Today was a goldmine for Ayumi Hamasaski release announcements. Three new releases were announced on her official website today, including two remix albums and her highly anticipated tour DVD.

Remix albums? Are you kidding me? I’ve been waiting four years for another remix album! For those who may not know, Ayumi Hamasaki only truly gained her success from the cult following brought on by her remix albums, some of which stayed on Japanese album charts for many months. It’s great to see that she’s finally making a return to the dance scene after flirting with heavy metal for so long. And just look at some of the remixers: MSTRKRFT, Armand Van Helden, Shinichi Osawa, and Stonebridge?! SO EXCITED. Bring in the synth, Ayu!

But that’s not all, it looks like her sold out Asia tour from last summer, ~Tour Of Secret~, is finally getting a proper release in March! Click “read more” to see the tracklisting for the upcoming releases.

『ayu-mi-x 6 -GOLD-』
2008.3.26 IN STORES
¥2,500（tax incl.） AVCD-23551

01.Greatful days (PARA ONE remix)
02.ourselves (COLDCUT remix)
03.INSPIRE (ARMAND VAN HELDEN remix)
04.Moments (dj KENTARO remix)
05.HAPPY ENDING (MAD PROFESSOR remix)
06.STEP you (THE YOUNG PUNX! remix)
07.Ladies Night (AFRA & INCREDIBLE BEATBOX BAND remix)
08.Startin’ (SHINICHI OSAWA remix)
09.BLUE BIRD (7th GATE remix)
10.Beautiful Fighters (MSTRKRFT remix)
11.glitter (SOUL CENTRAL remix)
12.talkin’ 2 myself (STONEBRIDGE remix)

『ayu-mi-x 6 -SILVER-』
2008.3.26 IN STORES
¥2,500（tax incl.） AVCD-23552

01.No way to say (HIGH CONTRAST remix)
02.GAME (YOJI remix)
03.CAROLS (PLAYGROUP remix)
04.About You (BLACK STROBE remix)
05.walking proud (CALM remix)
06.alterna (FREEFORM FIVE remix)
07.HEAVEN (DAISHI DANCE remix)
08.JEWEL (STEPHANE POMPOUGNAC remix)
09.part of Me (CARL CRAIG remix)
10.fated (MAKOTO remix)
11.decision (FORCE OF NATURE remix)
12.Together When… (CO-FUSION remix)

ayumi hamasaki ASIA TOUR 2007 ~Tour of Secret~ “LIVE + DOCUMENTARY”
In stores from March 12, 2008
¥5,040（tax included）
AVBD-91536 – 7
Two DVD set (packaged in a splendid sleeve)

ASIA TOUR 2007 footage -> 120 minutes
DOCUMENTARY footage -> 210 minutes

【Track list】
LABYRINTH
evolution
UNITE!
taskinst
1 LOVE
until that Day…
M
appears
part of Me
Secret
kiss o’kill
Not yet
SURREAL
AUDIENCE
Boys & Girls
SEASONS
glitter
independent
Humming 3/4
Who…

I don’t know what to do with all this Ayu. Besides overdraw from my bank account.

Finally, I got to listen to Ayumi’s ninth studio album. I also got a glittery, rhinestone encrusted Ayumi logo sticker with my CD!!!! I don’t know where I’ll stick it, but it will undoubtedly serve as a symbol of my manhood. The photobook is also quite sassy.

001. “Mirror” – The marching music box stomper…a great opening to the album. Similar to “I Am…” the song starts minimally enough. However, the chorus launches into an angry assault, perhaps featuring the most direct, in-your-face styling yet. Then, before you know it, the song ends abruptly. [9/10]

002. “(Don’t) Leave me alone” – Let’s remove any doubt: This is “1 LOVE” reincarnated, Ayumi. The opening is so frustratingly similar that it’s impossible to deny any influence from her prior releases. It’s good…but I’ve heard this many times before. Many times. [7/10]

003. “Talkin’ 2 Myself” – The second single from the album, the song relies upon classic Ayumi overdriven guitar and paced anger. The lyrics are actually incredibly passionate, which is why I can’t discredit this as yet another Ayu-rock song. Yes, I know, it sounds just like the last track to most people. That’s the problem with most of her heavier songs. [8/10]

004. “Decision” – I never really played this track, though it was the B-Side to “Talkin’ 2 myself.” Again, more of the same. This song sounds SO similar to something from Secret, I just can’t figure out what yet. Again, it’s not bad per se, but the album loses it’s luster when plagued with the same songs repackaged. [7/10]

005. “GUILTY” – Hmm…Well, it’s still rock, but the introduction guitar is more something from the pages of a Junkie XL track than an Ayu one. Good! So much better. Darker, lonelier vibes without the overpowering metal riffs that often drown her emotion. Instead, this is a bit of a departure from the anger. The mood matches the song name. [10/10]

006. “Fated” – The B-Side to “GLITTER,” I always preferred this softer track. Very soft and longing. It’s quite formulaic, but it’s still classic Ayumi. [8/10]

007. “Together When…” – FINALLY. A ballad with feeling! The song sounds like it came off I Am…, which is a VERY. GOOD. THING. Call me sadistic, but the best moments in an Ayumi song are the parts where it sounds like she’s about to break (“Memorial Address”). This song is full of those moments. [10/10]

008. Marionette (prelude) – Playing along with the music box concept of the album, the song is another instrumental that grows increasingly manic and frightening as it chugs along. Picture demented jack-in-the-boxes. [9/10]

009. Marionette – Err…I’m having issue with this. It’s a beautiful song, but I keep thinking I’ve heard it before. It’s a bit epic in tone though, which is why I’m not discrediting the production. [8/10]

010. The Judgment Day – It’s Catcher In The Light…just with an organ behind it instead of pulsating dance beats. I love Catcher, but for God’s sake, is she trying? [8/10]

011. GLITTER – Ugh, fucking GLITTER. Or is it BLUE BIRD? Or Fairyland? I forget which, they all start to blend after the chanting, summery tribal music. [6/10]

012. MY ALL – I guess this would be the pop section of the album, because this marks the second song that is distinctly non-rock. And yet, it’s still cliche to me. I don’t know what’s happening…is it just me? I’m starting to feel strange. Am I crazy, or were her previous albums like this as well? I’m going to have to consult my discography. [7/10]

013. reBIRTH – A looming little instrumental. Nice and moody with that classic, icy piano that she features in so many of her tracks. Pretty and ethereal. [8/10]

014. untitled ~for her~ – I won’t lie, I was looking forward to this more than any other track. Ayumi has made it clear that this album was in dedication to a friend she lost last year, and this track was most clearly written about her. The lyrics are especially beautiful. The song is lovely and passionate. I won’t begin to talk about the ways in which it reminds me of past songs because it’s unneeded at this point. [8/10]

I love Ayumi, but I feel that she’s allowing herself to be pigeonholed into a very specific genre, rather than the eclectic selections she has offered in the past. Part of this may stem from the fact that she is no longer producing any of her music, only the lyrics. Or there may not be enough diversity amongst the producers. Either way, she is falling into a trap, and I’m finding it very difficult to listen to her new music without going “Hey, this sounds like…” I can say for sure that it never happened until “(miss} understood. Ever since then, I keep hearing the past. It may be that I haven’t been listening to her enough lately to distinguish the differences..I know that language barriers make a huge impact. Still, I’m left wanting more.

DL: Ayumi Hamasaki – GUILTY
DL: Ayumi Hamasaki – Together When…
DL: Ayumi Hamasaki – Marionette

Final Grade: B-

Be sure to buy Ayumi’s Guilty at Amazon or YesAsia.

First of all, I’d just like to thank everybody who wished me a happy birthday! I spent the day in NYC, and I’m completely exhausted. It looks like it was a slow news day while I was gone. Well, except for Britney.

Though it should be expected by now, the three-ring circus that is Britney’s life continued on in its usual bizarre fashion today. Earlier today, Britney was discharged from the hospital after only 36 hours. Whether that was the her own decision or that of the hospital is still unknown. More ridiculously, Oprah’s man-slave Dr. Phil paid Britney a visit for a little while as she packed to go home with her father. The good doctor also released a statement, confirming his belief that Britney is in need of psychological intervention. People Magazine also confirms that Dr. Phil advised Britney to stay at the hospital, and that leaving was one of “the worst decisions that could have been made.” Curiously, Dr. Phil just so happens to be shooting an episode on Monday devoted to Britney’s downfall. I can’t even recognize who’s selling out who anymore. Here’s hoping that Britney’s own father will have the ability to save her life…

On a brighter note, I pulled into the driveway tonight to find Ayumi Hamasaki’s new album, GUILTY, waiting for me the mailbox! I’ll write up a proper review tomorrow morning when I can think straight.

And you, what do you think?

Terribly sad news this evening. It appears, from Ayumi herself, that she has gone deaf in her left ear, rendering her partially deaf. There appears to be no surgery to fix the problem. Luckily, she is putting on a brave face and continuing on as scheduled, determined to celebrate her 10th anniversary in the music industry and continue with touring. This is a translation of part of her latest diary entry today:

I thought of going to the hospital because I felt distinctly that something strange happened to my ear.
I thought it was the earphone monitors and told the people around me I wanted to switch to new ones.
Honestly, when the doctor told me that there is no treatment and that it’s too late, my mind went blank.
In my heart somewhere, I felt that if I just make the time necessary for surgery, my ear would be able to hear again.
But I was wrong.
I remember the doctor’s eyes even now.
They looked regretful and apologetic. As if to say I’m sorry there’s nothing we can do…
So, I laughed.
I didn’t know why, but I said “I thought so”, and laughed.
Surrounded by my beloved staff inside the hospital room, everything returned to silence.
But, please, I don’t want you to read this with pessimism.
I have accepted this reality.
And, I want you to understand somehow that I’m not despairing, but that the light of my hopes shines forth.

I love you, Ayu!

And you, what do you think?

Ay–Ayumi dancing sexily? That’s Ayu’s shameless! Seems Ayumi has decided to do a few choreographed moves in her latest promotional video for a song from GUILTY called “(don’t) Leave Me Alone.” A pretty simple music video…so to make up for the lack of visual stimuli…sexy dance!! It’s like the “REAL ME” video revisited. Shock and panic follow. For non-Asian wannabes, Ayumi is known for song, not dance. That’s why everytime so busts a move, an entire branch of her fanbase shudders and collapses. But yeah, cute video.

Be sure to buy Ayumi’s upcoming album, GUILTY at Amazon.

And you, what do you think?

For the first order of business, I’d like to address the upcoming release of Hamasaki’s tenth studio album, GUILTY. But before that, I’d like to summarize Ayumi’s career for the majority of readers (who at this point are unaware that this blog exists) who are unfamiliar with the sassy little lady (5’1″!)

Ayumi Hamasaki, known as the “Empress of J-Pop,” is often referred to as the Madonna of Japan. I’d say it’s a pretty close comparison. Unlike Madonna, Ayu didn’t do too much to challenge the direction of pop music, nor is she controversial, but she does control her life and music in the same manner. Like Madonna, Ayu’s got the last word on everything, because she understands the importance of image. The one thing I love most about Ayumi is her self-awareness. She openly refers to herself as a product, as in this interview with TIME:

It is necessary that I am viewed as a product. I am a product. The “Hi, this is Ayu” person on TV is the person I know they want to see. I understand it’s my role to realize people’s dreams. I’m okay with that so long as my songs are my own.

She’s smart too. She knows how to play the game, and every album she has released (nine at the moment) has debuted at number one on the charts. She holds the record for most singles to chart for any female artist, as well as albums. She has broken countless sales records and won dozens of awards. And everytime she attempts to speak English, a baby panda is born. I swear it’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen in my entire life.

Needless to say, she is absolutely unknown to anyone outside of the Eastern hemisphere. Thankfully, we’ve been blessed with the musical stylings of Soulja Boy and T-Pain. But I digress.

Having just broken up with Tomoya Nagase, her boyfriend of over seven years, I was selfishly enthralled by the idea of her “going all Alanis” on his ass for the new album, GUILTY. But according to the tabloids, and Ayumi herself, it seems more like she was the one responsible for the breakup. Earlier in the week on her blog, Ayu was lamenting over losing someone “close to her,” and wishes everyone will feel the album because it represents those emotions. My hopes are high.

The thirty second previews have just been released on her official website, and I have to say, I’m nervous about this one. Secret, her ninth album, did nothing for me. Too faux-rock for my taste, except for “Startin’,”1 Love,” and “Kiss O’ Kill.” This one seems to be following the same path, except I have a feeling there’s more sincerity packed into the bunch this time around. I wish she’d return to the days of I Am… , but those days of experimental sound seem long gone. I know she loves guitars and rock, but she truly shined during her trance/dance era.

Ayu’s album GUILTY is due to be released January 1st, 2008 and can be ordered at Amazon.