Utada Hikaru Tries Another English-Language Release

[mkrishnan]

Utada has a free video single, Come Back To Me (http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewVideo?id=306739429&s=143441), this week on iTunes, heralding her second attempt to break into the US R&B scene.

Now I thought that the first time around, she was awful in English, and her charm was utterly lacking. This song isn't bad, though. I do sense some of the magic that she had years ago when I was a major fan.

Anyone pick up the video and watch it? I didn't think it was a particularly interesting video, but I think the song has some real potential....

[firestarter]

Hey Mohan - I didn't know you were another Hiki fan!

I'm going to buy the CD when it comes out (still 2 months away in the UK) but until then torrent fills the gap...

I think she stands a lot better chance with this album than with Exodus, but for me I think she's trying way too hard to emulate US R&B - the title track especially. She's even made up to not look very Japanese... whatever it takes for success I suppose.

I really like Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence - FYI - it really shows off her voice, and humor. Apple and Cinnamon is OK too, but Taking My Money Back sounds extremly similar to Say My Name/Destiny's Child.

Me Muero is fun and Automatic Part II is fairly classic, but the other tracks on the album, including the first single don't really stand out.

Apart from 'Merry Christmas' I'm not hearing much on this album that reaches the heights of the Ultra Blue album (or even Heart Station).

[mkrishnan]

Apart from 'Merry Christmas' I'm not hearing much on this album that reaches the heights of the Ultra Blue album (or even Heart Station).

Ahhh, thanks for the analysis. I fell in love with her with First Love, years ago, and Deep River was also an album that got plenty of listens for me. I think First Love and Give Me A Reason are kind of my quintessential songs from her. There were just sort of hints of this sort of sad girl with big headphones on belting it out by the window while it rained (haha, that's how I think of First Love :p ) in this new song, but it wasn't quite passionate like that song was.

I'll give the CD a listen. This song did sound very American. I don't know, although, because I think back then, she was very in line with things like early Mariah Carey, before she went crazy. :p So she definitely needed an image update over the years, and I think that, if she doesn't look like a J-Pop princess, it's maybe at least in part also because she's not 20 anymore. I like the way she looks mature now -- I think she looks amazing.

[firestarter]

Maybe with 'Travelling' she looked like a J-Pop princess (or Sakura Drops, which is a fantastic tune BTW) but on later albums she's matured a lot.

I think she would better suit Bjork-style electronica (in fact, 'Passion' sounds extremely Bjork like) and her attempts at Rock are good too (covering Green Day's 'Boulevard of Broken Dreams (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfdjZYDkpY4&fmt=18)' shows her voice off well).

I guess I just think it's a shame that she's going after the R&B market, since her voice is stunning but it's just not as powerful as some of the existing R&B acts. It doesn't help that I'm not a great R&B fan either :p

[Krafty]

I have all of them so far. I didn't think Exodus was THAT bad, it was decent at the least. My favorites are "Letters," "Traveling," and "Sanctuary."

Off her new one, I really love "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence- FYI."

To be honest, I liked it better than BoA's english release.

[firestarter]

To be honest, I liked it better than BoA's english release.

I just listened to a couple of BoA tracks on her web page. They're terrible! It could be anyone singing, all the vocals are so heavily processed! :eek:

[Krafty]

I just listened to a couple of BoA tracks on her web page. They're terrible! It could be anyone singing, all the vocals are so heavily processed! :eek:

EXACTLY! And "Energetic"? She sounded dull as a dead moose and a friday evening rotting on the sidewalk after eating a roadkill!

On her Korean albums, I give her a few songs here and there, but if anything I like a majority of her album My Name. I even listen to it in my plastic '99 Kia.




By myself, of course.




Friends arent too fund of J or K-pop.

[firestarter]

Friends arent too fund of J or K-pop.

Lol. I can't even get them to like Utada... I haven't even tried them with Ayu.

[Krafty]

Lol. I can't even get them to like Utada... I haven't even tried them with Ayu.

My friends only like a few from Utada, but don't even know who she is. I guess out of the 3 (Or, 2... Don't get me started with Ayu...), Utada sounds closer to a general US R&B singer. Most of my Korean friends can pick BoA's voice out of a crowd singing all singing the same thing.

Today, I was driving around playing her album, and my friend put "Crying Like A Child" on repeat. The thought of diving out the car was there, but I managed, shes not too bad.

Ayu...is....just....
...




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...


I mean who needs a floating ship for a live show anyways?!


The only other J-Pop singer I can stand is Ami Suzuki. I can listen to "Supreme Show" without going into withdrawal.

[firestarter]

Well, I think Ayu is fantastic. She must have the best videos of them all too, and I think her concerts look amazing!

[Krafty]

We all have our tastes, I suppose.

[firestarter]

Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence - FYI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kt0P6H5kSqg&fmt=18) on youtube (probably the best track on the album).

Short interview with Utada (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5byEKSVHYHo&fmt=18), talks about the new album.

[yojitani]

My wife likes her quite a lot. I'll have to let her know... I personally prefer Ua (who also has done some work in English!).

edit: Verdict is: thumbs down

[sysiphus]

Cool, downloading now!

Generally I prefer Japanese Hikki to Ayu, but I've got a soft spot for Ms. Hamasaki as well. Just picked up the special edition A Best 2 White (+2 DVDs) set from Kinokuniya) :)