Mangaka Network

This is a bit offtopic, but for me it is still Japanese stuff and music (sung in English though). And I love her voice too!

I've already bought Utada Hikaru's This Is the One, her latest album release. And I really loved it!!! This album is one of the better R&B albums out, and is also a good stand alone Pop record as well.

Utada also sticks to her Japanese roots on the album while still managing to mesh with a R&B sound.  My favorite songs are "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence-FYI", "Apple and Cinnamon" and "Taking My Money Back". Didn't like so much of Automatic Part II though, for those who though that this would be the next part of her previous success "Automatic". Better stick to the original one.

Here in Japan I heard that sales are not doing very well. It’s a shame that this album is not going to get that much promotion, because it’s a great record, and is actually better than some  R&B veteran’s albums. I hope the lack of promotion does not prompt Utada to not make another English album because she is a beautiful circle in an industry full of squares, and the sheer fact that the she co-wrote and co-produced the entire album really shows how talented she is. I hope to hear more from her in the future.

 Tracklisting

1) On and On
2) Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence – FYI
3) Apple and Cinnamon
4) Taking My Money Back
5) This One (Crying Like A Child)
6) Automatic Part II
7) Dirty Desire
8) Poppin’
9) Come Back To Me
10) Me Muero
11) Come Back To Me (Seamus Haji and Paul Emanuel Radio Edit)
12) Come Back To Me (Quentin Harris Radio Edit)