Kimagure Princess [Preview]

[kitaoji]

After two years of emo-Musume (Peppaa Keibu doesn't count, it was a cover) it seems Tsunku went back to Weird-and-WTF Musume. A preview was released on radio, and the rip's here.



My first thought was that it sounded too similar to ALI PROJECT's opening themes for Rozen Maiden, which thematically makes sense if you've heard of said show and stretched your association to the dolls; and hey, the Musume are puppets, so to speak, too!



But anyway: yes, so it sounds like ALI PROJECT. No, I can't distinguish the voices. There's too much mixing and auto-tuning for me to properly tell, even if 2ch wants to insist Ai and Eri get the main lines. The best I can say is that I hardly hear Reina, and when I do, she's so mellow that I couldn't figure her out immediately. And I don't like too much crazy mixing, because the song then drifts too much being into a Jpop song, and less so a song sung by MM.



Like most ALI PROJECT songs, it's going to take me multiple listens to start liking this song. Right now, it's got crazy pianos, trills, completely idiotic violins, and (for those who don't listen to ALI PROJECT) is a bit of an updated version of Koi no Dance Site meeting Odore! Morning Curry. Takahashi is adding exaggerated flair to her lines, which annoys me for some reason. Maybe I've just gotten too accustomed to her being as serious as possible that it's just unsettling.

[neshcom]

Where's the preview? <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... #>/huh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':(' />

[Purin-chama]

I hate those high notes in the chorus. Even Takahashi doesn't sound good in them... And some of those Kamei lines have to be Reina. There's no way that's all Kamei...





Radio preview on YT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bq80XqqmlQQ

[Special Needs Tricycle]

Ohhhhh myyyy goooooodddddd. This is fucking awesome. The dance for this song is going to be awesome. I can feel it. The only thing I slightly don't like about this song are the violins, but I think it works somehow. They really all sound like bitchy princesses. But yeah, not to keen on how everyone sounds unnaturally high/low-pitched. w/e. J-Pop. This song owns.



I had kind of hoped that the chorus would be a big lead up to them going ki~ma~gu~re~ PURIIIIIIIIINSEEEEEESUUUUUUUUUU....FOO! though. Tsunku, hire me.

[Cyrene]

I think I like this song, but I'll need a CD RIP and/or PV to confirm that I do.



I do like the music though! It IS very ALI PROJECT and I dig it!

[waterhouse]

gosh, in the recent years Morning Musume's music has changed so much (less stylish music arrangement w/ hard to remember melody) that has left me undecided whether should I continue to like them or not.



the chorus seems good, but I found the verses are very annoying >.<

i can't stand those heavy beat too, and I need time to adjust to the semi-operatic voice in the final chorus.

[JFC]

The Eri parts sounds like they're being sung by Maeda Yuuka (the Egg girl from High-King, for anyone who didn't know). <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... /blink.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':blink:' />

[Joel]

I welcome this change of their style. At least for now. This is like Odore! Morning Curry esp. in the verses then when it gets to the chorus, it sounds like a happy version of shouganai + nanchatte, but the first thought was Odore! Morning Curry. I like where the music gets soft. The only thing I think is a bit annoying is the sexy princess part which makes me chuckle a bit but not as bad as when I first heard sexy island in Iroppoi Jirettai.

[BeForJess]

Overall, I really like it. To break it down more, though:



- I LOVE the verses. I love the sound, the music, the vocals.

- The chorus, I think could have been better. Takahashi sounds out of place here.

- I would have liked a little more variety as the song goes on - very much of the same sound the whole way through

- But the sound is awesome and I really welcome the change of pace.

- More Eri lines is nice. She fits this song well.

- I really want to know who is doing the first verse?? There is so much going on in the song that i can't tell. It sounds great, whoever it is.

- I liked it on the first listen.

[Pi Mako]

Wow, you're right, they do sound exactly like ALI Project. Pretty cool song, I don't mind this change in style at all. But what the hell is up with the chipmunk voices during the verses? They sound a bit ridiculous. And then you have Takahashi's manvoice all of a sudden coming in during the chorus? haha

[Pucchi-Mo]

I hear a nice transition from the consistent sound they had this year, still keeps the strings, and the distinct fast lines, but adds a bit of insanity and shouting. + accordion & a sort of "Arabian?" sound.



I think the Takahashi lines actually work because it's overdone in a sense that makes her sound more important and regal (like a princess). The real weird parts are the higher voices, because it sounds like the pitch was shifted and they sped it up, instead of actually singing that way. (but maybe it's the radio rip doing this.)



I hope the PV is filled with madness. I imagine the girls in huge dresses (& maybe wigs) running around in a modern city, and there will be frozen moments that kind of rotate around them. I don't necessarily think it'll be themed after one specific culture's princess, probably something vague like usual, or a combo.



Hey, is this Hirata again.. sounds like his bass and synths!

I feel like this melody was made for Berryz.



Ooh, is that Eri rolling her R toward the end?

[Tallgeese]

I like how they're still on their violin kick!

[story]

I don't like it. I like ALI Project but not this. Maybe it'll grow on me after hearing a higher quality version.



I agree with Pucci that it sounds too high and sped up.

[Shoujo Q]

After dealing with emo-musume for the past year I am so happy to not get another slow depressing song that I don't care it sounds like the morning musume was overtaken by a group of hyper active chipmunks. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... #>/meh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':blink:' />



Good luck trying to color code this song I have no idea who is singing besides Takahashi. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... iggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' />

[eri]

I like the picture of them fronting that youtube preview a lot.



I like the song minus that male barking beat in the back - it is so annoying. It made me want to run around and pretend to be an assassin.

[EmEl]

[quote name='mEri' post='68997' date='Sep 16 2009, 07:49 PM']It made me want to run around and pretend to be an assassin.[/quote]

Now that's a powerful song.

[Farrah]

I'm all for upbeat, but not this =/ The higher vocals sound pitch shifted and Takahashi sounds like she's choking. The instrumental to me sounds like everything they've been doing lately - it's like Odore! had a lovechild with Shouganai/Nanchatte/Naichau Kamo. Just not feeling it. I have a feeling they will sound really bad doing this live.

The vocals also sound WAY too processed imo - everything from the vibrato to the way notes are hit sounds like vocaloids.

[lemonmilktea]

[quote name='Special Needs Tricycle' post='68961' date='Sep 16 2009, 08:08 AM']Ohhhhh myyyy goooooodddddd. This is fucking awesome. The dance for this song is going to be awesome. I can feel it.



I had kind of hoped that the chorus would be a big lead up to them going ki~ma~gu~re~ PURIIIIIIIIINSEEEEEESUUUUUUUUUU....FOO! though.[/quote]



Same here.

[Prinny Squad]

How in the hell do they keep topping themselves every single goddamn single?



This is really a pleasant surprise to hear, I am absolutely in love with it. I can't wait to hear a full HQ rip, personally. *3*



I'd also like to take this time to announce that Kamei haters can suck my dizznick and I am totally ok with a world where she's lead vocalist. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... /dance.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':cryalot:' />

[Jessui]

I'm surprised by everyone's reactions! Sorry, but I thought it was pretty bad.. I can't listen to an ALI PROJECT song for more than 10 seconds either so maybe that's why <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... hahaha.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':cryalot:' /> They sound like Berryz in the verses and like someone said, not even Takahashi sounds good in the chorus.

[EmEl]

[quote name='Prinny Squad' post='69024' date='Sep 17 2009, 04:51 PM']I'd also like to take this time to announce that Kamei haters can suck my dizznick and I am totally ok with a world where she's lead vocalist. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... /dance.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':cryalot:' />[/quote]

They have to start grooming Kamei to be a main vocalist because they need someone besides Reina to sing when they kick Ai out.

[BeForJess]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hb7MnmvjRFU



Anyone seen this yet? Someone slowed the song down so you can tell who is who.



It sounds cool this way, but I actually enjoy the "chipmunk"y sound as well.

[Special Needs Tricycle]

PV: http://www.dohhhup.com/movie/rNsdKLugAxNyr...Vpazrb/view.php



I like the close-ups a lot. Dislike the dance and outfits a lot. What can you do.

[tsukinoanza]

Agreed. I think. So many things I want to like about this PV, but I feel like they didn't come together. The dance is a little less flowy and sexy than I'd like, it looks choppy and clunky, and the costumes (though I really like their look in general) make it seem even more awkward looking. The fence thing is a little played out, but I'd still adore it - if faces weren't TOTALLY obscured on half the girls. And the butt shot? And the costumes look strange against the background. I really did enjoy it overall, just am a little frustrated by the slightly poor use of good elements. It doesn't MESH, for me.



But I do LOVE that there's multiple shots, the gorgeous closeups and closeup backgrounds, the fact that it looks like it has a budget. I'm also liking the song more than I did from the initial preview clip. I am also loving the return of the Takahashi Kermit voice.



Still, if they keep throwing out PVs like this, I'll have to follow up more often than I have been.



And Aika looks ADORABLE in that hat.

[Tsuki]

I like it, and I don't like it, and it will probably grow on me like most songs like this do. Love that there's so many Eri lines, even if she's nearly unrecognizable in them. The chipmunk voices were offputting at first, but they're definitely different.



Takahashi's II JANAI lines make me laugh. Kermit voice indeed.

[tsukinobyouin]

Youtube, if Dohhh up is slow for anyone.



I absolutely hate the outfits, but that's entirely because of the arm warmers and cowboy hats. Both make the outfits look incredibly tacky and cheap. The black and white thing doesn't really fit with the background or the fire thing. Which they already did in Iroppoi Jirettai. The dance is pretty ridiculous too, especially the whole Russian dance thing of folding their arms in front of them and kicking.



As for the song, this is the first time I've listened. The chipmunk effect is really annoying and makes the girls indistinguishable from each other. Risa in particular sounds absolutely nothing like Risa. I can't decide if some of the girls cutesy-sexy / coy-sexy expressions in the PV are supposed to be comical or not, because they definately border on it (Koharu at 0:31, Takahashi at 0:37, LinLin at 3:31 and especially Risa then Sayu at 3:51).



BUT I actually do like the "iiiiii ja nai" lines in the chorus, especially Eri's. The song is already stuck in my head and I have a feeling I'm going to end up really liking it because it's fun and quirky. Plus it's about a sexy princess with a great ass and nice tits so that's good.

[EmEl]

This is also the first time I'm hearing the song. I don't really know how I feel yet, but: worse than Nanchatte Renai, better than Nanchatte's rap? The dance is very silly, I'm pretty sure I don't like it. The hats really do look terrible. Ai and Aika almost pull them off, but barely.



The CD covers for this single are terrible. They had four chances to not do a generic group pose, and we get four generic group poses. They've been creative in the last few singles, but I guess not here. With all that fire, they could have had the girls running and screaming or something. And I don't like the 4-versions-of-singles trend.

[Prinny Squad]

With all things said and done I am pretty all right with Takahashi's ass this PV.

[neshcom]

No one gonna mention that the rainmaker at the beginning is exactly the same as the one from LU LU LU?



The fence close-ups are okay; not as big a fan of the just wall ones. I hate the outfits. They aren't flattering, they don't look good, I want the tiny hats back, and I guess we've stopped getting individual outfits/variations? I feel like the chorus was ripped out of another, better song and that Tsunku forgot to turn the vocal pitch down for the verses. Honestly, the verses don't even sound like a human being could possibly utter those notes. Eri's lines in the second chorus are very VERY nice. I'm glad she'll be the new Koharu. Are we not allowed to get any emotion in their facial expressions at all? Does the chorus talk about sexy butts? None of the girls have sexy butts. The fire is just uninspired. I think the biggest peeve I have with the video is the lighting. Just all of the strange colors together are jarring. There's that moldy blue and the strong red, and the orange EVERYWHERE.



Still, decent song and a nice PV attempt.



Prediction: #4 on the weeklies.



[edit] Prinny, that is my ass. That is my new day job. Being ass stand-ins.[/edit]

[Prinny Squad]

[quote name='neshcom' post='69942' date='Oct 8 2009, 05:29 PM']Prediction: #4 on the weeklies.



[edit] Prinny, that is my ass. That is my new day job. Being ass stand-ins.[/edit][/quote]

Nice ass, sweety. :3



And it has a drama tie-in. Therefore, I am predicting insta-#1 unless it's against Johnny's.