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How long has it been since we had any JE release worth talking about? (I discount 嵐's album not because I adore them any less than usual, but just because we've heard it all before, 5x10 aside, and it is too embarrassing to tell you how much 5x10 makes me cry.) Journal dates suggest it was late July (Kamisen), prior that (more Arashi and) KAT-TUN in April, and NEWS with 恋のABO even earlier. So I was delighted to find that there'd be solo PVs on NEWS' imminent DVD release. PVs are always good, I thought, for amusement if not actual enjoyment!

NEWS did not let me down. Though they might have done better without Yamapi.

I'll admit, I like MOLA more than it probably deserves. Certainly it's over-produced and doesn't really sound like Pi, and his English isn't even up to par with Jin's on the acceptability scale, but consequently if Pi says "lovejuice" or anything like it I can't understand him anyway, and I do rather like "speed up like on a freeway," so you know, guilty pleasure. And Pi also looks marginally less traumatized to be molested by female dancers than Matsujun did, though I can't help feeling he may have stolen some of his moves from KAT-TUN. That said, it's really hard to establish my thoughts on the dancing because so much of it is out-glamoured by the most distracting special effects in the universe (and sometimes he's just chilling there with the CGI without even trying!) Moreover, Pi's reaching such levels of emotionlessness that I'm not entirely sure that Johnny has not worked him to death and subtly replaced him with some truly astounding animatronics, and there is not a single way in which the MOLA remix is superior to the original.

But credit where credit's due--at least he's lipsynching, which is more than the loveless PV got!

Maybe he should take some pointers from Koyama, who appears to have been reborn as my new favorite KAT-TUN member. I know a lot of people didn't like this PV too much, presumably for the same reasons, but I dig sexy Kei-chan, I have always counted Love Addiction as one of my favorite NEWS solos, and I would totally show you affection any day, baby. *leer*

The fact that he spent all his backstage time being, yappari, a total dork, does not hurt in the least. Also, am glad I lol'd so hard at him doing things to his blanket in the making-of, because perving so hard on Koyamama was beginning to feel a bit wrong.

I don't like code. I have never liked code. I might like Ryo's PV more if I hated code less, but I don't care for the melody, and I can only rarely stand Ryo's voice, so I don't. Sorry, Ryo. I mean, I guess it's artsy? You look like a legit non-Johnny's artist? You got a much higher budget than Pi, if nothing else.

Goddammit this may actually be making me like the song. MOVING ON.

I am always right there with cute Massu, and on this front Superman does not let me down. However, it also provides me with something I only rarely remember I want, which is: Massu the REALLY HOT DANCER. So why don't we see more of this, JE? Forget Pi; boy can move. I'm actually okay with the fact that this is definitely not Massu at his vocal best because seriously, he didn't lie, kakkoii dance scene is kakkoii.

I'm also surprised every time he opens his mouth at how deep his speaking voice is, when most of his solo lines are so light and pretty.

I would do Shige in 90% of his incarnations, including but not limited to salaryman, karaoke waiter, and smoking hot brunette. I do not feel bad about this. Song does nothing for me but video is A++, everything I love about Shige.

I hope he wore the schoolgirl outfit for the live, Tegoshi-ppoi!

Shige cosplay to Tegoshi is, I must admit, a very strange transition, particularly when Tego seems to be taking thematic cues from 太陽のナミダ. He's ridiculously pretty soaking wet, I'll admit, and 愛なんて is undeniably improved by lack of Ryo. But the hanging out in bathrooms (?) is beginning to seem a bit, dare I say, traditional, and his independently moving reflection freaks me the hell out. I'm not sure "gorgeous" is the word I'd use, Tego, unless we're talking about you.

But you know what, NEWS? You did good. I'll take it. Sankyuu.