Does she not have a sit down?! Ayumi Hamasaki is back after the fantastic Next Level album (I really need to review that don’t I?) with her 47th single! “Ballad / You Were…” is a AA side single with a third track “Red Line – for TA” as an extra. There’ll be two versions, one with optional DVD. That must mean another album is coming – the singles out 16th December.
Posts Tagged ‘Ayumi Hamasaki’
Ayu is Back Already!
Most Viewed – Feb 09
Not since we reviewed Sarah Slean’s “The Baroness” have we had such a clear winner. Vienna Teng has by far and away our most viewed artist this month with previews of her fourth album plastered everywhere. Her top two related posts contain more hits than half the next artist’s post hits combined. So without hesitation – well done to Vienna (2 months now!) and here’s the top 10!
01) Vienna Teng (2 Months)
02) Akira Yamaoka (^)
03) Hiroki Kikuta (^)
04) Brendan Perry (^)
05) Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra (=)
06) Lisa Miskovsky (NE)
07) Sarah Slean (^)
08) Tori Amos (RE)
09) Ayumi Hamasaki (v)
10) Sitorimon (NE)
Ayumi Hamasaki Joins the Book War!
Not long after Utada’s double book announcement, Ayumi Hamasaki has joined in as she’s to release a book herself. Currently titled “Deji Deji Nikki 100 Kai Kinen!”, it seems to feature a full compliation of a serial she’s involved in called “Ayu no Deji Deji Nikki” from the magazine ViVi that stretches back 8 years. It will be released on the 12th of March, the same day as Utada Hikaru’s books. A war me thinks!
Most Viewed January 09
This month was the most busiest month to date with HPM hitting over 2,000 hits for the first time! Vienna Teng & Ayumi Hamasaki’s new releases news were top of the agenda with Winifred Phillips’ latest release and inteview coming in quickly behind. Here’s this months top 10 viewed artists.
01) Vienna Teng
02) Ayumi Hamasaki
03) Winifred Phillips
04) Charlotte Martin
05) Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra
06) Hiroki Kikuta
07) Akira Yamaoka
08) Sarah Slean
09) Emiliana Torrini
10) Brendan Perry
Live Vault – Ayumi Hamasaki
Celebrating from her 10th Anniversary DVD of her Asia Tour, this week’s live Vault comes from Ayumi Hamasaki. Extra special this video is, as its got the full length version of the fantastic “Mirrorcle World” performed live. See the fun unfold here.
Ayumi Hamasaki – New Single “Rule”
New year, new single (and we bet new album)! Ayu’s latest song is called “Rule” and is taken from the film Dragonball Evolution. The Double A side also features “Sparkle” which is the TV Spot song that promotes the film. There are three editions, each with different extras. Jacket A has the music videos to both songs, Jacket B has “Day’s (Acoustic version)” and Jacket C’s got “Green (Acoustic version). Release date is February 25th
Higher Plain Music’s Top 10 Music Releases of 2008
Well in the previous post we told you what we’d bought, now its time for our top 10 countdown. There were some excellent releases this year although we’ve bought less compared to 2007, however there wasn’t one release we did not like so everyone’s a winner (except the bank account). So without further ado:
10) Ayumi Hamasaki – GUILTY
Ayu went all rock for this years album and we head banged with her. With guitar riffs popping out your years and cute verses inbetween, who couldn’t love GUILTY. Standouts are Talkin 2 Myself, GUILTY, Marionette, Together When & Mirror.
09) Son Lux – At War with Walls and Mazes
Our first of two new artists we found this year in the top 10, we were hooked by the unique nature and cold music that made us emotional inside. We look foward to more and more from Son Lux. Highlights are Break, Weapon, Wither, Tell & War.
08) Yasunori Mitsuda – Soma Bringer OST
We must confess that the reason this is 8th and maybe not higher is due to the fact we’ve not spent enough time with it but Mitsuda always produces stunning etheral and mystical albums and we love them and the soundtrack is that good we couldn’t decide our top 5. A review will be coming early next year.
07) Sarah Slean – The Baroness
Possibly the highest charting disappointment for 2008, we felt the production and song’s were a little bland but bland for Sarah is still fantastic and in time we grew to love the album. Definitely a grower. Stand outs are Euphoria, Notes From the Underground, So Many Miles, Sound of Water/Change Your Mind & Get Home.
06) Wataru Hokoyama – Afrika OST
We only reviewed it last week but it’s that good it rockets in at No.6. The lush soundscapes and beautiful melodies earn it a place as one of best orchestral VGM soundtracks in recent memory. Stand outs are Savanna, Afrika, Safari, Big Five & Base Camp
05) Akira Yamaoka – Silent Hill Zero OST
While the games may get a bit of bashing for sticking with the same formula, Akira Yamaoka delivers another serving of empty, sorrowful, eerie ambience that makes you shiver, squirm and tap your feet all at the same time. Not as immediate as some of the other soundtracks he’s done, the songs gradually fester. Stand outs are Hole in the Sky, Theme of Sabre Dance, Drowning, This Wicked End & Wrong is Right
04) Julia Marcell – It Might Like You
A complete new artist for us to discover, we loved her debut album in all its demo-esque glory and look forward to enjoying her work in the years to come. Stand outs are Carousel, Outer Space, Fear of Flying, Dancer & The Story.
03) Emiliana Torrini – Me & Armini
Completely genre hopping – being barking mad in places while utterly devastingly beautiful in others, no one can master everything all at once quite like Emiliana. Good to have you back! Stand Outs are Jungle Drum, Dead Duck, Beggar’s Prayer, Gun & Birds.
02) Alanis Morissette – Flavors of Entanglement
We had been just passers by for Alanis until this album came out. Infectious, technically excellent, emotionally charged and completely compelling, this has quickly become our English album for 2008. Stand outs: Straitjacket, Tapes, Not as We, Limbo No More and Orchid
01) Utada Hikaru – Heart Station
Utada has yet to make a duff record and this, her fifth Japanese album (sixth overall) continues to show her as a natural talent. Stand out tracks are Stay Gold, Heart Station, Beautiful World, Take 5 & the bitter sweet finale Niji-iro Bus.
Congrats to Utada Hikaru!
Ayumi Hamasaki – Asia Tour DVD Release Date
Not like Ayu to take five minutes rest, now that her second tour of Asia is over, we have a gleeful DVD to commemorate it! Taken from the final show of the Tour at the Teipei Arena, I’m sure it will be just as much of a spectacle as her usual arena tours are. She’ll be singing, jumping, running, flying and dancing around with the band and troupe I’m sure! The 2-disc set will have a bonus disc of the mc’s, full screen versions of the background screen recordings and behind the scenes footage. It will be released on the 28th of January 2009.
Ayumi Hamasaki – New AA Single
Ayu is back after her usual two second break inbetween albums! Her new single is a double A side with the songs entitled “Days” and “Green”. There will also be a rerecording of “Love – Destiny -” as the b-side. Two versions of the single will be available with the premium version including a DVD of the making of both music videos and the videos themselves. Its due for release on the 17th of December.
She just can’t sit still can she! Other artists should take note too – this is how singles should be packed. Long live b-sides and extras!
Calender Girls (And Boys)
Can you believe it that its only the 3rd of September and already we have 2009 calenders ready and waiting. Golden J-Pop queens Ayumi Hamasaki & Kumi Koda have there’s ready for order as well as Gackt (naughty vain boy). Head over to cdjapan.co.jp for further details and other calenders.
Ayumi Hamasaki – CD Japan Present Campaign
CD Japan is a great site to order VGM and Japanese artist’s music and with Ayu’s 10th Anniversary release they’ve got a new present giveaway. If you pre-order her new singles collection you’ll be entered into a prize draw. A list of the prizes are below:
Campaign Presents:
A Prize: Original Jigsaw Puzzle (2 People)
B Prize: Original Mirror (6 People)
C Prize: Original Mini Towel (6 People)
D Prize: 43-Design Complete Magnet Set (86 People)
E Prize: Original Large Poster (50 People)
F Prize: 10th Anniversary A-Mark Sticker (100 People)
A jigsaw?! Random!
Ayumi Hamasaki – Mass Singles Collection Release!
Ayu is never off the release calender and this time she hits back with “A Complete ~All Singles~” which is to include all 43 singles from “Poker Face” to “Mirrorcle World”. All songs are said to be remastered too! Also onboard in a new version of “Who…”! All sounds like great fun!
What’s more is that the first edition will come with a bonus DVD showing 10 tracks from a fan club only concert “Limited TA Live Tour” and unreleased bits from the A-Nation Tours too. All this and a 48 page booklet. Why doesn’t anyone in the western world do this for there fans? Release date is set for10th of September!
Ayumi Hamasaki – New Coundown DVD Released
Ayumi’s latest countdown concert DVD was released yesterday. Once again I’ve ordered it and once again I’m sure I’ll be bopping away like its new years eve all over again. Ayu’s concerts are always a real show and I’m sure this will be nothing less. Here’s the tracklist:
| 1. | starting over |
| 2. | talkin’ 2 myself |
| 3. | STEP you |
| 4. | Ladies Night |
| 5. | fated |
| 6. | Together When . . . |
| 7. | decision |
| 8. | SURREAL |
| 9. | Bold & Delicious |
| 10. | RAINBOW |
| 11. | evolution |
| 12. | Boys & Girls |
| 13. | glitter |
| 14. | (encore) untitled -for her- |
| 15. | (encore) Sotsugyo Shashin |
| 16. | (encore) + |
| 17. | (encore) Humming 7/4 |
| 18. | (encore) MY ALL |
Ayumi Hamasaki – 2007/2008 Countdown DVD Announced
Oh yes, the queen of catalogues is adding to hers AGAIN! The annual year countdown show returns and performs a few new songs from her latest album and no doubt the tour regulars will be out in force. No body can beat Ayu’s stage shows so I’m sure it’ll be an essential purchase when it comes out on the 18th of June.
Ayumi Hamasaki – Asia Tour 2007 DVD Live & Documentary Review
Not a few months goes by without something Ayu-orientated being released! This is her latest DVD taken from the 2007 Asia tour, Ayumi’s first. Also a first is the fact that an on-the-road documentary comes with it. However instead of coming separate to the concert, its mish-mashed together in one heap so for those of you who like an uninterrupted concert (like me) will have the next chapter button on standby!
The concert filmed itself is typical Hamasaki. High quality visuals, costumes, sets, background videos, dances and catchy songs. Although nothing new is really performed here (it appears to be a compilation of older sets brought out to Asia) its all done to the highest standard. It is noticeable however that there’s a lack of songs from “Secret” (the current album at the time) and no songs from “(miss)understood”. Many tour staples are here instead.
The documentary actually looks very interesting showing production meetings, stage design and various stages of development. The highlights were seeing what goes on behind the scenes and under the stage during a show. I’ve always wondered about her costume changes and now I know! No wonder she’s crying sometimes… It’s just a shame there’s no subtitles for English viewers but I was still entertained.
This DVD isn’t an absolute must have for Ayu fans as the concert is nothing new but the documentary is good viewing. I enjoyed it emmensely but beware: its more like a best of concert than showing new set pieces.
Ayumi Hamasaki’s Reissues Go Down Today!
Anybody trying to get Ayu’s dvd reissues may run into trouble. I just tried to get mine today (the reissues come off sale on the 31st of March) and I was refused from cdjapan who stated the reissues are no longer on sale! Prehaps some other websites will still be doing them but as I don’t generally shop elsewhere that’s me probably done. Naughty naughty!
Ayumi Hamasaki – 10 Year Anniversairy Single!
My goodness has it been that long? 10 years since Ayu broke onto the J-Pop scene with squeaky clean bubble pop and she can still find new hair styles and looks for her promo videos! Now she’s back with new single “Mirrorcle World” that’s coming in 4 different jackets and one contains a DVD. One day buying Ayu merchandise will not bankrupt you! More details when I hear them!
Ayu! The 2007 DVD Is Coming…
Never one to actually take a day off work, Ayumi Hamasaki is not letting her deafness slow her down. The J-Pop star who recently was diagnosed as deaf in her left ear, now has her Secret Tour dvd coming out in March. Here’s the tracklisting:
Disc 1 (LIVE)
01. LABYRINTH
02. evolution
03. UNITE!
04. taskinst
05. 1 LOVE
06. until that Day…
07. M
08. appears
09. part of Me
10. Secret
11. kiss o’kill
12. Not yet
13. SURREAL
14. AUDIENCE
15. Boys & Girls
16. SEASONS
17. glitter
18. independent
19. Humming 7/4
20. Who…
02. evolution
03. UNITE!
04. taskinst
05. 1 LOVE
06. until that Day…
07. M
08. appears
09. part of Me
10. Secret
11. kiss o’kill
12. Not yet
13. SURREAL
14. AUDIENCE
15. Boys & Girls
16. SEASONS
17. glitter
18. independent
19. Humming 7/4
20. Who…
Disc 2 contains a documentary of the tour and I’m assuming as ever there’s no English subtitles! Not that many Secret songs though which is a shame but I can’t wait for Kiss O Kill!
