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GUTS!, 誰も知らない, ARAFES'13...
I just feel like writing something, it's been awhile...
I didn't write anything about Bittersweet because... I don't like the overall package. The only saving grace from the single is the live performances (I love them all, the choreography is cute & dynamic, and the M-Station performance hits the fangirling soft spot of cuteness). On the flip side, the PV is pretty, and that's about it. The tracks? None of them lingers in my brain, sadly. I tried to listen to them continuously but... nope, they didn't latch on, not even Sync, which I don't know how to appreciate it. Guess, this one just a miss for me.
And then Arashi strikes back with the releases that are too close to each other, I'll just cramp them up in 1 post then, and including the pictures too...
See? nicely cramped XD... and we begin with ...
In my book, GUTS! can easily become the best Arashi single for this year, unless there are other better singles for the second half of 2014. Although Nino's drama is not at its best (well, it's about time the producers learn that any drama need a GOOD SCRIPT, GOOD PLOT, AND good actors hand in hand, and not to expect Arashi alone to bring in the ratings), but I'd still watching it till the end because Nino's performance is still worth my time. BUT, GUTS! as a single is a major love affair for me. The PV caught my heart from the moment it was aired, especially with the baseball themed choreography. Then the performances are even better!(although I'm still a bit miffed with the lack usage of juniors, but the staging & overall performance made up for it). With GUTS!, I feel like I'm at home in Arashi land where I love all the tracks (this is why I don't understand what went wrong with Bittersweet, the chemistry just doesn't work on me?).
In summary, GUTS!' tracks is kind of mix and match of different type of songs:
GUTS! ~ a marching song, so Arashi, so lively, and it'll perk you up in every sleepy morning blues. You'll just feel happy with listening to it. I hope this song gets to be sung more than just 1 concert because it's been awhile Arashi has such a catchy song and with a good lyrics too. My fave lines are on the chorus, 'Donna chiisai kibou demo, Asu no tame no e-ru, Kokoro de gyutto dakishimete', which means, 'even though with the small hope, let it be a cheer for your tomorrow, so hold it in your heart'. VIVA SEISHUN!
Fly ~ I'd think this is the evolution version of Sync. There's more rhythm, less monotone. I'm curious to what kind of performance they'll put on if they were to sing this at the concert. Dance? Flying? Limitless possibilities. I imagine something like space adventure when I'm listening to this song. Sho-chan & Aiba-chan flying the space craft dodging the meteoroids while Ohmiya busy shooting at some alliens and Jun being Jun, taking on the alien space craft by himself and off course won over it :p
Love Wonderland ~ This is my 2nd fave song after GUTS!. It's easily a follow up song from LOVE album. Still has the hint of retro, cheery, upbeat, I'm feeling the love. This song is full of pink & red colored hearts and rainbow sparkles. And Nino's solo part on the bridge is <3 <3. Full of giddiness and I feel like waking up from a dream when the song ends. Back to reality. I want to stay in Love Wonderland!
Kimi Ga Waraeru you ni ~ I'd leave this as closing up all the fun in this single. Even though the song suggests a good bye from the current love, it's not just ended in negative way, the song just accepts the end but it emphasizes to move on to the positive side as a new start. As expected of Arashi song, move forward... So, we're looking forward for the next release...
Maa, it doesn't take us that long to have a new set of songs in our Arashi play list. Ohno's drama doesn't catch my attention at all. To me, Shinigami-kun is like a lazy drama, it's not much different from Kaibutsu-kun, may be I'll change my opinion after watching the whole series, but as of now, it's not even a priority to watch. I like Nino's better, although it has a slow mo plot. But at least the single doesn't disappoint. I'm not sure if this is a conspiracy or not, but Ohno so far always has an awesome dance song with cool choreography for his drama. Maou~Truth, Kaibutsu-kun~Monster, KagiHeya~Face Down and now this, Dare Mo Shiranai. There's only 1 exception, for Uta no Onii-san, but still, the song is very nice(I love it, in fact).
Dare Mo Shiranai ~ I feel like the lyrics is similar to how Monster's lyric plays out. It's very tied down to the drama as the shinigami is watching his charge and counting down to the moment when he can take his charge's soul. I'm not against it, just that it's interesting to me. The PV has nothing to do with Shinigami, except for the bat looking strips but boy it's so cool. Plus, the management should note that Arashi is at its best with choreographs with formation and not too difficult dance moves, especially if they don't have lots of free time to train (not because their skill level is not there, what's lacking is the training time, but again, that's my opinion).
Love the color and Arashi in black is always kakkoii... (major bias)
Bonus Aiba-chan coz Hatano sensei's hair and damn he looks hotter nowadays (another major bias)
Formation, formation, formation, and Sho's hand moving at the end is brilliant... (bias, bias, bias)
Mirakuru Summer ~ This is my fave song in the single. Natsu ga kuru... The summer is coming... Easy on the ear, cheery, all the feels, light. I can imagine Arashi on the beach playing... setting would be something like V6's 常夏Vibration PV. I think I just have the soft spot with Arashi and a little retro if not retro influenced song. It's just so nice in the ear. Natsu ga kuru uu uu uu uu...
Keep on Tryin' ~ Laid back song, Arashi has similar kinda song before, but I can't remember which one. The lyrics is nice... Love it. Keep on trying, your dream will come true. Very encouraging. The kind of song you'd like to listen when you're down.
Okaeri ~ Guess, it's a standard in Arashi single to have 1 ballad. Love Aiba-chan's opening. Seems that the singing is better in this song. The song itself is not really working for me, but you won't mind listening it as the whole set. I always put it as the last song after Mirakuru Summer.
Not only singles, but Arashi also released the Arafes'13 DVD.
I can only say, BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL, just BEAUTIFUL!!! and this is coming from me who very seldom pay that much attention to Ohno's solo.
Are??? Female dancers??? Where's the juniors? Are we at the end of era where Arashi using Junior back dancers? Following SMAP footsteps?
Fangirling time ~ TOO MANY!! Seriously, TOO MANY! I'm just going to list down what I can really remember LOL..
Anybody using these as your wallpaper? Esp the 2nd cap, so wallpaper worthy, no editing needed, ha! KAKKOII!!!
Nino's hair is damn sexy here. He's a man in this concert, seriously... especially during his segment... yumm...
Nosebleed time on Matsujun's Shake it...
... wait, since when Jun became more buff and has a butt? I didn't really notice it when watching ChocoJun drama, but here, it's so obvious. His 6 pack is not so apparent but man, he looks hotter than the first time he performed this.
... OMG... enough said...
Kagura? <3 Nino is not cute here, he's hot <3
and you'd think that this is staging for Truth, no, this is Calling. Love the contrast of blue costume and the red & fire lighting & staging. This is why I love concerts!
Cuteness overloads on Nino's solo, Himitsu....
Cuteness, and Nino showed off that he still has what it takes to do acrobats...
But, though this is cute, but we have a complaint from the newscaster that the costume is REALLY HOT. But Nino wants to to have everybody on the stage for his solo. But can't it be in NORMAL CLOTHES? Nino: you know, I'm already 30 now, doing the dance is not cute anymore, hence to add cuteness --> animal costume LOL!!!
And off course, Arashi's outdoor concert is not complete without fireworks and baloons... grand!
And the rest is just... feels!!!
Another notable, Jun's singing... improved... a lot!!! Aiba-chan is getting more handsome. Nino is getting manlier (won't tire me to mention this more often). Guess Kaze trio is growing up??? All the more love and feels!!!
and I better go sleep now...
I didn't write anything about Bittersweet because... I don't like the overall package. The only saving grace from the single is the live performances (I love them all, the choreography is cute & dynamic, and the M-Station performance hits the fangirling soft spot of cuteness). On the flip side, the PV is pretty, and that's about it. The tracks? None of them lingers in my brain, sadly. I tried to listen to them continuously but... nope, they didn't latch on, not even Sync, which I don't know how to appreciate it. Guess, this one just a miss for me.
And then Arashi strikes back with the releases that are too close to each other, I'll just cramp them up in 1 post then, and including the pictures too...
See? nicely cramped XD... and we begin with ...
In my book, GUTS! can easily become the best Arashi single for this year, unless there are other better singles for the second half of 2014. Although Nino's drama is not at its best (well, it's about time the producers learn that any drama need a GOOD SCRIPT, GOOD PLOT, AND good actors hand in hand, and not to expect Arashi alone to bring in the ratings), but I'd still watching it till the end because Nino's performance is still worth my time. BUT, GUTS! as a single is a major love affair for me. The PV caught my heart from the moment it was aired, especially with the baseball themed choreography. Then the performances are even better!
In summary, GUTS!' tracks is kind of mix and match of different type of songs:
GUTS! ~ a marching song, so Arashi, so lively, and it'll perk you up in every sleepy morning blues. You'll just feel happy with listening to it. I hope this song gets to be sung more than just 1 concert because it's been awhile Arashi has such a catchy song and with a good lyrics too. My fave lines are on the chorus, 'Donna chiisai kibou demo, Asu no tame no e-ru, Kokoro de gyutto dakishimete', which means, 'even though with the small hope, let it be a cheer for your tomorrow, so hold it in your heart'. VIVA SEISHUN!
Fly ~ I'd think this is the evolution version of Sync. There's more rhythm, less monotone. I'm curious to what kind of performance they'll put on if they were to sing this at the concert. Dance? Flying? Limitless possibilities. I imagine something like space adventure when I'm listening to this song. Sho-chan & Aiba-chan flying the space craft dodging the meteoroids while Ohmiya busy shooting at some alliens and Jun being Jun, taking on the alien space craft by himself and off course won over it :p
Love Wonderland ~ This is my 2nd fave song after GUTS!. It's easily a follow up song from LOVE album. Still has the hint of retro, cheery, upbeat, I'm feeling the love. This song is full of pink & red colored hearts and rainbow sparkles. And Nino's solo part on the bridge is <3 <3. Full of giddiness and I feel like waking up from a dream when the song ends. Back to reality. I want to stay in Love Wonderland!
Kimi Ga Waraeru you ni ~ I'd leave this as closing up all the fun in this single. Even though the song suggests a good bye from the current love, it's not just ended in negative way, the song just accepts the end but it emphasizes to move on to the positive side as a new start. As expected of Arashi song, move forward... So, we're looking forward for the next release...
Maa, it doesn't take us that long to have a new set of songs in our Arashi play list. Ohno's drama doesn't catch my attention at all. To me, Shinigami-kun is like a lazy drama, it's not much different from Kaibutsu-kun, may be I'll change my opinion after watching the whole series, but as of now, it's not even a priority to watch. I like Nino's better, although it has a slow mo plot. But at least the single doesn't disappoint. I'm not sure if this is a conspiracy or not, but Ohno so far always has an awesome dance song with cool choreography for his drama. Maou~Truth, Kaibutsu-kun~Monster, KagiHeya~Face Down and now this, Dare Mo Shiranai. There's only 1 exception, for Uta no Onii-san, but still, the song is very nice
Dare Mo Shiranai ~ I feel like the lyrics is similar to how Monster's lyric plays out. It's very tied down to the drama as the shinigami is watching his charge and counting down to the moment when he can take his charge's soul. I'm not against it, just that it's interesting to me. The PV has nothing to do with Shinigami, except for the bat looking strips but boy it's so cool. Plus, the management should note that Arashi is at its best with choreographs with formation and not too difficult dance moves, especially if they don't have lots of free time to train (not because their skill level is not there, what's lacking is the training time, but again, that's my opinion).
Love the color and Arashi in black is always kakkoii... (major bias)
Bonus Aiba-chan coz Hatano sensei's hair and damn he looks hotter nowadays (another major bias)
Formation, formation, formation, and Sho's hand moving at the end is brilliant... (bias, bias, bias)
Mirakuru Summer ~ This is my fave song in the single. Natsu ga kuru... The summer is coming... Easy on the ear, cheery, all the feels, light. I can imagine Arashi on the beach playing... setting would be something like V6's 常夏Vibration PV. I think I just have the soft spot with Arashi and a little retro if not retro influenced song. It's just so nice in the ear. Natsu ga kuru uu uu uu uu...
Keep on Tryin' ~ Laid back song, Arashi has similar kinda song before, but I can't remember which one. The lyrics is nice... Love it. Keep on trying, your dream will come true. Very encouraging. The kind of song you'd like to listen when you're down.
Okaeri ~ Guess, it's a standard in Arashi single to have 1 ballad. Love Aiba-chan's opening. Seems that the singing is better in this song. The song itself is not really working for me, but you won't mind listening it as the whole set. I always put it as the last song after Mirakuru Summer.
Not only singles, but Arashi also released the Arafes'13 DVD.
I'm still waiting for LOVE DVD (Come on Johnny's, don't you want to hit the 2014 revenue target? You need 2 Arashi DVDs for that LOL), but I gotta say I love Arafest'13. I don't really like Arafes, can't really pin point where, but it's like there's something missing. May be the lack of back dancers or the overall atmosphere or the set list, just may be, I don't really know and I'm not that persistent to find out why either. There are lots of points I love in here starting from:
Set list ~ it's so wide and doesn't look like forceful. Perhaps this is due to the members' segments or, maybe it's because this is their last time they performed at Kokuritsu, I feel the emotion, the giving it all performances and all the feels here, and off course tons of fangirling moments too.
I'm still sad that Aiba-chan didn't sing Itsuka na Summer but his Hello GoodBye performance made up for it, BIG TIME.
Prettiness overall!!! Love his costume here
And the harmonica performance, the feels... he still has it!
Off course, Sho-chan's smile (Sakuraiba in the air, yey yey!) plus Aimiya, but out of all, I love Aiba-chan's smile in this performance. So bright and happy that he's literally shining here. You can feel his love of Arashi and he belongs in it. The feels (hug hug & squeeze!!!)
The lighting ~ This is very apparent in Ohno's solo. I was blown away when I'm watching it. Ohno's solo is always has the nice cool and breathtaking feeling especially when he belted those high notes. But this time it's more majestic, thanks to the lighting.Set list ~ it's so wide and doesn't look like forceful. Perhaps this is due to the members' segments or, maybe it's because this is their last time they performed at Kokuritsu, I feel the emotion, the giving it all performances and all the feels here, and off course tons of fangirling moments too.
I'm still sad that Aiba-chan didn't sing Itsuka na Summer but his Hello GoodBye performance made up for it, BIG TIME.
Prettiness overall!!! Love his costume here
And the harmonica performance, the feels... he still has it!
Off course, Sho-chan's smile (Sakuraiba in the air, yey yey!) plus Aimiya, but out of all, I love Aiba-chan's smile in this performance. So bright and happy that he's literally shining here. You can feel his love of Arashi and he belongs in it. The feels (hug hug & squeeze!!!)
I can only say, BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL, just BEAUTIFUL!!! and this is coming from me who very seldom pay that much attention to Ohno's solo.
Are??? Female dancers??? Where's the juniors? Are we at the end of era where Arashi using Junior back dancers? Following SMAP footsteps?
Fangirling time ~ TOO MANY!! Seriously, TOO MANY! I'm just going to list down what I can really remember LOL..
Anybody using these as your wallpaper? Esp the 2nd cap, so wallpaper worthy, no editing needed, ha! KAKKOII!!!
Nino's hair is damn sexy here. He's a man in this concert, seriously... especially during his segment... yumm...
Nosebleed time on Matsujun's Shake it...
... wait, since when Jun became more buff and has a butt? I didn't really notice it when watching ChocoJun drama, but here, it's so obvious. His 6 pack is not so apparent but man, he looks hotter than the first time he performed this.
... OMG... enough said...
Kagura? <3 Nino is not cute here, he's hot <3
and you'd think that this is staging for Truth, no, this is Calling. Love the contrast of blue costume and the red & fire lighting & staging. This is why I love concerts!
Cuteness overloads on Nino's solo, Himitsu....
Cuteness, and Nino showed off that he still has what it takes to do acrobats...
But, though this is cute, but we have a complaint from the newscaster that the costume is REALLY HOT. But Nino wants to to have everybody on the stage for his solo. But can't it be in NORMAL CLOTHES? Nino: you know, I'm already 30 now, doing the dance is not cute anymore, hence to add cuteness --> animal costume LOL!!!
And off course, Arashi's outdoor concert is not complete without fireworks and baloons... grand!
And the rest is just... feels!!!
Another notable, Jun's singing... improved... a lot!!! Aiba-chan is getting more handsome. Nino is getting manlier (won't tire me to mention this more often). Guess Kaze trio is growing up??? All the more love and feels!!!
and I better go sleep now...
no subject
ALLL the feels! Just ... no.. words... ahhh maybe ...
You're very restrained here. I expected more screencaps! Heee hee!
Love and hugs!
JUST SO GREAT!
no subject
i'll do more justice this weekend if i manage to do so, lol!
we need LOVE DVD!!!!! lol, not being greedy, but it's a given lol
no subject
speaking of the member's solo in the concert, i always check riida's solo first then other members, with usually nino for the last part :P
prob. because his solo has the less gimmick so i can focus on it XD
and i really love the cool and soul perf..they looked so handsome while putting some gangster face wannabe XD
and me want LOVE dvd too..my guess they will release it before the anniv concert
ps: i just read your message..sorry just noticed and read it
no subject
it's been awhile ne? hehe XD
i don't think you'll miss a lot by not listening to bittersweet's B side, but do try GUTS! & dare mo shiranai :) i totally recommend Dare Mo Shiranai's
for solo, i tend to check out aiba's (oh for the obvious bias reason), then matsujun's coz i'm totally opposite of you, i like gimmicks and something unexpected.
'they looked so handsome while putting some gangster face wannabe'
LOL - oh so true! esp Nino's
i'm predicting we'll see LOVE DVD announcement either Jun or July... Aug seems too close to the anniv con... maa ne, maybe they'll let fans to recover first from spending so much on them... but who knows LOL