Koda Kumi [Feel My Mind] (Third Album)

Break it down
Crazy 4 U
Rock Your Body
Rain
Without Your Love
Talk to You
Hana (華, Flower)
Get Out the Way
Sweet Love
Gentle Words
Magic
Come with Me
Yume with You (R. Yamaki’s Groove Mix)
Cutie Honey

The first track on the album is the thumping Break it down. I always find this song surprising no matter how many times I listen to it. The arrangement really pounds into you, though it doesn’t really do much, it still manages to get its point across. Its also quite a sexy beat if you look at in that way. Kuu’s vocals are pretty good in this, love the husky use of her tones. This is a pretty darn underrated song from her, she should really take advantage of it during one of her tours.

The next track on the album is the up-tempo Crazy 4 U. This has never been an up-tempo rnb laced song from Kuu that I’ve ever particularly cared for, because though its pretty good, it always come across as plain to me. The arrangement has a bit going on with it, but sounds generic and though its dominantly rnb in composition, I never really got that vibe. Kuu-chan’s vocals are all right, but they just didn’t absorb me. Its an all right track, but she has better a-sides than this.

The next track on the album is the sort of up-tempo Rock Your Body. This is just like ‘crazy 4 u’ in terms of being one of those up-tempo tracks from Kuu that I don’t care for. This plays more on the mid-tempo side because it never seems to get fast enough in my opinion and for a song with a good premise, its pretty plain and doesn’t do much of anything to catch my attention. The chorus is pretty all right, but I don’t know, this song kind a bores me.

The next track on the album is the down-tempo Rain. Wow, I’ve never really liked this ballad from Kuu, but its pretty darn good. The arrangement doesn’t give off a feeling of rain, so much as a feeling of intense loneliness, its very effective. Kuu-chan gave such a good vocal performance, I mean its not her best vocal performance, but I mean she really managed to get her point across and I found, especially during the chorus, that I could connect with her. This is a good Kuu ballad.

The next track on the album is the wasteful Without Your Love. I either expected this song to be down-tempo or mid-tempo, its a mixture of both really, but the song is bad so it wouldn’t have mattered which because I wouldn’t have liked it either way. The arrangement is throwaway and sounded a bit half-assed, because it clashed with Kuu’s rather awful vocal performance. Kuu sung this song is such a bad and awkward way, it really blew my mind. I was so glad when the song ended, utterly forgettable.

The next track on the album is the pop/rnb-ish Talk to You. This song leans a bit more towards rnb, but the sparkly quality of the arrangement can not be overlooked. This song is a bit plain and doesn’t really do much, but I find that I like it. This song just gives me such an oldschool vibe and sounds quite familiar. It also make me think of Ayu’s It was in terms of underrated tracks. I also really liked Kuu’s vocal performance.

The next track on the album brings the pace down a bit with Hana (華, Flower). This is definitely one of her weaker ballads and it doesn’t stand out at all, but it definitely has a gentleness to it that seemed to capture my attention even though I really wasn’t all that interested in the song. I thought Kuu gave a pretty good and rather sincere vocal performance as well.

The next track on the album brings the pace back up a bit with Get Out the Way. Ah, this song is a bit stale. It stays around mid-tempo, never getting any faster than that. Kuu’s vocal performance is fine, but I found just like with ‘rock your body’ that I don’t really care for it. Its generic and a bit boring, though it does play better than ‘rock your body’.

The next track on the album is Sweet Love. This song is pretty long, but it offers nothing. I was actually wondering when it was going to end, because it played rather stiffly. The arrangement is rnb with a light dose of pop, but it sounds watered down and plays more like background noise. Kuu’s vocals were decent, but I don’t know, the chorus was good, but I got such an awkward vibe from this song. I mean maybe it’ll grow on me, at the moment though, I don’t too much care for it.

The next track on the album is another down-tempo, Gentle Words. This song is pretty similar to the previous track, except that its a lot better and the vocal performance from Kuu-chan seems a lot more sincere. This song doesn’t stand out and though Kuu’s ballads are pretty hit or mess, she has a slew that are better than this. Its a nice listen though, most notably the chorus.

The next track on the album is the gospel-esque Magic. It really gave me that vibe, especially Kuu’s vocals. The arrangement is really quite the synth, but its nice and mellow and went with the whole flow of the song. Its not depressing, but its not happy either. I really liked Kuu-chan’s vocal performance during this track, the deep, low tones, perfect. I also liked how she sounded genuine and I definitely like this more than ’sweet love’ I did expect this to be more around the mid-tempo or up-tempo range, with a more upbeat air.

The next track on the album brings the pace back up with Come with Me. This song seemed to come out of nowhere, but it was a bit refreshing. It took a minute for this to grow on me, because it sounded a bit too airy and chaotic and I honestly didn’t get where Kuu was trying to go vocal-wise. I do like how lively the arrangement is, it definitely keeps you focused on the song. Kuu-chan’s vocals are decent, but she does strain an awful lot during the: ‘come to me, into the sun’ parts.

The second to last track on the album is its first bonus Yume with You (R. Yamaki’s Groove Mix). This was an all right remix, but I don’t like how clunky the arrangement is, or how repetitive Kuu sounded. The backing vocals also sound like Ken Hirai singing and this track seems oddly long.

The last track on the album is its second bonus Cutie Honey. I’m really wondering why this is included on this album at all, strange. I love this song, but I won’t go into too much detail, especially since its featured on my favorite studio album from her, Secret.

-GRADE: B-
Rating: *1/2 stars

Koda Kumi’s third album Feel My Mind is pretty disappointing. I don’t know, the last time I gave this album a listen, I pretty much liked it. I now find it one of the most underwhelming listens ever. It just doesn’t offer much of anything and there’s not much I can say, other than this album has quite possibly my favorite piece of cover art. I did like how the album started off, Break it down has to be one of the most underrated songs ever. The down-tempo tracks were pretty good as well and I enjoyed Crazy 4 U, Talk to You and Come With Me despite them offering nothing. I’m not sure what went wrong this third time around, but her debut album Affection was a better listen in my opinion, this album is forgettable.

Koda Kumi [MOON] (40th Single)

Moon Crying
That Ain’t Cool feat. Fergie
Once Again
Lady go!!
Moon Crying (Piano Version)

Koda Kumi’s 40th single starts off with the a-side Moon Crying. … can this song get any more boring? This is one of her worst down-tempo’s ever and I don’t even know where to start. I was excited when it was announced that she was coming out with a new single, disappointed about Fergie being featured in one of the tracks, but she was back after the fluid incident and with four new songs. I watched the video and though it was all right, the song was an absolute snooze-fest, I nearly fell a sleep watching it. I thought I would like the song on the single, but I came out pretty much feeling the same way. The piano arrangement is nice, but its boring too. Kuu tries entirely too hard to make this song emotionally felt and it just comes across as very fake and exhausting. The song didn’t even call for all the forced singing Kuu-chan delivered an I felt so detached from Kuu’s vocal performance and this song in particular that it was amazing. I didn’t even want to review this single, but well, I went on ahead and did anyway. I barely paid attention to this while it was playing and was a little too relieved when it ended. Kuu has been putting out some pretty weak ballads, but this is her weakest one to date, which is a shame, because it had the potential to be another 1000 no Kotoba.

The next track on the single is its first b-side That Ain’t Cool feat. Fergie. The lack luster tracks don’t end with Moon Crying unfortunately, for we are presented with Fergie feat. Koda Kumi. I don’t even know where to begin, because this song is just a disaster. The arrangement plays like air and is only there to give the song something to stand on, I barely even noticed it. Fergie sounds like Fergie, as there is nothing unique or appealing about her voice at all, so it was pretty much a downer to hear her singing the majority of the song. I don’t recall hearing Kuu at all, I mean how are you regulated to backing vocals on your own track? It really just blows my mind. This song is lame and utterly forgettable.

The next track on the single is the mild Once Again. This is my favorite song off the single and I don’t care what anyone says, this is a good song and one I actually wish she would have included on her TRICK album. The whole atmosphere of the song is very nostalgic, it has a light reggae like, island-y flare to it that makes it very warm, but a bit sad at the same time. Kuu’s vocal performance was quite good, I was pretty amazed by how she managed to absorb me. It almost sounded like she was trying not to cry and I admit towards the end of the song, my eyes were a little wet. This is one of those smiling through the tears type songs and its a shame that’s its so underrated.

The next track on the single is its last b-side Lady go!!. This is another song that a like, though it did take a bit for it to grow on me. The arrangement is nothing new or different, but it does its part and sounds a bit refreshing. Kuu’s vocal performance was not as good as it was in the previous track, but still a whole lot better than the a-side and the first b-side. I thought she sounded a bit down in this song as well and though the atmosphere seems very up in the tempo, I still couldn’t help but notice the sad undercurrent: ‘i don’t wanna miss you’

The last track on the single is Moon Crying (Piano Version). Ah, I knew this song had the potential, I am always right about these things. The piano version of ‘moon crying’ is a whole lot better and easier on the ears. The piano was very clear and certainly gave off a rather somber atmosphere which really made me connect more with Kuu’s vocals, because she sounded better and the emotion in her voice seemed genuine. I definitely prefer this over the original.

-GRADE: B
Rating: ** stars

Koda Kumi’s 40th single MOON was pretty disappointing, but luckily there were some good tracks on here. Moon Crying is boring and impossible. That Ain’t Cool is ridiculous and it will always boggle my mind as to why Kuu put it on her latest studio album, this is no LAST ANGEL. Once Again was a gorgeous if not depressing song and my favorite on the single. Lady go!! is a nice, moderately up-tempo track and the piano version of Moon Crying completely upstages the original. If not for the last three songs playing so good, I would have given this single a C, oh yeah and the cover art is breath taking.

Koda Kumi [Black Cherry] (Fifth Album)

INTRODUCTION
Get Up & Move!!
Ningyo-hime (人魚姫; Mermaid Princess)
Yume no Uta (夢のうた; Dream Song)
Tsuki to Taiyou (月と太陽; The Moon and the Sun)
Puppy
Koi no Tsubomi (恋のつぼみ; Bud of Love)
WON’T BE LONG ~Black Cherry Version~
JUICY
Candle Light
Cherry Girl
I’ll be there
Unmei (運命; Destiny)
With your smile
Milk Tea*
Twinkle (English Version)
GO WAY!!
WON’T BE LONG ~Red Cherry Version~

The album starts off with the funky INTRODUCTION. I thought this was a good intro to start the album on, because it really gets you pumped for what’s next.

The first full length track on the album is the infectious Get Up & Move!!. I think I’m hearing things, but knowing Kuu, I’m probably not. At the beginning of the song when she first starts singing, it sounds like she said: ‘every time I look into your eyes–[Japanese]–you get me really horny,’ in truth I hope that’s what she said. The arrangement is pretty good in a very basic way, but you can certainly find yourself getting down to it and doing all sorts of nice choreographed dance moves. I loved the deep smoke in her voice, went very well with the song, my favorite part besides the chorus was the hook leading into it.

The next track on the album is the rocked out Ningyo-hime (人魚姫; Mermaid Princess). You wouldn’t expect a song that translates to ‘mermaid princess’ to be so gritty, but at the same time its pretty appropriate. Rock is definitely a guilty pleasure of mine, because I don’t really enjoy it all that much, but sometimes when I do, I enjoy it so much. The arrangement is definitely rock and very interesting in a head-splitting, futuristic world infested by robots and aliens type way. Kuu’s vocals went along perfectly with this, since she has the right type of voice for rock tracks like this. It can get annoying, because Kuu-chan’s voice has the tendency to get annoying, but this is one of her best songs, and my second favorite from 4 Hot Wave.

The next track on the album is the ballad Yume no Uta (夢のうた; Dream Song). I use to really love this song, back when it first came out. I also use to mix this and you up, because they’re so similar. My love for this song has died down somewhat, but it has not faded. The arrangement is gorgeous, and I love how it was used to take the song out. Kuu-chan’s vocals on the other hand, are a bit unbearable. I mean Kuu does have a nice and unique voice, and put to the right song, it can kill. This song however, its so half and half. At times her voice sounds good, and then at times it sounds like she’s trying way too hard to be emotional and it just comes across as so very fake and impossible. I still adore this song though, it was like one of the last few good ballads from her.

The next track on the album is the down-tempo Tsuki to Taiyou (月と太陽; The Moon and the Sun). I never actually expected to like this song as much as I do, but it certainly has grown on me. The arrangement is very drop beat, really gorgeous in a sense, not very impressive but it certainly sets a mood. Kuu’s vocals seem sincere in this song, because she was singing it naturally and not in a way as if she was forcing herself. I love the chorus, and the slow way she sings the verses.

The next track on the album is the WTH? Puppy. This song always throws me through a loop every time I hear it. I mean why did Kuu even record this song? Its so out of place on this album in doesn’t make any kind of sense. I mean I actually always expect this song to be more down-tempo, and less strange than it is. Its one of those songs that make you think what the heck was the artist on when they laid it down?

The next track on the album is the light and whimsical Koi no Tsubomi (恋のつぼみ; Bud of Love). When this song first came out, it actually took me a while to realize who it was, because I’d only ever seen the sexier side of Kuu. Needless to say I was determined not to like the song. It has grown on me. I love how cute and sparkly the arrangement is, its so carefree and just brings such a warm smile to my face. Kuu actually pulled this off, I mean I really dislike this side of her, but sometimes, she really makes me second guess myself.

The next track on the album is the underwhelming WON’T BE LONG ~Black Cherry Version~. I still don’t get this song, I really don’t. I mean in truth its not a bad song, I really like Kuu’s vocals in this, and her English is actually bearable, but its just the guy that ruins this song and the fact that this is a pretty boring and forgettable track from her. Its almost like why did you even bother to include this on your album, and not just this but another version of the SAME song?

The next track on the album is the  so sexy JUICY. No surprise! This is my favorite of the 4 Hot Wave songs, and the first video I saw of Kuu-chan. I remember when I seen this video I was amazed at how dirty everything was, but I mean she really brought it. The arrangement is just orgasmic, seriously. I love it. Kuu’s vocals were so on point in this song. I just love how sensual her voice was and how much attitude she put into this track. I mean she really brought the naughty girl with this, especially all the moaning and gasping in the background. Its sure to make anyone, girls included, very hot. This is definitely one of her best songs, and the side of Kuu that I adore.

The next track is the down-tempo Candle Light. This is a piano driven, bore-fest that certainly doesn’t play like its over three minutes, more like two. I think I’m being a little harsh, this song isn’t all bad, and I’m sure a lot of people like this more vulnerable side of Kuu, but it was just a little too wangsty for me. Its almost like what’s the point of this song? It plays so randomly and seems to come out of nowhere. I mean we go from JUICY to Candle Light, its a very bad and jarring transition. On top of that it sounded like Kuu had started crying while singing this, and it was just all so un-moving and laughable. This track is just forgettable.

The next track on the album is the up-tempo Cherry Girl. This is one of the very few songs that actually stand-out on this album, and actually seems to play like a track that’s suppose to be on this album. I liked the arrangement, very saucy and hot. It went well with Kuu’s sensual and smoky vocals, I could tell she was really into this song, its definitely a track that a make you get loose, seriously. Also, the video made absolutely no sense, but listening to the song, I’m definitely not surprised that it went the route it did.

The next track is the somewhat down-tempo I’ll be there. I really tried not to like this song, but well its not really as bad as I make it out to be. The arrangement is very nice, makes you think of the sun and is comforting in a sense. Kuu-chan’s vocals are what nearly ruins this song for me, I just really hate those straining tones she hits, its like you can’t even look at this as a ballad song, or down-tempo song, because it never really gets to that point. This is the weaker of the four songs, but its not bad.

The next track on the album is the down-tempo Unmei (運命; Destiny). I went into this song with no expectations and came out a bit pleased. I don’t think I’ve ever paid this song any attention and this review is actually my first time listening to this in a while. The arrangement is a bit sparkly, but its fitting and gives you this warm feeling inside. Kuu’s vocals were nice, because she didn’t strain her vocals trying to sound to overly emotional, she gave just the right amount and that was appreciated. I actually think I enjoy Unmei a lot more than Yume no Uta.

The next track on the album is the upbeat With your smile. I’ve always rather liked how fun this song is, it seems so carefree and easy-going. The arrangement is very fitting, and I liked Kuu’s vocals it sounded like she had a lot of fun doing this. This is my third favorite song from said 4 Hot Wave single.

The next track on the album is the interlude-song Milk Tea. This is definitely what Candle Light wasn’t. The arrangement was really interesting, and it was a surprise because I actually expected it to be kind of slow, but it was pretty funky in a smooth kind of way. Kuu’s vocals were really quite nice in this track. I thought she did a good job, and she actually could have stretched this into a full song. I mean Candle Light played like it could have been two minutes, how come that song couldn’t have been a interlude-song? This song is just too short to do much, and you’re left wanting more. Its a waste of a potentially good song.

The next track on the album is the pointless Twinkle (English Version). I’m trying to figure out if I’ve ever listened to the Japanese version, I have it, but I can’t remember ever listening to it. This is the English version of said song I’ve never listened to, or can’t really remember listening too. The arrangement is pretty sparkly, but that’s no surprise. Its rather nice. Its Kuu’s vocals that kill, or better yet her awful English. I mean I couldn’t understand a single word she was saying, and at certain parts in the song it sounded like she was saying, ‘why don’t you crap your hands’ its like: ‘wahhhhh????’ Why did she include this, even as a bonus, it makes no sense whatsoever.

The second to last bonus track on the album is the light GO WAY!!. After reading the title I was quite sure I was going to loath this song, turns out I pretty much like it. I hated the ‘go way!’ in the beginning but as I got into the song, it became quite endearing. I like how warm the arrangement seems, and the fact that its not doing too much but what it should, which really makes this song flow at just the right pace. I really adored Kuu’s vocals in this, especially during the chorus where it just sounded wonderful. She brought a lot of charm to a song that could have been very much so unmemorable.

The last track on the album is Kuu-chan showing us that she can be redundant with the final bonus track, WON’T BE LONG ~Red Cherry Version~. The only difference between this and the black cherry version is… this is worse. Way to dully leave an album Kuu, I much preferred Milk Tea.

-GRADE: B-
Rating: ** stars

Koda Kumi’s fifth album Black Cherry was a major letdown, and is a complete step down from her Secret album. Koda Kumi had some pretty strong singles leading up to this album, but they were all lost in translation in a bunch of fruitless filler songs. This album was long, but though I’m partial to albums with a bit more to offer, it seemed very unnecessary on this album. I mean tracks like WON’T BE LONG (both versions), Puppy, Candle Light, Twinkle (English Version) and even Milk Tea just had me scratching my head, and wondering what possessed Kuu to include these songs on her album? I mean they sounded so out of place, and the effect is very jarring. Another problem I had with this album was the fact that everything about it screamed X-RATED, I’m talking naughty girl playboy nasty; just keeping it real, this album is called Black Cherry so I’m assuming its about to be some heavily sex(y) tracks on this album. No such luck. This album played like soft censored porn, and was in the end a very bland offering. I did like a few of the tracks on here. Get Up & Move and Cherry Girl were fun songs, Yume no Uta, Tsuki no Taiyou and Unmei were nice down-tempo’s, the latter even more so. Koi no Tsubomi gave me the cutesy Kuu in a way that didn’t make me want to puke and GO WAY!! was pretty surprising in a Lady Go kind of way, plus I found that I enjoyed all four of the 4 Hot Wave tracks this time around, so it wasn’t all the way bad. Cherry Girl had the potential to be even better than Secret but in the end I think it played more like a joke. This album is the only studio album from her to sell over a million copies… I can’t really say it deserved it.

Koda Kumi [FREAKY] (36th Single)

FREAKY
Sora (空; Sky)
Run For Your Life
girls
FREAKY (Surtek Collective’s Aciton Remix) feat. Peter Rap
Sora (Yukihiro Fukutomi Remix)
Run For Your Life (Kaskade Remix)
girls (CUBISMO GRAFICO Beach Girls MIX)

Koda Kumi’s 36th single starts off with the a-side FREAKY. In truth, this song seemed really out of place on her Kingdom album. I just can never get tired of this song, its just so infectious and bad ass. The arrangement is very edgy, consistent and seems to drive everything home in such a satisfying way. Kuu-chan’s vocals were really intense in this, I just loved how she put so much personality and feeling into this song, and just really enjoyed herself, because this is definitely a fun and energetic song. I just love the chorus, ‘GET FREAKY!’ I thought the bridge, ‘give up, stop it’ was a little odd… but it meshed well, and the end when she hits those notes with her smoky voice, love. This is definitely one of my favorite Kuu-chan songs.

The next track on the single is it’s first b-side Sora (空; Sky). I really adore this song, its so light and poppy in all the right ways. I thought Kuu-chan’s vocal performance was really good, I really thought she did good in that department. Its such an easy and carefree song, and I just love singing along to it, especially the chorus. Also, this song comes across as very sad to me, the arrangement though light is very wistful, most notably towards the end when it takes the song out. Kuu’s vocals as well were pretty sad to me, but I think it brought a lot of charm to this song.

The next track on the single is its second b-side Run For Your Life. I really did like the video to this, I think it was what, Kuu’s last good PV. This is where the rnb of the single really comes into play because the beat is just so catchy and rhythmic and party-ish, its like you’re almost compelled to sing this along with her, most definitely the chorus. I really loved the hook, and how it slams into the chorus.

The last b-side on the album is the up-tempo and fun girls. I really do love this song, despite the generic-ness of it. I just like how fun and carefree it is. It definitely makes me feel good every time I listen to it, if only because the chorus is so darn catchy.

This single also comes with four remixes, the first being the annoying and lame FREAKY (Surtek Collective’s Aciton Remix) feat. Peter Rap, the all right but boring Sora (Yukihiro Fukutomi Remix), the utterly forgettable Run For Your Life (Kaskade Remix) and the best remix in my opinion girls (CUBISMO GRAFICO Beach Girls MIX).

-GRADE: B+
Rating: ** stars

Koda Kumi’s 36th single FREAKY may be her best four song single, but it still lacks the effort of say her two song singles. Freaky is one of her best up-tempo songs; sexy, badass and oh-so-satisfying. Sora is a nice calm little pop song. Run For Your Life is a nice catchy and danceable rnb number and Girls is a fun little tune, that I never get tired of hearing. I did enjoy this, despite the somewhat blandness of it, its a good single.

Koda Kumi [Affection] (First Album)

Atomic Energy
Trust Your Love
Go Together
Your Song
Feel Me
COLOR OF SOUL
Best friend of mine
My Dream
So Into You
Till Morning Comes feat VERBAL
Come Back
Take Back
Can’t Lose
Walk

The album opens with the intro track, Atomic Energy. It has a lot going for it, consisting of beats and taps and jingles, but it’s all very basic. Koda comes in does some off key aud-libs, and then the song ends on a very familiar note. Not a very good way to open the album.

The first full length song on the album is the somewhat up-tempo, Trust Your Love. It not a very interesting song, despite how catchy it is. It’s starts off with a sort of twinkle beat that carries on throughout the song, and makes you think of sparkling ice, or diamonds. Koda’s vocal performance isn’t bad, she does strain a bit, mostly during the chorus, but she manages to carry the tune. Trust Your Love can get boring and repetitive after awhile, because it’s very basic, average even, and doesn’t really do much but what’s it suppose to do.

The next track lowers the pace a little but not by much. Go Together is a song by Kuu that has a lot of depth, but it isn’t executed properly. It plays like a love ballad, but is not slow enough to actually claim that title. The arrangement is pretty basic, and offers nothing, it really brings the song down. Kuu’s vocals are very strained in this, most notably during the chorus, and it’s nearly unbearable. I have a soft spot for this song though, especially since Kuu’s voice sounds very melancholy, and it makes you sympathize with the emotions she is trying to convey in this track.

Kuu slows it down with the next track, Your Song. Her tone in this song is rather deep, almost intimate in a sense and I think that’s what really makes this song shine. I really enjoyed Kuu’s vocal performance, since I did not notice strain as I did in the previous two tracks, and the arrangement was also very light rnb and meshed perfectly. This is one of Kuu’s most underrated ballads, which is a shame, it’s really one of her best.

The next track on the album is the techno-ish, Feel Me. I’m not quite sure what part of me was listening to this song the last time I reviewed this album, but I thought this song was great, and I also thought it was jazzy. It’s not. It’s techno, club-friendly really. The beat has the potential to be addicting, but it’s awfully generic, and fails in that respect. Kuu’s vocal performance was all right, she went with low tones, her voice rising only slightly during the chorus, which prevented straining. It’s an all right track.

The next track is the quirky and somewhat experimental, COLOR OF SOUL. I use to like this song a while back, but listening to it again I can’t help but think it’s terribly annoying. I don’t like the arrangement it’s way too bubbly for a song that I would have thought would be a little more serious, and the background vocals are just awful and distracting. Kuu’s vocals are very strange to me, like her tone heightens for some reason in the chorus, as oppose to how she delivered the verses and it’s just horribly strained and off-key. This song is just terribly annoying and nearly unbearable.

Next up is the album’s first and last interlude, Best friend of mine. I have never liked this interlude, it’s corny, the vocals are bad, the arrangement is tacky and it’s forgettable.

We go into the next track, My Dream which is a really interesting song. I actually thought this was going to be a ballad, but it’s more mid-tempo if it’s anything. The arrangement is very poppish, and dance club friendly, and I thought it suited Kuu’s vocal performance; speaking of vocal performance’s, Kuu’s vocal performance in this track was pretty good, I still noticed some strain, but it’s not really all that noticeable until you get to the bridge–she sings the song mostly in deep tones, and I like that. One of the stand out tracks on the album.

The next track ups the tempo a bit more with the rather generic, So Into You. I’m trying to figure out what made Kuu release this awful song as a single, it’s so generic I really can’t stand it. It’s not even a good kind of generic, like Trust Your Love is. No effort whatsoever went into the arrangement, and it sounds like something my God cousin Tearria would have made for us back when we were in 4ever and there was four of us instead of three. The vocals are horrid. I can cut Kuu some slack, because this was when she had first started out, and I’m sure she couldn’t control her voice like she can now, but really, it’s just ridiculous. This song is all over the place, strained vocals, and off-key-ness abound. This song just fails.

The next track on the album is very stupid in my opinion. Till Morning Comes feat VERBAL is the first and only collaboration track on the album, and it pretty much fails in every sense of the word. Kuu’s vocals are terrible, as she tries way too hard, and for a song like this it’s not even needed. Verbal’s segment on this track was forgettable, and this song just goes over your head, because it ends abruptly and you’re left wondering has to what in the hell you were just listening to, a song, or a bunch of noise?

The next track is the ballad-esque Come Back. This song is pretty hit or miss to be truthful. In a sense Kuu’s lilting vocals may become unbearable, because she doesn’t handle her tones well, despite her going for a deeper approach concerning her voice. The arrangement is pretty basic, but it suits a song like this. I thought the background vocals were nice, a lot better than they were in COLOR OF SOUL. I like this song, it’s not great or different, but it’s all right.

Take Back the next track, I must say, is the best song on this album as well as the stand out track. A lot of people may not agree, or see my point of view, but this is a rather creative song. The arrangement, though generic, is very infectious and danceable, I can really see them playing this song in the club and people just immediately gravitating towards each other, bopping to the catchy beat. Kuu’s vocal performance is her best so far, their is notable strain, but it works, and she really hits the high notes towards the end of the song. I believe the best part about this song is that Kuu let the instrumental shine a lot, especially towards the end as the song was going out, I do think that is why I enjoy this song so much, that and it’s fun to sing.

Kuu really went dance dance revolution with this album. The next track is the somewhat up-tempo but plays more like mid-tempo, Can’t Lose. This song brings me back to My Dream, as the two songs sound very similar to my ears. The arrangement is very, very techno-pop friendly, to the point of being nauseating. There is a little electronica in there as well, especially towards the end where the song is going out. Kuu’s vocals were all right, they actually went well with this song, notable strains and all, but they can wear on the ears after awhile. This is an average track, like basically all the songs on here, but I like it.

The last track on the album is the painful and forgettable, Walk. I actually expected this to be a ballad, but it is more or less what you would call a power ballad. I believe Kuu was going for something powerful and emotionally moving, but her vocal performance leaves you dissatisfied. You’re too busy cringing at her glaringly strained vocals during the chorus, and her abysmal approach concerning her verses that you can’t possibly feel anything but detachment; you know it’s a shame when the background vocals sound better than your own. The arrangement is horribly basic, and your typical melancholy arrangement, it offers nothing. You can’t connect with her on this song, because though she tries hard, it’s just soulless, and in the end leaves you empty and confused.

-GRADE: C
Rating: * star

I believe I’ve cut Koda Kumi’s debut album Affection a lot of slack in the past, and for that I apologize to myself. I’m a huge Koda Kumi fan, that’s a give in, but even so, I’m looking at this from a critic’s point of view, not as a fan. This album is really not good at all. I mean I like my fair share of techno, pop, and electronica; they’re fun, but mostly in shifts. This album is like an advertisement for it, and played like a Dance Dance Revolution soundtrack, instead of someone’s debut album. The arrangements were extremely basic, and offered nothing, but the same tedious techno beats only rehashed. The only arrangement that actually stood out was Take Back, and that was the only song on this album that did. Kuu’s vocals were nearly unbearable. Her and Ayu both had this bad in the beginning of their careers, but this becomes almost a chore with Koda, because she’s an alto, and it’s just painful to have to endure her trying to hit a high note, or going for a light approach concerning her lyrics. It just doesn’t work. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy some of the tracks on here, My Dream is a pretty decent track as well as Go Together, Your Song and Come Back, but even those are awfully mediocre. Affection plays like a generic piece of trash, and it’s no surprise that it wasn’t a hit, it has no variety, and it’s like the same songs play over and over again. It just fails, and I’m glad she broke away from this weak genre, as her sophomore album is much better. Affection is for die-hard Kuu fans only, who can appreciate, somewhat, her earlier sound. Casual fans will just wish they never bothered with it.