Not Quite the One

I probably don't need to tell you about the anticipation we loyal English speaking Hikki fans held for the follow-up to her experimental, edgy, hard pop treat Exodus. That's a tough act to follow, but Utada only gets better with age.

The title was my first indication that something was different here. 'This is the One'. She really wanted to break into the public's favour this time. She even said so herself, and said that she wanted to work in a type of music that was popular right now. Top of the line producers were enlisted for the project too. Hikki was going all out.

The only single, Come Back to Me, has a decent hook, but I can't really make up my mind about it. There's something really generic about it, but Hikki always has a touch that makes things stand out a bit, even if her vocal delivery is rocky.

I'm actually pretty torn over this album. I feel like it has two sections: the dark and pained first half, and the annoying, semi-slutty second half. Tracks as darkly engrossing and gorgeously hypnotic as Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence -FYI, Apple and Cinnamon, and This One (Crying Like a Child) sit together and play off each others strengths to make a wonderful listen. Then comes Automatic Part II, which starts to throw things off a bit. I do love the throw-back to her first single, but it's the first in a threesome of quality decline. "Hello my name is Utada like ladidadidadida..." is catchy as hell, but it also makes me cringe. Dirty Desire is almost as bad as it's title. The music isn't without it's charms, but it also feels like a sell-out to me. Even if the lyrics can be hilarious or clever ("I love you long time"). And Poppin' is worst of all. On the noisey side, weird vocals, and just generally grating, this is my least favourite Utada song in a long time. There's something about On and On that feels good. It almost erases those three tracks and reminds us of the rest of the album. It makes me want to start the disc over, and in that way is a good closer.

But there's more! We're also given three Kingdom Hearts bonus tracks. I'm very grateful to have an official Utada release for these tracks, even if they have nothing to do with the album. They remind us of Hikki's genius and talent as an interesting and original artist. If I had never heard Utada before I picked up this album, it would be these tracks that would most interest me and puch me to find out more about her. This is actually one of the only times I can think of that the 'Bonus Track' label is completely appropriate. I'm glad they didn't try to integrate them into the main album.

So basically, I'm undecided. It took me some time to get into this album to begin with, but it really has some great tracks. Even if they are in a fairly overdone style. The tracks I don't like, I really don't like, but they also have charming bits. The tracklist is well laid-out and the journey is fluid.

But still, there is something that keeps me from committing to this CD. I guess we'll have to see how it stands with time.