Utada Hikaru Deep River

Deep River is Utada Hikaru's Third album. It sold close to 3 million copies and is the eighth best-selling album in Japanese music History.

The first thing I want to say about Deep River is......what's with the cover? Utada doesn't look too good and it has no relation to a River whatsoever. The second thing is that when I listened to this album the first times and the first few times, I just hated it. I thought "Is this an Utada album?" The album sounded too dark and all the tracks sounded alike. But gradually, as I listened to it, it grew more and more on me. Now, it is my second favorite Utada Album (after First Love). So please give this album time and it is sure too become your favorite. That aside, let's look at the tracks.

1.SAKURA DROPS- A original track which mixes the sounds of the music box. The verses are mellow and sound like a ballad and the chorus picks up.Highly recommended and a great way to start this album.
Rating-4.7

2.travelling- It was not a good idea to place travelling after Sakura drops. travelling is a reasonably good uptempo track is overshadowed by most of the album tracks in this album.
Rating-4

3.Shiawase ni Narou- It started off like a ballad and then became a r&b track. I liked the ballad part more. There is nothing spectacular about this track. It is very average. Not bad for an album track.
Rating-3.9

4.Deep River- When I close my eyes and listen to the instrumental intro, I feel like I am in the middle of the lake. Maybe that is the reason she named this track Deep River. It is a track with an east-asian feel to it. The song flows like a water body- in one direction and slowly. The tempo never changes and the chorus is not very high or shrieky. A very original song. Utada outdid herself on this.
Rating-4.8

5.Letters- This track sounds too.....I don't know. I feel something is wrong, that's why I am not able to like it even after many listens.
Rating-3.4

6.Playball- I didn't like this track at first and used to skip it everytime. But one day I heard it and it stuck in my head. It's atmosphere is like that of Never Lett Go in first love. I feel like I am in a cold place when I head this.
Rating-4.6

7.Tokyo Nights- This is the only track I liked on my first listen. Many Utada fans site it as their second favorite album track after First Love. It has a mysterious and very urban feel as if standing on a skyscraper in the middle of a city with lights. I am suure you will like this one.
Rating-4.6

8.ASAP- I call this and the previous three tracks the 'Single Trine' because they arre all awesome tracks and I think they should have all been single tracks. ASAP starts with an intro which includes church bells. The atmosphere is very mysterious and liek the atmosphere during a blizzard when you can feel something is wrong. This song captures feeling very beautifully.
Rating-4.7

9. Uso Mitai na I love you- I didn't like the instrumental intro AT ALL. The rest of the song is pretty good and everything seems to be going well......until that intro is played again. Seriously, this song should have been arranged better.
Rating-4

10.FINAL DISTANCE- It is a ballad and one of Utada's best. It only has a simple piano instrumental with occassional strings and back-singers but it is very good.
Rating-4.5

11.Bridge- I have never gotten the point of placing an interlude as the second last track. Isn't it supposed to be an interlude? Bridge is not bad, but it would have been more helpful if it had been somewhere in the middle of the album. Here, it sounds uneeded and I skip it in order to proceed to the last track- Hikari.

12.HIKARI- Is an upbeat pop track and a relatively new genre for Utada. It was used in the Kingdom Hearts game and she even sang an English version of it. The Japanese version is better. Hikari is not an outstanding track. It should not have been a single track.
Rating-4

DEEP RIVER contains Utada's best album tracks to date. Some are better than those on First Love. The single tracks were not as outstanding (with the exception of Sakura Drops). This album is a relief after DISTANCE. After listening to DISTANCE, I was afriad Utada might become another so-so, generic artist. Utada has proved me wrong. She is truly an artist who values quality and deserves her fame.

Pros
Excellent album tracks
Smooth flow

Cons
Mediocre single tracks
Most songs sound alike

Utada Hikaru Distance

Distance is Utada Hikaru's second album. It debuted on #1 in the oricon charts even when it was released in the same week as Ayumi Hamsaki's A Best. It has sold close to 4 million copies and is the fourth best-selling album in Japanese History.

1.Wait & See ~Risk~- It is a single track and as expected of Utada's single tracks, delivers high quality. A r&b track with intricate songwriting and reasonably-good arrangement, it is a quality track.
Rating-4.5

2. CAN YOU KEEP A SECRET- This is Utada's highest selling single to date. It sounds like a mix of club jazz and soft beats in the beginning but changes to Utada's signature r&b style as it progresses. It was used in the drama Hero in which Takuya Kimura acted. I didn't like the drama much even if it is the drama with the highest viewership rating in Japanese TV history. Had Takuya Kimura not been there, the drama would have been a sure-shot flop.
Rating-4.6

3.DISTANCE- This song has a happy atmosphere and good arrangement. Even thought it was released before Final Distance, I like final Distance better.
Rating-4

4.Sunglasses- A very mysterious and nostalgic sounding album track. My favorite album track on this album (There are not many, though).
Rating-4.7

5.Dorama- I HATE this song. It is pure noise and the melody whatever it is, does nothing to save the terrible arrangement. Skip this.
Rating-2.1

6.Eternally- Finally, a ballad, and like all other Utada ballads, a masterpiece in its own right. It combines the soft sounds of piano and orchestra with Utada's emotional voice.
Rating-4.3

7.Addicted to You (Up in Heaven Miz)- This is a quite catchy R&B track. And hearing it, it does make me feel like I am in heaven (what a coincidence!)
Rating-4.5

8.For You- My favorite single track from this album. It is supposed to be a R&B ballad. It does sound like one with added elements which make it sound like the sky is dark when she is singing this.
Rating-4.7

9.Kettobase- The last track on this album which is any good. After the all the tracks (except the bonus track) are complete disasters.
Rating-4

10. Parody- I can't listen to this! Please skip it. Utada! What are you doing?
Rating-2

11.Time Limit- Not a good track. Sounds like filler.
Rating-3

12.Kotoba ni Naranai Kimochi- This song's tempo is pretty awkward. It should have been slower and the arrangement and the music do not match at all. A below-average track.
Rating-3.1

13. Hayatochiri REMIX- Finally, after that string of terrible tracks, one track that is beareable. Good she ended the ablbum with this.
Rating-4

DISTANCE was a huge step down from her almost-perfect First Love. At least Deep River is better.....

Pros
First few tarcks are strong
Good single tracks
Nice cover (compared to First Love)

Cons
Later tracks are rubbish
Some tracks have arrangements that do not suit the music.
Utada sounds airier and more tired in this album than in First Love

J-pop Album review- Utada Hikaru First Love

Who hasn't heard of Utada Hikaru and her First Love album? It is the highest selling album in Japan with over 7 million copies sold. So what made this album a bestseller and most importantly, does it deserve its status?

1.AUTOMATIC- It was Utada's debut single. It is an r&b track with a strong beat and a great tune and arrangement. My only complaint was that at some points, Utada's voice is submerged by the strong beats. Still, it's a track you will not get tired of so easily.
Rating-4.6

2.Movin' on Without You- It is a lot more aggressive that it's predecessor. It is basically an upbeat track too. Utada's vocals are reasonably good.
Rating-4.1

3.In My Room- This is the first album track. When I heard this song for the first time, I felt- No way! This is definately a single track. The song is undoubtedly a masterpiece. I loved it and no matter how much I listen to it, I still love it. It is a perfect balance between good beats and soothing instrumentals.
Rating-4.8

4.First Love- If you were surprised that In My Room is an album track, you will die of shock when you realize that First Love is an album track too. It's a good thing it was made into a re-cut single. A song with flawless songwriting (credit to Utada), it is the favorite song of many Utada fans. As for me, I felt Utada's vocals could not keep pace with the song. She takes so many breaths and sounds so airy. I still prefer In My Room over this.
Rating-4.7

5.Amai Wana ~Paint it Black~- A rock-trance-r&b hybrid. I think this is teh most mediocre track on the album but I am sure many will disagree with me. Well, I guess I love more balanced and mellow songs.
Rating-4

6.time will tell- Another favorite of mine. It sounds as peaceful and chirpy as In My Room. Utada sounds very young and enthusiastic in this track. A very good effort by Utada both vocally and musically.
Rating-4.5

7.Never Let Go- Many grade this song as mediocre. But I like it. It starts with a godo guitar intro which led me into believing that this song was going to be a r&b ballad. When I listen to this song, I feel liek I am in a hillstation. I wonder why.
Rating-4.5

8.B&C- This song is so happy! I love the cheerful intro and everything else. Why did she have to make this a B-side? It is as good as any A-side.
Rating-4.6

9.Another Chance- Okay, I guess Utada was giving us a string of awesome songs so she got tired. Another Chance is pretty mediocre. Still, it is better than many A-sides singers these days produce.
Rating-3.5

10.Interlude- She should have skipped this. It is pretty bad even for an interlude.
Rating- I prefer not to rate this one

11.Give Me A Reason- The longest track on the album, it starts with a simple acoustic guitar intro and then dives into the soft R&B style we know Utada so well for.
Rating-4.5

12. Automatic~Johnny Vicious Remix~- Mediocre remix. Shouldn't have included it.
Rating-3

So, is this album deserving of the highest selling album in Japanese music history. You bet it is. Not even a single filler track and I consider that quite a feat. Most albums these days have too many filler tracks. Utada's best vocally and musically. Her voice has become a lot airier since First Love.

Go ahead and buy this album. I bought this two years ago and I still play it. Only the highest selling album in Japanese music history can be so good.

J-pop review- Akina Nakamori - Recollection Super Best

Akina Nakamori was the most popular singer in Japan in the 1980s. Her style includes pop, jazz, ballad, latin, enka, samba and every other type of music imaginable. Her lyrics are usually very dark and melancholic. Her voice is considered to be one of the most powerful in Japan and in the poll for the best voice, she ranked higher than Seiko Matsuda.

Recollection Super Best is her best album which includes all her hit singles in two discs. Disc One is called The Ardent side and includes more upbeat and ardent songs. Disc 2 is the Exotic side and contains everything from Spanish to Latin and Arabian.

If you've never given Akina Nakamori a try, I suggest you do. Her voice is very unique. The songs sound a bit outdated in the beginning but gradually you will grow to like them so much that you will not feel like listening to anything else. All her songs have great replay value. Here is a video of her very famous song (Shojo A). She sings this as a duet with Ayumi Hamasaki (by the way, Hamasaki has stated Nakamori as one of her favorite singers)



I will start with Disc 1- The Ardent side. This is going to be a long post because there are two discs and 28 songs to review.

1. SLOW MOTION- Is the first track of Ardent side disc 1. It is a midtempo track with wonderful vocals and a bittersweet atmosphere. A sitar plays in the intro. Even though the song is simple, you will grow to love it because of the calm feeling it given while listening. A top class debut single.
Ratting-4.6

2. Shojo A- Was Akina's most controversial single, nearly banned for its risque lyrics. As a track, it will capture your attention as soon as it gets to the chorus. I suggest keeping the volume high since Akina's voice is barely heard in the beginning. This is the problem with most tracks. She sounds quite well in the live, but in the CD I can barely hear her. It is a lively carnival like tune with a totally addictive chorus. It sounds very 80s, though.
Rating-4.8

3.Second love- Akina's highest selling single which sold almost a million. It is a ballad with a calming flute intro. Nothing spectacular. It is just a better than average ballad.
Rating- 4.2

4.1/2 no shinwa- This is another upbeat disco like track with a wailing guitar intro.Sounds like most of her upbeat songs.But it is pretty good. I liked it.
Rating-4.5

5. Yuuyake- A not-so-good ballad and Akina's voice sounds weak too. Still, its placement is good so it flows so seamlessly into the next that you would not have remembered hearing a song.
Rating-3.4

6.Kinku- Another wonderful upbeat track. Akina does what she excels at most- disco like powerful danceable tracks. Kinku is much like 1/2 no Shinwa minus the guitar intro.
Ratting-4.3

7.Jukkai- It was Akina's megahit single in 1984 and it is not hard to see why. Jukkai is a danceable track with a powerful chorus and good flow. Akina sings it with much emotion. Wonderful songwriting.
Rating-4.4

8. Kazari Janai no yo Namida wa- In case you are wondering what this means, it means Tears are no Decoration. It is considered one of Akina's signature songs along with Desire ~Jonetsu~. It is also believed to be the most technically demanding song in Japan. The verses are in the octave of a man and very fast. Akina pulls it off brilliantly. A track which showcases Akina's vocal abilities. Fukuyama Masaharu covered it in his Golden Oldies album.
Rating-4.6

9.Desire ~Jonetsu~- You will get addicted to this track! It is Akina's signature song because of the unique live performances she gave for this song. You must watch it on Youtube. The song has many Japanese elements like shamisen. It is a Japanese sounding upbeat disco track. Certainly unique! You must hear it to know what it sounds like. It is easy to fall in love with this song. My only complaint is that Akina can't be heard during the verses.
Rating-4.7


10. LIAR- A very emotional and beautifully executed ballad. Akina sang this for her boyfriend Masahiko Kondo when their relationship wasn't going very well.
Rating-4.8

11.Dear Friend- This was Akina's comeback single after she was found committing suicide in her boyfriend Masahiko Kondo's apartment because of their ending relationship and excessive pressure from tabloids. She apologized to the public after the incident and released this single. It is her most positive single to date.The song was nothing too great. Akina should stick to sad songs.
Rating-3.2

12.Mizu ni Sashita Hana- A most beautiful and calming ballad. This song is a masterpiece, but if you don't increase the volume, you will never hear this because the whole track is very soft.
Rating-4.5

13.Futari Shizuka- A nice disco song.
Rating-4

14.????- I really don't know the name of this track, but it is pretty mediocre.
Ratting-3

Disc 2- Exotic side

1.KITA WING- Is the first song of the exotic side.The song means North Wing and has a mysterious atmosphere. I feel like I am on a nightflight when I listen to this song. It is a bridge between upbeat and mellow and sounds very polished.
Rating-4.5

2.???- I don't know the name of this song and in the booklet,I don't recognize its single cover. A repetitive and boring song and a huge disappointment coming from Akina.
Rating-2

3. Meu Amor E- As the title suggests, it is a Spanish sounding song with great Latin beats. I just wish the tempo would have been a little faster in the chorus. Otherwise, the song is wonderful.
Rating-4.2

4. Akai Tori Nigeta- It has the same tune of Meu Amor E and was a re-release with different lyrics much like Koda Kumi's Yume no Uta/Futari De.
Rating-4

5.Sand Beige ~Sabaku e~- An exotic Arabian into begins Sand Beige. This song is mid-tempo and gives the feeling that one in travelling in the desert. It grew on me a lot. Truly exotic.
Rating-4.2

6.SOLITUDE- The intro of SOLITUDE and the outro of SAND BEIGE blend so flawlessly into each other that you feel like you are listening to the same track. SOLITUDE had no chorus but even so, it does not sound boring or repetitive.
Rating-4

7.Gypsy Queen- Another Arabian sounding track. But not as good as SAND BEIGE.
Rating-3.4

8. Fin-It starts out sounding like a typical Akina dance song but it is actually a ballad. The translation of the lyrics is very deep and poetic.
Rating-4

9.TANGO NOIR- Another Spanish track but in TANGO NOIR, the spanish element is not so pronounced. Rather, it is very subtle. The chorus is good but the rest of the song is boring.
Rating-4.3

10.BLONDE- The instrumental intro is good and so is the verse but the chorus sounds too generic to be liked. A weak track.
Rating-3

11.Nanpasen- An emotionally draining ballad. That is what it was described as in Japan when this song was released. It sounds like the aftermath of a war in sea. The atmosphere is like one is on a boat, with mist all around. Akina sings this song with as much emotion as possible and especially in the chorus. Nanpasen means Shipwreck and despite the melancholic meaning of this song, it is truly a masterpiece lyrically.
Rating-4.6

12.AL-MAUJ- It is either Arabian or Russian. Arabian, I would say, guessing from the cover. It sounds both though. It is quite similar to SAND BEIGE but not as good.
Rating-3.1

13.TATTOO- A spanish song which start off with a mind-blowing verse and lots of catchy back-singers singing get up. But the chorus was so totally out of sync with the rest of the song, that it ruined the song.

14.I MISSED THE SHOCK- It is the last track. A spectacular track with many Russian elements. A wonderful way to end such an outstanding album.
Rating-4.5

I have to say one thing- the songwriting and arrangement in this album are outstanding. Every track sounds like a masterpiece. Akina's voice is inaudible and sounds weak in many parts, but by the chorus, she is back to her powerful voice.

A very unique album to add to your collection. You can listen to the songs on youtube to see whether they are your type or not.

But this album is definately worth its cost.

Pros
Excellent songwriting
Creative arrangements
Good placing of tracks and flow

Cons
Akina's voice which is inaudible sometimes. I don't know whether this is teh fault of Akina or the production staff.
Might sound outdated to some
Most tracks in one CD are similar so might sound repetitive. But I guess that problem is there for all singers who sing one type of songs.

Game review- Harvest Moon Friends of Mineral Town for Game Boy Advance

Harvest Moon is a series of Farm-Simulation games by Natsume.

In Harvest Moon frineds of Mineral Town, you are a guy, who used to stay with his grandpa on a farm. However, now when you return to the farm after you receive a letter from the Town Mayor, you find that the farm is in a state of utter ruin. The mayor tells you taht it is now your duty to restore the farm to its former glory. So you become a farmer.

Your job is to plant crops. All seasons have different crops. You can also sell wild weeds, and other thinsg to make money. You will also have to buy and rear livestock (hens, sheep and cows) and sell their products too. Apert from that, you can make your house bigger and then have a kitchen in which you can cook and sell various recipies.

All this, is only a part of the game. Unlike many other games, you are not a lone wolf farmer restricted to your farm. Beyond your farm is a whole town! You can meet townpeople there. There is a church, an ironmonger, an inn, a placw hich sells seeds and all and many other houses. You are supposed to get along with all the townsfolk. The main objective of the game is to, however, court a girl and raise a family (that includes children). You can choose from five or six different girls and then give them things they love everyday and talk to them to court them. In the course of your relationship, you will also have many events and grow to like each other even more.

There is even a mine for you to explore which contains many ores and precious metals which can be used for making jewelery and tools for your farm. And that is not all! You can also befriends harvest sprites (smalll elf like creatures) and make them help you in watering, harvesting and selling your plants as well as caring for your animals.

This is a very unique game but action players might find it a bit sedentary. I shoudl tell you that this is a game which often has extreme views- some just hate it and some can't get enough of it. I am the latter. You can play it to see whether it is your type of game or not.

Ratings-
Story-4.3
Graphics-4
Sound-4
Gameplay-4.2

Pros
A farm and love simulation game
Unique twist to gardening theme
Lovable characters
Engaging gameplay

Cons
Might be boring for lovers of hardcore fighting
Does not have a clear objective and has no end; continues indefinately (Even when you court the girl, marry her and have children, the game doesn't end. Also, it is optional to court the girl)

For a walkthrough, you can go to Ushi no Tane at http://www.fogu.com/hm/

Game review- Plantasia for PC

From the creators of Diner Dash comes Plantasia, a game of gardening delight. Enter your luscious gardens, where magical flowers and a fairy-in-training are waiting to show you the way. Plant seeds, harvest flowers, restore fountains, and watch as your gardens bloom. But beware! Weeds, rocks, insects and the clock are all waiting to make your game a fun-filled challenge.

Plantasia dreams up plants and flowers not seen since Alice fell down the rabbit hole. Restore one fantastical garden after the next, choose your flowers and gardening spells wisely, and discover how a fairy wish unfolds. (source: bigfishgames)

I was addicted to Plantasia since the minute I started playing it. I have always liked gardening virtually where the plants seem to grow quickly. In Plantasia, there are 50 fun filled levels of gardening goodness. The objective is to plant different kinds of flowers in different kinds of gardens to restore them. The flowers have eyes and all and look really cute. In each level, a certain number of points are requires to proceed

This game is not very challenging. I got stuck at one level (I think it is level 9) for a long time but after that, the game was a cakewalk.

But play it through to the end because the end is really surprising (and romantic!). The storyline was amazing and I never got bored despite the lack of challenge duue to new upgrades, plants and growing methods.

Ratings-
Story-4.3
Graphics-4.5
Sound-3
Gameplay-4.1

Pros
Good graphics
It has a storyline
Quick upgrades and new stuff

Cons
Might lack challenge for some
The ninth (or whichever level that was) was pretty hard and requires a lot of patience
A bir repetitive (but I didn't get bored)

If you like time-management games, Plantasia is worth a try.

Game review- Tradewinds Legends

Tradewinds Legends is a sequel to Tradewinds 2. The story and objective is much the same, but Tradewinds Legends takes place somewhere in the Arabian side. There are many upgrades as regarding ammunition. The goods to be traded are different too. You can choose to be one of four characters. The ship flies in sky too (i don't know how).

That said, its gameplay is similar to that of Tradewinds 2. The missions and stuff are different and everything is more exotic. (The ammunition too- there is a bomb called Tiki Bomb)

If you enjoyed Tradewinds 2, you are likely to enjoy Tradewinds Legends too.

Ratings
Story-4
Graphics-4.3
Sound-4
Gameplay-4.3

Pros
Unique setting
A strategy game with action
Good graphics

Cons
Difficult to understand at first
Might lose a lot at first

So is are ready for some swashbuckling adventure, go ahead and try Tradewinds Legends.

Game review- Tradewinds 2

Tradewinds 2 is a game for PC, where you start out as a sea faring merchant who buys and sells goods from one place to another. The goods include standard stuff that was traded in the ninteenth century including coffee, tea and othings like that. The objective is to make profits. But that's not all of it. You are given missions by the governors of the places where you trade. These missions also earn money.

Everything is not simple, though. You have to face pirates who want to ruin your ships and most missions involve bringing down very famous and notorious pirates. You can purchase bombs, canons and various other ammunition at all the places. The game is over if the pirates defeat you but even then, you can start again from that point.

The best thing about Tradewinds 2 is that it combines my favorite elements of time management and fighting. Here, it is important both to be a great businessman as well as a great pirate. The setting and graphics are also very exotic.

A wonderful and truly one-of-a-kind game.

Ratings
Story-3
Graphics-4.5
Sound-4
Gameplay-4.6

Pros
Very unique kind of a game
Exotic settings
Good graphics

Cons
In the beginning, you might lose many times because of the difficulty level
Can be a bit confusing to grasp