5x10 was written by Youth Case, Take Off by Stephan Elfgren, and Sketch by Ninomiya. Lyrics are another matter but they are the easiest part of writing a song.
As a performer, which is his main duty, Matsumoto is nothing special. I think there's a reason he doesn't have his own show and that's because his personality doesn't quite fit the roll of entertainer. As for his dancing, it's the antithesis of effortless, his singing voice is awfully nasal and, like the other members, save for Ohno, can't sing basic harmonies that are a breeze for primary school aged children. What's the point of having 5 members when only one note is produced? Why is the standard of talent for Korean idols so much higher? Surely the first requirement of being a singer is the basic ability to sing. I'm not saying I'm anything special, quite the opposite, but I was performing four part harmonies when I was 10. That being said, I'm sure he's a very nice and very hardworking man. The discussion was more about the low, low, low standards of the Japanese music industry.
But Japanese idols aren't musicians, they're there for their personalities first and foremost, more like virtual boyfriends, brothers, or sons to the people they appeal to. Or simply entertainers, though I think they do best hosting variety shows and with all those years of experience under their belt - they spend more time as television personalities than anything else - they do quite a good job of it. Add to that the fluke of having five personalities that somehow balance almost perfectly and that's why they've had the success and staying power they've had.
And that's it. Arashi don't produce certain sound exclusive to Arashi and nobody goes looking to them to see any incredible displays of talent (the scale of their concerts baffle me. The production is so completely out of sync with the quality of the performances.) 99.99% of their music is written by professional song writers, many from Sweden, who also write for top KPOP groups. Songs are written and then sold off to groups, offering them to whoever is most popular and profitable first. If Arashi or whichever grouo doesn't want it it's then offered to another group.
So Arashi's success is based on their personalities. The reason I brought that up was because when I've watched SMAP on television they just don't have that chemistry and energy. However, I'm not quite old enough to have seen them at the height of their popularity so perhaps they did at one point in which case I hope Arashi break-up well before they lose their spark. Of course hosting is a skill that can be learnt but to be entertaining and pleasant to watch is something that relies on personality and that's the luck of the draw. In Arashi's case, I really think Nino has an incredible talent for comedy that could be appreciated worldwide. (Unfortunately he's tonedeaf but that's what all those backing tracks are for!) He's also a much better actor than he is singer or dancer. Imagine what he could achieve if all his energy was focused on acting. I'm not sure that's what he'd want to do, though.
Regarding personality, Aiba is indeed there to play the role of the clown, or what people around here call an airhead. Every group has a straight man and a clown. It's the most basic rule of comedy and it exists in Western, Chinese, and Japanese traditions. It's not a criticism - I find him funny - I was just trying to point out that he isn't there for any special talent related to singing or dancing. I assure you he knows that that's the role (or character) he's expected to play and he does a very good job of it!
I appreciate that the concert tickets are all one price and that seats are randomly selected but the business model is to get as much money from fans as possible and using the lottery system ensures that a lot of people who otherwise wouldn't think of joining a fanclub pay their dues every year. A lot less people would join if it wasn't a requirement to attend a concert. Compare fanclub membership rates with groups that don't have that system.
I see..and yeah i said arashi knew they're not that good, and if they can see that means fans can too, so what you do is just putting technical words to that fact but it is still the same like saying salt is salty
SMAP shouldn't disband because they're not good (and in this case is because internal feud) why since having less/no talent doesn't limit one's dreams.
For all i know FC member is not really the only requirement to ballot, because it written on johnnys site, excess ticket from FC ballot will be on sale in lawson but..you know the drills FC members are more than enough to take all that tickets so..who/what is the problem here...
and oh writing lyrics is easy but writing a good one is not.
n: i have to edit when i reread your reply sorry hehe...
As a performer, which is his main duty, Matsumoto is nothing special. I think there's a reason he doesn't have his own show and that's because his personality doesn't quite fit the roll of entertainer. As for his dancing, it's the antithesis of effortless, his singing voice is awfully nasal and, like the other members, save for Ohno, can't sing basic harmonies that are a breeze for primary school aged children. What's the point of having 5 members when only one note is produced? Why is the standard of talent for Korean idols so much higher? Surely the first requirement of being a singer is the basic ability to sing. I'm not saying I'm anything special, quite the opposite, but I was performing four part harmonies when I was 10. That being said, I'm sure he's a very nice and very hardworking man. The discussion was more about the low, low, low standards of the Japanese music industry.
But Japanese idols aren't musicians, they're there for their personalities first and foremost, more like virtual boyfriends, brothers, or sons to the people they appeal to. Or simply entertainers, though I think they do best hosting variety shows and with all those years of experience under their belt - they spend more time as television personalities than anything else - they do quite a good job of it. Add to that the fluke of having five personalities that somehow balance almost perfectly and that's why they've had the success and staying power they've had.
And that's it. Arashi don't produce certain sound exclusive to Arashi and nobody goes looking to them to see any incredible displays of talent (the scale of their concerts baffle me. The production is so completely out of sync with the quality of the performances.) 99.99% of their music is written by professional song writers, many from Sweden, who also write for top KPOP groups. Songs are written and then sold off to groups, offering them to whoever is most popular and profitable first. If Arashi or whichever grouo doesn't want it it's then offered to another group.
So Arashi's success is based on their personalities. The reason I brought that up was because when I've watched SMAP on television they just don't have that chemistry and energy. However, I'm not quite old enough to have seen them at the height of their popularity so perhaps they did at one point in which case I hope Arashi break-up well before they lose their spark. Of course hosting is a skill that can be learnt but to be entertaining and pleasant to watch is something that relies on personality and that's the luck of the draw. In Arashi's case, I really think Nino has an incredible talent for comedy that could be appreciated worldwide. (Unfortunately he's tonedeaf but that's what all those backing tracks are for!) He's also a much better actor than he is singer or dancer. Imagine what he could achieve if all his energy was focused on acting. I'm not sure that's what he'd want to do, though.
Regarding personality, Aiba is indeed there to play the role of the clown, or what people around here call an airhead. Every group has a straight man and a clown. It's the most basic rule of comedy and it exists in Western, Chinese, and Japanese traditions. It's not a criticism - I find him funny - I was just trying to point out that he isn't there for any special talent related to singing or dancing. I assure you he knows that that's the role (or character) he's expected to play and he does a very good job of it!
I appreciate that the concert tickets are all one price and that seats are randomly selected but the business model is to get as much money from fans as possible and using the lottery system ensures that a lot of people who otherwise wouldn't think of joining a fanclub pay their dues every year. A lot less people would join if it wasn't a requirement to attend a concert. Compare fanclub membership rates with groups that don't have that system.
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SMAP shouldn't disband because they're not good (and in this case is because internal feud) why since having less/no talent doesn't limit one's dreams.
For all i know FC member is not really the only requirement to ballot, because it written on johnnys site, excess ticket from FC ballot will be on sale in lawson but..you know the drills FC members are more than enough to take all that tickets so..who/what is the problem here...
and oh writing lyrics is easy but writing a good one is not.
n: i have to edit when i reread your reply sorry hehe...
Reply
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