2010 has been an interesting year for Hello! Project, It has led to many questions especially after a bunch of graduations among the C-ute and Morning Musume groups and after the Elder Club has left. Now, as a presentation of what I am going to talk about I will split it among the groups and soloists. Morning Musume, Berryz Koubou, C-ute, and Mano Erina are on the current lineup for Hello! Project.
Morning Musume was left with eight members after Koharu’s graduation in December. The first question that would be brought up is how is the group going to survive after Koharu’s departure? In all signs, I think they have adjusted to the new 8-nin lineup and it didn’t change the chemistry that was there before.
Onna ga Medatte Ikenai showed a new layer process, where Reina and Ai takes the lead and having Gaki and Kamei take a 2nd line approach and the rest of the group take the final line approach. I feel this would be the way they are going to approach all their songs. In Seishun Collection, it was quite a disappointment to hear some recycled songs within the song. However, the bright side was it seemed to present a message to the fans.
Their new album, 10 MY ME (Juu Mai Me) was actually a change from the previous album, Platinum 9 DISC, I wasn’t a fan of the dance type of music, so I was extremely happy to hear something very close to their original sound. The Ai and Risa duet, Ano Hi ni Modoritai, was probably the best non-single song on the CD. Also, Genki Pikappika! was very upbeat and from the title energetic. Overall, a very good album and something many would appreciate if you are a true fan.
Now, Momusu going to France seemed to be a good experience for them as they face their European fans but from reports, it was either pleasurable or horrific, and for the people who went there, congratulations for the experience that many would either remember or forget.
Berryz Koubou, in my opinion, has been the strongest group for about three years and still roll out strong with their addictive singles. The main question was how long can they run with great singles? In March, they released a double A side, which was their third release of that kind in a row, it was probably the best out of the collection with an intense song like Otakebi Boy WAO! and Tomodachi wa Tomodachi Nanda, which was a slower pace song and presented a visual message through the PV.
I liked these songs a lot as they were very listenable and addictive. The negative thing was still the consistent use of Risako, Miya, and Momo as leads and lacking the other members’ visibility. However, that changed with the recent release of Maji Bomber!! and I was surprised in the new view of the group as they had the rocking styles of Buono! and the hook like their past songs. I’ll be honest to say I would say it to be the best song out there for now in 2010 among the Hello Project artists.
The 6th Otakebi album was mostly singles and definitely disappointed with the amount of original songs in there and I could never pick out any one good song but Yakimochi wo Kudasai was my favorite but not by a lot. I did wish there was more original songs in there to pick from like the Momusu album but for the singles on there it made up the value.
C-ute, in my opinion had the toughest of the climb as one left because of “foot problems” and the other graduated to be a model student. Although the core, Maimi and Airi never left, it sort came down to the question of were they going to continue on the two lead singers path or have one true lead singer. SHOCK! answered the question as Airi took the lead by herself leaving four backup dancers. In which it was a great song to start off the year with but with every high there was a low and the low part came when they released the Shocking 5 CD.
It contained the singles which were lukewarm except for SHOCK! However the other tracks didn’t support the CD as a whole and Maimi’s solo which was probably the best non-single song on the CD really showed the lack of attention to this special group. The next single, Campus Life ~Umarete Kite Yokatta~ was a little less wonderful but still enjoyable.
ManoEri and S/mileage were a refreshing take to Hello Project as they have pretty good songs like Haru no Arashi and Yume Miru 15sai. I see a lot of potential with these two as they have been recently brought out of the depths of the eggs. In my opinion, they might support or lead the company in the next couple of years.
To conclude, for 2010 so far, it was slightly better than last year as a good start for H!P but it will never get to the heyday of the company but something I still will support for the rest of the year seeing a single from each of the major groups and hope many of you guys will support them too.
Selective Hearing Mid-Year Recap: Kuro
Morning Musume was left with eight members after Koharu’s graduation in December. The first question that would be brought up is how is the group going to survive after Koharu’s departure? In all signs, I think they have adjusted to the new 8-nin lineup and it didn’t change the chemistry that was there before.
Onna ga Medatte Ikenai showed a new layer process, where Reina and Ai takes the lead and having Gaki and Kamei take a 2nd line approach and the rest of the group take the final line approach. I feel this would be the way they are going to approach all their songs. In Seishun Collection, it was quite a disappointment to hear some recycled songs within the song. However, the bright side was it seemed to present a message to the fans.
Their new album, 10 MY ME (Juu Mai Me) was actually a change from the previous album, Platinum 9 DISC, I wasn’t a fan of the dance type of music, so I was extremely happy to hear something very close to their original sound. The Ai and Risa duet, Ano Hi ni Modoritai, was probably the best non-single song on the CD. Also, Genki Pikappika! was very upbeat and from the title energetic. Overall, a very good album and something many would appreciate if you are a true fan.
Now, Momusu going to France seemed to be a good experience for them as they face their European fans but from reports, it was either pleasurable or horrific, and for the people who went there, congratulations for the experience that many would either remember or forget.
Berryz Koubou, in my opinion, has been the strongest group for about three years and still roll out strong with their addictive singles. The main question was how long can they run with great singles? In March, they released a double A side, which was their third release of that kind in a row, it was probably the best out of the collection with an intense song like Otakebi Boy WAO! and Tomodachi wa Tomodachi Nanda, which was a slower pace song and presented a visual message through the PV.
I liked these songs a lot as they were very listenable and addictive. The negative thing was still the consistent use of Risako, Miya, and Momo as leads and lacking the other members’ visibility. However, that changed with the recent release of Maji Bomber!! and I was surprised in the new view of the group as they had the rocking styles of Buono! and the hook like their past songs. I’ll be honest to say I would say it to be the best song out there for now in 2010 among the Hello Project artists.
The 6th Otakebi album was mostly singles and definitely disappointed with the amount of original songs in there and I could never pick out any one good song but Yakimochi wo Kudasai was my favorite but not by a lot. I did wish there was more original songs in there to pick from like the Momusu album but for the singles on there it made up the value.
C-ute, in my opinion had the toughest of the climb as one left because of “foot problems” and the other graduated to be a model student. Although the core, Maimi and Airi never left, it sort came down to the question of were they going to continue on the two lead singers path or have one true lead singer. SHOCK! answered the question as Airi took the lead by herself leaving four backup dancers. In which it was a great song to start off the year with but with every high there was a low and the low part came when they released the Shocking 5 CD.
It contained the singles which were lukewarm except for SHOCK! However the other tracks didn’t support the CD as a whole and Maimi’s solo which was probably the best non-single song on the CD really showed the lack of attention to this special group. The next single, Campus Life ~Umarete Kite Yokatta~ was a little less wonderful but still enjoyable.
ManoEri and S/mileage were a refreshing take to Hello Project as they have pretty good songs like Haru no Arashi and Yume Miru 15sai. I see a lot of potential with these two as they have been recently brought out of the depths of the eggs. In my opinion, they might support or lead the company in the next couple of years.
To conclude, for 2010 so far, it was slightly better than last year as a good start for H!P but it will never get to the heyday of the company but something I still will support for the rest of the year seeing a single from each of the major groups and hope many of you guys will support them too.
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