S/mileage – Dot Bikini May 2, 2012

Track Listing

1. Dot Bikini
2. Koibito wo Kokoro no Ouendan (Regular edition only)
3. Smile Blues (Smile Shimai) (Limited edition only)
4. Dot Bikini (Instrumental)

1. Dot Bikini

It’s nearing that time of the year with the summer singles beginning to come out and S/mileage starts things off.  H!P doesn’t do a lot of these but they come out with some typical ones and this isn’t really anything different.  I mean the arrangement screams MARIO KART!!! for some reason…like really sounds like one of the beach themes (probably from the more recent games haha.  While the group is still trying to find their footing after 2011, Dot Bikini is a solid summer song and I’m loving that Akari is being pushed more than Meimi TBH.  Sad that Rinapuu and Kanana are forgotten here >.<  I must say though, that chorus with that ~dot-dot-dot-dot-dot etc.~ is ridiculous and getting itself stuck on my mind like glue! 

2. Koibito wa Kokoro no Ouendan

Surprisingly, the cover for this single is from Country Musume (if you readers follow my other blog, I just talked about the group themselves so seeing this kind of worked for me since I listened to the original a couple of days ago.  The song did go through some arrangement changes like being less country like and more cuter and fitting for S/mileage.  I can tell that the members have a lot roles including the two backups.  Not bad of a cover (which is something I’ve been saying a lot about their covers…still not as great as something like “Chu Natsu Pa~rty”.

3. Smile Blues (Smile Shimai)

The original B-side though features only two members in a small unit.  Kanon and Meimi joined together for Smile Blues and I was even more surprised that the song was a Enka-like ballad!  I was surprised they’d pick Meimi because she’s such a ball of energy and her vocals are squeaky but somehow both gals sound rather nice (though a bit out of place singing a style like this).  Pretty dramatic and they handled it a lot better than I initially thought.

 

 

As the final single leading into the group’s first best-of album (really, isn’t it a bit too soon to do this?…I mean the new girls are still finding their niche’s with Dot Bikini!).  Anyways, their summer A-side is pretty darn catchy and they sound like they want to keep up with “Choto Mate Kudasai!” with them having fun!  The Country Musume is pretty nice too for being a cover and in a surprise twist, I kind of enjoyed Smile Blues as well.  Sad that these A-sides: “Short Cut”, “Koi ni Booing Buu!”, “Uchouten LOVE”, “Tachiagirl”, “Please Miniskirt Postwoman!”, “Choto Mate Kudasai!”, and Dot Bikini won’t get their own album with new songs but I guess a best-of is suited because of all that’s been happening with the group.  Still for closing out this rather stretched out era, Dot Bikini was a great single to close off with.

S/mileage – Choto Mate Kudasai! February 4, 2012

Track Listing

1. Choto Mate Kudasai!
2. Namida GIRL (Regular Edition only)
3. Chance Tourai! (Limited A, B, and C Editions only)
4. S/mileage Singles Gekiatsu Remix (Limited D Edition only)
5. Choto Mate Kudasai! (Instrumental)

1. Choto Mate Kudasai!

As the first single without Yuuka Maeda, I was curious to the direction with the group and oddly enough, I kind of liked this song a bit for some reason.  I mean it does have the sound that reminds me of “Tachiagirl” but at the same time has its own identity.  I will say, that I’m happy they’re pushing Akari and Meimi (well to a certain degree) but let’s not forget Rinapuu and Kanana…they are in the group too (however, Kana did get a lot of view time in that PV).  The biggest no-no though is the super high notes done by Kanon, Akari, and Meimi….that was terrible and should never be done again!!!  Still pretty good, not the best in the era but passable and beats out a couple A-sides.

2. Namida GIRL

Hmmm, another Mikitty cover?!? (I think Tsunku is missing her tons) XD.  Of course this is going to be a different story because it’s now six members vs. Miki but still…kind of unusual for a song to cover.  It isn’t bad at least but it does lack interest and spark that made the original pop out.  It’s more rockin’ for S/mileage but I don’t know…the members don’t sound right with this style…plus once again Kana and Rina got shafted (Kana only getting one word…WTF).  I think it’s their weakest cover yet TBH.

3. Chance Tourai!

The main B-side, Chance Tourai! is kind of also unusual to listen to as well.  It’s cute but not overbearing like their last single.  It kind of has this Minimoni/Petitmoni kind of tone to it and to me is a little nice but straightforward of a song.  Now there’s isn’t a lot of solos in the song but there are parts where one of the girls gets the louder line…it’s different at least and the song does grow on ya so it’s good in that respect!

4. S/mileage Singles Gekiatsu Remix

• Onaji Jikyuu de Hataraku Tomodachi na Bijin Mama
• Asu wa Date na no ni, Ima Sugu Koe ga Kikitai
• Please Miniskirt Postwoman!

So, this singles remix has the longest titled songs put together for a remix!  The song actually begins with the opening lines from Please Miniskirt Postwoman! which is all auto-tuned.  It’s a pretty cool sound introduction and hearing the auto-tune is spiffy.  Then it starts to speed up immensely right up into the chorus of Onaji Jikyuu de Hataraku Tomodachi na Bijin Mama which is the fastest of the three here but also is the shortest as well.  It just blazed on through that part of the song and I basically forgot about it once Asu wa Date na no ni, Ima Sugu Koe ga Kikitai jumped right in.  Now the remixed part for this song actually fits nicely with the way the original song moved so it has that flow intact.  I think it has a nice part in it and the girls sound rather nice.  Then things get back into an electro kind of groove for Please Miniskirt Postwoman! and it’s got a great beat to it but the girls are heavily covered in auto-tune which actually took me out of the remix a bit.  At least the chorus is a bit better.  The megamix ends the same way it began with the intro to the verses. 

 

 

*will review the remix when it leaks*.  I’m wondering when the hell the group will get to their sophomore album.  I mean Choto Mate Kudasai! is their 6th single and it makes me wonder about them at least doing the sixth.  Now for the single, I don’t think it’s as good as “Please Miniskirt Postwoman!” but that’s because I couldn’t get into their cover of Miki’s Namida GIRL.  It’s just too awkward.  The A-side though was catchy and silly and kind of gets us back into S/mileage of back when there was only 4.  Chance Tourai! will have to grow on me but it’s not a dangerous song to the ears and the remix was one of the better ones but rather short IMO…Not as good as their last but good enough.

S/mileage – Please Miniskirt Postwoman! January 7, 2012

Track Listing

1. Please Miniskirt Postwoman!
2. Te wo Nigitte Arukitai (Regular edition only)
3. Konnichiwa Konbanwa (Limited A, B, C only)
4. S/mileage Singles Gekiyaba Remix (Limited D edition only)
5. Please Miniskirt Postwoman! (Instrumental)

1. Please Miniskirt Postwoman!

Since it is the first A-side where everyone is a complete members and the last for Yuukarin, I have to say that at least Please Miniskirt Postwoman! actually sounds a little better than “Tachiagirl” but not by much.  Some of the synths remind me of their last A-side…but it’s not there the entire time and has a rather quirky strings/pop flair to it.  Line-wise it was alright, but I’m shocked to see that Kana got shafted since she only really had one solo line in the song!  I also was kind of meh-ing at Meimi becoming Yuuka’s replacement since she had a LOT of lines.  It’s cute and it’s great to see Yuuka begin and finish the song…awesome and a fair way to say goodbye.

2. Te wo Nigitte Arukitai

So for S/mileage’s cover song on the single they decided to cover Maki Goto’s Te wo Nigitte Arukitai.  Now It’s really hard to imagine Gocchin of all people doing super cute songs but she did earlier in her H!P solo days and it was mind boggling at the least.  At least this sort of song fits S/mileage and it’s great to see the line distribution the way it is because in the phrase of the first half of the verses it’s sung by the new members while the second is with Dawa, Kanyon, and Yuukarin.  It’s a nice and happy little tune and I’m hapyp they got to cover one of Gocchin’s song (but c’mon…”SOME BOYS! TOUCH!” next time) XDDDD

3. Konnichiwa Konbanwa

The actual B-side that’s found on most versions, Konnichiwa Konbanwa kinds of is like “Te wo Nigitte Arukitai” in the fact that it’s cute and happy and kind of has that “puts a smile on your face” kind of feeling.  Once again a little better with the lines for the girls and Kana doesn’t sound all too bad in her lines, but she doesn’t really sing em’ cept her last lines.  I prefer the last song though since it was just done better.

4. S/mileage Singles Gekiyaba Remix

• Koi ni Booing Buu!
• Short Cut
• Tachiagirl

I guess we get another of these megamixes huh?  Well it starts off at a slow pace which is kind of weird but it does start with the chorus from Koi ni Booing Buu! but that’s shortlived because it quickly gets into the majority of the remix in Short Cut and the beat gets a little more faster.  I’m also noticing that Kanon resung Saki’s lines…talk about a a mean kick in the leg right?  At first I couldn’t tell until they hit the chorus and I’m like OHHHH!  It slides effortlessly into the chorus of Tachiagirl which starts off at a slower tempo than the original but after the first run through there’s a break and you hear ~Buu!~ in the background from the first song and then Tachiagirl comes back with another chorus and it’s REALLY good.  Kind of what it should’ve been originally TBH.  I actually considered this remix of the Gekijou Moe Remix off of “Tachiagirl” to be honest.

 

 

With another (starting to become too much AGAIN!) single coming out soon in “Chotomate Kudasai!”, I have to say that they’re slowly working their kinks out and since PMP! is Yuuka’s final single, I’d say it was a moderately good way to leave with.  I do think the leading song is nice but funny enough thought their cover of Te wo Nigitte Arukitai was better LOL.  Konnichiwa Konbanwa would’ve been nice if it wasn’t sounding like Gocchin’s song as it was and the remix was pretty cool too (though I really wanna hear a full version of “Tachiagirl” with the electro stuff going).  Overall good single and good ending to 2011.

Hello! Project Mobekimasu – Busu ni Naranai Tetsugaku November 19, 2011

Track Listing

1. Busu ni Naranai Tetsugaku
2. Moshimo… (Regular & Limited A only)
3. Kacchoii Uta (Hello! Project featuring Morning Musume) (Limited B only)
4. Kacchoii Uta (Hello! Project featuring Berryz Koubou) (Limited C only)
5. Kacchoii Uta (Hello! Project featuring °C-ute) (Limited D only)
6. Kacchoii Uta (Hello! Project featuring Mano Erina) (Limited E only)
7. Kacchoii Uta (Hello! Project featuring S/mileage (Limited F only)
8. Busu ni Naranai Tetsugaku (Instrumental)

1. Busu ni Naranai Tetsugaku

It’s been a while since we’ve had a last get together with the acts of Hello! Project, of course the last was Bekimasu’s “Makeru na Wasshoi!” but officially was H.P. All Stars’ “ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL”.  Of course times have changed since then and the member count is half of what it used to be.  Busu ni Naranai Tetsugaku is their way of saying here’s what we have and of course this song is coming off major losses of Ai Takahashi, Saki Ogawa and to a minor degree Fuyuka Kosuga.  First, I wanna talk about the line distribution.  It’s been said many time through other blogs but I agree that it’s a little unfair since it’s really the main stars so Reina, Riho, and Risa from Momosu, Airi and Maimi from °C-ute, Risako and Miyabi from Berryz Koubou, and Yuuka from S/mileage all get important lines while everyone else just does the chorus (seriously ManoEri got shafted?!?).  The song itself is actually kind of awesome since it’s got a snappy kind of attitude for it and a little bit of English which is good too.  Oddly enough, people have compared the song to Berryz’ “Aa, Yo ga Akeru” and I can see that…but this has a little more brass? in it.  Still, I was kind of hoping for something a bit more out there to show off all the members since minus Berryz, °C-ute, Risa, Sayumi, and Reina were involved with the last “GET EVERYONE TOGETHER shpeal” which would’ve left us with Aika, 9th Gen, 10th Gen (though they didn’t participate in the studio/PV…they’ve done performances on TV promoting it), ManoEri, and S/mileage (plus the new official members, which they were sub-members when the PV was released).  Good song but doesn’t have the longevity that “ALL FOR ONE & ONE FOR ALL” did.

2. Moshimo…

The B-side that is found on two versions of the release actually only have five members participating and it’s one member of each of the five acts involved.  Means Fukuchan, Momoko, Dawa, Nakky, and ManoEri were the chosen ones for this one.  All of us should know that Momoko, Dawa, and Nakky are known for their high squeaky vocals while ManoEri has a little deeper tone but still cute in a way.  I can’t see why Fukuchan got chosen because she doesn’t seem to have a cute voice like them.  My worries happened since it is quite cute of a song…like a S/mileage album song.  I’m kind of meh towards the song since it isn’t my kind of thing but I will say that Fukuchan and ManoEri were the best between the five of them (then again I’m used to the other three as it is…)

3. Kacchoii Uta (Hello! Project featuring Morning Musume)

On the remaining editions of the single (B-F) there’s another B-side but this one is different since each edition corresponds to one of the groups + soloist that’s in H!P.  The first one is from Momosu and since it’s the first time hearing Kacchoii Uta this will be where I review the song’s arrangement.  Unlike “Moshimo…’s” cuteness galore, Kacchoii Uta has a rockin’ arrangement and it has pretty awesome energy.  I loved that Risa and Riho kick things off!  Actually, every member has lines which is surprising but AWESOME nonetheless, even they have Sayu under auto-tune which isn’t present in any other version of the song.  Weird though is that I get “My Way ~Joshikou Hanamichi~” vibes from this song!

4. Kacchoii Uta (Hello! Project featuring Berryz Koubou)

Well, now I can be certain that the song’s arrangement has not changed at all which is good and bad but at least we get different vocals!  I will say that Miyabi and Momoko taking first solos with everyone following is quite awesome.  I will say that the deeper vocals from Berryz’ sans Momoko is a nice change and they sound quite strong overall.  I think out of the five, this is vocally the strongest with Momosu close behind.

5. Kacchoii Uta (Hello! Project featuring °C-ute)

Despite being the group with the least amount of members, °C-ute’s version is quite straightforward and would fit in their discography quite nicely.  Airi and Chisato take the first solo lines and it just goes from there.  Equality was shown throughout and I liked this from them but Momosu’s and Berryz’ were a smidge better.

6. Kacchoii Uta (Hello! Project featuring Mano Erina)

Unlike the four other versions of the song, this one is slightly different since ManoEri is the only soloist in H!P so her song would be awkward for her as she really is the only one singing here (but she does have backup support but it’s unknown who that is…).  Her version is clearly the weakest of the five but it’s no surprise because the song is meant for groups.  I wouldn’t have minded if she had joined in with °C-ute since they had the least amount of members.  Oh well!

7. Kacchoii Uta (Hello! Project featuring S/mileage)

S/mileage’s closes the single out since they were the last group brought together.  Now saying that °C-ute’s version had the least amount of members is true, but S/mileages really only had Yuuka, Kanon and Dawa for the most part and that is a little sad, but the other four members at the song’s creation were still sub-members.  That being said, the cute vocals work but only to a degree and I like the groups more. 

 

 

While I liked the idea of bringing H!P together once again for a single, only three songs to me stood out the most.  Of course the lead track, Busu ni Naranai Tetsugaku was pretty impressive and shows off what the girls sound like today for the most part even though a little of the music borrows ideas from previous H!P songs.  Moshimo… was kind of a bust but it’s clearly because they brough in the squeaky cute vocalists for that and it just didn’t connect.  As for the 5 versions of Kacchoii Uta, only Momosu’s and Berryz’ were great.  The other 3 were just ok and nothing better.  I will say…I wonder how it’d sound if all 5 were played simultaneously…..OMG YES! lol

Hello! Project Bekimasu – Makeru na Wasshoi! November 17, 2011

Track Listing

1. Makeru na Wasshoi!
2. Makeru na Wasshoi! (Instrumental)

1. Makeru na Wasshoi!

Since it is the first single as the big group (though without Momosu), Makeru na Wasshoi! had a lot to live up to since it’s a big group song.  For the most part I was impressed by the song since it was youthful and pretty spazzy especially the chorus which in most of the parts it felt like the song was skipping and it kept throwing me off the beat XD.  As for lines the solos really only went to Airi, Miyabi, Yuuka, Risako, ManoEri, Maimi, and Saki (since this song was done before she left S/mileage).  It’s a good song for sure and one of the better H!P songs for the year.

 

 

It’s weird that this song was released at lives in August and now officially announced to be released all-around in December, Makeru na Wasshoi! was a pretty good song and even though Momosu isn’t a part of it, it’s passable!

S/mileage – Tachiagirl September 30, 2011

Track Listing

1. Tachiagirl
2. Smile Ondon (Limited A, B & Regular edition only)
3. Boogie Train ’11 (Limited C edition only)
4. S/mileage Singles Gekijou Moe Remix (Limited D edition only)
5. Tachiagirl (Instrumental)

1. Tachiagirl

Between the release of their last single, “Uchouten LOVE” and this one I have gotten used to hearing who’s who in this group which is bad timing since on of their best members Saki left prior to the release and then five members were added to the group (though as sub-members as strange as that sounds).  I must say after a while their last A-side kept given my headaches with the amount of damn synths blasting in my ears.  This one is much easier to take and is pretty darn cute and the chorus is super catchy for me!  Now I figured out that I dislike Yuuka vocals the most and love Kanon’s lines while poor Ayaka is in the middle.  OH? Are you asking about the sub-members?  They don’t do much in the song except various ~whoos!~ and ~whoa yeahs!!~.  Lame, but this is still a great A-side (not as good as “Short Cut”, but darn close!).

2. Smile Ondon

There are a few Ondo-styled songs in the H!P library already so Smile Ondon isn’t a surprise but coming from S/mileage it’s just had to happen!  Once again the sub-members get shafted for the song and do background crap while the three main ladies take over for the solo lines.  It’s bouncy little tune for sure and once again, I’m loving Kanon’s vocals for this tune the most.  As odd of a style Ondo is, this song is cute (maybe the cutest S/mileage song yet?)

3. Boogie Train ’11

Ahhh a cover of Miki Fujimoto’s big hit, but updated!  I mean who didn’t like the fun Mikitty song?  S/mileage’s version isn’t too far from the original and keeps the same energetic arrangement that made it awesome in the first place.  I will say that I was surprised that the key of the song was moved up to fit the ladies’ pitch (and make it more brighter perhaps?).  I’d say they did a good job updating, but Miki’s will forever be cherished more I think.

4. S/mileage Singles Gekijou Moe Remix

• Suki-chan
• Yumemiru 15sai
• Uchouten LOVE

Closing the single out is a medley of what I think is S/mileage’s biggest tunes.  I like the beginning of the song with the piano playing along the chorus of Suki-chan.  There’s just something strange going on after it starts and it definitely comes with knowing the it’s a remix and the members are all auto-tuned (of course Saki is here too).  The tune doesn’t last long before it breaks down and moves towards the Yumemiru 15sai section.  I have to say that between the three songs chosen, this one was the best section!  I have to say it sounds perfect and would’ve made better if it was full.  I just love hearing the members under the filter/auto-tune here (especially Saki and Kanon).  Then we move into the section that remixes Uchouten LOVE and thank god they took out the gritty and annoying synths!  It really let’s the lyrical melody take better shape IMO and the chorus (while still the most memorable thing) is quite catchy.  Overall it’s a good medley and all, but I think a couple more tunes would’ve been nice, but that’s just me nitpicking.

 

 

 

This single marks a lot of things for S/mileage.  A. It’s the first release without original member Saki Ogawa and she left a big chunk of missing vocal awesomeness IMO.  2. It’s the first for the five sub-members (even though they were nearly invisible in this release) which brings the question why even do this to them if they aren’t gonna get anywhere (well they do have that project they’re doing but still…it would be nice to hear them sing rather than yell one-liners) 3. It’s also the first and only single for sub-member Fuyuka Kosuga who left because of severe anemia (though she’s involved in the Hello! Project Mobekimasu single oddly enough).  Last, but not least, the 4th thing is that it’s the first and only single with this sub-member crap since we figure who made the group’s cut.

Anywho!  To the single itself, Tachiagirl is pretty cutesy for the group and they haven’t really had one this era that’s originally their own so awesome for getting one out with the third A-side of the era.  Smile Ondon was even cuter for them and that was pretty well done too (then again they’ve been doing well for themselves B-sides-wise at least.  The cover of Mikitty’s hit was an interesting take that’s for sure and the remix medley was a nice treat for the fans.  I wish we had a little more of the sub-members but what can ya do?

S/mileage – Uchouten LOVE August 3, 2011

Track Listing

1. Uchouten LOVE
2. Chu! Natsu Pa~rty (Regular edition only)
3. Jitensha Chiririn (Limited edition only)
4. Uchouten LOVE (Instrumental)

1. Uchouten LOVE

I don’t even wanna know why S/mileage decided to go euro for their next A-side.  It just doesn’t seem to really correlate much into what they’ve been releasing.  The closest is “Yumemiru 15sai” but that was a pretty damn good song.  Uchouten LOVE is definitely what you would really describe as a synth fest that’s way genki.  At least the track is pretty solid of a release and it’s catchy and all four gals sound pretty awesome, but I could use less of Tsunku’s quips TBH. 

2. Chu! Natsu Pa~rty

Is this the first time an H!P group is actually covering a shuffle group song?  Yep, instead of the original from Rika-chan, Ayaya, and Aibon we get a S/mileage version of the old favorite and oddly enough I liked what they did with it.  Small changes of course and different vocals, but it felt right and suited the season of Summer.  The energy is still cute and very fun to listen to.  I must say I think the four sound great in the song.

3. Jitensha Chiririn

As for the original B-side, Jitensha Chiririn is actually a little surprising at first because of the music box opening before leading into a mid-tempo track that feels like a good-bye kind of song which is fitting since this is S/mileage’s final single as a 4-nin group.  I actually kind of enjoyed this song for some reason and the gals sound pretty good for the most part.  I’m liking this quite a bit!

 

 

 

Like I said above, Uchouten LOVE does mark as the final single for the 4nin S/mileage since after this new members will be announced and joining once “Tachiagirl” releases.  As a whole this is probably there best single yet in the era since all three songs sound pretty good.  I do think their cover of 3-nin Matsuri’s track is the best off the single and then Jitensha Chiririn and Uchouten LOVE follows after.  Solid release from them for sure!

S/mileage – Koi ni Booing Buu! April 29, 2011

Track Listing

1. Koi ni Booing Buu!
2. Koi wo Shichaimashita! (Regular only)
3. Hatsukoi no Anata e (Limited only)
4. Koi ni Booing Buu! (Instrumental)

1. Koi ni Booing Buu!

I kind of was surprised that Koi ni Booing Buu! began we an audience clapping and a gritty guitar opening.  At least that was short and led into something cute and handles the guitars well and doesn’t go into Buono! territory.  I kind of found it to be kind of cute, but I still think the gal’s vocals are a bit too squeaky somewhat and I get slight Minimoni vibes from it all.  I don’t know the names to the voices yet but they still have some toning skills they still need to learn. 

2. Koi wo Shichaimashita!

So we get another Tanpopo cover?  This I have listened to before and I must say S/mileage’s version doesn’t come close to the original to be honest.  I mean it does sound updated for sure and the vocals are ok to mediocre but I’m so used to hearing Kaori, Marippe, Charmy, and Aibon singing this song rather than the S/mileage members to be honest.  I mean “Otome Pasta ni Kandou” was alright, but this cover felt underwhelming overall.

3. Hatsukoi no Anata e

I was surprised though with the other B-side released for the single since it felt like a mix of latin-y and idol-y sounds mixed together (not like “Iroppoi Jirettai” but lighter filled.  I found this to be quite nice and not like the typical cute-fest we’ve have been getting as A-sides which kind of saddens me because this could easily be their best B-side yet. 

S/mileage seems to be slowly getting better in this era but it’s still too early to tell with “Short Cut” being the other single of the era to compare to.  Hatsukoi no Anata e is probably one of their best songs as a group so far and that’s saying something since it’s a B-side and all.  Koi ni Booing Buu! is good as well, but I feel the same way with “Short Cut”.  However they failed with their Tanpopo cover…move to some other songs to cover dang it!!!!

S/mileage – Short Cut February 14, 2011

Track Listing

1. Short Cut
2. Otome Pasta ni Kandou (Regular only)
3. Panya-san no Arubaito (Limited only)
4. Short Cut (Instrumental)

1. Short Cut

So here we are with S/mileage starting a new era with Short Cut.  I will say that I love that the 4 gals get their own lines and there’s no hax in the form like C-ute and “SHOCK!”.  Anyways, the song actually feels like they cut off the energy cord after the last few singles and to some that’s probably a good thing while some might be bored with the sugary cute tone the song has.  I don’t mind it but the vocals for me are still a bit sharp and hard to stand sometimes through the cuteness.  Not a bad A-side though.

2. Otome Pasta ni Kandou

So it seems that S/mileage is starting a trend of covering previous sub-units songs.  Last time was Petitmoni and this time we get a cover of one of Tanpopo’s songs.  I will say that I’ve never heard the original which is probably bad on my part xD.  Either way I don’t know if S/mileage did the song justice, but I thought this was cute and not unbearable which is good.  Even the vocals weren’t totally bad either.  Good cover IMO.

3. Panya-san no Arubaito

As for the I guess real B-side of the single, Panya-san no Arubaito follows along the previous tracks as it’s a lighter song that focuses on the cute mood than anything else.  Though of the songs, this one would be the throwaway track since I don’t remember much of it and the girls don’t sound as exciting as they were in “Short Cut” or “Otome Pasta ni Kandou”…

Kicking off their sophomore era, Short Cut was alright…but it’s still kind of under some of the major singles from the previous era.  Short Cut was alright and has catchy parts, but it wasn’t as strong as “Yumemiru 15sai”.  The cover song though was pretty good, at least to me…Iono about the deeper fans of H!P though and Panya-san no Arubaito was just B-side material from here…

S/mileage – Warugaki ① December 11, 2010

Track Listing

1. Onaji Jikyuu de Hataraku Tomodachi no Bijin Mama
2. Odorou yo
3. Onna Bakari no Nichiyoubi
4. Yumemiru 15sai
5. Shooting Star
6. ○○ Ganbaranakutemo Eenende!!
7. Suki-chan
8. Gakkyou Innchou
9. Shikkari Shite yo! Mou
10. Otona ni Narutte Muzukashii!!!
11. Asu wa Date na no ni, Ima Sugu Koe ga Kikitai
12. aMa no Jaku

1. Onaji Jikyuu de Hataraku Tomodachi no Bijin Mama

Pretty clear that S/mileage would begin their album with their most recent single released.  I actually liked Onaji Jikyuu de when they first released since it was rockin’ and yet vocally strong for most of the members.  I still think there’s a little too much percussion for the song and it kind detracts, but I still think this was so much more cleaner and easy to swallow than “○○ Ganbaranakutemo Eenende!!”.

2. Odorou yo

Getting into the first of five new songs for the album, Odorou yo is definitely catering to the people that like their cute songs.  With a light reggae-ish feel going, it’s a bit strange for S/mileage.  To be honest the song is a mess and kind of annoying to listen to.  It’s added that those guys are kind of MC-ing the song and it’s craptacular.  I know they are supposed to be the cute/genki group of H!P, but this is too much.

3. Onna Bakari no Nichiyoubi

At least that changes with Onna Bakari no Nichiyoubi which is surprisingly all synthy and some rock on the side.  It’s a bit strange on the melody and feel, but I do feel more connected to this than “Odorou yo”.  The energy is there and the while the vocals are a bit more chipper than normal, it’s no way bad and is one of the better album songs from the album.  Also it’s one of the few with less solos and more focus on the members.

4. Yumemiru 15sai

It’s definitely been a while since I’ve taken a listen to S/mileage’s major label debut.  While I do think the more synthy style they’ve taken up does well for them, it was done the best in this song since it’s amazingly catchy and the vocals are a lot more together.  While they have some questionable parts in the song and the chorus isn’t as good as the verses, I think it’s a great debut for them.

5. Shooting Star

I love the S/mileage does want to try different style for their music and with Shooting Star’s upbeat pseudo-jazzyness, they’ve scored pretty well for themselves.  I do feel like someone in the group (Kanon?) takes over just a bit too much so it feels like a “SHOCK!” kind of track.  Still, it’s cute but not overbearing and that’s a good thing for them so it’s passable!

6. ○○ Ganbaranakutemo Eenende!!

Sadly, we have to get into the song in my opinion is the worst S/mileage song yet and since it is their 2nd major label single, Ganbaranakutemo Eenende!! really struck a bad nerve on me.  It sounds so bizarre and just like someone in the studio was thinking to just add every weird sound they could muster and then add the four gals to it.  Yeah, I’m just not into it and never will.

7. Suki-chan

Then we get into their 3rd indies single released and out of the four released, I can barely remember this one.  To be honest, it actually still does sound like a song that should’ve been either for Buono! or Guardians 4 for some reason.  I mean the genki-rock is alright, but it feels good that they strayed away from this.  It’s like they took the last song and took the funky shit out and slid in guitars. 

8. Gakkyou Iinchou

Of course it isn’t an H!P album without the signature ballad and Gakkyou Iinchou takes up that spot.  While I don’t think S/mileage is strong enough nor well enough to handle ballads just quite yet, but it’s there and of course kind of seems to be the throwaway track.  While it’s not terrible, it’s not fitting for them…sorry…

9. Shikkari Shite yo! Mou

Really, they had to throw another one of those sickingly cute songs on the album?  It’s not as random as “○○ Ganbaranakutemo Eenende!!”, but it’s also more of a mid-tempo kind of song, but it seems oddly plain to me and just flys over my head and doesn’t leave much of an impression on me. 

10. Otona ni Narutte Muzukashii!!!

Since “Shikkari Shite yo! Mou” was the last new song off the album the rest of the album is represented by A-sides.  As the fourth and final indies release from the gals, Otona ni Narutte Muzukashii!!! didn’t really bring anything to the surface through the singles since it was still cute and full of well sugary stuff.  It was a much needed improvement over “Suki-chan” though, but it’s still kind of blah somewhat.

11. Asu wa Date na no ni, Ima Sugu Koe ga Kikitai

As their 2nd indies release, I actually thought that the direction S/mileage was taken was kind of the meh kind of one since it brought out a whole list of not-so-good cute songs from them.  Luckily, Asu wa Date na no ni is actually stand good since it’s not fully charged with meh vocals.  I like the arrangement as well since it feels jolly and happy and not overly so.  The only thing I didn’t fully like was the lines right before the chorus…that was bad, but the rest of the song is pretty nice.

12. aMa no Jaku

And ending the album, aMa no Jaku is of course the groups debut.  I actually am one of the few that really enjoyed this song and it fitted nicely for S/mileage’s start.  I mean it’s one of the more serious songs from the album and it’s great to see that with this song.  It doesn’t call for too much from the girls and I can see why that this song isn’t so much a fan favorite since the chorus is a lil weak, but I found it better than most of the other A-sides.

Tracks Recommended

• Yumemiru 15sai
• Asu wa Date na no ni, Ima Sugu Koe ga Kikitai
• Onna Bakari no Nichiyoubi
• aMa no Jaku
• Onaji Jikyuu de Hataraku Tomodachi no Bijin Mama

Song of Avoidance

• ○○ Ganbaranakutemo Eenende!!

While I wasn’t expecting S/mileage’s album to be that great in the first place, Warugaki ① tried to be something passable and it seems like the A-sides kind of over-powered the new songs, but then again there were some pretty bad songs as well.  I don’t know but they need to do better on the 2nd album!