Artist Overview: μ's

This band is as commercial as you can get. As soon as you google it, you know their purpose is to sell-out, and nothing more. However, they are pretty darn good at it.

http://images.sgcafe.net/2014/01/loveliveseiyuu.jpg

μ's (Pronounced "Muse")is a J-pop band that started with the anime "Love Live! School Idol Project". And seeing how their 5th Anniversary is being celebrated on the month of June, I thought it would be appropriate to talk about this group. The band consists of 9 singers: Honoka Kosaka , Kotori Minami, Umi Sonoda, Rin Hoshizora, Hanayo Koizumi, Maki Nishikino, Nico Yazawa, Eli Ayase, and Nozomi Toujou. Nishikino Maki writes all the music for μ's while Sonoda Umi writes the lyrics. Kotori Minami makes the costumes by herself while Ayase Eli, being a former Ballet dancer, is the main choreographer of the group... but that is in the anime. IN REALITY, the group consists of the voice actress for each character: Emi Nitta, Aya Uchida, Suzuko Mimori, Riho Iida, Yurika Kubo, Pile, Sora Tokui, Yoshino Nanjo, and Aina Kusuda respectively. The Lyrics are written by Aki Hata, the music and the arrangements are composed by several  people who vary from song to song. Now, if you hate the typical squeaking voices of J-pop singers and female anime characters, you are probably going to hate this band (and pretty much 80% of J-pop), however, if you don't mind these high pitched voices, I can actually say that this is a really good band.

First of all, I think that the high pitched voices are something the listener has to get used to. Is like listening to metal for the first time. I remember when I heard Master of Puppets for the first time and how I thought how heavy, fast, strong and loud that song was, and to be honest, I was frightened. Now, Master of Puppets feels like a breeze to me (I can actually fall asleep to it). It is not going to happen overnight, and of course, there are people who will never get it because it's simply not their type of music. But I do encourage to keep your ears and mind open to new types and styles of music.


What are the Strengths of μ's?

http://blog-imgs-44-origin.fc2.com/j/s/o/jsoraacg/80398543.jpg

I feel that this group cheated when I got hooked up with it. When I started liking their music it was because some songs reminded me of other songs (which, some, I grew up with). For Example: Kitto Seishun ga Kikoeru sounded awfully similar to the song played in the stage Mission Street from Sonic Adventure 2 Battle (which was a game a grew up with, and remember it fondly). Coincidence or not, for the better or worst, I got into μ's. Once inside I discovered something interesting. I already knew that J-pop was not just pop music in Japanese (musically speaking). In J-pop you can find heavy guitars, orchestral instruments, choral vocals, rocking guitar solos, etc. But for the most part, is still pretty simple, and for a band like this (whose purpose is to sell records and look pretty) usually not only simple, but bland, happy, super sweet and cute with lyrics as shallow as pop can get. μ's was quite a different story. The biggest strength μ's has is that there is so much to listen to. In one song, there are Heavy rock guitars, acoustic guitars, synthesizers, a string section with violins, violas, cellos, bass... and they all come together to make one good song (somebody give the arranger and the composer a cookie). Not only in one song, but from song to song is different there's something new to listen to. Pop, Metal, Ska, Rock, Latin, Punk are some of the musical styles you can find μ's' (is this even grammatically correct?) repertoire and it even seems like the composers and arrangers understand the essence of each style as proven in songs like "Cutie Panther" and "Music S.T.A.R.T." that were translated from one musical style to the other rather flawlessly. Also, the fact of them having 9 singers just strengthens the song. It feels fuller and interestingly they even play around with what this of course allows like call and response and multiple voice harmonies.  The reason why μ's is great is because they don't waste anything in their music. They do have their stereotypical "sugar happy" sound, but also uses other musical styles, genres and techniques to make something richer and more unique.

What are the Weaknesses of μ's?

First of all, μ's is a band/group specifically targeted to make money (this is for you all you purists who hate commercial music). In fact, I think this is the epiphany of "commercial". The idea of having an anime which revolves about a musical group is great business because you can sell the anime, figures, video games, musical albums, singles, concert tickets and DVD's. I personally don't mind that as long as it sounds good (which as I said, it pretty much does) but my problem with this is the following: It limits the group. It's kind of ironic that I band that seems that they don't limit themselves have such an obvious limiting factor. The music of the band has to revolve around the story. They have tried to milk more money by making singles from sub groups of μ's like Printemps, BiBi, and Lily White but these will only take them so far. In fact, there's going to be a new Season with a totally different group because they know μ's can't go on with new content. I can't really say about the lyrics because I don't speak and I understand very little Japanese. What I have understood or read, I like the lyrics. Sometimes they have really nice messages and others are just something innocent and harmless (in other words, not bad nor stupid). But because of the nature of the group, I wouldn't expect any timeless or deep philosophical lyrics that will criticize modern day issues or give you something to think about. This first point is not that much of a problem because you should understand the type of music you are getting into when you listen to any band. Here, do not expect groundbreaking content.

http://otowota.com/imgs/2014/10/pa1413733512575.jpg

The biggest issue of the band is ironically their biggest strength: their music. Why? I praise the music from μ's because the instruments and how they relate to each other in one song and within all the songs is just amazing. In the concerts, however, it's a huge let down. For better or worst, I will probably will never be able to go to a μ's concert because I don't live in Japan, so my observations are solely based on videos I found on Youtube. Like other Idol groups they use an instrumental backing track for all the songs in the concert set list, so that's a huge let down right off the bat. Why you have such beautiful Music, why wouldn't you spend a little more on a band that can properly play the music like in the studio? It would be totally worth it because not having a live band is a flat out waste of potential. Interestingly, however, I did find a video of a concert (which was presented only 2 songs) which they did have a small band which consisted of drums, a bass, 2 guitars, and a keyboard performing with them. So maybe their concerts are more like a Russian Roulette? Another issue they have while live is that the singers have a little bit more trouble singing. In their defense, they are dancing and jumping a lot, so hitting each note perfectly is pretty hard, but also we have to keep in mind they are not singers, but voice actresses. I don't know if they have any type of musical training before Love Live! but the point is that singing is not their priority. To top it all off, they are trying to sing while staying in character. You are not hearing Emi Nitta, Aya Uchida, Suzuko Mimori or Pile in the concerts (for example), but you are hearing Honoka Kosaka , Kotori Minami, Umi Sonoda and Maki Nishikino instead. I see the voices not being pitch perfect more as a nitpick than an actual flaw. As much I want to criticize it, I have to give them credit for doing it and being able to pull it off most of the time. I mean, have you ever tried to sing a song with a voice that is not your natural voice while dancing a choreography and jumping around a stage keeping the energy up and staying in tune?

My conclusion:

μ's is a cool and interesting band to check out. Because they are such crowd pleasers, I am sure you will find something you like (unless you cannot stand J-pop). It's definitely a band I tend to go back to a lot in my every day life. If you want to check them out recommend you listen to the albums "Love Live! Best Album" and/or "
Love Live! μ's Best Album Best Live! Collection II". Some of my favorite μ's songs are (no specific order):
-Aishiteru Banzai!
-Kaguya no Shiro de Odoritai
-Wonderful Rush
-Mermaid Festa vol. 1
-Akifureta Kanashimi no Hate
-After School NAVIGATORS
-Loveless World
-Binetsu Kara Mystery

http://pds27.egloos.com/pds/201402/09/49/b0012149_52f77e065fb94.jpg