Reviews written by Robinson
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A K (ALBUM+DVD)(First Press Limited Edition)(Japan Version)
A K (ALBUM+DVD)(First Press Limited Edition)(Japan Version)
(2)Our Price: US$36.49Related promotions:1 people found the following helpful
November 9, 2007 SWEET & FOCUSEDI have returned for a second review because, despite my earlier statement about the subjectivity of music and art and the variation in opinions, after sitting with this album since its release, I have decided that this artist deserves a review of the music that the excellent package contains.
For those who are not already familiar with Ayuse and her music, I have to say that five of the twelve songs on the album had been previously released as long as a year ago or more. In fact, I became familiar with Ayuse early last year when, while browsing YouTube, I happened across a Nivea cosmetics commercial over which her song "Eyes to Eyes" was playing. I was intrigued and shortly tracked down the songs, EYES TO EYES, BOYFRIEND, C.M.M., PRETTY GOOD and KIMI NO YASASHISA, the last of which immediately became my personal favorite as an R&B lover.
From the more recent releases of SUNDAE LOVE and KONOMAMA to my repeated screenings of unreleased songs like 24/7, FOLLOW ME, FORGIVE ME and NO WAY, I have come away in awe of how refined the production is overall. It's so clean that I almost thought it was all generated at a keyboard work station. Even so, it's not bland and characterless and actually does have a healthy dose of real instrumentation, especially in the area of bass and acoustic guitars. The music has a definite "bubble gum & cotton candy" vibe but it somehow manages to feel familiar but unconventional at the same time! That, in my opinion, is a great accomplishment. Maybe I should say that Ayuse's music has a familiar feel but sidesteps a lot of the annoying conventions of popular music somehow. Ayuse is a pop artist who is not afraid to try things and take chances musically, especially in the area of arrangement and I respect her for doing this. I also have a healthy respect for TOYS FACTORY for allowing she and her associates this degree of freedom. Something in the details of the execution of it all says to me that this in not just more of the same and leaves me with the feeling that Ayuse has her own distinct and very well evolved sound, subtle though it is. It all seems very FOCUSED and seems to truly reflect something about Ayuse's personality or to at least focus on some personal aspect of the artist. Ayuse's delivery of the material comes off as very personal and that really sells the material well.
As I said in an earlier review, if you're a fan of her past releases who is undecided, PLEASE, deliberate no more! If you are a passerby who is browsing for something different and refreshing and you have a respect and appreciation for rhythm & blues and popular sounds, THIS IS IT!!! If you're not afraid to give it a try, I think you'll find that this one is worth the price of admission.... and then some! Thanks for reading.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This)
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Ultra Blue (Japan Version)
1 people found the following helpful
October 27, 2007 EVOLUTION vs. The MACHINEThe skinny of my review is that I'm a fan of Utada almost whatever she does. She is a very strong writer, composer, arranger and producer and I respect this greatly. Unfortunately, I think she is too involved in the Japanese music marketing machine. I have to agree that many of her songs probably benefit a lot from over-exposure if they are not actually overrated and while I understand that any artist, while he or she may be doing what she loves and making a living at it, is basically in the music business as a job and wants to get paid as well for his/her efforts as the law will allow, as a fan, I would definitely like to get more bang for my buck. After I buy half of the album content as singles with PV DVDs, it would be nice if, for my $30 plus shipping, I could get a DVD with a few short pieces that are exclusive to the Album release. I don't want to discredit Utada at all. She is an EXCELLENT musician and I will love her until I die but, please find more balance. Either give me more material that has not been floating around for six months to a year pre-album release, or give me extra stuff with the album release. PLEASE?
That being said, this album is easily the strongest stop on Hikaru's path of evolution as an artist. In typical fashion, whether you find that you like the music or not, it is undeniably professional. The production is air tight and most of the melodies are as strong and catchy as always. I particularly like the fusion of different types of music found in "One Night Magic" and the uplifting and lilting chromatic progressions found in "Wings". Those two are easily my favorites of this LP and and possibly two of my top favorites of her career. Of course, the arts are always subjective and opinions will vary... STRONGLY. Either way, if you're a fan who drifted away, an old stalwart who is still deciding or someone who has heard of Hikaru and wonders what all the hype is about, check this one out! If you approach it with an open mind, you won't regret it!Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
All Yours (ALBUM+DVD)(First Press Limited Edition)(Japan Version)
All Yours (ALBUM+DVD)(First Press Limited Edition)(Japan Version) DVD Region 2
(3)Our Price: US$39.75Usually ships within 7 daysRelated promotions:October 27, 2007 IN THE ENDI'm a new fan of Crystal's work. I was only introduced to her when I happened across an internet radio broadcast of her song, "Lost Child" while searching for songs by another artist. Since that time only a few short months ago, I have had an insatiable thirst for her works and have gathered them in various forms and by various means. All I have to say is that this is easily the strongest representation of both Crystal in her evolution as an artist and one of the strongest representations of j-urban and/or Japanese rhythm & blues music that I have ever heard. It's been my experience that even people who think it's weird that I listen to Japanese music, like this CD overwhelmingly. In the end, I think that says something worth listening to about the strength and appeal of Crystal Kay and her writing and production team. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
A K (ALBUM+DVD)(First Press Limited Edition)(Japan Version)
A K (ALBUM+DVD)(First Press Limited Edition)(Japan Version)
(2)Our Price: US$36.49Related promotions:1 people found the following helpful
October 27, 2007 GOTTA LOVE IT!!!I just received my copy of this product, which I initially purchased only for the PV of Kimi no Yasashisa. I was first pleased to find that the packaging, although very girlie, is of exceedingly high quality. The CD and DVD are in slipcovers and plastic dust sheaths nestled in a cold pressed cardboard clamshell type gift box, like a lovely little present from TOYS FACTORY of Japan. I appreciate the apparent care with which this product was manufactured and packaged. Even for Japan, it's extraordinary. Inside the box is a square bound booklet with 24 pages of photos and interesting little illustrations that are part of the graphic design package. Ayuse is uniquely beautiful and the design of the booklet compliments and showcases her very nicely. Further than that, there are several pages which contain lyrics to all the songs and a few pages of credits.
I was very pleased when the credits confirmed that Ayuse is one of those rare pop artists who have the ability to write, arrange, produce and perform all of her own material. Of course, she is assisted significantly by such professionals as Towa Tei, Rasmus Faber, Georgio Cancemi, Masao Nisugi and several other producers,writers, performers and musicians but, I have to respect the range of her personal talents.
The DVD is a bit short but, I think my opinion is based on the fact that I had already seen most of the material. Still, I found that the PVs were unique and refreshing as is Ayuse the artist. I won't bother to explore what I thought of the songs as this is always going to be subjective and the likes, dislikes and reasons for them will vary from person to person. Suffice it to say, Kimi no Yasashisa is still my favorite of her songs though I have a healthy appreciation for all the rest of them and suspect that each will grow on me to some degree as I listen to them over the coming weeks and months.
In conclusion, Ayuse may not be the most phenomenal vocalist on the block but she is an interesting and strong talent whose musical approach and image are refreshing and very likable. I have great respect for her as an artist who not only performs but regularly writes, arranges and produces her songs and I like that TOYS FACTORY seems to appreciate not only her beauty but her artistry as much as a fan would. Overall, this product is so interesting, refreshing and well produced that I've just GOTTA LOVE IT!!! I hope other fans will love it too and that the passerby who craves something new and interesting will give it a try. Thanks for reading.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This)
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