Reviews written by Karura-chan
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February 12, 2006 There's nothing bitter at all about this sweet sin
This is such an AMAZING single!! The first time I watched the PV for Bittersweet, I was at a loss for words. Such a genius song! Both A-side and B-side are punk rock songs. Bittersweet is loud and strong, an all-English song with equally strong lyrics. Combine it with Miz's knock-you-over-with-its-greatness voice and you get one of my favorite songs of all time! It's really addicting, and you can't tell at all that Miz is Japanese from her accent. Give It All Away is nothing short of tough and eccentric. Acoustic guitars soften the sound once in a while, but overall it's just as strong as Bittersweet. This song is, though, more jerky than the first, but an instant favorite. The next two songs are 9-minute long remixes of Bittersweet. They are okay to listen to if you want to kill time, but they don't really catch my attention too much. This is a red-hot single, my favorite from Miz in a long time, and I would rate it perfect. But I'll rate it a 9 because of the remixes. If you're a new Miz fan, let this be the first thing you buy from her! There's nothing bitter at all about this sweet single! Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
A MOON CHILD IN THE SKY (Japan Version)
A MOON CHILD IN THE SKY (Japan Version)
(2)Our Price: US$35.25Usually ships within 7 daysRelated promotions:October 7, 2005 My first Tsukiko album...And it's really good! Not perfect, dare I say, but it's good. I don't really have much to say about this album. A few tracks were really memorable (Koe, Joker Joe, and a few others). Not to mention the cover is awesome. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Tommy heavenly6 (CD+DVD)(Limited Edition)(Japan Version)
Tommy heavenly6 (CD+DVD)(Limited Edition)(Japan Version) DVD Region 2
(3)Our Price: US$45.25Related promotions:1 people found the following helpful
September 3, 2005 Hooked onto Tommy heavenly6!!!After listening to her single Ready?, I decided to give this album a try. Wow, what luck! These songs are so punky and tough, I fell in love with them in an instant! Some of my favorites were 2Bfree, Ready?, Wait till I can dream, fell in love with you, +gothic Pink+, GIMME ALL OF YOUR LOVE !!, LCDD, and the best song in all the album: Hey my friend. It's a cute pop melody with bittersweet lyrics. I'd say this album was better than any The Brilliant Green stuff I've ever heard. I'm also a TBG fan, don't get me wrong. A big one, too. But I think Tommy's voice has really changed from mediocre to something cute and very in-tune. I recommend this album to anyone who loves punk rock, Tomoko Kawase's other earlier works, and some tough guitar riffs. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
NEED YOUR LOVE (CD+DVD) (Limited Edition) (Taiwan Version)
NEED YOUR LOVE (CD+DVD) (Limited Edition) (Taiwan Version) DVD Region 3
(6)Our Price: US$19.25Related promotions:September 3, 2005 Another great DAI masterpiece!I don't know if all these positive reviews I'm writing are because DAI really is good or if I just have a very biased opinion. But whatever the answer is, I still found this album excellent! The songs are no longer written by D-A-I but now by some different composers. It's good that DAI is trying to get some different sounds and influences here and there, and it works really well, too! For the future... I thought it was a great song before, but after listening to the whole album, it's very mediocre compared to the other high-quality songs. Blue, BE FREE, one flesh, ROBOT and Ultimate G.V are all hyped up, make-you-feel-good, fast songs. They'll have you bobbing heads in no time. Of course, there's their ballads. Personally, I think they're all getting a lot better in this album. Ever... is a soothing little piece that you won't want to miss out on listening to. Yotaka no yume is a really pretty anti-war song and I recommend you give this a listen, too. Need your love is a sweet little love song... it doesn't sound very sweet, though, more like eerie. Lol. But it's still great. Na no hanabatake is like a lullaby from a mother to her little baby. And strange, because it's about a mother being joyful about a child growing inside her. It's beautiful, very relaxing, and Banchan's voice is top knotch. There's also a bonus track; an acoustic version to Hiiragi, a song from Gates Of Heaven. The piano is really pretty in this one. I only rate this a 9 because of For the future. It doesn't have the same quality as the rest of the songs. But I definitely say you should give this album a chance and give it a listen! It was amazing enough to get my attention! Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
GATES OF HEAVEN (Japan Version)
GATES OF HEAVEN (Japan Version)
(35)Our Price: US$34.25Usually ships within 7 daysRelated promotions:September 3, 2005 Favorite DAI album!!!Okay, I've already done reviews for DAI's previous albums and it wouldn't be fair if I didn't write one for my favorite DAI album. To start off, this album is so amazing. The variety, the meaning, the vocals, the instruments, everything! Gates of heaven and Honjitsu wa seiten nari really kick it at the beginning and get you seriously hyped up! Hiiragi is a beautiful ballad. For those who have said there aren't enough ballads in this song, I would like to say there are plenty. There's Hiiragi, Buranko, Weeds, Field of dreams, and Kagaku no yoru. Well, you wouldn't exactly call these ballads but they balance out the tempos pretty well. Azayaka na hana is a reggae beat composed by the main guitarist, Ryo Owatari. And Mahou no kotoba ~Would you marry me?~ is a such masterpiece! Vibrant, filled with energy! D/N/A is equally as vibrant. And the last song, Thanksgiving Day, will just make you go "oh my gosh". So upbeat! So happy! I love this song. Once the album finishes, I will want to listen to more just because of this song. If you're a new DAI fan and are looking for an album to buy, I recommend you buy this one today. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
BoA Vol. 5 - Moto / Girls on Top
BoA Vol. 5 - Moto / Girls on Top
(283)Our Price: US$12.99List: US$18.99Save: US$6.00 (32%)Usually ships within 21 daysRelated promotions:2 people found the following helpful
August 13, 2005 This was horrible.I like BoA. I really do. She's got a really nice voice. Suited for pop. Not this stuff she's trying to promote. I've wanted Girls On Top for the longest time and when I got it, frankly, it sounds plain bad. The only song I actually thought was close to "okay" was the title track itself. If it weren't for Moto and Girls On Top, I would've just went ahead and gave this album a 0. BoA's image is also changing. That's too bad. She was such a cutie-innocent-angel before. But now I could barely tell it was her. I know she's just trying to mature as an artist, but none of the songs in here was really that memorable. In my experience, once I finished listening to the songs, I can barely recall what the melodies were an hour later. I believe she can do way better. This style just doesn't suit her. I suggest she change back to pop. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
1 people found the following helpful
August 13, 2005 Not up to Miz's standardsI've waited so long to get my hands on this new album since I gave Miz's last album, Say It's Forever, a listen. Frankly, I didn't expect this from someone like her. For someone with a great deal of creativity like her, there was little amount of new songs in here. Try only five. Only half of the whole album. The other five were only English versions of a few songs from her last album. Her new songs, though not as good quality as her others, are still really enjoyable. Story Untold is a lighthearted pop melody (but the lyrics aren't so lighthearted). You Can Do Anything, in my opinion, is the best new song out of the whole album. It's very inspirational. Strong is a definitely strong song talking about moving on without tears. Pretty inspirational, too. Lay Your Love On Me has an amazing guitar. Can't Hold Back My Tears is a sad song talking about getting cheated on. These songs are pretty good, but nothing special. Miz can definitely do way better. And the English versions are nothing special, either. The Japanese versions flowed alot more easily than these ones. This album is below mediocre and very disappointing. That's why I give it a 4. People shouldn't waste money on only 5 "okay" songs and 5 other less-quality English songs. Nope, I don't recommend this. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
GIRL TALK/the SPEED STAR (CD+DVD)(Japan Version)
GIRL TALK/the SPEED STAR (CD+DVD)(Japan Version) DVD Region 2
(11)Our Price: US$23.25Usually ships within 7 daysRelated promotions:August 12, 2005 One of the greatest in Namie history!Okay, Girl Talk is one of the best Namie singles there is. It really is. Namie's vocals are very controlled, not like a lot of artists in the market today. Many people singing this gender of music can't sing. I mean as long as you look hot, you don't have to, right? But Namie's different. She delivers both songs with such style, grace, and much emotion. Girl Talk and The Speed Star are two hot songs combined to make one spectacular single. Get it now! Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi (Japan Version)
Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi (Japan Version)
(4)Our Price: US$28.75Usually ships within 7 daysRelated promotions:August 12, 2005 Great!!!Though I wish they would release a real album instead of a compilation, this is a really great CD. Their voices are really cute and very surprisingly similar. It's like they're one person. That is amazing. Their songs put you on a sugar rush and you just have to hear more. Oh, and did I mention their song for Teen Titans is included in here? Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
TAO (CD+DVD)(Japan Version)
2 people found the following helpful
August 12, 2005 My favourite DAI single yet!This package is perfect! We've waited long enough for DAI to release something new, and this was definitely worth the wait! Tao is a beautiful song with very sad but beautiful lyrics. Van's vocals were really great, as she hits those high notes perfectly. The riff in the bridge was excellent, adding more emotion to the song. And then we have Aurora, a very unique song with great spanish guitars. It's great to hear DAI getting back to their old BOD style. I was really missing that for a while. Did I mention the Tao PV is really beautiful? Ryo in a car and Van in a harley! Seeing the things that the PV portrayed plus hearing Van singing her heart out really brought tears to my eyes. This is a really charming single, my favourite yet. I really recommend this to everyone. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Soraai (Japan Version)
August 12, 2005 So beautiful...Mochida really does have a knack for these ballads... They continue to touch my heart. Though I don't understand a single word of Japanese, her voice has a lot of emotion and when she sings like this, you can really feel what the song is about. Every ELT ballad takes you somewhere real beautiful. I recommend getting this single for anyone who doesn't have it still. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Koibumi/good night (Japan Version)
Koibumi/good night (Japan Version)
(4)Our Price: US$13.49Usually ships within 7 daysRelated promotions:August 12, 2005 In love with Koibumi!Every Little Thing has done another great job on this single! Koibumi is a really beautiful ballad and Mochida's voice is really suited for these kinds of songs. She sang both of these tracks with such feeling and excellent, skilful vocals. ELT should do more ballads, because they are great at them. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
August 12, 2005 Wow how wrong was I?
I used to think Every Little Thing was a bad band with weak vocals. But 4 Force really turned that around when I gave it a listen. The first song alone showed that Mochida has a beautiful, cute voice! All the songs are great! Get this album! Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
1 people found the following helpful
August 12, 2005 So amazing!DAI's fourth album and they're still the best in my list! True Song has attitude and its songs are definitely unique! Kuusou Ryodan is a great beginning to the album. Personally, I didn't like this song for a while but it really grew on me. The fast rock songs really get you headbanging, like Good For You, Under The Sun, One Or Eight, Grateful Journey, and definitely Ai No Uta. The slower songs are very soothing such as I Can't Be Myself, Sense Of Life, and Wadachi. And of course, you can't forget the title track and obvious standout of the whole album: Shinjitsu No Uta. This song is amazing. And seeing as I think the whole album is so great, why give it a nine? Frankly, Perfect Lady really ruined it. Her voice was off-tune in the chorus and the harmonies just don't work. Also because they didn't put in Under The Moon. But that's all. This album is really great. Buy it now! Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
WANT ME, WANT ME (Japan Version)
WANT ME, WANT ME (Japan Version)
(56)Our Price: US$13.49Usually ships within 7 daysRelated promotions:August 8, 2005 Oh c'mon!!!Don't you think you people are crossing the line as well as Namie? Everyone is entitled to their opinion! Just because they think something isn't very pleasing doesn't mean they're jealous! Look at yourselves! Who is really the more mature one? And now that I have that out, now I can get to my Namie review. I'm very half-hearted about this song. The beat is excellent and I love her vocals! Great and fast! But the lyrics, I have to agree, are too raunchy for my liking. I grew up hating these kinds of lyrics and the kind of image she's putting for herself in the PV. For a grown, mature woman with a child, I don't think it's very appropriate for her to be singing this. But that's just my opinion. I still support Namie as much as I used to. But I'm sorry to her that's she's getting a 5 on this one. The lyrics were just way too much for me. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
DEEP FOREST (Japan Version)
DEEP FOREST (Japan Version)
(21)Our Price: US$37.25Usually ships within 7 daysRelated promotions:August 8, 2005 One of DAI's best!Yep, you heard me. But DF isn't only one of DAI's strongest albums, it's one of THE strongest albums! Full of sweet DAI goodness, Deep Forest will continue to captivate people with songs like Fukai Mori, Tadaima, Tsubasa No Keikaku, and well... the rest of the CD! It struck me, though, to see that they made this album so diverse, yet still managing to stick to their usual stuff. It starts off with the unique Fukai Mori, with its acoustic guitar, flute, and don't forget Van Tomiko's wonderful vocals. As you go through the rest of the songs, you will probably find a number of songs to be really memorable. Sweet pop melodies such as Tadaima, Tsubasa No Keikaku, and Hang Out are among some of them. Then there are the those songs that sound weird, but that's exactly why they're good. Those are Get Yourself and Kkouzou Kaikaku. There's also the hard rock Boukensha Tachi with an amazing bass, then the album finishes off with the soft and gentle Enrai. Believe me, you should buy this album! Every song is worth listening to. It's been more than two months since I bought this album, but I still take care to listen to it everyday! DAI just never gets old! Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
New Day (Japan Version)
August 8, 2005 Excellent debut!Many artists take a while to get their best sound. But Miz hits the spot right at her debut single, New Day. The a-side, New Day, is an upbeat pop song with lots of vigour. Not to mention her vocals are great. She hits those high notes perfectly. The very first song, and we already see Miz at her best. But wait... What's It To You? is an even better song! There's only one word to describe it: powerful. Powerful vocals, powerful lyrics, powerful electric guitar, powerul everything! Buy this single now! It's definitely worth the money. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Queen of Hip-Pop (Japan Version)
Queen of Hip-Pop (Japan Version)
(25)Our Price: US$34.25Usually ships within 7 daysRelated promotions:1 people found the following helpful
August 8, 2005 Awesome album!I used to base my opinions on artists after hearing just one album. The result? The next album that comes out, I'm completely disappointed with, because the quality isn't as good as the last album that I obsessed over. And what's this got to do with Namie Amuro's Queen Of Hip Pop? This album definitely isn't as good as Style. In fact, it tops that!!! All the songs have their own beats and styles and Namie delivers the vocals really well, especially in Want Me Want Me. All For You, my favourite Namie song, is a beautiful ballad that brought tears to my eyes the first time I heard it. Namie's voice is suited for anything, judging by this album and Style. And if you compare it to her old stuff, her voice has really grown and changed. Before, her vocals were really weak and oftentimes off tune. Now they're strong, and she provides really great harmonies.
I didn't get addicted to Namie Amuro's music for nothing. Go Namie!Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
IN THE SKY (CD+DVD)(Limited Edition)(Japan Version)
IN THE SKY (CD+DVD)(Limited Edition)(Japan Version) DVD Region 2
(1)Our Price: US$19.25Related promotions:August 8, 2005 Great comeback!I've been listening to Miz since she released her album, "Say It's Forever" and I was really impressed by the songs on that album. "Dreams" didn't satisfy me as much and I thought it was pretty much way below mediocre. But "In The Sky" is a great single! I believe this was supposed to be a Japanese version to her song "Amazing". The PV for this song is also really nice! Minus the bad lip syncing, Miz is really great to look at. She's real easy on the eyes. So buy this single now! Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
MY STORY (SACD)(Japan Version)
MY STORY (SACD)(Japan Version)
(4)Our Price: US$41.49Usually ships within 7 daysRelated promotions:1 people found the following helpful
August 8, 2005 Really good quality album!This was the first Ayumi Hamasaki album I've ever listened to and actually liked, because I was never really a fan of her until now. Songs with the equal quality as the songs in this album are really hard to come across. 'My Name's Women', 'Inspire', 'Walking Proud', and 'Carols' are just a few of my favourites. Get this album now! It's Ayu's music at its best! Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This)
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