Customer Reviews

Play

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album blows my mind, I listen to all kinds of Asian artists new and old-school, but honestly Namie is one of my all-time favorite artists by far. She is original and innovative, always bringing something new to the table, not some mass marketed juiced up vapid fake wannabe artist like some that we know. Namie does what many American pop artists wish they could do. She keeps it sexy but classy. I like all of the songs in this album. Namie's voice is incredible. I've listened to this album many many times, and I'm very pleased. Namie = Yum

I've been a fan of Namie's for years and this is her best hip pop album to date! Her hip pop style has been infused with electronic beats that make every track unique & addicting. Very danceable beats, even with the slower Baby Don't Cry. A must-have for fans!

The Queen of Hip-Pop is back with her long awaited full-length album "PLAY".

Amuro Namie released her last album "Queen of Hip-Pop" back in July of 2005, so fans have been waiting for an album release for quite some time and I can't emphasize how this album is definitely worth the wait!

If there is one J-POP singer who has embraced a Western style of R&B, pop style (and has worked with quite a few distinct producers) and knows how to balance it out with smooth vocals, great music and on the music video and live performance side, showing that this 30-year old momma is sexier, wiser and showing why Japanese music fans should not even discount her.

Since she broke out ala solo (originally a member of the Super Monkeys) back in 1996 with "Sweet 19 Blues" and quickly becoming the top selling pop diva at that time, this present Amuro embodies a style that can be looked at as a mix of Janet Jackson and Christine Aguilera. That is incorporating soul R&B music, awesome choreography and maintaining a sexy/stylish look. And not many female music performers can be pointed out as among the few who have gotten considerably better performance-wise with age.

In my opinion, Amuro Namie is one of the rare artists who just has that special talent and possibly can transcend to one of the few who can possibly be 40-years-old and still attract young and old fans alike. She's that talented! She keeps reinventing herself and not afraid to try something new and fresh each time.

As for the new album... Wow!

"PLAY" features a total of twelve tracks which include the CD singles "VIOLET SAUCE" (came with "WHITE LIGHT"), "CAN'T SLEEP, CAN'T EAT, I'M SICK", "BABY DON'T CRY" and her latest CD single "FUNKY TOWN". These songs are awesome but interesting is how the non-CD single songs on this album are so awesome!

The first track features "HIDE & SEEK". A catchy R&B song that starts out like a college band at a football game but transitions to a smooth R&B beat that is just too addicting.

The second track "FULL MOON" is like old school meets new school as FERGIE has been able to incorporate to her music, Amuro does the same with this track. My gawd...if this song was played at a club, this would be like the "freak dance" song. Again, great balance of old school beats and new school beats.

And the other tracks such as "IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU", "STEP WITH IT", "HELLO" and "TOP SECRET" all have that balance of smooth vocals, R&B beat and that Western R&B feel. "PLAY" is probably the first Amuro Namie album where I can say that I enjoyed all songs.

What about a Slow jam? Of course, what is an Amuro Namie album without one. In this case, "SHOULD I LOVE HIM?" is the slow jam of "PLAY". A well-done smooth jam that actually stays consistent to the music on this album with that Western R&B feel.

All in all, I can't further state how excited about this album. It's a great balance of music and vocals and everything is executed quite well. I found no faults and listened to the album completely over and over about a dozen times today. I enjoyed "PLAY" a lot!

THE DVD:

The DVD features five music videos and I think the first video featured "HIDE & SEEK" is enough to show how far this artist has come. Her focus on choreography, style and sexiness is evident on her music videos and her past promotional videos pale beyond comparison to the videos you get on this DVD.

If anything, the DVD has enhanced my enjoyability of the songs on the album.

As for the special feature, "NAMIE AMURO x The World of GOLDEN EGGS" features Amuro Namie's first voice acting gig in a animated short. Amuro plays a member of the GUSHIKEN BAND. The animation is nothing spectacular but still nevertheless fun to hear Amuro Namie doing some voice work.

CD INSERT CONTENTS:

Contents feature a lyric booklet, Amuro fan club info., mu-mo info.

NEGATIVES?:

Really, there is nothing I can fault with this album. The only one that I can possibly think of is for those who enjoy the pop-oriented "BABY DON'T CRY", they may find that not all songs on "PLAY" are like that type of style. In fact, the majority of the songs on this album are very soul R&B oriented and if you can't stand that type of music, then this album is probably not for you.

THE FINAL WORD:

Of all the Amuro Namie albums that I own, you would think that I would still hold a candle to the music that I loved from her as a Super Monkey up to "Concentration 20'. There was a long lull where I felt myself starting to move away from her music but around 2003, I started to really start to take a look at her and her music again. And I realize that it was a slow build to something that Amuro felt comfortable with and that is to not rush things with countless monthly releases such as her other avex pop diva counterparts.

Two years seems like a long wait for an album from Amuro Namie but as I mentioned before... "PLAY" is definitely worth the wait and this album has brought me back to appreciating her as an artist and her music.

"PLAY" is my favorite album from Amuro Namie period. I think that Amuro Namie fans will love this album and you will bump, you will shake and dance to the music. It's that good!

Highly Recommended!

People usually associate J-pop as being hyper-saccharine, cheesy, and crass, but Namie Amuro is a singular Japanese female artist that can easily silence Western critics with her brand of classy, sophisticated, edgy dance-pop. Namie Amuro's music sounds more like the late (and great) Aaliyah and Sugababes in that like them, she combined/combines different urban, electronic, and rock sensibilities to make pop music that's all her own. "Play" most definitely puts all those influences in the forefront, and she certainly delivers in spades.

Ever since she started transitioning to a more R&B/hip-hop-oriented sound, her music's become less connected to straight-up J-pop and has become more tastefully adult and sophisticated. This change has caused many cynics to quickly judge her of ripping off contemporary Western sounds, but the fact is she combines cutting edge sounds from across the world with her foundation as a Japanese artist in order to make a modern, ecclectic mix that's unique and better than the sum of its parts.

"Play" is an fine pop album that's all over the place, but is seamless in its transition towards different sounds because of Namie's understated, yet solid and steely vocals. In it, there's dance-inspired rhymthmic/urban tracks ("Hide And Seek," "Full Moon," "Can't Eat, Can't Sleep, I'm Sick"), rock/hip-hop hybrids ("It's All About You," "Violet Sauce [Spicy]"), straight-up contemporary R&B/hip-hop affair ("Hello," "Should I Love Him," "Top Secret"), funky retro-urban soul ("Funky Town," "Step With It"), and even sweet dance-pop with an edge ("Baby Don't Cry," "Pink Key"). All these songs hold together so well because of Namie's detached ice queen vocals. Not that Namie shows she's a singer with limited range; she can sing quite well. Like Aaliyah and Sugababes though, her music on the album seems so cool and untouchable because she delivers the tracks with just the right amount of aloofness and coolness to make it all work as one great, effortless, and graceful sonic experience. The album's not that revolutionary or too progressive compared to many of her contemporaries, both Eastern and Western, but it is quite grand (like all of Namie's albums) because all the tracks work so well together and on their own. This is definitely a testament to Amuro and her team of songwriters and producers carefully constructing groups of songs that can be enjoyed as a whole: at this point in her career, she's beyond just being a highly-impacting singles artist.

Another reason why the album is a world-class, polished effort that's exquisite is because Namie decided to do away with the little amount of unnecessary tack that's bogged down some of her previous albums. No cheesy ballads to corrupt the music (a la "All For You" from "Queen Of Hip-Hop"). In fact, the token ballad in the album, "Should I Love Him," is one of her most dignified, yet understatedly high-brow performances yet, with its "chic backing track" (as a description of the album stated). That's basically what "Play" is all about: cool, edgy, yet still very mainstream and very accessible. Namie is all about balance between taking different sounds to make an album's that's nowhere near middle-of-the-road/safe, but at the same time making music that's still extremely modern and thoroughly enjoyable. Pop music in general should take a cue from her: this is what cutting edge dance-pop should sound like these days.

Wow! She's a very good Japanese singer!!! Her songs are a mixed of pop, R&B and Hip-pop!!! My favourite songs are: Funky town, Hello, Should I love him?, Violent sauce (spicy)!!!! I suggest you to listen this girl! She's very sexy!!!!

While Namie Amuro may not have the popularity of Ayumi Hamasaki, Utada Hikaru, or even Koda Kumi, Namie has tried her best over the years to set herself apart from the rest of J-Singers. Her distinct sound certainly has set her apart from the rest of the pack, and that may not be a good thing. Ayumi Hamasaki (debatably the Queen of J-pop) is known for her Pop sounds, Utada gained massive notoriety from the Kingdom Hearts serious, and like Utada, Koda gained mention from Final Fantasy X-2, and her not so squeaky clean image. Where does that leave Namie? She certainly lags behind; but this time Namie has pushed the envelope and made a near perfect album.

The album starts off with the infectious Hide and Seek. With a pop/rock/dance vibe, the chorus is bound to be stuck in your head. Namie's voice soars, and the music will easily make you want too dance. Easily the best song on the entire album. Even if you don't buy the entire album, make sure to buy this single song.

Next is Full Moon, a slower more R&B/Pop song. With a gong sounding in the beginning, Namie's voice is soothing behind the nice beat. The song gets a little boring after awhile, but the first listen thru is enjoyable.

Can't Eat, Can't Sleep, I'm sick plays off of a total R&B vibe. It's not a enjoyable song by any means however. Namie's voice actually sounds very weak, and the background singers 'out sing' her.

It's All about You is more rock, with a almost Bollywood type feel to it. But I'm sorry to say but the beginning sounds like a rip-off of Ayumi Hamasaki's talkin 2 myself. The Chorus is very nice however, and is bound to get stuck in your head.

Funky Town is more of a Dance song; and don't worry, doesn't have the same beat as the infamous song Funky Town. This song is very filler however, and doesn't make a heavy impact on the album.

Step With It starts off with Namie singing solo, then goes into a nice Pop beat. It's a nice song, good beat, but easy to look over.

Hello starts with the sounds of Telephones ringing, which is a sure winner. Hello is a great original song, nice beat, but not very replay heavy.

Should I love him? Is the only ballad on the entire cd. Which is good, considering Namie doesn't do ballads very good. The song, like Hide and Seek, is infectious, for a Ballad. With a beautiful chorus, and nice beat, it's a surefire standout on the album.

Top Secret is one of the more 'risqué' songs on the album. Namie speaks a few lines of blush inducing words, and then starts singing. The chorus is very danceable, and it's bound to have you singing it over and over.

Violet Sauce (Spicy) is a good solid track. Like All about You, it's more rock then anything. The song won't get stuck in your head, but the nice rock vibe saves the song.

Baby Don't Cry is more R&B/Ballad. There's something very 'Anime theme song' about it. Have you ever heard the song Come, which was sung by Namie and played as an ending theme in Inuyasha? This sounds very much like a 'sequel' to sorts. It's very similar, and very beautiful.

The last track on the cd is Pink Key, which I believe is the theme song to a Japanese TV show. It's a nice pop song, but also very filler. I would have preferred a better ending song.

So there you have it; Namie's album, PLAY. There are some great solid tracks, two standouts, and a few fillers. It's a defiantly a must have, as many of the songs most certainly will be stuck in your head. So, buy it, pop it in your computer or cd player, and have fun. Your in for a treat.

However, $90 bucks is way too much for this cd. Do a little research, and even go on Yes Asia, Play Asia, or Cd Japan for some cheap deals.

Namie Amuro is one of my favorite Japanese singers. When this new album came out I couldn't wait to put it in my cd player and give it a listen. The longer I listened to the CD,the more I realised she was copying (maybe unintentionally) Janet Jackson!!! Many of the songs (not all of them) have the same type of style and background harmonies that are identical to Janet. All and all the album isn't bad-in fact if you pretend it is a new Janet Jackson album you will really like it!
Having been a Namie Amuro fan for many years (I have all her cds), I have to say this is my least favorite. The songs are pleasant enough to listen to but are nothing really special. (SORRY NAMIE!!!)One exception is "Baby Don't Cry". This song is surperb!