd love to see a dance shot and practice the Hell out of this one). The addition of the tambourines (thanks, song title) begs an additive to the Irish folk music sound - it makes the song and dance almost Eastern European - Bavarian, Dutch, or Russian.

I could listen to the song over and over again. Truly, this is the first song (in my opinion) to come from the Kirarin Revolution tie-in that I stand behind 100%

Here comes the Koha hate! I can smell it on the wind! Chill out, guys, and admit that the sugar-tastic spazz appeals to all those sugar-happy anime-watching kids in Japan. I still love you, Koha. You can sit by me.

...and does anyone else find Yuu and Sayaka (ESPECIALLY Sayaka) to be just the cutest little Eggs since Manoeri went all Ongaku on us? I am keeping an eye on Sayaka. I think she might be my new favorite Egg. She has sort of a Kamei look about her, with the distant, almost cross-eyed cat face, but the fierce normal-look is made even better by a killer smile. I was shocked when I watched the PV to find myself thinking that she was stealing the show from Koha. Who can steal a show from H!P's resident professional spotlight-stealer? ***HERE COMES SAYAKA***

Yuu is also great, though I just have this strong initial leaning toward Sayaka.

Because, I mean, seriously.

[PinkCast] Fittingly, 'glitter' is on -GOLD-...

2008-04-01T01:06:34Z

In lieu of actually reviewing Ayumi Hamasaki's latest duo of remix albums, ayu-mi-x 6 -SILVER- and -GOLD-, I decided to make a PinkCast that would let everyone appreciate a few of the best mixes - with my sparkling commentary, of course!

I start off by explaining my own history with the ayu-mi-xes, share an early Ayumi remix, and then share four of what I consider to be the stand-out tracks from these latest offerings.

Warning: Commentary is occasionally not very sparkling, and sometimes I pause like an idiot.

PinkCast 03

[ DIRECT DL ]

One thing I never remembered to mention: the tiny, iPod-sized version of the cover art for -GOLD- keeps making me think I'm looking at the Hannibal movie poster, or, more fittingly, soundtrack. So, in my head I'm half-expecting to hear 'Vide Cor Meum'.

[Article] Defending Ayu

2008-03-29T17:19:12Z

This is an article that's been a long time in the making. The roots of Pink Wota itself can be traced back to the LJ Community ayu_me, which I created in order to share Ayumi songs and media with my friends who were just beginning to dip their toes into the J-Pop scene. To this day, Ayumi is the only artist several of them will listen to, of the dozens I blather about here and on my personal journal.

It happened very recently - I was posting about my plans for Metrocon's Anime Idol competition on the forums for said convention, and mentioned my desire to perform an Ayumi Hamasaki song. The only direct response I got? "Oh, man, I hate Ayumi Hamasaki."

What? On what grounds? Where does this so-often unfounded hatred come from? As far as I know she did not murder this forum-goer's family, and judging from the profile her "Ayu Hater" scarcely been out of kindergarten when Ayumi was selling 5 million records a year.

Hating Ayumi seems to be a trend in the J-Rock world, I find. But I'm not going to put myself through the trauma of doing the research it would take to prove that. I can understand disliking someone who is considered to be the "face of modern Japanese pop music" if you're only into Visual Kei or the hardest of the black metal J-Rock. She's an antithesis. It's like saying "I hate Britney Spears"...or it used to be, before Britney Spears became a self-fulfilling prophecy. Okay, fine, it's like saying "I hate (insert popular band/singer here)". It just screams "I'm not mainstream! I don't like what the rest of you corporate sheep like!"

I try not to pay the haters much mind. Because nine times out of ten they're just trying to inflate their own sense of identity, and know nothing about Ayumi's music, her history, her personal investment in her music. I was a teenager during the grunge era, I know all about hating things in order to inflate your sense of identity. What you didn't like was so much more important than what you did like. Music became like politics, in a way. To extend the metaphor even further, "pop" became like a disease, and if you were seen around it or associating with it, there was no curing you. Well, I was never really one to listen, and even though I loved Soundgarden I still loved The Beatles more (how "pop" can you get? They just DID IT RIGHT). Though I loved Pearl Jam (and still do), I kept my Madonna albums. Alice in Chains were great, but I could still dance better to TLC. Sorry, purists.

Boy, you should've seen the room clear when I mentioned that I wouldn't be covering J-Rock or Visual Kei at my Anime South Panel ("I'm sorry", I explained, "I just don't know anything about it"). This must be where a lot of the Ayumi hate comes from, same as hate of anything within the same sphere of fandom. How can you possibly be "better" at liking the same things? Good luck with that. I'm not about to make a post decrying X-Japan or L'arc~en~Ciel, because I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THEIR MUSIC. I'm sure I'd be able to get into a few of their songs. I know this because it's always my curse (or blessing, however you look at it) in music. I don't judge an artist based on what he/she/they stand for or what they represent. I like the music or I don't like the music. And, believe it or not, I haven't had time to listen to every band on the planet yet. I'm still catching up with a lot of bands from 50 years ago, for crimony's sake. I still have to listen to the latest C-ute album.

I can understand Ayumi haters who know of her music, know of her history and her style. When they say things like "I just don't like her type of music" or "I think she's over-rated" or "I don't like the style change she's gone through in recent years", that's cool. That's not actually hating, that's having an objective opinion. Such as: I greatly prefer the Namie Amuro of today to the Namie Amuro of 1998. Not a dismissal of everything Namie is, and it also begs for a dialogue. Why? When do I think a new image began to take hold? How does the new style of music hold up against the old? It's fans face to face with fans, then. Thus, anyone who comes forward with a literate opinion that weighs on the "nay" side of Ayumi doesn't bother me. It's just how easily people (across the internet, which, admittedly, is not known for its literacy) blurt out an "I hate Ayumi" statement without even considering that they're speaking directly to a fan.

Take my argument against Takahashi Ai, for instance (PLEASE). It was a rant that I hoped would be disproven, because I really don't like to have any "least favorite" members within my favorite idol group. Thank goodness, in the time between Mikan and Resonant Blue, I've come to find a little spark of love for Takahashi. Whether this will foster, I don't know. But it makes me feel more comfortable with Morning Musume again. "I love everyone! \:D/" - you know the feeling.

In our little blogosphere, fellow fans draw rifle sight on statements like mine against Takahashi Ai. But phrases like "I hate Ayumi Hamasaki" are just greeted with a laugh, a shake of the head, and a pat on the back. Because it's almost an accepted thing, to hate her.

But I still have to get all squinty-eyed and ask "....WHY?!" Hate is such a tremendously strong word. If you can provide me with any concrete news items (not rumors!) proving that she has been failing to live up to her idol status, if you can show me how, as a dedicated fan, I've been blind-folded to a greater conspiracy, if you can manage to strip me completely of my love for an idol who has not only provided me with hope but has also shaped my life, be my guest (then I'll punch you in the face, because I can't afford to lose a hero). You're not likely to be able to.

She's not running for office. It's no longer 2000. This is not a sport and, even if it were, Ayumi has already peaked. You win nothing for your hate.

"It's not that I really hate her, it's just that I heard one song of hers and it wasn't my style."

Yes, and Panic at the Disco's A Fever You Can't Sweat Out and Pretty. Odd. are COMPLETELY the same style. Give an artist a little credit for being an artist. And stop using the word "hate", it makes you sound 12 years old.

Ayumi is terminally a performer, terminally a singer. So much that diagnosed tinnitus in 2000 did not stop her from singing and performing, even after she went deaf in one ear seven years later. Her lyrics are multi-faceted and have depth. She takes up the mantle of composer when she knows exactly how she wants her own song to sound. She is not a product of the machine, it just happens that the machine took a very strong shine to her, and she still has the money and the fanbase to keep that going. She has a great personality behind that "photoshopped" image you see so often. You don't even need to know Japanese to see or hear the woman behind the music. I've always believed that her concert performances transcend language barriers, and her PV tend to be multi-cultural anyway.

Education first. Then opinions.

See me? I'm not going to say anything negative about J-Rock here, even though I could make gross generalizations. Because I don't know anything about J-Rock.

I had to write this, even though it might not hold any water or make any difference. Does anyone else run across this with their favorite artists? The whole "______ killed my puppy!!!"-like response at the slightest mention? I've seen it happen with Hikki, but that seems to be the leftovers of the great Ayumi vs. Hikki debate of 2000, which is just an eyeroll now.

So, you'll all excuse me for getting defensive when Ayumi's talent or worth as an idol is brought into anything but purely objective argument. I've seen too much of it, I've put up with too much of it without ever saying anything.

Peace.

[Eye Candy] Resonant Blue Covers

2008-03-26T04:43:29Z

FINALLY!!

With Special Guest Commentary by Erin!!

PROTIP: Don't ever use LJ's "rich text editor" option if you're a hardcore raw HTML user. SHENANIGANSSS!!!

MY THOUGHTS: What I love about this cover is how in-control Ai-chan looks. Also, even though they're relegated to the ends, Mittsi and JunJun are playing the "I'm cute and oh-so-naughty" card SO HARD. Sayumin looks gorgeous, which has come to be par for the course. Ai wins this cover easily, though I'd give Gaki-san a second place for fierceness. Mittsi gets an honorable mention for being, yet again it must be said, the sexiest 15-year-old out there.

SPECIAL COMMENTARY BY mrbnatural (ERIN):

LINLIN: And I'll just put my hand like so. Does this looked posed? *holds it! holds it!*
MITTSI: She looks sincere, but my eyes played tricks on me. She appeared to be in the BACKGROUND, but her knees say she's side-by-side with the rest. She is an optical illusion!
SAYUMI: She's clearly being shoved out of the picture by Reina.
REINA: I'm with ~~Surly~~ Ai.
~~SURLY~~ AI: What. WHAT. I have stuff I could be doing, you know.
KOHA: *is elbowed in the tit* O~O Huhhhh.
KAMEI: I think ~~Surly~~ Ai got in some sort of comment before they yelled for quiet. She looks like she's thinking about a come-back.
RISA: The one who wasn't quite ready when they clicked the picture. Nice hair though!
JUNJUN: I wish I wasn't so tall that I was falling off the edge of the single... Heh... Why am I a monster?

MY THOUGHTS: As with the 'Onna ni Sachi Are' cover, the dark circles under the eyes syndrome returns, here. Instead of talking about everyone who looks practically FRIGHTFUL on this cover (though it IS refreshing that they didn't photoshop the Hell out of this...I guess...?), let's talk about who looks fresh and so clean, clean:

Kamei: Oh my GOD, Kamei. <3___<3
Gaki-san: Again, the slightly arched eyebrows, the "you talkin' to me?" look...everything is in place with her.
Mittsi: Just gorgeous. I love her when she's not smiling. I love her when she IS smiling. But unlike our dear beloved Koha, she knows when to do one and not the other.
Sayumi: I say we keep our eyes on Sayumi, because she's going to grow up from "kawaii" to "absolute sexy beast".

SPECIAL COMMENTARY BY mrbnatural (ERIN):

JUNJUN: *floating off the single* "I'm never going to be in the middle." *goes crosseyed*
LINLIN: It looks like she's trying to tug at her pantyhose without moving... "If I can-- just-- reach!"
SAYUMI: Nothing to complain about here. But those are totally BEDROOM EYES. <3_<3 Sexeeeh.
KAMEI: She's pulling off the patented Tyra Banks intense-half-squint-without-squinting. If you've ever seen ANTM, you know what I'm talking about. Fierce.
RISA: Muuuch better than the first photo. Her expression strikes me as a little sultry -- but it pales next to Sayumi, who's giving off heat waves.
KOHA: She's still shaking off getting punched in the tit in the last photo. "...that really hurt!" Kidding, kidding. I like her intensity.
REINA: This is what a girl looks like when you catch her stealing a cookie. "But, but... but I'm cute. :3"
AI: *slowly leans to Reina* You'd better give me half of that cookie.
MITTSI: "Help, my hand is horribly discolorrrrred..."

MY THOUGHTS: Everyone looks pretty good here, or they would if JunJun and Ai-chan hadn't been given such horrible lighting. It's almost maddening, isn't it? XD Koharu is the sad, sad, sad loser of all three of these covers, and I blame it once again on a terrible hairstylist. Why can't they just leave her hair ALONE??? She's been in a ponytail since her introduction, but she looked beautiful with the hair down in EYN. Come OOOONNNN, UFA.

I really don't know what to say about Reina in any of these shots. Could it be? Could I possibly be about to say these words about my beloved Reina? ....more of the same. *eek*

SPECIAL COMMENTARY BY mrbnatural (ERIN):

JUNJUN: "Ehh...EHHH..." *attempts to grin* "Well, you all know what smiling looks like." :|
LINLIN: She finally got those pantyhose. Look how pleased she is!
SAYUMI: She seems preoccupied with ever so gingerly, shoving LinLin into the background with that stray hand.
KAMEI: Still rocking the eye-contact, but now it's ALL SHE'S THINKING ABOUT. Seriously. Look at her. She's trying to read your mind. Or destroy it.
RISA: This angle makes her looks oddly puffy. But we would all still sleep with her. :D
KOHA: "Oh yeah. Well, I'll punch YOU in the tit. See how YOU like it."
REINA: This is what a girl looks like when she's done eating the cookie she stole, and wants the rest of the goddamned box. She's not even playing.
AI: I enjoy this pose. She's taking up so little space, but your eye goes right to her. That being said, she's thinking about paying her bills.
MITTSI: Adorable. I wonder who she's got her butt mashed up against? Probably JunJun. It would explain her weird expression. XD

....I'll take one of each, please. ♥___♥

Sorry for exploding my HTML all over the place. I'm back to doin' this in Notepad. An LJ experiment that FAILED.

[PinkCast] J-Pop and the Classics - Coincidence? Read the book.

2008-03-24T04:12:46Z

I'm full of ridiculous references today. This week's PinkCast comes to you under the influence of me listening to a lot of mixed music lately. Enjoy three musical comparisons - Ayumi Hamasaki's Are You Wake Up?, Melon Kinenbi's Saa! Koibito ni Narou, and Buono!'s Cafe Buono! are compared back-to-back with some old classics I had lying around and found to be pretty good matches.

It's all in the ear. I may be crazy. But I sure do hear it!

Let me know what you think. Enjoy!!

PinkCast 02

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One comparison I didn't include is Ayumi's kiss o' kill to my favorite REM song, Leave.