20th C-ute Single - Kono Machi

[yuzuriha]

These are all just so bad...there are no words...

[Haru]

Regular: Can't dick that up

Lim A: Why is Nakky so damn blurry?

Lim B: Flower don't quite look real

Lim C: what everyone else said

Lim D: C-UTEZILLAS. Seriously. Atleast with Ai no 8 Album the idea was pretty well done.

[ShinUkyo]

Talking about my #1 all-time favorite pop star from Japan?

I must rise from my grave! <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... /suika.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':suika:' />



Moritaka Chisato is one of the main few reasons that Up-Front and Zetima even exist. Her old label/management, originally with Warner records, was later moved and re-dubbed "One Up Music." One-Up Music was the precursor to Up-Front Music. When it was fully created, and Zetima as its first unique brand label, Moritaka was the first major artist released by it. She has about as tight a bond with the management company as there could be. And then of course Tsunku brought the label its notoriety and truly epic standing just around the time that Moritaka's career was winding down. You could say that Moritaka is responsible for the agency and label's creation, and Tsunku is responsible for its duration. Along with a boatload of awesome producers and management, but well, semantics.



I've listened to her music avidly since, well, since she started in 1987. She's one of the reasons I fell for J-Pop as a very young child. I've heard Kono Machi sung by her over 1000 times, easily, and in a dozen different arrangements. It would be nigh-impossible for any cover version to stand up to one of hers. That being said, I have heard some good covers of Moritaka songs before (despite how tough a job it is to do this properly.) This, so far, does not seem to be one of them. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... >/sigh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':sigh:' /> Do not like the arrangement, neither instrumental nor vocal. I had always wanted to hear a straight piano ballad version, actually, as I think that would work well. And of course with a soloist. Moritaka did something close to that, more of an acoustic cover, but any traces of that footage were on VHS tapes that I long since lost.



Either way, here is what I hear/see in my mind when I think of this song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnzROTEz0H8





[quote name='Al Kusanagi' timestamp='1357610976' post='141191']As long as the PV incorporates some form of hot pants, they can keep singing ballads.[/quote]

Haha, indeed. The abundance of wonderful gams makes it difficult to dislike anything I'm seeing. And despite the cover layouts themselves being generic and/or crappy (did we expect differently from H!P,) the gals all look absolutely stunning on those cover shots. This is not always the case with photos of H!P girls; even the most beautiful ones are typically diminished when it comes to still shots like these. I had to do a double take with regards to Hagiwara. especially.

[Mugi]

[quote name='ShinUkyo' timestamp='1358396774' post='141868']

I had to do a double take with regards to Hagiwara. especially.

[/quote]



Shes grown up a lot hasn't she. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... >/rofl.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[Pucchi-Mo]

[quote name='Haru' timestamp='1358351662' post='141804']

Regular: Can't dick that up

Lim A: Why is Nakky so damn blurry?

Lim B: Flower don't quite look real

Lim C: what everyone else said

Lim D: C-UTEZILLAS. Seriously. Atleast with Ai no 8 Album the idea was pretty well done.

[/quote]



I think they're all photoshopped into that room, and they got EXTRA lazy when they stuck Nakajima in there. That cover could have been decent if they would have just bothered to exist in the same plane. (Of course, it becomes decent when I think of what other covers are following it)



I'd like to think that the sitting on the grass cover is the very top of the brick building that MM hangs around when they need HELP!!



I know it was due to a mis-translation, but at this point, I DO want Tsunku to design the covers, because he can't be worse than whoever is making these. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... >/rofl.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />



Yeah, I saw Mai and thought "this is giant sunglasses girl?"

[al kusanagi]

PV all up ins, y'all!

[NekoKaiSai]

Them walking on treadmills is kind of awkward, but other than that, it's pretty good.

[ShinUkyo]

Still can't believe Hirata arranged this, haha. Although as with anything else, and this is the most redundant statement to make, but: hearing it in proper quality makes it sound 100x better. Still doesn't mean I like it, sadly. The arrangement itself isn't the problem I have; I'd say more the tempo and the vocal arrangement specifically. I could see this being a great version to end their concert/live on a sentimental note, albeit with stronger and more emotive vocal performances (which they're all capable of live.) This would be skipped when listening to the CD, however, without question. There is a "dance groove" remix on the single as well, also arranged by Hirata, so that will likely resemble the original. There could be hope!



Now to wonder how the other covers will turn out. Going by the credits, which are up on Tsunku's site: Ame is being arranged by Itagaki Yusuke, so this bodes very well. Another favorite modern arranger of mine. Plus it's a ballad to begin with, and I'm sure it will stay that way. That could be good or bad, haha. Hae Otoko is being arranged by Fujisawa Yoshiaki; interesting choice! Fijisawa is an excellent rock guitarist, and has played guitar on a number of H!P releases to boot. Right choice for the job, but again it's always a crap shoot. Tsunku has always talked about how he likes Hae Otoko, through the years, and the affect it had on him - so hopefully his sentimentality for the song will mean he's stringent about it turning out well. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... lesson.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':lesson:' />





[quote name='Pucchi mo' timestamp='1358473183' post='141951']Yeah, I saw Mai and thought "this is giant sunglasses girl?"[/quote]

Yup! My nickname for her, when C-ute debuted as a proper group, was "eight year-old." And It forever shall be, as she was that "damned kid." She is definitely starting to resemble an adult, finally, although she's had quite a personality and presence for a while now. She is petite, mind you, and always will be. But much like Captain, she will kick your ass if you don't respect the petite girls.



[quote name='NekoKai' timestamp='1358502793' post='141969']Them walking on treadmills is kind of awkward, but other than that, it's pretty good.[/quote]

I found it funny that, when I try to conjure H!P videos with treadmills, the first thought is Buono's "CO.NO.MI.CHI"

Coincidence in the song titles? I think not! <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... ohyeah.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':D/' />

[Shoujo Q]

I don't like it. They should have actually been outside for this.



Also, have I ever mentioned how much I dislike talking in songs? Well I do! At least they wait till the end to do it.



Ame is a Maimi solo so unless you can tolerate Maimi singing, you're going to have a bad time. Though I hope the rest of C-ute show up for harmonies or something to pull it all together. Please?

As Ame is one of my most absolute favorite songs ever, I'm going to be extra critical of it.



[quote name='NekoKai' timestamp='1358502793' post='141969']

Them walking on treadmills is kind of awkward, but other than that, it's pretty good.

[/quote]

[Miss Moonlight]

I was gonna write something but now the treadmill corgis are all I care about.



I don't feel like I can judge the song for some reason. It's nice, but I want a more badass version of C-ute all the time. The PV is halfway there with stylistic choices and it's bothering me. It should have been all pastel-y and outdoors like Aruiteru, or they should have pushed the drop shadows, split screens, and effects a lot more.

[yuzuriha]

[quote name='Miss Moonlight' timestamp='1358522191' post='141994']

I was gonna write something but now the treadmill corgis are all I care about.



[/quote]



WORD.



I hate ballads, and to turn an awesome, upbeat song, into a ballad is just cringe worthy for me. The PV does nothing to make it better in my eyes...they all look very pretty but...whoopdy doo.

[Mukuro]

Isn't there a dance version of this song? (I think I saw that somewhere..)



Other then that I like this song, I feel like I always love C-ute's ballads though.

[momoirosaya]

This would've been a much better PV if they actually would've shot it outside in the town.



Show them getting on a train,walking past a school, etc. Or if they actually shot where the girls are from that would be cool.

[star]

I am thuroughly disapointed. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... #>/dry.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='<_<' />

They all looked nice, but the video is really shitty. I felt like it was mainly a close-up version throughout the whole thing.

Also, those backgrounds are terrible for this song. Haveing pixelized backgrounds is okay for an electro-pop song, but not for a ballad.

[sayu1991]

Love the song. LOVE the line distribution (gotta love when Mai and Nakky get to shine a bit too). Love the outfits (may have to steal those shoes). HATE the PV. IT's been said so many times but it really wouldve been much better if they had actually been outside walking through a little town instead of obviously walking in front of a poor quality green screen. It's a shame because the girls look beautiful and it had potential to be so much better...

[MiniLovely]

Hello!Project girls are starting to remind me of those people with special conditions who can't go outside unless they're in a bubble or an astronaut suit. Would it have been impossible to send them outside for a bit? Some of the obviously pixelated city scenes looked cool, but once they tried to pitch it as the girls walking in that city, it was ridiculous. Especially since the song is centred around, you know, a city. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... hatthe.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':whatthe:' /> Maybe if it had more ~special effects~ on those scenes, it could have been pulled off as futuristic, but it wouldn't have suited the song.



Chisato rocks the costume, Airi is adorable, Maimi's voice is grating, here.



I love the logo for the single. One of the best in awhile! <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... umbsup.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[roddyreta]

Honestly, the SATOYAMA singles (which sold like 5K total?) had far better PVs than this one.



C-ute deserves better than this, given their increasing sales.



That said, the girls look fantastic, the outfits are good, and I like the song.

[ShinUkyo]

[quote name='Mukuro' timestamp='1358530326' post='142006']Isn't there a dance version of this song? (I think I saw that somewhere..)[/quote]



[quote name='ShinUkyo' timestamp='1358507107' post='141972']There is a "dance groove" remix on the single as well, also arranged by Hirata, so that will likely resemble the original.

There could be hope![/quote]



Yes, I'm known for making lengthy posts, but the one where I said this was like two short paragraphs long at best.

Also it was only posted like six hours prior. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... hahaha.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':hahaha:' />

[Mukuro]

Oh sorry, I must've forgotten about that. <img src='http://mm-bbs.org/public/style_emoticon ... hahaha.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':hahaha:' />

[AEUGNewtype]

Good god, these covers are terrible. I just kinda looked at them for the first time. All of these are so fucking awfully photoshopped its painful. Limited A is the only one that even has a good concept behind it, but it still looks awful and photoshopped when you look at it for more than just a glance. Good ol' H!P. I know they really have like $100 budget for every single thing they do for H!P groups, but I could do better than this and I'm awful at photoshop. Who comes up with this shit? It becomes more painfully obvious by the day that fans must not even look at the covers for more than 2 seconds if they actually spend money for something that looks this goddamn bad.

[Shoujo Q]

This whole single is a fail as far as I'm concerned, and I'd say I'm a pretty big C-ute fan. So I'm very disappointed. The c/w's better step up, because so far I'm not a happy fan.

[AEUGNewtype]

Just gonna leave this here.

[Melon]

[sayu1991]

XD That is awesome!!!!!!

[Shoujo Q]

Close-up version of Maimi's Ame. Which got a PV, lolz I guess I forgot to mention that.



Surprisingly, not that bad. Not the super best, but not bad.

[Haru]

[quote name='The☆AEUGNewtype' timestamp='1358817959' post='142240']





Just gonna leave this here.

[/quote]



I need this in full size for my XP computer stat.

[Anderei]

Ninki:

3 / 65.10 ℃－ｕｔｅ この街



They're holding release events on 2/6 and 2/7 at Ikebukuro and Odaiba.



Making of.



Kono Machi (Dance Groove version)

[Mugi]

[quote name='Anderei' timestamp='1359744786' post='143301']

Ninki:

3 / 65.10 ℃－ｕｔｅ この街



Kono Machi (Dance Groove version)

[/quote]



Wow that should have been the single lol.

[Shoujo Q]

I can't find this on iTunes.

[masa]

Up Front is collecting pictures of your town's landscape.

あなたの街の風景写真を送ってください。

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