Marcello first posted two montages from Aya's swing performance of "Rappa to Musume" that was the highlight of last week's "Music Fair21" honoring composer Ryoichi Hattori:
and Fumi explained Matt the meaning of Aya's head ornament: Jazz
hat Thanks, girl :-)) The performance is recommended listening,
even for folks like Quintaxos or silenceglaive who thinks that the
Jazzy Version of that one song is even listenable for someone like me who usually
runs at the word Jazz.
Matt then
uploaded two nice sets, one of offical images: 
and scans from an article from "Health & Beauty" magazine: 
.
Plus some older official images:
silenceglaive reviewed the latest Meringue: The Meringe show was "soso" ... Well okay mabe it's just me but I would have loved to have Ayaya talk to the quests.... The 3 hosts are like "old", "scary" and "cutie". ( The oldest one (I asume) seems to be a jdorama actress too... There were only a few Ayaya moments in .... Hrhr best would be Ayaya in that vibrating think .. "tanoshiii~~~~" Later on she was reduced to be just a cute asset of the show .. though she had fun. Sometimes I think if you tell a really funny joke she might fall from the couch and do a lifesize "rofl" Matt replied That has quite frankly been the "problem" with Meringue all along. It is Hisamoto's show (that's the scary one :-)). She's an old pro, and bloody good at it too. And too often Aya has been reduced to kawaii decoration. Whether she is just being overshadowed by the larger-than-life personality of Hisamoto or whether this is supposed to be a learning year for her as talkshow host I dunno, but in the long run this role can't be satisfying for her, the producers or all Aya fans. Aya's role would become a topic in the coming week too btw. As for
To atstrbcks's
question which Aya dorama to watch usagi no kami suggested "The
Black Hair Woman" which was acknowledged by everyone who had seen it
as a nice little scary affair. In fact it did scare quite a few of the members
=:-0 Though Alienpyon did "critize" her frequent clothes change in
such a short period of time :-))) But I guess that's how girls are... 
Matt reported
the upload of all his 44 Sky
PerfecTV commercials and posted two scans from "FromA" magazine
New Aya fan Vermillion nicely described Aya's way to his heart (I am sure a lot uf us can relate): I just discovered Aya about 3 weeks ago when I watched "Sukeban Deka". I found her to be really intriguing with those piercing eyes and badass attitude, so I decided to find out more about her. Little did I know she had this huge career as a cute singer/idol! Then I saw the videos for Ne~e and Momoiro Kataomoi and I was hooked! I had never seen such bright, cute, happy videos before, starring the cutest girl singer I think I have ever seen. So now I am a big fan of Aya. She reminds me of my other favorite female star, Mandy Moore, in that they are both trying to transition from being teen stars to more mature roles. I also found Mandy in a similar way, after watching her in the movie "A Walk to Remember". They both went from the "big, toothy smile" to the "closed mouth smile" as they got older. I love Aya's singing. I was never into the Celine Dion/Mariah Carey/Ethel Merman singing style that many female singers use these days; so I find Aya's style and tone very appealing. Plus she is just so nice to look at. Aya pulls off the "wide eyed look" so well... I've seen other Japanese singers who looked like they have had their upper eyelid removed or something to do what Aya does with her eyes.
Well, and then........
......................Double Rainbow was released
The first
to come forth with a verdict was Azagrath: It's a
nice and pleasant album. Can't really say I'm overly impressed, but I'm not
disappointed either (I didn't really have any expectations beforehand). After
the nice but kinda dull Naked Songs album I was hoping this album would be a
return to form for Aya. Not nescessarily a carbon copy of her old stuff, but
at least more up-beat and with a little more energy than the latest stuff. So,
the big question is, is it? Well, somewhat, but not quite there either. Largely
a mid-paced album, the songs come and go. They're nice and pleasant to listen
to, though I do miss the stand-out tracks. On first listen, only Happy To Go
really shines (besides Suna wo Kamu You ni...Namida, which I love, but we've
all heard that one already. Same with Egao basically.). It's the sort of fast
and bouncy, fun and light-hearted Aya track I really love. Onna Day By Day also
has it's moments, and kinda falls in the same category, though the melody is
a little bit... I dunno, I don't really wanna use the word generic, but... still,
a nice track by all means. The rest of the songs are all good, though they lack
that extra something to really make them stand out. Again, this is based on
the first spin, so I'm positive they'll grow on me a lot.
Next came Matt with probably
his longest post ever: I did love Naked Songs and
still hope she will travel that road further at one time, but I can understand
the decision after the sales disaster to travel more succesful paths. I'm in
no way a musical expert (and am not interested in that aspect really), so my
assessments come directly from the gut. And I can't talk about the lyrics as
I don't know what they mean :-) This is like Azagrath a first run impression.
Could be that I'll think differently tomorrow.
01.
Ima wa Let it Be
I like the song a lot as it has (like Hyacinth) a few moments and harmonies
where you get the impression that this is an album coming from an Asian country.
Something which is lacking in almost all H!P (if not Jpop itself) songs. Basically
it's Western pop music that is no different than European or US pop. Just that
it's sung in Japanese :-)
So thumbs up here
02.
Happy to Go!
I am always reminded of Kylie Minogue here (and not only because of the word
"Lucky" in the title). A happy song that will fare well at concerts
I'm sure. Gets me in a good mood, so thumbs up again.
03.
Soulmate
Could've been (and should've been) a whole lot "blacker" and harder
(or jazzier). A missed chance by drowning it in the easy listening production
style that is of course dominant on this album. So I guess it does fit in, but
as an individual entry: thumbs down for reasons given above.
04.
Double Rainbow
One of those melodies that sound great and emotional, but don't really have
any substance at all. In other words: It pretends to be more than it is.
So like Soulmate nice listening but forgettable and thumbs down.
05.
Blue Bird
Don't really have any feelings here. Maybe this one will grow on me, as it's
not a "poser". So thumbs undecided :-)
06.
Kaze ni Makasete
Another good mood head bopping song, a bit simple maybe. Thumbs undecided again
until further notice.
07.
Suna wo Kamu You ni... NAMIDA
I love the song, but why include an old one on a new album without doing it
any differently? Thumbs down for that reason.
08.
Toudai
See comment on 05. Pretty, but boring. Right now one of those songs that you
skip to get to the next one.
09.
Hikkosenai Kimochi
Could have been a VERY interesting number with more courageous production. Rockier
for example. Again a missed chance. But I like it, so thumbs up.
10.
Onna Day by Day
One of the better songs which like Happy to Go will do good live. Thumbs up
11.
Egao
I like Egao a lot and I still can't understand that it didn't do better. Maybe
they did overdo it on the high notes, but at least here you know what she is
capable of and what hasn't been used on this album on the whole. Thumbs up
So.....
What is good is that they let Aya's voice stay in the foreground on all numbers,
not having it get lost in multiple voice tracks, chorus or instrumental mixes.
In the end it's her voice which makes this album worthwhile, though (except
for Egao which was already a topic in this thread) there's not much of a challenge
for her vocally. She can do a lot more and is given songs that can be sung by
almost everyone really. Azagrath is right. It's Easy Listening (at its best
or worst - take your pick) without any real highlights. Good albums can make
you associate with feelings of your own. This one doesn't. It's pleasant. Good
to hear on your drive to work and while doing homework. But is that enough for
someone who can do so much more? She did start to develop a style of her own,
but instead of developing that they took half a step back. In German you have
an expression: "weder Fisch noch Fleisch" (neither fish nor meat).
But I'll listen to it on my way to work tomorrow again. Maybe I'll think differently
then :-) I guess after listening to "Rappa to Musume" I know (as if
I didn't before) what she can do. And in which direction she should go - if
she wasn't with H!P. She's the perfect swing singer. Well, maybe some time in
the future... Until then I'll love this album. Oh btw, in today's folders update....but
BUY THE ALBUM!!
Azagrath replied I
think the main "problem" is that with a lot of the songs, they're
playing it really safe. I would love to hear Aya do more jazz, swing, bigband,
whatever. It's just, I really would like the songs to be very energetic (think
more along the lines of Mr. Moonlight for example) and... I dunno, loud. Daybreak
on Maki's new album is jazzy and quite low-key. Still, it oozes sensuality and
finesse. Aya's stuff in that vein is way more relaxed, pleasant, and it's a
lot easier for it to fall into the boring category. I can't really see Aya doing
it like Maki, nor would I want to. She'd be perfect in a much more lively and
energetic performance. As it is right now, it's way too easy listening, adding
a bit later: Okay, so my download finished and I think
this album is great Though some songs may be a bit slow, and then
even later: Ima wa Let it Be, HAPPY TO GO!, Kaze ni
Makasete, Hikkosenai Kimochi, and Onna Day by Day were my absolute favorites
on Double Rainbow. The other songs were great too, but these I just fell in
love with right away. Fumi
agreed on Aya's singing in that I agree exactly, I
believe this is her destiny! Do you know who is American singer Ella Fitzgerald
or Brazilian Astrud Gilberto? I have heard these, my uncle has recordings of
them, these are good role models for Matsuura, I think! because they are so
much internal feeling coming into songs and so much variety of tone in voice,
also total command of rhythm. I know these are very old singers but jazz is
very old type of music, yes? although always new too. And Zephyr
added to Matt's comments on "Happy to Go!: Agreed!
I've been living on the preview until I get the album (hopefully tomorrow?*),
but I have to say that I adore this song. It makes me smile every time I hear
it =D And the thought of seeing it in concert is pure love ^.^
Next was mangomalte:
currently listening to the album for the first time. i'm on Double Rainbow now.
nothing that has been "OMG! this is great!", but Happy to Go! was
really good. and i know that Egao is amazing already. i'll give my final verdict
when i'm through it, but i think it'll take a while before i've fallen in love
with this album. so far it's good, but not awesomely amazing. it's kinda catchy
with those background singers, though,
edit: wow, i really liked blue bird. while
Wolf
enjoyed it a lot! Makes me feel happy
Next to follow was silenceglaive:
01. Ima wa Let it Be
Sounds good Lighthearted and friendly Song
02.
Happy to Go!
The Name says it
03.
Soulmate
I do not really know ... but I think this is someho a song that isn't that lively
in the lyrics as in the music. Not compeltely my style too.
04.
Double Rainbow
A nice Ballad song with a bit theatralic influence. Though it lacks at least
a strong ending reprise (like Infection of Chihiro Onitsuka has).
05.
Blue Bird
I somehow didn't even notice this song come and go ... so it is at least a good
flowing song ^^...
06.
Kaze ni Makasete
Again a better song With an upbeat mood too. Like the tone and harmonics here
07.
Suna wo Kamu You ni... NAMIDA
Really nice song Stands out a bit and I wonder if it'S good to have this song
overshadow even Egao a bit. Okay it's a bit lower and pleasant in tone as Egao..
08.
Toudai
Hmn I am unshure about that song.. Somehow it lacks a surprise in melody. It's
kinda predictable... not that it sounds bad though.
09.
Hikkosenai Kimochi
Again a ambivalent song. It's different so to say.. but some parts kinda sound
out of tone ?_?
10.
Onna Day by Day
Again upbeat I can imagine Ayaya dancing to it at the live performances. People
will love to dance to it
11.
Egao
I remember my first post about that song ... Somehow I like it much more now.
I somehow think they "rounded" the top notes a bit and so it sounds
better .. might be only imagination.
Over all it's a good Album I'd say Pleasant to listen but maybe it lacks some more outstanding songs ... I hope it will have good sales for Aya. On a last remark ... Egao reminds me of an old ELT song "Futari de Jidai wo Kaetemitai" ... somehow the refrain has the same tempo and similar melody I think
And here are the CD inlet
scans: 
mister.mori brought to
our attention the fact that Aya was a guest on "Waratte Iitomo" (tracker
and folder),
describing her outfit:
"Tsuji" style bun hairstyle, black long sleeve turtle neck, black
crucifix earrings, black bead necklace, black and red checkered dress, black
tights, white boots, beautiful smile...CLEAR! wardrobe disaster averted!
Matt especially liked her facial expression in this cap: 
and silenceglaive
commented:
Pretty funny to find out which answer is the right one. Lucky for me that I
could figure out at the pictures what it meant. And on top I recognized 2 ppl
in the jury. As there is this old guy from Music Station and on the far right
one of the actors of the jdrama "Ushi ni negai wo". Beside the usualy
cute Aya laughing moments there was another pretty dominant expression. I think
she could rival Fukuda Kyoko in a battle about the cutest clueless look (maybe
they should have taken her in Yama Onna Kabe onna) ^^
Wolf thought that Aya had lost some weight to which Quintaxos replied that she always appeared rather skinny to him while jw042693 had noticed her face looking a bit skinnier too. Interestingly Vermillion observed: To me she looked heaviest in her Spring 2006 concert video, especially when she changed into the orange dress. She seemed to go back to her normal size later in 2006-2007
And silenceglaive held up the tradition of commenting on Aya's radioshow FiveStars: Somehow nobody listens to the Ayaya Radio Show Well I did and found it fun again. Okay one can discuss about the DJ Ozma song in the middle All else was good selected and she had time to advertise the Album. And from what I understood was fun things about game center and stuff... did I hear pachinko in between. And well even if you do not understand you know that Aya always telling fun things .. at least she laughs much.
Quintaxos wondered about
Aya waking Matt up every morning which gave your editor another chance to brag
about his alarmclock,
and mister.mori was looking forward to Aya singing "You're My Only Shinin'
Star" on Uta Doki (Aya was the first "special feature" in the
fifth season with six episodes in a row - especially the "talk day was
funny when Eri Kamei as silenceglaive correctly aboserved started
off with a "kawaii~~~" towards Ayaya , which caught her unprepared).
Here are three caps from the "Egao" episode: 
,
and S-N-I-P-E-R posted a very funny veoh link of an impersonation by Miracle
Koharu on an August
episode of Gyao Midtown:
Vermillion was curious
if Aya was the best-selling solo artist HP has produced and observed that it's
interesting because when they talk about GAM on this board, it seems to always
be about Miki , with Aya as "that other girl in GAM". Kind of like
saying, "Oh yeah, that Paul McCartney, he's that guy that played bass for
George Harrison in George's band". mangomalte answered
well, she has had the advantage of not being a former musume (like abe, goto,
iida), so she's been releasing solo stuff since the beginning. if miki hadn't
joined MM i think she would've released almost as much as ayaya (she joined
H!P a year after aya). And
i certainly don't think that ayaya is the lesser part of GAM, after all it's
Great Aya and Miki, not Great Miki and Aya (although that is a kinda stupid
argument since GMA isn't a very fitting name for a unit). anyway, for me they're
equal, i don't see any of them bigger than the other one. which is pretty nice.
And Matt added:
Aya's been the only successful pure-solo artist, with (especially in the early
years) the biggest sales. And I don't quite know who "they" are. But
it might be due to Miki being in MM, and MM being the flagship of HP.
Fumi finally answered silenceglaive's
longing for a cartoon to answer the question: 
,
adding: Of course, easy! Matsuura = 157.5 cm (5' 2"), Fujimoto = 156 cm
(5' 1 1/2")
usagi no kami enquired
about the origin of this image: 
It
was from the September 8 edition of Meringue (tracker
and folder)
Vermillion asked about the origin of "Aya no DNA" and observed: She looks so cute in it. I thought it was funny after she punched and kicked the villain to the ground, the villain asked her if she was "Sukeban Deka"... She says no and then the villain remarks that this kid doesn't even know what "Sukenban Deka" is! She finds out in a few years though. Our own Sherlock Holmes, sville1999 found out that Aya no DNA is part of Idol o Sagase (Search for Idol)
Matt then posted scans
from Oricon:
,
Azagrath brought us a comics about Miki being bored right now: 
and Marcello gave us the first glimpse at Aya's performance of "Egao"
at Music Japan 
Matt presented Aya's new
look on the latest
Meringue 
Captions
anyone? Like "How big is.... (fill in the blanks). First I thought "Tsunku's
brain", but nah, that would be too big...then I thought "Tsunku's
ego", but nah, that would be too small... to which Alien remarked
She's obviously talking about Miki's "something". Not about Tsunku's
:-))
And to close off this eventful
week here are the obligatory caps from the talkshow:
Pheeew. That was a long one.... Cya next week :-)))