10 posts tagged “avex made me do it!”
I was originally going to migrate all my personal and music talk over to tumblr since I usally don't have much to say here anyway, but I like the interface and media features here at Vox. Who knows? Maybe that Dreamwidth everyone's clamoring over will prove to be a perfect fit?
A lot has happened since the last posts, namely the release of BoA and Utada's aforementioned US albums. My friend and I decided to officially break up with Utada after the Epic Failure that was This is The One. Bitch led us on with promises of good 90s pop (Distance?) and a return to the quirky attitude of her other English work (Exodus?) but no. It was just a garbled mess of thin vocals, Stargate beats, and forced pop culture allusions. Stop trying so hard.
On the other hand, BoA's album is just one summer dance song after another ("Girls on Top" notwithstanding. I never understood the appeal of the Korean version, and the English one is just silly). "Energetic" and "Hypnotic Dancefloor" are hot. Go check them out on Amazon or iTunes.
Kuu also finally released her remix and collaboration collections that were originally listed by HMV HK right on the eve of her controversy last year. I don't have much interest in the remix CD, but I was anxious to get my hands on Out Works & Collaboration Best. It didn't disappoint, though I was somewhat surprised that her collaboration with her sister wasn't on it. I suppose it would be more fair and maximize profit for both artists if it wasn't put on the Kuu album? It doesn't really matter to me, what with my having zero interest in misono.
If Ayu's newest album NEXT LEVEL has one weak point, it's that -- like GUILTY -- its evident upon first listen that the direction of the album changed (or rather, was conceived) after the release of the first single. I suppose that's a hazard inherent of an industry that pushes for the constant release of singles. Too many times, albums after thrown together as afterthought with little rhyme or reason in regard to flow or concept. Fortunately, although "GREEN" and "Days" sound a little out of place, the rest of NEXT LEVEL flows wonderfully and is probably one of the most cohesive J-pop releases to come out in awhile. It shows great discretion in the use of interludes to keep the energy going, and the new album-only tracks are fantastic. I love "LOVE 'n' HATE" with its "Candy Shop"-esque beat. I'm so glad to be having fun with Ayu again after GUILTY.
However, it's a little perplexing that such a fun, western-friendly (what with its strong beats and frequent use of English) comes right when all of her music is removed from international iTunes. Perhaps perplexing isn't the right word for that... what was perplexing about all of this was that Rule/Sparkle -- the last single before NEXT LEVEL -- got a simultaneous international release on the eve of Avex's withdrawal from international iTunes. I hope more people get a chance to hear Ayu's new music soon...
I will say that the packaging was very nice. I hope the US version is remotely as nice. No more of that cheap-looking blue plastic? No?
I'm torn. I like Kuu doing quasi-r&b/dance stuff -- certainly after that horrible "MOON CRYING" hole she dug herself into -- and I've forgiven her for her imitation of western artists in the past, but this is normally because I like her version better. The 30 second sample of "TABOO" sounds like it was ripped from Rihanna's Good Girl Gone Bad, an album already polished to perfection. I don't know if Koda Kumi is capable of carrying that torch. I hope she is; "BUT" is lonely at the top.
One thing in which I am confident is that the PV will be terrible. She hasn't had a good one in awhile, and this is just asking for a cheap imitation of Rihanna's "Disturbia" video.
Oh yeah: I was scanning the radio when I stumbled onto the chorus of Ne-Yo's "Closer", and the first thing I thought was that it sounded like a J-pop song. I haven't heard it much since, so this may be written off as little more than a knee-jerk reaction.
(I went on iTunes looking for "Closer" because the chorus was catchy, but ultimately decided against the purchase because of the slow opening... and the remixes didn't sound like they would save it. I never liked Ne-Yo because I don't like most r&b ballads, and that's all I could remember of him from the radio. Never disliked him, either. It just wasn't my cup of tea, I guess).
There are several songs on American charts right now that give me the Avex-produced vibe. It makes me wonder if -- on top of the seemingly-increased targeting of Asian Americans as consumers of luxury goods -- it's almost time for a J-pop invasion. Like, for real this time.
Speaking of which, here's a quick pointer for Kingdom Hearts Utada Hikaru fans: no new US album this year. It's an important election year again; she's not going to make the same mistake twice.
I sign in to Vox for the first time in a month or so to find I have 3 messages (we have messages?), all of which were from accounts that were already deleted. This comes after I declined a friend request on Last.fm from an up-and-coming "gothic" and "dark alternative" band. Meanwhile, my recently played tracks are "2 Hearts" by Kylie Minogue, "VACATION" by Hoshimura Mai, and "Never Stop" by Hilary Duff. Strong work.
The release of Ayumi Hamasaki's latest boxset -- her first since the COMPLETE LIVE and COMPLETE CLIPS boxes in 2003 -- is nigh. This is an excellent -- hopefully -- release to celebrate her 10th Anniversary, though its announcement has put a glaring spotlight the rigid dichotomy between Japanese/East Asian and the western fans.
The western fans that make up an overwhelming majority of her English-speaking online following seem to forget -- or just not understand -- that she is a real-live Japanese artist; she is a household name in her native Japan and much of the neighboring Asia. It's her target audience. The reason the announcement seemed so sudden to fans like us isn't because she was being "lazy" for her 10th Anniversary; it was because she spent her entire anniversary personally bringing her music to her core fans in the form of an enormous, nation-wide tour (one that will expand into Asia later next month).
A new boxset acts as a nice bookend for the promotional blitz that kicked off in Japan in April. And let us not forget that just because she has elbowed her way onto the public conscious doesn't mean everyone rushes out to buy every album she releases--or, in the case of many overseas "fans", pirating everything. By releasing a 3CD set for a mere 3800 yen (one out of her 10 studio albums would cost 2800 yen), Avex is giving the casual listener a chance to find out what Ayu's really all about (and make a quick buck in the process).
And for those of us that do buy everything, there's the DVD of unreleased footage and photobook of unreleased cover artwork, which -- judging by this post at AHS -- is truly unreleased artwork; even the covers of older singles are different from the one's featured in the COUNTDOWN LIVE 2000-2001 book.
Granted, there are definitely things I would change about this. I would have prefered if the cover were similar to the COMPLETE CLIP box with the single gold A on a black background; something classy and understated that would speak volumes about her pop culture legacy. Any starlet worth her salt can take a pretty picture, but how many have branded themselves so well that their logo is instantly recognizable?
I also have my doubts that the photobook will be nearly as nice as the the hardcover, glossy, COUNTDOWN LIVE 2000-2001 book, but I'm excited to give it a chance.
Other than that, I'm really looking forward to Angela Aki's new single. I've been holding off in getting Namie Amuro's BEST FICTION and ayaka's second album in hopes that they'll get a US release in the next few months, and any other entertainment purchases will be put on hold until Dissidia and all of its merchandising has been officiall unveiled.
I have an accounting mid-term tomorrow. I am shopping online to make myself feel better.
So "BUT" is awesome? This is the type of stuff Koda Kumi should be doing to compliment her hip hop songs. No more of this Suppa Kawaii J-pop shit. Although I'm still kinda pissed that she hasn't had any stuff added to US iTunes yet (I wonder if her past US releases have something to do with it?), the sample was enough for me to pre-order the single.
...And m-flo's new album. I didn't realize how ridiculously excited I was for this album (or that I hadn't already pre-ordered it) until it popped up during a search. I really need some new m-flo.
In other news, I finally got the latest ViVi. Koda Kumi's photoshoot and story was fairly boring. She keeps taking these... monkey-ish pictures lately. Although this magazine wasn't too bad by comparison, I know she can take a picture--beautiful pictures even. I've said it once and I'll say it again: stop with the Suppa Kawaii crap.
Ayu's diary was really cute, per usual. I'm so excited for A BEST 2. I liked the changes to the "NEVER EVER" set from COUNTDOWN LIVE. The big wigs were a bit too much in the original arena tour.
I can't decide how I feel about Utada Hikaru's new song. It reminds me a lot of "BLUE" -- which I loved -- but I also feel like we should be over this by now. It's like the "COLORS" single; it sounds too much like a leftover from the previous album. I'll probably wait to get the overseas version (or iTunes? Please?).
And Mika Nakashima has a new album? Totally didn't realize that. I'm not sure if the reggae tracks will help it surpass MUSIC in the Sheer Awesome department, and I'm still a little angry with her for making THE END, so I guess this will be another Overseas purchase eventually
Oh, Heisei Fuzoku! Where are you? You were released yesterday in my time; why haven't you shipped?
In the same vein as the last entry, did anyone get Koda Kumi's newest album? Is it worth it? I always get suckered into buying her stuff and end up sorely disappointed (Best ~second session~ was a joke), but... I was split between the singles this year; some I really liked and some I hated. Which track on 4 hot wave does it reflect the most?
Ah, well. I tried two of the album-only tracks from an mp3 rotation; both were catchy though nothing spectacular (then again, this is Koda Kumi). I might end up picking up the Korean "Normal" version when it becomes available, anyway. I already put a request in for it with iTunes, but I'm not holding my breath.
Hope everyone had a happy holiday.
Dear Koda Kumi,
Are you a good witch or a bad witch?
Anxiously awaiting your reply,
Stacey Anne
Books, movies, music; what's in your top 5 right now?
I've been meaning to do this for, like, a week now. Top 5 music releases of the moment are:
(ironically, today's the first in a week that it's not raining, but I digress)
Huzzah for international Amazon, which will be thorougly abused over the course of this post. The store where I usually shop for CDs will remain open for another month (!!!), thus another shopping trip.
I finally bought Rain's latest album today and can now say with confidence that he is destined for success here in the US (whenever that album comes--I thought it was planned for later this year?). This album is even better than his last, and the English version of "Sad Tango" sounds amazing. He's virtually done away with his accent! The translation is also very well done with no more abuse of the English language than a native speaker (who more than likely did the translating, which is certainly a bonus). All in all, I am both pleasantly surprised and thoroughly impressed.
'Also picked up an older Jolin Tsai album (Don't Stop) because I've been on a Jolin kick and I figure I don't really need to save for a Wii since it doesn't look like I'll be able to get my hands on one anyway (but Twilight Princess will look pretty on my shelf...). It's really cute without being particularly obnoxiously.
I also finally got my Tokyo Jihen DVD in the mail (which I took a photo of before realizing my laptop doesn't have a place to insert that... card-thing. I'll figure it out eventually...).
The concert itself is absolutely amazing and proved to be well worth the wait. This is my first Tokyo Jihen concert, and it was definitely a nice change of pace to see Shiina Ringo dancing around and smiling; she's really one of the entertainment industry's few... natural beauties. She's so graceful in everything she does (even her screaming), and it certainly helps that her wardrobe is fabulous. I want her clothes kthanx.
The choice of editing was very interesting, but it does make you wonder if she just didn't like the original footage. Nonetheless, it makes for an enjoyable hour or two. I'm so glad it finally came; and the packaging is really cool! I actually took it to work the next day to show it off.
Other than that, I've vowed to sit tight until the Ayu Explosion in November. Even this month's Vivi won't be hitting local shops until next month, so it's come to counting down the days for the (miss)understood tour, which I can't wait to see. (miss)understood was the only album for which all I could think about was how amazing it'd look live; I've been sitting patiently for the last year, and now I 'm not sure I can wait any longer. I'm almost more excited for this than I am for Final Fantasy XII. Almost.
...and I can't believe that's actually coming out. This is like Advent Children all over again (only without the tears and general distress). It's been delayed so long, it doesn't feel like it's ever coming.
Public entry between studying to "hoshit!" over the fact that M-FLO LOVES BONNIE PINK!
I am excited.
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