[ORICON] - Utagoe

Subject: Re: [ORICON] - Utagoe Wed May 06, 2009 2:51 pm

sensoboogie wrote:

Quote:

it's strange/sad to see that Eriko didn't have a successful career as a solo singer but yet manages to be quite successful as a member of SPEED. Which makes me wonder if Eriko will still have her chances to release solo material given the not-so-good amount of sales she had for 'Utagoe'.

I guess visibility does play a huge role. SPEED reuniting definitely gave her a boost, but I also wonder that if this release under-performs, whether Avex will stop promoting her solo stuff. Maybe it depends on if and when the other members put out solo stuff and how well they do? There's talks of Hiroko putting out new stuff (yay! coco d'or returns!), but I'm not sure about Takako and Hitoe.

Quote:

I somehow could understand why this album does not sell so well... Utagoe does lack some commercial elements to attract audience, and most of the songs have similar instruments as backgrounds.

I totally agree with this. While Eriko is undoubtedly a talented performer and song writer, Utagoe isn't exactly on the cutting edge of pop music. Which is totally fine, Eriko should do the music she wants to do. Maybe it all goes back to visibility...I wonder why VF didn't have her promoting on any of the music shows?

I want that Takako & Hitoe will release solo stuff! I really hope that will happen.

About Eriko's in music shows, I wonder exactly the same...VF no did a great promo for her because they should promote her in Music shows after her long hiatus as major artist.

EDIT:

Yurikago PV is #64 today in Recochoku Movie Ranking

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Subject: Re: [ORICON] - Utagoe Thu May 07, 2009 12:31 am

the lack of promotion and TV show is the reason.
it's like what ayumi's latest album too without any TV performance and TV show, it sold less than any previous album.. so far it sold only 350,000 copies, compared by her latest album before NEXT LEVEL which is sold 568K.

and i guess because her music is not as good as SPEED is. hiromasa is very talentedd songwriter. I dont say Eriko isnt talented songwrite. just the song quite hard to be accepted by japanese ppl, IMO

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Subject: Re: [ORICON] - Utagoe Thu May 07, 2009 1:14 am

Given past statistics, I wouldn't be surprised if Hiroko did better than Eriko when 'Coco d'Or 3' comes out.

I seriously doubt Takako and Hitoe will continue to release new stuff, but probably as the 'Otome Gokoro' duo.

As for Eriko not appearing on TV music shows to perform, I guess it's because of her decline in popularity. Unless she gets herself a hit, I doubt she'll be able to perform on TV music shows.

I got my CD: Production is cheap, I think Neverland had a better packaging and art direction than Utagoe. There's no pictures of Eriko herself besides the album cover.
At least the DVD makes up for it, even though some PVs also looked as if they're also cheaply produced.

ETA: Did anyone noticed that one of the volleyball players pointed a middle finger during the PV for 'we can go'? Is that suppose to be a sign language, lol.

Subject: Re: [ORICON] - Utagoe Thu May 07, 2009 5:26 am

key reason is lack of promo

Honestly I havnt seen any CM of any sorts, cant expect that high when there is no promo

Subject: Re: [ORICON] - Utagoe Thu May 07, 2009 5:50 am

Quote:

As for Eriko not appearing on TV music shows to perform, I guess it's because of her decline in popularity. Unless she gets herself a hit, I doubt she'll be able to perform on TV music shows.

Talk about the chicken or the egg. You know what I mean? How will she get promoted without popularity? But how will she gain popularity without promotion? It all fascinates me for some reason.

It's a shame that the production values for the album aren't up to par.

Subject: Re: [ORICON] - Utagoe Thu May 07, 2009 1:05 pm

Honestly, I think she promoted her book even more than the album, in terms of tv/magazine appearances.

Which makes me wonder, did she choose not to promote it as a pop album? I think Utagoe is a very personal CD. A continuity of Neverland. Everything still sounds simple and clean-- not exactly an album full of hits. I think it's her stylistic choice, so I really don't think she'll be disappointed at the CD sales.

For us, we'll have to respect this choice and focus on her music instead of packaging. Instead of thinking the PVs as promotional videos, think of it as a visual aid to understand her songs, which is why they don't look big-budget. True, she's not the best singer/songwriter, but she's clearly improving, and she's doing this for herself instead of for popularity.

Subject: Re: [ORICON] - Utagoe Thu May 07, 2009 1:31 pm

stmo63100 wrote:

Honestly, I think she promoted her book even more than the album, in terms of tv/magazine appearances.

Which makes me wonder, did she choose not to promote it as a pop album? I think Utagoe is a very personal CD. A continuity of Neverland. Everything still sounds simple and clean-- not exactly an album full of hits. I think it's her stylistic choice, so I really don't think she'll be disappointed at the CD sales.

For us, we'll have to respect this choice and focus on her music instead of packaging. Instead of thinking the PVs as promotional videos, think of it as a visual aid to understand her songs, which is why they don't look big-budget. True, she's not the best singer/songwriter, but she's clearly improving, and she's doing this for herself instead of for popularity.

couldnt agree more. we know her style; that is not doing something pop-ish ever since getting married or maybe since she founded her own journey in music industry. *hmm

that's right, packaging is not so important compared to the content of a product, if you get what i mean. the whole album gave me a very heartwarming feeling, like i couldn't find it in any other singer/artist anymore.

everyone is going for mainstream (ppl tends to forget the importance of one product's content but only, the sales / $$$$$) and in fact, we know elly's songs are not mainstream. that is why the album affected the sales. well, to me, I don't know how to explain, i think, its all about the heart to produce songs.

utagoe is not a complete perfect album, but i would give it A-

: ))

cheers

Subject: Re: [ORICON] - Utagoe Thu May 07, 2009 3:58 pm

Utagoe is #10 in M-ON! Album countdown 50

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Subject: Re: [ORICON] - Utagoe Thu May 07, 2009 4:36 pm

Could someone give me a run-down of the DVD, please? Is there any footage from her previous lives?

Subject: Re: [ORICON] - Utagoe Fri May 08, 2009 3:08 am

I find Utagoe a rather "life"(as in a more personal, not a commercial type of album) album. Which has got nothing appealing to major comsumer.

Therefore i think it is hard to have great sales.

Subject: Re: [ORICON] - Utagoe Sat May 09, 2009 12:12 am

I agree with all of u, its more of a "personal" album than a pop album. The songs are more on the personal side.

Happy, sad, joyful, encouraging are the words i give for this album, the PVs are also done well.

When i first got my CD + DVD, i browsed through the DVD, i must say i was quite contented with them, esp 1 song called A Li Ta(If its right), on track 8. Its a song i have never heard Eriko sing, gives me a fresh look on your voice. An unique song i will say.

Awaiting SPD release, ya!!!

Subject: Re: [ORICON] - Utagoe Sat May 09, 2009 12:38 am

^ you mean Aida? That's a cover song btw.

Subject: Re: [ORICON] - Utagoe Sat May 09, 2009 2:02 am

Aida is a good song! Can someone tell us more about the cover? It makes me think of Aida, the musical/opera, which is a classic love story itself...

Sorry for being off-topic (again)/// Embarassed

Subject: Re: [ORICON] - Utagoe Sat May 09, 2009 12:49 pm

アイダ (Aida)

Cover of Hitonari Tsuji. That's all we know so far. Haven't heard the original yet.

Subject: Re: [ORICON] - Utagoe Sat May 09, 2009 7:32 pm

Just found a link to Eriko Imai's アイダ on youtube, enjoy!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIp7yMSH5uY