News Batch 7

Hello! After a long time I’m reviving the “news batch” series of posts aimed more on telling you “what to look forward to” than telling you about the very fresh news.

The DVD of the horror movie titled “Fuyu no Kaidan ~Boku to Watashi to O-baa-chan no Monogatari~” starring Yajima Maimi and Fukuda Kanon was released on 6th of January. Personally I will be watching it no matter how trash-ish it would be for the sake of Maimi\Kanyon goodness.

And you can of course order it(if your a fan of such movies).

Amazon.co.jp \ YesAsia

Choose whatever shop you like(or what ever shop is more convenient for you in terms of shipping price or stuff like that).

And also on 6th of January the 11th single of ℃-ute titled “Shock!” was released. I think I won’t express my opinion in the news post, so I’ll leave that to you – besides everyone has one’s own opinion.

And you can watch the PV on - Dohhh UP! -

Left to right – Regular edition, Limited Edition, Single V

You can still buy(if you want) the regular edition and single v, but I’m not sure about the limited edition.

Mano Erina released her 2nd photobook on 20th of January. There’s already couple of previews(as well as the cover) and there’s a digest of the DVD(Mano Guide) on - Dohhh UP! –

And I’d say there is something to see there <3

Manoeri’s cute as always – so there’s nothing I add to this. Just enjoy the previews(thanks go to people from JPH!P for finding them and uploading).

These are from UTB and there are also from the actual photobook if you look for them.

And if you want to support Manoeri and buy her photobook – you can do it either at YesAsia or at CDJapan or at Amazon or at HMV or at whatever other shop you know. The prices are pretty much the same – though at CDJapan it’s a bit cheaper and YesAsia already includes the transportation costs into the price.

Buono! are to release their 10th single on 3rd of February it is titled “Our Songs”

There’s already a full PV at Dohhh UP!

Top to Bottom – Regular Edition(CDJP\HMV\YA\AMZN), Limited Edition(CDJP\HMV\YA\AMZN)

And on 10th of February they are to release their 3rd Album temporary entitled “We are Buono!”

Top to Bottom – Regular Edition(CDJP\YA\AMZN), Limited Edition(CDJP\YA\AMZN)

Also on 10th of February,Morning Musume will unleash yet another bunch of limited editions(and one regular) for their “Onna ga Medatte Naze Ikenai” 42nd single.

Left to right – Regular Edition(CDJP\YA\AMZN), Limited Edition A(CDJP\YA\AMZN), Limited Edition B(CDJP\YA\AMZN), Limited Edition C(CDJP\YA\AMZN)

Limited A comes with a DVD with Onna ga Medatte Naze Ikenai (Dance Shot Version) on it.

Limited B comes with a DVD with Onna ga Medatte Naze Ikenai (Close-up Version) on it.

Limited C comes with a DVD with Onna ga Medatte Naze Ikenai (Make-up Version) on it.

Three versions(one regular and two limited) of Mano Erina’s 6th single “Haru no Arashi” will be released on 24th of February.

And there’s already a full PV at Dohhh UP!

(which is cute as usual and there are new Hello!Pro Eggs as background dancers for Manoeri so go check it out)

Left to right – Regular Edition(CDJP\YA\AMZN\HMV), Limited Edition A(CDJP\YA\AMZN\HMV), Limited Edition B(CDJP\YA\AMZN\HMV)

Also on 24th of February, ℃-ute are to release 5th album titled “Shocking 5″ no covers are available yet – I’ll probably post up about it as soon as there’s more info available.

On 25th of February, 8th Photobook of Kamei Eri is to be released. Also not much info is available currently except its title “Sweet”. As usual – there also would be the DVD for this, on 3rd of March. Title is still TBA.

Also on 3rd of March, Berryz Koubou 22nd Single(double-a side again) is to be released.
The title is “Tomodachi wa Tomodachi Nanda! / Otakebi Boy WAO!”

So that’s pretty much all of the January-February(plus couple of March) announced releases. I will post the March releases news batch as well as additional info upon the titles that are still without much info at all – as soon as more info will be known.

Thanks for your attention.

Berryz Koubou 6th album “6th Osakebi”

Hello! Finally some news about the new and long-awaited Berryz Koubou album. For now there’s not much information except the release date – which is 31st of March – and the title, which is “6th Osakebi”

I know most of Berryz Koubou fans waited for the album to be released in winter of the previous year, but knowing that it will be released and that it will be released soon is sure a relief. So let’s wait and see what this album will be.

Morning Musume – Cover You album(translation)

Hello again! I’ve just found an article on Natalie.mu about Morning Musume new album, titled Cover You. It is to be released on 26th of November.

Original article is here.

It doesn’t really have anything new, just a summary about the album. But I think it will be somewhat useful.

But before the translation – the covers of it(they’re also in this article).

Limited edition.

Regular edition.

And now the translation.

Morning Musume are to release a special compilation album “COVER YOU” on 26th of November.

This album is a tribute one to songwriter Aku Yuu. It’s a compilation including “Pepper Keibu”(which was already released as a single); Gou Hiromi & Kiki Kirin Latin ballad “Ringo Satsujinjiken”; Finger 5 song “Koi no Dial 6700” and 14 other songs.

And it will also include Itsuki Hiroshi duet song “Izakaya” which was originally sang by Itsuki Hiroshi and Kinomi Nana. This time leader Takahashi Ai will take female parts and Itsuki Hiroshi will himself come as a guest appearance in this album.

This album will include following songs (see names in brackets for original performers):

01. Nagisa no Sinbad (Pink Lady)
02. Dou ni mo Tomaranai (Yamamoto Linda)
03. Izakaya (Itsuki Hiroshi & Kinomi Nana)
04. Pepper Keibu[Album Ver.] (Pink Lady)
05. Shiroi Chou no Samba (Moriyama Kayoko)
06. Seishun Jidai (Morita Kouchi & Top Gyaran)
07. Ringo Satsujinjiken (Gou Hiromi & Kiki Kirin)
08. Romance[Album ver.] (Iwasaki Hiromi)
09. Machi no Tomori (Sakai Masaaki)
10. Koi no Dial 6700 (Finger 5)
11. Ping-pong Pan Taisou (Suginami child chorus & Kanamori Jou)
12. Watashi no Aoi Tori (Sakurada Junko)
13. Johnnie e no Dengon (Pedro & Capri Shasu)
14. UFO (Pink Lady)

That’s all of it. One thing I should say – my romanization of the titles and band names or performers’ names can be different from what they really are. So if you find something incorrect in this track list – feel free to tell me in the comments, I’ll correct it immediately.

And this picture here will probably be the next profile picture of Morning Musume on official Hello!Project site.

Thanks for your time.

Berryz Koubou 5th Album [5(Five)] review

Hello! Yesterday this album became available at hello!online. Though the date of official release is 9th September. You know my policy – so I won’t give you direct links to download. Go to Hello!Online and find it yourselves – it’s not that hard to do.

Now on to the album. First things first and I will firstly write up my first impression of the album(a lot of “first” words but ah well…). From the very start of the first song(HAPPY! Stand Up) I decided that I’m going to be enjoying this album a lot. I liked all the songs in it – though I didn’t like the remix of Special Generation, but I will review each song a bit later. So the first impression was really great. I was spamming my friend over the messenger with inaudible shouts and smileys, because I had no words to describe the greatness of this album. I don’t have them now, but I’ll try to be at least a bit objective when I come up to song reviews. The album is still playing – and this will be fifth replay of it. And I think that I won’t be fed up with it. I’m going to listen to it to the point when I memorize all the lyrics…

Now on to songs review.

First on is group song HAPPY! Stand Up it starts up with a groovy tone and later on the lyrics start and this song rises you. This song is a bit looped, but it’s not that tiring. I think this song will be great at concerts – it’s somewhat tension-rising song. The point I like about it is also the retouching of girls’ vocals – this way it sounds even greater. And I give this song 10 out of 10 points.

Next on is Kono Yubi Tomare! (Shimizu Saki, Natsuyaki Miyabi, Kumai Yurina, Sugaya Risako). It sounds a lot calmer than the previous one(this album has a little after-impression about which I’m going to speak a bit later). The tone and theme of the song reminds me of 60ies something American movies background or titles music. It sounds interesting, but it’s a bit weak overall, but vocals here are great too – so I give this song 8 out of 10.

Next on is Baka ni Shinaide (Shimizu Saki, Natsuyaki Miyabi, Kumai Yurina, Sugaya Risako) another great song with great songs. It sounds a lot stronger than previous one. It starts of with some calm keyboard tones and then it suddenly gains pace and loudness. So this song is 9 out of 10(because I like HAPPY! Stand up more than this). Though as I said I enjoyed the album, so It’s pretty hard to judge all the songs – but I’m trying… And it’s very hard! I like this song to – but I can’t possibly give all the songs 10 out of 10…(though I really want to).

Next song is already known Yuke Yuke Monkey Dance. In the context of the album(when your tension is rised by the first song and you are likely to be stricken by two other songs) this song sounds like a relaxation – because you already know what this song will bring you – so no surprises. I like this song. Though it has somewhat simple lyrics – you actually get to stomp your leg or swing your head according to the beats of the song. Because it’s simple yet rising. 9 out of 10

Next one is the song I like very much! It’s Ah Merry-go-Round(Shimizu Saki, Tsugunaga Momoko) this is the first slow paced song in the album. It features great vocals and interesting tune which will probably touch you if not make tears run on your cheeks. 10 out of 10

Next – CLAP! (Natsuyaki Miyabi, Tokunaga Chinami, Kumai Yurina) another tension-rising song. It features a lot of acoustic guitar and interesting vocal passages. Overall this song is a bit calmer than Happy! Stand up. But it gets 9 out of 10 because I like it.

Next – Risako solo “Real Love” – it is VERY hard for me to be objective here… Because I’m a die-hard Risako fan. But I’ll try. This song has pretty interesting theme with a lot of synthesized tones. And Risako’s vocal is really great here. 10 out of 10.

Next – Yume wo Hitotsubu ~Berryz Kamen Ending Theme~ now this song in the context of the album sounds really interesting. It features a tango-like theme and interesting vocals. Though it’s not that moving than other songs. But it sounds interesting so 8 out of 10

Next on – Jingisukan – another “relaxation” song – because once again you know what this song’ll bring you – so no surprises. I liked this song even though it’s a cover. Because it sounds interesting with Berryz vocals(and yes – I heard the original). 8 out of 10

Next song is another well known song – Tsukiatterunoni Kataomoi – these two songs(i.e. Jingisukan and this one) are somewhat “prefaces” of what comes next. This song sounds interesting, though somehow it slept pass me and for some point I didn’t even know what the cover and costumes for this one were… But later on I listened to it a lot and it grew up on me. 9 out of 10.

And now comes the song, which “brings you to Berryz Heaven”(it’s a quote from some forum I don’t remember which though – sorry…) - BE - this song is super slow. It features orchestra sound with a lot of harp and piano. In refrain it features children and men choir. It sounds really great – it calms and soothes you. And you are very happy staying in Berryz Heaven throughout the song. 10 out of 10.

And the last song in this album is a bit let-down. It’s a remix of Special Generation called “Special Generation Eccentric Remix” I don’t like this remix. It features heavy guitar riffs, unbalanced “body” of the remix(with strange inserts of totally different tones and beats) not to mention old vocal audio – which sounds like a stranger here(it doesn’t match in tempo with the remix) and really stuffed up and packed up trashy sound – I don’t like when too much different samples and patterns occur at the same time. So overall points are 5 out of 10(just because it’s on Berryz Koubou album and not a fan-made remix, though it sounds a lot like it).

So overall this album gives a feeling of “waves” you have very fast paced and rising first song and then you have a bit relaxing second and then another rising song etc. I like this conception. I must say that this is the best Berryz Koubou album, if not best in all Hello!Project. This album overcame and surpassed C-ute’s album.

So the total points for this album – 9 out of 10(only because of the remix song). And if you count it out – then 10 out of 10!

Thanks for your time.

Some News

Hello! Time for some news update.

There’s some Berryz Koubou ~5(FIVE)~ album track previews leaked to the net – you can check them, but you will have to find them yourselves – because I don’t give links to such stuff here. I’ve already listened to these. I must say that the eccentric remix of special generation is crappy,  – but when the album will be released – I will listen to this track properly. My first opinion is that I don’t like it – this remix is really of bad quality – bits and parts of Special Generation are mixed with some guitar riffs – and altogether it doesn’t end up to sound pretty well.

The second track I’ve listened to is 2nd track in the album -  Kono yubi tomare! and it’s performed by Tsugunaga Momoko, Tokunaga Chinami and Sudou Maasa. I must say that I like that track a lot more than the remix. Though the total quality of both previews is bad – because it has low bit-rate and it’s recorded of the radio… But I doesn’t matter that much – at least I’ve managed to listen to them.

May I remind you that the album is to be released on 10th of September and if you like it – buy it. You can preorder it at CDJapan.co.jp – that way, you will help the album to gain higher positions in Oricon Charts. Since orders from yesasia.com are not taken into consideration by Oricon. But you can preorder wherever it is convenient for you. Though somehow – yesasia.com don’t have yet neither title nor cover of the album… So click here – and it will get you to all listed Berryz Koubou releases at yesasia.com – for you to be able to choose something…

And if you’d like to help Berryz Koubou new album to gain some more sales at Oricon.co.jp – I recommend you to pre-order the album at cdjapan.co.jp

So click here – for the limited edition version of the album.

And here – if you’d like regular edition.

But that’s not all the news we have at hand. There’s more.

New unit has been announced for opening of Shugo Chara anime during October. And it’s going to be made of Hello!Pro Eggs members. I’m looking forward to this. Though who will be in the unit is not yet announced – we will know this a bit later. There’s some rumored lineups – but I don’t usually post rumors, so I won’t do it now. I will post the official line-up as soon as it is announced.  I found these news thanks to Ayabie from JPH!P forum. There’s also a picture of a leaflet with this news(posted by Ayabie from JPH!P forum) so I’ll put it here too.

But that’s not all yet. Some more news!

jompuan from JPH!P forum has posted information on new Tanaka Reina’s photobook! Now this is something I’ve been waiting! Because I like Reina’s photobooks a lot. And I really like Reina – so these news are great! Anyways – the photobook is to be released on 24th of October. No more info is available but you can check wanibooks site from time to time.

Also – maybe I’ve already told you – Michishige Sayumi’s photobook is also yet to come on 26th of September. And thanks to hanabi‘s post in Sayumi’s picture thread on JPH!P we now have two low-res and gray-scale previews of this photobook.

These look promising(especially the cover one – I just happen to like this kind of Sayumi).

Some more news(this news reel will be pretty long – because there’s been news I didn’t tell you and there’s been some more fresh news).

New Buono!’s single has been announced – it will be released on 12th of November. No more info’s available yet – since it’s November release.

And yet another single release. This time it’s 18th Berryz Koubou single. The title is yet to be determined and it will be released on 22nd of October. Now that’s an interesting release – because this single is being released at the same day exactly as the release of AKB48′s new single – so we might see some competition here – and competition activates wota from both sides – so we just may see some sales boosts on this Berryz single. Personally – I’m not a fan of AKB48, so I’m expecting Berryz to beat AKB48 in sales real good. Though it’s my personal wish – and I do respect wishes of AKB48 fans – so as long as this competition boosts up sales my favorite group’s single – I’d be happy anyway.

And these are all news for now. If something new comes up – I’ll post it right away.

Thanks for your time(and patience – because this post happened to be the longest post in my blog).

Berryz Koubou 5th Album – 5(FIVE)

Well it’s really far away, but there’s some updates on this – so I think you should know too. ^^

New Berryz Koubou album is expected to be released on 10th of September. Its name is quite simple and it somewhat resembles Morning Musume‘s 5th album, which was called “No.5″ And I’m definitely looking forward to hearing it!

Recently, up-front-works.jp posted tracklist for this. And it’s great! Another Risako solo awaits us! I can’t wait for this release!! And thanks for Ayabie from JPH!P forum for pointing this out for me. Because I’m not into lurking in Japanese sites for now… Though I know I should… Anyways here’s the tracklist ^.^

1.ＨＡＰＰＹ！Ｓｔａｎｄ　Ｕｐ
2.この指とまれ！/ 嗣永桃子・徳永千奈美・須藤茉麻
3.バカにしないで / 清水佐紀・夏焼 雅・熊井友理奈・菅谷梨沙子
4.行け　行け　モンキーダンス
5.Ah Merry-go-round / 清水佐紀・嗣永桃子
6.ＣＬＡＰ！ / 夏焼 雅・徳永千奈美・熊井友理奈
7.ＲＥＡＬ ＬＯＶＥ / 菅谷梨沙子
8.夢を一粒～Ｂｅｒｒｙｚ仮面　Ｅｎｄｉｎｇテーマ～ / Ｂｅｒｒｙｚ仮面
9.ジンギスカン
10.付き合ってるのに片思い
11.ＢＥ
12.スッペシャル ジェネレ～ション (エキセントリック Remix)

I’ll also romanize this for those of you who don’t have Japanese fonts installed(though I can’t guarantee that this romanization is 100% correct…)

1.Happy ! Stand Up
2.Kono yubi tomare! ~Tsugunaga Momoko\Tokunaga Chinami\Sudou Maasa~
3.Baka ni shinaide ~Shimizu Saki\Natsuyaki Miyabi\Kumai Yurina\Sugaya Risako~
4.Yuke Yuke Monkey Dance
5.Ah Merry-go-round ~Shimizu Saki\Tsugunaga Momoko~
6.Clap! ~Natsuyaki Miyabi\Tokunaga Chinami\Kumai Yurina~
7.Real Love ~Sugaya Risako~
8.Yume wo ichitsubu ~Berryz Kamen Ending Theme ~ Berryz Kamen
9.Jingisukan
10.Tsukiatteru no ni Kataomoi
11.Be
12.Special Generation ~Eccentric Remix~

I again apologize if any tracks are romanized incorrectly.

Now covers are available for now – we could only guess what it’s gonna be…

And a small picture to brighten up this post. ^.^

Thanks for your time.