Two Words, One Answer.
Mika Nakashima
 Yes $63.99 If you're familiar with Japanese entertainer Mika Nakashima's music, you know that it's a mix of old jazz and ballads with a bit of rock, soft reggae, and even alternative rock. This 2007 release has her returning to that safe zone of 'soft pop,' but also blends blues, gospel, and even country into the mix for the first time. In a way, I thought that this album was better than her previous End album, which came out only three months before this, because of its more relaxed pace (but then 'The End' itself was also quite appealing). Here are the songs and my comments: 1. I Love You (Album Version): This is a cover of Japanese musician Yutaka Ozaki's 1991 hit single (he died the following year). Mika's vocals fit the mood of the song nicely. 2. Mienai Hoshi (Invisible Star): This song stands out among the rest of the tracks here with its soft and light, yet bittersweet, arrangement and melody. The lyrics are compelling, too. 3. Sunao na Mama (The State of Honesty): Superb 1970s-style ballad that captures the essence of old Motown-style R&B. 4. Cry No More: Brilliant first attempt at a blues single for Mika. This was the theme for the anime 'BLOOD+.' 5. All Hands Together: Recorded with Allen Touissant, Cyril Neville (of the Neville Brothers!), and others, this underappreciated song is Mika's first attempt at a gospel-jazz track that has a great chorus and an AMAZING drum solo! This song was dedicated to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. 6. Dance with the Devil: Stepping away from the jazz side for a moment, Mika ventures into progressive rock territory with this highly energetic, self-written tune. 7. Black & Blue: Fun uptempo jazz number that reminds me of Cole Porter. 8. Joy: Gentle piece that places emphasis on the piano and Mika's vocals. This song is in full English. 9. The Dividing Line: Very soft and calming song with a great melody and uplifting vocals and lyrics. The English lines that conclude the song ('Everywhere is yes/Everything is yes...') is guaranteed to raise anyone's spirits. 10. My Sugar Cat: This song starts with a light flute solo and leads into a melodic 5-minute reggae song that Mika wrote about her cat. It's gentle and stylish, and the horns set the romantic mood easily without overpowering Mika's voice. 11. Yogoreta Hana (Tainted Flower): A country twang is incorporated into Mika's music for the first time, and this is a wonderful, happy-sounding piece complete with an electric guitar solo. 12. Going Back Home: Melancholy, but sweet, country ballad. 13. Kinenka (Song of Prayer): Actually, this is the only song I don't care for very much on this album. It's nice but not as attention-grabbing as some of the other songs, so I prefer to skip over this one. 14. What a Wonderful World: Everyone knows this song. Louis Armstrong's original version is still the best, but Mika pays incredible, dare one say 'little-known,' tribute to him and closes this album successfully with this cover. (Be prepared to take out the tissues!) FINAL EVALUATION: Judged from the overall quality of the songs, any 'misses' here are outweighed five-fold by the 'hits.' Mika handles even the toughest vocally challenging genres showcased here with no difficulty. 'Yes' is probably the best album I've heard released by any female artist in 2007 (no offense to others). If you want something mellow, then this album should make you say 'YES!'  Voice $44.99 I was really excited to get my new Mika Nakashima CD, Voice, in the mail a day or two sooner than i expected it to arrive. Hearing the beginning of the first song, Life, I thought, wow! what a beautiful Voice! Listening to Mika sing is like Odysseus hearing the Sirens' Songs. Except if I may be allowed to rewrite Greek mythology this Siren lures me onto a peaceful beach where i may sit in the sand and listen to her Wonderful Voice. Maybe the title of the CD should be Voices, since she demonstrates command of several different musical styles. I guess musicians dont like to be labeled so I'll just say Mika covers a nice spectrum of emotions on this Masterpiece of Music. The band on this one has more of a synthesizer sound than on her previous albums i've listened to. Which is fine by me. And i'm glad there are other Mika Cd's yet to listen to. I just get stuck on one for so long, it takes me awhile to get to the next one! I could not help thinking of the second nana movie, (which also stars Mika Nakashima). We learn that Takumi, the bass player for the rival band Bird Nest, has a limited social life because he spends so much time in the studio. Well it certainly sounds like Mika Nakashima spent alot of time in the studio on Voice. Every song is of the highest quality.  Nana the End $13.99 Let me start out by saying I love Mika Nakashima and I think she has a wonderful voice. But her voice is not suited to rock and roll. This album is if not the worst album I own it is certainly the worst performance I have heard from this artist. Her vocals range from shaky to downright off key. Track 5, Bad Medicine, is the worst of the bunch. Her voice is all over the place and, when listening to this in my car, I almost ran off the road when she started screeching the chorus. For that track alone this album should be destroyed and erased from the memories of it's victims. The only highlight, which isn't saying much considering I mean that it is the least worst track, is Track 7, Isolation. It is very early 80's garage band and I can't help smiling when listening to it. But I didn't pay all of that money for this cd so that I could enjoy one track. Track's 1 and 10 are two, slightly different versions of the same lousy song (completely unnecessary). Most of the tracks range from completely forgettable to just plain bad. This cd was aptly titled "The End". I can only hope that it is the end of anymore sub par performances from an artist so talented. |
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