Rule / Sparkle [CD+DVD / Jacket A]

Ayumi Hamasaki

First Press: Sold Out
Price 1800yen (1890yen Tax incl.)
US$ 19.93
Points You Earn: 54 points
Format CD
Release Date 2009/02/25
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Ayumi Hamasaki
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Edition Details

Catalog No. AVCD-31605
JAN 4988064316052
Number of discs 2
Item weight 200g
Label/Distributor avex trax

Description

New single release from Ayumi Hamasaki including theme song to the film "DRAGONBALL Evolution" and insert song to the TV spot "Sparkle." Jacket A edition includes DVD with music video of "Rule" and "Sparkle." *Unless otherwise indicated, DVDs are region-2 encoded (Japan, Europe, and Middle East), and carry no subtitles.


First Press: Sold Out pictured label illustrated by Akira Toriyama

(All product details, including availability, images, language(s), special features, and bonus extras, are subject to change without prior notice. Actual item weight may be different from the one indicated above.)

Tracklisting

1. RULE(ORIGINAL MIX)
2. SPARKLE(ORIGINAL MIX)
3. RULE(80KIDZ'S "NO MORE RULE"MIX)
4. RULE(REMO-CON "TECH DANCE"REMIX)
5. RULE(ORIGINAL MIX -INSTRUMENTAL-)
6. SPARKLE(ORIGINAL MIX -INSTRUMENTAL-)

Credits

Ayumi Hamasaki (Artist)KAZUHIRO HARA (Composer)AYUMI HAMASAKI (Lyricist)HAL (Arranger)80KIDZ (Remixer)REMO-CON (Remixer)CMJK (Arranger)MIKI WATANABE (Composer)

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Neolog Reviews

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neolog First single of 2009 4

Ayu started year 2009 with a colorful blast. While Rule is good pop-rock song, Sparkle was something I didn't expect. It really stands out from the other songs Ayu has released recently and in a positive way.
Ayumi Hamasaki CD:s By hanami(2009/10/16)

neolog This CD rules! 5

I LOVE Sparkle. I'm glad this was a double A side because I probably wouldn't have bought it for Rule, but I heard the preview for Sparkle and had to pre-order it.
Ayumi Hamasaki By musumemusic(2009/07/10)

neolog Rule / Sparkle 4

Both title tracks are quite fantastic and it has some quite random remixes. Of cause this doesnt excuse the horrid looking covers. Im quite glad I got the artwork poster because theres no way I would have the other one on my wall.
Ayu Stuff By micster(2009/06/29)
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Customer Reviews

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Rule/Sparkle DVD 5

Ayu's new release featuring the international theme song for the movie 'Dragonball Evolution', 'Rule'. And the up-beat track 'Rule' really fits that movie perfectly. The second a-side, 'Sparkle', is also up-beat though somewhat more mellow in its pace. Moreover, this version includes two remix versions of 'Rule', both of which are very nice to listen to.
The +DVD edition includes with music videos for both tracks (of which I recommened 'Sparkle' the most).
By Mikomi @GERMANY (2009/05/14)

Disappointing 3

I just do not like RULE at all.

It looks too much like a marketing product than anything else to me.

Considering that the movie Dragon Ball Evolution has been named as the worse movie of the year at least ( by professional critics in my country), totally denaturing the dragon ball saga, I am not sure that it helped Ayumi Hamasaki into participating.

But she could not know. I think this is not her style at all. And the soft part is okay, but too cliche.

Then, I actually like Sparkle, because the song is energetic, and makes you wanting to move and dance.

I do not know why, but I tend to compare this single, and the album, as Madonna's like. That is to say, albums that have nothing to last, but everything to make good hits now, and that you will forget by the end of next year.

Worse, I am a fitness adept, and we use the single version of Madonna songs, as well as those of Ayu ( Sparkle, Energy..) in that single, without any modification...which is really bad news.
By Zhealy @FRANCE (2009/05/08)

Excerpts from review on Daizenshuu EX 4

TRACK 1: "Rule" --
The hard-rock/pop style Hamasaki has become known for is in full effect with "Rule". The guitars and drums pound harder than they have before with her music, but fade out as you would expect for the breakdown elements of the song. These breakdown elements are unfortunately far too cliche; were something slightly more original thrown in to mix up the song, it probably could have delivered a much more eye-popping product in the end.

At the end of the day, we are given a moderately well-produced, well-performed, and dynamically interesting song. Sure, it may not fit in with the style of DragonBall we are used to, but if you consider Evolution its own entity, the song works very well.

TRACK 2: "Sparkle" --
The song starts out in what feels like an out-of-place Daft Punk song, but quickly evolves into a classic Hamasaki track with hints of rock, albeit much more in the background. The clashing of the electronic and rock sounds works very well for the song, though I can understand why it might be used in a television commercial: I lose interest after 30-second spurts.

At the same time, there is a very catchy element to it, and it has a much more unique sound than even "Rule" does. "Sparkle" ends up being every much of an "A-side" single as "Rule" is.

FINAL THOUGHTS --
With the extra remix tracks being such expendable nonsense, the real question you should ask yourself is whether or not you are interested enough to just go ahead and pick up Hamasaki's latest album, Next Level. The new album contains both "Rule" and "Sparkle", and also has an alternate version with a bonus DVD that contains the music videos for both songs, what appears to be the same "Making Of" clip for "Rule" from this package, and so much more.

Would you rather spend ~$18 for the single + DVD (~$10 for just the single), or go all-out and get the new album and DVD for ~$38 (~$30 for just the album)...?

The answer to that question is going to be all your own. If you are just a DragonBall fan looking to get DragonBall music, the single is the way to go. If you are a fan of J-Pop at large, the new Hamasaki album as a whole is probably the route you will want to go. When you consider that "Rule" does not make an appearance on the official soundtrack for DragonBall Evolution, casual fans will have to be picky with their Japanese CD purchase in this case.
By Michael LaBrie @UNITED STATES (2009/05/01)

Way to go! 5

I didn't want to have the drawing poster but...The single's superb!!PV's really cool!
The making's interesting and if you wach attenctively, you'll find a missing thing in the video...
A great international song...
GO Ayumi!
By Fabrizio @MEXICO (2009/04/06)

Catchy! 5

Rule and Sparkle are both amazingly catchy songs!! Ayu's vocals sound lovely and powerful. The remixes for Rule are both very pretty, but I believe the original track surpasses them. The CD also features instrumentals so you can sing the songs too!

The DVD includes the Rule PV and making of. It is a great PV, and the making of video is very interesting to watch.

The First Press comes with a picture label: the CD has been printed with a drawing, the manga version of Ayu drawn by mangaka Akira Toriyama, of worldwide fame due to Dragonball.
I also received a big poster with my order.

It is a simple, yet amazing release by Ayu!
By AngelFlare @ARGENTINA (2009/03/31)

it rules! 4

this was a pretty cool single by ayu. rule is fierce and rough and even cool it's going to be used in the new Dragon Ball movie :) sparkle is fun
By trish @UNITED STATES (2009/03/20)

Solid release 4

While I bought this single mostly for the tie in to the DragonBall Evolution film (I am a sucker for all things Toriyama), I am a long time Ayu fan and really REALLY like the tracks.

It's so refreshing to finally have remixes back on the CD - my fave on this version being the 80s No more Rule one. The Days and GREEN remixes on the other versions are wonderful too - but that's another story!

If you like Rule you will LOVE Sparkle - it has the LOVEppears feel to it, yet updated to be relevant for today's musical standards. It's great she's revisiting this trancey dance/pop style of music I fell in love with years ago. The lyrics are fun and both songs have great remix and live potential.

The only disappointing thing is that Sparkle's PV wasn't finished for the release, but it will be on the album. It bought the release down to an overall 4 stars in my eyes, but I was very happy to get the Toriyama drawing with my First Press!

If you're a new fan I suggest waiting for the album release to get more bang for your buck. Rule/Sparkle is a solid single but NEXT LEVEL is where the fun really begins!
By Kariya @AUSTRALIA (2009/03/13)

Good single 5

It's a good single. Very rock and electro like love. Of Great Ayu!!!
I wait the new album. Rule and Sparckle are a Ayu's new best song after Talkin' 2 myself and Is this love?
By Aurelie @FRANCE (2009/03/08)

Awesome! 5

An amazing release from Ayu! Both A-sides are superb and the remixes are great. The Rule PV is one of her best (Ayu dancing = great!) The posters are fabulous as well!
By Caroline @CANADA (2009/02/28)

Ayu change beautifully her way of music 5

This new single from ayumi hamasaki is a great surprise.
Ths songs are so different than the single "GREEN/Days" which I love very much.

With "Rule/Sparkle", Ayu gives us an electro way of music which remembers a little the full album "LOVE appears" -which was very fabulous- but the difference is her more beautiful voice and a more serious work of music.

For my part, "Rule/Sparkle" is an excellent single from Ayu and is a fabulous intro to her following full-album "Next Level".
By Clotilde @FRANCE (2009/02/25)
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