Morning Musume – PLATINUM 9 DISC (a J!-ENT World Groove Album Review)
March 15, 2009 by Dennis Amith
“The first Morning Musume. album to have a Japan and USA simultaneous release. Definitely something to be excited about for fans who have waited for this to happen for many years. Also, an album that features a good variety of music for the fans, although vocally, less-group oriented than past albums but overall, “PLATINUM 9 DISC” is a vibrant, fun and energetic album worth checking out!“
BUY THIS ALBUM FROM JAPANFILES.COM
GROUP: Morning Musume。
ALBUM: PLATINUM 9 DISC (Digital Album Version)
US DISTRIBUTOR: JAPANFILES.COM
DURATION: 56:25
RELEASE DATE: March 18, 2009
- SONGS
- Resonant Blue
- Ame no Furanai hoshideha aisenaidarou
- Take off is now!
- Naichaukamo
- Watashi no miryoku ni kidukanai donkanna hito
- Gurguru JUMP
- Mikan
- Jounetsu no kiss wo hitotsu
- It’s You
- Onna ni Sachi are
- Kataomoi no Owari Ni
- Kanashimi twilight
Vibrant, catchy and another solid Morning Musume release that fans will truly enjoy.
Morning Musume, the most popular all-girl Japanese pop group from Japan makes their first album debut in the US with their ninth full-length album “PLATINUM 9 DISC” (which will be released simultaneously in Japan and via digital MP3 in the US at www.JapanFiles.com).
The group which debuted back in 1997 has had a good number of members who have come and gone over the years but the current lineup consists of:
Fifth Generation Members: Ai Takahashi, Risa Niigaki
Sixth Generation Members: Eri Kamei, Sayumi Michishige, Reina Tanaka
Seventh Generation Members: Koharu Kusumi
Eighth Generation Members: Aika Mitsui, Junjun (Li Chun) and Linlin (Qian Lin). Note: both girls are the first Chinese members to join the group. And with the ten years of Morning Musume., in 2007, producer Tsunku (Sharan Q) has positioned the current group to expand their performances outside to China.
And in 2009, the group is now expanding their music to the United States with a performance in Los Angeles and kicking of the year with their first US release with “PLATINUM 9 DISC”.
The new album consists of their 33rd CD single “Kanashimi Twilight” up to their 38th CD single “Naichau Kamo” with the exception of their Pink Lady’s cover single “Pepper Keibu” (their 37th single).
The first song on the album is a pop track “SONGS” which is an energetic, vibrant track. Definitely different from past musical tracks to utilize almost a Western style of pop music. Different from what we usually hear from Morning Musume. but over all a very cool track.
The second track “Resonant Blue” is the 36th CD single (rel. April 2008) from the group. One of my favorite pop tracks from the group. Catchy, idol pop featuring lead vocals from Ai Takahashi, Reina Tanaka and Koharu Kusumi. Despite the upbeat music, the song is actually a sad song. Love the chorus: “Cry cry don’t cry watashi wo suki na no, Tonight tonight KISU shinai asobi ja KISU shinai.” (Cry, Cry, don’t you love me? Tonight, tonight no kisses if this is just a game).
The third track is a beautiful ballad titled “Ame no furanai hoshideha aisenai darou”. The song has been sung on the group’s tour but this is the first time the song is featured on the album and what a beautiful track this is. The song features all girls harmonizing together. Love the utilization of both Japanese and Chinese in the song. Overall, a solid song that I really enjoyed listening to many times.
The fourth track is “Take off is now!” A track that utilizes a deep groove with bass drum and synth brass. A song that also utilizes a variety of vocals from each member of the group. A fun, upbeat dance track.
The fifth track “Naichau Kamo” (which means “I might cry) is the group’s 38th CD single (rel. Feb. 2009). The song features primarily Ai Takashi and Reina Tanaka as the two leads. An upbeat, dance track that may also sound happy but actually is a track about a girl and a guy who knows that their relationship is not working out and a breakup will be happening soon. The girl thinking to herself on the day that they do break up, “I might cry”.
The sixth track “Watashi no miryoku ni kidukanai donkanna hito” and features member Aika Mitsui. A very cute idol pop track (cute in a way that reminds me of Mini Moni cute). A synth pop driven track. Sounds like an anime idol track type of track in it’s sugary sweet style.
The seventh track “Gurguru JUMP” is an enjoyable pop track featuring Koharu Kusumi, Junjun and Linlin. After repeated listening of this cute, sugar sweet pop track, it eventually became one of my favorites on the album. One of those songs that jumped out to me like “Otome no Shinrigaku” (from “Second Morning”). Very upbeat, cute and vibrant.
The eighth track “Mikan” is the 35th CD single (rel. Nov. 2007) from Morning Musume. A single which would feature all members singing individually and together (as opposed to recent singles that feature a primary group of lead vocals). One of the older 2007 tracks on the album which is significantly different musically from their more current style of music. A synth-based idol pop track all about the positivity of love.
The ninth track “Jounetsu no kiss wo hitotsu” is an R&B track that utilizes acoustic guitar, synth and deep grooves and bass drum. Cool beats, mid-tempo track. I definitely dig the utilization of acoustic guitar and synth-based strings in the background.
The tenth track “It’s You” features a solo track by Sayumi Michishige. A cute, breathy track. Where Aika went to sugary, idol synth pop in her track, Sayumi goes with a track with a deeper synth groove.
The eleventh track “Onna ni Sachi Are” is the 34th CD single to come from Morning Musume. The song would be the first track to feature Junjun and Linlin. Synth heavy, pop track. Again, despite the upbeat track, the song is not necessarily a happy track as the lyrics is about a guy who messed around with another girl behind his girlfriend’s back and the girl thinking back of how she could be stupid and not recognize it.
The twelfth track “Kataomoi no Owari ni” is a solo track featuring Eri Kamei. Where Aika and Sayumi go for a more sugary pop, Eri’s track is more of a mid-tempo ballad. Overall, a pretty cool track from Kamei.
The final track on the album is “Kanashimi Twilight”. The 33rd CD single (rel. April 2007) which would be the final track to feature Hitomi Yoshizawa and Miki Fujimoto. It’s interesting to have a song with both Hitomi and Mikitty since it’s been nearly two years since they been in the group. But nevertheless, listening to this track and remembering how awesome these two were together on vocals. The track is an upbeat electric guitar and synth driven track about a sorrowful breakup and having a hard time trusting another (or any) guy. The lyrics are pretty cool! “Otoko nante nante shinjinai, datte datte uso bakari, iiwake gurai shite mite yo” (Why can’t I trust boys? Because they are nothing but lies. At least, try and give me an excuse.)
Morning Musume, PLATINUM 9 DISC.
Overall, “PLATINUM 9 DISC” is an album that features a variety of music. From synth-based idol pop, R&B grooves and heavy bass to electric guitar & synth-based rock. You definitely get to hear the musical difference the group has went through (single-wise) from the release of “Kanashimi twilight” (April 2007) to their most recent release “Naichaukamo” (Feb. 2009).
Also, for a large part of the years listening and watching Morning Musume, it was surprising to see “Naichaukamo” and “Resonant Blue” being sung primarily by three of the members rather than everyone in the group (using the music video as a reference). So, it makes me wonder if this will be the future of Morning Musume’s CD singles.
But for those who feel the CD singles have been mostly Ai Takashi, Reina Tanaka and Risa Niigaki-driven, fans should find comfort that “PLATINUM 9 DISC” is a group effort as we have a beautiful track such as “Ame no furanai hoshideha aisenaidarou” featuring all members singing together and also solo tracks featuring Eri Kamei, Sayumi Michishige and Aika Mitsumi and a fun track by Koharu Kusumi, Junjun and Linlin.
As for the album, I felt production and music-wise, it was definitely a major improvement from their last album “SEXY 8 BEAT” but I will say that I do miss the Hitomi Yoshizawa and Miki Fujimoto and miss the “Aruiteru” style of happy, pop tracks. But that album was two years ago and I like to think that “PLATINUM 9 DISC” shows a maturity in sound on certain tracks for the current group.
Tracks such as “SONGS”, “Take off is now!” and “Jounetsu no kiss wo hitotsu” show the gradual move towards a more mature, pop and R&B style but then you have this balance as the producers made sure that fans are not alienated by making sure tracks such as “Watashi no miryoku ni kidukanai donkanna hito”, “Gurguru JUMP” and “Kataomoi no owari ni” retain the idol-pop, sugary sweetness of the group and its current young members.
And of course, you have five CD singles from the last two years (with the exception of the sixth – “Pepper Keibu”) featured on this album. Overall, you get a good variety and balance of music. So, there is something for everyone.
“PLATINUM 9 DISC” is an album that has something for everyone that is a fan of “PLATINUM 9 DISC”. Actually, some of these tracks, I definitely look forward to seeing them performed at their concert in Los Angeles in July at Anime Expo.
Also, I just have to say that it’s pretty to cool to know that from here on in, we can purchase a Morning Musume album for $10 (via digital MP3) versus the near $40 I used to shell out for a Morning Musume album.
I can remember back in 1999, ten years ago, going all over Yokohama and trying to find the latest VHS copy of their first concert, going everywhere to find the album “Second Morning” and their movie soundtrack for “Morning Cop” and spending quite a bit and telling myself, I wish someday Morning Musume. would be released in the US and at American prices.
Here we are in 2009 and their upcoming album “PLATINUM 9 DISC” will be available via JapanFiles.com for $10.00. It’s a bit surreal and to know that a large number of the Hello! Project catalog from past to present will be available in the US at American prices. Again, it’s a bit unreal.
But “PLATINUM 9 DISC” will be available on JapanFiles.com on March 18th and with no DRM and audio set at 320 kbps, for ten bucks, that’s an awesome deal!
“PLATINUM 9 DISC” is an album that has something for everyone and I really enjoyed the production values and music featured on this album. It’s definitely different compared to the 8th album but somewhat of a mature album and a different direction production-wise compared to “SEXY 8 BEAT”.
All in all, this is the first Morning Musume album to have a Japan and USA simultaneous release. Definitely something to be excited about for fans who have waited for this to happen for many years. Also, an album that features a good variety of music for the fans, although vocally, less group oriented than past albums but overall, “PLATINUM 9 DISC” is a vibrant, fun and energetic album worth checking out!
BUY THIS ALBUM FROM JAPANFILES.COM
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