So I've been keeping up with Blog Project lately, and the C-ute members have been blogging about the c/w for "Aitai Aitai Aitai na," "Kanashiki Heaven." I gave it a listen on the single and it was really good! Although I had been wondering what the dance looked like since Maimi, Mai, and Nakky all kept going on about how hard and fast it was. I'm very happy that us iWotas get to see it, 'cause MAN they did a great job with it!
And WOW those vocals by Airi and Chissa! I'm amazed that they can switch harmonies so cleanly so fast!!! Like...in the middle of phrases!
I'm super impressed by C-ute's abilities as performers, and I think this solidifies their position as the best live group in H!P right now. In my mind, that position used to belong to the Platinum Era Momusu, but since all of the new members joined, they need a bit more refinement. Kyuukies, Juukies, and Sakura-chan! Take C-ute as an example of great performers as well as your past Musume sisters! The second gen of S/mileage should take that advice as well.
Not only does C-ute sing and dance well, they have CHARISMA! If the camera didn't switch around I'd be so conflicted with who to watch since they're all fighting for your attention! I'm sure the H!P staff is very proud of them, since that whole friendly rival thing is part of the spirit of idoldom. Which is something the new members are in need of at the moment. I do see charisma more with Meimi and the Kyuukies, but the rest of 'em have to catch up!
Keep the good stuff coming, C-ute! I can't wait to see what comes next!
I'm just gonna do a quick review of each, since there's a lot! First I'm gonna start off with:
Berryz Koubou's "Loving You Too Much."
This video is some of the best eye candy H!P has put out in my opinion! THE FASHION IN THIS VIDEO OMG. All of the bright colors and different textures in their outfits make this video really fun to watch. I also like the mix of settings. Shopping Malls, restaurants, parks, a city street at night...the variety is nice. It feels like this is a combination of an MV and an image DVD. The shots with each individual girl are shot in such a way that the concept is like being on a date with the members, but it's not as boring as an image DVD since they're singing to you. The dance in this video is simple, yet cute and energetic, so it fits the song well. Next, we're moving on to:
S/mileage's "Suki yo, Junjou Hankouki"
First of all, this song sounds like something out of Momusu's Platium Era, and I LOOOOOOOVE the Platinum Era. So my reaction to the song was "AFNIDOA NFDKLAN FDISOAFJNDKLAF DNIJFOANSD KLF DSIOA F." ...well, maybe not exactly that, but you know what I mean. Anywho, the video is really pretty. I like the shiny room they dance in, and their costumes are great, but they don't go together. The room looks like it would fit better with Dorimusu's Shining Butterfly. I think if they wanted to go with this mature route, the costumes should have been done differently. The short skirts could still be applied, but the colors I think would've been better more neutral. The standouts in this MV for me were Meimi and Kanana. I was actually surprised by how well Meimei could sex it up, but I'm glad it wasn't so much that she made me uncomfortable. Kanana surprised me during the dance shot by actually pulling off the slinky choreography, since she is the self-proclaimed worst dancer of the group. My only disappointment was Rina. She sounded AMAZING, but throughout the MV she still had the dead fish eyes. You're almost there girl! Keep trying!
Now it's time for:
Buono's "Never Gonna Stop"
A quick note about the song: I'm impressed that H!P didn't perfectly tune the girls here. They sound SLIIIIGHTLY under pitch at some points, but that adds to the rock feel of the song. I like that they took a bit more of a grungy turn with the vocals here. They also sound somewhat shouty, and the harmonies in the background make the song sound fuller. I really like what I'm hearing. On to the video, this video is like a montage of Buono's whole career. They do have the standard close up and individual shots, but there are allusions to the past weaved into it. The most obvious allusion being the photos and footage from their Paris trip and concert. The other more obvious one is the girls eating pizza, alluding to their running CMs with Pizza La! That's all I'm gonna give away, so see how many more you can find! ;)
Let's go with:
Cute's "Aitai Aitai Aitai na"
WELL HEY THERE SEXY. I think this is H!P's sexiest dance since Goto Maki's "Some Boys Touch!" And groping the other members!? That hasn't happened since GAM's "Melodies!" Woah there Nakky, take it easy! But in all seriousness, this is a great video. The storyline reminds me in a way of Momusu's "Shouganai Yume Oibito" in the way that they're checking their phones and sitting alone in a melancholy like way. And besides, being sexy, this choreography is high energy, very precise, and well executed! Oh! A note on the song. ORGANS!? YES PLZ. I never would've expected organs to be added into an H!P song, but dammit I was happy when I heard them. And that choir during the dance break was super cool too!
Lastly, we have:
Cat's Eye 7's "Cat's Eye"
Sexy Dancing on a roof, what more can you ask for? XD First off, the helicopter with the search lights at the beginning and end of the video is a really cool touch. This dance is also really well done, and each time you watch the video, you find something new and interesting about it. OH! And I'm not sure what the splashes of water in the video are, but it gives me sort of a call to action vibe, or something like a transformation. Very interesting. On the song, the sirens throughout are pretty bad ass, but CAPTAIN'S RAPPING IS THE ULTIMATE BAD-ASSERY. The autotune is done well, and it sounds especially good on Maimai. BOY DID SHE SURPRISE ME. I never thought she'd be sexy, and then she comes out in this video like BAM! I'm quite impressed.
Anywho, those are my opinions on the latest H!P videos! 8D
Please watch all of them, and let me know what you think!
