I poked around locally for On The Way To A Smile before trying to order online. With my luck, they'll probably get a copy in as soon as mine comes in the mail.
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?
Although the late-election year is troubling once again. The official site is already much more user-friendly than Utada's and makes the objective clear. Best of luck to BoA in her US debut.
Check out the preview of her upcoming digital single "EAT YOU UP".
UMG plans a strong release schedule for the second half of 2008 with new albums from Black Eyed Peas, Pussycat Dolls, Paulina Rubio, Akon, The Killers, Bon Jovi, Keane, Fall Out Boy, Ne-Yo, Tokio Hotel, Hikaru Utada, Mylène Farmer and Florent Pagny.
Okay, maybe she will make the same mistake twice. At least we haven't heard anything about a 2008/early-2009 release for the US. She did moderately better in Europe, so this is right on target. Hopefully Utada's team will get a good US campaign for the second half of 2009.
I also hope this follows Exodus' lead and brings us something new and different (and, you know, fun). No more of this HEART STATION rut.
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.
Have been in Hong Kong since May 21. Leaving tomorrow for Japan. When I return to the States, I will spend a week at home. God knows when I will be able to go back again, so I will try to spend as much of my time as possible with the uncle, aunt, grandma, mama, brother, and steppapa. Will go back to New York and find a job. Simultaneously, I will start the hunt for a new apartment. This time, there needs to be big windows for streams of light, space for decor, and housemates who know the meaning of quiet and respect others' need for the occasional silence. I will find these things even if I have to travel in from Brooklyn. But not too far into Brooklyn because 8.00AM classes are tough enough to make already without having to put in even more time for transportation.
Today is Father's Day. Lineage-II-playing, 28-year-old uncle asked if I will be calling Dad. That would be a no. Then there was much eating. I will miss HK street eats and roast pork.
OMG somebody just whack me with a hammer or something. for the past three days, I think I have spent a total of more than 50 bucks on cab fares every single goddam morning. WTP!
it's only because I work late night to earn more money that I oversleep for my day job and rush there in a cab and because I spent the money I work on cab fares, I have to work late nights to earn more money that I oversleep for my day job and rush there in a cab...
you get what I mean.
on a random note, PRINCE CASPIAN tonight! not to mention the ever lovely SHERIDAN! I can't wait ;D
"BRAVE" is probably one of my favorite BoA songs in a while. She shows great control and it sounds wonderfully understated when compared to the over-stimulated "Girl in the Mirror" or "AGRESSIVE" (which I first heard in mas4's "Don't Stop the AGGRESSIVE" mash-up and half-expect Rihanna to pop in during the chorus). It should be every girl's anthem.
Now to anxiously await COUNTDOWN LIVE and『私と放電』
"Flavor of Life" is horrifically dull. "Beautiful World" is just plain horrific. "HEART STATION" may be nice, but it ain't no "Wait & See".
You and your glorified muzak are dead to me.
Love,
Stacey Anne
I wish I remembered to update this thing during the Koda Kumi scandal. It was delicious.
