Namie Amuro
Namie Amuro is often called the Queen of J-pop. Certainly, if you've only heard of one J-pop performer, it's probably Namie Amuro. She's had a long career and has produced more albums than one can count. There's a rough division in her music: her albums produced with Tetsuya Komuro tend to be more dance style, and the work she's done with U.S. producer Dallas Austin is more R&B/hip-hop. Personally I'm a little biased toward her new stuff, especially her latest album, Genius 2000.
The lead song on Amuro's new CD is Love 2000 [RealAudio], a pop tune with a complex rhythm running underneath. The salsa influence gives this song legs. Although you are probably more than tired of Y2K songs, the "are you ready for system 2000?" refrain is catchy.
As indicated by the title, Mi Corazon (Te' Amor) [MP3] is heavily influenced by Euro music tradition, namely the Spanish guitar. That is, at least the opening measures to the song are: Despite the castanets scattered throughout the verses, Mi Corazon loses the Euro style once the song gets going. It's still a pretty snappy song. Oddly enough, Namie Amuro sings in English more than Spanish during this one.
Also of a European flair is Something 'Bout The Kiss [MP3], one of the songs from the CD that Namie Amuro released as a single in 1999. Amuro could go head to head with Christine Aguilera and Jennifer Lopez with this song and feel confident about winning the competition.
Respect the Power of Love [MP3] seems to come out of something like a Europop genre, too. It's a little R&B but not sultry enough to be truly of that genre. Like Give It A Try (see below), there is something almost gospel about this piece.
The most interesting part of Still In Love [MP3] is the synthesizer in the background. Not to disrespect the singer, but the accompaniment is the best part of the song. The tune of the song is repetitive, but it's not intolerable.
Next to You [MP3] isn't that interesting of a song, either, although it reminds me of Something 'Bout the Kiss. It's almost as if the artist found one or two songs that really worked, then went out and found songs that kind of sounded the same.
Asking Why [MP3] is my favorite song on the CD. This slightly jazzy, uptempo song is a cross between a ballad and a pop tune. It never really rocks out, but it also doesn't drag. Namie Amuro provides a light attack on the notes, giving the vocals a sharp yet not harsh sound.
Give It A Try [MP3] immediately follows Asking Why on the album, which may not have been a great idea. There's not a great deal of difference between the two in sound and style. That's okay because they are both likeable, but it seems like the producers could have mixed things up a bit more. Give It A Try is a little bit slower in tempo, and at times reminds of a 1980s Amy Grant sound.
On second thought, I Have Never Seen [MP3] might be a favorite. This is a very cool piece with a neat beat. Its overall rhythm and structure is a little more complicated than other J-pop (or even Namie Amuro) hits of late. I wish she would do more songs in this style?I'd buy every CD if she did.
By Denise Ahn
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