[WORLD GROOVE] Currently listening to Rinka – MARIA/smile

January 17, 2008 by Dennis Amith 

ARTIST: Rinka

CD SINGLE: MARIA/smile

LABEL: avex trax

CATALOG #: AVCD-31241/B

RELEASED DATE: December 12, 2007

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

1. MARIA
2. smile
3. MARIA (Instrumental)
4. smile (Instrumental)

DVD: Region 2, 16:9 (Music Video), 4:3 (Making Of), DURATION: 14 minutes

1. MARIA (Music Video)
2. Making

I haven’t listened to Rinka since her last CD single “XXX (Million Kisses)” which was released back in February 2007.  But Rinka has been on the news last month because her latest CD single “MARIA/smile” are being used for a film and a CM.

For those not familiar with Rinka, Rinka is a model who dominated the magazine pages back in the 90′s but is now featured more as a talent on various variety shows since.  But if anything, I have to say that Rinka now in her 30′s, doesn’t look a bit older and she looks absolutely fabulous.

So, when I saw her on the news that her song would be used for a movie theme song, I figured that this would possibly be a big break for her and as expected, she has gotten quite a bit of airtime on television to promote the song and featured in various publications.

“MARIA” which is a cover of a Blondie song is being used for the film “Kanna-san, Daiseikou Desu – 200 Pounds Beauty”.   And interesting enough, in this rare occassion, I prefer the cover over the original.

I found Rinka’s version to be more lively, energetic and I really like the musical arrangement of this song and it rocks!

The coupling song “smile” is used for the CM for Kanro’s Pure Pure Garden.  Where “MARIA” is more rock-based, “smile” is more of a slower tempo pop song.  To tell you the truth, it’s a pop song that you can picture for an idol singer.

All in all, two cool songs but where Rinka shines in the rock cover of “MARIA”, one would hope she continues to stay performing the rock genre because it worked.  Not that pop doesn’t suit her because it does, it’s just that I don’t want to see her bouncing from rock music to idol pop music and would rather she stay with a certain musical genre.

The DVD features a music video of a Rinka at the beach with her VW bug and is filmed in black and white, Rinka sports a Kurt Cobain t-shirt and plays with her little bunny rabbit and dog and then starts crying after the VW burns down in the beach (definitely an interesting way to forget an ex, instead of burn the photos and memorabilia…burn the vehicle).

The making of features the crew filming Rinka at the beach and the filming during the day and night.  Also, to see how she filmed the emotional scenes from the music video.

As for the CD insert, the interior features the lyrics and song/video credits.  But also included is a 12-page booklet featuring photos of Rinka featuring videos during the filming of “MARIA” and a special message from Rinka.

Rinka’s latest CD single “MARIA/smile” is a definite step up from “XXX (Million Kisses)”.  “MARIA” really suited her well and I was very impressed with her vocal range on this CD single because although she has been singing for a long time, she doesn’t release that many CD singles.

Also, I found it very interesting that Rinka would be pushed to do a theme song for a major film, mainly because she hasn’t released that many CD singles and she’s mostly known as a model who is stereotyped as the ditzy type on variety shows.

Nevertheless, “MARIA” is actually a very cool song, “smile” is a good song and something that I can see her doing but completely more to the pop side, while “MARIA” is more to the rock side.  Two different genres and because Rinka is not necessarily an artist that is pushed on a monthly or bi-monthly basis for her music, more than likely that the next musical offering could be anything, especially if she’s continually used as an artist for musical experimentation.

Again, Rinka looks absolutely fabulous for a woman in her 30′s and like another model in her 30′s…hitomi, no sign of aging when you watch her on the video or see the pictures.  Rinka is still hot!

All in all, “MARIA/smile” is a step up for her and if you are interested in Rinka or enjoyed the music from “Kanna-san, Daiseikou Desu – 200 Pounds Beauty”, definitely check this CD single out.