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Artist: Utada Hikaru Product Code: TOBF-5506 Release Date: 2006.12.20 Debut Ranking: #4 Label: Toshiba-EMI |
It’s only been a month since the release of her last single, “Boku wa Kuma”, and Utada has finished the year off by releasing a DVD of her summer tour, “Utada United 2006”. Being a HUGE Utada fan, I was obviously pleasantly surprised when the tracklist contained almost all of her singles (with the only obvious ones missing being “for you/time LIMIT”). Unfortunately, I was also disappointed by the appearance of some “Exodus” songs, which I felt were complete crap.
Although the cover of this DVD is bland and uninspired, the set is completely different. Utada and the band stand on this oval-shaped platform which seems to be a giant screen too. There is a giant screen made up of lights at the back, with some thinner movable strips which are also composed of lights. It is amazing how good the images look on it (especially from a distance)! However, when the camera focuses on Utada, you can see that the lights do not show well close up.
OPENING, Passion
The concert starts with Utada’s head on the screen, with cherry blossoms floating past her. It is the same as the “Ultra Blue” commercial, but this time, she blinks! This is played to “OPENING”. Nothing big here until Utada pops up from under the stage. The music for “Passion” starts playing and Utada sounds amazing! The instruments are almost identical to the actual recording. A great start to the concert. I did notice that Utada seemed to be really weird with her microphone stand. She keeps sliding her hands down it and pushing her head back. I know this is probably part of the actions she was told to do, but it was just awkward…
This Is Love
After a 5 second pause, “This Is Love” starts. I have never really liked the song, but after listening to her singing it live here, it’s starting to grow on me. Utada walks around the stage and does weird actions (putting her hand up and putting it down very quickly). What was truly bizarre was the doves in clouds that was displayed on the screen. Don’t they usually show the artist singing in the background so people from the back of the stadium can see? However, Hikki seemed really energetic and it’s promising up to be a great concert XD.
traveling, Movin’ on without you
The ending of “This Is Love” is sequined into “traveling”. The crowd goes wild as this is one of Utada’s most popular songs. The video of “traveling” plays on 2 strips of the screen and on the platform itself. Right after the “Can you keep it up…” part, the music for “Movin’ on without you” starts. This song has never grown on me. It is here that I realize that concerts WOULD be better if they used a backing track instead of back-up singers. There is virtually no chance of a mix-up (Ashlee’s was a drummer’s mistake, not a technical one!). Also, the weaker parts of the song are made stronger too, giving it an overall more enjoyable experience.
Sakura DROPS, FINAL DISTANCE, First Love
“Sakura DROPS” was up next, and the beginning composed of Utada moaning (recorded of course). She then sang the beginning part acapella with a strong echo effect. It was so completely not what I had expected, and I was caught off-guard. “FINAL DISTANCE” was the emotional-expressive piece of the set, and Utada seemed close to tears towards the end. “First Love” was sang perfectly after a little bit of mc-ing, but nothing outstanding to report.
Devil Inside
After a 3 minute recording of a poem? (not really sure since it’s in Japanese), came the part I dreaded the most - the “Exodus” songs. Scary noises - thunder and demonic sounds were played, which signaled the start of “Devil Inside”. This was what the screen was perfect for. The sudden change from black to red, and the devil playing the cello: it was a visual treat. Utada changed costumes too. What was absolutely surprising was how good Utada sounded though. She sounded strong and confident unlike her showcase in New York a few years ago (or was it just last year?). The only disappointing fact was that she didn’t sing “The Scumfrog Radio Edit”.
Kremlin Dusk, You Make Me Want To Be A Man
“Kremlin Dusk” was the perfect opportunity for Hikki to showcase her vocal range. The lyrics are terrible, but the scales were astonishing. She also looked like a princess - a black leathery modern one anyways. This was also the only non-single song, making it obvious that it’s there only to showoff her vocals. At the end, when she repeats the same phases over and over again, she looked like she was having a seizure though. Nothing special about “You Make Me Want To Be A Man”. Mediocre performance for a mediocre song.
Be My Last
And the worst performance of the tour goes to…. (drumroll) “Be My Last”! It started off perfectly enough - Hikki sang with only a solo cellist or whatever. Then we reach the chorus, where she held the “Be My Last…” part too long, and the “uh HUH uh HUH uh…” part too sharp. The music didn’t accompany the second verse at all, and made it sound very… off. Utada also ran out of breath in the middle of an “UHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH” part. At the last chorus, she sounded like she was in pain and dying. Make it stop!! “Be My Last” is one of those types of songs (like “Fergalicious”) that should NEVER be performed live.
Dareka no Negai ga Kanau Koro, COLORS
“Dareka no Negai ga Kanau Koro” is one of those “Why is there so much pain in the world?” songs. The screen shows scenes of suffering around the world - an atomic bomb explosion, a starving beggar, children in Africa, war etc…This completely brings down the mood of the concert, and it never really seems to recover. Although it was a pretty good performance, it is easy to see that Hikki has tired herself out and goes off-key for a few of the high notes, and struggled to hit some of the lower notes. Her voice also seems to be wearing a bit thin. Again, at the end, she seems to be in tears. The most destroyed song on the tour - “COLORS”, is next. Stripping it of its experimental pop edge, it is presented as a ballad. Here, Hikki’s voice cracks a bit. Afterwards, Utada chats a bit with the audience.
Can You Keep A Secret, Addicted To You, Wait & See etc.
When “Can You Keep A Secret?” started, my heart broke a little. The first part of the song was sang like a ballad. Then the lights switched from blue to green, and the familiar beats of the song came back. This was a gigantic improvement over the ballads she just sang. She then sings “Addicted To You” and “Wait & See ~RISK~”. Nothing spectacular there, although she did sing the ending of “Addicted To You” in a higher octave, which sounded horrible. Afterwards, she talked with the audience a bit more. Nothing special from “Letters”, although she did sing at a higher octave at the end again. “Keep Tryin’” was bad; it sounded like an 8 year-old girl trying to sing. Her voice was very worn out, and she needed a rest before she continued with the concert.
Automatic, Hikari
The encore came with performances of “Automatic” and “Hikari”. Hikki’s voice seemed much more relaxed during “Automatic”. She moved around a lot more, and as she was wearing a much simpler costume than before, more natural too. “Hikari” as the last song surprised me, as it seemed so much like an opening (and it was for the last Utada tour). Towards the end, confetti fell and Utada kept singing “la la la…” to the rhythm, but it sounded like an 8 year-old again.
What started as such a promising tour ended with the worst vocals I have ever heard Hikki sing with. The 2 hour long festivity was too much on Hikki’s vocals, and she should have considered a shorter one instead. Also, I expected more “Ultra Blue” songs, as this tour was supposed to be for support for that album. Overall, not the best work of hers ever.
Rating: 
Tracklist:
- OPENING
- Passion
- This Is Love
- traveling
- Movin’ on without you
- Sakura DROPS
- FINAL DISTANCE
- First Love
- Devil Inside *Utada
- Kremlin Dusk *Utada
- You Make Me Want To Be A Man *Utada
- Be My Last
- Dareka no Negai ga Kanau Koro
- COLORS
- Can You Keep A Secret?
- Addicted To You
- Wait & See ~RISK~
- Letters
- Keep Tryin’
- Automatic
- Hikari
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65 responses so far ↓
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tiggles
// Jul 3, 2008 at 5:56 am
Her live performance of the Exodus songs were great I thought. Although I don’t particularly like the originals I thought her vocals and the deep bass in the background did it for me.
InRi // Jun 28, 2008 at 11:19 pm
I’m super curious as to why there hasn’t been anything on Utada since this article. She’s released a number of singles and even a full blown NUMBER 1 Selling Japanese Album (Actually the highest selling Female Album of the Year so far and the NUMBER 4 Best Selling Album of the Year so far), not to mention an upcoming English Album.
Very frustrating, and being that this was the last Article on Utada, this was the only place for me to post this off topic message. (-_- )
RC // Jun 18, 2008 at 2:39 am
T_T
Utada Hikaru, is AMAZING in EVERY aspect when it comes to music.
chihikari
// Jun 1, 2008 at 8:13 am
this concert was what got me starting to like her!
lucky_c // May 7, 2008 at 4:48 pm
I find it a little funny that people are complaining about your review. Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion, right?
However, I read somewhere that Utada was allergic to the type of wood that they made the stage with or something? Which will most likely explain her voice during some of the songs. Also, there were a few costume changes, which might’ve made her tired? Idk.
This concert made me fall in love with a few of her songs, though. [This is Love, Moving on Without You, FINAL DISTANCE, and the original version of Be My Last. :D]
IR
// Apr 21, 2008 at 12:33 am
I’m rather surprised that nowhere on this site is anything typed up about Utada’s Brand New Album “HEART STATION”.
koji
// Apr 20, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Geez, the author of this review sure does complain a lot… Ambiguity, no?
vince
// Apr 1, 2008 at 3:57 am
Ah? for me Be my last is artistic only the cielo is the musical accompaniment and a solid vocal mezzo sopranist and amazing vibrato and melisma or hikki is a perfect match.
You make me want to be a man also surprises me. The sudden shift from kremlin dusk to you make me want to be a man enjoys me. specially the belt at the end of the song “you make me… you make… you make me want to be ah ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!” the principle of music is there. it lifts my mood depending on the song.
oh i said to much! ehe cheers!
Jie
// Mar 11, 2008 at 2:32 pm
I have watched all of her performance on youtube… All in all, the performances are great. I would give it a 4.5/5.
The main highlight of this concert would be the excellent stage and the magnificent stage lighting. The band was way too cool. Another highlight of the concert would be the unique music arrangement of some of her songs.
I do enjoy this review… However, I have to say that the reviewer is too harsh on certain aspects of the show, particularly on Hikki’s voice and the Exodus songs… The reviewers review on the Exodus songs sound a little bias… But I do like the review though as it doesn’t sound fanboyish…
It is true that Hikki’s vocals are not consistent here. There are some songs which she did very well, and some songs which she fared poorly, like Be my last.
I do feel that this concert could do better with an opening with more “oomph”.. The way she makes her appearance lacks the “oomph” which artistes like Madonna and Ayumi do… Nevertheless, Passion was a wonderful performance with its mixture of both the ballad and the original version.
Her follow up performances (This is Love up to First Love) are strong, especially after “remixing” the some of the songs… It gives them a different and fresh feeling…
In contrast to the review, I find the Exodus songs the best part of the show… Devil Inside sounded so cool, especially how it transits from a gothic feel to an energetic dance song. Kremlin Dusk (her best song from the album) was very good. I really love the lighting and the screen… It was cool… However, Hikki sounded like shouting into the microphone towards the end that the tune was kinda lost, so the performance could have been better. It was magnificent nevertheless due to the amount of energy exuded.
While I never really like YMMWTBAM, this concert made me liked it even more. I was surprised at how they can make such a mediocre song with an irritating beat into such a magnificent song that exudes so much energy. In fact, this is the best performance in the concert.
Be My Last wasn’t that great though, partly because it is stripped of all its instrument until all thats left is a cello… I think Hikki wants to show her bare emotions via this song… It would have been better if the original version were to be performed. Towards the end, she looked soooo weak and vulnerable, though I think it is intended.
Her vocals for Dareka aren’t really the best, but the performance was great due to the slideshow at the back. Colors shocked me…. I prefer the original, but this version ain’t too shabby either… It feels fresh, so I like it.. :)
CYKAS… while I never liked this song, I love it in the concert.. Maybe because it is placed after the ballads, so it lightens up the atmosphere…
Addicted to You up to Letters are quite good actually, but she does sound a little strained singing them… I wouldn’t call the keep tryin’ performance like an 8 year old girl… That would be better to describe an Ai Otsuka concert, but definitely not Hikki… She just sound extremely tired…
Haruka Tenou
// Jan 23, 2008 at 10:30 am
all i have to say, is that it doesnt matter what the japanese press says much, as we think over here in the states or in the western world (Australia included lol). Its obvious no matter how many people try to defend it that the begining of the tour was DA BOMB! but towards the end, with “be my last” I was actually disappointed. Simply beacuse her voice was cracking in some notes and i noticed she couldnt hit the notes she does in the album. BUT i also admit that if your singing for an x amount of HOURS your voice would get a little tired ALSO….BUT ALSO to suport my opinion, is that RIGHT AFTER be my last, she sung letters PERFECTLY! and once again the very song after that she sucked BADLY at ‘keep tryin’, why? Beacuse she simply put in too much into Letters, so one song she nails perfectly, the next suffers a little beacuse of it. Thats just what i noticed, id like to see if other plp think the same way as i do……Oooo!! wat about that new stuff wit ne-yo? hehe, kiss & cry +beautiful world single was real nice, so i hope her new material is even better! GO HIKKI!!!
IR
// Jan 21, 2008 at 4:16 am
Kate:
I love how you make your opinion out to be a widely accepted opinion of Japanese Media.
I just love it. But here’s reality for you. Just come in and state that’s what you think. That’s all good. Don’t come and try to make your opinion bigger than it actually is.
The fact is, you can’t be sure that others in the Japanese Press shared your opinion and pointed it out unless you actually came across a magazine/newspaper/TV Program that said so.
I would like to say that Utada is in no way “Poor Live” and she isn’t “Inconsistent” in her performances and she doesn’t write songs that you finds difficult to perform live.
These are all my opinions and I won’t grant them anymore warrant than I grant yours.
Anthony
// Jan 16, 2008 at 8:03 am
WOw this review was utter crap!
I enjoyed Utada United from the beginning to the end. Plus the Exodus songs were amazing.
Kate
// Dec 15, 2007 at 1:15 pm
You forget people, this person is a REVIEWER and entitled to their opinion? I’m sure that in the Japanese press there were many people who pointed that, why yes, Utada Hikaru is quite poor live and finds it difficult to maintain consistency in her performances. She writes songs that she finds difficult to perform live.
Having said that, the first half of this tour surprised me in a good way. I found the opening set quite well sung. I even like Devil Inside and some of the Exodus stuff.
In the end though, you have to admit, even if you’re a fan, that Hikki wasn’t at her best towards the end of the tour.
mincefan
// Nov 21, 2007 at 10:03 pm
I like the concert so much!=D She is just awesome…hay nako…talaga yung boses nya ang maganda!!!=} Plus I liked the begin of the concert it was THE BEST!
Waku
// Nov 21, 2007 at 12:05 am
I got 3 words for you
“GET OVER IT”
Jesus. You complain a lot about one of the greatest concerts ever.
I loved them all and the fact you get huffy over a few little things is a little ridiculous.
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