14 posts tagged “ayu”

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.

We've also got new music form Koda Kumi and my girl Ayu, with Bonnie Pink and Shiina Ringo (!!!) waiting in the wings. 2008 was a rough year for Koda Kumi what with her opening her big mouth and spending the rest of the year trying to make up for it with lame apology ballads. However, her latest original album Trick actually had some really good dance pop on it. Like, "BUT" good. She had me worried that the lead-in single "TABOO" would be the only slightly tolerable track on the album, but songs like "Hurry Up!" and "This Is Not A Love Song" easily exceeded all of my expectations. Of course, the album as a whole is kind of a hot mess (it wouldn't be a Koda Kumi album if it weren't), but the aforemented tracks along with "show girl" and "Driving" made it a worthwhile purchase for me (...from ebay).

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...

FINAL FANTASY VII ADVENT CHILDREN COMPLETE 【通常版】 [Blu-ray]

On the non-J-pop front, there's of course the recent release of Advent Children Complete that I enjoyed very much. I already posted some prileminary thoughts about the changes on my LJ, though it was a friends-only entry, so I might post those here later... This post is already a whole lot of nothing.

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 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.

A COMPLETE ~ALL SINGLES~

浜崎あゆみ

★★★★★

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. 

COMPLETE CLIP BOX

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.

手紙~拝啓 十五の君へ(初回生産限定盤)(DVD付)

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.

Edit: So apparently Tofu Records folded? \0/

(unceremoniously x-posted from a private LJ entry to make my Vox feel like it has purpose)

I wish Safari would stop crashing. 

And what's up with this "pay $50 to upgrade Parallels so it'll actually work in Leopard" thing?

KISS

L'arc~en~ciel's latest is on iTunes.  I'm not the biggest fan of the band, but their albums are fun.  This isn't much different, and "Hurry Xmas" is, like, hysterical.

I was kind of worried that Sony (and its J-pop sub-label that will not be named) was holding back its artists in favor of exclusive distribution elsewhere -- why else would it pull Angela Aki before FFXII hit or sit on popular fluff-artists like Mika Nakashima? -- so this release is a pleasant surprise.  This iTunes release isn't issued by -- ugh -- Tofu Records.  I guess its still managed by the creme de la creme of village idiots.

I mean, really. The otaku =/= J-pop's only demographic in the west.  Yes, anime and video games are responsible for introducing many artists to listeners outside of Japan, but I'd wager that most people that are "otaku" enough to actually fall for its easy, breezy, wapanesy "marketing" wouldn't actually pay for its music.  They like the music because it's from Over There. Making it readily available Over Here kind of kills the allure for those shallow schmucks.

So why doesn't it just, I don't know, try to connect with Real Live music fans? 

Also: Emi Music, why haven't we gotten old Utada Hikaru singles (you know, the good ones?) like the UK iTunes, or, like, ANY Shiina Ringo?

In other news, Ayu's new Vivi shoot is haute.  I can't wait to get my hands on this issue!  She's been looking exceptionally beautiful lately.

I have an accounting mid-term tomorrow.  I am shopping online to make myself feel better.

BUT/愛証

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.

A BEST2-BLACK-(DVD付)

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

平成風俗(初回限定盤)

Who or what do you really love?

LOVE

8:30 in the morning is way too early to talk about rocks.  I have to run to a computer lab and schedule/run to EB and pick up FFXII between classes today, so I'm wondering if it's even worth going to lab?  We get to drop one, but that feels cheap.  I almost skipped two labs ago because I was ready to cry, but I ended up going for the last hour and immediately felt bad since our TA was so nice about it.  Don't be nice when I consider playing hooky.  Scare me into submission!

I don't know why I thought it was a good idea to request the (miss)understood tour be shipped with boku wa kuma.  Now I won't get it until December.

Exhibit A: Dashing Sky Pirate

Nevertheless, HAPPY FFXII DAY!  I got the guide yesterday after I ran up to EB and whined about not being able to go to the party.  I'm reluctant to thumb through it too thoroughly (I did that with the KHII guide and ended up spoiling myself silly.  I've made it this far-!)  It's so pretty.  Fran was my bonus covergirl; I'm so excited to meet her and Balthier, even if Basch is supposed to be the greatest thing since sliced bread.  He may be so, but he's not dashing.

And the metal Collector's Edition box for the game is sexy.  I had my doubts from the promotional artwork, but actually playing with the display boxes has me thoroughly convinced it'll be a great buy for the box alone.

All in all I've been in fairly high spirits recently; it turns out pretty much everyone is coming up to visit us for some holiday or another (cousins are coming for Thanksgiving [KHII with youngest should be fun]), and Grandpa's coming up for Hanukkah [for which I can never decide on a spelling]).  The real moral of this story is that now I don't live at home so I have to do minimal entertaining.  Huzzah!  Hostess I am not.

In summary, it's almost enough to make me forget how much the Japanese direct-style perfective makes me want to shoot myself.

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:

LOVEppears

I've been listening to LOVEppears era stuff a lot recently--both the actual album and the ayu-mi-x II collection.  Some of my favorite songs are from this period -- it had some truly classic singles -- but I really don't think it was her strongest.  It was definitely the one that launched her into the superstardom, so maybe it's the sentimental value that's been pulling me to it recently.  "immature" and "And Then" have been getting a lot of play, especially. 

Final Fantasy XII Original Soundtrack

FFXII is always coming up on my playlist when it's on shuffle, but I've been... voluntarily listening to it a lot more, especially "Kiss Me Good-Bye".  ONE MORE DAY!  

Home

Of course, Angela Aki's solo stuff has also been played to death.  See also my top song at Last.fm.  "Uchuu" is my favorite song from her library and quickly climbed to the top of my list; I recently ordered her first Japanese album (the One indie), and I can't wait to hear it.

Can't Sleep Can't Eat I'm Sick/Ningyo

Other artists that have taken over my playlist recently are Jolin Tsai and Namie Amuro.  Namie's addition to iTunes has allowed me to indulge in some of her pre-Hip Pop singles, though I have to say I prefer my Namie with slightly skanky Engrish.  Even so, her recent single CAN'T EAT, CAN'T SLEEP, I'M SICK is still on constant repeat.  I love the whole thing--even "Ningyo", which is a lovely change of pace.

Dancing Diva

As for Jolin Tsai... I'm not quite sure how the recent kick got started.  Although the assumption of Dancing Diva and J-Top probably had something to do with it, I've found myself listening to Magic and Castle a lot.  It's been awhile, so I suppose it was due.

(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.

Eternal Rain (完全限定盤)(DVD付)

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. 

Just can’t help it.

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. 

ayumi hamasaki ARENA TOUR 2006 A~(miss)understood~

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.

What movie can you quote by heart?
Submitted by clamhead.

Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie, which no one else has seen to know what I'm talking about when I quote it.  Thus is the story of my life.

Pre-ordered the (miss)understood Arena Tour and started counting down the days.