PLAY / Amuro Namie

11 August 2007

安室奈美恵 Amuro Namie
PLAY

27.6.07
7th album
AVCD-23342/B

tracklisting
CD
1 HIDE & SEEK
2 FULL MOON
3 CAN'T SLEEP, CAN'T EAT, I'M SICK
4 IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU
5 FUNKY TOWN
6 STEP WITH IT!
7 HELLO
8 SHOULD I LOVE HIM?
9 TOP SECRET
10 Violet Sauce (Spicy)
11 Baby Don't Cry
12 PINK KEY
DVD
1 HIDE & SEEK (VIDEO CLIP)
2 CAN'T SLEEP, CAN'T EAT, I'M SICK (VIDEO CLIP)
3 FUNKY TOWN (VIDEO CLIP)
4 HELLO (VIDEO CLIP)
5 Baby Don't Cry (VIDEO CLIP)
-SPECIAL CONTENTS-
6 NAMIE AMURO × The World of GOLDEN EGGS SPECIAL MOVIE

purchase date 14.7.07

review
After a long 2 years wait, Namie finally released her 7th original album "PLAY". This is her 1st original album to be released in both CD and CD+DVD format. For the first time in history, Namie took on the role of producer for this album, giving her full creative control in making this album. "PLAY" contains 4 previously released singles and 8 new songs. T.Kura produced 6 songs and Nao'ymt produced the remaining 6. The cover art of the CD format features Namie in blue nurse cosplay costume, whereas the CD+DVD format shows Namie wearing a SM Queen cosplay costume.

"PLAY" opens with the lead song "HIDE & SEEK", a march-style funk number composed and produced by Nao'ymt. "HIDE & SEEK" is a pretty good work that is in line with her recent hip-pop and funk style. This song is a lot better than her previous single "FUNKY TOWN". The PV of "HIDE & SEEK" shares the same SM-influenced image as the album cover art and it suits the theme of this song.

"FULL MOON" reminds me of "Violet Sauce". In this song, sound of wolf howling is heard, which relates to the concept and relationship of werewolf and full moon. "FULL MOON" is one of the better new song in this album.

"CAN'T SLEEP, CAN'T EAT, I'M SICK" is my favourite single last year and till now, this energetic funk number produced by T.Kura is still among one of my highest airplay. Despite being choreographed by world renowned Shawnette Heard, "CAN'T SLEEP, CAN'T EAT, I'M SICK" has one of the most boring PV, filming Namie dancing in front of lights with her dancers only.

"IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU" is Namie's 1st attempt in rock music, but unfortunately, it is not up to expectation. Namie can't bring out the essence of rock tune, hence making it sounds like hip-pop with bad vocal technique. It is the exact problem with BoA's "Rock With You" years ago.

"FUNKY TOWN" is the worst single among the 4 included singles. The killer factor of this song is, it has a music style and PV that is similar to "CAN'T SLEEP, CAN'T EAT, I'M SICK", but yet it is not better or memorable. I still think that its B-side "DARLING" is much better than "FUNKY TOWN" and deserve a place in this album instead.

"STEP WITH IT!" sounds like an out-take from SUITE CHIC, whereas "HELLO" sounds like Namie earlier R&B song after her maternity comeback. Both styles sound pretty old school now. Furthermore, the pv of "HELLO" is quite plain and boring. "SHOULD I LOVE HIM?" is the only ballad in this album. It is Namie's typical R&B ballad that can be found in many b-sides and album filler, nothing spectacular, but nothing bad either.

"TOP SECRET" is inevitably the best new song in this album. This song features a dark spooky atmosphere with constant whispering that totally communicates the concept of secret. It has very strong beat and contemporary disruptive arrangement. I think "TOP SECRET" deserves to have a pv more than "HELLO", as I foresee more potential in creativity.

Instead of including the main A-side "White Light", Namie decided to include the alternate A-side of the same single "Violet Sauce" in the tracklisting. This makes "White Light" the 3rd A-side to be omitted from an original album after "toi et moi" and "the SPEED STAR". It is in no doubt that "Violet Sauce" fits in more appropriately with the overall concept of this album and other songs. "Violet Sauce" is also of better quality and far more popular than "White Light". This might explain the reason why the omission of "White Light" triggers minimal unhappiness among fans as compared to "the SPEED STAR" being left out from the tracklisting of "Queen of Hip-Pop". Initially, the original version was listed to be included, but the confirmed tracklisting indicated the inclusion of a new album version instead. Creatively titled "Violet Sauce (Spicy)", this album version is named in a similar fusion as the remix previously included in the single. But after listening to this new mix, I'm quite disappointed with the amendments made. Firstly, the attention-grabbing glockenspiel was blunt throughout the song, making "Violet Sauce" loses its cool and mysterious appeal. By enhancing the electone parts makes the song sounds harsh and rugged and it seems out of place with the sophisticated lyrics. Changing the much hyped "Welcome to Sin City" distorted voice into "Enjoy my PLAY LAND" sounds childish and stylistically awkward with the remaining lyrics. I like the original version a lot more for its creativity and cool elements.

Unless there is a really supreme work to be released in the remaining months of 2007, "Baby Don't Cry" is likely going to be crowned my favourite single for this year. "Baby Don't Cry" is the big hit spring-themed medium R&B ballad with positive and encouraging lyrics. The PV for this song filmed Namie walking elegantly around the streets and parks of Tokyo. Althrough simple, the pv fits in perfectly with the overall image of this song.

"PINK KEY" easily becomes the most annoying track in this album. It has a very irritating march-style arrangement, which will force me to skip this song everytime I listen to this album. "PINK KEY" and "IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU" are the worst songs in this album, if not the worst in Namie's career.

The DVD contains the video clip for "HIDE & SEEK", "CAN'T SLEEP, CAN'T EAT, I'M SICK", "FUNKY TOWN", "HELLO" and "Baby Don't Cry" plus a special content titled "NAMIE AMURO × The World of GOLDEN EGGS SPECIAL MOVIE". Although credited as a huge collaboration, "NAMIE AMURO × The World of GOLDEN EGGS SPECIAL MOVIE" looks like a low budget 2D cartoon. Basically the video shows a fictional interview of GUSHIKEN BAND FEAT. NAMIE AMURO and it is interesting to note that Namie did not use her actual kanji name for her character in this clip. The worst moment in this bonus video is that horrible unmelodic singing, or more correctly, random screaming and yelling in unknown language by the trio. In conclusion, "NAMIE AMURO × The World of GOLDEN EGGS SPECIAL MOVIE" is a terrible nonsense added to the collection for longer playtime.

I'm afraid that "PLAY" isn't as good as "Queen of Hip-Pop", which I think was Namie's best original album after "SWEET 19 BLUES". "PLAY" offers very limited improvement and surprise as compared to "STYLE" and "Queen of Hip-Pop". Furthermore, among the 8 new songs, only "TOP SECRET", "HIDE & SEEK", "FULL MOON" and "SHOULD I LOVE HIM?" are good. Many new songs included in "PLAY" are boring (e.g. "HELLO" and "STEP WITH IT!") or downright bad (e.g. "PINK KEY" and "IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU"). Overall, "PLAY" is a disappointment that did not meet my expectation. It is the worst post SUITE CHIC album, being slightly better than "break the rules" only by a small margin.

recommending #9 TOP SECRET, #2 FULL MOON, #1 HIDE & SEEK
rating 4/10 poor

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PLAY / Amuro Namie   © 文彬 2004~2024. All rights reserved.

FUNKY TOWN / Amuro Namie

11 May 2007

安室奈美恵 Amuro Namie
FUNKY TOWN

4.4.07
38th single
AVCD-31216

tracklisting
1 FUNKY TOWN
2 DARLING
3 FUNKY TOWN (INSTRUMENTAL)
4 DARLING (INSTRUMENTAL)

purchase date 19.4.07

review
Within a short 3 months after the release of big hit "Baby Don't Cry", Namie delivers another new single "FUNKY TOWN" before her 7th original album is due for release on 27.6.07.

However, "FUNKY TOWN" is a little disappointing and boring. "FUNKY TOWN" is too similar, but yet not better than "CAN'T SLEEP, CAN'T EAT, I'M SICK" in terms of music genre, image style and pv. Compared to recent hits like "WANT ME, WANT ME" and "CAN'T SLEEP, CAN'T EAT, I'M SICK", "FUNKY TOWN" offers nothing spectacular to capture my attention instantly. It is only after many repetitions that I'm finally able to register its melody and grow to like "FUNKY TOWN". "FUNKY TOWN" is just too uncharacteristic among Namie recent hip-pop songs.

After having a cover and a sequel as b-sides for the past 2 singles, it's great to have "DARLING" as a b-side. I personally think that the b-side "DARLING", although very simple and repetitive in arrangement, is actually much more catchy and creative than "FUNKY TOWN". The song starts with some repetition of "want me baby" before adding a rhythm that continues throughout the song. Namie also gets to showcase her vocal (a little) in the latter part of this song. Although "DARLING" isn't of a-side quality, this song actually helps increase my impression on this single.

Something credible for this single would be the 2 cover arts that beautifully blends retro and modern party elements together. "FUNKY TOWN" might not be Namie's greatest work, this single is still worth buying for the b-side "DARLING", which is unlikely to be featured in her album.

recommending #2 DARLING
rating 6/10 average

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FUNKY TOWN / Amuro Namie   © 文彬 2004~2024. All rights reserved.

BEST TOUR "LIVE STYLE 2006" / Amuro Namie

11 April 2007

安室奈美恵 Amuro Namie
BEST TOUR "LIVE STYLE 2006"

21.2.07
12th video
AVBD-91466

tracklisting
1 Violet Sauce
2 HANDLE ME
3 Without me
4 Fish
5 a walk in the park
6 Say the word
7 Put 'Em Up
8 ALARM
9 no more tears
10 STROBE
11 exist for you
12 Four Seasons
13 人魚
14 lovin' it
15 Drive
16 GIRL TALK
17 CAN'T SLEEP, CAN'T EAT, I'M SICK
18 Introducing the Band
19 Do or Die
20 "Uh Uh,,,,,,"
21 How to be a Girl
22 WANT ME, WANT ME
23 shine more
24 the SPEED STAR
25 Body Feels EXIT
26 Chase the Chance
27 CAN'T SLEEP, CAN'T EAT, I'M SICK -REMIX- & Introducing the Dancers
BONUS FEATURES
28 Interview in OKINAWA and more!

purchase date 23.3.07

review
Commemorating her 15th anniversary since debut, Namie embarked on her 8th nationwide live tour "BEST TOUR "LIVE STYLE 2006"" performing a repertoire focusing on songs from the album "STYLE", various B-sides and collaboration songs with other artists. Like her previous 2 tours, "BEST TOUR "LIVE STYLE 2006"" does not have an opening, starting straight with the first song "Violet Sauce". Namie appeared with a long violet coat with her dancers, delivering a near perfect rendition of this dark number. Instead of the original distorted vocal of "Welcome to Sin City" being played in the bridge, "Welcome to my world" was being said by Namie in a distorted voice with much confident.

After removing her coat, Namie presented "HANDLE ME", which is the Indian-styled B-side from "WANT ME, WANT ME". Namie was backed with white-masked dancers holding on to some elastic bands. After performing a SUITE CHIC song "Without me", in which Namie and dancers danced confidently with the handrail, Namie retreated for her 1st costume change. Till now, Namie did an excellent job through her vocal and dances. The choreography fits perfectly with the songs.

While Namie was changing, the dancers dominated the stage, dancing to the opening of "Fish", a collaboration work from "STYLE". Returning in a black sporting outfit, Namie delivered 4 danceable classics "a walk in the park", "Say the word", "Put 'Em Up" and "ALARM", which she really rocks while performing "ALARM".

During the 2nd costume change, the band played a portion of the Junior Vasquez remix of "no more tears" that was transit into the original mix and Namie returned to the stage in a monochrome lolita. Next is "STROBE", the horny B-side from "ALARM". This is followed by the emotional rendition of the R&B ballad "exist for you", the B-side from "Put 'Em Up" amid modern dancing. Towards the end of the bittersweet "Four Seasons", loads of paper yellow butterfly were released, resembling the scene of "STILL IN LOVE" during her "TOUR "GENIUS 2000"".

Changing into a long pink gown with flowers accessories, Namie sang "人魚", a cover of NOKKO's classic, which is the theme song of her 1st drama "That's Cunning". Namie then performed "lovin' it", the songnation collaboration with VERBAL that eventually gave her the opportunity to become the vocalist of SUITE CHIC. Within a short period of time, the elegant pink gown has evolved into a pink mini-dress decorated with a princess crown and Namie presented "Drive", her self-penned R&B B-side from "shine more". Namie continues to perform danceable "GIRL TALK" and "CAN'T SLEEP, CAN'T EAT, I'M SICK" before withdrawing for another costume change.

During the interval, the band members introduces themselves before playing the introduction of "Do or Die", a collaboration work with JHETT. Like the "SO CRAZY tour featuring BEST singles 2003-2004", ""Uh Uh,,,,,,"" is performed on a frame structure. At the bridge of "How to be a Girl", Namie did a short pole dance, which is too conservative as compared to the aggressive pole dance performance for "PLEASE SMILE AGAIN" during "SO CRAZY tour featuring BEST singles 2003-2004". After the energetic performance of "WANT ME, WANT ME", "shine more" and "the SPEED STAR", the main segment ended.

For the encore segment, Namie returned with evergreen classics "Body Feels EXIT" and "Chase the Chance". For some stops of this tour, classics like "You're my sunshine", "NEVER END", "GO! GO! ~夢の速さで~" and "CAN YOU CELEBRATE?" were performed, but were not included in this video. The remix of "CAN'T SLEEP, CAN'T EAT, I'M SICK" is being performed as the finale with the dancers being introduced in the bridge.

This live video features a bonus interview filmed in Okinawa, Namie's hometown and the final stop of this tour. Besides Namie, the dancers, band and staff were also interviewed. During the interview, Namie hinted about the possibility for a world tour.

"BEST TOUR "LIVE STYLE 2006"" is nevertheless another excellent live video from a highly reputable artist. Although not as great as her all-time best "SO CRAZY tour featuring BEST singles 2003-2004", it is a little better than her previous "Space of Hip-Pop TOUR 2005", which was already a very good live performance. Namie recent releases never failed to exceed my expectation.

recommending #1 Violet Sauce, #3 Without me, #11 exist for you
rating 10/10 excellent

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BEST TOUR "LIVE STYLE 2006" / Amuro Namie   © 文彬 2004~2024. All rights reserved.

Baby Don't Cry / Amuro Namie

安室奈美恵 Amuro Namie
Baby Don't Cry

24.1.07
37th single
AVCD-31176

tracklisting
1 Baby Don't Cry
2 Nobody
3 Baby Don't Cry (TV-MIX)
4 Nobody (TV-MIX)

purchase date 23.3.07

review
8 long months has passed since the release of the excellent "CAN'T SLEEP, CAN'T EAT, I'M SICK / 人魚" single; Namie is finally back with an all new single "Baby Don't Cry". This is the longest interval between single release, excluding her 13 months maternity break between "Dreaming I was dreaming" and "I HAVE NEVER SEEN".

The title track is a very typical Namie-styled medium tempo R&B Ballad that is similar in style to "GIRL TALK". But do keep in mind that being typical does not mean it is bad. In fact, I think every artist should build up an unique style of their own before branching out to experiment other music genre. After years in the R&B scene, Namie has created an unique style of her own, which is evitable in this song. "Baby Don't Cry" has a spring-themed melody and encouraging lyrics; something Namie hadn't been doing much since her classic "NEVER END". I really love this heart-warming song, especially lines like "rainy morning Baby don't cry", "You'll see the sunshine", "you've been tryin' alone" etc...

However, I'm a little disappointed with the B-side. "Nobody" is the continuation to her first winter ballad "White Light", which was released in 2005. Both songs have the same melody but different words and slight deviation in arrangement. Comparing both versions, I think "White Light" is a better version for its seasonal theme and joyful atmosphere. In fact, "Nobody" was supposed to be the B-side of "White Light / Violet Sauce", before it was replaced by the excellent remix " Violet Sauce ". It is not that "Nobody" is really bad, but I think it is more of disc filler. I would really prefer a brand-new B-side (or remixes) to be coupled with "Baby Don't Cry".

recommending #1 Baby Don't Cry
rating 9/10 very good

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Baby Don't Cry / Amuro Namie   © 文彬 2004~2024. All rights reserved.