Disclaimer: All thoughts and opinions within this group are my own and no one elses. What I may think about a group, their song or their PV is entirely up to me. Don't like what I have to say? SIMPLE!!! You don't have to read it. If you want to read, do so, but if you get butthurt over whatever someone else says and you have a problem with it, either leave or tell me you have a problem with me; just don't whine to other people about some evil little blogger with no soul. THANKS!!!
You would think that Hello! Project would get sick of the freakin' space or 'out of Earth' theme by now... and to that they say NOPE!!!
To be honest, I think that one genre of Music videos that Hello! Project does rather well (and rather frequently, might I add) is their Sci-Fi themed genres. Seriously, most (if not all) videos based around the theme of 'Outer Earth' or Space are generally aesthetically pleasing to the eye when it comes the Hello! Project video collection - they are fun to watch, creative and generally cross the same path as other videos created under the same theme. You have your similarities, sure, but they never really look the same. They always seem fresh and different from the previous video, and I guess no matter how old this theme may get, we'll never tire of it because space can always be perceived in various ways depending on the designer or the CGI used.
That said... seriously, what is with Tsunku and his Earth/Space fetish? I bet nearly every H!P group aside from Juice=Juice has at least featured Earth in their videos at some point in their track list, let alone Space or Outer Earth! I know Mano has, and MoMusu have extensively, so have S/mileage... C-ute, too! Like, seriously! The list goes on!
Earth/Space/Aliens fetish out of the way (Tsunku is a hardcore Trekky me thinks), today I will be looking at Hello! Projects latest outer-space themed music video in the form of Morning Musume '14's newest PV, Toki wo Koe Sora wo Koe. With all the hype surrounding it, will it be as out of this world as people claim it is, or will this space ship fall flat and deflate the Earth as we know it? There is only one way to find out!
Beam me up, Tsunky! It's time to fly into Outer Space! I wonder what we shall experience this time?
Is that the Earth? Is it a Moon? Who knows! Either way, I'm not on it and neither are you! Wheeeee~
Jesus, look at them ripple effects! Its as if the girls are in tune with nature, slowly causing an imbalance in the World and its inner workings, one strand at a time...
Shige: "Tsunku, how could you announce auditions? I want to hang myself..."
Draw or photoshop a rope around her pretty little neck and put the rest of it in her hand, and we have a game of Hang Man right here!
'Here, lets put balloons around the set to make it look like there are planets. What, we have to paint them? Naaah, the budget can't handle poster paint, leave 'em blank, the fans won't notice I'm sure!"
Jesus, Dayumi and Dayashi are plotting to blow up Earth! That ball of light between them can only mean one thing...
Super Saiyan powers combined!!!
Dayumi: "High five!!!"
Dayashi: "... I was aiming for your face, but whatever..."
... Holy shit, there is some serious Voodoo Witchcraft Magic going on here o-O Quick, BURN THE WITCH(ES)!!!
... Space just imploded, BOOOOM we are no more...
In all seriousness though, that is a very pretty piece of imagery there.
Today it has been proven; Celestial Beings, Heavenly Maidens if you will, do indeed exist! Michishige Sayumi is the first Human to come out as being 'Celestial' and 'Heavenly'. More to report on later...
Apparently, Christmas/present bows are in fashion as hair accessories now.
... One second, I think I just had a momentary lapse of shock...
Is Haruka not wearing a HAT!? Be still, my heart, it's the truth! Haruka doesn't have a hat! HOLY CHRIST ON A BIKE!!!
Do the Funky Chicken!!!
Masakins: "I'm so... cold..."
Lookit little Buddha Masakins there, being all adorable and sweet. I just wanna hug her!
I love that H!P finally know what to do with Sakura's hair. It's nice to see her look good <3
Now, just for wardrobe to learn how to never give her collars...
Dayashi si damn stunning in this, I just want to go DAYUMN every time I see that little face and that bountiful abundance of hair.
"Beam me up, Scotty!"
Lookit Riho looking all Holy and Jesus-like again. Karin will not be happy.
Is it just me who wants them to start punching the balloons about a bit for the fun of it all? No, just me? Okay...
Looks like someone found the Ring! O-O Harunana is an LOTR fan!!!
Harunan: "Precious one..."
But damn, Haruna is so gorgeous in this.
... Eripon lookos sweet, what is this trickery!? WHERE IS MY MACHO MAN???
... Oh damn, Haruna, don't give me that sultry look, or I might just nosebleed everywhere!!!
Now where's that damn tissue so I can stuff my nostrils in case of a blood flood?
Mizuki is very pretty in this, her boring nature suits the tone of this video and song really well.
Bland face for a slow song, sounds 'bout right!
Masakins, in the centre where she belongs! Rise, Buddha, rise!!!
Eripon: "Grrr, I'ma gonna get that girl and take her place. ONE DAY!!!"
Zuk: "If only there was a knife in my hand, I could wedge it right in her little back..."
Ayumi: "Okay Sakuranbo, lets take bets to see who'll get rid of Masaki first; Zukki or Eripon, GO!"
I love background activity, it can become so amusing!
Damn, this scenery and these shots are pretty... God, I love Camera work <3
... Jesus Christ, Haruka, why are you so pretty!? Seriously, you actually look female in this, it's rather scary yet alluring o-O
Masakins: "... Bow to me, peasent."
Serious Masakins is a rather scary yet beautiful side of this typically hyperactive kid. Who knows what is going on in her little head with that expression? Death, beatings... the odd hug or two?
Oh, look! A Zukki! FINALLY!!! Now, lemme relish this feeling of seei---
FOR CRYIGN OUT LOUD, THE SCENE CHANGED!
"I don't shine... I Sparkle!!!"
Oh Jesus Fucking Christ, Edward Cullen bit Sayu! QUICK, STAKE HER BEFORE SHE BREEDS!!!!
Isn't it weird how out of place those damn balloons look, yet how fitting they are, too? It's strange... xD
Blimey, you are pretty... when did you grow up and actually become appealing to me!?
Bore-chan looks so damn pretty in all of her bland glory, ahhhh, the Princess, I finally understand your simplistic beauty and air... <3
Sakura is also damn pretty in this, though I still hate that collar on her, not that we can see it
... Oooooh, you know what? Those costumes remind me of Berryz Kobo's Tsukiatteru no ni Kataomoi, except these ones are blue and velvety looking... and blue.
Either way, they remind of Celestial clothing and the Berryz costumes.
Speaking of Celestial beings and perfection in a human form... >o>
Haurnan: "... Take me to space, S/mileage..."
One look and we're all goners, I swear.
Masakins: "Do you love me?"
Straight to the heart!!! This girl is too cute!
Ayumi in the centre, where she belongs! Bring on the Dancing Queen!!!
"L'Oreal..."
"Because I'm worth it!"
Lord Jesus, Moses and Buddha all rolled into one, Zukki si freakin' BEAUTIFUL!!!!
... Okay, who gave Haruka the Maturity pills? Isn't she supposed to be a Lolita for the rest of her life? It's in the contract!!!
Harunan: "One day I will be reborn... and I will be beautiful..."
For some reason seeing this scene of Haruna made me think of how the Sailor Senshi were trapped in bubbles and transported to Earth to be reborn when the Moon Kingdom went KABOOM!!!
... In short, Haruna is a Sailor Senshi.
... Yeah, this image is flawless.
Dayumi: "The fuck you lookin' at?"
Oh crap, the Predator in Ayumi has returned! HIDE!!!
... Daaaaaaaaamn...
That horrible collar makes Sakura look like Sherlock Holmes, just without the peak cap. And no, I am not kidding.
Savin' the best for last, I see? Well, why isn't Zukki there then!?
... Oh Christ, they're using the overlay-solo-shot-onto-awesome-background-whilst-they-move-slowly-hair-blowin'-too sequence! NOOOOOOO, that's like, a cliché in video editing! Don't doooooo iiiiit!!!
... But continue doing this shot! Humana humana, legs!!! <3
Masakins: "... I question your sanity, sometimes."
Don't worry love, I question my sanity daily!
... Wait wait wait, I've seen this scene in another Galaxy-fied MoMusu PV somewhere before, now where is it...?
AH HA!!! Hiiiiii Ai-butt!!! Miss you...
... HOLY!!! -spits out drink- RIHO!?
Me likey this Telescope effect. And Harunan in the middle of said effect.
Do you know how difficult it is to try and get decent screencaps of Zukki during impossibly fast-paced sequences where they change the girls every millisecond, especially the ones they consider less important? Yeah, difficulty level Hard Mode.
But it's worth it!
... Buddha is fantastic, and she owns this scene.
In fact, I think this is how I will view Masaki every time I think of her now. This is how everyone should view her, actually.
Now, Ayumi, be careful with that mystical ring, it is very very precious and kind of needed for some Quest a few hobbits
Ayumi: "Poof..."
GOD DAMNIT, AYUMI!!!
... Are you seriously only 14!?
Holy crap, a Zukki shot that lasts for more than half a second! Quick, screen cap, Chiima! CAPTION FOR ALL YOU ARE WORTH!!!
Good Lord, you are beautiful... I want to marry you.
The staircase to Heaven; Morning Musume edition. Climb up a member to get to your destination!
Fukuhime: "Sigh, why am I so pretty...?"
Dude, seriously, how are you so beautiful!? I swear, this song brings out the best in you in terms of gorgeousness and beauty. It's almost criminal!
Riho, basking in the light of her popularity. It calms her sometimes.
... Holy shit, is it just me or is Eripon almost smiling?
If she keeps this up, I may just have a heart attack.
Sayumi: "Where are my diamonds? I deserve beautiful diamonds..."
Sayumi is contemplating marriage it seems, or possibly why no man has put a ring on it...
Oh dear, the Celestial Musume's are doing their weird Voodoo dance and changing the course of time. The Earth might just implode at this rate...
No clue who this is, but damn, twirl girl! Twiiiirl!!!
Riho is from Mars, Humans are from Venus. Something along those lines...
Oh dear me, are they doing a rain dance of some kind? Either way, they're upsetting the balance of time and space with their trickery...
What did I tell ya!? Voodoo Magic tricks!
HAAAAAAAAAAA...!!!
And BOOM went the Dinosaurs.
Harunan: "Oh shit, what did we do?"
Shige: "Now Earth will not know the sadness of living without me~"
Zukki; "Zzzz..."
Shige: "This is why you shouldn't piss Sayumi off, kids! It results in blowing up THE Earth!"
You blew Earth up because Tsunku announced auditions again, didn't you?
Seriously though, I am loving this blue tint to the PV for some reason. It makes it feel like they've done something to the world around them. Basically; they fucked shit UP!!!
Ayumi: "... Do you want to die?"
I swear, that girl... she wants to kill me with her expressions... >____>
Too bad I can't be killed... muehehe...~
Mizuki: "Hail!!!"
... Are you girls saluting to anything specific, or...?
I took this screenshot because of Zukki and Eripon's beautiful head of hair, duh.
Also, some Dayumi butt is in there too. Sadly its covered by a dress. Well damn!
Holy shit, the sky changed!!! OH MY GOD!!!
Dayashi: "Give me your soul..."
Here, take it. Not like I need it anyway... -vacuums soul out-
Also, it seriously looks like Eripon's trying to take a peek up someone's skirt in this shot, doesn't it?
Why do they look like they're creeping around the girls in the centre? Are they crawlers or Heartless/Nobodies or something?
So Riho is Earth, then? Because that's all I'm getting from this image!
Still, that's a really nice scene there.
ERIPON!!! Look at her, looking Like Hercules in the sky when his image becomes a constellation with the stars and everything ;w; That's my boy!!!
... Holy Heck, SAYU!!!
At least, I think you're Sayu? o-O
Damn, Haruka's taller than I thought she was o-O Look at her, towering over Sakuranbo there!
Good Lord, look at all those legs and all that perfection... there is so much of it all in one place! I might just cry... -sniff-
I always laugh at these scenes with Riho, she really looks awkward trying to be all 'I am doing my little solo haaaa's'. It's hilarious to watch XD
Zukki: "Where, oh where, is my time to shine...?"
Zukki wonders if she will ever get the spotlight she aims for.
Don't worry Zuk, I wonder too. I wonder so damn much... ;_____;
... Holy. Fuck. She SMILED!!! THE MONA ERINA SMILED, PEOPLE! IT'S A MIRACLE!!! Quick, I need to call someone, SHE FINALLY SMILED, HALLELUJAH PRAISE KARIN!!!
Haruka: "Humans are so simple-minded and easily amused..."
Shurrup, Haruka, Eriman barely smiles in MV's now, this is pretty much a breakthrough!!!
Riho: "Am I talented yet?"
In singing, nope. Dancing... Always!
... That little side smile-smirk is so damn cute! Harunan, I love you!!! <3
Masakins: "Buddha does not approve of your loving Harunan. You must love ONLY Buddha!!! Buddha Buddha BUDDHA!!!"
Oooooh stop throwing a tantrum! I love you too, Buddha, you are amazing!
I see a bit of ballet in there! Snazzy, but what's with the voodoo arms going on there?
Shige: "I put a spell on you..."
Fukuhime: "And now you're mine..."
Masakins: "Looooove Buuudhaaaa..."
Next... PLANET S/MILEAGE!!! We conquer one, we conquer them ALL! Nyahaha!!!
*ahem*
Honestly, one of the hardest parts about reviewing a PV right after one massive picture spam (96 captions, I believe? Damn...) is trying to find the right words to start off my views and thoughts on the PV; I swear, it gets harder each time I make a new post... and yet I troop on, somehow! That said and done, let's take talk about the PV and music itself from Morning Musume's latest piece of work, Toki wo Koe Sora wo Koe, shall we?
Honestly speaking, I do think that Morning Musume have once again broughtout another stunning PV for the fans to watch; as of late most of their videos have something about them that is eye-catching, whether its the graphics used or the use of camera angles - one way or another, the PV's as of late have simply been fun to watch and amazing to look at, and this one is no exception to that rule right now.
The video is breath-taking, with gorgeous graphics used for the backdrop and entertaining effects that keep us watching for little quirks in the video that we may not have noticed before. For instance, when I first watched the music video I really didn't notice that during the solo shots, there were translucent swirls or or shapes flowing in the background as the girls performed. The same goes for when the sky changes to show off a swirling, milky way like effect rather than keeping the theme of the moon or Earth behind them - it is little changes like this that make the video all the more fun to watch again and again, and I'm sure I still have more to pick up on when I watch it again, but so far just these simple changes have truly made this video a lot more beautiful and endearing to watch.
It's safe to say that I really do like this video, and really, what is there not to like about it? It's very mystical in look, with the girls looking Celestial and otherworldly thanks to how the clothes look and how well they flow with the video. From the style to the dance itself, as well as the effects used, I find that the entire video looks and feels like its set apart from the Universe we know, creating a calm yet beautiful atmosphere for Morning Musume. Watching this video, its as if I am viewing another species creating magic through the use of dance, upsetting the balance of time and space, yet they are still creating something beautiful, too.
I would say that the only thing I dislike about the entire video would be the use of close-up shots with a galaxy background - the one with Haruka just made me think of cheesy, outdated 80's music videos, back when the space theme really was 'out of this world' as to speak. It's so overdone and just so bad, and for me it really put a bit of a dampner on the PV and made it look tacky and cheap. That said, the rest of the PV was wonderful... it was just those bits.
 |
| Urgh, please... no!!! |
Moving onto the song briefly, I'm going to admit that it did take a while to grow on me when I first heard it; I really couldn't stand to listen to this song more than 10 times before I had to shut it off, it was far too... well, high. It was also quite dull too, though it made great background noise! The soft sound is appealing, I won't deny that, but there is something about Morning Musume and singing high songs that just does not sit well, and sadly, the studio edit of this song is very high.
I actually feared that this song would translate badly in concert because of how high the vocals are in the studio track; yes, it has a ballad-like feel to it with some EDM backing the instrumental, but vocally the girls sound like they are singing about fifty pitches higher than what they can typically handle, especially girls like Erina, Ayumi and Riho. But, and thank goodness for this, I was proven wrong - this is a perfect concert song, sounding far better live than it does once it has been toyed around with in terms of effects and reverb, because the girls actually sing at a pitch suited to them, rather than the pitch they sing at in the version we hear in the video.
Regarding the song now, I do like it a lot better than when I had first heard it - I used the song as my background music for my Morning Musume '14 Auditions post that I wrote to help inspire me, so I've grown used to it and quite like the sound of it, but honestly I preferred the live snippet of the song that I heard on a JIJIPRESS video; it sounds a lot more appealing, and it just works better. I'm not hating, but the finalised studio track is not the best when it comes to their vocals, no matter how pretty it may seem. It just does not sit with me well, but that's my problem.
Toki wo Koe Sora wo Koe is a beautiful PV that befits Morning Musume '14, showing a shyer, yet more graceful, side to the group that we really have not been blessed with beforehand. The girls look gorgeous, the dance flows beautifully and each member will surely capture your attention with their demure and sweet looks. The song, whilst not my favourite, is done well and makes for a nice change of pace in Morning Musume's discography. Soft and gentle, here we see and hear a new side of Morning Musume '14, and I really like this side of them. What about you?
Are you ready to travel the Galaxy and beyond with Morning Musume '14? It will be magical!
Chiima~
Chiima~
You can buy Toki wo Koe Sora wo Koe / Password is 0 at CDJapan now!