Better than First Love, but not as good as Deep River

I deeply love Utada Hikaru and think this is a really good album, but it really pales in comparison to Deep River. It does have a much better track selection than First Love and her voice sounds slightly better, but sometimes it seems all over the place to me. She can reach the high notes, but it sounds like a strain. The bad songs are Sunglass, For You, and Kotoba ni Narenai Kimochi as they were neither fast nor slow and were just a snoozefest. The bonus track also seems pointless to me. The good songs (all the rest) are very good, so they mostly make up for it.

The Definative Opinion - Good CD; but it may not be for you

Before starting, let me first advise all those die hard; Hikki-huggers out there to please put their eye brows down, and keep their rifles on safe until I explain the 3 star rating on this CD. Sweat, Hikaru Utada has so many wonderful qualities not native to your average female Jpop performer. For one thing, she is still pretty fresh with her generation (weighing in at nearly 6 years younger than pop-princess-prospect Ayumi Hamasaki), making her ear just a tad closer to the music that enfluenced her as a song writer. Another notable quality, (while on the subject) is her nack for writing her own songs, which presents personal (but unfortunately noticable) access to the artist herself. By standards of Japanese art, her voice is incredibly strong for her age, and is well fitted for the songs on this particular LP. If you've never heard Utada's voice before, it sounds quite a bit like a, less accented version Columbian singer "Shakira" on this CD. But thats enough brain food for the "Hikkilliterate". On to my review.

Hikki is one japanese artist that is gaining notable recognition here in the states, as well as overseas. My question to the hikki faithful is; ever wonder why that is? When I listen to a Hikki CD, and an Ayu CD I see so many differences that only I would probably pick out. The most obvious is the voice ofcourse, but thats not what I'm talking about. The over all SIMILARITY to American music that so much of Hikki's songs have is a serious turn off to people like me who like Jpop, because its different and oddly "Beautiful". Where did I first experience Jpop? Anime ofcourse! Unlike others who like to make themselves sound like Jpop geniuses, I don't mind revieling the reason why I started following up on Jpop culture. The songs on this CD, although well written, just remind me too much of American songs, and beats that I grew up listening to. The fact that Utada is fluent in both Japanese and English (being born in Manhattan and all) and wants everyone to know it, doesn't help matters either. Japanenglish in songs is only attractive in small doses at the most. Even singer/songwriters like the group "Two Mix" will use english from time to time in their, ever so energetic compositions. However, Hikki has been known to do entire chorus lines and ever songs (I.E. Close to you) in English. This is probably attractive from a Japanese stand point, but I don't buy Japanese CDs to here English. Plain and Simple.

The CD gets a 3, not because it wasn't a good CD, and certainly not because Hikki doesn't have beautiful voice, but becuase her CD reaks of American influence. If your not looking to jump head long into J-pop, and want something pleasently different that won't leave you off in left field, than pick up this or any of Hikki's CDs. But if your an anime fan thats looking for pure gold Jpop the way your "use" to hearing it, than look into Ayumi Hamasaki's collection CD called "A BEST". Don't mind the fact that she looks German; shes all Jap and her songs reflect it.

Horrible... so very horrible

There are so many talented Japanese artists out there, why do so many people worship Utada? She has a horrible voice and even worse, she throws English words into Japanese songs. As if the song is for the opening of anime tv show. Look around, there are Japanese singers with actual talent. Her CDs are just hype.