I met my friend for lunch one day at Shokudo and told her that Ayumi Hamasaki has released a new album. “Who’s [What’s] that?” she asked. Maybe I am too naïve to think that everyone know who she is. Japanese artist Ayu has been my inspiration for years. Since 2000, she has been releasing one [...]
Entries Tagged as 'Music Reviews'
Rimi Natsukawa 夏川りみ – ココロノウタ – A New Studio Production, A Live Recording, and A Concert DVD
May 3rd, 2009 2 Comments
I wouldn’t imagine in a light year that I would enjoy listening to Japanese folk music. Rimi Natsukawa’s previous album “Self Selection” has been like a comfort album to me. So when I saw her 13th album “ココロノウタ” selling on the shelf, I quickly grabbed one without even test listening to it. “ココロノウタ” comes with 3 discs. [...]
Tags: 夏川りみ · Rimi Natsukawa
Mai Kuraki (倉木麻衣) – touch Me! – Odd Song Choices Aside, A Decent Effort Nonetheless
April 18th, 2009 2 Comments
Again, the Japanese pressed CDs of Mai Kuraki don’t come cheap. Three times the price of a normal disc. HMV Singapore charges me the price of one English CD as shipping fees. I guess it is sort of fair. If only I could read Japanese and order online instead. Pondered in front of the counter [...]
Tags: 倉木麻衣 · Mai Kuraki
Kelly Clarkson – All I Ever Wanted – Now, Give That Girl Some Love
March 21st, 2009 8 Comments
In a way, I am not surprised to read that Kelly Clarkson’s latest single “My Life Would Suck Without You” made the biggest jump from 97 to 1 in the US Chart. After her last effort “My December”, I am reminded that big stars don’t necessarily make great albums all the time. Look at Leona [...]
Tags: American Idol · Kelly Clarkson
No Line On The Horizon – An U2 Album that Splits Audience and Rewards Those with Patience
March 12th, 2009 No Comments
Q Magazine wrote, “Good Lord, it’s a masterpiece”. Oh well. For all that’s worth, for better or worse, this 12th U2 studio album has offered the audience a listening journey that is rarely seen these days – from the music and lyrics to the visual experience. What would this album be if U2 was to [...]
Tags: u2
Taylor Swift – Fearless – Less of Country and More of Pop This Time
February 8th, 2009 14 Comments
It is easy to forget that onto the second album, Taylor Swift is only 19 years old. 17 when she first released her debut that in my previous review, I have strong belief in her potential. In 2006, she topped the US Country chart while attaining a 5th on the US Billboard 200. “Fearless” topped all the [...]
Tags: Taylor Swift
Mika Nakashima – I Don’t Know, I Don’t Know, I *Know* “Voice” is My Favorite of Hers So Far
January 7th, 2009 No Comments
Having followed Mika’s music career since her debut album “True” – and I just realize that I have all 6 of her albums! – “Voice” has got to be the most appealing, most infectious of all. To be honest, I was surprised because although from time to time there are great music albums in the [...]
Tags: 中島美嘉 · Mika Nakashima
YUI – My Short Stories – Did You Know This is a B-Side Compilation?
December 2nd, 2008 7 Comments
No I didn’t. Nor the Oricon chart cares. 21 years old Japanese singer songwriter and one-time actress releases a b-side album and it charted at #1. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw her 4th album “My Short Stories” at HMV. Wasn’t it this April when she released her last studio album? I am still [...]
Tags: YUI
Flight of the Conchords – Looking for A Good Laugh from Listening to Your CD?
November 21st, 2008 3 Comments
Rarely do I come across a music album that put a smile to my face every time I put it on. Kudo to these two New Zealanders - the comedy duo Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement – whom I have made an introduction here after my HBO blogger event. In the first ten listens, you probably [...]
Tags: Flight of the Conchords