Review by CLeM
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ayumi hamasaki Arena Tour 2006 A - (miss)understood -Ayumi HamasakiGreat Fun, Great Show
Ms. Hamasaki's live shows are always a fascinating merger of music, visual arts, dance and technology - and this tour is no exception. The big set piece this time around is a huge, semi-transparant video screen that splits into 8 sections. Each section is movable and it's put to some stunning uses. There's also live stage FX like rain and a suspended sphere from inside of which, Ayumi sings above the crowd. The costumes and dancing are amazing, with trf members Chiharu, Etsu and Sam once again lending their significant talents to some of the choreography. Still, concerts have to be about the music and the singing more than the presentation - and once again, the band and Ms. Hamasaki do a phenomenal job. Plus, this is a 3 hour concert spanning 2 discs - and that doesn't even include the extras on the third disc. So, you certainly get your money's worth. Being one who works professionally in sound, I do wish the 5.1 mix on her DVDs utilized the center channel more - there's almost nothing in it. But the mix is otherwise excellent. If you've seen concert DVDs of Ayumi Hamasaki, this one will certainly live up to your expectations. If you haven't, what are you waiting for?
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Secret [Jacket A / CD+DVD]Ayumi HamasakiSuperb and Flawless!
Another great album from Ms. Hamasaki! This CD literally rocks (more rock influenced tracks than her previous albums). It's also her most musically sophisticated album yet and is extremely well structured. Instrumental tunes break the album in to 3 sections. First are the hard-driving rock tunes (1 Love, Until That Day, etc.), then come the soft ballads (Jewel, Momentum) and finally the pop styled tunes for which she is most famous (Blue Bird, Beautiful Fighters, etc.). It ends with an "encore" of sorts - a rock song followed by the ballad, Secret. That structure, combined with the quality of music and her vocal performance, makes for a flawless album that becomes a unique work unto itself - far more than just a collection of songs. And despite the wide range of styles, they all maintain that unmistakable Hamasaki feeling. The videos are well done, with the possible exception of "Born to Be." The song is my absolute favorite on the album, but the PV is a noble experiment that ultimately results in a series of over-exposed images. The videos for Startin', Jewel and Momentum more than make up for it, though. Definitely worth the purchase. You'll play it over and over again.
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Ri bbon [Jacket A / CD+DVD]My Little LoverMLL Is Back
One of my favorite bands is back. Of course, I was concerned how much the new label, Avex, would change the MLL style. When I didn't see producer/songwriter Takeshi Kobayashi's name listed, I was a bit more concerned, as he was half of the band. Well, the good news is, my concern was mostly unfounded. In fact, this MLL single harkens back more to the earlier days of the band rather than the Topics/Waters era, but has a bit more complexity in the arrangement. It definitely has that MLL feel to it, and that's a good thing. Akko's voice is very good and it's a well done single. If I had known the album would be out so soon, I might have skipped the single and waited for the album. I look forward to hearing the rest of the new songs when the album arrives.
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Parade [w/ DVD, Limited Edition]Shikao SugaSuga Does it Again.
While every country around the world seems to embrace younger performers, there is no denying that experience makes a huge difference. It's been 9 years since Suga-san debuted his first single. And one can hear the experience and knowledge he's gained on every track of this album. Solid musicianship and song writing like this doesn't happen over night. While all of his albums are quite good, this album is his best work to date. The simplicity of the melodies is matched only by the complexity of the arrangements. A perfect blend of upbeat songs and ballads, the album shows off how well-rounded and competent a musician he has become. The videos included in the special edition are fine. But the most enjoyable is certainly Gogo no Parade, with it's odd, fascinating choreography and creative art direction. A very enjoyable album you'll listen to many times over.
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ayumi hamasaki Countdown Live 2005-2006 AAyumi HamasakiAnother Performance Not to be Missed.
There's really no one like Ayumi Hamasaki. And to just listen to her CDs is really to experience only half (or less) of what her talent has to offer. It's her live performances of those excellent songs that so amazing. And this Countdown Live is no exception. While this concert certainly isn't as elaborate as her Arena Tours (after all, it's only for a couple nights whereas a tour is many dates throughout the country), there's more planning, preparation, performers and sheer spectacle here than in several of your typical live concerts from other artists. The standards that made Ayumi-san popular are here, as usual, as well as some very pleasant surprises including an excellent version of Theme of A-Nation '03 and an energy-filled Bold & Delicious complete with choir. And yet, despite the reliance on showmanship, Ms. Hamasaki can simply sit center stage with no elaborate costumes or dancers and mesmerize the audience with her emotional rendition of "Rainy Day" or "Love-Destiny." It's this honest emotion and her ability to develop a performance that fits each song's tone perfectly that really makes her live shows stand out. Highly recommended.
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hiro Special Box [w/ DVD, first pressing only limited release]hiroGreat Collection
I'm not much for the teen groups. I like my music a bit more sophisticated and I'm certainly not the target audience. But somehow, for me the group Speed became a "guilty pleasure." Now, this box set is a collection of songs from the solo career of arguably one of the most talented of Speed's lead singers, Hiro. In addition to the overly bubbly pop songs that I'm embarrassed to admit I like (but like nonetheless), there's a healthy dose of really interesting tunes in here, too. "Hero" is a very creatively constructed song. Moreover, the remix disc is almost better than the main disc - which is a very rare occurrence. The remixes of "Namida," "Love is Shouting Out," and "Mitsumeteitai" do much more than just stretch out a song to a longer version. They become new songs that stand on their own. As for the music video DVD, the collection of hits there is good and many of the videos are quite interesting to watch. This is an excellent box set to add to any J-Pop Library.
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The First QuarterNanase AikawaThe Softer Side of Nanase-san
This album, and it's partner "The Last Quarter," are Nanase albums unlike her others. These are not the hard-rock, tough girl kind of songs for which she is famous. And frankly, it's a very nice change. Don't get me wrong. I really like Nanase-san's harder rock albums, but it's nice to hear her voice singing softer songs like these. The cuts on this album have a much more mellow jazz infused flavor. It feels like sitting in an expensive, high-quality lounge, sipping your favorite beverage and listening to the gorgeous singer on stage belt out the tunes with all her heart. And yes, there is quite a bit of emotion in the songs. Here we get a real sense of the strength of Nanase's voice. Moreover, she seems perfectly at home with these songs - none of the forced feel occasionally present in her harder material. She fits this kind of music perfectly. I suspect this album has been overlooked by many, since it's not geared to her rock fan base and probably wasn't advertised much outside of that group. But it's a very good album not to be missed. Pick it up. I think you'll like it.
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sunriseKIX-SGreat Last Album
I thought I had all of Kix-S' albums, then I came across this gem. Apparently, this was their last album and what a sign-off! This album shows pretty much everything that made Kix-S the great band they were: Well written songs with strong, rock guitar support and excellent vocals. Some have called them a female version of B'z, I think of them more like a Japanese version of the American band Heart, yet they have their own, distinct style and are a bit more "pop" than the above mentioned groups. The only thing missing from this album is one of their trademark, heartfelt ballads. But that doesn't detract from the quality of the music on this CD. If you like rock and Japanese pop-rock and have never had a chance to hear Tsukasa Hamaguchi's guitar and Miharu Ataka's vocals, I'd say this album is a must-have. Enjoy.
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The Last QuarterNanase AikawaAnother Excellent Softer Nanase Album
This album is the companion to Nanase-san's The First Quarter. Like that album, this one features music that's outside of the hard-rock style found in her usual albums. Most of the comments I made in my review of The First Quarter apply here, except these songs seem to borrow a little less from Jazz and more from mellow rock and pop. Again, her voice comes shining through. The arrangements are well done and the songs very melodic. I find I enjoy these songs just a little better than the other album, hence the 5 rating this time around. It's clear Nanase is a talented individual and can sing a variety of styles. I wish I knew the story behind how and why these mini-albums got made. It was a great idea and I hope she continues to make CDs in both this and her harder rock styles. Don't expect your typical Nanase album, or your typical J-Pop album for that matter, but this album is highly recommended. Enjoy something different.
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FUSE OF LOVEMai KurakiOK, But Not Kuraki's Best
I've been a fan of Mai Kuraki for some time. While there are some very good songs here, like the interesting "Love Sick," overall this is Kuraki's weakest album to date. There's a sameness and lack of inspiration felt throughout this album. I'm probably in the minority here, but the fact this CD is completely void of R&B influence on any of the songs is a huge detriment. Not that any of her previous songs were true R&B, but the way she incorporated that style and others into her pop songs was very cool. Now, it seems like the soul has been sucked out of many of the songs here. Blandness abounds. That being said, it's still a must-have for any Kuraki fan. Her smooth vocals, though occasionally lacking emotion, are still pleasant to the ear and the production value on the album is quite good. I was tempted to leave 3 stars but listening to her vocals persuades me to reluctantly raise it to 4. Definitely worth a listen, but not up to the standards of her previous albums.
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Secret CodeAya KamikiGood First Album
This is a good first album from Aya Kamiki. The music is a kind of pop and rock hybrid. The strongest song on the album is her cover of B'z "Pierrot," with which she does a very good job. Much of the other music is a little bit too mechanical sounding, lacking complexity and emotion. A lot of this can be attributed not only to the arrangement, but also the mix. Technically, it could be a bit more polished. Aya's vocals stand out a bit, needing some reverb, processing or even some simple harmony vocals to back her. What the album does have is catchy melodies and Aya's voice is quite good. Giza has a another quality artist to add to their ranks. Now they just need to invest a bit more into the production process for her. With this album, she's proven herself worthy of such investment.
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DIAMOND WAVE [w/ DVD, Limited Edition]Mai KurakiMai Kuraki is Back!
A very good album from the wonderful vocal talents of Mai Kuraki. While her previous album, Fuse of Love, seemed to lack the soul of previous efforts, this new CD brings us back to what made her so good in the first place - cool, well composed music that fits her smooth voice. There's some genuine emotion in songs like Juliet and Cherish the Day, and that fun, easy feel in faster songs like Hologram and Diamond Wave. Still, the R&B influence on some cuts in previous albums is missing here, and it's absence is what keeps this album from getting that 5 ranking in my book. The music video is good, but not outstanding. But these limited editions are always worth the extra expense for any serious collector. Diamond Wave is another strong entry from Mai Kuraki and well worth the purchase.
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The Twilight Valley [w/ DVD, Limited Edition]GARNET CROWSophisticated sound, good album
This is the first album I've heard from Garnet Crow and I have to say, it's not what I expected. The haunting, emotional songs are unique and quite different from traditional Japanese Pop. In fact, it sounds more like something one could have heard at Lillith Fair in the past. Yuri Nakamura's vocals fit perfectly with the sophisticated musical arrangements and the entire album flows like a calm, relaxing river. While there are some upbeat tunes, like Yume Hanabi and Mou Chotto Sagashite Mimashou, the overall vibe of the album is mellow and relaxing. This Limited Edition includes a DVD with clips of live concert footage. The venue is classy and elegant, like the band itself, and the performance is good, if not somewhat reserved, as would be expected from this style of music. Unfortunately, the DVD does not include the entire concert, as some other artists' Limited Editions have. Nor does it even include entire song from the performance. It is just short clips of several songs. This is one of those albums that's perfect for late-night freeway driving. Put this CD on, turn it up and you'll have a wonderful, memorable trip.
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Best of Aya Ueto -Single Collection- Collector's Edition [w/ DVD, Limited Edition]Aya UetoBubbly J-Pop at It's Best
When I think of "traditional" Japanese Pop music, this is the kind of music that comes to mind. It's light, upbeat and fun yet has no real emotional weight to it. That's not necessarily a criticism - just an observation that this type of music has a different purpose. Aya Ueto does this kind of music very well. The songs on this album are enjoyable and light-hearted in a forget-your-troubles kind of way. Mermaid is particularly catchy and Aya-san's voice is a perfect fit. The videos in this box set are a nice addition. All have the same, carefree feel of the album and production values are quite good. Overall, a very good entry in this music genre. Put the CD on and forget all your troubles.
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Just can't help it.Tokyo JihenInteresting Experiment
I debated between 3 and 4 stars. The music is excellent and deserves a 4. But judging it as a concert video, this DVD falls short. Perhaps my expectations were too high after their nearly flawless Dynamite Out concert film (although, technically this DVD is from Tokyo Jihen, Phase 2 - two members have changed). First, there is almost no interaction among the band members. They simply stand in their designated spot and play their instruments. The result: even great, upbeat songs seem to lack energy and involvement. The fun is all but gone. Next, there are a lot of camera editing and visual FX added plus frequent cuts to recorded, music video-like segments in the middle of the live performance. While all of this is an interesting experiment and unique in an artistic way, it ultimately takes the viewer out of the live experience. I want to see a live performance that showcases the talent of the band, not the magic of post production. I want to experience the energy of being there. Still, the music is undeniably great. I would recommend this for fans of Tokyo Jihen and to those interested in the concert-music video hyrbid experiment.
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Muzai moratoriumRingo SheenaCan't Get Enough!
OK, so I heard Ringo Shiina's band, Tokyo Jihen, before I heard this album. Don't know how this one slipped by me. It's excellent! It's that perfect blend of "art" and rock. Unique music, some out there lyrics and solid musicianship. One thing is certain: Ringo-san knows music. All sorts of influences can be heard in this, from traditional Japanese music and Japanese Pop to Big Band. From '40s & '50s music, to recent Rock and Roll and even Metal. Yet she puts it all together in a style uniquely her own. Not much else to say here. This is one of the strongest debut albums I've ever heard. If you like rock and roll, this one belongs in your collection. You'll listen to it again and again.
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INSOMNIAChihiro OnitsukaGorgeous Vocals. Beautiful Music.
Chihiro Onitsuka has an amazing voice. All of the songs on this album feature haunting melodies and expert musicianship. Almost every song is a ballad, so if you're expecting music to dance to, you'll have to listen to Innocence over and over again. But don't let the ballad issue scare you away. Each song is so expertly crafted and performed that the listener is swept away by the torrent of emotion that issues forth from each verse. I don't use the word beautiful to describe music often, except perhaps for some classical symphonies. But there really isn't a better way to describe the magic on this disc. It's simply beautiful.
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KyoikuTokyo JihenVery Good, Unique Album
Here we have Ringo-san's unique take on Rock music combining with four other very talented musicians. The result is a fascinating and well-crafted album that holds up very well after repeated listening. A variety of musical styles can be heard within the compositions, especially Jazz, which makes for a fascinating mixture of songs. And Ringo-san has the perfect rock and roll voice - Strong, in-tune and on-key, yet not too soft or fragile to belt out the hard rock. There's a few songs that are a little too odd to enjoy over and over again, like "Service." But overall the album is solid, even though it may take first time listeners a while to get a sense of what Tokyo Jihen is all about. Alas, the songs are so addictive, the more you listen, the more you like.
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Every Single Day - Complete BONNIE PINK (1995-2006) - [w/ DVD, Limited Edition]BONNIE PINKClassic Pop and Rock and Roll
Simple arrangements can be effective. That seems to be the premise of Bonnie Pink. Here we have a best of collection. Most of the songs here are quite simple in construction and arrangement, with just a few instruments, especially her earlier songs. Yet, the melodies are so catchy and her voice so full that the songs are compelling nonetheless. Most of the songs fall into the classic, mellow pop or rock and roll style. All have that something special that gets into your head and keeps you humming them long after you switch off the CD player. The videos are actually quite interesting, too. They capture the feel of the song and don't get bogged down in story, like some videos tend to. Overall, an excellent collector's item and fun to listen to.
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7.7.7. [DVD+CD]Nanase AikawaGood, but room to improve.
I've been a fan of Nanase's since her first album, but I've often felt that no one is sure how to market her. This video is a prime example. To push the hard rock aspect of her music, she's been teamed with some big names. They all do a very good job individually, but seem to not click as a group and overall the performances, including Nanase's, often feel a bit forced. The good news is that Nanase's voice sounds great and she puts a lot of energy into the songs. Most of the songs are from her newest album, 7. It's all performed very well. The sound mix and audio quality is very good. And the audience loves it! The bad news is the visuals. It looks like VHS quality, not DVD. While camera placement is good to capture this smaller-venue concert, the image is flat and washed out, which is surprising coming from the Avex label. Moreover, the DVD does not include all the footage from the concert. Several songs are left out, but are included on the CDs. Nanase is a unique talent and deserves better. Fans of hers will certainly enjoy the performance here. But I hope she's given a better venue, more rehearsal time and much better camera gear for her next live DVD.