Ayumi Hamasaki – GUILTY [Album Review]

Ayumi Hamasaki – GUILTY [Album Review]

Info –

Artist: Ayumi Hamasaki

Album Title: GUILTY

Released Date: January 1^st, 2008

Language & Genre: Japanese Pop / Rock (J-Pop & J-Rock)

Track Listing:

1.Mirror

2.(don’t) leave me alone

3.talkin’ 2 myself

4.Decision

5.GUILTY

6.fated

7.Together When…

8.Marionette –Prelude–

9.Marionette

10.The Judgement Day

11.glitter

12.MY ALL

13.reBIRTH

14.untitled ~for her~

Summary –

Though released an entire year ago in 2008, the year of her 10^th Anniversary as being one of Japan’s top leading female singers of all time, Hamasaki Ayumi still succeeded in being able to capture the viewers with her ninth Original Album. Granted, there have been many times that each album release prevailed in terms of success and sound, however I’m quite comfortable to say that GUILTY has got to be one of her best. I remember the day of its’ release, how fans were quite upset with the results, though! Shocking in my eyes, considering she has a strong, immovable, and biased fanbase, yet some really felt that the “Rock” Genre didn’t fit well with her voice. However, I do agree with this opinion, I feel that particularly, this is her most indifferent album to date.

I’m sorry to say, but years of being in the business and releasing single after single, album after album, material after material, literally, with such short time spans in between has left Hamasaki’s creative juices a little dry. I’m sure you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know the expression “the more the merrier,” though in this situation, I relate this with time. I sometimes wonder where she found the time to record a full-length album after doing so many promotions and releasing several different things. Thus, what I’m trying to explain is you can see the defaults in her music. I have no problem with her tunes, but it’s too… replicated. A good majority of her songs sound likes other songs she’s created in the past. However, this is where GUILTY draws the line, and the new beginning of Hamasaki’s career begin!

Essentially, like stated before, this album is more “Rock” than her other albums. I’ve always been a fan of her Rock-themed songs (more than her “Pop” songs, that’s for sure), so I’m quite fond with it. It oozes with appeal and attitude, which you’re met with as soon as you enter the album with Mirror, a short, but hard Rock tune beginning with an orchestra, but soon transfers into something edgier. Her image of being a “Pop Princess” seemed to slowly shed with many of her tunes, primarily with talkin’ 2 myself, however in typical Ayumi fashion, she shows a lighter side with tunes Glitter & My All, & with soothing & chilling Ballads Together When & untitled ~for her~.

Quite possibly, if one, such as myself, were unknown to her and testing her music out for the first time, GUILTY probably wouldn’t be the best album to go for, however. Easily, any of her “A BEST” single compilation albums could replace it, simply because her VERY BEST tunes are featured on them – yes, recycled, but they offer one thing that this album and many of her other albums released in 2004 through present day do not acquire, and that’s quality. Surely, there’s excellent tracks featured, but it’s only 2 tracks, one of which is under 2 minutes long and is regarded much more as an intro if anything. I feel (but do not hope) that she’ll never release another “DEAREST” or another “CAROLS” or any of her past top hits in this present day.

But quite frankly, being a fan for a few years, I’m happy to say that GUILTY is refreshing. There are some good tunes, there are some bad tunes…and one horrifying tune, of which the title speaks for itself and warns you ahead of time (just look at the track listing, and you’ll know exactly the track I speak of). Overall, it may lack a bit in terms of quality, but the fact that it isn’t another “cloned” album makes me overlook it!

Top 5 Notable Tracks –

* Mirror – Though less than 2 minutes, it packs quite the punch. It starts off with this “orchestra”-themed outlook, with only violins playing as it escapades into a brash sound. What I find the most desirable is the fact that it is “soft,” however mysterious with the adding of a penning sound, almost sounding it’s from a “music box,” and the violin strumming dramatically in between breaks. Suddenly, it’s a hard Rock song, featuring definite vocals from Ayu as she sings along with the beat. As we find out later, she decided to make the song into a single, titled “Mirrorcle World,” which features new hooks and verses. Good move, but she could have put it on the album.

* talkin’ 2 myself – It took several reasons to like such a song. It has all the great aspects of a good song – a defining beat and overall essential vocals that strum along well with the song enough that you can get the gist of it, but it didn’t seem to click to well with me. Although I do like the beat, the way the verses are made out, it makes it a bit dull and seem “out of tune.” However, the chorus wins you over where she sounds very confident with swift lyrics that rollover quite well. Here, it sounds as if she’s sending a strong message.

* GUILTY – The album’s title track. Frankly, this is her most indifferent track she’s probably ever made. It has a puzzling feel to it and the edgiest track she’s made to date. At first listen, it reminded me of something a Grunge artist would make, specifically the area featuring loud guitars and drums blending in together. She sings in a proper tune, quiet throughout and oddly enough, it fits, but the part I feel is really important is the chorus. I like how her vocals change, not in terms of a different personality, but somewhat of an emotion as she declares that she simply wants to admit her mistakes and move forward into a new life.

* Together When – The best ballad off the album, hands down. I’m a sucker for pianos, I’ll admit it! It’s truly a beautiful instrument able to carry out either calming and soothing or saddening and depressing aspects. Here, it features Ayu carrying on, almost freelanced at times. By the time we reach the chorus, we’ve heard what the song caresses mainly, but the chorus is definitely a bonus. I like the way she sings there.

* Marionette – At first listen, I really loved this song since it reminded me of “Mirror” because of the “music box” beginning and the fact it gets quite loud in the chorus. Ayu sings in a “A-B” notion, from what it seems in the verses and “sing-song” in the chorus which goes well. Although, if anything wins me over it’s the soft and bold arrangement. The terrible thing is that after a few listens, it’s boring, but for the first hearings, you’ll really love it.

RECOMMENDED!