Aya Kamiki – INDIVIDUAL EMOTION
February 7, 2010 at 1:16 pm | In Aya Kamiki | 3 CommentsTags: albums
The cover of the limited edition
INDIVIDUAL EMOTION is Aya Kamiki’s 4th album and it was released on January 27, 2010. The album reached #23 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold 7,283 copies. It’s also her first album on the avex trax label.
I like Aya’s ~avex makeover~! She looks less like an Avril clone now.
♦ ♦ ♦
Don’t fret, Aya Kamiki fans! Just because she’s switched labels doesn’t mean that her music style has changed. If anything, the differences between INDIVIDUAL EMOTION and her first 3 albums are pretty subtle. The aggressive rock sound is still there but the pop influences are stronger. If you have heard the album’s only single, W-B-X ~W-Boiled Extreme~, then you know what I mean. I don’t think this is a bad thing at all since I think this is her most interesting album to date.
If you’re not familiar with the music on her original label GIZA studio, she mainly performed songs within the pop rock genre, sometimes incorporating elements like alternative rock and even punk. In some ways, this album does mark a departure to a more mainstream sound. Songs like The Light (the album’s main promotional track) and TO-THE-ATTACK feature prominent synth in their arrangements. Like I said, the change is there but it’s not all that significant.
A majority of the album is still composed of great old fashioned rock songs though. These songs sound renovated and feature a noticeable “face lift” when compared to her past works. EMPTY, Break my day, and 248 Mile are all pretty awesome (the last track I mentioned being my favorite of the 3). There’s also sokubaku LOVE and CLAP YOUR HANDS, 2 tracks that have a gutsy attitude to them. Lastly, Dear my… and I wish in your dreams balance things out by being the album’s slower paced songs. They may not be as energetic as the rest of the album but they’re definitely bold.
From beginning to end, INDIVIDUAL EMOTION is an upbeat thrill ride that doesn’t let up. It stays intruiging and I found myself enjoying nearly every track. Most Japanese pop rock albums have a boring side with tracks that end up sounding the same. That is not the case here. Aya Kamiki has pretty much revitalized her career with this album. It’s a very fun listen.
Pros: There are so many good tracks. Just listen to everything!
Cons: The purists might think that Kamiki has “sold out” by switching to avex. Get over it!
BASICALLY…I love the new Aya! She delivered the goods and then some.
Overall Rating
4½ stars
Tracklisting
1. introduction ~INDIVIDUAL EMOTION~
2. The Light
3. TO-THE-ATTACK
4. EMPTY
5. Break my day
6. Dear my…
7. sokubaku LOVE
8. CLAP YOUR HANDS
9. 248 Mile
10. I wish in your dreams
11. W-B-X ~W-Boiled Extreme~ / Aya Kamiki w TAKUYA
Note: My favorite tracks are highlighted in blue!
Sayuri Sugawara – First Story
February 2, 2010 at 10:09 pm | In Sayuri Sugawara | 7 CommentsTags: albums
The cover of the CD only edition
First Story is Sayuri Sugawara’s debut album and it was released on January 27, 2010. The album reached #14 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold 10,217 copies. It features the singles Ano Hi no Yakusoku and Kimi ga Iru Kara as well as some tracks from her mini-album Kimi ni Okuru Uta.
ayaka is back! Oh wait, that’s Sayuri. I like to call her ayaka2 though. lmao
♦ ♦ ♦
Like Koda Kumi and Angela Aki before her, I didn’t find out Sayuri Sugawara until her association with the Final Fantasy game series. I’m glad I did though because she is GREAT. It first started with her mini-album Kimi ni Okuru Uta and I was impressed with her bright vocals and brand of clean pop music. When I mean by “clean”, the music is neat and has a fresh attitude to it.
Then she released her debut single Ano Hi no Yakusoku and I was liking her even more. It was when I heard the Final Fantasy XIII theme song Kimi ga Iru Kara that I became a fan. Honestly, the song is really nice even though it kind of pales in comparison to past theme songs from the series, but what can you do? The B-side from that single and an insert song in the game, Eternal Love, is pretty good too.
What I liked the most about Sugawara’s debut album is that it shows versatility with the many of the new tracks. I think that’s very important, especially for a new artist, but also to keep things interesting. The previously released material showcases an acoustic R&B/pop sound (Kimi ni Okura Uta, Koi, and Eternal Love) and rapper FEROS is featured in 2 tracks. He provides a nice twist to Arigatou and the new “haru” version Destiny (the song has new lyrics relating to spring). New tracks with this sound include alone… and ALWAYS. I love the latter track because it’s very heartwarming and excellent ending to the album.
Better yet, there were tracks that really stood out and made this album shine. There’s Is This Love? which has a cool electronic feel and then It’s My Life, a really cheerful tune with electric guitars. The biggest surprise was definitely Thrill though. The jazzy arrangement is just awesome. Personally, Kimi ga Iru Kara sticks out too because it’s the album’s only truly epic song. Sakura no Michi is a distant second when it comes to being grandiose.
I really don’t have anything bad to say about the album. It’s THAT solid! There were maybe only 2 or 3 “blah” songs but they get easily overshadowed since I think there’s a lot of good stuff on here. Sugawara might not have found her identity or “niche” yet but hey, she’s only getting started. I highly recommend First Story because it’s an enjoyable listen and a refreshing pop album. There’s nothing bland about it.
Pros: A fantastic debut album. I’ll stan for her. XD
Cons: I’m looking at you, alone… and Superstar☆! I didn’t care for those songs.
BASICALLY…when it comes to “firsts”, this was my favorite. Take that, ayaka and Utada!
Overall Rating
4½ stars
Tracklisting
1. Arigatou feat. FEROS (ありがとう feat. FEROS)
2. Kimi ni Okuru Uta (キミに贈る歌)
3. Is This Love?
4. Kimi ga Iru Kara (君がいるから)
5. It’s My Life
6. Ano Hi no Yakusoku (あの日の約束)
7. alone…
8. Thrill (スリル)
9. Eternal Love
10. Sakura no Michi (桜のみち)
11. Koi (恋)
12. Superstar☆ (スーパースター☆)
13. Destiny feat. FEROS <Haru ver.> (Destiny feat. FEROS <春 ver.>)
14. ALWAYS
Note: My favorite tracks are highlighted in blue!
Do As Infinity – Kimi ga Inai Mirai
January 31, 2010 at 10:38 am | In Do As Infinity | 3 CommentsTags: singles
Kimi ga Inai Mirai (君がいない未来) is Do As Infinity’s 22nd single and it was released on January 20, 2010. The single reached #10 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold 8,806 copies. The title track was used as the opening theme song for the anime InuYasha: The Final Act.
Hey! Tomiko and Ryo finally make an appearance on the cover.
♦ ♦ ♦
This single was advertised as an “InuYasha Special Single” because not only does it feature Kimi ga Inai Mirai, but also the band’s 3 other songs that were used in the anime. I’ll get to those later since I want to focus on the A-side now. Personally, I really like Kimi ga Inai Mirai. It’s your basic high octane rock song but it gets the job done. The music is energetic and catchy with a chorus that gets stuck in your head thanks to a simple, yet memorable melody.
I can’t hate on the single for having the band’s 3 other InuYasha tracks. Fukai Mori is THE song that got me into Jpop and I will love it for eternity. XD There’s also Shinjitsu no Uta which is one the band’s most unique songs because of the epic erhu. I can’t forget Rakuen either but I did review the single a long time ago and you can read it HERE. I get a wonderful feeling of nostalgia from all 3 tracks.
Pros: As a whole, this single is perfection despite having 3 older songs.
Cons: The A-side could have easily been on ETERNAL FLAME. It’s obvious the song’s release was delayed.
BASICALLY…I don’t care if it’s a gimmick single! XD
Overall Rating
4½ stars
Tracklisting
1. Kimi ga Inai Mirai (君がいない未来)
2. Fukai Mori (深い森)
3. Shinjitsu no Uta (真実の詩)
4. Rakuen (楽園)
BENI – Sign
January 29, 2010 at 9:55 am | In BENI | 1 CommentTags: singles
Sign (サイン) is BENI’s 14th single and it was released on January 20, 2010. The single reached #50 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold 1,596 copies.
Classy cover. I’m glad that it’s different from her past covers too.
♦ ♦ ♦
Oh, it’s another mid-tempo song. I’m growing weary of this, BENI! Then again, I think Sign is an improvement over her past A-sides. I call it “mid-tempo” because of the beats but it could definitely pass for a ballad too. The music sounds polished and her vocals are top notch as well.
Of course, the B-side is upbeat! Gon’ luv u is on the cute side and it mostly features synth with tinny chimes. The chorus is pretty catchy too. I’ve said this before but here is another example of a song that makes for good A-side material.
As expected from DJ HASEBE, he gives KIRA☆KIRA☆ an urban makeover with this remix. Seriously though, I think this is the strongest remix so far since the song sounds better with heavier beats and so on.
Pros: Another strong offering from BENI. Sign is a great track.
Cons: I want an upbeat A-side for once! Pleeeeeease.
BASICALLY…this is a really good way to start her new era.
Overall Rating
4 stars
Tracklisting
1. Sign (サイン)
2. Gon’ luv u
3. KIRA☆KIRA☆ DJ HASEBE REMIX
4. Sign (Instrumental)
Mika Nakashima – ALWAYS
January 24, 2010 at 8:50 pm | In Mika Nakashima | 3 CommentsTags: singles
ALWAYS is Mika Nakashima’s 31st single and it was released on January 20, 2010. The single reached #3 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold 21,175 copies.
She looks like a real doll. LOL!
♦ ♦ ♦
A ballad that isn’t about stars!? Get out.
Joking aside, ALWAYS is very nice. As I would expect from Nakashima, the song has a flowing, pristine quality surrounding it. While the arrangement is pretty basic with its pretty strings, piano, and drums, Nakashima gives a stellar vocal performance which gives the music life and radiance.
The A-side was lovely but I thought what made this single were the B-sides. Starting with BABY BABY BABY, a jazzy song with an intimate setting. I always love it when Nakashima releases her smoky jazz side because she does it so well. Next to the vivid acoustics that make up most of the song, there’s also a cool electric guitar solo near the end.
SPIRAL was a pleasant surprise with its various electronic elements. I would say that it took some notes from FOCUS, but even then it’s still quite different. The song is filled with light beats and buzzing synth but there were awesome piano sequences as well. This was my favorite track on the single.
Pros: An incredibly solid single. It’s even better than Nagareboshi.
Cons: The B-sides EASILY overshadow the A-side. Is that even a con though? XD
BASICALLY…this is definitely the strongest single of Mika’s new era!
Overall Rating
4½ stars
Tracklisting
1. ALWAYS
2. BABY BABY BABY
3. SPIRAL
4. ALWAYS (Instrumental)
5. BABY BABY BABY (Instrumental)
6. SPIRAL (Instrumental)
Koda Kumi – Can We Go Back
January 22, 2010 at 10:04 am | In Koda Kumi | 6 CommentsTags: singles
The cover of the CD only edition
Can We Go Back is Koda Kumi’s 46th single and it was released on January 20, 2010. The single reached #2 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold 31,078 copies.
Gross! This one isn’t as greasy as the CD+DVD edition’s cover if that counts for anything.
♦ ♦ ♦
Koda Kumi + rock = Uhhhhhhhh.
Sometimes it can be good (Ningyo Hime) or a complete and total disaster (Hashire!). As for Can We Go Back, my stance on the song is currently in the middle. It’s a very straight foward song to say the least. The music is loud, in your face, and extremely blunt. Kumi’s vocals follow suit but I didn’t really like it when she started yelling. On a relevant note, it’s also a cover of some Kelly Clarkson song.
The B-side is the complete opposite. Good☆day is a bright and cheery pop song, the kind of thing that Kumi is definitely not a stranger of. This track isn’t that bad even though we’ve heard it all before. I do like that “I’ll be there for you” line.
Pros: Can We Go Back is growing on me!
Cons: But something about this single is annoying.
BASICALLY…Kumi should stick to hot dance songs but I’ll make an exception.
Overall Rating
3½ stars
Tracklisting
1. Can We Go Back
2. Good☆day
3. Can We Go Back INSTRUMENTAL
4. Good☆day INSTRUMENTAL
YUI – GLORIA
January 20, 2010 at 5:25 pm | In YUI | 4 CommentsTags: singles
The cover of the CD only edition
GLORIA is YUI’s 16th single and it was released on January 20, 2010. The single reached #1 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold 80,750 copies.
Cool cover! I like the washed-out blue colors and the snow.
♦ ♦ ♦
YUI’s last 2 singles have been more on the rockish side but she goes back to her acoustic sound with GLORIA. It really reminded me of the brilliant songs from her debut album FROM ME TO YOU. To make things even better, the song is pretty upbeat and quite catchy. Even though I could have done without that “yai yai yai yai yai” thing she does during the chorus, you could say that it adds some charm.
I can’t get enough of her awesome B-sides! Muffler is a mellow and pleasant track that flows very nicely. What can I say? She excels at this stuff. To put things into perspective, think of SUMMER SONG but a million times better.
The acoustic version of It’s all too much is great too. The song has been stuck in my head lately (I don’t know why lol) and this version has pretty much solidified my appreciation for it.
Pros: Another fantastic single. YUI never lets me down.
Cons: Cons? What cons?
BASICALLY…a glorious single! See what I did there? =x
Overall Rating
4½ stars
Tracklisting
1. GLORIA
2. Muffler
3. It’s all too much ~YUI Acoustic Version~
4. GLORIA ~Instrumental~
Ayumi Hamasaki – You were… / BALLAD
January 8, 2010 at 11:28 am | In Ayumi Hamasaki | 8 CommentsTags: singles
The cover of the CD+DVD edition (type A)
You were… / BALLAD is Ayumi Hamasaki’s 47th single and it was released on December 29, 2009. The single reached #1 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold 111,554 copies.
The covers are gorgeous. She’s looking good and pissing off PETA at the same time. Rock that fur, Ayu. lol
♦ ♦ ♦
I’ve heard You were… before. Her last single abused the summer pop song theme and this time the winter ballad gets a beating. I think the song is decent but it really sounds like a copy of past winter ballads. It’s like Days, CAROLS, and a bunch of other songs got condensed into one. On the plus side, I did like the powerful chorus.
The CD+DVD type A and CD only editions come with an extra “music box mix” that I didn’t care for. It’s boring.
Remember Hamasaki’s oriental tinged song GREEN? Well, if it became a ballad…then it would be BALLAD (lame pun, I know). This song is fantastic though. I personally loved the song’s regal, yet gentle atmosphere. The strings are lovely and the extra acoustics and erhu are great too. As for Hamasaki’s vocals, she sounds a lot better here too.
The 3rd track is dedicated to her fanclub. Isn’t that thoughtful? RED LINE ~for TA~ has grown on me a little but even then, it’s just kind of ”there”. The music is upbeat and features electric guitars with Ayu’s minions chanting in the background.
I’m not done yet. XD *sigh*
There’s also an orchestral version of Sunset ~LOVE is ALL~ that appears on the CD+DVD type B and CD only editions. It’s not that great despite the music sounding really pretty. I blame Hamasaki’s bland vocals.
Pros: BALLAD BALLAD BALLAD!
Cons: Everything else is “meh”.
BASICALLY…there’s no winter ballad mega-mash-up-mix? ;D
Overall Rating
3½ stars
Tracklisting (CD only edition)
1. You were… (Original mix)
2. BALLAD (Original mix)
3. RED LINE ~for TA~ (Original mix)
4. You were… (Music Box mix -retake version-)
5. Sunset ~LOVE is ALL~ (Orchestra version)
6. You were… (Original mix -Instrumental-)
7. BALLAD (Original mix -Instrumental-)
8. RED LINE ~for TA~ (Original mix -Instrumental-)
Note: I posted this edition’s tracklisting because it contains all 8 tracks. The 2 CD+DVD editions have 7.
Ai Kawashima – Daisuki da yo
January 5, 2010 at 11:26 pm | In Ai Kawashima | 1 CommentTags: singles
The cover of the CD+DVD edition
Daisuki da yo (大好きだよ) is Ai Kawashima’s 18th single and it was released on December 16, 2009. The single reached #12 on the Oricon Weekly Charts and sold 6,435 copies.
I demand that you show yourself, Ai Kawashima! D<
♦ ♦ ♦
Starting off a new era with a dose of sweetness is Daisuki da yo. The song reminds me of her last single, the similarly titled Daijoubu da yo, but without the rockish undertones. The cute pop sound is more prevalent here and I liked it. Kawashima never fails to deliver a pleasant track, that’s for sure.
The B-side that appears on both editions is Oh my snow, an upbeat winter themed track. Next to the perky instruments are some jingle bells that add to the festive mood of the song.
Track 3 is where things begin to differ. The CD+DVD edition has believe me, I believe you while the CD only has Umi ga Hakobu Uta. Unfortunately, the CD only track hasn’t surfaced so I can’t give any thoughts about it. believe me, I believe you is another upbeat song with electric guitars though.
Pros: The A-side and Oh my snow are really nice.
Cons: Like BENI, she suffers from “mid-tempo A-side syndrome”.
BASICALLY…less leaves, more Ai!
Overall Rating
3½ stars
Tracklisting
1. Daisuki da yo (大好きだよ)
2. Oh my snow
3. believe me, I believe you [CD+DVD]
Umi ga Hakobu Uta (海が運ぶうた) [CD only]
2009 In Review ~Albums + Ripping Things Up~
January 1, 2010 at 9:36 pm | In ~Features! | 9 Comments
PART 5
HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!
First of all, I want to say that I LOOOOVE whoever made this manip. It had me loling for hours. A big thanks to some random member at ONTD for posting it.
That was Namie’s reaction when she found out that Susan Boyle beat her on the World Charts. =(
Along with my favorite albums, I will also have some random categories to finish off the post. Once again, these will be in no particular order but I did divide the albums section into 2 categories: a lower tier and an upper tier. The upper tier contains my top 5 albums of the year!
♦ ♦ ♦
THE BEST!
ALBUMS
The Lower Tier
Ayumi Hamasaki – NEXT LEVEL
LOL. Why are you looking at me like that? It was a fun album. =x
Top Tracks: Sparkle | Rule | LOVE ‘n’ HATE
BENI – Bitter & Sweet
An excellent “re-debut” album.
Top Tracks: Kiss Kiss Kiss | nice & slow | Beautiful World
Rie fu – URBAN ROMANTIC
A great mix of the old and new for Rie fu.
Top Tracks: Romantic | PRESENT | She Can’t Say No ~No to Ienai Onna~
Perfume – ⊿
It’s GAME but without the boring second half!
Top Tracks: One Room Disco | Kiss and Music | edge (⊿-mix)
Koda Kumi – TRICK
This would have been perfect without the cute songs and bling bling bling.
Top Tracks: TABOO | show girl | JUST THE WAY YOU ARE
The Upper Tier
Yuna Ito – DREAM
It’s easily her best album to date. It contains her best upbeat songs too.
Top Tracks: Ima Demo Aitai yo… | trust you | LOVE MACHINE GUN
KOKIA – KOKIA∞AKIKO ~balance~
Another flawless release. I loved the variety on this album.
Top Tracks: INFINITY | Usu Momoiro no Kisetsu | usaghi
MiChi – UP TO YOU
Most infectious album of the year. No doubt about it!
Top Tracks: PROMiSE | KiSS KiSS xxx | YOU
Namie Amuro – PAST<FUTURE
The queen! *bows down*
Top Tracks: FAST CAR | WILD | The Meaning Of Us
alan – Voice of EARTH
You know, before her “Ayufication”.
Top Tracks: Natsukashii Mirai ~longing future~ | RED CLIFF ~Shin Sen~ | Together
Albums That Just Missed The Top 10
Angela Aki – ANSWER
BONNIE PINK – ONE
Kana Nishino – LOVE one.
Do As Infinity – ETERNAL FLAME
MISIA – JUST BALLADE
♦ ♦ ♦
THE WORST?
Well, the only album that I really hated this year was Tommy heavenly6’s I KILL MY HEART. Please rename it to I KILL MY FANBASE/CREDIBILITY/SELF. There’s also alan’s my life (The Ayufication of alan, part 2) but it’s only the album’s boring first half that I dislike so much.
WRAPPING THINGS UP: RANDOMNESS!
Other Amazing Album Tracks
Kana Nishino – Life goes on…
BONNIE PINK – Get on the Bus
Angela Aki – ANSWER and Dahlia
Aya Matsuura – Omoi Afurete
Mai Kuraki – touch Me!
Songs That I Shouldn’t Like But I Do Anyway
Koda Kumi – Lick me ♥
Ayumi Hamasaki – Sunrise ~LOVE is ALL~
Kana Nishino – candy
alan - Essence of me
Yuna Ito – BAILA BAILA
Collaborations
The best: Yuna Ito feat. Spontania – Ima Demo Aitai yo…
Runner-up: BoA – UNIVERSE feat. Crystal Kay & VERBAL (m-flo)
The worst: Ai Otsuka×SU from RIP SYLME – aisu×time
Runner-up: Koda Kumi×misono – It’s all Love!
Cover Songs
The best: misono – Urusei Yatsura no Theme ~Lum no Love Song~
Runner-up: Ami Suzuki – Dub-I-Dub
The worst: Sowelu – Time After Time
Runner-up: Angela Aki – Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door (What are you gonna do about it? XD)
Remixes
I’m not big on remixes but my favorite this year was the ”8-bits of tears YMCK remix” of Days by Ayumi Hamasaki.
Introductions/Interludes
The best: Koda Kumi – INTRODUCTION FOR TRICK
Runner-up: alan – Tennyo ~interlude~
The worst: Ayumi Hamasaki – Disco-munication (So pointless.)
Runner-up: Thelma Aoyama – Intro (Also very pointless.)
Don’t disappoint me now, 2010.
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