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Talking with Wu-san 2 [J-pop/personal/audio]

Here's my next podcast, and it's up a little quicker than I'd planned. Basically, my yesasia orders have only just been sent out to me. They were supposed to be here already. Anyway, the issues stemmed from obtaining a limited edition blah blah blah. So the reviews for a few of the CD's I should be listening to right now will have to wait. Plus, my day has totally changed from a positive one, to a ball-busting one. This, I thought, would be a good way to distract myself from all that ball-busting.

Tracklist:

1. Tsutchie - Sincerely
2. Hitomi - Paradise
3. Round Table (ft. Nino)- Dancin' all night
4. Clazziquai Project - Glory
5. Orange Pekoe - キラキラ（for Wild Flowers）
6. Loveholic - Iryoil Malgeum

Here's the cast.

Tracklist for 'Talking with Wu-san 1' [J-pop/request]

Thank you to everyone who's taken the time to listen to my first 'official' radiocast. Saya and Hana have requested the tracklist for my first effort, and here it is in the order they're played:

1. perfume - secret secret
2. Nujabes - Counting stars
3. starving artists crew - organic chemistry
4. Be the voice - Rock with you
5. Asako Toki - Break Out
6. You (ft.Kazami) - Tsutchie
7. Beret - Contrast [Cor De Arcoiris]

Thanks again. And thanks for enjoying my music. That's a huge motivation right there. Surely. ^^

Talking with Wu-san 1 [J-music/personal/audio]

Okay. After an afternoon nap after work, I had no drive whatsoever to do a written post, which was something I wanted to get done. So, in the spirit of talking about absolute crap, here's a radiocast, of sorts. Just call it an audio blog with music.

This is a mini-revival of the highly unknown, highly unliked MPV radioblogs that sneaked about a month or two back. I hope I'm getting better. Anyway, I just thought: f*** it! lets just talk about crap and stick some songs inbetween the gaps. Note, any bloggers mentioned in this radiocast, forgive me lol.

Anyway, it's an MP3 so it's just easier to download and also, I'm shit with computers. Like hell I was going to try and code something. Here it is:

Here

Creating a better listening experience

iPod earphones are crap-tactical at the best of times, and like most fashionable brand names of our time, your time and her time, you’re paying extra for complete rubbish because of the label. I knew something was amiss when my bog-standard, rather caveman-like Sony earphones produced better bass control compared to it‘s apple counterpart. Actually, they simply gave more bass. Even the upgrade to iPod’s standard range sound a bit like you’re pushing tin. Why then, with all this complaining, have I kept with my iPod earphones for so long? Simple: new ones cost money, and apple’s ‘less is more’ policy on the aesthetical front is - I hate to admit it - pretty damn neat. I just wish it didn’t carry over to sound quality.

Anyway, I finally had enough of them yesterday, and I decided I wanted something bulky and noticeable. Something akin back to a time when a CD was just a pipedream, and floppy disks were the absolute shit. Deep down I’m a poser, although I‘d like to think for me personally, it‘s less narcissistic than that. I mean, I don’t check my face and crotch every time I pass a window pane, although I certainly think about it. You never know when your trousers might be making one of those annoying ‘I’ve got a hard penis’ shapes, and no one likes those. My school trousers did it all the time - probably because I couldn’t work my belt properly - and it was always a shock to look down for a moment and realise there’s a mountain forming from your sensitive area, and the girl next to you is either very impressed, or simply shocked that education gives you hard-on’s. Why wasn’t I bullied in school? Anyway, the moral of the story is: I wanted something big and geeky. Considering geeky has a kind of niche, underground credibility right now, I thought it safe to let my mind go with what it really wanted, because really, I’ve got geek qualities.

So in town yesterday, I purchased these:




They’re what many would brand ‘affordable quality’, which is a romantic way of saying the 'cheap stuff'. But I didn’t want to break the bank, and in the affordable range these hit the middle ground, so I knew it was going to be better than anything I’d owned before. Headsets usually rule in quality over earphones anyway. It’s just that they can often make you look like Optimus Prime. Although I was a transformer fan in my childhood so, you know, that’d be a plus for me.

Money was exchanged at the music store - it doesn’t matter how many stores there are in one city, there’s only ever one that really counts - and I enquired about the headsets resting inside the glass cabinets. Clearly, I couldn’t afford these, but for the love of god, I was going to piss off this clerk by asking to try them all out. Ten minutes were spent hooking each one to my iPod, and they all sounded like sex. Really dirty, fried chicken type sex, and for those brief, passing moments, I’d at once lost my virginity. What a way to go.

So…

I enquired about the last set I tried on - Koss QZ77 - and wondered if it was worth saving up for a pair - they were that good - but it wasn’t to be. The clerk informed me that the ear buds alone cost about £70. Oh dear. We both stood there for a second, admiring the sheer thought of the overall cost, and the idiot who’d actually fork out the money for these. We both, I felt, wanted to be that idiot.

I rushed home and turned on my laptop, pulled up iTunes and played as many songs as I could. Really, J-pop has never sounded so good. At first, the bass seemed to out shadow the treble in horrible quantities. I mean, I’d obviously never experienced ‘good bass’ away from my speakers before, so it was a tad shocking at first. Give it ten minutes though, and that crisp, clear treble pushes through to balance out the sound, and really, there’s some great acoustics going on in these £30 headphones.

The results were surprisingly shocking. I expected a better listening experience, obviously, but it really has effected me on some greater level. Albums with good production values - techno, dance, disco, hip-hop - sound amazing, and listening to Perfume, Capsule and Nujabes has never felt so trippy before. It’s as if all these doors have opened up to my ears, and they’re hearing secret sounds that never quite existed before. I was Listening to Perfume’s ‘Polyrhythm’ on repeat for at least half an hour, and I could feel Nocchi stroking my face and rubbing my thighs every time I closed my eyes. She even played with my nipples. I wouldn’t want to watch pornography we these things, because, well, I’d be damn right humping my laptop.

The list goes on and on really, of all the groups I listened to, and all were enhanced by these headphones. Really, you should get a good pair if you don’t already have one. Fair enough, these ones are more suited for home use - although I will be parading them about in town every now and then - I’m going to find it hard to go back to iPod’s tin-tins - but then as mentioned before, I’m a geeky poser, so having them docked on my noggin or resting around my neck isn’t a problem at all. Considering these were a modest headset, I'm very impressed.

For music’s sake, it’s well worth considering. It’s been far too long since I felt I could mong-out on the beanbag with a book and my thoughts, just listening to music because it makes me feel alive, more human, less human, whatever. Be warned though, once you enter the world of headphones, you’ll find it hard to go back to earphones. I did enquire about getting a good set of inner earphones actually, but was told by many, that they’re too delicate to rely on.

I suppose if you keep to your speakers most of the time, it wont be too important. But there’s something very intimate with headsets. J-pop's rarely sounded so alive to me. Ok, I'm sure it has, but I'm on my honeymoon period with these things.

My headset:

They're Sennheisers, model HD415. For the money, I think they're pretty great. The one problem I have with them is that they let out a bit of noise, so whilst it's output is pretty fantastic for the price, it doesn't conceil it aswell as more expensive models would. So if you're listening to 'The Peace' in line for the cinema, people are going to notice.

I have nowhere to hang them, so when I'm away from the laptop I just do this XD:

Lead's 'Feel The Vibes' made me cry [J-pop/personal]

I’m making my way to work - a long, pointless nightshift - where wishing I was Nissy’s boyfriend or Koha’s slave puppy cant save me from the boredom, or the shame of making sandwiches for drunken wankers on the weekend because uni's not the love-fest of the century I thought it would be, and because I’m probably going to fail because I want to be a poor, cant afford food or clothes writer for a living. And I’m useless. On top of that, a much loved and deeply respected friend has been visiting me for the last couple of days, and since I’ve not been able to take work off due to the short notice of his arrival, half of the time has been spent away from him, making those wanker-destined sandwiches. I mean, why would you want an overpriced sandwich at 3 in the morning anyway? Who does that? Ok, I’d do that if I was off my tits on alcohol after a long, unsuccessful night of trying to pull women above me in every single way imaginable, but really, stay the fuck away from this sandwich joint so it can go bankrupt and I wont have to work there anymore.

Errr…

So my emotions caught up with me today, in unexpected ways. I said my manly goodbyes to my friend this morning - strict, and altogether pointless for it - and took the prospect of my working another nightshift on the chin as I drifted back off to sleep. I thought of my house mate farting for some reason, although it’s probably because he always farts…wait, what am I doing? Anyway, farting was imagined as I went into the land of dreams, and when I awoke I felt like a hamster who suddenly realised that a small cage full of it‘s own piss and shit was supposed to be a living. I had overslept for two days worth of not having much, and realised I had one hour to shower, dress, eat and get the fuck out of the house for work. But it was ok. The thirty minute walk allowed for my iPod to shift out a few great J-pop tunes for a karma-fix. For instance, I realised that Arashi’s aptly named ‘we can make it’ gets me all geared up for, well, making it through. But tonight I decided to risk it, by playing Lead’s latest album that’s been rotting on my computer for a few days now. Having not listened to it yet, it was certainly a risk. Could it inspire me?

Well…

I began down a stretch of street so poorly lighted, you could rape yourself without knowing who did it. A cat meowed, too, and I was actually pretty scared. No matter. The guys from Lead could fill my ears with love. So much so, that it didn‘t even matter if I couldn‘t hear what was going on around me, and that I was a good target to be surprise attacked by a guy who was big on racism and Apple technology. With the volume on full - almost - I continued down the long winding streets like the idiot that I so am.

Anyway, the opening track was certainly interesting. It seems that Lead can rap in well-accented English. As for musicianship, though, it’s not even funny. It’s very, very naughty for being complete and utter pants. I want to go into the specifics, but I suppose it’s allowed to play out like a knife fight with spoons because it’s an intro, and Lead isn't exactly a top grade Boyband with grade-A material anyway. I mean, they’re the dodgiest bunch of supposed pretty boys I’ve seen together in a long time, bar a school photo with me and some friends, although we didn't have the suggestive pretty thing going on. But whatever. The fact that Lead look like tarted up geeks singing pointless, yet often fun and sometimes forgivable songs is their charm. I reckon I’m a dork, so I kind of look up to them for being dorks and being able to sing and dance as a collective of dorks. Dorky love then.

In terms of enjoying the album though, I simply didn’t. It basically sucks. In fact I was so shocked, or actually I was so vulnerable at the time, I started crying by track 8 - I skipped through most of them - because I’d just wasted fifteen minutes listening to a bunch of songs that were destroying my life force. Once I got to track nine though, ‘sleepin’ flower’, things got a little more interesting. It’s a pretty decent down tempo song, easy listening and hook friendly on the chorus. But because it sounded so similar to Maroon 5’s ‘sunday morning’ in every possible way, I felt quite cheated. So I continued to quietly cry into my scarf, all alone, whilst leads were guilty for ruining my life.

I suppose this disappointing surprise came at a time when I was feeling out of sorts, but still, I didn’t think a j-pop album would be the thing to push me over the top. Sure, a song can remind me of a past memory, a moment in time that will have me choking up a little bit inside, but never, never has a song or an album pushed me to cry over how crap it was. I know it was a bunch of other stuff too, which is slightly unfair on the leads lads in all honesty. I forgave them though, as the last ten minutes had me playing their past masterpiece ‘Summer madness’ on repeat. Sure, it’s a simple throwaway song, but it’s likable, bubbly and a lot of fun. I always think of the song as the encore to AAA’s ‘Sunshine’ actually, and both remind me of my favourite summers. ^^.

I returned from my nightshift an hour and a half ago, and I’m about ready to go to bed. When I wake up I’m hoping to laugh at this entire post, but I’m still at a stage where I feel a little gutted. If anyone has their past album or albums and would like to link them to me for download, I’d be grateful, as to be honest I don’t think I want to buy them anymore. Otherwise I’ll wonder if anyone will re-seed some rare torrents. Hmmm, good luck Wu! LOL.

Anyway, I attribute a lot of the crying to my just being caught off guard at a delicate moment. Everyone has bad days right? So I’m not trying to glorify mine, at least not by it being more important than anyone else’s troubles. You know I’d give you…hmmm, most of you lot big stupid wu-hugs if you needed them. Anyway, I know Fly-ingup has given her thoughts on this album, well, as far as I know, so I shall check it out when I wake up. The same goes for my intlwota duties. Sorry team, I know I said I’d get back into the game a few days ago, but my playing host to a good friend between all of the work I’m taking on to save up got in the way.

Sorry Leads fans. I still like them in many stupidly fun ways, I just wish their maturing image - of sorts - created a different album, for me at least. As for defining the type of post this is…don’t you dare ask me! XD.

My Momusu Ranking continued [J-pop]

Here’s a very ‘at the comfort of your sofa’ post about my Momusu rankings. Anyone else notice MPV turning into office space? Time to kick it up the arse a little.

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9. Mitsui Aika

One problem I have with Aika is her age. She’s three years younger than my sister and I already feel ancient at twenty two. I like fancying the pants off of my idols you see, even the male ones if they push the right buttons, although I usually like to think of them as virtual friends. Kind of like Tamagotchi, only you don’t have to worry about feeding them, or smacking them up when they s*** on the floor.

Anyway, I suppose I still find it a little awkward to want to date someone born in 1993, and I hate to say this, but I don’t think that’s going to change. Mind you, I’ve made a special arrangement with Koha. I’m waiting for her to turn sixteen - that's soon I think - provided she’s still mental.

However, Aika’s time in Athena & Robikerottsu has me a little hooked on this girl. Her short hair and those minimoni-esque outfits have me living life a little dangerously. Jail-bate as a friend might say. So sure, there’s room for my liking Aika more than a friend. For now though I just don’t go there. Is my being uncomfortable with courting someone thirteen years younger than me a big part of the problem? Very much yes. But then maybe she can do a Koha on me - don‘t take that literally. Mind you, how long am I going to be in on this thing called a H!P fandom? I'm only ever going to get older, and they're only ever going to get younger. Maybe they'll only be thought of as friends, or daughters even. Maybe I'll still fancy the crap out of them? On the up side I’m not into animal love - bar a gomaki penguin or a Reina panda.

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8. Lin Lin

This one’s simple. She’s done f*** all. Okay, maybe she’s done a little, but I’ve not seen any of this years HM@s because I downloaded two off Jpopsuki and the audio was off, my H!O ratio is terrible because I didn’t know you were supposed to share back in the day, and it’s too hard to filter them out on Veoh. Live though, she’s supposed to be a little bit special. That, or she just works hard at the opportunity she’s been given. I guess the effort is a plus though, right?

Anyway, she’s got a slightly manly voice and looking at her makes me sad. Her sometimes canny resemblance to Ayaka just makes me miss, well, Ayaka. She could grow on me though, but I’m wondering where it’ll come from. Musically, Momusu are all over the place right now, and the extent of their media coverage seems to be wavering too. The relationships between current Momusu and Utaban and Heyx3 have pretty much dried up, and that’s dangerously risky for any group needing to be marketed as personalities. It’s not going to be easy for Lin Lin to win me over then, unless she starts groping Sayu’s ass in live concerts. God, makes you miss Mikitty in Momusu just a little, doesn’t it?

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7. Niigaki Risa

Risa’s the type of girl I’d love to have as a good friend, as I don’t really fancy her, although the fact that I could is kind of intriguing.

She comes across as motherly - to me at least - which makes her good leader material. Not exactly a Yossie, but she’s schooled the same way. Basically she’d beat you about if you annoyed her, whereas Sayu might just steal your credit cards. I don’t know about you, but that makes Risa a solid investment idolizing wise, even if I only really remember her for shouting at other Momusu members.

What can else can I say though? She’s just not my cup of idol tea to be honest. A good all-rounder who doesn’t really pocess enough quirks or complexes to intrigue me. Still, if I was cast in Momusu for some bizarre reason, Risa would be the girl I’d like to share my normalcy with. That is, when I’m not trying to feel up JunJun on the tour bus or trying to score that all important date with Kamei-chan. Hmmm, manga series anyone?

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6. Takahashi Ai

I was hoping it would’ve clicked with Takitty already, but it doesn’t look like it has. That’s pretty damn frustrating as far as I’m concerned, and this is coming from a Takitty fan. You’d think she’d try and promote some kind of idol personality wouldn’t you? Considering she’s in the spotlight now, what with being crowned leader. Perhaps it just isn’t in her. I’ve always said she was a bit quirky, and I still believe that. But whilst there’s certainly a hidden depth with this girl, it’s most certainly unwilling to show itself.

I suppose I feel sorry for her, that she was handed the baton at the wrong time, and that it was given to the wrong person to start with. I liked her being the oddball in the crowd who shone on lives. Now she’s required to be a little bit more. She’s just not giving it to us. You could pry into it further, but the bulk of the problem seems pretty simple: she’s just not idol material, I’m sad to say.

Oh dear Takitty. Your bum is like heaven and you have a nice body that you dance around in, and when you’re not screaming like a man being murdered by giant ants, you have a nice singing voice. Doesn’t look like it’s enough to cut it though.

Her mystery might have worked as a possible school crush - a big one - but on the platform of Momusu, it’s leaving me empty handed. I want you to succeed Takitty, but I’m not sure you will. I’m still routing for you though. Big time.

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5. Tanaka Reina

She’s like a wota’s dream, surely. She looks great in most outfits - even if they’re disgustingly ugly - and she’s kinky looking without all the slutty. Get her cosplaying and you’ve got tons of Anime fans going mental. I really dig her singing voice too, although I’m well aware that some cant stand it, and well, yeah, I want to have sex with her. I can be more romantic than that, of course, but I’m just saying, one of my driving motivations is wanting to book a hotel room and have my way with her all night long. You’d be gay if you didn’t think otherwise. Although my wanting to also book a hotel room for Nissy and I leaves me at a crossroads.

Anyway, my laptop usually dons Reina’s wonky face as its background, and I simply enjoy looking at her every five seconds. The kind of girl you’d lovingly stare at, and in awe of when she’s sleeping. Not like a stalking rapist of course. I mean if you just happen to be her boyfriend or something. I know CJ has dibs on that already.

It’s pretty simple with Reina. She’s got a bit of a punch which many like to call ’Yankee style’ and she’s not exactly ugly. Relatively interesting and sexy in a petite kind of way then. She’s a winner in my book. Well, ok, a number 5.

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4. Kusumi Koharu

Well this was a pleasant surprise indeed. Everything that annoyed me about this girl - her voice, teeth, general idol ethic - now has me stupidly ecstatic. She’s the perfect escape from my life outside of the internet. That’s exactly the criteria I’m looking for.

Her enthusiasm and confidence as an idol is actually quite off-putting at first, and I just didn’t get it until recently. Now I think I’m on the right lines. Koha knows how to use the naivety of her youth to her advantage. In some sense she’s learnt how to exercise it for her own personal gain, which is why many are probably still annoyed by her, but I like that. I like that she seems a little devious and underhanded between all of the immaturity. Like a kid with a good business sense. It comes off as a bit false, and I believe some of what Koha does to be that way, but I don’t really see the harm in that anymore. I mean, this is a girl who was captain of the volleyball team for her village, and she still sucked at it. That’s got ‘win’ written all over it. She’s allowed to milk her idol status is what I’m saying really.

I cant say I’m attracted to her physically. Although I’m not calling her ugly, considering I’m supporting Mutou Mika from Ongaku Gatas. With Koha, it’s all about the things that she does that gets me going.

I’m not sure where my fandom for her will ultimately lead, but she’s the first ex-volleyball captain for her village with donkey teeth that I’d happily date. Hmmm, I should save this sort of thing for the wedding speeches. Has anyone in the blogshpere claimed Koha yet?

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3. Jun Jun

Those god damn meaty thighs, those fluffy cheeks, and her bangs - when done up nicely - have me all flustered. Again, I’d like to think it’s more poetic than that, but there’s nothing wrong with being blunt about things either. I’d like to say that from now on - in general blogging terms - I’ll be making use of both of my brains when discussing my fancies. I mean, if a girl said I made her feel like the sun setting over the horizon of a deserted plain, I’d be like, awww that’s sweet, but what does it all mean? Now if she said I like your ass, it’s pretty much a given. Basically, allow me to mix it up a little.

Her early antics on HM@ with the banana eating and the table tennis scandal showed that she had a bit of an attitude, something that could’ve been nurtured or exercised further with the old H!M format, and you just know if Jun Jun had arrived a few generations earlier, Utaban would’ve had a field day. She may not offer much live, considering she has a rather weak singing voice, but she looks to bring it off the stage. It’s just a shame the media coverage of that aspect isn’t as productive as it used to be.

As with Lin Lin, Jun Jun hasn’t really done much, so I cant really say a lot about her beyond the usual ‘I totally want to rub her cheeks’ remarks.

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2. Sayumi Michishinge

Admittedly, sometimes Sayu’s my number one. It all depends on how I’m feeling. Generally though, she prefers to stay just behind the winner.

Regardless, Sayu does everything that Koha does - in terms of making me feel better about myself when the chips are down. Now that’s very important to me. The way they act like girls, and I’m being very broad here, and the way they carry themselves as personalities is totally my thing. Now this comes down to personal preference, and from a male perspective it’s about which idol can make you fall in love with them. To have you subconsciously buy into the feed. Although sometimes it’s even more fun to be aware of it. Anyway, for me, Sayu’s the girl I’d cheat on my girlfriend with. I hope she’d understand, because I know I would.

But seriously, sometimes it’s actually quite difficult to pinpoint the main reason for my attraction. Sure, Sayu’s pretty and charming and needy in many cute and now sexy ways, but it’s got to be deeper than that right? In fact I think it’s all of these basic Sayumin attributes that create that deeper meaning. I mean, Sayu pouting over the loss of a food prize has me wanting to write poetry about it. As far as love goes - and I’m happy to say I’m in love with Sayu - it’s the simple things that make the big differences then.

Although you could look at it another way. Sayu’s not really that simple, as an idol personality at least. On the surface you have a high maintenance girly girl of sorts, with soft, bubbly edges to appeal to the Wota, as she still needs to appear giving and therefore attainable to some degree. Deep down though, with the coming of age Sayu’s calmed down somewhat, and when she’s not smiling, sometimes her eyes look lost in something a little deeper. She’s certainly subdued her kawaii-ness and I think that’s partly due to her growing up and Koha arriving on the scene. Perhaps she’s lost a little bit of her edge as a result, but not being as narcissistic as her younger self has really won me over. It’s like a likable bitch of sorts.

I still want an usa-chan peace or two here and there, of course, but it’s nice to see her a little more level headed and considered as an idol, too. And I think that goes for her as a person as well.

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1. Eri Kamei

Stolen from MorningBerryz ^^

The crush that managed to last the test of time, considering I discovered a s*** load of other H!P girls afterwards.

Kamei’s the type of girl I can see myself with for the rest of my life. The girl I want to take to all of my favourite places. The girl I want to open up to and share my life with. All of that nonsense basically.

I have formed a dangerous, personal ownership with Kamei, and it’s a vulnerable place indeed. How I can miss her without actually knowing her personally, and that she doesn’t even know who I am. It can actually make you feel quite lonely, all of this idol-worshiping. How something I regard - in a loving sense - as partly fiction can have me missing it when it’s not there. Kamei’s like the girl I wish existed in my school days, where I could fall in love with her and pine like a puppy. When you start imagining her popping up in your life for potential dating situations, you know you’ve got it deep. You’d laugh if I told you all of the silly, romantic situations I’ve come up with when I have nothing better to do as I try and drift off to sleep. It’s just stupid, really.

Of course this ownership thing I have going is far less possessive than it sounds. I mean, I wouldn’t start a hate campaign if the tabloids caught her with a 30 year old comedian for example. In fact if she was happy, I’d be too. It does mean however, that I can miss her without her even existing - in a sense. A part of me knows it’s stupid to feel this way, but I cant help it. And I wont fight it.

What else can I say? Lots I suppose. I haven’t even touched on her role in MM. But meh, this is about me loving her right? I can be as stupid as I want then. Lol.

Oh for f*** sake, this was supposed to be short. This blogpost is now four pages on my word processor. Deary me O_O. It's not really readable now is it? lol