Memo01 About "Aidoru" (Japanese idol) song review posting

Free-Photos at pixabay.com

Updated 27.SEP.2017

Category : Memo, Notice "aidoru(Japanese idol) pops"

Index

1. Summary
2. Introduction and overview
3. Aidoru" and "aidoru song"
1. What is an "Aidoru"(Japanese Idol)
2. What does Wikipedia say ?
4. What is the matter for "aidoru pops"?
5. What is the background for that?
6. We love "aidoru"
7. Samples from online music stores

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This article is a little longer than usual. From any point of view, it is a bit too long.

So, long and too detailed part(3-5) are folded. Please just check summary and overview if you like.(5min)

If you are keen to read full article, please click switch under the idol photo below to open. You can see some more detail, though the sentences are not yet well polished.
(Please be careful for falling asleep.)

Thank you for coming.

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1. Summary

1. Posting of "Aidoru(idol) pops" will be started from now.
2. "Aidoru pops" is a group of songs sung by young pop stars.
3. That shares the largest part in J-pop in terms of value and number of songs.
4. Songs in this sector are rich in variety in many respects.
5. Singing skill of some performer's is at "trainee" stage.
6. For such songs, a remark will be put on post.
7. So, wish you aren't surprised when listen, or just leave it.
8. Such songs become sweets once you familiarized well.

Now, let's start.

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2. Introduction and overview

We would like to kick off posting "Aidoru(idol) pops" of Light & mellow category on this blog.

"Aidoru(idol) pops" is actually the biggest sector in J-pop, and there are tens of thousands of songs.

In this sector, singing skill is often not a priority, then sometimes "stunning charming" singer comes on stage.

And, some people with no delicacy comments "aidoru-pops" as "amateur" or "non-professional".

That is partly true but far from everything.

The fact is "Aidoru(idol) pops" is excellent and lovely song category overall.

This is a bit of memo about it.

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"Aidoru pops" means a group of songs performed by young pop stars. This actually shares the largest part in J-pop in terms of exposures, sales value, number of singers, number of songs, etc.

That was the most flourish in '70s to '90s which might earned about 40% of J-pop music soft sales(Our guesstimate).

Now in 2010s, like "Momokuro", "AKB48", "Arashi"..., the style of "aidoru"(idol) has been changed a lot, but basic concept, and the importance in J-pop remain unchanged.

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The feature of "aidoru(idol) song" sector can be concluded "Mixed" in one word. Some are very good, and some are umm...

In fact, a certain aidoru's singing can be shockingly turbulent which is almost tripping.

Because of such nature, "aidoru pops" as a whole is often said "amateur", "non-professional"...etc

That is, however, a usual prejudice. You soon could understand simple principle, which good song is good, not so is not so, once you listen.

We would like to select good songs from them, and post it for you, with remarks if there are any minor concerns.

So, please pay a bit of attention if you see our "aidoru song" remarks, and enjoy good music.

* * *

That is an overview of the article.

Please click "(Jump to song)" to listen the today's special song. ->recommended.

Song today is a typical lively "aidoru pops", which cheers all "idols".

Or, If you are interested in more details, and OK for long article, please click the switch under the below idol picture.(15 minutes to read)

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Cute chemist with herb, model Yuki Kawamura at pakutaso.com

▼ Click to open

3."Aidoru" and "aidoru song"

a. What is an "Aidoru"(Japanese Idol)?.

"Aidoru" is a Japanese way of saying an "Idol", means young pop stars mostly.

This word is often linked with other words, and used like "Aidoru pops", "Aidoru group", "Aidoru variety show", "Variety aidoru(Valadoru->idols good for TV variety.)", "Gravure aidoru", "Aidoru fashion" etc.

The word "aidoru" is also used as a synonym of "popular person", like "She is an 'aidoru' of our class" or "He is an 'aidoru' for the grannies of the community".

What "aidoru" means is slightly different from English "Idol", so we are using word "aidoru" for the time being.

Let's have a look some more.

- - -

b. What does Wikipedia say about "aidoru" ?
What wiki says is a good reference. This is, however, long and detailed sentence, so put the summary below. If you wish to read, Please click the switch below.

▼ Click to open

What wiki says is,

- Quotation from Wikipedia -

"idol" (アイドル aidoru, a Japanese rendering of the English word "idol") is a term typically used to refer to young manufactured stars/starlets marketed to be admired for their cuteness...

...Idols aim to play a wide range of roles as media personalities (tarento): e.g. pop singers, panelists of variety programs, bit-part actors, models for magazines and advertisements.

...The term is commercialized by Japanese talent agencies,[13] that hold auditions for boys and girls with little or no prior experience in the entertainment industry, often as aspiring stars/starlets to be adored for their sweetness and innocence[13] with the intent of creating a passionate following....

...Most idol singers work across genres of Japanese pop music, usually in the genre that is most popular at the moment,[14] but since many idols sing cute sentimental songs,[13] one can say that those kind of idols form a sort of music genre of their own.[11][13]

Their songs typically do not require great singing skills; their popular appeal comes largely from the attractiveness of their public image.[14] Idols are often not considered "serious" musicians[6] or "serious" actors.

Consequently, many young stars now reject the idol label in their desire to be seen as professionals rather than as objects of fanatical devotion.

Wikipedia English "Japanese idol"

- End of quotation -

If we try to summarize the points,

The "aidoru" is,

1. Young cute stars or starlets manufactured by talent agencies.
2. They play a wide range of roles like singers, actors, and TV-charactors etc.
3. They are, however, not regarded as a "serious" professionals in any of those jobs.

Now, you might have obtained better views about that.

* By the way, this Wikipedia article is really good and useful to obtain clearer views about Japanese idols. Please check if you have a time. (maybe 10+minutes to read.)

Here is a link to Wikipedia En "Japanese idol".

Wikipedia EN “Japanese Idol"

4. What is the matter for "aidoru pops" ?

Scattered song(singing) quality.

The concerns for "aidoru pops" from listeners point of view is summed up in above one sentence.

Since there are so many songs and singers, and singing skill is not a priority, the quality of songs are so much scattered.

So, you must be careful whenever you try "new" singer, it could be a blow if you carelessly click play button.

It is not necessary that cute girl, handsome boy is a good singer. Usually opposite.

5. What is the background for that?

There are 3 major pass to have a position in entertainment business, in other words,

1. Professional course
2. "Parent's influence" course
3. "Aidoru"(Idol star) course

No.1 is a standard course, which is applicable for anyone or any area of entertainment.

Applicants need to prove competitive level of professional skills like singing, acting, talking, etc. Or, need to be recognized as a person with potential, at least.

So, there are no other condition like age, gender, nationality, etc. Looks maybe considered but not the priority.

Various talent agencies act as a gatekeeper in here.

* * *

No.2 is a course for the people with express ticket in hand.

This course is now booming and an interesting topic. But maybe discussed in another occasion, since the impact on subject is not so big this time.

* * *

Lastly, No.3 is a course for "aidoru"s(Idol stars).

In this course, good-looking and youth becomes first priority.

Talent agencies hold regular audition, or pro-actively walk the street and scouting.

In this category, candidates are mostly middle to high teen, maximum 20.

The most of them have no prior experience related with entertainment business. Then, talent agency provides quick basic training for singing and dancing.

And in 1 year time, the candidates will be debuted as a new face of "aidoru"(idol star).

So, no great attention has been paid for their basic skills of singing or dancing.

As a result, some talented shows superb singing performance, and some amuses us in a different way.

This is the main cause of the variation of "aidoru" song in terms of vocal skill.

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6. We love "aidoru"

Our blog is actually quite positive for "aidoru" and "aidoru songs".

1) It is true some "aidoru" song need bit of care. But majority of "aidoru" singers can sing good enough, and few of them are "Excellent" in practical.

2) Even the singing isn't perfect, it does not spoil the whole value of songs.

Lyricist, composer, arranger and musicians are all real professionals, and quality of music remains at high level.

3) All songs are first monitored by us. If we post unique songs, put remarks on it.

4) Some "aidoru"s singing can be "too unique".

Strangely, but such impressive voice often becomes favorable features of the singer once you get accustomed.

It is similar to an experience of your first try to a local delicacy never seen before.

Maybe it is a sensation for you, but after trying several times, it becomes unforgettable & addictive lovely taste.

* * *

So, we will be happy to introduce "aidoru" songs. And will briefly mention if the song has remarkable uniqueness. Please recollect such back ground when you see it.

* * *

Hope you could understand and enjoy "aidoru" songs. It is a really interesting part of J-pop.

Thank you for reading long long article! This is the first and the last(perhaps).

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7. Samples from online music stores

The song today is "Nantettatte aidoru"(Idol totally rocks!) by Kyoko Koizumi released in 1985.
This is the most famous song singing about "aidoru".
Please feel some "aidoru" world by listening it

(* The song is posted for feeling active "aidoru" air, so an exception in our blog. Song like this type might not comes up in our main stream anyway.

Kyoko Koizumi's songs will definitely come up later since her songs are excellent.)

* * *

Please note this is an energetic loud lively pop-rock, totally different from songs which this blog usually posts.

So, better not to play if you think this is not for you.

AD Amazon "Nantettatte aidoru"  Kyoko Koizumi

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