Ami Suzuki – Snow Ring February 3, 2013

Track Listing

1. Snow Ring
2. Shining
3. Last Birthday
4. Future
5. CAN’T GET YOU OUT OF MY HEAD
6. Snow Ring club remix [Sunset In Ibiza Remix]
7. BE TOGETHER [Shohei Matsumoto EDM Remix]

1. Snow Ring

Yay a new release from Ami, shall we check it out?  Opening the mini-album is the track that’s being currently promoted (though no PV?).  Snow Ring harkens back to songs like “Negaigoto” and “Crystal” with it’s slow paced wintryness.  It’s still really nice to hear Ami singing and she has a pretty tone except for some of the higher notes in the track.  It’s not bad but for someone who has been doing Electronic music, this was a bit unexpected no?

2. Shining

If “Snow Ring” was to represent the those great winter A-sides, then Shining is definitely more representive of the boring B-side from the “Little Crystal” single because this song is just bland and FORGETFUL!  I can say that I approve of the little funky guitar riff and synth blips as well…but I can’t remember this song for the life of me.

3. Last Birthday

Supposedly this song was known in the past as she performed this tune before.  If things couldn’t get more slower, it just did with this track because I’m even more bored of this song than I was with “Shining”.  Very simplistic and while it has technically been a while since Ami released a ballad, this was just a bit too to the books.

4. Future

I can’t believe that Ami shoved Future onto the mini-album.  If you didn’t know, this song was originally a digital single and then was found on the iTunes release of “Ami Selection” which was a while back!  It’s kind of funny that this is the fastest song of the first four tracks and I actually do enjoy this track because it’s kind of like a nod to her past because in some ways it reminds me of “love the island” (but without the shouting).  Plus I get Katamari vibes from this song…don’t ask me why XD

5. CAN’T GET YOU OUT OF MY HEAD

Another questionable addition to the mini-album, we get a cover of Kylie Minogue’s big hit!  Though this too was previously released back in 2010, so seeing it here and the way it is is rather jarring.  Ami’s take keeps the electronic vibes going which is way it felt awkward coming after “Future” and all.  The arrangement is heavier and I like that Ami tries to keep the sexiness there, but the Engrish is at a low point here >.<.  It’s like she’s drunk here hahah.  I liked the effort, but this could’ve been handled better (or just left off).

6. Snow Ring club remix [Sunset In Ibiza Remix]

Moving onto the the two remixes, the first is for Snow Ring and that’s a bit strange turning a ballad into an electro club mix.  After the long intro, I feel the remix keeps the song wintry, but Ami mixed with the arrangement is a bit shoddy at various parts…but it’s still kind of nice in its own way.

7. BE TOGETHER [Shohei Matsumoto EDM Remix]

The final track of the mini is funnily a new remix for BE TOGETHER (which is still her best-selling single).  I’ve found myself interested in Shohei’s remixes and his edit for this track is surprisingly catchy and makes the song perfect for a rave/dance party.  It’s just a lot of great stuff going on and ranks s the best off this goddamn disc.

I mean minus the best album the last original thing she released was back in 2009 and it’s really disappointing that she came back with such a poor mini-album.  I mean Snow Ring (the song) isn’t terrible but its remix, Shining, and Last Birthday are just tragic for Ami since she’s not built for ballads TBH.  Future is probably the exception because it’s not bone-dry and forgetful.  Of course BE TOGETHER’s new remix sounds pretty good since it is Shohei XD.  This was just so disappointing for me…I hope sh gets back into electro STAT!

Ami Suzuki – KISS KISS KISS/aishiteru… October 28, 2009

Track Listing

1. KISS KISS KISS (Japanese Version)
2. aishiteru…
3. KISS KISS KISS (Extended Japanese Version)
4. KISS KISS KISS (Extended English Version)
5. aishiteru… (extended)

1. KISS KISS KISS (Japanese Version)

While it’s a cover from The Ananda Project, KISS KISS KISS was translated over into Ami’s tongue and while it’s still pretty club-like there’s something about it that’s classy and in a good way.  I do think the chorus is way too repetitive for my tastes (coming from someone who loves “Chocolate Disco”.  I do however think it’s more stable as a song than “Reincarnation”.  I’m pretty sure I’ll come to enjoy it fully eventually, but right now it’s just average to me.

2. aishiteru…

Thank god for the B-side.  aishiteru… sounds like something Madonna would’ve released on her “Confessions of a Dance Floor” album it’s just that the synths used here are just that familiar to me in that way.  I’m just ecstatic that we finally get something that’s really exciting and easy to dance with.  She does do a little bit of that yelling in the chorus, but it’s not as forced like “climb up to the top”.  I’m happy with this track for sure.

3. KISS KISS KISS (Extended Japanese Version)

Adding about 2 minutes of instrumentation.  Basically it’s just a club edit.  The additional minutes don’t really phase me in anyway, it’s just amazingly longer.  I’m still peeved at how the song can get really annoying because of the whole ~kiss kiss kiss~ thing that keeps repeating itself.  The verses though are still really nice though, I guess it’s a love/hate relationship I have for this tune.

4. KISS KISS KISS (Extended English Version)

This was the first song we listeners actually got to hear since it was released earlier in the summer on the HOUSE NATION album “Aquamarine”.  It’s more of a cover of the original because it’s set in full English.  Sadly, that’s where things get bad.  Ami’s English is pretty bad in this version of the song and I barely understood her.  Still, apply same previous things in the last track and I basically feel the same way besides the Engrishyness.

5. aishiteru… (extended)

Adding a minute to the original, the extended version of Aishiteru… is also treated as a club mix because of it’s long opening.  I don’t mind the extension really, but was it really needed to begin with.  It just seems like it was a last minute plan (like how the single was changed to a double a-side a few days before release).  I don’t know, but I’m not really interested in an extension plz.

 

 

It’s cool that she went with Tomoyuki Tanaka for this single because it actually worked for her this time.  Unlike “Reincarnation” scream-a-thon, KISS KISS KISS brought back the more classy side of Ami and I sort of like it if wasn’t for the whole repetitive phase of the title, which is starting to become the next “Ai no Uta” jeeze no more of these same titled tracks plz!  Aishiteru… was a surprise for me because it was better than everything else she released this era so far. 

Ami Suzuki – Potential Breakup Song May 10, 2009

Track Listing

1. Potential Breakup Song
2. feel the beat
3. Potential Breakup Song (Sugiurumn Remix)
4. Potential Breakup Song (Instrumental)

1. Potential Breakup Song

Well, well, well…what do we have here?  Ami Suzuki earlier in the avex days did cover some other disney tracks….(lemme tell you, they were a bit embarassing).  Anyway, I really question whoever decided to let Ami cover Aly & A.J.’s biggest song because it came out of left field for many people who followed Amigo for a long time (me).  Now unlike the sisters pop/rock lovefest, Ami’s is definitly more chill and flowed really well altogether.  The sisters were featured in the song as minor backups and it suited with Ami’s more sultry vocals here.  The only real problem I had was with her thin vocals when she was singing ~This is the potential breakup song~ area.  Still this was way better than the sis’s version for sure.

2. feel the beat

I was expecting something really hardcore from the B-side, but what I got was a borefest, an 8-minute borefest.  I mean don’t get me wrong Sugiurumn did make the song very club-heavy, but what he/they? forgot was the lyrical sense of the song.  I mean all of the song it’s Ami saying ~i feel the music, i feel the sound, i feel the beat, beat, be-be-beat~.  I mean that doesn’t exactly fill the song up right if you ask me.  The arrangement doesn’t change much except when it restarts midway…Still, the chorus (if that’s what it is) is the best part because the ahhh-ing in the background was so eerie and cool.  The album version is still better.

3. Potential Breakup Song (Sugiurumn Remix)

Wait, wasn’t Sugiurumn making the last track, so why would he want to remix his own track?  WTF!  Anyways, it’s definitly long also passing 8 minutes…I actually liked this remix because it’s more completed in a sense.  I like how it starts up with it’s calm guitar thing.  It seems like Ami’s singing has slowed down a bit for the remix which kind of sucks, but whatever, it sounds they made this remix more ethereal, but with added club beats. 

 

 

*phew* I’m so finished with Ami’s discography!!!!  Anyway, Potential Breakup Song was a very surprising cover and very soon I might add.  I actually liked the more house version of Ami’s and even though feel the beat gets shortened for the album release it can be good if you don’t mind long songs.  The remix was actually pretty awesome and it was the only remix of the era so I can’t say much beyond that xD

Ami Suzuki – FREE FREE/SUPER MUSIC MAKER April 30, 2009

Track Listing

1. FREE FREE
2. SUPER MUSIC MAKER
3. FREE FREE (extended mix)
4. SUPER MUSIC MAKER (radio edit)

1. FREE FREE

Before this, I’ve never heard of Yasutaka Nakata or even anything J-tek actually the closest thing to J-tek was “AROUND THE WORLD” and Nami Tamaki’s music.  Now since I was in the air after the “CONNETTA” album to which I was losing faith with Ami, she totally got sexed and won me over the summer of 07 with “FREE FREE”.  It’s a meteroic barrage of synth and vocoder from Nakata.  Now at that time I also didn’t know what the hell a vocoder is and even how to describe the song at the time, so hearing this blew my mind for sure.  Even though it isn’t the first time she’s been under it, I felt her voice just suited this equipment perfectly.  The first part came as ~I believe you set me free~  Then Ami’s vocals were oozing, even though the verse was muffled lol, but when she blazed through the bridge I was like SHE”S FUCKIN BACK!!!  Amazing J-tek track and Nakata should be really happy with the results of the song.

2. SUPER MUSIC MAKER

The other A-side, SUPER MUSIC MAKER was a lot more complex of a song then “FREE FREE” which in cases like this, it’s pretty cool because the song is full of interesting sounds and rhythms.  This time Ami is singing at a normal register and and I hear what she’s saying, sadly the song is a little bit messy within the synths, it’s like overload the song with synths.  Is it bad that I consider the remix on “can’t stop the DISCO” than to the original? 

3. FREE FREE (extended mix)

So what’s better than FREE FREE?  An extended version of said song.  Now just like the last track, it starts out with a simple beat before leading in the amazing track that is it.  I thought the extension was really awesome and hearing the different spots again was cool.  I found it cool that they moved the male backup to the start and the guitar screech was more prominent.  It could be too long for some people, but to me, this is a great track long or not.

4. SUPER MUSIC MAKER (radio edit)

So the opposite happens with the final track off the single.  I’m not surprised since the ending was just so long and boring.  I was happy to see this getting shortened and such.  I still find it funny that it sounds like m.o.v.e’s “SYSTEMATIC FANTASY” which came out a little bit earlier than this song.  I thought it was a smart idea to have it been included in “DOLCE”

 

 

This single basically kickstarted Ami’s career again.  Both songs are great J-tek tracks and for this, it’s easily one of my favorite Ami singles of all time.  I honestly don’t see anything wrong, maybe the extensions were a bit too drawn out, but this was an amazing single.

Ami Suzuki – Soremo Kitto Shiawase April 3, 2009

Track Listing

1. Soremo Kitto Shiawase
2. Soremo Kitto Shiawase (Basic Session Version)
3. Narration Drama 「join」 #3 ～the day after～

1. Soremo Kitto Shiawase

Ami “joins” Kirinji for the final A-side of the era with the ballad of the three.  It’s actually quite nice for a ballad since she’s been hit and miss throughout her career in avex.  It’s like later track “Bitter…” but without the dance beats to back it up.  I kind of like the pop arrangement and the small electric guitar moments to back it up.  6 minutes though?  A ballad shouldn’t really strive to go that long, but this song is dreamy.  Even Kirinji is heard doing a little bit of BKGD vocals.

2. Soremo Kitto Shiawase (Basic Session Version)

Or what it should be called, the acoustic version.  Taking out the ethereal stuff and the moving strings, all it is is Keyboard, Drums, and Guitar.  There’s a bit less going on and actually sounds just as well as the main version if not more appropriately written.  Finally a good “remix” to one of these singles.

3. Narration Drama 「join」 #3 ～the day after～

I have no idea where the setting is….I think it’s a train station because it stops and you hear footsteps.  Now, once again the topic is unknown to me, so I can’t help you out there but seriously translations please!!!!!!

 

 

Ami finally finishes up the “CONNETTA” era with a pretty good release.  Both of the songs really sound nice and even though the length is a bit long for a ballad Ami sounds quite nice with Kirinji.  I deem this the best of the 3 singles just for having 2 good tracks.  Now I wish she didn’t embark in this project because honestly, too many singles occupy “CONNETTA” and what happened was well…4 new tracks…pretty low standard IMO.  Oh yea BTW, this sold the most outta the 3 singles.

Ami Suzuki – Peace Otodoke!!♥

Track Listing

1. Peace Otodoke!!♥
2. Peace Otodoke!!♥ ~Natsu no Shounen Campaign Set ver.~
3. Narration Drama 「join」 #2 ～the day before～

1. Peace Otodoke!!♥

Well, luckily Ami chose a good group to collaborate with.  THC!! has to be one of those fun bands to just perform with and Peace Otodoke!!♥ fits that bill perfectly.  I remember how everyone was just so happy and giddy during the PV.  Then again the song feels like a summer anthem which we already have like two of “Like a Love?” and “Alright!”.  The male lead in the song has a lot of energy in his vocals and so does Ami, except her English failed again here as well.

2. Peace Otodoke!!♥ ~Natsu no Shounen Campaign Set ver.~

We also get a remix of the track and seriously what’s up with the strange random sound of brass replacing the rock sounds.  I’m not sure why, but this song just felt empty and once again showed a lot of problems.  The saxes are nice, but they detracted the emotional value of the song altogether.  Still better than “O.K. Funky God’s” remix.  Yeesh…even weird the male lead gets a few extra lines not seen in the main track.

3. Narration Drama 「join」 #2 ～the day before～

Instead of rain filling the background we hear waves crashing and Ami narrating (oh, ok) and breathing and running before answering her cell phone.  Now that’s all I know from this, but I still don’t know what the hell they are talking about.  Seriously???

 

 

Ami’s 2nd “joins” single is just like the first single.  I liked this one a bit more than “O.K. Funky God”.  I mean this is the only song of the three singles that’s active on my iPod.  Shows you guys how much this era/project sucks.  Now the remix was a smidge better than the last remix though and that’s not saying alot…ugh…

Ami Suzuki – O.K. Funky God

Track Listing

1. O.K. Funky God
2. O.K. Funky God (God Make Dub)
3. Narration Drama 「join」 #1 ~7 days before~

1. O.K. Funky God

O.K. Funky God has always been strange with me because it seems to be so laidback and chill from her last efforts.  Like I said in the album review, this song gets better as time flies by.  What I mean is that the beginnings of the track isn’t exactly the most exciting part of the song, but like when it gets near it’s end, there’s a lot of excitment.  Someone from Buffalo Daughter is also singing along with Ami which is a nice touch indeed.  When the guy comes in is like the best part of the song.  So strange and indeed momentous.

2. O.K. Funky God (God Make Dub)

The remix starts off the same way as the original, but given a shuffling kind of sound.  Now the songs sounds so strange and trippy with the sound being drowned out by this whirly kind of sound (I can’t explain it).  It’s a pretty disturbing remix and seriously could have been taken better than this piece of crap.

3. Narration Drama 「join」 #1 ~7 days before~

Ok, if someone would explain the reasoning of having this track on a single then I’ll be grateful.  Like, I know it’s raining and Ami and some “dude” is having a conversation.  Actually, if there’s a translation of what’s going here then I’ll be grateful as well.  It’s just so random so see these drama tracks on a music single!!!!

 

 

So Ami’s first single of this “joins” project seems pretty lukewarm.  Disregarding the drama track the A-side is one to warm-up to with its slow start, but trust it’s a good track.  The remix though was just failure times two.  One of her worst remixes if not the worst of her career.

Ami Suzuki – Like a Love? March 20, 2009

Track Listing

1. Like a Love?
2. Squall ni Nurete
3. Like a Love? -Instrumental-
4. Squall ni Nurete -Instrumental-

1. Like a Love?

Hold on, haven’t we already had our summer track?  What’s really special about this track is that Ai Otsuka wrote the song and I hear the Ai-ness of the song actually.  I don’t know, it didn’t have as much punch as “Alright!” did, but I’m guessing it’s a ballad because it isn’t really powerful.  I wanna hear Ai’s take on this song so bad though because I think her voice would suit it more.

2. Squall ni Nurete

I always get confused with the B-side.  Like it’s also a ballad but more acoustically driven.  Then there’s the whole synth line that throws the song off its balance.  Other than those awkward moments, it’s a pretty strong B-side given the fact this whole era has been really depressing. 

 

 

Ami and Ai…who would’ve thunk it right?  Well, Like a Love? was a pretty interesting collaboration, but props has to go to Squall ni Nurete because it was the stronger and better track off the single.  I think I like this single a little less than “Fantastic” but it’s still good for a single.

Ami Suzuki – Reincarnation February 25, 2009

Track Listing

1. Reincarnation
2. Dub-I-Dub
3. Reincarnation -Extended Version-
4. Reincarnation -Instrumental-

1. Reincarnation

Ami keeps rolling out the hits and Reincarnation is definitly something different.  She’s not with Nakata anymore which is a little sad to see, but she also ended up with Taku.  Even more interesting is that Emi Hinouchi wrote the lyrics.  Ami really sound good during the quiet vocal parts, but when the chorus comes out, she is yelling.  Luckily, this isn’t the yelling from “climb up to the top” so it’s not that bsd.  Still, I love the dance beats to this one.

2. Dub-I-Dub

Yea, it’s a cover of a Me & My track, even fueled by DDR.  Now it’s a fully English tune so I was so worried about it and well, Ami being under heavy vocoder doesn’t exactly help it either.  Ami doesn’t have a good grasp at the language and adding the vocoder was a bad idea.  The music isn’t too bad, but Ami is really bad singing English here.

3. Reincarnation -Extended Version-

Of course what do you expect?  It’s a longer version of the A-side.  The opening of the track is different and the instrumental parts are more focused this time around.  Adding about 2 more minutes to the song it’s still the cool A-side we’ve come to known, so it’s basically there for those ravers.

 

 

Ami’s 1st single for a new era brings a change to her Nakata stuff for sure.  Reincarnation is a great way deviate away from him because it still has a great dance beat and it’s catchy.  Dub-I-Dub, however was just a little meh and for being a cover of a DDR song, I wasn’t expecting much from it, especially if it’s in English.  “ONE” and “can’t stop the DISCO” were better singles IMO

Ami Suzuki – Alright! February 15, 2009

Track Listing

1. Alright!
2. Hare Moyou.
3. Alright! (Instrumental)
4. Hare Moyou. (Instrumental)

1. Alright!

I still feel that I miss her trance style and I got that with “Fantastic”, but we go back again to a more reserved pop style with her summer A-side, Alright!.  You can still feel dance beats, but other than this is way pop and a dropoff for Ami.  Honestly, this could be called “avex’s “love the island” as they both are summery tracks.  Ami’s vocals are on that fine line between singing and yelling.  Still, it’s one of the better tracks this era has provided.

2. Hare Moyou.

Ok, forget happy-go-lucky “Alright!” and let’s take a ride on the calm jazzy side of the B-side.  This track sounds more summery than the A-side and that’s saying something.  Yay, for something good as a B-side though.  Ami is singing with some bongos and it’s just got a smooth arrangement.  It’s definitly the best this era had to offer.

 

 

This definitly did a great job with representing the summer months at the time of its release.  The bad thing though was that this single bombed terribly, especially after “Fantastic” it just began this slump of sales for her.  Both Alright! and Hare Moyou. are underappreciated in my opinion…