This is my way of supporting Anime-Source while I get back on my feet for reviewing anime. I actually have started two spotlight reviews - I'm so in love with two new Spring series! - but it really is hard to say if I will finish them...and that's just the honest truth. I did, however, finish this review on Utada Hikaru's newest album, HEART STATION. I actually own the CD, so I hope you all will enjoy reading it, perhaps leave a comment, and/or sample it yourself. Thanks!
DISCLAIMER: I did post this review in another small social community under a different alias, but I wanted to see how you all at A-S, as anime fans, would respond to something like this.
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HEART STATION is such a laid-back, chill song (and album) and performed with a passionate, intent message...but those qualities aren't anything unique for Utada Hikaru's highly accredited, top-charting Oricon ranking style and sound. So what makes HEART STATION stand out or fall short from her last full-length album? Read on and find out what I thought about it.
I was giddy to finally receive HEART STATION in the mail just yesterday, but after listening through it two times - once as a happy fan and again casually - I came to a few conclusions after weighing my high expectations against what I heard. The high point of this CD has got to be the piano arrangements done by Hikaru herself. They definitely bring out the energy, while utilizing more of her alto ranges, as opposed to her previous album, ULTRA BLUE.
HEART STATION is also more rhythmic, in terms of letting the bass line carry most of the songs like a heartbeat. In other words, many of them are dance-worthy, while ULTRA BLUE was more crisp and seemed to glide or swim throughout each track. I doubt HEART STATION will be as great to cruise to as ULTRA BLUE is, but in any case, Hikaru once again lives up to her standards as a musician and a singer, crafting beautiful, heartfelt songs that do speak strongly of love and joy from many angles, like the childlike, cute side of the heart as conveyed in the track, "Boku Wa Kuma".
The weakest point of this album isn't really the tracks themselves, but the booklet inside. I suppose I was spoiled by ULTRA BLUE's vibrancy and utter care taken into accentuating Hikaru's eyes and outfit. The cover and pages themselves are just as prettily glossy as ever, but Hikaru is hardly captured well in any of her shots. Actually, her poses and expressions seem so unappealing that you get the impression that this may have been rushed. I would have loved to see Hikaru with some SkullCandy headphones like in her "HEART STATION" PV, but not even those appear. Hikaru does put a handwritten message behind the plastic where the CD is kept that says: "From the bottom of my heart. Hikaru", but that pales in comparison to the essence of the album's feel that is captured in ULTRA BLUE.
Overall, HEART STATION is far from perfect, as Hikaru's sound is truly for the fan with possibly only a few favorites lingering in the minds of those who listen. Booklet artwork is weaker than expected, but the musical arrangements and lyrics are on point, working as one. With that much certain, this album is sure to touch your heart in some shape or form and have those beats get you on your feet.
EDIT: I'm sorry I didn't do this sooner. Here are two of her songs from the HEART STATION album: "Stay Gold" and "HEART STATION"
Alexiel's Grade: B Recommends this album Price: $30.99 US @ YesAsia.com
Please comment! I only do music reviews once in a blue moon, so I would appreciate some valuable feedback on my writing even if you've never heard the CD. Thanks again.
I know this seems to be asking for a bit much, but although your review was very in depth, it would have been nice to have a few links to some listening samples so i could get a feeling for it myself.
Another thing to keep in mind is your audience. Your review is highly intelligent and flows well, but it's difficult to place what particular style of music the artist has to offer and what comparisons it might draw to more well known and familiar artists.
As reviews are most often read by people who have little or no knowledge on what is being reviewed, writing a review should be done within this mindframe.
Thanks for the feedback, Post. I would have gladly given out links, but I suppose I was a bit too trusting of my audience. I figured many who would be reading would be familiar with her, since Hikaru is really no stranger to the music world in both the US & Japan. She did the ED theme for Kingdom Hearts after all. I'll put in something now though.
Also, this isn't a meta-review. I wrote this entire review. I was only informing others that I had posted it elsewhere.
Hmm, maybe you could point out more good points of the album, because I sort of have a pretty bad impression of it after reading your review XD. But still enjoyed reading the review though, it was quite in-depth.
Oh trust me, du5k. The album itself is pretty good. Your "bad impression" of it is probably just because I am personally slightly partial to her previous album, ULTRA BLUE. I actually didn't like her music until that album, but if you're into R&B with a varying J-pop feel, then you're going to love this album. Most of my negative criticism is due to the lyric booklet that comes with any album, but that's definitely not a reason to hold off on hearing this beautiful CD. ^_^ Hope that helps.
@Post: Ah! Sorry for the mixup on the meaning of "meta-review." Ahaha, it was useful and I'm glad you'll give her songs a listen. ^_^ Thanks again.
I enjoyed reading your review quite a bit, though I think you do tend to assume things about the audience who reads it, which isn't surprising considering her popularity.
Anyway, I HAVE listened to Utada Hikaru and though it's usually a hit-or-miss situation \for me, I think I'll take a look into it after reading this.
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HEART STATION is such a laid-back, chill song (and album) and performed with a passionate, intent message...but those qualities aren't anything unique for Utada Hikaru's highly accredited, top-charting Oricon ranking style and sound. So what makes HEART STATION stand out or fall short from her last full-length album? Read on and find out what I thought about it. 
