I do what I must because I can

I had to one up the 10-minute Chocolate Disco remix and made the 30-minute Chocolate Disco remix!

Audio Only.
Good for exercising.

http://www.mediafire.com/?dm0tiempjze

[album review] Perfume - GAME

Tracklist:
01] ポリリズム (PolyRhythm)
02] plastic smile
03] GAME
04] Baby cruising Love
05] チョコレイト・ディスコ (chocolate disco)
06] マカロニ (macaroni)
07] セラミックガール (ceramic girl)
08] Take me Take me
09] シークレットシークレット (secret secret)
10] Butterfly
11] Twinkle Snow Powdery Snow
12] Puppy love

*Squeal*

I know I'm a little late with my review. I waited for my shipment to come in and didn't give into downloading it. I did the same with Complete Best though there was only one new song on that album. I'm surprised that the YesAsia free shipping delivered within a week. I received my GAME on the 22nd after it being released on the 16th. I kinda miss the trademark green paper from CDJapan but I can't say no to free shipping... *sigh*

I also received Baby cruising Love with this order, which from a strictly musical point of view, is stupid because both tracks are on the album. The album, however, does not include the instrumentals (which are oh-so-important in the fan remixing world) and the PV DVD. Let's not forget the eyecandy that is the CD packaging. Yum.

As for my GAME review, it will follow the favourite-starting-from-least format since I like to save the best for last. With that out of the way, Let's Play The Game!

12] Take me Take me
There's something about this track that just doesn't strike me the right way. It doesn't have the same kind of feeling I get from the rest of Perfume's discography (actually, it kinda hit the same buttons as foundation...). While the simple yet suggestive lyrical content is quite pleasing, it doesn't feel like a Perfume song to me. I also don't find the melody or bass line very memorable. They've had catchier. But don't get me wrong, I'd love to take all three of you tonight.

11] Butterfly
These kinds of songs give me feelings of creativity and exploration. Some examples of these kinds of tracks are capsule's megalopolis, Soratobu Toshikeikaku, Portable Kuukou to name a few. I like them but they're not album pushers for me. They're great for late nights and coding and artwork and the like.

10] GAME
I get too much of a capsule feel from this track like Toshiko could've done it and I'd feel the same about it. Or maybe MEG. I don't know. Similar to Take me Take me, it doesn't feel like a Perfume song. Actually, the arrangement reminds me slightly of MODEL from MEG's BEAM album. I loved MODEL when I first heard it. Maybe if I heard MODEL after GAME, my thoughts would be the opposite.

9] Macaroni
This track's rating actually varies depending on how I feel. If I'm in the mood for quiet and relaxing, this would be higher up, but I'm not. That and Perfume is known for their techno-pop quality which this track lacks (but by no means does it take away from the overall quality of the track). Macaroni definitely showcases their harmonizing abilities as evident in the chorus. A great downtempo track for those who want some relaxing Perfume. Even more relaxing than wonder2!

8] Ceramic Girl
I really like the sound of the verses though I don't feel that like carries throughout the whole song. Can't put my finger on it really, it just doesn't tickle the fancy all that much. Still fun to listen to though.

7] Twinkle Snow Powdery Snow
This track is my definition of textbook Perfume. There's absolutely nothing wrong with it just it's been out for a while now and the newer stuff is sneaking in a few more qualities that are elevating Perfume to the next level. Still, I'd have to say this song has the crispest and deepest sample of a kick drum for a techno-pop song compared to the rest of the album which is excellent for turning the subwoofer up to 11. Everything about this song is enjoyable and memorable.

6] PolyRhythm
Not too far behind Twinkle Snow Powdery Snow in the kick drum department, PolyRhythm isn't as loud but just as infectious and full of bubbly goodness that Perfume is known for. I love the big loop orgasm Nakata has in the middle of the song.

5] Baby cruising Love
Not as relaxing and calm as macaroni or wonder2 but not as in your face as Electro World or Twinkle Snow Powdery Snow. The piano is definitely the highlight instrument in this song with the fuzzy bass holding it all together. The vocals are just a treat while everything else in between is just right. Playing audiosurf seems fitting.

4] secret secret
La la la la... I'm surprised they went with this song as the first album PV after listening to the rest of the album but I don't not like the fact that they did. Like I said in my PV review, I don't know how Nakata does it but he always manages to keep it fresh.

3] chocolate disco
I still think the 10 minute version should be the official release.

For the top two, I've been having a hard time thinking about which is my favourite though I think after just taking a pause for 20 minutes to rock out to both songs, I think I'll have to go with this order.

2] Puppy love
Nakata gives Perfume a refreshing twist with a real drum kit in a more uptempo track. There's something about the drum kit in this song that just tickles me though I feel it gets drowned out in the chorus. If they just raised the drum volume just a bit more and made the kick a little more unf-y, I think this could've taken the top spot. It was my number one but then I really started listening to plastic smile...

1] plastic smile
I believe that this is the perfect marriage of everything Perfume has done up to this point. It touches on every song that I can think of at the moment and even has a bit of that capsule club feel. The bass line has an old 80's kinda feel until Nakata lays on the higher fuzz and the sub-bass that bring it back to today. The extra percussion (everything outside of the kick and snare and basic hats) during the choruses definitely adds flavour and more layers on an already appetizing cake. It reminds me of the percussion in Free Free and we all know how much I love Free Free. Do I hear an accordion hiding among the instruments in the back? The staccato digisynth really captures the cutesy, bubbly flavour of the trio and is second yummiest only to the vocals that the girls themselves provide.

Buy from CDJapan:
GAME [Limited Edition]	GAME [Regular Edition]

[pv review] Perfume - シークレットシークレット

Mmm. Pino.

Perfume's newest PV is a release off the forthcoming GAME album (April 16th!!) and is definitely a step up from the previous PVs they've released regardless of the fact that it's a glorified ad for the refreshing taste of vanilla ice cream covered with chocolate, now even more delicious and mouth-watering since 1976, also known as Pino. Considering their humble beginnings baking some sweet donuts, driving shark submarines, and abusing various heart shaped drugs, one can't help but notice the work put into the latest Promotional Video starring the splendid techno-pop trio.

The PV is pretty autobiographical...

PTV (PerfumeTV or PenoTV?) is a new TV show starring the trio. They get a bit of help by getting pick-fed their first Pino to get their careers started. They start out at the bottom of the (popularity) staircase and work their butts off to make a great first season. After the season, they get a box of Pino as bonus and celebrate together on their success. Apparently, Pino is equivalent to cash in this make-believe city. Their popularity still isn't very evident in the billboards around the city. The Pino is more popular.

The second season gives birth to a new set, Electro World costumes, and the Computer City dance. (Identity Crisis?) They continue to work their butts off and begin their climb up the stairs. While outside, they notice their latest album is being advertised on the big billboard and they're finally getting somewhere.

The third season starts without a hitch and the girls have a brand new set, new costumes, and make-up people! They have to disguise themselves in public because their faces are on billboards everywhere. They have a cheesy (MusicStation-esque) host introduce them on PTV and what? Kashiyuka is diabetic? QUICK! FEED HER A PINO!! Oh, she's fine. The ladies start running up the stairs, reflective of their rising success. During the third season, they get their box of Pino and manage to find crew members who look like them and who also enjoy Pino.

But on a more serious note, this is the first PV that tells a story and follows their usual PV format (complete with dance) that isn't shot with a super-imposed set. Let's take a look back in Perfume's PV archive: PVs without super-imposed sets include Sweet Donuts, Computer City, Chocolate Disco, Baby cruising Love, macaroni, and now this. Sweet Donuts and macaroni have the same sort of effect of having no dance shot, but instead, show the girls from a slightly different angle. Computer City, Chocolate Disco, and Baby cruising Love were completely dance and close-up shot. Monochrome Effect, Vitamin Drop, Linear Motor Girl, Electro World, Twinkle Snow Powdery Snow, and PolyRhythm mostly consisted of super-imposed sets. Of them, Electro World and Twinkle Snow Powdery Snow were the ones that had the closest things to a story. So by far, Secret Secret wins in the story department.

A few of my favourite caps:

AI~N! (btw, I LOVE A-Chan's hair here.)


Oh A-Chan, you tease...


Just one more Pino, plz!


Nom nom nom.

I've been listening to this song throughout my entire write up and not even close to sick of it. I think that means it's an awesome song and I highly recommend for the techno-pop fans. I really don't know how Nakata does it. There really isn't much to the song in a casual listening sense but it's addictive like crack and though each techno-pop song does have its similarities, it still feels like every new release is a completely new experience. Thus, I REALLY don't know how Nakata does it.

I REALLY can't wait for my GAME album to come... *SIIIIIIIGH*