Review: Berryz Koubou - Piriri to Ikou!

Released: May 26, 2004

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Artist: Berryz Koubou

Other songs you might enjoy: Fighting Pose wa Date Jyanai! - Berryz Koubou I Wish - Morning Musume Rock n Roll kenchou shozaichi - Mini Moni

Berryz Koubou the group of eight sassy young girls, whose ages range from 11 to 13 is back with force. Saki Shimizu (1991), the groups leader is once again join by her partners in crime, Yurina Kumai (1993),Risako Sugaya (1994), Momoko Tsugunaga (1992), Chinami Tokunaga (1992), Maasa Sudo (1992), Miyabi Natsuyaki (1992), and Maiha Ishimura (1992). These girls do not know the meaning of sad, and it isn’t just because they are too young to read. Virtually every release by the perky girls is a surefire way to bring a smile to your lips and throw you into a spiraling depression knowing these girls are about half your age.

The first song on the track, Piriri to Yukou, is one of my all-time favorites from the group. The girls feverishly sing about their most pressing concern; cakes, nail polish, and lipstick, typical Japanese girl stuff of course! The marriage between the cute shouts, yells, typical Jpop gibberish and guitar plucks, drums and studio sounds is a match made in heaven. You really have to give it a listen to understand how good this song sounds. The song brings warmth to your day and has the ability to change your mood the minute you hear it start.

The next track, Kacchoee, is a whole different monster. While still cheery, the songs backing track resembles something you might find on a Nintendo game. With fast beats, and energetic vocals the song will energize you into a frenzy. Just be careful you don’t misinterpret the lyrics, as most non-native Japanese seem to hear “Cut your head” or “Cut your Asian” instead of “Kacchoee.” The song is monotonous though, with its chorus consisting mainly of the word “Kacchoee” repeated several times. . The third track, as expected from most Japanese singles is a karaoke track to the title song, which seems to hold up well even sans lyrics.

The music video, as with most Berryz Koubou releases, is a high point. If you find it difficult to imagine how much fun these girls are having in the studio, look no further, with smiles and energy to spare it’s all about fun. The video starts with them showing off their Berryz Koubou school bus, apparently on a field trip to visit a big yellow stage perched mysteriously in the middle of a big open field of grass. As with any stage lying in the middle of the field, the girls dance all over it with all the girl power they can muster. Between costume changes in which the girls wear cute white and blue visors and matching coats on the bus, to the lively red and gold gear given to them on stage, these girls are a walking poster board of how you can wear anything and make it look cute as long as you’re a girl. The day for the girls ends in a shower of sparklers, as the girls are known for wanton destruction of national forests, spray fire sticks with utter disregard for fire safety.

One of my favorite songs in the Berryz library, I would say this is definitely worth the purchase. The quirky nature of the songs and the uplifting nature will lower your blood pressure and cure some forms of cancer. Don’t take my word for it, I’m not a medical professional, but the fact that I’m both happy and cancer free leads me to believe this song plays a pivotal role in my health and well being. One listen and I don’t doubt you will feel the same way, after all a berry a day keeps the doctor away.