As for Koharu, she seems to lack much vocal range or power. She sounds okay in MoMusu songs, but there she is singing less lines and is part of a group that usually includes many girls harmonizing together. When she stands on her own, her vocal weaknesses stands out more. Also, her character is a professional singer-typically she would get vocal training of some sort so that she could sing better, especially if she is a solo artist, and especially by the second album. I love Koharu’s voice- in this age of idol who all sound the same, her voice is unique and helps define who she is as an idol.

I don’t believe the point of Perfume is for them to have a long-lasting idol career, as most idols don’t. The only idol group that really has “survived” and is still successful is MoMusu, and they don’t have any of their original members left. So if this gimmick works for them now, then that’s all that matters. The point of an idol is to come in quick, grab attention, and then quickly fade away after a couple of years. Even the amazing ace Gocchin got slaggy sales after awhile to the point where they tried, unsuccessfully, to Koda Kumi-fy her, which still didn’t increase sales!

While I don’t think Perfume will have the same success as MM had back in the late 90s, I don’t think they are doomed anytime soon.

Also, their new TV-show rocks

I also think, speaking of “bad voices” and Koharu, is that she’s getting a bad rap over her vocals. Her two “solo” albums are still basically character albums (granted, her second album seems to be mroe of a character album than the first) since her anime character is supposed to be an aspiring idol singer who can’t sing worth a shit, whereas Koharu on the MoMusu material is a pretty decent singer.

@Jostein: I have gotten nothing wrong. If Perfume expects to have a long career, eventually they’ll have to stop with the vocoders and learn to stretch out musically. One of the reasons Morning Musume is still around after 11 years is because they are not restricted to just one musical style. Yes, the Perfume album is good, but the gimmicks they hide behind grow old real quick. Do you really think they’ll have a long career riding this gimmick? Because I sure don’t.

And Jesus christ this album delivers. I’m still waiting for the proper thingie to get to my mailbox and checking out the “live” performances on the DVD, as these girls have a habit of making live-perfs of static content into something more.

In my opinion MUCH more so than MM.

They may not be regular idols, even though the Japanese tabloids have started to pick up on that idea, but still… They have their own gig, and their album has so far stayed within the top -3- on daily oricon rankings.

To say that they are doing things wrong and that MM is doing better when UFA is pretty much eating their entire budget to spend on Buono, C-ute or whatever is just plain stupid.

These girls are just ready to eat Japan and I can’t wait to for their tour this May.

Also, just because a voice isn’t technically perfect doesn’t mean it can’t be interesting-just look at Koharu’s limited range and inability to hold a note for more than a couple of beats. However, her odd pronunciation and infectious energy make up for that and her music can still be interesting and catchy. To go even older, Joey Ramone had what many would consider to be a “bad voice,” but his voice is so distinct and unique to him that it is an asset (not to compare Koha to the legend that is Joey Ramone, obviously- my Ramones-obssesed/H!P-hating little brother would have a fit! xD)

I’m not telling you to change why you enjoy idol music-I actually appreciate that you look at the music before the eye-candy, as I do as well. But I think you are looking at Perfume in the wrong light. The point of their group is not if they are good or bad singers, is that the vocoder is mainly a gimmick, regardless or not if they can sing well. To suggest that they stop using the vocoder is like to suggest to MoMusu to stop rotating its members-it’s what they are known for. If it annoys you, simply don’t listen to their music. Suggesting that they change that is suggesting that they drop everything that made them who they are.

Though I do agree that T-Pain is annoying as hell, if simply because he is another misogynistic, greedy, empty hip-hop star of today that has more in common with Alex Rodriguez than Public Enemy.

@Yoshimi: Where did you find this clip of them singing naturally? I’m curious…