A Wonky Change of Heart

You may remember that way back on day 2 of the '30 Hello! Project Idol Challenge' I selected Reina as an idol I disliked. Recently I have been unsure if this was the right decision. Sure, I still find Reina to be slightly powerless on stage but she has pretty much won me over as far as personality goes and her voice has improved a lot recently.

I often see people writing about how Reina's singing is whiny and how they wish she would go back to being the "old Reina". As far as I understand, Reina changed the way she sung around her joining to her later whiny tone because her style of singing was harmful to her throat. I think everyone can agree that her tone post Shabondama wasn't the most natural or pleasant. ("Sekushiiii Aiirann" anyone?) However, listening to new songs such as 'Silver no Udedokei', 'Kono Chikyuu blah blah blah' and the new Mobekimasu b-side 'Kacchoi Uta' I get the impression that Reina is finally figuring out how to use her voice to it's full potential. Its as if her voice has suddenly become more 3 dimensional. Her tone is warm and she has some nice vibrato going on. (Now if only Airi Suzuki would follow suit. Another great technical vocalist with an unfortunate lack of warmth.) In fact, I much prefer this Reina to the "Old Reina" everyone mourns.

It seems I will have to reconsider who my disliked idols are. Even Risako has won me over so I guess it all comes back to my original victim . . . . sorry Ayaya.

 Also, Reina is far overdue another photobook. Some of the shots in 'Very Reina' seem pretty interesting. Reina works well away from the bikini formula so I'd love to see a fashion orientated photobook from her soon.