The Idol Thread

Amrai-chan · #1 27th July 2011, 01:49 AM

Basically if an idol doesn't have their own thread then talk about them in here. I'll start.

This is an older group but I'm sure some people have heard of them before. CANDIES. I've been listening to them quite a bit lately.

One of my favorite groups. I wish they would have had a reunion.

Also Shizuka Kudo

This is one of my favorite songs

She's awesome. I haven't made a ranking of idols I like besides AKB but I'm pretty sure if I did she would be high in the ranking.

Lastly I'll go with a more recent group Sea☆A who although they are from Singapore they are trying to break into the Japanese market.

I can't say I'm a fan just yet but I am keeping an eye on them to see what their next release will be.

FIRSTKLAS · #2 27th July 2011, 08:17 PM

I thought this was pretty interesting: there's a new idol group from Vision Factory and Avex releasing their debut single on September 21 called "More Kiss / Song for You" - the odd thing is that they don't even have a name yet.

No name, yet their single is available for preorder on CDJapan already.

AVCD-16246 [CD+DVD]
AVCD-16247 [CD+Photobook]
AVCD-16248 [CD Only]

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't intrigued though...

Amrai-chan · #3 28th July 2011, 07:48 PM

That's interesting. I wonder what they will sound like and what the name will be? Since it's supposed to come out in September I'm sure there will be more info soon.

Midori-chan · #4 28th July 2011, 08:33 PM

A few years ago I discovered SweetS! Their music is very candy pop-like, but it's nice to listen to on a warm summer day.

Sadly they disbanded 2006.

My favourite song is Lolita - Strawberry in Summer

They were SO young, but very talented...I think! And it's sad that they didn't have more success!

Amrai-chan · #5 29th July 2011, 01:00 AM

I've heard of SweetS. I really should try listening to them more but from what I've heard they sound pretty good. Too bad they were not around very long. I like Love Like Candy Floss. What would you recommend from them?

Also

Looking at the group SUPER☆GiRLS site it looks like they have a 3rd single coming out. PASSPO's Vivi Natsu PV is out. I'd post it but it seems like it was removed now.

Midori-chan · #6 29th July 2011, 08:24 AM

^ "Love Like Candy Floss" is a great song too!

So far I've 14 songs by them and they're all really great. Besides "Strawberry" and "Candy Floss" I can also recommend "Lonesome Cherry", "Love Raspberry Juice", "Mienai Tsubasa", "Dear My Friends" and "Grow Into Shinin Stars".

The titles of their songs are always so cute and so are the songs themselves.

If you want, I can upload the songs I have for you?!

Damita · #7 29th July 2011, 02:58 PM

I really like Shizuka Kudo's singles. It helps that they were written by Miyuki Nakajima (including the one listed in the original post, which is my favorite). Her albums I've listened to up until "Mind Universe" and I can't remember a single album track xD I'll definitely get one of her 'best of' albums at some point.

FIRSTKLAS · #8 29th July 2011, 07:06 PM

pre-dia is another relatively new group who has just recently released their second single on July 20, titled "Dream Of Love":

Ranging in ages from 20-25, the 12 members of the group understandably present a more mature image compared to most other idol groups.

Their first single, "Dia Love" was released earlier in the year on January 26 through the Jolly Roger music label and though they're still in their indie phase, I am optimistic about their future given they share the same management company as sister group PASSPO☆, Platinum Passport, and are very often their opening act, increasing their own visibility.

I could see them becoming really popular with the proper support of a major label behind them and look forward to checking out their first album whenever it releases.

Amrai-chan · #9 2nd August 2011, 11:20 PM

pre-dia sounds pretty good.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midori-chan

If you want, I can upload the songs I have for you?!

Thanks for the recommendations. I'll go take a listen to those. It's okay you don't have to but thanks

^^ Damita - Yeah you should

The second line-up for the Tokyo Idol Festtival 2011 was announced. The first line up has Idoling!!!, Sakura Gakuin, The Possible, SUPER☆GiRLS, Tokyo Joshiryu, Vanilla Beans, Fudanjuku, Passpo☆, and YGA.

The 2nd line up is

IDOL COLLEGE, usa☆usa Shojo Club, AeLL., GAL♡DOLL, Survive-ZERO, G☆Girls, SPACE GIRLS PLANET, W∞Anna, choice?, DEMPAGUMI.inc, 9nine, Nakano Fujoshi Sisters, VIC:CESS, Bitter Sweetz, Fanta☆Peace, Mugiwara☆Musume, and R☆M.

Yay for PASSPO, Nakano Fujoshi Sisters/Fudanjuku, 9nine and DEMPAGUMI.inc
Some of the other acts are okay too. Hopefully afterwords footage appears on Youtube like there is some from last year. The last Tokyo idol festival was on DVD so hopefully this one will be too.

TofuBunny · #10 6th August 2011, 03:57 AM

I found out about Onyanko Club while looking up AKB and omg I love their songs

.. Their videos are so much fun to watch because of all the 80's fashion

. I really like older mangas (from the mid 80's and 90's) so this was like seeing them come to life

. The girls are really cute too.

edit: I'M LISTENING TO THEIR PANIC THE WORLD ALBUM AND IT'S SOOO GOOD

.. Every song on it is absolutely wonderful ! Many of the girls have solo albums as well and I can't wait to start listening to them as well

. I feel like I found a treasure

Ranma Matsuri · #11 25th August 2011, 04:31 AM

If I recall correctly, Onyanko Club served as the inspiration for Morning Musume and pretty much every single idol group that's been created since. But I've checked out none of their stuff yet. Need to rectify that.

Man, totally missed this thread and I'm the one that insisted you make it, Amrai. ~~lol i fail @ lyfe~~ D: Lots of good stuff posted here, definitely will check them all out.

Right now I'm checking out a new Avex idol group called Fairies. They're young but they aren't typically cutesy or funny, their debut single ("More Kiss") has a cool traditional R&B sound to it:

^This is "Song for You" the second A-side that has more of a rock vibe to it. I love the dance, lol.

[EDIT]OMG I'm a total spazz I just realized FIRSTKLAS and I are talking about the same group!

FIRSTKLAS · #12 1st September 2011, 01:03 AM

^Haha, yeah, that's the same group I mentioned in the second post.

Tokyohive posted a story earlier in the month that sums up the news about their first single pretty well (covers, tracklists, etc.) and I had meant to repost the info here but I wasn't sure how to go about it since it was already written so well.

I'm not sure how I feel about Fairies yet. I like that they're from Vision Factory (so you can trust that they'll be trained really well) and how they're doing an R&B-influenced sound but I'm a little weary because they're so young. It's not that I think it's inappropriate or anything and I do understand that their ages are so that they can grow and have longevity as a group (since they're probably not going to have graduations) but it also feels like they're too young to really sell the image and sound they're presenting. I'm worried it's gonna be like "Mini Pops" versions of J-R&B hits for the first few years. :/

Anyway...

SUPER GiRLS are going to be releasing their third single "Joshiryoku Paradise" on October 5, 2011 (one week after their first concert DVD) and the PV is already up on YouTube:

The discography section at their official site has covers and tracklists up for all four editions. The radio drama version features "Jenny" dolls posed as the girls on the cover. When I first saw them, I was a little freaked out because I thought the girls were wearing doll masks or something. :S

Overall, I like the song. It's a good follow up to "MAX! Otome Gokoro".

Ranma Matsuri · #13 2nd September 2011, 05:37 AM

Not much of a SUPER GIRLS fan but the song and PV are quite good.

And I have that same worry about Fairies. I really like this group but it is weird seeing young, skinny preteens taking on such a cool and sensual image that is usually reserved for the mid/older teen idols. I believe they can get a good following of young girls that look up to and admire them as well as wotas but there's that possibility that because of their image and their ages, their music and talent won't be taken seriously. VF seems to be trying to handle them carefully, by having them debut with an A-side that's cool and sexy and a second A-side that's more energetic and fun. I imagine if the 'More Kiss' style proves faulty, they'll opt for the cute, pop rock style of 'Song For You'. They're getting a lot of attention and promotion (as opposed to other idols) for their debut though so it'll be interesting to see how they fare. If they do good, then I'm definitely making a thread for them.

Oh and the full PV for "More Kiss" is out:

And on the TIF2011 front, Afilia Saga East (the awesome group I posted below) has been dominating the past two days with eight appearances and four packed setlists so hopefully this means an appearance on the DVD/bluray this time around for them.

FIRSTKLAS · #14 5th September 2011, 10:36 PM

Afilia Saga East is interesting. I'd checked out their debut album, whitism, shortly after it released and I have to say that if there is such a genre as "hardcore idol" they'd certainly be it. Not because they do hyper, "positive genki!" music or anything, but more like because of their characters, costumes, and concept. If being an idol means embodying the fantasies and ideals of your audience, ASE certainly does that in a hyper-real kind of way.

Some more idols news...

Ebisu Muscats have opened an official site and will be releasing their fifth single Ropponpon Fantasy on 2011.10.12

As usual, the single comes in three editions but this time two of them are CD+DVD:

UPCH-80254 [CD+DVD] [Regular Edition] w/ PV
UPCH-89107 [CD+DVD] [Limited Pressing] w/ live footage
UPCH-89108 [CD Only] [Special Price Edition]

Each edition has a different last track which is a live version of one of the subunit songs that first appeared on their first album back in May.

I'm rather disappointed with the tracklists, to be honest. I'd hoped that with the creation of the subunits (Hercules, Purukawa, and Ebisu Rotary Shimai) there would be new, unique songs on each edition of their singles from now on, but since it looks like they're still scrimping on material, like they've done with their previous singles, I don't think I'm going to bother buying them anymore. ...besides, any new subunit songs will probably end up on the next album anyway.

YuriChan · #15 21st September 2011, 11:33 AM

This is an idol group from the early 90's called "Sakurakko Club"! Most of the members were the first half of SeraMyu (Sailor Moon Musical).

Amrai-chan · #16 8th October 2011, 03:51 AM

^ Pretty cool. Then again I love Sera Myu.

In some news Shiritsu Ebisu Chuugaku released a short version of the PV for their new single Motto Hashire!

and PASSPO will have a live show on the 26th of November with Afilia Saga East and Dorothy Little Happy.

Amrai-chan · #17 19th October 2011, 12:11 AM

Sea☆A's PV for their second single is out.

It's also on their official channel along with other videos of the girls.

http://www.youtube.com/user/seaaofficial

AyumiAi · #18 19th October 2011, 12:25 AM

Wow i actually love both ofSea☆A 's songs ! and i usually HATE idol songs better than most idol things i've heard from jJapan recently X) gunna follow them from now on! i hope they succeed~!

Ranma Matsuri · #19 21st October 2011, 05:52 AM

Idol music is definitely an acquired taste. I started off liking a few acts and finding most others boring but in a few years time, it developed and now it's mostly all I listen to. Stuff like Watarirouka Hashiritai and Sakura Gakuin I would have found to be snorefests just a year ago but now, can't get enough of them. XP Glad you found a group you like.

Deli Deli Delicious is definitely miles better than Dream Shooter and the PV is so fun, wacky and cute I love it.

FIRSTKLAS · #20 15th November 2011, 11:43 PM

Another debut to report...

This is ChocoLe.

They are a trio of middleschoolers signed under Watanabe Entertainment who will be releasing their debut single, ミルクとチョコレート (Milk to Chocolate), on December 28 via Avex. The song is the third ending theme for the anime SKET DANCE and began airing in October. The group consists of Kaede Hashimoto (who is also a current member of Idoling!!!), Kurumi Takahashi (a gravure idol), and Ramu Tamagawa (a fashion model).

Gravure association aside (:/), my first impression of ChocoLe is quite favourable. I think they're cute and I like their outfits and the song is pretty good, if standard, idol music. I really can't see them lasting very long or ever doing anything "revolutionary" but I doubt that's one of their goals. I think they're just here to have fun and make people feel good with positive energy and music and that's good enough for me.

Official Homepage: http://chocole.net/