Thoughts on エロ

This is my first attempt writing some album review. It's more of a ramble than a review because well, my knowledge on music is not vast at all LOL... but I just feel like writing something to commemorate this glorious album.

First all, let's clear something first. We all know Yamapi is no Josh Groban, so saying he can't sing or his voice sucks whatever is rather futile. I'm not really a fan of his (though will equally melt with his cuteness and also kyaaaa if see him in live too) and I do bash him from time to time (well, he ain't perfect, but so do I :p). But what's great about Yamapi? His voice is not fantastic, his vocal range is passable if not below average, but, his voice is identifiable. To make some people feel better, according to me, Yamapi still sounds better than Matsujun and Ken Miyake. LOL, I feel bad making this comparison but if you think about it, the 3 of them are what I'd call typical Johnny's commodity. Their voices are nasally, pitches here and there, but it doesn't mean that they can't sing, at the very least I'd think they know the basics. But, thanks to those voices, we know it's their songs from miles away and the best? They got the face (yes yes very important), they're good dancers (not very important but this is one of the common things and I'm a fan of Ken's dance,btw) and most importantly, they sell!

So, what's great about Ero? If you're looking for something new, artsy, original or whatever, you're looking at the wrong place. So, if that's the case, what should you be looking for? Entertainment, off course! The whole course of listening to this album makes me really psyched about the concert. Now I seriously look forward for the concert. The album is very well packaged with the balance of ballad, Latin and club music. Oh, it also introduces us to rock side of Pi. Guess, Pi is trying out a new genre? If you're thinking that why they still have those Latin songs around, you'll have to think from Johnny's perspective, their concerts is always about putting on the show, with glitters and sparkles. And I don't think Johnny's will change their typical choreograph any soon, and I hope they don't change it as well because I like seeing them twirling LOL...

One thing I like about Yamapi's songs is they're catchy. From slow to up beat tempo, the songs are interesting. The only song that I don't like until now is Ai, Texas. I feel that this song sounds choppy. The voiceless is fine but not the original one. Set aside this, let's talk about my top 5.

悩みの森の真ん中で - Nayami No Mori No Mannaka De ~ I was bursting in suppressed anger in the office today (my fingers were shaking that I kept wrong stuff) when I started listening to this song. I didn't realize that Pi has the power to soothe my anger, or rather the song itself. Simple song with piano melody, it's so easy to listen and what's more, the message behind this song is reminding you that you're not alone in the midst of your troubles. And, I hope hope hope Pi will play piano singing this song in the concert (does he play instrument, btw? I always wonder) and I think I'll be converted to a fan if I can see this happens.

ERO - 2012 version - ~ Yeah, I'm one of the suckers for Latin beat. I feel that this song is sexy from the first time I hear this. Especially the chorus portion, the falsetto are just right and sung at the right place. And this song suits Pi's voice, to be honest. He doesn't sound forced in here. Sample of Pi ganbatte singing a song is Saigo no Love Song. The notes for this song is so high that Pi has to 'ganbatte' so hard to keep his voice on par with the song, despite the song is a very nice song. I do find that the PV is rather... ordinary (still under Johnny's principle of making PV, minimum effort, maximum result), though Pi's shower scene is.. you know... who can resist? But, I really look forward for the dance routine for this song.

カリーナ - Karina ~ This is a festival song! And for those who haven't read the lyrics translation, please do so and I highly recommend yarukizero's (I think everybody knows already anyway where to get the translation), because it's so sizzling hot. This song is a must on his concert this time, I'll be super pissed off if he doesn't dance for this number LOL...

ロマンチック - Romantic ~ For this song, I'd imagine the scene of you're chilling on an early evening sipping your favorite cocktail at some open Latin-themed bar with this song as a background and Pi comes over and flirting with you and asking you to dance LOL... not that creative imagination but yeah, this is the first thing come to my mind when I hear this song. It's a fun and light song, another song that I find fits into Pi's vocal range. 

Hit the Wall ~ Off course, the party song. I think Pi's marketing himself as singing these types of songs, so let's enjoy all those catchy party songs until he changes his mind. He's still singing in Engrish (still not English yet) but at least I can make up what he's singing without thinking so hard. I sort of contemplating between this and Odoro Yoru, but Hit the Wall wins because the melody sways more than Odoru Yoru.

So yeah, I got about 10 more days to memorize the songs, wohoo!!! And I'll have Pi to company me during all my OTs.