[Koda Kumi] The 168th Thread - LIVE TOUR 2014 ~Bon Voyage~

[Chibi-Chan]

Originally Posted by Corvina

I actually was never able to take isthisLOL? (the one the review is made by) seriously.
I mean, he questions absolutely everything about Kuu, her charisma, her live ability, her voice (??) and so on.
And he loves POP DIVA, the epitome of screaming in the chorus, but is putting stuff like Imagine down because of her voice?
Also it would help if he started to write with some respect about the artists in general and worded his critiques better.
Like that nobody really cares in the end and that`s also the reason he got banned here. He doesn`t want to come off as a hater? So he should end sounding like one.

You do realize that he also wrote sentences like

• When she’s at her best she releases some instant classic pop hits, TABOO, POP DIVA, ECSTASY, show girl and Butterfly are my jams.
• And both her videos and her performances can be pretty good at times
• I always thought Kumi had a fantastic timbre to her voice

?

He never said Kuu in general is a bad artist/performer, just that a lot of her stuff isn't great at all and sometimes trashy as hell. That's how I see it, too - btw.

The responses in this thread just show what I said: Kuu's stuff isn't questioned at all by a lot of people (in this forum).
And like I said before, I like Kuu and there are songs from her I consider my all time favourites, but she also makes a lot of trash. I don't say that because I want to hate on her, but because I find it VERY frustrating for the simple reason that I know she can do so much better! And that's isthisLOL's problem as well, or to put in his words: "I have had a love/hate relationship with Koda Kumi for years. I get excited every time she releases a new album and grab it the moment I can find it, but then quickly get discouraged when actually listening to the thing".

[Corvina]

I know that he wrote that, but it's the way he words his negative opinions (which happens to be a lot and the few positive things leave a taste of... apologia)
Calling a song an "excrement"? Really? Vocals "in a suicidal kind of way"?
I absoultely don't have a problem with people not liking Kuu and her stuff. Not at all, cause as a hardcore fan as I am, there are lots of things I dislike as well.
She can be totally trashy and generic, she gets lazy sometimes when she's singing live and so on.
Though Kuu is one of the very few artists I listen to I enjoy most of the songs. I seriously hate some - but overall I like most of her stuff.
For you it's not, for me and other it is - that really is subjective.
Different opinions are normal.
I just ask for a respectful manner to voice them.

And btw. you should take a closer look on the fans in the thread here. Kuu does get questioned by her fans e.g. when Summer Trip was released, mos disliked LALALALALA and still do and verybody was sad Is This Trap? wasn't incluced on the album.
Though most people writing here are big fans of her and do have reasons for that, you shouldn't forget that.

[Gustavopc]

If she's gonna hold some special concerts for her 15th anniversary, it'll much probably be on the end of 2015, unfortunately not 2014 |: There's always a chance, of course, but it doesn't seem likely for me judging from her 10th anniv.

On another topic, I know Kuu's summer maxi-singles are a kind of signature, but I'm kinda worried how "maxi" it's gonna be this year... Sales have been dropping, which could make avex not put much money in the next single, and plus Summer Trip was already smaller than her usual singles (not small at all, but in comparison to her other singles, the last one with three songs had 3 PVs instead of 2 out of which none is excellent imo). And there's also this 15th anniv. project coming, maybe she'll use this to do something different?
Anyway, I just hope this celebration for the anniversary doesn't end up in a BEST, even tho it's very likely

[Zeke.]

Lol yes but EVERYTHING is "FLAWLESS" when she releases shit. That word has been killed in regards to Kumi and Namie. Not EVERYTHING is flawless. That totally discredits the works that ACTUALLY ARE.

[Gustavopc]

^ Some fans may say so, but then every fandom has the fanactics. I remember how there were some really bad comments towards LALALALALA and/or TOUCH DOWN when the songs came out... Actually, I agree that Namie and Utada are way more overrated than Kuu

[Diva_br]

A question: Where i can buy the goodies of the tour? YesAsia still not have more than t-shirts and towels, I WANNA THE PAMPHLET D:

[Minttulatte]

It's a matter of taste. Some people think Kuu and Namie make perfect music because it fits their taste of music. I belong to this category. These two (and Hikki) are the only ones who really still keeps me interested in J-Pop because they make good songs. I don't understand why we should try to find bad things to say when we just don't see those. Stans for these three are similar to Ayu stans who feel that Ayu makes flawless music. That's all.

[Luck16]

Hey guys! I've been lurking for quite some time and decided to step out of my shell lol

I wish Kuu would change her release cycle. She's been releasing the same single formula over and over again for years now. She should do something unexpected for her 15th anniversary. I won't expect her to do something like the second session project again but that was AMAZING and something no one had ever done before. It's because of these moments I'm always anxious whenever she's planning to release something. I didn't really like Bon Voyage, but I didn't expect me to. Except a few songs, it's generic and uninspired and so are its singles. I'm really happy she's dropping her cute image though, it's a step in the right direction.
Regarding that review I think Corvina is 150% correct. I'm an avid Kuu fan since 2005 and I recognize her work has been a hit or miss for the past few years. She was made famous for being bold, audacious and as I stated before, has been playing safe for way too long. I don't think there is anything wrong with people not liking Kuu but calling her music excrement and stuff like that is just rude and uncalled for. Knowing how to voice your opinions properly without offending anyone and make other people respect them as legit is called maturity. I also agree about Namie. She's way overrated. When FEEL came out everyone was like 'OMG AMAZING' and IMO, it's nothing special. It's a good album but it's just generic pop/electronic music. It didn't really leave an impact like QoHH or P<F. I honestly wish she would return to her RnB/Hip Hop sound, she always make great urban music.

[happiholic★]

Honestly, I would have to agree that Utada and Amuro are less criticized, whereas Kuu and Ayu are crapped on a lot more. I do think that Ayu and Kuu fans do tend to call a lot of stuff flawless, but that's really just an opinion. When I call something that, I do love the crap out of whatever it is. And that would also be the reason they are my favorite singers. I love almost everything. I, personally, feel that Ayu and Kuu's casual fans are much harsher. To be honest, they are the ones I see complaining the most that flawless is overused, or a certain song isn't that good, etc. On the other hand, casual fans of Utada and Amuro are a lot more laid back when they don't like something.

Also, just because I'm not vocal about my criticisms of Ayu and Kuu doesn't mean I don't have them. They are my favorites, I will just wait for the next release, not complain. If I see someone calling something flawless that I don't like, I'm just happy someone else is enjoying it.

[Surreal17]

Interesting conversation...hmmm...well, I agree with the fact that ayu and kuu are more criticised than Namie and Utada because like another member said, they (ayu & kuu) tend to change their style more often (especially ayu). I mean, ayu releases a rock song, than an electro one , then jazz etc. Namie had a very slow transition, from r'n'b and hip hop era (2002-2007) to electro dance (2008-present) and Utada stays more into her r'n'b zone. I must confess that I like all four singers (ayu is my favourite), all have great and bad things about their music. They are all humans with mistakes like all of us.
I agree with the statement about namie, I wish she'll make another hip hop album.

About the review, I found it a bit harsh, but I really like his reviews. Even if he didn't like Bon Voyage, I still think it's one of Kuu's best albums in the last few years.

[Zeke.]

Originally Posted by drdolce

It's a matter of taste. Some people think Kuu and Namie make perfect music because it fits their taste of music. I belong to this category. These two (and Hikki) are the only ones who really still keeps me interested in J-Pop because they make good songs. I don't understand why we should try to find bad things to say when we just don't see those. Stans for these three are similar to Ayu stans who feel that Ayu makes flawless music. That's all.

But ku has had moments, many, where I feel she is capable of better. Having taste in Kumi is not an offense, but it's like the music comes secondary to the image she portrays. People seem to place more fandom in HER rather than her material, and because they feel so passionate about HER then the product is always seen as flawless not because it actually is, but because it is a product of a PERSON who they see as FLAWLESS.

[marty]

^
Sorry, but isn't that the point of having charisma as a singer? I mean, that's why some songs work wonders for someone, but they'd be absolutely dreadful for others.
I love the way Kuu prints herself on her tracks: the way she makes them her own, with her voice, the intonations, her interpretation.
So, yeah, her personality is heck important for me. That's why I'm not a casual fan, but I'm her fan in particular. It's because she doesn't only make good songs, they're her songs.

It's just a matter of opinions, really.
I personally prefer people who are enthusiastic on the moment of the release, and call everything "flawless" (there's a thing called hyperbole too, you know, when you just say you really like something in an exaggerated manner to sound funny or just because you're being colloquial, or in a "hyped fangirling mood", but whatever). They have all the time in the world to change their mind, because the song was just released, so you will need, like, time to form a definitive opinion. And if it still sounds flawless, well, then they just got themselves a classic.
On the other hand, I absolutely hate when people instantly compare new songs to classics. It's not really a bad thing, but it's the way it's done: like, "omg, that old song was SO PERFECT, she's never gonna do something like that again, woe is me, why is she even still trying anymore?". But it's just my opinion, so I don't really say anything.
The more of a fan you are of a singer, the higher the chances you'll love what she's gonna release. It's pretty obvious, isn't it?
Either way, they're all good approches, with which you can build good and interesting conversations. When you, instead, just start using rather insulting and suiperficial terms, I can't speak for others, but for me you lose all of your credibility. Like, sure, you're not a hater, of course you're not in denial, way to go man!

[Zeke.]

Well there's a thing called hyperbole too, you know, when you just say you really dislike something in an exaggerated manner to sound funny...

I get what you're saying but I like Kumi's great songs because she pulls those GREAT songs off like nobody can or could. I can't get in line with "this song sucks but I'm glad Kumi sings it cause it's be even worse if someone else did". I understand it is very demanding to try and top yourself and past materials, but that doesn't mean that should be a consideration factor when judging on quality and impact alone. Every now and then Kumi does deliver, 100%, as do other artists who have gone astray lately, and the fact that the possibility remains for that kind of impact / quality will forever leave me fantasizing and hoping for that rush to take it's effect in full force once again.

I think I've just been SO BLOWN AWAY in the past by most artists that there is literally nothing to match those experiences. (Actually just read a study on how the brain perceives new music and how only when expectations are exceeded or met when compared to a template of favorite musical experiences will the listener feel such intense releases of dopamine in the brain).

[marty]

Originally Posted by Zeke.

Well there's a thing called hyperbole too, you know, when you just say you really dislike something in an exaggerated manner to sound funny...

Sure, but some people just overdo it and end up being plain rude.
It's tricky when you're being ironic, you have to careful. I'm saying this in general, not to you personally.

[Zeke.]

Originally Posted by marty

Sure, but some people just overdo it and end up being plain rude.
It's tricky when you're being ironic, you have to careful. I'm saying this in general, not to you personally.

I know, but I know I'm like the epitome of that example sometimes haha.

[maze]

Bon Voyage is flawless!

lol ok no. I skip LALALALALA, the remix on DH6 is amazing I prefer this over the original. I also skip Go to the top, never really liked it, only in performances. the rest of the album is great, even Koishikute which I didn't play in a long time, I love kuu+piano for ballads.

anyway, still enjoying this album so much, maybe because I'm not overplaying it like I did with previous albums. Lets show tonight is a real masterpiece.

[sitara]

I really like the majority of Bon Voyage

Sure, it would have been great to have XXX and is this trap (lol, engrish...) on the album, but as I see it this also means more new music and less songs we already had on singles on the album

Although for me it could have done without koishikute, let's show thonight and touchdown

Crank the bass is awesome and the interlude is my jam <3 when it comes on my phone I immediately have to replay it

[marty]

Originally Posted by Zeke.

I know, but I know I'm like the epitome of that example sometimes haha.

You're just... like, VERY confident about your opinion, lol. That sometime irks me, but, honestly, comments like yours are the ones that actually help me being a better listener, improving and detailing my tastes in music.
And I always prefer to read a fun comment, being it positive or negative. I mean, I read RandomJPop blog even if I don't agree with the blooger on almost anything at all, just to laugh my ass off when she's talking about my J-Pop babies.

[Corvina]

Weekly Oricon sales:

150 138 ↓ Ｂｏｎ　Ｖｏｙａｇｅ 676 57,059 14/2/26 RZN
幸田来未

242 144 ↓ Ｋｏｄａ　Ｋｕｍｉ　Ｄｒｉｖｉｎｇ　Ｈｉｔ’ｓ　６ 392 8,238 14/3/19 RZN
幸田来未

Daily recochoku charts:

Album:
#41 Driving Hit's 6 ↑

Uta:
#185 U KNOW ↑

Videoclips:
#195 Koishikute ↑

[Gustavopc]

DH6 wont even get to 10k copies omg I wonder why avex keeps on releasing it...