Stamped: June 7th, 2007 | Related Posts
Tagged: Ayumi Hamasaki, Jmusic, Jpop, madonna.

Ayumi Hamasaki is one of the most popular and influential (music, culture and fashion) Japanese pop singers in Japanese music history. She is one of the rare singer you can call a Pop Icon (J-Pop Empress).
Since her debut career in 1998, she released not less than 10 albums, 4 compilations and 40 singles. Out of those 40 singles, she can claim being the only female singer to have 27 #1 singles and 38 singles in the Top 10 of Japanese Oricon charts.

She has sold more than 50 million records and is the most remixed singer in music history, each of her singles feature many remixes. On top of that she released 17 remix albums of her songs (trance, house, accoustic orchestra, reggae, bossa nova, you name it!…) No one can beat that!

She’s also a huge Madonna fan. Even has a own fashion brand named MTRLG in reference to Madonna’s Material Girl. She can only be a good girl knowing that!
She composes her music under the name CREA, the name of one of her 4 dogs.

I love the latest album “Secret” (2006) that is totally better than the previous one of the same year. It’s back to a rockier basis which totally suits my tastes, “(Miss)understood” (2006) is just ok.
I totally loved “My Story” (2004) and “Rainbow” (2002).

Of course, a great number of tracks from this playlist already feature in the different best of albums, so I highly recommend you get the “A Ballads” best of (with its 5 different Ayumi “autoerotic” ego covers) (2005) and the 3 other Best ofs she released.

You will find my favorite tracks from her 9 albums. It’s rather funny since I didn’t necessarily pick the released singles.
I guess I have a different taste from the Japanese audience.

What I love about Ayumi Hamasaki is that as a pop singer, her songs don’t only have shallow pop-dance beats, her songs do have an elaborate structure, and there are a lot of rock guitars, sometimes rather predominantly.

It’s a long 35-song-playlist, after hearing it, if you don’t become a huge fan and buy her cds, then I give up!

I put the songs in a reverse chronological order, newest albums first:

S=Single
AB= A Best (2001)
ABs= A Ballads (2003)
AB2= A Best 2 (Black and White) (2007)
CREA= It’s Ayumi’s songwriter nickname.
DAI (Do as Infinity):JPop band founded by composer Dai Nagao.
*= My favorite ones from the playliist.

PS: You can scroll down the playlist of the player.

Secret (2006) ………………………………………………………………………………

1. LOVE: AB, Secret (reference to Madonna’s “Secret” single?) is a better album according to my tastes. Heavier guitars, sounds more pop rock, I like it. Very rhythmic song, I definitely love the guitars, they are really predominant in certain part of the song.

2. Until that day: Keep on rocking! I love it, it really rocks, I totally love her voice tone when she sings the chorus.

3. Startin’: S, Same kind of dynamic pop song with some nice guitar solos that I am fond of. Of course, with a very catchy chorus.

4. It was: A calmer intro, before the chorus sweeps you away. The song alternates between an calm atmosphere and a more dynamic rhythm. Once again, the song is very very catchy.

5. Jewel: Starts with delicate piano notes, just like a jewel. This time, no more heavy guitars, this a beautiful ballad with the miminum of instruments as possible. Very Japanese.

6. Momentum: I really loved that “Secret” album, that is why I picked so many tracks from it. It’s rockier than the “(Miss)understood “album with its share of ballads and catchy pop songs. “Momentum” starts very very slowly with a calm intro but it will finally burst. Just wait. This song also sounds very Japanese-like.

(Miss)Understood (2006) …………………………………………………………………

7. STEP you: S-AB2, I like the arrangements, it’s very Madonna-like. I love the intro. It’s not my type of song, but I have to admit it’s very catchy. And that’s the only song that drew my attention in this (Miss)understood album. I think I really missunderstood it… No pun intended… Wo wo wo wo wo!

My Story (2004) …………………………………………………………………………….

8. Catcher in the light*: Superbe intro. It definitely sets the mood. It reminds me of a song, but I can’t figure out which one. Very electro and also very rock with its guitars! It’s a great mixture. I love the style. It’s a real pearl.

9. Humming 7/4:AB2, Great pop rock title with super nice heavy guitars. Just what I like, I don’t understand why this one hasn’t been released. The chorus is catchy, but I find it very “light” compared to the “heaviness” of guitars. (Song by CREA)

10. My name’s women: AB2, Excellent song again. The intro totally gets your attention right away. Super nice guitars again, awesome arrangement. It’s a real delight! A wonder why it has not been released as a single.
This album overflows with hit songs! Out of the 17 songs of the “My Story” album, I did select 8 of them! You have to get that album!

11. About You: Damn great intro with great guitar riffs! Love it! I’m in love with the guitars + the awesome chorus.

12. Hope or Pain: Nice catchy pop song. I love love it! Very simple, it gets under your skin.

13. Moments: S, a nice ballad. One of the 3 “My Story” singles. The third one being
one of the next songs, “Carols”.

14. Honey: The intro is very anime-like don’t you think? Anyway, after getting over that intro I totally fell for the chorus. It would be perfect for an anime opening.

15. Carols*: S - AB2, a nice slow, very slow beginning but the chorus is brilliant, it’ll stick to your head for a while.

Memorial Address (2003) …………………………………………………………………

16. No way to say: S-AB2, One of the three released single of this mini album. At first I didn’t like the song. It took me several loops to grow to like it. The chorus is totally an Ayumi-style one. (song by Bounceback)

17. Forgiveness: S, a very quiet song, it starts with minimum instruments, just a piano and some arrangements along with Ayumi’s warm voice. It’s slowly building up to reach a peak, violins chiming in. Very emotional song.
(CREA-DAI composition)

A Ballads (2003) ……………………………………………………………………………

18. Rainbow*: ABs, “A Ballads” is a compilation but it has this extra song “Rainbow” that is really really awesome. You got to hear it. It has that Asian touch that makes it totally original. (CREA - DAI credits)

Rainbow (2002) …………………………………………………………………………….

19. Hanabi*: ABs-AB2, heartbreaking ballad. I think it’s one of my favorite song. I can’t get it out of my head. Ayumi’s singing style and even the song reminds me of a Hong Kong singer that I was very fond of when I was young, regretted Anita Mui. That song is really moving. Maybe it also has something to do with Takeshi Kitano’s movie “Hanabi”?… (CREA-DAI)

20. Voyage: S - ABs - AB2, The third “Rainbow” album single. I think it’s a really Japanese song. I love the choirs at the end of the song, it really makes the song shine. Also composed by the same CREA and DAI duet.

21. Dolls*: ABs, I’m totally mesmerized by the instrumental intro. I don’t know what the hell with it, but it’s kind of magical to me. This song is really beautiful, the instrumental is uncanny. I love her deep voice in some parts that totally contrasts with her higher pitch tone when she sings the chorus. The instrumental dramatic rupture near the end of the song is absolutely grandiose before the chorus starts again. The structure of this song is really rich, I’m under the charm. You can count this song among my favorite. Ayumi (CREA) did compose the song in honour of the “Dolls” movie by Dolls” Takeshi Kitano.

22. Independent: AB2, I love her voice here, almost raw, it has some kind of fiber. The guitars are back!!! Whooo!!! It rocks! Really catchy! It’s an almost 10 minute song with a very interesting structure. It’s like there is two parts. You really feel like you’re in a concert! (CREA - DAI credits)

I am (2002) ……………………………………………………………………………….

23. M*: S-AB-ABS, Great Single, the first one of the “I am” album. It’s starts quietly and slowly before things get more serious. When I say slowly, it’s not an euphemism, because it takes nearly two minutes (half of the song) before you can hear the addictive chorus, so it’s rather snail speed ! But it’s so worth the waiting!!! I love this song! Absolutely brilliant. M doesn’t stand for Madonna, but for Mary Magdalene. (Song by CREA)

24. UNITE!: S-AB2, 5th single. Slow and quiet beginning, but after further development, you can hear the roaring guitars! Yeah! (CREA)

25. Dearest: S-ABs-AB2, one of the 8 released single (6th) of the “I am” album. A nice ballad. I just love the melody. (CREA-DAI credits)

26. Still Alone: Like always quiet beginning until the chorus. Nice song. (CREA)

27. Endless Sorrow ~gone with the wind version: S-AB2, 4th single. I put the album version which lasts a bit more than 8 minutes. The intro reminds me some guitar riffs from U2, but I don’t remember which one. I just love the melody. It’s rather joyful despite the title. Roaring electric can be heard along the song. (CREA)

Duty (2000) ……………………………………………………………………………….

28. Seasons: S-AB-ABs, the 3rd single of 5th released single from the “Duty” album. Beautiful ballad. (DAI)

29. Key~eternal tie version: ABs, another nice ballad. Very pop.

30. Scar: I love the melody, I feel like it’s really melodramatic.

LOVEppears (1999) ………………………………………………………………………

31. Appears:S-AB-ABs, 6th of the 8th released single from the “LOVEppears” album. I love the melody, very catchy. But like always it takes some time before starting to swing, but once you’re there, it never gets hold of you. Electric guitars again now and then…

32. Who…: AB-ABs, feather-like voice to start that catchy ballad.

33. TO BE*: S-AB-ABs, 3rd of the 8th released single. The melody is great, very addictive. It’s one of my favorite song. (DAI credits)

A song for XX (1999) …………………………………………………………………….

34. A song for XX*: ABs, another great song with an awesome melody, again very catchy. The song alternates between slow quiet parts and more swinging ones. I wonder why this one hasn’t been released as a single!

35. YOU: S-ABs, second single of this album. Nice pop song, with a great melody. Very addictive. You feel like putting your hands up in the air and swing.

Here are two extra samples from the “Cyber Trance presents: Ayu Trance” remix albums.
Let’s dance!