Hangry & Angry – Kill Me Kiss Me (a J!-ENT World Groove Album Review)
November 19, 2008 by Dennis Amith
“The debut mini-album of Hangry (Hitomi Yoshizawa) and Angry (Rika Ishikawa) features a upbeat, rock-themed style. Very fun, very cool and their music is quite enjoyable!”
BUY THIS ALBUM FROM JapanFiles.com
ARTIST: Hangry & Angry
ALBUM: KILL ME KISS ME (Digital Version)
LABEL: JapanFiles.com
DURATION: 20:33
RELEASE DATE: November 19, 2008
- Kill Me Kiss Me
- Angelia
- GIZA GIZA
- Romantic ni Violence
- WALL FLOWER
I have to admit that I was extremely excited hearing about Hangry & Angry’s US and Japan simultaneous release and upcoming international tour. As a fan of Morning Musume, both Hitomi Yoshizawa and Rika Ishikawa brought personality and something special to the group, may it be through the popular group or the side groups, Pucchi Moni, Tanpopo or Country Musume (which Ishikawa was part of).
I have to be truthful that I haven’t really followed the two women since they graduated from Morning Musume but when I heard that both would be forming a duo with the personas as “Hangry” (Yoshizawa) and “Angry” (Ishikawa) and that it would be in collaboration with a fashion store with the same name in Harajuku.
So, with a digital and album release in Japan and the US, I listened to the duo’s debut mini-album “Kill Me Kiss Me” with no expectations. And with the photos featuring the look of the duo’s persona, it was quite different from their normal look but because these are personas, I just embraced their look and I pretty much expected a Japanese rock-based style of music to go with the fashion style.
The first track “Kill Me Kiss Me” was very catchy and really enjoyed the electric guitar infused track. I have to admit that part of the enjoyment of the song came from watching the music video and to see them play in character and also try to do the reverse “fan service” that we would see from the male Japanese rock bands when two guys tease the fans of getting close together, in this case, the music video tries to do something similar. Granted, it may seem a bit tA.T.u-ish but I actually enjoyed it.
The second track “Angelia” somehow grew on me and became the single that I listened to a lot. I really enjoyed the harmonies between both women in this song and I really enjoyed how Angry (Ishikawa) sings “Angelia” in a high pitched kawaii-voice.
The third track “GIZA-GIZA” is another electric guitar driven track with a touch of synth. This track is another fun track and appears to be a more Angry vocal driven track.
The fourth track “Romantic ni Violence” is another electric guitar but synth-driven track. And another track which I enjoy both Hangry & Angry’s harmonies. The song for me wasn’t as strong as the first three tracks but still quite cool to listen to for the music and hearing the electric guitar’s churning in the background with the nice touch of piano in the background.
The fifth track “WALL FLOWER” is actually a pretty cool song that is more pop-based compared to the other four tracks. But all in all, another cool track showcasing the harmonies of Hangry & Angry. Catchy melodies and overall a cool song!
I know that Hangry & Angry’s “Kill Me Kiss Me” mini-album is a test for Hello! Project in the US market and to see how sales will go for the album. Granted, I know some hardcore Morning Musume fans are not as accepting to the duo’s sound and the fashion style of Yoshizawa and Ishikawa’s Hangry & Angry style but fortunately, there are those who have embraced their style and the duo’s sound.
I enjoyed this mini-album and actually, kind of like seeing the two in a different light through the persona of being Hangry & Angry. You really don’t see Ishikawa sport a growl on a video, so I found it pretty cute.
Also, I like the rock-based sound and the fact that Hello! Project are trying something different with this group. Definitely infuses some synergy featuring these two ladies and I hope American listeners and fans support the duo’s US release and if they happen to tour in the US in 2009.
“Kill Me Kiss Me” is a mini-album that I found catchy and fun to listen to. Again, I dig the persona, the style (especially their plush) and I dig the electric guitar-driven music especially how Hangry & Angry interact together and how they harmonize well together. So, definitely check this mini-album out!
And last, I’m really grateful for Hello! Project taking note of the growing popularity of Japanese music in the US and worldwide. I’m glad that they are willing to showcase Hangry & Angry in the US but of course, in order for more releases and possibly releases from Morning Musume and other H!P artists or groups, it’s going to take the support of the fans to go out and buy this mini-album from the JapanFiles.com website.
BUY THIS ALBUM FROM JapanFiles.com
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