❃ BoA - The Discography Rate (Part 2) ❃ - Final Stats

Oh, got it, thanks. I never think of arrangements when speaking of song production, especially since they are rarely done by people who differ from those who produced the music.
Interestingly enough, I think BoA’s Japanese discography in particular has a higher ratio of the producer and arranger being different.

It seems typical that it’s the same, or that the credits don’t make a huge distinction and that everyone who worked on the music is just listed as such. But maybe 50% by of some Avex BoA albums have songs where there producer and arranger are different.
 
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I can be your lady, you can be my baby
So don't keep me waiting
I wanna be touched, wanna be touched


Touched.png


7.426

Jumping BoAs: (10) @Kaz D'Oerba, @Slice of Life ; (9) @Attis, @soratami
Still BoAs: (0) @Monado ; (5.5) @Crisp X
Crispy's Score: 5.5


5 voters: #47 (average: 7.35)
10 voters: #35 (average: 7.775)
15 voters: #41 (average: 7.616)
17 voters: #44 (average: 7.426)

"Touched" is the 7th track from BoA, BoA's first English album, released on March 17, 2009 and the 9th track from the deluxe edition, released on August 31, 2009. It was written by
Christian Karlsson, Pontus Winnberg, Magnus Wallbert, Toby Gad and Arama Brown, composed and arranged by Bloodshy & Avant.


We now say goodbye to my last low score, and I don't seem to be the only one having gripes with this song as it even received a 0! What bugs me the most is that it doesn't really sound like BoA is singing the chorus. While I don't think we're in Britney Jean territory here, whatever is going on vocally does bother me to the point of taking me out of the whole thing. The beat isn't enough to redeem it either, so it's sadly a miss for me.



@M24 (6) — "It's probably among the closest thing to filler this album has. It's boppable, but very one-note."

@nanapop99 (6) — "Do we have a doppelgänger in our midst? Or is it a ghost singer? I can hear literally hear a Vanessa Hudgens impersonator all over the pre-chorus. Anywho, it's interesting to hear BoA sing something somewhat more sexy/grown. Just wished it was a better song."

@evilsin (8.5) — "Another Britney inspired bopperoo and no surprise considering this is a Bloodshy & Avant production. The vocal modulation is the obvious give away. Love the difference in the delivery in the chorus."

@Attis (9) — "Lowkey the highlight of this album but poor Boa her vocals is buried here"

@Kaz D'Oerba (10) — "the FUCKING BEAT on this song. It hooks me in and I can’t stop listening"







We're losing a Japanese single next...


sdfljasdfj why tf is this one getting a 0, it's an embodiment of trashy late 00s electro-boppery.
 
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Thanks everyone for your patience and for keeping the thread alive even though I haven't been able to in the past couple weeks. Being always scheduled for night shifts at this time of the year is sucking all the life out of me fff.

With that being said, today is a public holiday over here so now that I'm properly rested I'll be able to crank a couple eliminations tonight and keep it up for the following ones at least!

Two of you will lose your 11 this week-end...
 
he/him
Thanks everyone for your patience and for keeping the thread alive even though I haven't been able to in the past couple weeks. Being always scheduled for night shifts at this time of the year is sucking all the life out of me fff.

With that being said, today is a public holiday over here so now that I'm properly rested I'll be able to crank a couple eliminations tonight and keep it up for the following ones at least!

Two of you will lose your 11 this week-end...
Take your time bb, thanks again for taking time to host!
 
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Can't wait to tank it in the next part, I guess.
Did I read that right... tanking Kiss My Lips, in this economy?

sdfljasdfj why tf is this one getting a 0, it's an embodiment of trashy late 00s electro-boppery.
What if I told you the 0 giver in that case is the voter losing their 11 tonight?



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1/2

Ima sugu ni tsutaetai kokoro no door no kagi wa
Kono mune no naka ni mo aru
Me wo tojiru tada inoru tobira koshi ni hibiku kodou
Kimi ni todoku you ni
Just a key of heart


KEY-OF-HEART.gif


7.632

Jumping BoAs: (11) @Monado ; (10) @lalaclairi_, @RUNAWAY
Still BoAs: (5) @M24 ; (5.25) @askew
Crispy's Score: 7


5 voters: #26 (average: 8.25)
10 voters: #38 (average: 7.75)
15 voters: #36 (average: 7.83)
17 voters: #40 (average: 7.632)

"KEY OF HEART" is the 6th track from MADE IN TWENTY (20), BoA's fifth Japanese album, released on January 17, 2007. It was initially released as the album's 2nd single on August 9, 2006. It was used as the theme song for the Japanese dub of the movie Over The Hedge, released in 2006. It was written by Kenn Kato, composed and arranged by h-wonder.

This single saw BoA going for another throwback to her earlier bubblegumy days. In particular, it seems to share some DNA with "Atlantis Princess" to my ears, especially with that bright intro / post-chorus. I appreciate it when it comes on but it's never been one I consider to be good enough to revisit more than once in a while, as it leans a bit too much on the safe side.



@M24 (5) — "Probably among my least favorite japanese singles of this era. It's not a big pop number, but it's not ambitious musically speaking either. So it comes off like a "will this do?" safe single. It was probably successful anyway."

@nanapop99 (8.75) — "This is giving me major "Into the New World" vibes before Girls' Generation was even a thing. I love how hopeful and anthemic both songs are. It's one of those rare cases for me but I do think the Korean version is superior. And speaking of which, have y'all seen the music video where this one Super Junior member plays her love interest, dies in a car accident and turns into a robot? All that just for cellphone commercial? How random..." Wait I completely missed this! The music video for that Korean version isn't on YouTube but I'm posting it from another host below... let's just say it's quite a ride!






 
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Nooo!

I gave Key of Heart my 11 because this is my favorite kind of vintage BoA -- guitar-driven, twinkly upbeat bops like Atlantis Princess, Milky Way, Key of Heart, Easy to be Hard and The Love Bug.

Sad to see it go, though it will always have more heart in it than a certain collection of bargain bin Britney rejects! x
 
Did I read that right... tanking Kiss My Lips, in this economy?
Yes. It's an okay album for me, as I never heard anything that screams "masterpiece!" on it as many people do.

As I said a little earlier, "Nanairo no Ashita" is a lot better to me, than "KEY OF HEART". I'm pretty sure it was released about the time I started listening to BoA and I didn't enjoy it that much. It changed with time and I can appreciate it for what it is, but there are definitely better song than this in her discography and we can see it with these results. Glad its b-side "DOTCH" is still here though.
 
I guess this might be an unpopular opinion since it's still on the rate but how come BOPS like Brand New Beat and Key of Heart have been eliminated before that ready butterfly song?
 
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2/2


BECAUSE I JUST WANT YOU, WANT YOU
Kokoro atsuku sawagidasu chijimaranai kyori modokashii yo
Motto motto amai wana shikakeraretai
Kono negai FEELIN' FEELIN' THE SOUND OF LOVE
Hibikasetai


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7.632

Jumping BoAs: (10) @evilsin ; (9.5) @RUNAWAY
Still BoAs: (5.5) @Monado ; (6.5) @odyism, @mi|kshake, @Kaz D'Oerba
Crispy's Score: 8.5


5 voters: #28 (average: 8.15)
10 voters: #34 (average: 7.825)
15 voters: #41 (average: 7.616)
17 voters: #40 (average: 7.632)

"Prayer" is the 11th track from MADE IN TWENTY (20), BoA's fifth Japanese album, released on January 17, 2007. It was written by Ryoji Sonoda, composed by JUNKOO and Takuya Harada and arranged by AKIRA.

Aw over the years, this has become one of my favorite deep cuts from the middle part of her career. Before I go more into details about my thoughts, I want to mention that the main beat sounds so similar to a song by a Western pop girl (is it Nelly Furtado?) but my brain isn't cooperating! This feels like a precursor to the electropop fest of her English album sonically, except it has that dark bluesy tinge about it. That way, it even gives me villain theme in a superhero or animated movie vibes, if that makes sense to someone else fff. The chorus also throws a curveball at the listener with its atypical chord progression. The rendition below manages to give the original a different flavor by switching the electropop background for a jazzier feel that sounds even more "villain" to my ears. A delight!



@nanapop99 (7) — "She did a performance of this song during her X'mas concert in 2010 and it sounds so much better. The live arrangement brings so much life to this track. I'm also getting some cabaret/burlesque vibes from it. They can get rid of that random man's singing though." Oh I can hear the cabaret/burlesque in this now that you mention it. It feels tailor made for that type of performance.

@M24
(8) — "I thought this was gonna be a ballad by the title of the song! BoA always keeps you guessing like that XD I quite like it, it reminds me of the sound she explored in Girls on Top. I'd give it an 8.75, but I gave that score already to Revolution Code, which I think I enjoy more than this one."

@RUNAWAY (9.5) — "Just from the title you’d expect another ballad, but it’s refreshing that it’s a seksi bop instead!"








It's time for THE FACE to suffer a little bit...
 
The beat really does give a bit of "Maneater". Truly a hidden gem, I adore that chorus with all of my heart. The melody just lays in so nicely. And the sinister vibe only adds to the already amazing track.
 
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1/2


Aishiatte tsutaeatte
Motto soba de kanjitai no
LOVE LETTERS from my heart LOVE LETTERS for your smile
Uchiagetai kono omoi wo


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7.691

Jumping BoAs: (10) @RUNAWAY, @nanapop99, @evilsin ; (9.5) @Slice of Life
Still BoAs: (4.5) @M24 ; (5.5) @clowezra
Crispy's Score: 6.5


5 voters: #34 (average: 7.75)
10 voters: #31 (average: 7.9)
15 voters: #38 (average: 7.8)
17 voters: #38 (average: 7.691)

"LOVE LETTER" is the 9th track from THE FACE, BoA's sixth Japanese album, released on February 27, 2008. It was initially released as the album's 2nd single on September 26, 2007. It was co-written by BoA and Natsumi Watanabe, composed by Yoko Kuzuya and arranged by YANAGIMAN. It peaked at #3 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.

Another single departs tonight, which is going to become more frequent as we get closer to the end. This time, it's one that I find pleasant as it ticks all the J-Pop ballad boxes but that I've never been much more fond of. I'd compare it to the recently eliminated "My Way, Your Way", in the sense that, putting it into the context of its time of release, I tend to have some nostalgia for that kind of semi ballad. I do prefer the former though.



@M24 (4.5) — "This single sounds like it deserves to be in the Made in Twenty album dddd. It's too long, with a monotonous production, and the chorus alone isn't strong enough to carry the whole song on its shoulders. The Greatest version rearrangement sounds nicer with the strings, but ultimately it can't improve the song that much. I know it sounds like I hate it, but I'm actually just neutral."

@Kaz D'Oerba (8) — "lovely little ballad"

@nanapop99 (10) — "The way this song always brings so much joy to me! And it's funny because I used to hate that song when I first heard it but somehow, someway, it became an all time favorite of mine ever since I watched her X'mas concert from 2018. She definitely cured my depression."








Another 11 leaves next, the last one for a while...
 
Prayer always felt like BoA take on a Maneater by Nelly Furtado or SOS by Rihanna.
The sound fits like a glove, and feels like a quintessential album cut song that could be on any of her k-pop albums. I like it well enough, but it never stood out to me as a top favorite.
In the context of the album and this selection of songs from the rate, its one of the highlights. But in the context of all of BoA's music ever, it feels a little bit less special.

Love Letter to me is a well made song, but by the time it came out I was at my limit for BoA ballad singles. But despite that it doesn't feel like it's trying to recreate the success of Merikuri winter balladry (something about Everlasting and Winter Love feel like they are *really* trying to continue the winter ballad success). Anyway I think this ballad single has aged well, and fit really well with BoA's voice in recent years. I think that 2018 performance is a testament to the overall vocal arrangement just fits BoA's adult voice like a glove. And I'd say the live rendition is actually more preferably and a bit less nasal, has a hint more grit, than the studio rendition.
 
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2/2


GET UP ! STAND UP ! Maiagare
BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS kanaeru made
Kirameku toki no naka
Taoyaka ni saki hokore...
GET UP ! STAND UP ! Tsuyoku nare


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7.691

Jumping BoAs: (11) @Kaz D'Oerba ; (10) @RUNAWAY, @Ana Raquel, @Attis
Still BoAs: (4) @clowezra ; (5.25) @askew
Crispy's Score: 6.5


5 voters: #31 (average: 7.8)
10 voters: #18 (average: 8.3)
15 voters: #31 (average: 7.933)
17 voters: #38 (average: 7.691)

"Beautiful Flowers" is the 14th track from THE FACE, BoA's sixth Japanese album, released on February 27, 2008. It was initially released as a B-side to the album's 2nd single "LOVE LETTER", released on September 26, 2007. It was also chosen by the Yokohama BayStars, a baseball team in Japan's Central League, as the team's official theme song. It was written by Shoko Fujibayashi, composed and arranged by h-wonder.

Oh I'm quickly about to hide due to my relatively low score compared to many of you nn. As a penultimate track, this serves as an instant re-energizer as it instantly has that anime sounding pep about it. It's very bright, colorful, and sounds victorious. The busy instrumentation also hits you in the face right away and doesn't let up for one second. To be honest, it gets little much for me, which is why I'm giving it more of a mid score. I do like the hook and the bridge a lot, the latter going in a different, almost French house-like vibe for a moment before reverting back to the sugary main course. The elements are there, but the whole thing seems overstuffed, giving me ear fatigue if I listen to it twice in a row.



@nanapop99 (6.5) — "Similar to Diamond Heart, this is another average cheerful dance-pop track. You can tell that they tried to replicate the excellence of Aggressive and failed to do so."

@M24 (8.5) — "Such a lovely, 80s-influenced song! I wish she had more songs in this vein!"

@Attis (10) — "Major boppery"

@Kaz D'Oerba (11) — "This is easily my favourite BoA song from this set (and my second favourite overall from her). I know that it isn’t anything special in particular, but it’s such a feel good and motivating song to me. When I first moved abroad and discovered this song, it gave me such a feeling of hope and motivation for what the future had in store for me, and to this day gives me that same feeling."







It's been a while since one of the Extras was eliminated...
 

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