There is nothing wrong with...

[tchenku]

liking Morning Musume! :knockout: :karate: :D

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/tchenku/profile/morningmusume.jpg

haters :P

[PopCulturePooka]

Morning Musume, every Japanese pedo's favourite band.

[crow-kun]

I'm confused are they a band or variety show?

[The_Penguin]

Someone fill me in on the details here. I have no idea who these girls are.

[gyoza]

The second and third from the left actually ain't bad.

[Digital Masta]

Morning Musume, every Japanese pedo's favourite band.


Aren't most of them legal anyway?

[NERD]

The question would be which incarnation of Morning Musume?

[The_Penguin]

The second and third from the left actually ain't bad.
Actually, most of them look hittable. Maybe it's because I've had a recurrence of some yellow fever recently...

[羽之助]

Sure, you can like them if you're a fan of mindless pop or have just been introduced to Japanese music for the first time. You'll grow out of it after singing 'Love Machine' at karaoke.

[Digital Masta]

The question would be which incarnation of Morning Musume?


So its one of THOSE groups.

Kinda like manuto...or whatever they are called...that group that Ricky Martin was in as a child.

[tchenku]

The second and third from the left actually ain't bad
they each have their moments

Aren't most of them legal anyway?
Yeah. I think maybe 3 or 4 are not

I'm confused are they a band or variety show?
The most famous (or infamous, I guess) representative of Jpop today. Infectious and a guilty pleasure for many :gwitch: They are as famous for their music as they are for their TV shows and appearances.

The question would be which incarnation of Morning Musume?
5th generation addition to present

Sure, you can like them if you're a fan of mindless pop or have just been introduced to Japanese music for the first time. You'll grow out of it after singing 'Love Machine' at karaoke
I get tired of music that tries to be too hardcore, too in-your-face, too EMOtional. I don't mind mindlessly happy Japanese music too much. I'm not too big on Love Machine, though. :frypan:

[PopCulturePooka]

They didn't seem that popular in Japan.

Except for young girls (like the girls I had in a senior kids class, 8-12).

Or dirty old men who didn't like the music as much as they liked the at that time lolicon appeal.

[Bob]

Id bone two of them

[Lady Chris]

Id bone two of them

So would I, but at the same time

[tchenku]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=4dipzZSfibg

there you go, their latest music video just released yesterday, I think. Not their usual sound, but they look good on there. An acquired taste I guess

[Frankey-eh]

tanaka reina(is that right? reading the microscript)... the girl RIGHT in the dead center, sixth one from either side...

she plays a good role of a 13-year-old, middle school daughter of a goofy police chief in the drama, Kochira ha honikegamisyo.

I don't recognize others.

[Digital Masta]

Honestly...the amount of girls in that group is shear insanity to the point of just being impractical.

Five should be the pop group cut off. I mean I would think that at 5 you still maintain the actual amount needed for every singing position, ya know your lead singers, bass, etc.

10 or 11 is simply ridiculous...and the pay has to suck comparitively...cause...

thats a whole lotta bitches to pay.

EDIT: And on another note...after watching that video. They'd get destroyed in the USA, aside from having to sing in English (good english) even be considered over here. They'd have to drop like 6 of their girls and also drop that bubbly atititude.

Oh wait...girl bands don't make it very far here anyway.

[The_Penguin]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=4dipzZSfibg

there you go, their latest music video just released yesterday, I think. Not their usual sound, but they look good on there. An acquired taste I guess
That was some shitty music.

[Lady Chris]

It kind of reminded me of Busta Groove for the PS1 for some reason...

[Digital Masta]

Why do I get the feeling thats the kinda shit they play in Japanese dance clubs.

[tchenku]

haha you assume that they actually harmonize and have singing positions. Heck no, who needs that?! Just get each girl to sing a couple lines each with some front-runners getting a few more than the rest. Profit

Rika, I'm not sure about that movie, but check out that Youtube link I posted earlier to verify. BTW one of the most popular musume ever was named "Rika" too (2nd from the right in the pic.. gorgeous) :knockout:

Most Jpop acts would get destroyed in the US. Not many can sing too well. No, their music is definitely not for dance clubs.

[Digital Masta]

Most Jpop acts would get destroyed in the US. Not many can sing too well. No, their music is definitely not for dance clubs.

I'd like to think so...but thats by my american standards.

[Frankey-eh]

Rika, I'm not sure about that movie, but check out that Youtube link I posted earlier to verify. BTW one of the most popular musume ever was named "Rika" too (2nd from the right in the pic.. gorgeous) :knockout:Yeah, I heard. but when I say I don't recognize, I mean I haven't seen anything other than pictures and heard other than by secondhand.

Most Jpop acts would get destroyed in the US. Not many can sing too well. No, their music is definitely not for dance clubs.really? I would think it's more suited for dance clubs because...how can you dance to a gloomy song? I like the energy in jpop songs. I've always thought...
Japanese songs have bad melody, good lyrics.
American songs have good melody, bad lyrics.
bad as in always the same, never any different.
And I'm a lyrics-person, so I don't care about melody. As long as it's not piercing my ears or putting me to sleep...

[Digital Masta]

Yeah, I heard. but when I say I don't recognize, I mean I haven't seen anything other than pictures and heard other than by secondhand.

really? I would think it's more suited for dance clubs because...how can you dance to a gloomy song? I like the energy in jpop songs. I've always thought...
Japanese songs have bad melody, good lyrics.
American songs have good melody, bad lyrics.
bad as in always the same, never any different.
And I'm a lyrics-person, so I don't care about melody. As long as it's not piercing my ears or putting me to sleep...

Well I don't know about you...but if I'm dancing, I really don't give a crap about the lyrics just give me something I can dance too.

And aren't you over generalizing just a little.

[TrendSeven]

Yaguchi Mari... So hot. Want to touch the hiney!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=dIRAOJGZzeg

That's what got me into her. Hot... Blonde... Asian...

Mmmmmmm

[Frankey-eh]

And aren't you over generalizing just a little.

maybe... :P
Some American songs are pretty good. But a lot aren't. My Japanese to English to Chinese songs ratio is 5:1:0.25

[Digital Masta]

maybe... :P
Some American songs are pretty good. But a lot aren't. My Japanese to English to Chinese songs ratio is 5:1:0.25

What american music do you listen to?

If you say rap (which for some reason I doubt) I'd agree that most rap today is absolute shit.

[Frankey-eh]

What american music do you listen to? whatever happens to be on the radio.
I listen to STAR101.7...I think. maybe it was .5...
I dunno. it's just too sad... the lyric. I feel like they keep saying "I want to die, life is bad, everything's over" but they never say HOW they could change themselves. it's too depressing...

if I was to name one song that's my favorite... it's Time of Your Life by Greenday. it was my graduation theme.

[PopCulturePooka]

From left their ages are:

20, 17, 21, 19, 23, 16, 17, 18, 16, 21, 18.

[PopCulturePooka]

Why do I get the feeling thats the kinda shit they play in Japanese dance clubs.
They don't.

They play a lot of American hip hop and chart stuff.

[Digital Masta]

From left their ages are:

20, 17, 21, 19, 23, 16, 17, 18, 16, 21, 18.

legal, can get away with, legal, legal, legal, don't touch, can get away with, legal, don't touch, legal, legal

okay.

whatever happens to be on the radio.
I listen to STAR101.7...I think. maybe it was .5...
I dunno. it's just too sad... the lyric. I feel like they keep saying "I want to die, life is bad, everything's over" but they never say HOW they could change themselves. it's too depressing...

Remember Rika...naming the radio station means nothing to me for I live in New Jersey so I get all of New York and Philidelphia's radio stations.

[tchenku]

Haha funny 'cause I think MM is kind of the opposite of your ideas: catchy music, bad lyrics. The main chorus of their last single release was "the escaped fish is so big! the escaped fish is so tasty!" :P

Honestly though I watch MM more for their TV stuff more than their music

[羽之助]

if I was to name one song that's my favorite... it's Time of Your Life by Greenday. it was my graduation theme.

heh yours and everyone else's

[MNJetter]

Japanese songs have bad melody, good lyrics.
American songs have good melody, bad lyrics.
bad as in always the same, never any different.
And I'm a lyrics-person, so I don't care about melody. As long as it's not piercing my ears or putting me to sleep...

Really? Wow, I'm almost the exact opposite in opinion, but the same in that I am also a lyrics person. In my experience, Japanese songs have catchy melodies, but the lyrics are always the same - either "I love you!" or some "ganbatte" theme with English words sprinkled in for decoration. I can even understand most jpop songs now, even though my Japanese isn't that great, because there are phrases that get used over and over in all of them. Most of the American songs I listen to have some very creative lyrics, other than the love songs (but what music market doesn't have overdone love song lyrics?)

On the other hand, very few of the American songs I listen to are taken from the radio, and most of the Japanese songs I listen to (by virtue of location and access) are current chart-toppers and karaoke favorites. I think it makes a huuuuge difference what source you get your music from, no matter what country. Radio is a horrible place to get an accurate sample of good music. Radio puts on popular music, not good music or different music.

[Frankey-eh]

heh yours and everyone else's
LOL

MNJetter: I guess it does make a difference then. But everytime I listen to American music, the melody outspeaks the lyric, so I always remember the melody. I can never remember what the song talks about until I hear it for the tenth time. But I can recognize songs fast just by hearing the melody!

On the other hand, I remember J-music by their lyrics. there are just some catchy phrases in every song. the problem is, Japanese songs have too similar of a melody. way too similar.

So for example, if I set my music player to random, I can recognize the song and its title just by hearing the first few seconds before the song starts. But for Japanese, I need to listen to the first few words, and then I can name the title. that's just their difference. neither is better than other...

[SDSUMarcus01]

That's a picture of the older momo...

Some of their songs are alright, other songs make me want to shoot myself. The only thing that makes the videos tolerable is the fact that they are (yes) hot.

They can't sing worth shit though. I mean most boy/girl groups can't sing that well, but these girls REALLY suck. If you ever listen to them live or singing karaoke you'll probably crack up.

I usually feel really dirty after watching their music videos. No, not because I feel like a pedo, but because I feel like I've degraded myself by listening to such shitty music just to watch the hot girls. Oh well. I just wash it out with heavy metal.

[Plekto]

Nice. All legal in Japan. (16)

As for the music - SOME bands are very cutting-edge and non-formulaic. Look up some of the current punk/ska bands. Very good stuff that's not going to rot your teech or infect your brain. These girls - reminds me of your typical 70s made-for-TV-band show. Defniately no unique talent there.

P.S. 16 is the age at which girls can get married, so they all ARE ADULTS. There is no Pedo - at least not anymore, since the youngest ones turned 16.

Oh - yeah - they are nice to look at. Looking's always free, you know ;)

[Zensouken]

I had to rob that quote, it made me fall off my chair...

[Azrael]

I wouldn't be surprised if they were older though. It's not like Japan has never lied about the ages of their young starlets before.

[Niff]

I usually feel really dirty after watching their music videos. No, not because I feel like a pedo, but because I feel like I've degraded myself by listening to such shitty music just to watch the hot girls. Oh well. I just wash it out with heavy metal.

I feel exactly the same after watching ANY j-pop videos.

*switches back to Blind Guardian*

[The Late B.P. Helium]

I found this thing called Ayaka's Surprise English Lessons on google video. I'm not sure if it's part of the show or what, but it's somehow associated with Morning Musume, and it's AMAZING.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5965629908434364966&q=ayaka

http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=ayaka

[羽之助]

I wouldn't be surprised if they were older though. It's not like Japan has never lied about the ages of their young starlets before.

(cough)Hamasaki Ayumi(coughhackwheeze)

[tchenku]

^^Ayaka's Surprise English Lessons are great :P It's one of the most universally appealing things to show non-MM people as an introduction to the group. It works. If you didn't happen to know, Ayaka is a singer under the same record label (Hello! Project) as MM and Hawaiian-born, I think. The English Lessons were from a couple years ago.

[SDSUMarcus01]

Nice. All legal in Japan. (16)

That's older momo... the new lineup has at least one girl who's way illegal. And she's turning into one of the hottest ones too... REALLY fast. It's like one minute she just looked like a little girl, the next it was like WTF, damn you for being nine years younger.

[Rogue_7]

I wish you could find J-pop in a club. I hate hip hop...

[Rogue_7]

I found this thing called Ayaka's Surprise English Lessons on google video. I'm not sure if it's part of the show or what, but it's somehow associated with Morning Musume, and it's AMAZING.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5965629908434364966&q=ayaka

http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=ayaka

those were freakin hilarous. Or maybe I'm just easily entertained, but I loved em! loved em I tell ya.

[4letterwords]

morning musume = incredibly annoying

[4letterwords]

After reading this I'd have to say that I like American music more than Japanese music. Japanese music isn't bad, it's just... not real. Most Japanese female singers (and I actually say most because it's MOST) can't even really sing that well, they just act cute and dry hump things, or act cute/innocent/naive (aka, 12) and men touch themselves to the thought of 12 year olds in miniskirts. Now, I like Japanese punk/rock sometimes. I really like L'arc en ciel, and actually i like Mongol 800. I like Utada's new stuff (her old stuff was really bubblegummy) and my favorite is Onitsuka Chihiro. Other than a handful of other songs that I have, I tend to shy away from Japanese music. Granted, I don't like Rap in the US and I hate death metal, but I still prefer American music twice over Japanese. That fake bubblegummy pedo thing gets real old, real fast. So does the jigger rap...

[Digital Masta]

I found this thing called Ayaka's Surprise English Lessons on google video. I'm not sure if it's part of the show or what, but it's somehow associated with Morning Musume, and it's AMAZING.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5965629908434364966&q=ayaka

http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=ayaka

So did this Ayaka just practice a whole lot or can she actually speak well in English because her English sounded pretty good. Especially when she said "I'm so hungy I could eat a horse"

EDIT: Why can't I stop watching these? Its like a sick drug, you know its bad for you yet I cannot turn away.

[SDSUMarcus01]

She grew up in Hawaii so she can speak English... though sometimes her sentences sound weird.

[Azrael]

After reading this I'd have to say that I like American music more than Japanese music. Japanese music isn't bad, it's just... not real. Most Japanese female singers (and I actually say most because it's MOST) can't even really sing that well, they just act cute and dry hump things, or act cute/innocent/naive (aka, 12) and men touch themselves to the thought of 12 year olds in miniskirts. Now, I like Japanese punk/rock sometimes. I really like L'arc en ciel, and actually i like Mongol 800. I like Utada's new stuff (her old stuff was really bubblegummy) and my favorite is Onitsuka Chihiro. Other than a handful of other songs that I have, I tend to shy away from Japanese music. Granted, I don't like Rap in the US and I hate death metal, but I still prefer American music twice over Japanese. That fake bubblegummy pedo thing gets real old, real fast. So does the jigger rap...
...I love you.

I have to disagree about Utada though, I haven't been feeling her new stuff at all lately. I like Keep Tryin' but I didn't like Be My Last or Passions in the least. I liked her previous stuff...not the bubblegum, but the serious songs she did.

There are some good Japanese singers/bands out there, you just have to cut through the pedo crap.

[BluZytrix]

...I love you.

I have to disagree about Utada though, I haven't been feeling her new stuff at all lately. I like Keep Tryin' but I didn't like Be My Last or Passions in the least. I liked her previous stuff...not the bubblegum, but the serious songs she did.

There are some good Japanese singers/bands out there, you just have to cut through the pedo crap.


Bring on MISIA. Perhaps many don't know her, but her vocals are on par with someone like Mariah Carey(old Mariah, powerful voice), including the whistle register(high stuff), which is rare in Japan. She was apparently trained by some African American people and influenced by soul and gospel music and it shows in her stuff. If you really take somebody like Hirai Ken and listen to his voice, it isn't anything speacial. Perhaps I can break the Japanese market... I would also suggest somebody like Shiina Ringo. She's not everyone's cup of tea but very unique and stylistic.

Perhaps what is missing the most in Japanese music is soul. You don't find beats that really make your soul dance, that move the inner fiber of your being as much as American music. It seems that songs have a lot more meaning in Japanese when you acutally understand the music. This makes it hard for people tyring to get into Japanese music.

I can say that I loved Morning Musume to DEATH. I have around 150GB of files related to their television shows, music videos and pictures. I acutally didn't get into MM because of the music but rather because of the easy Japanese practice that was vital in my early stages of learning. Shows like Hello Morning, Futarigoto etc. have fairly easy Japanese and normal Japanese expressions often accompanied by captions in Japanese. Their music is the very typical stuff that will get stuck in your mind endlessly playing over and over until you can't think straight at all. The group right now is not all that great. I prefer the early generation with Abe Natsumi because she is the best and has a certain prescence that many of the other girls don't have. I do have to give my props to Tsunku, the leader of Hello Project(HP!). He is a genius.

[Crowley]

I found this thing called Ayaka's Surprise English Lessons on google video. I'm not sure if it's part of the show or what, but it's somehow associated with Morning Musume, and it's AMAZING.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5965629908434364966&q=ayaka

http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=ayaka

I just died of cute.

[The_Penguin]

I found this thing called Ayaka's Surprise English Lessons on google video. I'm not sure if it's part of the show or what, but it's somehow associated with Morning Musume, and it's AMAZING.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5965629908434364966&q=ayaka

http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=ayaka
Eww... honestly. There are ought to be limits/laws as to how much people can pretend to be cute.

[Lisa M]

I love cheesy bubblegum pop, whether it's American or Japanese.

That said, I <3 Morning Musume.

Specifically, I love Nozomi Tsuji, who is now in W.

[Crowley]

Eww... honestly. There are ought to be limits/laws as to how much people can pretend to be cute.

What? awww. She really is cute though.

Ok, I'm really fucking easy. I might as well get a sign.

[4letterwords]

...I love you.

I have to disagree about Utada though, I haven't been feeling her new stuff at all lately. I like Keep Tryin' but I didn't like Be My Last or Passions in the least. I liked her previous stuff...not the bubblegum, but the serious songs she did.

There are some good Japanese singers/bands out there, you just have to cut through the pedo crap.


Mmmm yeah. I like some of Utada's old stuff... Like, Distance (slow not fast) Drama, and Letters... but some songs like Time Will Tell, Traveling, and Automatic are just kindof... repeatative. Ya know?

Anyway, Passions was OK, and actually I liked the subject matter of Be my last, but I really like Keep Tryin a lot. Honestly I like her stuff now more because it feels more honest than it did before. Like she's really trying to be herself, versus the directions that I'm sure she was pulled in when she was just a new star. But that's really the same with anybody.

As far as lyrics and alllllll around fabulousness, I really have to go with Onitsuka Chihiro. Her songs are really great, not the least bit bubblegummy or fake, and her lyrics are really deep and they feel just more personal than most other female Japanese singers...

I just for the record (well, just because I feel like saying it)

I absolutely hate:

Otsuka Ai (Jesus, she caused me to hate cherries)
Koda Kumi (I can smell the nastiness all the way from the states)
Ayumi hamasaki (Not that her songs piss me off, but her voice is so annoying)

Do with that what you will...

[Bob]

whatever happens to be on the radio.
I listen to STAR101.7...I think. maybe it was .5...
I dunno. it's just too sad... the lyric. I feel like they keep saying "I want to die, life is bad, everything's over" but they never say HOW they could change themselves. it's too depressing...

if I was to name one song that's my favorite... it's Time of Your Life by Greenday. it was my graduation theme.

Listen to a different radio station

[touche]

>_> i wonder....they sure have alot of TV time, but why do they eat ALL THE TIME?

^ that was one of my questions before reading Az's editorials. Silly me.

[tchenku]

Koda Kumi rocks my face! Love the hip pop (Namie Amuro term)
Utada Hikaru..I haven't really given her new stuff a chance but I do like "Be My Last" minus the wailing part.
I don't do J-rock.. at all :-/

The new MM member is 12, just FYI.

In those English Lessons, they're just naturally that cute for the most part, heheh.

More Morning Musume for your viewing pleasure. After Ayaka's Lessons, I find that these Mechaike videos are the most universally appealing (watch out, it's over an hour long... but entertaining :P)
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7169860193724352140&q=musume+mechaike

[Azrael]

Mmmm yeah. I like some of Utada's old stuff... Like, Distance (slow not fast) Drama, and Letters... but some songs like Time Will Tell, Traveling, and Automatic are just kindof... repeatative. Ya know?

Anyway, Passions was OK, and actually I liked the subject matter of Be my last, but I really like Keep Tryin a lot. Honestly I like her stuff now more because it feels more honest than it did before. Like she's really trying to be herself, versus the directions that I'm sure she was pulled in when she was just a new star. But that's really the same with anybody.

As far as lyrics and alllllll around fabulousness, I really have to go with Onitsuka Chihiro. Her songs are really great, not the least bit bubblegummy or fake, and her lyrics are really deep and they feel just more personal than most other female Japanese singers...

I just for the record (well, just because I feel like saying it)

I absolutely hate:

Otsuka Ai (Jesus, she caused me to hate cherries)
Koda Kumi (I can smell the nastiness all the way from the states)
Ayumi hamasaki (Not that her songs piss me off, but her voice is so annoying)

Do with that what you will...
Wow, we're really on the same page on this. Drama is my favorite Hikaru Utada song, and my second favorite song of all time. I find a lot of Utada fans aren't even familiar with the song. I also liked Letters, as well as ASAP.

Our hate list is the same too. Otsuka Ai really bugs me, because she's proven that she can sing a serious song that actually isn't bad, but most of her fame has come from the crap like Sakuranbo and Smily. Koda Kumi wouldn't be bad either, but she's just WAY overdoing it. There's a line between sexy and skank, and she's obliterated it. And Hamasaki...again, agreed, I'm kind of indifferent to the songs, but her speaking voice sucks, and I don't like the whole package.

[羽之助]

I saw Ayu in concert in Nagoya a few years back. Without proper lighting she really looks like a plastic makeup monster.

[Digital Masta]

I saw Ayu in concert in Nagoya a few years back. Without proper lighting she really looks like a plastic makeup monster.

The types that when you touch them they might break.

[Azrael]

Hell, even with the lighting she still looks like a bug-eyed elf.

Japanese photography is a hell of a thing.

[Bob]

I saw Ayu in concert in Nagoya a few years back. Without proper lighting she really looks like a plastic makeup monster.

Lawl .

[ShadowDeth]

Mini Moni!

I want to believe this love is true, the love you expressed to me. The future! Can only tell *if* this love is true, or not... RIGHT!?!??!?! As for now, I love you with all my heart and nothing...can get... in the way....

<3 Loose grasp of english.

[jindojim]

Bring on MISIA. Perhaps many don't know her, but her vocals are on par with someone like Mariah Carey(old Mariah, powerful voice), including the whistle register(high stuff), which is rare in Japan. She was apparently trained by some African American people and influenced by soul and gospel music and it shows in her stuff. If you really take somebody like Hirai Ken and listen to his voice, it isn't anything speacial. Perhaps I can break the Japanese market... I would also suggest somebody like Shiina Ringo. She's not everyone's cup of tea but very unique and stylistic.

Perhaps what is missing the most in Japanese music is soul. You don't find beats that really make your soul dance, that move the inner fiber of your being as much as American music. It seems that songs have a lot more meaning in Japanese when you acutally understand the music. This makes it hard for people tyring to get into Japanese music.

YES. MISIA is really by far one of the most, if not THE most talented, Japanese singer. I feel she could be on par with any of the best R&B singers America has to offer. She has a really powerful voice when she wants to be emotional but can tone it down too.

I've heard criticism that her voice might be TOO soulful. That Chihiro singer that Neko mentioned...I've heard a couple of her songs, and she's pretty good too.

Morning Musume, Koda Kumi, Ayumi Hamasaki are all reasons why Japan's pop music industry really should not be taken seriously.

[Plekto]

Morning Musume reminds me of um... "The Wiggles" for Teenagers. OMG - it rots your brain with its fake sweetness.

Still, the ones that aren't nearly 30 are nice to look at. And - yeah - that new girl - she's 14 - I can tell without even checking. Have to pass on her - I mean I have *shoes* older than her. Plus, I find it hard to talk about anything with anyone under 25 anyways. Mention "Berlin Wall" or "Happy Days" or... well - most anytihng - and get a vapid stare. I even got one kid at my work last week honestly looking at me like I was insane when I mentioned and explained what records were.(was lamenting how 99% of comedy acts weren't re-done on CD - so they were getting hard to find anymore)

P.S. No such thing as "Too soulful" in music. It's just that Japan hasn't gotten past the angst and into the self-reflection stage of music yet. But it's happening :)

[Bob]

Still, the ones that aren't nearly 30 are nice to look at. And - yeah - that new girl - she's 14 - I can tell without even checking. Have to pass on her - I mean I have *shoes* older than her.

Must be nice shoes if you kept them for 14 years

[Sbabbari]

^^Ayaka's Surprise English Lessons are great :P

Almost as good as "1 minute English" on the Yamanote line

I think MM is more of a team than a band/group

[TS-]

My only experiene with semi-popular Japanese music comes from when I used to watch Pop Japan TV on the International Channel, before it turneed to...ugh.."aZn Television." Most of it, like American pop music, wasn't really interesting. Slightly less so. I did hear a concert version of "Seven" by Mika Nakashima (?) which I really liked...live band in the background, it was really nice. The normal version wasn't so hot. I also really liked a song called "Sakura no hana ga chiru mae ni," which I guess translates to "before the cherry blossoms scatter" by a band called Bivattchee...really really liked that song, even looked for their CD online.

And that's when I found out that Japanese music is insanely expensive....the hell is wrong with those people...

[Crowley]

ebay is your friend.

[羽之助]

Almost as good as "1 minute English" on the Yamanote line

I think MM is more of a team than a band/group

lol sometimes those are so stupid. Isn't there one with that dog asking people what パーマ(paama) comes from? After five seconds it says "A permanent wave!"

As if you can use that.

"I gave my hair a permanent wave!"
"WTF are you talking about? You got a perm."
"But, but, the Yamanote said ..."

[BluZytrix]

YES. MISIA is really by far one of the most, if not THE most talented, Japanese singer. I feel she could be on par with any of the best R&B singers America has to offer. She has a really powerful voice when she wants to be emotional but can tone it down too.

I've heard criticism that her voice might be TOO soulful. That Chihiro singer that Neko mentioned...I've heard a couple of her songs, and she's pretty good too.

Morning Musume, Koda Kumi, Ayumi Hamasaki are all reasons why Japan's pop music industry really should not be taken seriously.

How can a voice be TOO soulful? I would say its too soulful for Japanese music as nobody every really comes close to her vocals.

[tchenku]

The only MISIA I've heard was from a short clip on Matthew's Best Hit TV (awesome!) and I thought she was just "OK". What do you guys think about Hirahara Ayaka? I thought she was really good for a Japanese girl when I first saw her on Best Hit Awards 2004.

On that note, I don't think anyone in the asian music business can touch Coco Lee, vocally :D

[SDSUMarcus01]

I feel exactly the same after watching ANY j-pop videos.

*switches back to Blind Guardian*

You should try Evil Morning. Some random Japanese guy remixes H!P (Hello! Project) artist's songs into some great POWER METAL...

Website:
http://www.geocities.jp/evilmorning/

Wiki write up:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evil_Morning

Torrent for older remixes:
http://mullemeck.serveftp.org/jps_beta/index.php?page=details&id=2217

By the way, you like Blind Guardian... what about Brainstorm or Tad Morose?

[Niff]

Wow. That Evil Morning stuff kicks all kinds of ass. It combines the helium-junkie J-pop singers with the awesome shredding, incredibly fast drums and finger-aching bass that I <3.

I quite like Brainstorm, but I've never heard of Tad Morose before. I shall "acquire" some songs. :)

[SDSUMarcus01]

Wow. That Evil Morning stuff kicks all kinds of ass. It combines the helium-junkie J-pop singers with the awesome shredding, incredibly fast drums and finger-aching bass that I <3.

I quite like Brainstorm, but I've never heard of Tad Morose before. I shall "acquire" some songs. :)

Try the songs: Anubis, Afraid to Die, and Clearly Insane.

[Crowley]

And Hamasaki...again, agreed, I'm kind of indifferent to the songs, but her speaking voice sucks, and I don't like the whole package.

That Evolution song is ace though.

[sophisticated_monkeys]

lol! MM is one of my favorite groups, but part of my liking for them definitely comes from their hundreds of tv appearances/vids. It's freaking hilarious even back when I couldn't understand a single word of Japanese. They're absolutely sadistic with the stuff they make them do. Excellent entertainment for the bored mind. I do like a lot of their singles. I don't bother much with their albums, though. But, yeah, only about 2 of the current members can actually sing. The rest can kind of sing or just can't sing.

I like listening to Jpop a lot more than American music if only because I can't understand the words. Lyrics in American songs tend to suck and then the music doesn't make up for it in some cases. Listening to non-english music at least rules out half of the problem.

[SDSUMarcus01]

lol! MM is one of my favorite groups, but part of my liking for them definitely comes from their hundreds of tv appearances/vids. It's freaking hilarious even back when I couldn't understand a single word of Japanese. They're absolutely sadistic with the stuff they make them do. Excellent entertainment for the bored mind. I do like a lot of their singles. I don't bother much with their albums, though. But, yeah, only about 2 of the current members can actually sing. The rest can kind of sing or just can't sing.

I like listening to Jpop a lot more than American music if only because I can't understand the words. Lyrics in American songs tend to suck and then the music doesn't make up for it in some cases. Listening to non-english music at least rules out half of the problem.

Dude... the lyrics in momo songs aren't much better, it's just that you don't understand them.

Take for example this chorus:
Nogashita sakana wa ookii zo!

WTF is that?!

[Crowley]

I like listening to Jpop a lot more than American music if only because I can't understand the words.

Clearly, that's why.

Incidentally, I can't help feeling Love Machine by Morning Musume is superb pop. Loving it =)

[Frankey-eh]

Clearly, that's why.

Incidentally, I can't help feeling Love Machine by Morning Musume is superb pop. Loving it =)
hmm... do western people (as in, all you who said you like American songs over Japanese) doesn't like Japanese songs with the consideration that you understand them? Like, it takes a lot more than just reading on the surface. A lot of Japanese songs have depth to them, and that message is what makes the song beautiful. if you can't grasp the message, then I don't think you can judge a song fairly.

[Crowley]

I think that's a fair assumption, but people listen to music differently. It's quite rare that I'll like a song for its lyrical content. Usually I'll fall in love with the music first, then I'll begin to listen to the lyrics.

[gyoza]

Usually the music I listen to is instrumental so I don't have that issue. But with the vocal music I listen to, I tend to be attracted by the musical details before I notice the lyrics.

[Frankey-eh]

I think that's a fair assumption, but people listen to music differently. It's quite rare that I'll like a song for its lyrical content. Usually I'll fall in love with the music first, then I'll begin to listen to the lyrics.
well, that's why.
Japanese focuses on its message. If you filter music out by their lyrics, then of course a lot of Japanese songs will get filtered ^.^

I feel like it's the difference between math and history. If a guy is math-major, history stuff won't appeal to him and vice versa. you have no interest in history, so you won't glance twice at it. right?

[touche]

i don't understand half of the japanese, i still find them better than American songs >_>'

maybe because i KNOW what they're saying, and it doesn't appeal to me ...anymore...but japanese.....is like english, except you (I) can't understand half of it. Which in turn, makes me focus on the rythme, melody, etc.

i probably won't find them as attractive if i knew more japanese =(

edit: although, nowadays, American songs are really.....mediocore...no offence.

[Crowley]

well, that's why.
Japanese focuses on its message. If you filter music out by their lyrics, then of course a lot of Japanese songs will get filtered ^.^

I feel like it's the difference between math and history. If a guy is math-major, history stuff won't appeal to him and vice versa. you have no interest in history, so you won't glance twice at it. right?

Well, I think that's a bit odd, if you'll forgive me. If you're only interested in the message, why not just read poetry?

While there's often something to gain, music should be about... well, music first! surely?

[nameplease]

I was introduced to Morning Musume when I was 10 or 11, by a Japanese friend.
I still listen to Momusu and related groups...:box:
But I guess it's kind of different now. I didn't start studying Japanese until I was 12, so for a while, I couldn't understand a word of what I was listening to.

[Crowley]

This board is bad for my spirit. I've just watched 1/2 an hour of an 1 1/2 Morning Musume special where they all do sports. I'm laughing like a drain, because it's hilarious, but they're all about 12! The oldest is 22, and she's considered past it. I'm a dirty old man, and it's all your fault, you bastards.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4787568535064265983&q=morning+musume

[Plekto]

My biggest gripe with J-Pop is when they take a great sound - just beautiful words and music and mangle it like a rotweiller with a new chew-toy by adding in english.

Best example of this - The Noodles. Great music, but GOD... Worst mangled semi-english ever. Basically unlistenable except for the songs where they don't actually use english in them. So bad it sounds like they're singing entirely differnet nonsense in Japanese.

Friend:"Interesting song. What are they singing?"
Me:"English"
Friend: "So they use some english?"
Me:"No - the whole song is in English"
Friend: (stunned) ... "Wow - that's - *dreadful* English."
Then I show him the lyrics.
Friend: "This makes no sense... even translated..."
Me: "Don't tell me about it - at least the bass line is somewhat good..."

[Frankey-eh]

Well, I think that's a bit odd, if you'll forgive me. If you're only interested in the message, why not just read poetry?

While there's often something to gain, music should be about... well, music first! surely?
hmm...poetry is boring ^^'
it's like... okay, for me, I filter out songs according to their melody, and then for those that's left, I use their lyric to distinguish them. like first, I don't listen to any song that's too slow or too fast. I don't like hard rock. I don't like rap. my favorite are the kind that make me feel like I'm riding a roller coaster. Once I've taken out all the melody I don't like, THEN I consider what they're singing.

I guess you do need both. no music without lyric, no lyric without music. But... for me personally, music has lower priority--a SLIGHTLY lower priority than lyric.

[Crowley]

Hmn, music that makes you feel like you're riding a roller coaster. Listen to Verdi's Requiem (classical choral piece). You won't understand a word, but WOW, what a roller coaster :)

[Frankey-eh]

Hmn, music that makes you feel like you're riding a roller coaster. Listen to Verdi's Requiem (classical choral piece). You won't understand a word, but WOW, what a roller coaster :)
where do I find that...?

[Crowley]

I can email it to you :) PM'd you.

[mpz]

Japanese songs have deeper messages that you have to look for? Yeah, take Love Machine for instance. 日本の未来は…世界がうらやむ = The world will envy Japan's future. Nationalism sells a million CDs, I guess. But the song kicks ass anyway :-)

To contrast that there's of course Biyuuden's Kacchoiize! JAPAN. ジャパン、ジャパンの勇士が…世界の人と手と手をつなぐ = Japan's heroes will hold hands with the world's people. And the opening track of Morning Musume's newest album, which is quite obviously directed to foreigners. 気に入っちゃってくれちゃってよかった = We're happy that you're interested in us.

There's absolutely no depth in *these* songs at least. The message is in plain sight. ;-)

[gyoza]

Crowley, I think I want your man-babies.

...*cough* I'd also suggest Brahms' German Requiem, if you can find it.

[Crowley]

Crowley, I think I want your man-babies.

...*cough* I'd also suggest Brahms' German Requiem, if you can find it.

You're out of luck, she hated it :)

[Uska]

I wish I would've looked at this thread sooner! I'm a huge fan lol
And I didn't read the posts, but Morning Musume isn't exactly for pedos, they usually have members over the age of 18 :P That pedo group you're looking for is BerryZ Koubou >_>

[Frankey-eh]

Japanese songs have deeper messages that you have to look for? Yeah, take Love Machine for instance. 日本の未来は…世界がうらやむ = The world will envy Japan's future. Nationalism sells a million CDs, I guess. But the song kicks ass anyway :-)

To contrast that there's of course Biyuuden's Kacchoiize! JAPAN. ジャパン、ジャパンの勇士が…世界の人と手と手をつなぐ = Japan's heroes will hold hands with the world's people. And the opening track of Morning Musume's newest album, which is quite obviously directed to foreigners. 気に入っちゃってくれちゃってよかった = We're happy that you're interested in us.

There's absolutely no depth in *these* songs at least. The message is in plain sight. ;-) ........



okay....


no.



please do not tell me you think 日本の未来は…世界がうらやむ = everyone will be envious of the future of Japan.



okay, I have relistened to it while looking at the lyric. let me tell you where this song beats any "mindless girl bands of America"

あんたにゃ もったいない (fu-fu-)
あたしゃ本当 NICE BODY
自分で 言う位
タダじゃない! じゃない?

here, look at the theme. it's giving girl self-confidence. these girls are trying their hardest to be models for Japanese girls. Japanese girls NEED confidence like this. that's what makes them beautiful (and I don't mean beautiful literally)

熱けりゃ 冷ませばいい (フーフー)
淋しけりゃ EVERY BODY
誰にも わからない (fu-fu-)
恋愛って いつ火がつくのか
DYNAMITE 恋はDYNAMITE

here, it's personifying love. if it's too hot, make it cold. if you're lonely, go find others. telling girls don't submit to/accept what the guys want. hold yourself up high.

どんなに不景気だって
恋はインフレーション
こんなに優しくされちゃ みだら

a metaphor--love is inflating. if you give too much, it'll become worthless. so value it. don't willingly hand it over to the guy.

明るい未来に 就職希望だわ

I don't know what literally device this is, but it's using a verb you'd normally use for jobs--to get hired, to say I want to get hired by the future. =I want to work for a brighter future.

日本の未来は (Wow Wow Wow Wow)
世界がうらやむ（Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah)
恋をしようじゃないか! （Wow Wow Wow Wow)
Dance! Dancin'all of the night

the future of Japan = Japanese girls. remember the line above? and it doesn't go 日本の未来は世界がうらやむ, period. you're just looking at a fragment there. 日本の未来は世界がうらやむ恋をしようじゃないか = let's fall in love that's so beautiful, everyone will be envious of it. don't get into pathetic relationships where you're basically the slave of the guy. be an upright, model woman and fall into a good love.

Love Love Love マシーン（Wow Wow Wow Wow)
Love Love Love ステーション（Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah)
Love Love Love ファクトリー（Wow Wow Wow Wow)
Love!Love is so wonderful

love machine, love station, love factory. all these are symbol of woman. woman have the control of love. afterall, woman = love factory even alludes to getting pregnant.

日本の未来は（Wow Wow Wow Wow)
世界がうらやむ（Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah)
恋をしようじゃないか! （Wow Wow Wow Wow)
Dance! Dancin'all of the night

モーニング娘。も（Wow Wow Wow Wow)
あんたもあたしも（Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah)
みんなも社長さんも（Wow Wow Wow Wow)
Dance! Dancin'all of the night

the focus is on dancing. but they don't literally mean dancing. they mean living. living optimistically. live with energy. with strength. be healthy

Love マシーン

this. did you notice how similar it sounded to the word うらやましい when they sang it? I think that's their final "aha". live as someone others would envy you for.

--

I don't know the others you mentioned.

[mpz]

I think you're overanalyzing it. It all, after all, comes from the man who wrote other gems like repeating the line "catfish don't have scales" and so on. You can reinterpret the lines in so many ways, it's like the Bible Code or something.

But the man (Tsunku) *is* a musical genius. He's largely the reason why H!P music doesn't suck. Avex represents the classic "big company that produces artificial music" image to me. (Except for artists like Ai Ootsuka, who supposedly writes her own songs.) Tsunku built a girl group empire from scratch. He's the man.

[Frankey-eh]

I think you're overanalyzing it. It all, after all, comes from the man who wrote other gems like repeating the line "catfish don't have scales" and so on. You can reinterpret the lines in so many ways, it's like the Bible Code or something.

But the man (Tsunku) *is* a musical genius. He's largely the reason why H!P music doesn't suck. Avex represents the classic "big company that produces artificial music" image to me. (Except for artists like Ai Ootsuka, who supposedly writes her own songs.) Tsunku built a girl group empire from scratch. He's the man.

hmm... I don't think I'm overanalyzing it because those were the things I pretty much got the first time I listened to it. especially how I knew that "nihon no mirai" meant the people. I just looked checked the lyric to make sure. I wasn't mishearing anything.

[SDSUMarcus01]

I think you're overanalyzing it. It all, after all, comes from the man who wrote other gems like repeating the line "catfish don't have scales" and so on. You can reinterpret the lines in so many ways, it's like the Bible Code or something.

But the man (Tsunku) *is* a musical genius. He's largely the reason why H!P music doesn't suck. Avex represents the classic "big company that produces artificial music" image to me. (Except for artists like Ai Ootsuka, who supposedly writes her own songs.) Tsunku built a girl group empire from scratch. He's the man.

Not really from scratch. He was in the band Sharan Q. What happened was he decided to let somebody else take lead singer of the band, held live (on tv) auditions. Awarded the position to some girl... the band tanked, and then he decided to give the runner ups a shot and told them to sell so many singles in a limited amount of time...

They did so he decided to market them... and they became morning musume.

Is it there like a rival company, Johnny's or something? That pumps out boybands that can't sing worth crap?

[Azrael]

Yeah, Johnny's. If it's 2 or more pretty-boy Japanese who can't sing, they're probably Johnny's. ...Johnny, completely incidentally, is a raging homosexual.

And, you know, I liked Japanese TV a whole lot better when I didn't understand the words and I didn't know who all the untrained monkeys they call talent are and didn't understand that, if I were to watch an average amount of TV, I'd see them 1.4 billion times a week. Probably eating something.

When it comes to Japanese stuff, the less you understand, the better, it seems.

[Crowley]

That's a good rule with most of modern society really.

For example: never try to find out the processes that lead to the food on your table.

[touche]

When it comes to Japanese stuff, the less you understand, the better, it seems.

exactly why i like it better, cause i don't understand what they heck is the ability to play a flute, with a cucumber.

[Digital Masta]

Japanese music is seriously lacking when it comes to music videos. Which often have absolutely nothing to do with the song itself.

[Asperitas]

I think the most popular member ever is Maki Goto (see the latest editorial from Az!) here's why: http://booshi.net/pictures

Here's some more on morning musume (most of their acts are highly exaggerated)
http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=morning+musume

and if you really wanna laugh you have to look at them in utaban, because they are a really easy target to made fun of (like a practical joke)!!!
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6682032773103851579&q=utaban

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6169680654555701136&q=utaban
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=984893801584198218&q=utaban
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4052863416353356506&q=utaban

And last but certainly not least... The best prank ever:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8663630273311292125&q=morning+musume+ring

[Plekto]

I tink my brain just-a-rot...

The drop ride one was pretty good. So was the Lizard.

Az is right - sane people shouldn't watch this stuff.

[mpz]

Johnny's is amazing, because they singlehandedly own the Japanese boy group scene. There *are* no others. Next week they're finally debuting a new group, whose debut single will undoubtedly sell a million copies.

Thank god Johnny is gay, so he won't produce girl groups. Otherwise they'd monopolize that scene too.

And I did know where Tsunku comes from, but IMO it can be called "building from scratch" because he didn't have much to begin with except his own songwriting talent, connections and the Sharan Q rock vocalist audition. Even if you *are* a known musician it's no cakewalk to build such an empire.

Tsunku kicks ass.

[SDSUMarcus01]

Tsunku kicks ass.

I think he's over stretched himself though. The recent H!P songs have sucked ass. In the past, a few of them were decent (and made enjoyable by the fact that they were sung by hot ass japanese girls) but now it's just bad.

And Johnny's has been around since the 60s? And not a single one of them can sing worth crap. At least some of the members of american/european boybands can use their head voice and not rely on just having naturally high voices to hit the high notes. All of the asian boybands have to scream and strain to hit the high notes. JC Chasez (*NSYNC), AJ McLean (Backstreet Boys) and Mark Feehily (Westlife) all know how to use their head voices so their high notes are much more pleasant sounding.

Example of screaming straining (Korean boyband DBSK):
http://youtube.com/watch?v=8izYZg5VJgo

Example of an ok head voice, he overpowers in his upper bridges and sometimes and ends up straining, but at least he can use his mix voice decently (Bruce Dickinson - Tears of the Dragon):
http://youtube.com/watch?v=A3q1IW11QPc

And why people who can't speak English shouldn't sing songs in English:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=AjbqW_1OBi4

If you want an example of people with really good head voices... just look up opera singers, or Josh Groban.

[Plekto]

Actually, the last one - the girls singing - isn't bad.

Seriously. Listen to almost anything by The Noodles. Yes, a couple of year old punk band - but - OMG it's - it's - what language are they speaking? Among the worst - then they switch into Japanses again and it's like a switch...

Japansese: Good... Good. Nice song.
Switch to English: AGGGG. OH GOD.
Switch to... wait - is it Japanese or English or...

The problem is when you don't know what they are singing - then figure out it's an all-english song. Sigh. Worst English singing. Ever.

They really should just stick to Japanese - their lyrics aren't so bad - they just need to stop trying to do the "cool" thing.

[Asperitas]

And why people who can't speak English shouldn't sing songs in English:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=AjbqW_1OBi4


whaha this one is so funny! She totally forgets the ends of the words she sings: "I made you belie" "It seems just like a cru!".

[Crowley]

I think the most popular member ever is Maki Goto (see the latest editorial from Az!) here's why: http://booshi.net/pictures

*snip*

Well, I'd like to thank you for filling up my evening for me :)

[Asperitas]

ofcourse, no problem... Nice things need to be shared!!! :P

[sophisticated_monkeys]

Dude... the lyrics in momo songs aren't much better, it's just that you don't understand them.
I didn't say they were, lol! Trust me, I've had my "what the freak did they just say?" moments while listening to Momusu, lol! But I only meant listening to music where you don't understand the words is more fun because you can listen to a broader range of songs since the lyrics rarely spoil the music.

Clearly, that's why.
Doesn't have to be "clearly". I could like it for the musical content or the voices. Just saying, if I had to pick one and only one reason, it would be that. That's changing now, though, because I'm no longer completely ignorant to everything they're saying since I started studying Japanese.

[Crowley]

Touche!

When I listen to Japanese pop, it spurs me on to learn more - I keep hearing words I know and trying to work them into whole sentences! :)

[Asperitas]

But momusu is about everything and nothing... it's weird.. Perfect example is their song Shabondama... let's translate that in english: Soapbubbles... well I think I made my point here :P

[Crowley]

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6169680654555701136&q=utaban

Ok, now I'm confused. There's about 305 of them?!

[Asperitas]

well let's just say morning musume is just a part of a huge group called Hello!Project... and that huge group was on utaban that day... But from starting to the end are the members of morning musume being made fun of...

And don't ask me why I know this... I have honestly no idea, I tend to remember useless things! (like Gackt and Hyde (Hyde is the lead singer from L'arc~en~ciel) were in love together, then Hyde met Megumi, dumped Gackt and married Megumi... or something like that... Why do I know this? A friend told me! Why did I remember when I couldn't care less? These are just the things I remember! :P)

[Crowley]

So the Hello!Project is what, just thousand of vaguely pretty girls, and a randomly selected number are at any point in time allocated to be in Morning Musume?

I' M S O C O N F U S E D

[SDSUMarcus01]

So the Hello!Project is what, just thousand of vaguely pretty girls, and a randomly selected number are at any point in time allocated to be in Morning Musume?

I' M S O C O N F U S E D

Sorta. Tsunku holds auditions every few years and selects new girls, usually around the age of 12-14. Few exceptions. Then he also has members graduate the group and become solo artists.

[Asperitas]

Yeah it's weird...
Hello project is just a collection of girls (only girls). This collection has several groups in it, and solo singers. Morning Musume is just one of those groups of the Hello!project, it is the most famous one.

As SDSUMarcus01 said, members of morning musume "graduate" and leave the group (or you can just date an actor and get fired, or you can smoke at 18 and get suspended :P ), the group has now 7 generations in total.
Because of all the members leaving, they need new members so about every year they have auditions (you can find them on google video too, but I highly disreccommend watching them, since they are boring and sound like the first round of Idols/Pop Idol/American Idol etc. Most (past) members just can't sing, with ofcourse just a few exceptions).

More info on Hello! Project:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hello%21_Project

More info on Morning Musume:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morning_musume

[SDSUMarcus01]

There was one guy once... maki goto's brother. He was in EEJump but got booted for doing something bad, I forgot what it was.

[Crowley]

Found this too:

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/omm/story/0,13887,1550807,00.html

Nice summary for middle class westerners with sprinklings of scandal.

[SDSUMarcus01]

Found this too:

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/omm/story/0,13887,1550807,00.html

Nice summary for middle class westerners with sprinklings of scandal.

Yah... things in there always disturbed me. Like how when you would look at a live clip of momo the audience would be all MALE and old ones at that.

And I wouldn't be surprised if Johnny did molest some of the boys. He seems like a Michael Jackson type.

[paul]

I've always loved this video though:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5250971845178619832

[Renesis]

^ ahh.. the magic of Japanese TV

More on H!P: http://wiki.theppn.org/Hello!_Project

[BluZytrix]

But momusu is about everything and nothing... it's weird.. Perfect example is their song Shabondama... let's translate that in english: Soapbubbles... well I think I made my point here :P

Sorry, I was a MM Otaku and can't let this one go. Here is the whole phrase in Japanese.
全ての恋は　シャボン玉(subete no koiwa, shabondama)
This can be roughly translated as "Love is like soap bubbles". If you think about the proerties of soap bubbles, you can see it's an analogy to say that love is precious and delicate just like a soap bubble.

When it comes to Utaban and all of the other shows related to MM, I love them all. They have taught me a lot about Japanese and have served as a great source of just hearing Japanese. For those who are interested in getting a hold of some MM stuff PM me. I have over 100GB of music vids, shows(hello morning, mathew's best hit tv, utaban etc.) that are related to MM if you are really interested.

[tchenku]

Wow I'm glad there are some people here enjoying their first forays into the world of Morning Musume :bwitch:

If anyone actually asks BluZytrix for some videos, do ask for Matthew's Best Hit TV - Yaguchi Mari (March 19, 2003.. yes, it's subtitled). My favorite MBHTV episode ever; it was the first MM-related thing my two cynical younger sisters liked.

Again, you can't go wrong with these:
Ayaka's Surprise English Lessons
Mechaike Bakajo Kimatsu Test and Okajo Taiikusai Special
Matthew's Best Hit TV

My favorite Musume, Fujimoto Miki :dog: :
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/tchenku/FujimotoMiki67.jpg
(~1200x900px)

[Crowley]

You guys are kinda scary.


But hey! I'm all for scary!

[Uska]

Again, you can't go wrong with these:
Mechaike Bakajo Kimatsu Test and Okajo Taiikusai Special


My favorite Musume, Fujimoto Miki :dog: :
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/tchenku/FujimotoMiki67.jpg
(~1200x900px)

Man when I saw the Bakajo special, I.......I just laughed on for days and days and days. That was some seriously funny shit. I mean sure, a lot of them were total dumbasses but they stopped getting an education pretty early on lol I can't really blame them. Cept for Abe Natsumi.

And I *love* Mikitty. I have a poster of her on the wall behind me bed :D But She's my second favorite, she's behind(by very little mind you) Ai Takahashi. Ai-chan's so <3

[Asperitas]

the bakajo test was hilarious... That Okamura is a great guy... Just like the kusojo one (with the same Okamura). That's why I watch Mecha Mecha Iketeru :P

[SDSUMarcus01]

Man when I saw the Bakajo special, I.......I just laughed on for days and days and days. That was some seriously funny shit. I mean sure, a lot of them were total dumbasses but they stopped getting an education pretty early on lol I can't really blame them. Cept for Abe Natsumi.

And I *love* Mikitty. I have a poster of her on the wall behind me bed :D But She's my second favorite, she's behind(by very little mind you) Ai Takahashi. Ai-chan's so <3

Takahashi is extremely bangable. She grew up nicely. She looked a little meh when she first joined but now it's like HOLY hell you got hot... and she's got those nice meaty dancer legs (I hate stick legs).

http://img110.imageshack.us/my.php?image=alotakahashi1088cr7ga.jpg
http://img110.imageshack.us/my.php?image=alotakahashi0711dt3er.jpg

[tchenku]

In looks, I'd put Aichan right up there with Mikitty..

Those pics are from when Aichan was still really young.. here's one from her latest photobook ("19").

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/tchenku/059.jpg
oOo..
I usually dont like the bikini shots, but I'm always a sucker for legs :cop:

[Asperitas]

I was watching this:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5917156551017076699&q=morning+musume

And suddenly I heard music from nightwish (at around 30 min)... What has Nightwish (a finnish rockband, which is actually good music) to do with this? :P I actually identified the song, it's called "The kinslayer"

EDIT: no way, 10 minutes later they use another one!!!

[gentlemanandscholar]

I was watching this:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5917156551017076699&q=morning+musume

And suddenly I heard music from nightwish (at around 30 min)... What has Nightwish (a finnish rockband, which is actually good music) to do with this? :P I actually identified the song, it's called "The kinslayer"

EDIT: no way, 10 minutes later they use another one!!!

These shows always look like they're being put on as they go along. So boring and unfunny. It helps that the laughter is from creepy sounding 20-30 year old men overdoing it.

[Crowley]

This one's a little different:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWOb3UaIBng&search=morning%20musume

[BluZytrix]

For those who want more Morning Musume access, I have set up an fserv on the OP9 chat using mIRC. Come check out what I have and say hello to the regulars that chat there. Check the sticky in the General Discussions area for mIRC stuff.

[Crowley]

Christ man, there's thousands. You're very scary :-p

Where do we start?

[gentlemanandscholar]

Hold a convention... and rig it with explosives.

That gets rid of it.

[SDSUMarcus01]

Speaking of cute little girls and pedophiles... is the girl in your avatar you?

[PopCulturePooka]

I percieve them as a pedo bait band because over in japan they are A) featured heavily in magazines that also have hentai magna, soft core porn nudity, erotic stories and adverts for porn related items, and B) they have a huge following of older salarymen who don't seem much interested in music.

[General_Admission]

Speaking of cute little girls and pedophiles... is the girl in your avatar you?

I think it is...

This is her:

http://www.ssihosting.com/gallery/data/media/3/smIMG001.JPG

[SDSUMarcus01]

I percieve them as a pedo bait band because over in japan they are A) featured heavily in magazines that also have hentai magna, soft core porn nudity, erotic stories and adverts for porn related items, and B) they have a huge following of older salarymen who don't seem much interested in music.

And C) They really do suck at singing. I'm sorry, just watch them singing live or karaoke.

[Crowley]

Well no. Some of them aren't as talented as others, but what you get in a group of 12 girls is that the really good ones make the less good ones seem really bad.

[Fuiru]

Wow, that Evil Morning stuff is actually really good. But I'm a sucker for a guitar solo...

As for me, I don't mind Morning Musume that much, I find its much like Shakira's music, much better with the volume on low or if possible mute. Although if a western equivalent were to come up I don't think I would be too fond of it. What can I say, I have yellow fever...being asian kind of does that to you...

[Moonstruck]

I've seen a couple of their videos before...though, I don't really remember what, exactly, the videos were like...I wasn't paying much attention. But, overall, my opinion of them is...eh...er...gehhh... *walks away before any Morning Musume fans yell at me*

[Moonstruck]

I was watching this:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5917156551017076699&q=morning+musume

And suddenly I heard music from nightwish (at around 30 min)... What has Nightwish (a finnish rockband, which is actually good music) to do with this? :P I actually identified the song, it's called "The kinslayer"

EDIT: no way, 10 minutes later they use another one!!!

Ah, The Kinslayer! I love that song. ^.^ Nightwish is a good band. :)

[Asperitas]

Ah, The Kinslayer! I love that song. ^.^ Nightwish is a good band. :)

WAS a good band.. they kicked out the lead singer...

The band is like the total opposite of Morning Musume, so I found it quite funny!

BTW there's at least one that can actually sing: Miki Fujimoto, she has a nice voice IMO!

[Crowley]

Just watched the video to Renai Revolution 21, which is ace. Makes no sense whatsoever, but still great.

[Ante]

Musume watching Ringu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3h3iQBdH49c

Damn this is hilarious. Made me wonder, though, are those reactions for real or just hysteria / over reacting.

Edit: Link fixed.

[Crowley]

Dude, if I was watching the ring and that came out of the TV, I'd plain shit myself there and then.

[six-eight-ten]

Maybe a little over reacting, but I've found, in general, that the Japanese have bigger reactions to that kind of stuff.

I've gotten some great reactins to the handful of card and coin tricks that I know in Japan, too. It makes it a lot more fun to do them.

[clgrnt]

legal, can get away with, legal, legal, legal, don't touch, can get away with, legal, don't touch, legal, legal

boast, boast, boast, boast, boast, deny, boast, boast, deny, boast, boast

There's my order and I'm sticking to it. Then again I'm only 18 and can get away with that kind of thing.

[ShadowDeth]

I saw a "rock" remix of Minimoni's telephone ring ring ring, and it made me cringe.

The original was so much better :D

*Ripped off yngwie riffs anyways, the intro was from far beyond the sun*

Whoever wrote the remixes needs some serious ear training. It's one thing to wank off outdated metal riffs, but it's another to ruin Tsunku's vision!