Jpop
Part 2. Initially this page was a list of all the CD's I have. But that got too boring... in this section I review some of the CD's and music-oriented stuff I buy.
  Kuraki Mai - delicious way
GZCA-1039
released 00.6.28
3059 yen

Track Listing:
01. Delicious Way
02. Love, Day After Tomorrow
03. Secret of my heart
04. Stepping إل Out
05. Baby Tonight~You & Me~
06. Can't get enough~gimme your love~
07. NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP
08. Stay by my side
09. Everything's All Right
10. happy days
11. Kimi to no jikan

Mai Kuraki's first album, and already a huge success in Japan. Delicious Way boasts Mai's sultry vocals, songwriting, and hip R&B beats. Sound familiar? Many people have accused Kuraki of being an Utada Hikaru-wannabe, Kuraki coming out with her official Japanese debut single "Love, Day After Tomorrow" in December 1999 (one year since Utada Hikaru came out with her smash hit "Automatic"). Another parallel they share is they both have US releases; Mai Kuraki, with the name "Mai K.", released her US debut at the age of 16, called "Baby I Like," under Bip! Records. Although, she can't speak English without an accent, unlike Hikki. What's that to stop her? Delicious Way broke records previously made by Utada Hikaru's 1999 debut album First Love... breaking records such as most records sold in a week by a female, solo, and debut artist. Both albums sold over 2 million copies its first week released, but Delicious Way sold about 200,000 more than First Love during this time.

It's the album's content that actually matters though, right? Most songs on Delicious Way are upbeat, and danceable. "Delicious Way," the title track, is probably my favorite song on the album; it's peppy, upbeat, and positive, and reminiscent of cheesy 70's music. "Love, Day After Tomorrow," is another upbeat song with a definite beat. "Stay by my side" is more of a ballad but with R&B feelings throughout.

Many of the songs on this album are great, all the songs are actually quite catchy if you listen to them a few times. Now... which album do I like better? First Love or Delicious Way? There are some songs on First Love that are really good, and that I liked better than any song on Delicious Way... but I like Kuraki's album better. Hikki seems to come out with songs, some I like, some I don't like. Both are good on their own merits though.

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