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Ripples...
+ Learn Some Japanese
Reviews,,,
Here you will find a few opinions/overviews of an anime/jpop concerts (or CDs) that either myself or a friend viewed. Hopefully, you'll get a better idea of these shows after reading these.
Memorial Address
Written by Meg-chan
Title: Memorial address
Artist: Hamasaki Ayumi
Distributer: avex trax
Composers: CREA, D-A-I, BOUNCEBACK, Tetsuya Yushumi
All lyrics by: Hamasaki Ayumi
Version Reviewed: Japan Version
Grade: 85% (B)
And there you have it, ladies and gentlemen; following the release of five full albums, over a dozen remix additionals, thirty-one singles, and two best of compilations, Hamasaki Ayumi, one of Japan's most successful musical artists, has decided to deliver to her devoted (and eternally broke) fans another product. However, not a sixth complete collection, as one might think (after all, following the release of "RAINBOW", Hamasaki's fifth album, she has released three singles, or a total of six musical tracks), she instead decides that the making of an entire volume is a waste. A mini-album, in fact, proves more necessary (or profitable).
And so, instead of including each of her earlier-released singles WITH a few added newly recorded tunes, what Hamasaki deems appropriate is the compilation of those three singles and an additional two new songs -- plus a bonus track that is in fact the album's title.
"Memorial address". A beautiful name. A gorgeous title deserving an impression collection of melodies. Although each track on this particular product is wonderful and hypnotic, the mere fact that hardly any new material has been included significantly lowers its overall score. (After all, even "ABallads" included more new material than this.)
Starting off with a bang, Hamasaki succeeds in enticing her audience with one-third of the fresh component, "ANGEL'S SONG". To me, this particular choice sounds extremely similar to "Greatful days", in which Hamasaki uses the same breathy/nasally tone that immediately turns some fans (excluding myself) off. "ANGEL'S SONG" is refreshing and is easy to dance to (if you so felt the need to), and its creative melody is forever locked within the walls of your already Ayumi-fied mind. The lyrics are absolutely beautiful, and although the promotional video completely bombed, the overall song seems to have been a hit.
There is a definite pattern in the order of the tracks on this particular disc; for that I give avex/Ayu a significant amount of credit. To me, it seems as if they (avex/Ayu) have paired up the songs that are similar. For example, following "ANGEL'S SONG" is "Greatful days", which both remind me of the other. "Greatful days" is a bouncy, upbeat tune that can only be described as the optimistic side of Hamasaki (Compare this with "HANABI" and see if you can think of her as the same person). Although "Greatful days" is absolute bubble-gum pop style (which at first repelled me), this option is one that seems to grow on you.
Immediately following the elated beginning of the album, the mood suddenly changes. Rather than sporting lyrics displaying happiness, a more frustrated tone is shown. "Because of You", the second piece of new material, starts off with a light but obviously distressed piano part, to raging and angry guitars and percussion merely seconds later. This particular song definitely has a darker feel: "Please do not laugh at me brokenly and disappearingly with those sad eyes of yours...What can I do to help you?" An angst-ridden Hamasaki has taken the stage, belting out heartfelt melodies that absolutely turn your heart. The once-spring/summer beginning has turned to a harsher and colder winter.
As the tracklist goes, "Because of You" shares a similar partner. "ourselves" and the before-mentioned hardly sound alike, but the two videos are completely identical. They both share a dark and depressing mood and focus on Hamasaki as we have never seen her before: donned in black clothing and a dirty exterior. Because of this similarity, in my mind these two musical pieces appear to be related in some way. Although "ourselves" is performed in more of a pop style, its unique sound effects and Hamasaki's vocal talents make it an exceptional number. Growing more and more desperate until the conclusional climax, Hamasaki's tone demands reflection.
Venturing further into the cold and bitter world of winter, my personal favorite song of Hamasaki's is "HANABI~episodeII~", begins -- the fifth number on the disc. Beginning with an uncertain first verse and instrumental notes, there suddenly comes a bang in which Hamasaki catches and restrains your attention by nearly crying out her moving lyrics: "This feeling, this feeling, dissipate into the sky like a beautiful firework." There is an unforgettable sadness that is expressed during these five minutes of musical inspiration, one that is so incredibly impressive that its mere existence caused my tears to fall.
As "HANABI~episodeII~" quietly fades out, a mystical tune begins to play, followed by poignant musical notes. Hamasaki begins to sing about a love that caused her much despair -- despair that would have been non-existent if in fact she had never met them. "No way to say", a passionate piece that mercilessly tears at the listener's heart, only leading up to a beautiful conclusion that left me absolutely speechless. The melody, although not terribly original, is captivating, and gorgeous nonetheless. The winter is growing darker.
As most fans of Hamasaki are well aware of, each collection of material of hers contains a drawn-out ballad with beautiful instruments. For her debut album the selection was in fact "A Song For XX". "LOVEppears" released the audience-appraising "Who...". The third compilation dwelled on "SEASONS". The 2002 release introduced "Dearest", and "RAINBOW" included "Voyage."
"forgiveness" is the new "Dearest." With a beautiful orchestra backing up Hamasaki's clear and majestic vocals, there are no words to describe the product. Exceeding six minutes, "forgiveness" allows Hamasaki to extend her vocal range and grow stronger and stronger until the very end. With more than three harmonizing parts, the piece sounds absolutely divine.
Hamasaki's sixth album contains a full year of moods and desires. The first two tracks represent the happier parts, spring and summer. The curtains are drawn and the mood becomes more sad during the third and forth pieces. Following this, tracks five, six, and seven unquestionably reach into your chest and wrench at your heart.
But winter always has a darker portion. "Memorial address." The title of the album, symbolizing perhaps the loss of ones fighting in war. Or perhaps the mourning of a lost childhood. However, Hamasaki's purpose for this particular title laid deeper than that. The eighth piece begins with a man saying quietly, "Soredewa minnasan yoroshiku onegaishimasu", and blends quietly with Hamasaki beginning a verse.
The lyrics to "Memorial address", the bonus track and title of the album, are some of the most touching and sad that I've ever heard. It begins slowly, and eventually explodes with guitars played by Hamasaki's concert band. Her tone becomes harsher and harsher until she finally fades out, clearly emotionally and physically drained. This is truly the frozen heart of a cold and merciless winter. From my sources, Hamasaki's father died last summer, and she wrote these lyrics thinking of him. Her memorial is to him, and how he never told her that he loved her. For those of you who have not translated the actual lyrics, be enlightened:
Man: Soredewa minnasan yoroshiku onegai shimasu
I remember I went to sleep with a presentiment late at night,
You became a star alone
Farewell -- You had gone to the place where we can never meet again
The sorrow I had thought to be endless came to an end
Farewell -- Even my last words don't reach you
Why do you do in such a way
(chorus repeat)
Please tell me this is only the story of the continuing dream
And there you have it. Ayumi Hamasaki's sixth album: eight tracks including three new materials and five previously released pieces. Although not a disappointment, certainly not an impressive release. I do believe that it was worth the thirty dollars that I paid for it, but I'm an avid fan and currently have no access to the internet to download music.
For those of you who feel that owning each and every product put on the shelves by this magnificent woman, go and purchase "Memorial address." It is well-worth your money. However, for minor listeners that have heard one or two songs, or simply don't care enough to pay thirty dollars for forty minutes of music, wait for the next best of compilation.
>>Meg-chan
And had a very sad dream
In the morning the phone started to ring, breaking the silence
And the presentiment became a reality,
Leaving an indelible scar on my heart
I can't accept the coldness of the eternal parting
I wish I could have heard from you
That I had certainly been loved by you
Only once, even if it had been a lie
The season has changed and I feel its biting cold
But I never forget that starting day of summer
The sky kept on crying instead of me this year
I feel as if I am living in the continuation of the dream
And still can't even cry
I'm made to realize the coldness of the parting
I wish I could have heard from you
That you never regretted the days we had spent together
Only once, even if it had been a lie
As leaving memories alone to the very end
And that I'm not yet awake.