1. EVERYDAY Zekkouchou!
2. The Party!
3. Aa! Koi (Airi Suzuki)
4. Bye Bye Bye!
5. Lonely girl’s night (Maimi Yajima)
6. Kimi no Senpou (Saki Nakajima, Chisato Okai & Mai Hagiwara)
7. SHOCK!
8. Shigatsu Sengen
9. “Zansho Omimai Moshiagemasu.” (Airi Suzuki)
10. Yume ga aru kara
11. Shochuu Omimai Moushiagemasu (H22 Remix)

Albums are a great time to reflect on the past and make future predictions.  In the case of C-ute, Shocking 5 marks the last original album which will contain Erika Umeda’s vocals, while Kanna Arihara will fade into non-existance as she failed to make any of the singles released by the group for this album, despite being a member during at least one of them.

EVERYDAY Zekkouchou! – I was quite surprised that this was the opening track from the album, but it actually fit quite well.  This track is rather soothing, yet upbeat, and sets the tone of the album.  I love the brass on this track, it gives it that added feel good factor.

The Party! – A pretty mellow track, sung in unison by the girls.  I’m still rather undiecided on how much I like it, the backing vocals are pretty decent for C-ute, and although the track is soothing, it is over-synthed to an extent.  A better arrangment could have possibly done this song justice, without the horrible schreeching in the background.

Aa! Koi (Airi Suzuki) – This track is truely bizzare.  It has really harsh electric guitars powering it through, and the vocals remind me of something pretty dated.  Airi does a gret job here, but put together, the track reminds me of something you’d hear on a 90’s anime character song single, or from a Sailor Moon musical.  Despite this, it’s actually quite fun, if only for the novelty.

Bye Bye Bye! - Erugh I hate this song.  It sounds like some bad 80s track and I’m not too keen on the vocals – everytime I hear this, I think of the dance off scene from American Pie: The Wedding.  I’ll give it that it’s a bit “zany” in the warping of the vocals, but it’s not a track I can listen to too much.

Lonely girl’s night (Maimi Yajima) – This is one of the few recent tracks which reminds me of the old Hello! Project.  Beautifully arranged with a great strings section, Maimi’s voice – although not the best in C-ute, does well on this track.  What spoils it – THOSE GOD DAMN SYNTHS!  This song would sound absolutly esquisit if it lost the scratchy synths on the chorus.  Despite this, this is my favourite track on the album.

Kimi no Senpou (Saki Nakajima, Chisato Okai & Mai Hagiwara) - Oh how kind, the three C-ute backing dancers get a track to share.  It’s pretty fun, even if it is oh-so-typically Hello! Project.  It’s a cute, enjoyable track, a bit catchy, a bit Country Musume – but it works for me.

SHOCK! - This song sounds a bit like the James Bond theme gone wrong.  It isn’t a great track and reminds me far too much of Forever Love (maybe the spy theme).  Is this track as bad as everyone’s making out?  Well I think it would have been a half decent album track – maybe – too many synths for me… and we all know what I think of them.

Shigatsu Sengen – Another mellow album track.  Doesn’t do much for me, but it’s easy listening, contains a rocking guitar, and non-offence in every way.  Fits in with the other album tracks pretty well!

“Zansho Omimai Moshiagemasu.” (Airi Suzuki) – Another Airi solo?  Well why not!  This was the b-side to “Shochuu Omimai Moushiagemasu”, and is pure b-side material.  Although I like the musical arrangement and love the piano, it’s non-descript.  I don’t think Airi, yet, has the vocal prowess to really pull this track off.  I could imagine Nacchi or Ayaya – even Lin Lin or Ai, being able to give this track a lot more feeling and depth.

Yume ga aru kara – Another group singing effort, and a nice ballad to end the album with.  Beautiful arrangement, the girls sound great singing together in unison.  When C-ute produce something as wonderful as this, you wonder why they have been given some completly appualing songs to release as singles.  Is that really what the public want – I’d much rather this.

Shochuu Omimai Moushiagemasu (H22 Remix) – I never expect much from remixes, but this was actually great.  Very unpredictable – takes you from 8 bit music back into thudding J-Core type beats.  Would not recommend death looping as it might drive insane, but I love this!

If you were reading the track by track version, you could sum up what I said as “album tracks good, singles bad, too many synths” – but there’s also some underlying factors in my biased judgement.  My efforts to keep up with C-ute and their music recently have more than waned.  I felt they haven’t really produced an “enthralling” single since LALALA Shiawase no Uta, nor does the format of C-ute (Aira + Mami constant lead) really work me up into a frenzy.  I don’t dislike them, don’t get me wrong, I just dislike the music their given.  From the spate of dancy singles they’ve been given, I was fully expecting this album to be bursting with synths, and holding appualing tracks.

In fact, the main shock about shocking 5 is what easy listening it is, a lack of marmite (love them or hate them) tracks with the exception of the singles, the album tracks are all pretty melow and laid back, less synthy.  This instantly confused me, surely SHOCKING 5 was going to be full of god awful tracks like BYE BYE BYE and SHOCK? – what is this music with real instruments – what are these ballads – does tsunku know about this?!?!?!

The un-shocking thing is what we knew beforehand – who was singing which track.  Although most tracks are “group” efforts (which are mainly led by Maimi and / or Airi) while Maimi and Airi feature their own solo tracks, Mai, Chisato and Saki have only one track to share between them.  Unfair?  Well, no, it just solidifies what we already new about C-ute’s music really.  I know that I will get murdered for this, but I don’t think Maimi or Airi have enough power in their voices at current to be successful solo artists, nor do they have a great ability of emotional singing.

Despite this, the album is a cracking effort.  Although it may not have been received so great by the mainstream (if we’re talking about sales), it was really great to hear ballads from C-ute.  I think the girls have a lot of potential, and I’d love to hear more from MaiMai and the other two, but obviously the album after a year of instability was not the place to start taking chances.

So my overall impression?  I thought this album was a little premature for the group before listening to it.  I was expecting a number of flakey tracks, which hadn’t been properly thought out, much like SHOCK was.  Instead, I was nicely surprised by the album.  It showed a side of C-ute that a minor fan, such as myself, who only listens to singles and albums, gets to see.  Is this an album a statement of where C-ute want to go?  This year Hello! Project will have more competition within itself with S/mileage most likely making their debut – there will be 5 major acts now.  C-ute needed to make a statement of who they are, and just as Berryz are taking the fun, energetic route, C-ute are trying to do something mellow and relaxed, but with a push of maturity which maybe ManoEri lacks in her music.  With a little refinment, I think they’ll make it there.  In the mean time, let’s hope they stop releasing awful singles, as we know what they’re capable of!

As InsaneLampshade has pointed out, S/mileage are making a great attempt at a main-stream debut.  Not only do all four members have blogs, today, all four members opened up twitter accounts.  As I moaned about two members taking over Reina’s radio spot before, I take it back a little.  Hello! Project, Up Front and S/mileage seem to be doing everything within their grasp to make this debut work, and I hope it does!

You can find all relevant links to Ayaka, Yuuka, Kanon and Saki’s blogs and twitter accounts on their brand new website http://s-mileage.jp/ - but if you’re lazy:

Ayaka Wada – Twitter / Blog
Yuuka Meada – Twitter / Blog
Kanon Fukuda – Twitter / Blog
Saki Ogawa -  Twitter / Blog

Let’s hope these girls crack it, and that the other 4 main H!P acts start following in their footsteps!  Oh, to overshadow your peers.  Forgive me for my past scepticism S/mileage, you’ve won me over on sheer effort.  And as you seem to be the main H!P asking for it at the moment, I’ll definitely pay attention to you now!

S/mileage seem to be the latest act getting the preferential treatment from Hello! Project.  In a similar way that Erina Mano was shoved in our faces at every available concert in late 2008/early 2009, S/mileage have also been forced quite heavily on us, despite their only original material being four indie singles.  As much as I am quite indifferent towards them at the moment, as they don’t seem to be bring anything new to Hello! Project, I’m sure by the end of this year they will have brain washed me in a smilar way to how ManoEri has.

The latest news is that Morning Musume member Reina Tanaka is leaving her spot on the FIVE STARS radio show to S/mileage members Yuka Meada and Kannon Fukada starting next week.  Although FIVE STARS is a rotating radio show, the news did seem to come pretty abruptly.  The INTERFM website is yet to divulge us much more information, but as far as I can tell, Gaki and Eri are still on their Monday slot with C-ute on Tuesday.

Although I only occasionally read the transcripts of FIVE STARS, it does seem a shame for one of the most popular members of the current Hello! Project line up to be pushed aside for S/mileage – but that’s how Hello! Project works.  It means S/mileage will have a great excuse to play their new singles on air when they make their debut, but it also means less airtime for Morning Musume.

Although Reina still has her animated series (Kaito Reinya), it’s not a reflection of the real “Reina” who we gain so much juicy fan information from on radio shows and live tours (don’t forget, she’s my favourite Momusu, of course I’m going to be outraged with her getting sidelined from anything!).  Maybe she’ll get a new radio show, or follow Sayumi footsteps in opening up a blog, or maybe she’s busy with other plans.  Either way, the sudden shift from the norm is always a little worrying for a Hello! Project fan as it instantly strikes up fears of graduation, scandal or even worse – a solo career under tsunku.

For more info about this check out Hello! Sayunii which is far more informative and impartial than a Reina fan such as myself.

To avoid turning this into the typical AKB48 vs. H!P post / argument / whine, I am not going to mention H!P ~ and nor am I going to use this space to compare AKB48 to them.

A few weeks ago, when we had our fortmonthly (is that a word?  I’m doubting it but I can’t think of what’s correct here) H!P / idol meet, a lot of AKB48 was sung at karaoke.  I think a lot to do with music is exposure to it – you may not like a song the first time you hear it, but here it 100 times on commercials, radio and TV shows and ~ well I can’t find any other way to put it than it grinds you down into liking it, if only for the familiarity.

I wont note my current liking of AKB48 quite as harsh as that.  I was a fan of Oogoe Diamond and I have browsed through a number of their tracks with varied enthusiasm over the last 18 months.  Why the turning point was at this event, was probably due to how fun some of the songs were (“Aitakatta” in particular) as well as the ease at which you can pick them up and sing along.

In fact, it was through this that I began to remember why I liked idol music – it was fun, energetic and not overly complicated in the vocal department.  I still haven’t quite got used to AKB48s choir-like group singing, which is probably why the karaoke bought out the better side to the songs for me.  So walking away from that event, much to the disgust of some of my fellow wota friends (who like a particular other idol company I stated I wouldn’t mention), gave those songs another listen.  On replay, a second realisation to why I was liking AKB48s music hit me: instruments!

Yes, you can actually hear guitars pumping out the tunes, strong drum beats.  There are fewer synths than a lot of modern Japanese pop music, making it sound less complicated, with large group vocals pading out the songs instead.

On reflection, the music isn’t the only reason to get into AKB48, as we all know they have accessibility to Western fans.  They came over for the Paris Expo and have appeared in the US, giving me more of a reason to follow them.  Relatively few J-Pop acts come close enough to the UK for us to ever see them (Halko Momoi and UTADA are obviously excused from this accusation) – and although my French is terrible, if AKB48 were to reappear, I would seriously consider seeing them!

However, there are still a few concerns of mine which prevent me from changing from intermittent listener full-fledged wota.  I’m still not really into this singing in unison and I still can’t name one individual member of the group.  At the moment I’m having a bit of a problem finding out more about AKB48 – mainly because I’m too lazy to look, and also that my work PC doesn’t seem to like to load International Wota which always seems to have links to cool AKB articles.

However my infatuation with some of their singles over the last few weeks (such as River and Iwake Maybe) is making me want to look for more stuff.

Therefor, if you have any suggestions of websites, dramas or other AKB48 related things which you think I should check out, please recommend! We’ll see if this new interest blossoms or just falters to the side.

1. AKB48 - Sakura no Shiroi (317,828) NEW
2. KAT-TUN – Love yourself ~ kimi ga kirai na kimi ga suki~ (39,419) DOWN
3. Hannya, Fruits Punch – Onara Hazukashikunai yo / Pirameki tasou (39,143) DOWN
4. fripSide - LEVEL5 – judgement- (30,738) NEW
5. YUKI - Ureshikutte Dakiau yo (17,829) NEW
6. Saataaangikii (New hexagon Unit) - Yanbarukeina ga tonnda (10,420) DOWN
7. Nana Mizuki - Silent Bible (9,572) DOWN
8. Ebisco Muscat - Banana Mango Highschool / 12 no 34 de naite with Yoshimai (9,127) NEW
9. Angelo - Hikari no Kioku (8,858) NEW
10. Yuya Matsushita – Trust Me (7,557) NEW

Wow!  AKB48 have really, really notched up their sales with their latest single.  We’ll definitely be seeing this in the top-selling singles of 2010!  KAT-TUN rock up in second for their second week charting, along with Hannya, Fruits Punch, Hexagon Unit and Nana Mizuki. 6 new entries in the top 10 this week.

Amid all the Melon Kinenbi madness it looks like the career of another ex-Elder Club member has been over-looked.  Ongaku Gatas and Morning Musume OG member Asami Konno has apparently been rumored by various Japanese news papers and online sources to become a new TV Tokyo annoucer.  Upon reading more about it, it seems that following her university graduation in April 2011, Konno will be making the move.

Obviously this is quite a large step for an ex-Morning Musume member, as most of those who haven’t ended up pursuing solo careers or landing a role of Hexagon have faded from the limelight to some extent (or been enveloped in mass scandel).  This is a big step for KonKon!  We all know her as one of the most intelligent members of MM – althoughI do admit I have no idea what a TV annoucer in Japan actually does(?).

Fans are also worried that this also means she will be leaving UFA and the Morning Musume OGs (as well as Ongaku Gatas).  However, it doesn’t look like Konkon is leaving UFA any time soon – she’s going to be present during the upcoming Ongaku Gatas tour (however, tours are usually the first place these type of decisions are announced formally).  Lets keep our ears open, and if the rumors are true, wish her the best of luck!

This is probably the first and only time I’ve managed to find out some H!P news myself, before the big English language H!P and UFA fan sites have re-reported it from the Japanese news sources.  I noticed on twitter, around 1pm today, that a large number of people were re-tweeting a Melon Kinenbi’s Blog post and with my rough Japanese, then deciphered that their last tour was being labeled “FINAL TOUR” – after a bit of help from fellow tweeters it seems that on their 10th Anniervsary, Melon Kinenbi have annouced they will disband after their tour (May 3rd is their last date).  According to chococat on twitter the group “got together and decided to try the challenges of starting life over again after 10 years in a group together“.  Ironically, it proves the title of their latest album to be wrong…

I’m a little shocked at this: since the Elder Club graduation, Melon Kinenbi have been the most active band still attached to UFA – they released a number of special collaboration singles last year (including one with the BEAT CRUSADERS), and seemed to be shining and really persevering outside of H!P, unlike other acts, culminating in their album which was released just days ago was one of my most anticipated this year.

Unfortunetly, when you look at this, there are some worrying signs.  Their newest album didn’t appear anywhere in the Oricon Top 30, and their singles were limited to sales from Tower Records stores.  Whether it was entierly the girls decession or also something pushing more on the recession backlash which some have suggested H!P / UFA have been suffering we may not know.  It also worries me slightly about Ongaku Gatas and Aya Matsuura’s musical futures ~ and makes sense now why the new Gatas single is an indies one!  Are our idols now resigned to TV talentos?  I seriously hope not!

For whatever happens in the future, I wish all four “Melons” absolute success and will follow them.  It’s sad that UFA have now lost one of their most dynamic bands ~ I will always remember them for the epic performance at their graduation concert last year of “This is Unmei” (I’ll post the video later).  They really brought an energy and attitude to H!P which no one in the current line-up equals.  Good luck Melon Kinenbi!

After the radio preview emerged earlier this week everyone began to speculate whether the new Ongaku Gatas song “Ready! Kick off!” would be released as a new single – and now we have the news!  It’s is!

I have to say, for me, Ongaku Gatas were one of the oddest groups to come out of H!P and still are pretty weird within their setting of UFA.  Containing former Morning Musume leader Hitomi Yoshizawa, two former fan favourites of MM, Risa Ishikawa and Asami Konno, as well as talent Mai Satoda (whos had more success release her Hexgon singles than with H!P) and three former Eggs, whose names I can’t be bothered to remember, it seemed like the perfect opotunity to use old favourites to promote new talent ~ however from the few singles we’ve seen from the girls, it simply seems like a way to keep Yossie, Rika, Konkon and Mai all happy and active and release an average of one single a year, while getting a few eggs to pad out the vocals and dance in the background – although lets not forget that this is where ManoEri started out from!

Previews usual prove too overstimulating for me,  and usually a month on, I’ll regret the praise and attention I may have pushed on a single.  In the case of this single, I’m not overly impressed by the instrumental – I know we all whinge but tsunku needs to find someone to arrange his singles with a more modern vibe ~ it would be nice to hear some real instruments rather than synths all the time.  It sounds like it was arranged to be released 10 years ago, but so do most H!P singles, so I wont dwell on this.  Vocally, the song isn’t too bad.  I’ve always felt that Yossie’s voice brought a rather nice contrast to all the very high vocals which are usually found in idol groups.  The layering of vocals and harmonies (okay, it’s more shouting than harmonies) are enjoyable.  The song sounds like they’re gearing up for a match, with lots of chanting – it’s very energetic and slightly… agressive?  Of all of their previous singles, I’d say it’s closest to “Yattarouze!” due to the speed, reptition of lyrics and… agression – is that the right word to describe either song?  I don’t really know – I’m loosing all faith in my ability to articulate myself!

“Ready! Kick off!” is being released as an indies single – which has me wondering a little ~ after Melon Kinenbi’s weird released singles last year, I wonder if all the OG and other graduated members still attached to Up Front Agency are more or less having to start from scratch.  Not a big problem though – Gatas aren’t the most popular of the UFA units, have only released 3 previous singles (with limited success) and this is more to satisfy their fans than to try and make new ones I would assume.

Anyway, for the enjoyment of hearing Yossie singing something a little more pop and upbeat as opposed to HANGRY & ANGRY, I’ll definetly give this a listen when the full version comes out (and the PV a watch, if there is one) ~ in fact I would find this difficult to like as much if Yossie wasn’t singing in it ~ but thats just me, being completely biased ~ she’s the only person who’s vocals I can confidently pull out.

1. KAT-TUN – Love yourself ~ kimi ga kirai na kimi ga suki~ (354,231) NEW
2. Hannya, Fruits Punch – Onara Hazukashikunai yo / Pirameki tasou(66,804) NEW
3. Nana Mizuki – Silent Bible (50,646) NEW
4. Porno Graffitti – Hitomi no Oku o nozogazete (42,757) NEW
5. Morning Musume – Onna ga Medatte Naze Ikenai (36,169) NEW
6. Saataaangikii (New hexagon Unit) - Yanbarukeina ga tonnda(32,427) NEW
7. supercell – Sayonara Memories (20,099) NEW
8. Shonan no Kaze – Gachizakura (15,207) NEW
9. Shouta Shimizu x Miliyah Kato – FOREVER LOVE (11,123) DOWN
10. Yuzu – Sakurae / My Life (9,591) DOWN

Tsuji Nozomi becomes cloak room attendant

Just in case you’ve missed some of the most important news stories this week, here they are!

Well not really, but that’s what the picture on the Oricon website prompted me to think of when I saw her.  No, it’s nothing interesting, another Morning Musume OG promoting yet another brand – as all I can read is “Talent Tsuji Nozomi” and “skin care brand”, I can’t give you more interesting news than that I’m afraid – it would in fact be more intresting if she was working as a claok room atendant… then again, that’s more up Kago’s street – right?

Namie Amuro “sounds like crap”

Oh no, I’ve taken something out of context again.  This news story was on the highly accurate and never disputed Japan Today.  Namie’s latest ad campagne for Coke Zero has offended the new Zealand Maori for performing the “‘Ka Mate Haka” dance without proper consent – in fact, a spokesperson for one Maori clan apparently said it “sounds like crap”.  JT’s reporting and the comments below always give an… “entertaining” read, and I’m pretty sure some of the story has been taken out of context.

Beckii Cruel – Famous Anime Star

I had vaguely heard of Beckii Cruel from ANN news reports, but aparently she is an “anime star” according to BBC News set to have a hit with her new single.  Needless to say her single that was released last week is not in the Oricon Top 50 ~ not that I wish her ill, just more-or-less want to point out the the BBC’s total lack of awareness when reporting on Japanese culture as-per-usual.  Next time, ask people who are clued up on J-Pop and the Oricon before encouraging kids that they’re the next big thing in Japan.

Morning Musume suffer worst weekly sales since Mikan

Morning Musume’s latest oversynthed single just managed to make 5th position in the Oricon by a few thousand copies, selling 36,169.  Obviously with KAT-TUN in the running they had no chance of #1 this week, and we could also, to an extent, maybe blame them imminent release of album number 10.  Putting this into perspective, the single only sold 100 copies less than Kimagure Princess – so really, not that bad news – but the group are facing increased competition all around now, hopefully this will be some encouragement to sharpen their game?