Morning Musume PVs through the years: First Time era!

So my second series is to celebrate the soon to be announced 50th singles that Momosu has done, so like a couple others are pulling off, let’s go through them all!!  There of course will be surprises here and there (mostly PVs that most people forget that exists out there!  I’ll also talk about the songs as well and various things about the PVs so let’s get started.  Also, I’m including side stuff like Otomegumi/Sakuragumi, Tanjou 10nen Kinentai, Muten Musume, Dream Morning Musume, and solo PVs (Risa and Ai) XD.

Ai no Tane

The Song: Ai no Tane is of course the girl’s actual first song and was the reason that the group now exists.  Ai no Tane existed truly as a test for the group to sell 50,000 copies before a certain time period and if they managed to Tsunku would debut them.  Of course it worked well and while it was released two days before Michiyo Heike’s debut single, “GET” this I think outsold it?  Maybe not IONO….Of course it has the five, Asuka Fukuda, Natsumi Abe, Yuko Nakazawa, Aya Ishiguro, and Kaori Iida singing together.

What Genre is it: Pretty much breezy pop.

The Premise: I’m not sure if there was a premise to most of the group’s earlier videos beyond showing the members off in happy ways but the video does do a good job at giving the girls time to be happy and sing.

The Setting: Well there’s three main settings at least from what I see in Ai no Tane.  One takes place in the city (this is where the girls mostly get their solo shots which is nice and all but they looked quite dead most of the time.  There’s some movement like Yuko and Asuka doing stuff but the other three didn’t do too much.  The other was set out on some hills where the girls are actually being happy blowing bubbles and tossing balls to one another (no…really that happens).  The last one though is another set of solo shots but in a field of flowers…that was kind of pretty in a way.

The Outfits: Considering the times, it’s not surprising that Ai no Tane is a bit more laidback in clothing and style since it was the 90’s and all.  I mean it wasn’t exciting but it’s one of those rare times you see Momosu all plain jane in the clothing attire.

The Choreography: None to be seen at all really…then again the only time you really see the group together is in some of the shots and all they’re doing is sitting and singing…wow…

PV as a whole: To me, Ai no Tane is a good place to start the group’s career off back in the 90’s and is a fair song to deal with but I wish there was more going for in the PV than them just standing around, sitting and only having short scenes of them showing some kind of personality…so it’s not their best and they could’ve had a little more but I think it’s just because of low money since H!P was just getting started

Ranking: 68/74 (As in, it’s pretty low down on the list because while it is the group’s literal first PV, it’s not very memorable and neither is the song really.)

Morning Coffee

The Song: While “Ai no Tane” might be the group’s first song, Morning Coffee was their first single and A-side so this is imprinted more in people’s minds as the beginning of Momosu.  It also features a lot more of Natsumi and Kaori than the last PV (then again the lines started to move towards them here….

What Genre is it?: Still pop…if not more than “Ai no Tane” was.

The Premise: Not a lot could be said in premise here either but it’s a lot like “Ai no Tane” but there’s some slight tinges in where the girls are wishing to be liked/loved.  Like one of the scenes shows Ishiguro looking at a couple walking by and kind of being sad after that. Though they smile towards the end once again and it closes with the ladies together.

The Setting: Once again it seems there’s three main settings in the beginning.  One is on a platform outside where they sing together, another is set in a bedroom which is seen more towards the end of the PV which shows off a little bit more of the whole light but sullen nature of the song and close-up shots of the girls in the city, usually solo shots but some are dual shots like Kaori/Nacchi.  Not a big jump after “Ai no Tane”, but it’s something a bit more homely right?

The Outfits: At least the PV introduced outfits that are similar to one another in this one (at least two in this PV).  The first one is actually really only seen in the beginning.  Then again black turtlenecks and red plaid miniskirts are just a nono.  The city scenes once again find the ladies in their own garb and nothing to exciting there while the bedroom scene has them wearing well…white bedroom wear XD.  Nothing overly flashy but it’s there.

The Choreography: Once again, no choreography to be seen and the only times we see the group together as one is just scenes of them either sitting or standing…bah…

PV as a whole: It’s a little more busy than “Ai no Tane” that’s for sure but they’re essentially one in the same (with a little more emotion put in the video).  I noticed how cute Ishiguro’s smile is and it’s pretty bright.  Of course seeing a lot more Nacchi and Kaori is preceding future times but it’s still nice to see all the members.

Ranking: 39/74 (Ok, it’s much higher but I think this song is quite good and pretty memorable.  Plus, Morning Coffee is just a legend for them)

Summer Night Town

The Song: I mean it hasn’t been an era-worth of singles and we’re already getting new members involved?  Yup, Summer Night Town was the first single for the second generation which includes Sayaka Ichii, Mari Yaguchi, and Kei Yasuda.  It’s also changes the group’s sound as well…not drastically but enough to make it pop out from the previous songs above.  Also about the new generation, they really didn’t appear in the song (just in small amounts like the ~ I want you~ and ~for you~ lines preceding in the chorus and the rest was left for the first generation to deal with.

What Genre is it?: It’s pop, but a little more edgy round the sides maybe a tad bit R&B in places?

The Premise: We kind of went backwards with SNT.  I don’t there’s is much of a premise to be seen but I could be totally missing the point.

The Setting: Unlike the previous two PVs, this is actually set at night (well, to be fair some of “Morning Coffee” was shot at night” but this is entirely shot at night.  A lot of it though is shot on a stage because it is the first PV to include choreography.  There’s also shots of them sitting at a beach and the new members sitting together on a cushioned seat.  Also there’s a BUTT TON OF BLUE featured.  Though there was one scene that was kind of creepy in a major way….

just a little on the creepy side right???….poor Asuka T.T

The Outfits: Like I said, the PV had a lot of blue hahaha.  Including the outfits which is between blue shirts and dresses (and a couple white) and white pants.  All of them had something blue on though which is good enough for me.

The Choreography: Yup, this is the first PV that includes such a thing but somehow it’s still very light and quite in the way of just swaying, posing and moving your arms.  It’s a start at least right?

PV as a whole: Summer Night Town’s PV is something interesting alright…I mean it’s dark and blue and the song itself is something different when compared to “Ai no Tane” and “Morning Coffee”.  I wish the second generation did a little more in the PV but I guess overall it was nice.  Also it was the first to really show that Nacchi was going to be the face of Momosu so it’s known for that too.

Ranking: 32/74 (Once again, nostalgic values and the fact it’s ridiculously catchy…plus the fact that Coconuts Musume did a cover is pretty sweet)

Good Morning

The Song: Good Morning is the first track from their first album, “First Time”.  I’m not sure if this was a promotional video for it or not because they aren’t singing the song to be honest.  As for the song itself, it does feel like a song to wake up to but

What Genre is it?: Definitely back to pop but happier than “Ai no Tane” and “Morning Coffee”.

The Premise: From this?  Just having fun at the beach it seems xD

The Setting: Once again most of it is on the beach (where is this beach…Hawaii?)  Not very exciting, but there’s some scenes shot at a house (or the changing area) where the ladies pose.  Add in some group shots and one-on-one shots and that’s about it for the PV.  Though it isn’t too boring because it was thrown in with such positive and fun vibes and them goofing off…it’s pretty fun I guess…

The Outfits: Bikinis…because a setting like that totally demands that type of clothing.  Though I will say…those bikini’s (especially Kei-chan’s were godawful…JEEZE…and seeing Asuka in one just made me uncomfortable for obvious reasons…)

The Choreography: None whatsoever…they’re at the beach…this isn’t an AKB48 PV….

PV as a whole: I don’t know if this is the official PV or not, but it’s set to the song and it fits.  Good Morning isn’t that great of a PV and it’s really only to show the ladies at a beach (aka showing bikini-clad girls).  Not very intriguing and the fact the girls aren’t singing the song kind of takes the experience away TBH…

Ranking: 73/74 (Yeah, it’s almost the worst PV and I can never remember the song to save my life.  If it was a little more than that maybe…but it just never stood out to me in anyway).

NEXT TIME: THE NACCHI ERA COMES TO A CLOSE….

H!P Profile: Yuko Nakazawa

Ahhh the ever so beautiful (harsh) but beautiful Yuko actually got a solo career as well since I guess she wanted one or her talent was being underused while she was in Morning Musume so she also toggled a solo career on top of the busy schedule with MM.  She hasn’t released anything since 2008 by herself but she has been busy being a talent and performing in Dream Morning Musume (she still does great things SEE).

Style of Music: Yuko’s overall sound was pretty much the traditional style of Enka.  Meaning it was slower-paced and a bit more comfortable when she wasn’t partaking in the choreography MM demanded.  However once her sixth single, Futarigurashi was released her sound took more of a breezy pop sound instead so it was split cleanly with her music ^_^

Discography

Singles

• Karasu no Nyoubou
• Odaiba Moonlight Serenade (with Gen Takayama)
• Junjou Koushinkyoku
• Shanghai no Kaze
• Kuyashi Namida Porori
• Futarigurashi
• Tokyo Bijin
• GET ALONG WITH YOU
• Genki no Nai Hi no Komoriuta / Nagaragawa no Hare
• DO MY BEST
• Urara
• Danna-sama

Albums

• Nakazawa Yuko Dai Issho
• Dai Nishou ~Tsuyogari~
• Legend (best-of album)

To me, I think Kuyashi Namida Porori does a pretty good job for being a little bit of both worlds to her music…I would’ve put up “Shanghai no Kaze” but that video was more weird than this one XD.

Top 5 Favorite Songs

• Kuyashi Namida Porori
• Futarigurashi
• Shinki Itten ~CHANGING THE MIND~ (album song from Dai Nishou ~Tsuyogari~)
• Shanghai no Kaze
• Karasu no Nyoubou

Other Thing to Mention?:

Well, Yuko has also been found in various sub-units and various shuffle groups up until the Elder Club graduated so she wasn’t bored.  Most of them she was pretty much support but she stood out in a couple others.

She also holds as the first Morning Musume member to get a solo career with a couple others following behind (some a little more popular since Enka is considered a niche following, well today).

Overall: Compared to Michiyo, I had a harder time getting into Yuko’s music even though she’s from such a big setting from Morning Musume.  Enka isn’t really my kind of music but I can at least acknowledge the fact that it’s a hard style to sing in and Yuko gets brownie points.  She does get somewhat better in the later singles and her version of Momosu’s “Furusato” is really nice too.  She’s great and to lead H!P as long as she did…..gotta give the queen her staff! LOL

H!P Profiles: Tanpopo / Tanpopo#

Original Lineup L to R: Aya Ishiguro, Kaori Iida, and Mari Yaguchi

Tanpopo is actually the first sub-group created out of from Morning Musume which is a proud moment when you’re well enough to have one of them and they chose three girls who didn’t really get noticed at the time.  You had Kaori and Aya who sung very well but like I said didn’t get enough recognition and then newbie Marippe ^_^.  It was a very cute group and they are the only rendition of Tanpopo to get an album to themselves.  So all in all they had four singles and the album before Ishiguro graduated.

Generation 2 L to R: Rika Ishikawa, Mari Yaguchi, Ai Kago, and Kaori Iida

After Ishiguro’s graduation, Tsunku I guess wanted to update the group since then new members have been added to different groups here and there lol.  Tanpopo not only got a lineup change, their sound also went in a different direction.  Adding the recent 4th Generation members Rika-chan and Aibon alongside the other two members.  They lasted as long as the first generation with three singles but they never got an album to themselves like the original trio…but they did have different joint albums (3 at the most I think).  Then after that they went down in the unknown again.

3rd Generation L to R: Risa Niigaki, Rika Ishikawa, Ayumi Shibata, and Asami Konno

The third incarnation of Tanpopo really kind of made people turned their heads sideways lol.  I mean at the time both Kaori and Mari were still doing things but didn’t want to join up again and Ai was doing W at that time.  This generation of Tanpopo had also gone outta the way to add someone that wasn’t from Momosu and that’s Ayumi Shibata from Melon Kinenbi.  Also this was a pretty short stint since this incarnation released only ONE single and it was on a Petit Best and a joint best-of.  Most people remember Tanpopo with the first and second generation and not this setting.

Tanpopo# Clockwise: Chisato Okai, Yurina Kumai, Eri Kamei, and Aika Mitsui

Quite a while later, Tsunku decided to have a “revival” of some of the old groups and update with new members once again.  Having no members of the last generation being here we had two members from Momosu, a C-ute member and a Berryz member.  While they never got an official release they have 2 songs to they’re name in studio form (which is the same amount from the last generation as well).  As in these two songs are on the Champloo 1 album and a Petit Best.  While I think if they bring back Tanpopo it’s going to be another change of members since Eri graduated since this incarnation of the group.

Style of Music: When the group started out it was pretty much fact that Tanpopo were the mature sounding group of the various sub-groups that were in H!P land.  Songs like Last Kiss and Tanpopo really gave this somber but pretty soulful feel to their music and I loved them for that ^^.

Second generation is where things started to become a little more different…becoming a little doo-wop and a little bit of cutesy pop…it’s not what I really came into but Tanpopo’s most recognizable songs are from this generation like Otome Pasta ni Kandou and Koi wo Shichaimashita!.

The third grouping of Tanpopo only have one A-side (BE HAPPY Koi no Yajirobee and that was more of the same from second gen but…it was a little more R&B-mixed as well which is a little unusual and further from its original roots.

Tanpopo# was pretty close to the second incarnation overall with both Akai Sweet Pea and Umbrella but the vocals were entirely a different situation because everyone BUT Yurina had higher set vocals.  Still nothing totally different xD

Discography

Singles

• Last Kiss
• Motto
• Tanpopo (Single Version)
• Seinaru Kane ga Hibiku Yoru
• Otome Pasta ni Kandou (2nd Generation’s first single)
• Koi wo Shichaimashita!
• Ouji-sama to Yuki no Yoru
• BE HAPPY Koi no Yajirobee (3rd Generation’s only single)

Albums

• TANPOPO 1
• Together! ~Tanpopo, Petit, Mini, Yuko~ (Joint album with Tanpopo, Petitmoni, Minimoni, and Yuko Nakazawa)
• All of Tanpopo (First two Generations only)
• Tanpopo / Petitmoni Mega Best (Joint between all of Tanpopo and Petitmoni (cept the revival units)

It’s my favorite song from the original trio and still is one of the best songs minus Last Kiss.  This is Tanpopo (single version) ^_^

This is Otome Pasta ni Kandou, the 2nd incarnation’s most memorable tune and if it sounds familiar elsewhere it’s because S/mileage covered this on one of their singles (they also did Koi wo Shichaimashita! as well).

BE HAPPY Koi no Yajirobee is above here and is the lone PV the third generation of Tanpopo did…PV is just ugh to me XD

Here’s a live performance of Umbrella from Tanpopo#.  It’s interesting and fits the name well right? lol.

Top 5 Favorite Songs

Not too many because there wasn’t a whole lot to choose from but here they are.

1. Tanpopo (Single Version)
2. Last Kiss
3. Otome Pasta ni Kandou
4. A Rainy Day (B-side from Tanpopo (Single Version)
5. ONE STEP (album track from TANPOPO 1)

Other Things to Mention:

Like I said above at the beginning of the post, Tanpopo is H!P’s first sub-group.

Overall: I honestly hope that if Tsunku revives Tanpopo once again that he makes them the emotional and deep group Tanpopo begun with because while the Rika-chan infused Tanpopo were overall more successful, the sound didn’t work for me as much as songs like Tanpopo and Last Kiss (and most of TANPOPO 1) did.  Don’t get me wrong, I love Otome Pasta ni Kandou and songs here and there from them but the meaning of the group initially attracted me a LOT more!

H!P Profiles: Morning Musume

1st Generation, At debut, Top L to R: Yuko Nakazawa, Natsumi Abe, Asuka Fukuda
Bottom Row L to R: Kaori Iida, Aya Ishiguro

2nd Generation: Mari Yaguchi, Sayaka Ichii, Kei Yasuda

3rd Generation: Maki Goto

4th Generation: Nozomi Tsuji, Rika Ishikawa, Ai Kago, Hitomi Yoshizawa

5th Generation: Asami Konno, Risa Niigaki, Ai Takahashi, Makoto Ogawa

6th Generation: Sayumi Michishige, Eri Kamei, Miki Fujimoto, Reina Tanaka

7th Generation: Koharu Kusumi

8th Generation: Linlin, Aika Mitsui, Junjun

9th Generation: Mizuki Fukumura, Kanon Suzuki, Riho Sayashi, Erina Ikuta

10th Generation: Haruna Iikubo, Haruka Kudo, Ayumi Ishida, Masaki Sato

11th Generation: Sakura Oda

12th Generation: Haruna Ogata, Miki Nonaka, Akane Haga, Maria Makino

13th Generation: Reina Yokoyama, Kaede Kaga

14th Generation: Chisaki Morito

15th Generation: Mei Yamazaki, Homare Okamura, Rio Kitagawa

16th Generation: Rio Sakurai

17th Generation: Haruka Inoue, Ako Yumigeta

 Current Members: Top Row L to R: Erina Ikuta, Miki Nonaka, Maria Makino, Ayumi Ishida, Akane Haga
Middle Row L to R: Sakura Oda, Homare Okamura, Rio Kitagawa, Reina Yokogawa, Mei Yamazaki
Bottom Row L to R: Mizuki Fukumura, Ako Yumigeta, Haruka Inoue, Rio Sakurai

The flagship group that we all know and love today!  Without Momosu and Tsunku’s level of interest in the “losers” from ASAYAN, we wouldn’t have H!P as we know it today!  In the early days, it was more humbling since it was originally Yuko, Asuka, Nacchi, Kaori, and Ayappe…but it soon grew and it turns out it was going to be a regular basis that girls would leave and more girls be added.  The smallest Momosu has been is at just 5 members…the original 5 and two years ago with (Takitty, Sayu, Aika, Gaki, and Reina).  The biggest was at 16 members (jeeze…).  They’ve come a long way and they’re going strong still to this day ^_^

The Members

I’ve listed them off already but there’s been a colorful bunch!  Most of the time it seems H!P/UFA/Tsunku wants girls they can work towards being an idol (with exceptions of course) and after the 5th Auditions, they didn’t really allow girls who had work prior but it seemed to be slipping with adding Riho and Ayumi and all that.  All the girls definitely had such different personalities and that’s why I like them a lot (I mean yeah shy first but they grew!).  There were ladies I didn’t know how they were when they were around: Asuka, Aya, and Sayaka and girls where they’re still finding their niche (Mizuki, Erina, and the Jyuukies)…but they grew into lovable bundles of joy ^_^.  Plus recently with Tsunku trying to get all the members on one stage (there were a couple missing: Asuka, Sayaka, Aibon, Takitty, Konkon, Jun, Lin, Kame, and Mikitty (but she was preggo).  It’s a nice dream to have all the members perform LOVE Machine if anything once.

Style of Music: It varies on a wide note with Momosu.  They’ve done a lot of different genres like Rock (Kanashimi Twilight and Shabondama), Big Band (Mr. Moonlight), R&B (Memory Seishun no Hikari), Cutesy (Pyokopyoko Ultra) and even more.  Though there were times where they stuck to a certain sound for a while like disco and the more emotional songs but otherwise they change so often that it’s hard to classify them fully.

Discography

Singles

• Ai no Tane (more like a demo tape but yeah…it doesn’t matter since it was on their next release).
• Morning Coffee
• Summer Night Town (Mari, Sayaka, and Kei’s debut)
• Daite HOLD ON ME!
• Memory Seishun no Hikari (Asuka’s final single)
• Manatsu no Kousen
• Furusato
• LOVE Machine (Maki’s debut and Aya’s final single)
• Koi no Dance Site
• Happy Summer Wedding (Ai K., Hitomi, Rika, and Nozomi’s debut and Sayaka’s final single)
• I WISH
• Ren’ai Revolution 21 (Yuko’s final single)
• The☆Pea~ce
• Mr. Moonlight ~Ai no Big Band~ (Ai T., Risa, Makoto, and Asami’s debut)
• Souda! We’re ALIVE!
• Do it! Now (Maki’s final single)
• Koko ni Iruzee!
• Morning Musume no Hyokkori Hyoutanjima
• AS FOR ONE DAY (Kei’s final single)
• Shabondama (Reina T., Miki F., Sayumi, and Eri’s debut)
• Go Girl ~Koi no Victory~
• Ai Araba IT’S ALL RIGHT (Natsumi’s final single)
• Roman ~MY DEAR BOY~
• Joshi Kashimashi Monogatari (Ai K and Nozomi’s final single)
• Namida ga Tomaranai Houkago
• THE Manpower!!! (Kaori’s final single)
• Osaka Koi no Uta (Rika and Mari’s final single)
• Iroppoi Jirettai (Koharu’s debut)
• Chokkan 2 ~Nogashita Sakana wo Ookiizo!~
• SEXY BOY ~Soyokaze ni Yorisotte~
• Ambitious! Yashinteki de Ii jan (Makoto and Asami’s final single)
• Aruiteru
• Egao YES Nude (Aika’s debut)
• Kanashimi Twilight (Hitomi and Miki F’s final single)
• Onna ni Sachi Are (Junjun and Linlin’s debut single)
• Mikan
• Resonant Blue
• Pepper Keibu
• Naichau Kamo
• Shouganai Yume Oibito
• Nanchatte Ren’ai
• Kimagure Princess (Koharu’s final single)
• Onna ga Medatte Naze Ikenai
• Seishun Collection
• Onna to Otoko no Lullaby Game (Eri, Junjun, and Linlin’s final single)
• Maji Desu ka Ska! (Riho, Kanon, Erina, and Mizuki’s debut single)
• Only you
• Kono Chikyuu no Heiwa wo Honki de Negatterun da yo! (Ai T’s final single)
• Pyokopyoko Ultra (Haruka, Ayumi, Masaki, and Haruna I.’s debut single)
• Ren’ai Hunter (Risa and Aika’s final single)
• One・Two・Three / The Matenrou Show
• Wakuteka Take a chance
• Help me!! (Sakura’s debut single)
• Brainstorming / Kimi Sae Ireba Nani mo Iranai (Reina T’s final single)
• Wagamama Kinomama Ai no Joke / Ai no Gundan
• Egao no Kimi wa Taiyou sa / Kimi no Kawari wa Iyashinai / What is LOVE?
• Toki wo Koe Sora wo Koe / Password is 0
• TIKI BUN / Shabadabadoo~ / Mikaeri Bijin (Sayumi’s final single)
• Seishun Kozou ga Naiteiru / Yuugure wa Ameagari / Ima Koko Kara (Haruna O., Maria, Akane, and Miki N.’s debut single)
• Oh my wish! / Sukatto My Heart / Ima Sugu Tobikomu Yuuki
• Tsumetai Kaze to Kataomoi / ENDLESS SKY / One and Only (Riho’s final single)
• Utakata Saturday Night! / The Vision / Tokyo to Iu Katasumi (Kanon’s final single)
• Sexy Cat no Enzetsu / Mukidashi de Mukiatte / Sou Janai
• BRAND NEW MORNING / Jealousy Jealousy (Kaede and Reina Y’s debut)
• Jama Shinaide Here We Go! / Dokyuu no Go Sign / Wakaindashi! (Chisaki’s debut and Haruka’s final single)
• Are you Happy? / A gonna (Haruna O’s final single)
• Furari Ginza / Jiyuu na Kuni Dakara (Haruna I’s final single)
• Jinsei Blues / Seishun Night
• KOKORO & KARADA / LOVEpedia / Ningen Kankei No way way (Homare, Rio K., and Mei’s debut single)
• Junjou Evidence / Gyuusaretai Dake na no ni
• Teenage Solution / Yoshi Yoshi Shite Hoshii no / Beat no Wakusei (Masaki’s final single)
• Chu Chu Chu Bokura no Mirai / Dai Jinsei Never Been Better! (Chisaki’s final single)
• Swing Swing Paradise / Happy birthday to Me! (Rio S,’s debut single, Kaede’s final single)
• Suggoi FEVER! / Wake-up Call ~Mezameru Toki~ / Neverending Shine (Haruka I. and Ako’s debut single, Mizuki’s final single)

Albums

• First Time
• Second Morning
• 3rd -LOVE Paradise-
• Best! Morning Musume 1 (best album)
• Morning Musume Fc Special CD
• 4th Ikimasshoi!
• No. 5
• Best! Morning Musume 2 (best album)
• Ai no Dai 6kan
• Morning Musume EARLY SINGLE BOX (boxset of their first 8 singles and has a bonus track on each)
• Rainbow 7
• 7.5 Fuyu Fuyu Morning Musume Mini! (mini-album)
• SEXY 8 BEAT
• Morning Musume ALL SINGLES COMPLETE ~10th ANNIVERSARY~ (best album)
• COVER YOU (cover album)
• Platinum 9 DISC
• Morning Musume Zen Single Coupling Collection (b-side best album)
• 10 MY ME
• Fantasy! Juuichi
• 12, Smart
• 13 Colorful Character
• The Best! ~Updated Morning Musume~ (self-cover album)
• Morning Musume ’14 Coupling Collection 2 (b-side best album)
• One Two Three to Zero (best album)
• 14 Shou ~The message~
• 15 Thank you, too
• Hatachi no Morning Musume (mini-album)
• Best! Morning Musume 20th Anniversary (best album)
• 16th ~That’s J-POP~
• Morning Musume Best Selection ~The 25 Shuunen~ (best album)

and others that are combined with other stuff….too many XD

^^^It was fitting to put Morning Coffee up because it was the group’s actual release (once again “Ai no Tane” was just a demo tape).  This was where the group started…but I’ll talk about that when I get to doing the other series ^_^  ^^^

^^^This is about midway of the history I think, but it’s also the area where the most amount of members appeared…it’s not the 16 (Kei left) but Shabondama was huge…and god forbid it’s such a badass song!) ^^^

^^^This is the most recent PV, Help me!! where we get to see the newest 11th generation member Sakura Oda debut!^^^

Top 10 Favorite Songs:

As hard as it gets this might be the toughest to choose the top 5 since there’s so many songs I love from the group…but….I’m making the list at ten!

1. Shabondama
2. I WISH
3. Genki+ (from SEXY 8 BEAT)
4. Aisaresugiru Koto wa Nai no yo (B-side from Onna to Otoko no Lullaby Game)
5. Say Yeah! Motto Miracle Night (only new song from Best! Morning Musume 1)
6. SEXY BOY ~Soyokaze ni Yorisotte~
7. Do it! Now
8. Kanashiki Koi no Melody (B-side from Pyokopyoko Ultra)
9. Summer Night Town
10. Go Girl ~Koi no Victory~

My Dream Momosu?:

• Miki Fujimoto (her vocals would slay and it has in every group/shuffle/sub-unit to date…she’s probably the best vocalist of Momosu altogether IMHO)
• Asami Konno (She’s my bias so I would want her around and she’s good to have around if not for melodic purposes.
• Haruka Kudo (Her deeper husky tone could work with Miki quite nicely and she’s cute enough to add bass along with the cuter ladies as well
• Natsumi Abe (Hate to say it, but she has beautiful vocals…light and fluffy and just nice to hear (knowingly she would hog the lines though XD)
• Ai Takahashi (Same as Nacchi, great vocals and she knows how to sing amazingly so she’d be a shoe-in LOL
• Mizuki Fukumura (Melodic purposes clearly…she’s got a voice that would blend really nicely with just about anyone actually
• Aya Ishiguro (while I might never paid attention early on, I noticed that Aya has a great voice as well and she can do deeper stuff like Takitty can….IshiHashi moments? XD
• Maki Goto (Yeah maybe it is a little typical, but Gocchin today sounds totally different from her then and adding that to these vocalists would so work too…then again Nacchi / Gocchin arguing isn’t worth the rebuttle…I’d like it though!
• Kei Yasuda (Kei-chan does good with holding notes so she’d be great for solo lines here more than Maki or Natsumi TBH…She’d be the force to deal with ^_^

Clearly I’d also seem to add Asuka, Risa, Sayaka, Sakura, and Kanon since they’re just good….see I know I lean towards deeper vocals more than the cute and sparkly vocals….Is that so bad though?

Other Things to Mention:

The group does have graduations but only a couple have never seen that day.  Mari and Miki both didn’t have gradiations because they ended up leaving due to scandals of BF-ageness.

There are sub-groups of course (so many of them) but a few hold the name or half (and they will also get profiles don’t worry) but they are Morning Musume Sakuragumi and Otomegumi, Morning Musume Tanjou 10nen Kinentai, Muten Musume, and Dream Morning Musume (though the latter isn’t a part of H!P persay…all of the members were ex-Momosu members.

They also are known for actually having celebrities today that went through the auditions but didn’t get accepted but became popular elsewhere like Koda Kumi (who was THAT close to getting into Morning Musume with Maki Goto), Kaori Mochida from ELT, and KEIKO from Kalafina….then there’s others like Yuu Kikkawa that auditioned didn’t get it…went to the Egg program and then became a soloist…whoohoo!

Also some members were from the Eggs that were promoted into Morning Musume like Linlin, Haruka Kudou, and Mizuki Fukumura.

Also known for doin plays and dramas, they’re a busy bunch of ladies hahah…

For awards, there’s a lot and they recently broke another with having all their singles in the top 10 on ORICON…what does that say to you? XD

Overall: Like I said without Momosu, would there even be H!P and without the popularity of LOVE Machine, where would the music world be without them, they’re classics and still taking charge and selling (not as much as AKB48 (or how many members are left today XD) but still is relevent to make people notice them.  There is definitely nothing I would change with the group and every member brought something amazing to the table…even the vocally unstable girls stood out in good ways.

I think Current Momosu does need that powerhouse sound that Takitty and Gaki have been maintaining for such a long time…so I’m sure Tsunku is looking for that but he’s got a lot of young’ns to work with…we’ll see if anyone of em (maybe Masaki and Kanon) can be those voices!

H!P Profile: Michiyo Heike

Profile: Ahhhh, Michiyo Heike the actual first leader (and in some light first member of H!P).  She actually was the winner of the ASAYAN auditions when it was just the six left to fight for that title: Meaning the other five were Natsumi Abe, Asuka Fukuda, Aya Ishiguro, Yuko Nakazawa, and Kaori Iida.  Funny enough despite being the winner she sure was shafted in popularity when Tsunku started to well explore his workings with the “losers” more than her which hurt poor Michiyo in the long run.  She did last a while though and she did get prominent moments when she did the shuffle units but overall, it was pretty much known she was forgotten otherwise (though there are a nice number of fans still even after she graduated from H!P in 2002.  Currently, she hasn’t done much since 2006 and having a baby the year after.

Style of Music: Back then there really wasn’t a whole lot of difference between the music of the artists but to me Michiyo has more of a pop/rock influence (more like 90’s pop/rock) for most of her H!P career…swirled with pop and rock and ballads.  After her label change her music begun to change towards more of a pop sound but a little experimental here and there.

Discography

Singles

• GET
• Sotsugyou ~TOP OF THE WORLD~
• Daikirai
• Dakedo Aishisugite
• Anata no Yume ni Naritai
• scene
• One Room Natsu no Koi Monogatari
• Ai no Chikara
• Kekkyoku no Bye Bye Bye
• Propose
• Murasaki Shibiku
• Ran RUN Ran (first indies single)
• unaffected

Albums

• Teenage Dream
• For ourself ~Single History~ (best-of album…if you hadn’t guessed)
• JECICA (first indies album)
• Koimizuki (her best album in her career!)
• Fantasia

^^^Yes, that is the ever-so famous GET (the 6 ladies had to sing this as their final thing before it was decided that Michiyo won.)^^^

Top 5 H!P Favorite Songs: 

• GET
• Murasaki Shibiku
• Daikirai
• Propose
• Dakedo Aishisugite

Other things to mention?: Well, she did Kiiro 5, 7nin Matsuri, and Sexy 8.  Like I said…was the only times I’ve actually saw her in a PV before diving into her discography.

Overall: I’ve never paid attention to Michiyo ever until recently and even then some of her music is pretty outdated even as time went by for her so it does have a certain nostalgic feel to it.  I wish I know more of her because she does have a nice voice and GET is pretty awesome of a song…but she totally got the short end of the stick under H!P

The beginnings of a Hello! era ^_^

If you were wondering, I am Brett (or Solarblade as I’m more widely known as on forums and well on a basis)…and I might be the man behind Kurayami Monogatari.  Well, I’ve always wanted to pull an H!P site because since I’m pretty knowledgable (well on the main stuff).  So there’s right now two things I want to do and they’re both series I’ve come up with

The first one is a celebration of Momosu’s 50th single so I want to go back and talk about every PV they’ve done (including some not well-known ones haha).

The other is a more grandeur one and it’s me talking about each and every group that has happened in H!P (and soloists).  So I might get a groove on that soon…and it’s choronological ^^.

I do hope to meet a lot of people through this site like I have with my main review blog…so be prepared peoples ^_^