Hello Project Ranking 2010 Groups

Rika Ishikawa's Ipod

This picture was totally posted on her blog the other day when she was showing off her decoden (phone decorating) skills. While she's pretty good at sparkles, what caught my eye is what she was listening to when she took the picture.



If you're old and can't read the screen it says RADIOHEAD - IDIOTEQUE

Turns out Yossy's dream girl and I have something in common.

Asian "Urban" Pop You Should Listen To.

Despite evidence (my blog) to the contrary, there is actually non bubblegum or ballad Asian pop in existence. While there is quite a bit of pretty laughable A-HipHop/Rap out there, there are a few gems in the interpretation of "urban music" (a term I sort of deplore, but can't find a replacement for) in Asian culture. Taiwan and S. Korea do an especially good job of coming out with fresh rhythms and decent concepts.

The elements are all similar to late 80s/early 90s Western pop/hip hop really. Typically you have a female soloist for the refrain, a male lead, the subject matter is ultimately pretty light, and the style of the PV is a bit like the opening of Fresh Prince, with some exceptions of course. Here are a few of my favorites, that to me at least, demonstrate that while there may not be a terrible amount of substance behind most J/C or K Hip Hop, the creativity level is still far surpassing a lot of Western Top 40 hits.

J-Urban:

Heartsdales feat. Soul'd Out: Candy Pop!



So'fly!: LAST SUMMER



K-Urban:

E.via: Hey! (E.via is banned from Korean radio due to her inclination to rap about fucking, so enjoy it here!)



F{x}: Chocolate Love (electro pop vers.) (I know f{x} isn't technically k-urban, but I have to love on Amber, for being the cutest androgynous Korean rapper I've ever seen)



T-Urban:

Elva Hsiao: Biao Bai



Free Style: Y (Please Tell Me Why)

AKB48 - Majisuka Rock'n Roll (PV)

AKB48's single "Majisuka Rock'n Roll" screen captures and my thoughts, because this is my new favorite PV!

The story starts with Acchan who I won't bother to screencap here, because I find her so offensively dull, as a little Willow like nerd attending some bad-ass yakuza high school where everyone looks ridiculously hot.

First up:
I will call this "bad girl" look the "ethereal bad girl who has a name like Heaven or Misty or something who makes you feel sexually confused by in middle school". Tomo is working her shit out here. Look at that stare. Haruna on the left and whoever on the right seem to be working their Garland swag as well.

I couldn't forget about my lovely Sayaka on the left working my favorite high school bad girl look: "I'm sullen and I don't want to be here". The pout asks for a pony, but the hair asks only for a healthy amount of conditioner.

I hate to say that Yuko is clearly going for the sexy-dyke bad girl look in this PV, but check out that eighties curl and contemptuous smirk. She's totally drawing me in. I also dig her spaced teeth and the way she looks like she's about to kick someone in the balls.

I wish there had been kabuki bad girls in my high school. That's it, really.


This scene is clearly the most awesome scene on the PV. Badass goth loli girls. A personal favorite. There's actually quite a lot of fighting in this PV. Goth loli's come in by smiling sadistically, then kicking over another girl who sprawls over the classroom floor. Cinematic win!

The final fight with Acchan. I love Mariko in the hideous fur coat. I wanted to get a decent cap of her closeup this PV, but when her mouth is open it really ruins the effect.

SULLEN LOVE ACCHAN. This is the only time I have ever cared for this idol, but when a girl takes off her glasses and stares at me listlessly I suddenly find her very relevant. Unfortunately, this will probably be the only time I find her compelling. Ever.

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