[Namie Amuro] ◍ 「TSUKI」 the 81st thread ◍

[thinkingoutloud89]

I'm a bit late on the momu thing, but as some of you may know I write my master thesis on idol pop these days and I can share the moumu part of it with you (yet uncorrected)

Probably one of the most important and influential groups for the overall development of the current idol culture made its debut in 1998. The talk is of Morning Musume, an all-girl pop group under the Hello! Project umbrella, which hosts a variety of female Idol artist signed to the Up-Front Group label.
Morning Musume is manly produced by singer-songwriter tsunku. Being lead vocalist of a quite famous visual rock group himself, with Morning Musume he fulfilled his desire of writing and producing a different kind of genre. The girls were chosen out of the contestants who participated in a string of open audition broadcasted nationwide on TV. The group’s original line-up of five member total however, was soon after their debut extended by three additional girls.
After Tsunku realized the audience’s interest in the changing of the ranks, he rotated his idols frequently, citing reasons such as “graduation”(to solo careers [as in the case of popular member Maki Goto] or “retirement” and bringing in new, younger recruits as replacements. Another example of personal malleability is Tsunku’s direction to break up Morning Musume into a variety of temporary sub-“units” which release on or two singles under different group names, before “graduation” or return to the original lineup.
Tsunku’s ambition and methods are prototypes of the handling and presentation of contemporary idol performer. Both, the ‘rotation’ as well as the ‘graduation’ system are common among idol groups not only from Japan, but also among Idols originated in other Asian countries, nowadays. This is a reflection of today’s fast paced, short lived and consume hungry industry, wherein the usual idol remains one among hundreds and is exchangeable with “lightning speed” . The steady rotation of different members enforces idol bands to “remain forever young.” “Morning Musume’s music has rarely changed, perhaps not surprising given that one man has produced every song.” Nevertheless, the group managed to spawn a notable amount of Top 10 singles and albums, with several releases even hitting the first place in weekly rankings, under their belt. Although Tsunku’s most successful product has been on a decline in sales since the mid-2000s , the group managed to reestablish itself in very recent year, with their latest singleわがまま 気のまま 愛のジョーク／愛の軍団 (Wagamama Ki no Mama Ai no Joke/Ai no Gundan, Selfish, Easy Going, Jokes of Love / "GUNDAN" Of The Love) being their bestselling single since their 2002 release ここにいるぜぇ!? (Koko ni Iruzee!,"I'm Here!"), showing that they are still relevant, even after more than fourteen years in the business, and yet reflecting current tendencies of the market.

[ILoveGeniuses]

In short, EVERYTHING these days in all parts of the world for ALL TYPES of products has become mostly marketing and marketing gimmicks. Cater to peoples wants and fantasies and it helps things sell. Simple as that. Its why in America the confident strong female sells but in Japan the pretty sweet and overly cute sells on the whole. However it doesnt mean there's not any talented artists out there. Just many of the talented popular ones have gotten the proper necessary marketing and sadly others haven't. When I first heard Namie and Kuu I had no idea what they looked like yet I was still attracted to their voices and music. Plus it also boils down to personal taste as well.

[visionfactory]

It's just that AKB creator found the need on people of meeting idols and he applied that for selling CDs. In AKB there are even special CD release events called "2shot events" when you sit beside your idol and take a picture with her.

[Delicious n Bold]

Let's not front and say that Tsuki wasn't dipped in electro, because if you listen well, you can her electro influences.
It's not a bad thing as I really like namie + electo.

[Minttulatte]

Those electro elements in the song are heard clearly in the instrumental. It doesn't sound that electro when you listen the version Namie sings in. At least I didn't hear anything but when I listened to the instrumental I was surprised that there is a slight electro sound there. But it doesn't stop me from loving the song. Electropop Namie does is awesome♥

[S4MU3L]

Tempest is good but Namie has like 15 better ballads in my opinion

[NintendoHTF1242]

I can't stand Tempest lol

[ILoveGeniuses]

Tempest for me is one of those songs where when I have my Music Library on shuffle I have to check what song it is once it begins playing. I like it when I hear it, but I don't remember it well enough to recognize it immediately.

[Delicious n Bold]

I'll only ever play Tempest if I'm playing Uncontrolled completely.

[SKYia]

I skip Tempest now just as I skip Let me let you go, these song have something in them that made me think "wow, they are awesome' at first listening but after second or third I thought the chorus is boring. To me tempest could end at 1:24 and become an intro that way (although I like the bridge). As for Let me let you go, I just wish she interchanged the phrase 'let me let you go' into some other words with each line because again it's painfully repetitive to me.

As for her ballads I prefer (although they have flaws as well) 'Wishing on the same star" (we sing on the same star, ghhhh), beautiful (no supplies, ughhhhhhh) and also ballads with no flaws like Love Story, The meaning of us, Get myself back and some that I'm not sure if they are ballads (eg Can you celebrate).

[ILoveGeniuses]

^I've never thought it sounded like "We sing on the same star".... Sounds like what she's supposed to be saying to me. Also, I quite like LMLYG, but it's not my all time favorite. I'll say that much. My favorite ballad (or closest thing to one) on FEEL was Contrail though, but it's more of a mid-tempo. Also, I ADORE TMOU & GMB SOOOOO MUCH. Oh and its quite old, but I'm REALLY fond of "think of me".

[SKYia]

btw, I just found this and I'm confused, is "wishing on the same star" Namie's original song, a Japanese cover or did she buy it like Ayu bought "tell me why" or "memorial address" ??

[ILoveGeniuses]

^I forget the name of the group but Wishing on the Same Star was originally by some group from the 1980s

[thinkingoutloud89]

I HAVE NEVER SEEN is her best ballad by far, and anyone who thinks otherwise talsk in foreign tongues. NEVER END is a close second...but haven't decided on that yet.

[SKYia]

Originally Posted by thinkingoutloud89

I HAVE NEVER SEEN is her best ballad by far, and anyone who thinks otherwise talsk in foreign tongues. NEVER END is a close second...but haven't decided on that yet.

I love Never End but for some reasons I kind of don't think of it as a ballad (though not sure what to call it), but as for 'I have never see' I guess I heard it once but didn't like it.

I can't wait for the Feel Tour dvd

[thinkingoutloud89]

well, the slow version on the LE singles collection is nice but I also don't like it that much, the original is love and tear wrecking tough. It just somehting about it that makes me feel good and bad inside at the same time..its so calm and unforced

[Queen Bee]

I've just watched her new Kose CM on her Facebook page and all I can say is I love her smile. Her smile makes me smile.

[UHPlus]

Watch the new commercial https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151855084547551

[Lady~Deviance]

I LOVE the commercial but I find the new song "Still Loving You" quite boring.

Oh well, at least 'TSUKI', as a whole singe-wise, was great.

[& + H]

SHE'S SO CUTE!!!!!!!