The Koda Kumi Rate: Part III, COMPLETE. See you in Q1 2020

Which short track / interlude deserved a full version?

  • Prologue to Dejavu

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Interlude to Dejavu

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Introduction ~JAPONESQUE~

    Votes: 3 33.3%

  • Interlude ~JAPONESQUE~

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Introduction ~Bon Voyage~

    Votes: 1 11.1%

  • Let's show tonight

    Votes: 2 22.2%

  • Interlude ~Bon Voyage~

    Votes: 3 33.3%
  • Total voters
    9
evilsin

evilsin

Hot, now, here, give it
One, strong, ow, hit it

I don't think you can handle it










hD0wI9e.gif

25a
SHOW ME YOUR HOLLA

Average: 8,04
Highest scorers: 10x3 (@Coming Century, @otenkiame, @Music Is Life), 9,5x1 (@me!)
Lowest scorers: 3x1 (@Eskiath), 5x1 (@Yeziirl)
My score: lookie above

5 voters: #4, 9,10 avg.
10 voters: #22, 7,85 avg.
15 voters: #22, 8,03 avg.
18 voters: #25, 8,04 avg.
​

Can you believe this was #4 at 5 voters? Madness how it fell. Written by Kumi and the Nervo sisters (you know the two) and produced by the twins, T-SK (BoA's "Hope") and Kim Tesung (SHINee's "Juliette", BoA's "Only One"), the track was one of the promotional ones for "Bon Voyage" and as such it received a music video. Despite its simplicity the video is mesmerizing and one of my favorite of hers. It was also basically an opening track, because "Bon Voyage" is still weird to me with its interludes. What was the point of making a separate introduction, when this starts with completely fine opening bells? Bizzare, really. The song is outstanding, as it has that Kumi feel to it that I talked about in "Winner Girls" elimination post. It just radiates this confident energy that is so right up Kumi's alley, so you would think that people who knew her all her life created this specifically for her. The sassy sax, the chutzpa of the verses and the stop-go motion of the chorus are all of the utmost brilliance. I won't deny, that there is a smidgen of... something, something that didn't let me give this a full score. Once again, I'm no quite sure what it is, but I certainly started out rating this with the intention of giving this a 10, but it didn't happen in the end. The song is about "boody shaking", what else?​

Show the way, all right let it go
Boody shake shake boody all night
Boody shake shake baby all right
Take me along, all right for universe
Boody shake shake boody all night
Boody shake shake baby all right
(c) @otenkiame

Modern day poet, no less.

@Eskiath (3) managed to mention "Christina" and "hate" in one comment, "Xtina realness! God I hate this (and the album)." Lemme page @BEST FICTION real quick.

While @Yeziirl (5) once again doesn't mince words, "it's just plain, like the whole album..." Completely wrong words at that.

@abael (7) noticed the introductory properties of the track, "It feels a bit redundant, sounds like a second introduction rather than an actual track."

I always forget that apparently @Cutlery (8) is a purist, "This was quite unexpected with the horns/ trumpets and all. A unique choice for an opener. The autotune is slightly annoying in the hook" It's practically non-existent though.

A rare comment from @Ana Raquel (9) proclaims that this one possesses the "BEST NAME FOR A SONG"

I wonder what happens when people in real life clap next to @Music Is Life (10), "WHAT an opener. Those handclaps and horns are everything! The confidence in her vocals really makes them shine. And the melody on the pre-chorus is perfect."

Finally someone hears what I'm hearing with this kind of music for Kumi! Take it away, @otenkiame (10), "Do not even get me started on how good this song is! It is absolute gold and a sound I wish she had made an entire album with. That old school vibe with all the brassy elements is orgasmic. The melodies are eargasmic as well, and Kuu's sassy and sexy vocals are the cherry on top. I don't even care how ridiculous the lyrics sound at times. WHAT AN OPENING."​

Kumi performed this during "Bon Voyage Tour", naturally, and during her 15th anniversary concerts "The Artist". The second one is performance art.
​

 
evilsin

evilsin

Ding dong, ding dong, ding ding ding dong yo












uTH9Ofj.gif

25b
No Man's Land

Average: 8,04
Highest scorers: 10x4 (@soratami, @Weslicious, @vague, @Music Is Life), 9,5x1 (@RUNAWAY)
Lowest scorers: 4x1 (@abael), 5,5x1 (@Yeziirl)
My score: 9

5 voters: #44, 7,20 avg.
10 voters: #42, 7,25 avg.
15 voters: #28, 7,88 avg.
18 voters: #25, 8,04 avg.
​

Looks like the cover section and the extra section are the only ones taking a break now, huh? Written by Kumi, Mr.Blistah, Pete Kirtley (quite a few Monrose songs), Jorge Mhondera (SHINee's "Burning Up!") and Samiya Berrabah (Amelle Berrabah's sister‽) and produced by the latter three, this was an album exclusive track on "JAPONESQUE", which, as the rest of this album, received a music video. There is something compelling about rock chick Kumi, don't you find? I mean Ayu had a bit of a upper hand in that department, but still. Speaking of Ayu, the ending guitar solo here is really reminiscent of her rock songs. I remember when the previews before the release of the album became available and everybody were going crazy about the chorus that we heard. Imagine the shock and awe when we got the full thing and heard those rap-infused verses, dddd. I mean, those aren't that bad, that just happen to require some getting used to. Other than that, this is brimming with memorable moments: the "no man's" chanty post-hook, the celestial melody of the chorus, the "getting closer to God" middle 8, the aforementioned guitar outro. Kumi is singing about escaping a relationship, but I guess with that chorus we can generalize it to the overall theme of "escaping":​

I've been running in circles round and around
A mysterious merry-go-round
I know that I can set myself free
From an inescapable area
No matter how much time passes
Woo woo
Welcome to no man's land
(c) @otenkiame

Or maybe she's singing about man-hating and her love for girls, we might never know.

The track confused @abael (4) with its inclusion of rap, it looks like, "Is it hard rock even when a track is this amorphous? More rock-ish, in the way this track is ok-ish."

Opposite of my own take on this, @Eskiath (6) found the chorus lacking, "It's just really beige. The verses sound cool but then it's like she can't be bothered and does a generic chrous."

Reading @otenkiame's (7,5) commentary you would think he would give this a point more, "A man-dragging rock number that I am always excited to hear! In addition to that, they added some disc-scratching effects to give it some distinguishing features. Kuu sounds so in her element here, so she gives flawless vocals over gritty guitars! A great gem."

@Cutlery (7,5) wanted the guitar to have more character, "The guitars are a little anonymous in this, but overall it makes a nice track to leave in the background" Where's Andreas Oberg or Miyavi when you need them... Oh my god, what have I done! Now I'm going to be eternally suffering until Miyavi records a song with Kuu.

@RUNAWAY (9,5) wanted to gush, "I love how many rock tracks she has on this album. That’s why it feels so cohesive, and helps make it one of her best albums as a whole. I wouldn’t be mad about an entire rock album if she ever did that." Ehm... isn't it only 2 tracks? Well, maybe "Poppin' love cocktail" is rock-adjacent. Anyhow, we'll never get a one-genre album from her, so we might just as well relax and enjoy the potpourri every time.

I get a feeling, that @Music Is Life (10) loves this track, "Love the opening with the guitar. And love how it’s a total rock banger! Love her vocals too!"​

This was performed live during "JAPONESQUE Tour", but I can't find any videos of it online, sadly. Thankfully, we have an official recording of it.
​
 
Music Is Life & Death

Music Is Life & Death

He/Him
evilsin said:
Hot, now, here, give it
One, strong, ow, hit it

I don't think you can handle it










hD0wI9e.gif

25a
SHOW ME YOUR HOLLA

Average: 8,04
Highest scorers: 10x3 (@Coming Century, @otenkiame, @Music Is Life), 9,5x1 (@me!)
Lowest scorers: 3x1 (@Eskiath), 5x1 (@Yeziirl)
My score: lookie above

5 voters: #4, 9,10 avg.
10 voters: #22, 7,85 avg.
15 voters: #22, 8,03 avg.
18 voters: #25, 8,04 avg.
​

Can you believe this was #4 at 5 voters? Madness how it fell. Written by Kumi and the Nervo sisters (you know the two) and produced by the twins, T-SK (BoA's "Hope") and Kim Tesung (SHINee's "Juliette", BoA's "Only One"), the track was one of the promotional ones for "Bon Voyage" and as such it received a music video. Despite its simplicity the video is mesmerizing and one of my favorite of hers. It was also basically an opening track, because "Bon Voyage" is still weird to me with its interludes. What was the point of making a separate introduction, when this starts with completely fine opening bells? Bizzare, really. The song is outstanding, as it has that Kumi feel to it that I talked about in "Winner Girls" elimination post. It just radiates this confident energy that is so right up Kumi's alley, so you would think that people who knew her all her life created this specifically for her. The sassy sax, the chutzpa of the verses and the stop-go motion of the chorus are all of the utmost brilliance. I won't deny, that there is a smidgen of... something, something that didn't let me give this a full score. Once again, I'm no quite sure what it is, but I certainly started out rating this with the intention of giving this a 10, but it didn't happen in the end. The song is about "boody shaking", what else?​

Show the way, all right let it go
Boody shake shake boody all night
Boody shake shake baby all right
Take me along, all right for universe
Boody shake shake boody all night
Boody shake shake baby all right
(c) @otenkiame

Modern day poet, no less.

@Eskiath (3) managed to mention "Christina" and "hate" in one comment, "Xtina realness! God I hate this (and the album)." Lemme page @BEST FICTION real quick.

While @Yeziirl (5) once again doesn't mince words, "it's just plain, like the whole album..." Completely wrong words at that.

@abael (7) noticed the introductory properties of the track, "It feels a bit redundant, sounds like a second introduction rather than an actual track."

I always forget that apparently @Cutlery (8) is a purist, "This was quite unexpected with the horns/ trumpets and all. A unique choice for an opener. The autotune is slightly annoying in the hook" It's practically non-existent though.

A rare comment from @Ana Raquel (9) proclaims that this one possesses the "BEST NAME FOR A SONG"

I wonder what happens when people in real life clap next to @Music Is Life (10), "WHAT an opener. Those handclaps and horns are everything! The confidence in her vocals really makes them shine. And the melody on the pre-chorus is perfect."

Finally someone hears what I'm hearing with this kind of music for Kumi! Take it away, @otenkiame (10), "Do not even get me started on how good this song is! It is absolute gold and a sound I wish she had made an entire album with. That old school vibe with all the brassy elements is orgasmic. The melodies are eargasmic as well, and Kuu's sassy and sexy vocals are the cherry on top. I don't even care how ridiculous the lyrics sound at times. WHAT AN OPENING."​

Kumi performed this during "Bon Voyage Tour", naturally, and during her 15th anniversary concerts "The Artist". The second one is performance art.
​
Click to expand...

I tend to be be clapping with them, or I'm enjoying the applause dddd. I don't know why I love handclaps in music so much but I do.
 
Last edited:
mi|kshake

mi|kshake

Just a wee post to say I've not been online "properly" in a while so am way behind on this thread but after a couple of shitty days at work tomorrow, I'm looking forward to settling down and reading it!
 
evilsin

evilsin

Music Is Life said:
I tend to be be clapping Ong with them, I enjoying the applause dddd. I don't know why I love handclaps in music so much but I do.
Click to expand...
I get you. It's like cowbell to me, I guess.
mi|kshake said:
Just a wee post to say I've not been online "properly" in a while so am way behind on this thread but after a couple of shitty days at work tomorrow, I'm looking forward to settling down and reading it!
Click to expand...
Woo-hoo! Hope you enjoy the write-ups.
Music Is Life said:
It's probably my 11 going next isn't it?
Click to expand...
Is it though?
Yeziirl said:
Oh no, poor inside... My preliminary score for that album is like 6.5 overall...
Click to expand...
Oh, 6,5 doesn't sound that bad all things considered.
 
RUNAWAY

RUNAWAY

Staff member
he/him
So, it’s been snowing here where I live for the past 4 days, so I took this opportunity to again dive into Winter of Love and holy shit, it stays amazing. On and On remains brilliant, and it honestly would be a perfect place to start if someone wants to try to stop being a ballad hater. Also, 2 of my 11s are also on this album, so it would be nice if they could find some new fans.

 
evilsin

evilsin

V.I.P., you and me, party getting dirty on me
V.I.P., you and me, got no, take it, feel weak














6vIxn5b.gif

24
V.I.P.

Average: 8,07
Highest scorers: 11x1 (@Osiris), 10x1 (@Ana Raquel), 9,5x3 (@Cutlery, @Music Is Life and @me!)
Lowest scorers: 1x1 (@Yeziirl), 5x1 (@Coming Century)
My score: lookie above

5 voters: #33, 7,60 avg.
10 voters: #37, 7,40 avg.
15 voters: #25, 7,95 avg.
18 voters: #24, 8,07 avg.
​

Dddd, not a song in Top25 getting a 1. Written by Kumi, the Jessica"Jessie J"Cornish, T-Pain (the album version) and Toby Gad and produced by the latter, the song was one of the 4 a-sides from the summer single "4 TIMES". Love it or hate it, but wow, what a moment. When this has just surfaced, I hated it wholeheartedly and was questioning who was the genius responsible for this atrocity. Thanks, Jessie. Then I listened to this for like 20 times and started wondering who was the genius responsible for this masterpeace. Thank, Jessie, dddd. No, really, this is trashy, but Kumi makes it work from start to finish. The minimalistic approach to verses, the saw-like synth for the pre-chorus, the beat-heavy chorus, the over-the-top ad-libs all throught, the Fort Minor sampling middle 8, the 5 seconds of T-Pain in the album version, the two lines about splashing water at a girl that somehow made it into the music video and provided us with a couple of unforgettable gifs - all of this is freaking ICONIQUE. And speaking of iconic lyrics, I present to you this:​

The lady there is so hungry-looking
Should I pour some water on her?
Even if they stare, pop it lock it
Don't stop it, ah...
Everybody in the club get, get
Everybody in the club get sexy
(c) @otenkiame

B3F8MZW.gif

qNkBoxI.gif
​

@Yeziirl (1) believes this is what we'll be hearing after we die, "that's how hell sounds like and T Pain is the satan lord there" What about the T-Painless version?

@abael (6) praises the producers, but not Kumi, "The production somehow has more direction than previous Japonesque tracks, unlike KK, who is all over the place here." I mean, I think she's doing the most as the track demands it.

I guess @otenkiame (6,5) rated the single version, "This electropop number is kinda trash to be honest. But I like it in some ways? Not too sure. I mean, Kuu is squealing left and right on this track, overdoing it to the max. But I like it in some ways? Let's just say I'm conflicted about this one. Not T-PAIN's "contribution" on the album version, though. His rap is rubbish and detracts rather than enhances." I think you should give it some more attention, it might grow on you.

I can't at @RUNAWAY (8,5) trying to call this "basic", "actually I’m not giving this a ten because it just doesn’t connect with me the way that IN THE AIR, Poppin’ love cocktail, and KO-SO-KO-SO do. It’s cute, but honestly, it’s kind of just a basic club song. There’s not really anything new here. Also, T-Pain’s feature is NOT GOOD. The solo version is better." Well, yeah, it does have some elements of a club banger, but I can't call this "basic" for the life of me.

@Eskiath (9) rememberes the classics, "I really loved the performance she did at MAMA 2011." Jesus, yes, she showed the whole Asia how it's done.

I should've provided @Music Is Life (9,5) with the single version, so that he gave this a 10, "So this is kinda amazing? I absolutely love it. Except for the rap, but it could be worse."

And finally @Cutlery (9,5) deconstracts everything that is good about this, "I love how her voice breaks in "Everybody in the club get SExy" plus a couple other lines. It's a hype track. The robotic vocoder vocals are amazing, as so are the moans, the unexpected strings, the descending trap melody. It gets you caught up bopping"

No word from our 11-giver, @Osiris, although I hope they'll come in and comment now that their favorite song of this Part is gone.​

Well, since the MAMA 2011 perfromance has already been mentioned, why not revisit it?


Haha, arigato, I'm out, holla!​
 
D

Deleted member 7462

evilsin said:
Speaking of, I wanted to ask y'all - why some of my elimination posts have fewer likes than the others? What is the prerequisite of you giving a post a like or not?
Click to expand...

I give you likes when you agree with me x

At that video above ^ have you noticed the scream she does during Bling Bling Bling? I think she messed that up cus I've seen other performances where she pulls it off perfectly and it sounds amazing.
 
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