[A Week with Berryz] When Whales Call, Risako Comes a Warblin'... 'Aa, yo ga Akeru' [Quick Review]

My opinions are my own, screw the rest of my philosophical spiel I usually cough up. OPINIONS BE MINE!!!

This is a bit of an impromptu review, I admit, because I was supposed to write out a post on that 10 year Idol PV Berryz did last year, however after being requested to do this song, for a great reason, I thought 'why the heck not?'. I can try and do three PV reviews for the price of one tomorrow, or attempt to get a second one out at some point tonight. Key word being try here.

So yeah, very last-minute decision, this review, because I honestly wasn't going to talk about this song. I mean, I had thought about it, but chose not to in favour of Ai no Dangan, however in the end, I'm going to do it. I'll do it quickly, sure, but I'll still do it!

So major thanks to Atsuke Akiyama, who asked for the review - you called for the Whales, so I brought them to you! I apologise if it's short, but with the time limit I have, this is all I can pretty much do right now.

This is the Whale Calling of all Callings, andas a song, it is a piece of trash to my ears. Behold, Aa, yo ga Akeru.

Holy Heck, I hate this song. When it came out, I hated it with a passion, and I still resent it now. It's not a great song, though I admit, it is catchy. The thing that pissed me off the most about it, however, was Risako's god-awful vocals in it.

Seriously, they're terrible. It's like she's trying to Free Willy here via her voice, except she's failing terribly, so just keeps on going on, sacrificing my ears to the Devil himself in the process.

That said, the song isn't as bad as I remember; the opening chords and chorus are actually pretty catchy, it's just those auto-tuned lines and Risako's warbles of horror that are terrible - still, if it's somewhat catchy, I can get past the really bad parts that could give me nightmares, and I like the chorus enough to forgive it right now.
 This is still the worst song on their discography to my ears, however. Hey, can I burn it!?

Luckily, the PV is actually really pretty. Back when Aa, yo ga Akeru first came out, I didn't like it. Why? I don't know - I was dumb back then, less impressed by videos and their prettiness, but now that I've learnt more about film and grown with my reviews, I actually think that this is a very nice looking video, even a little sexy, but not stupidly uncomfortable like some of Berryz' videos can be.

In fact, it's rather ero-kawaii, a little demure, a bit sultry. Yurina, especially, is sultry.

I suppose it's because of the way it has been directed, where the girls are pretty much sitting like dolls in a doll house, that makes this video less awkward than other 'sexy' videos by various Idol groups. They're not forced into trying to turn the audience on, nor are they expected to be flirty or adult - they're just meant to be looked at, like pretty dolls, and honestly? They are very pretty, and this is a very nice video. It has seriously good production value, great camerawork, the outfits are nice, and the girls all look great.

The only issue is the song, but whatever. I can silence the video and put something better on. Maybe I can exchange this terrible wannabe ballad for Omoide? That would work!

For such a shitty song though, the PV is surprisingly good quality, so there is some form of light at the end of the tunnel. Again, though; the song isn't all bad, at least not in the way I used to think it was. It has its moments where it's really catchy and fun to listen to, with promises of being great, but at the end of the day, it still falls flat for me, and yes, that is mostly because of Risako and her really horrible Whale Calling Warbles. Urgh. 

Point in case, Aa, yo ga Akeru as a song does nothing to entertain me the way I want it to.  The video, however, can entertain me everyday. Especially Yurina. Yum.

Until my next Tear-It-Up Post, take care!

Much Love,

Chiima~