Third album for Japanese singer/songwriter who's possibly the most recognized Asian music artist in the world. 12 tracks.

Track Listing

1. Sakura
2. Traveling
3. Deep River
4. Letters
5. Nights
6. A.S.A.P.
7. I Love You
8. Final Distance
9. Bridge (Interlude)

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #380661 in Music
• Released on: 2006-07-03
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Import

Album Description
Third album for Japanese singer/songwriter who's possibly the most recognized Asian music artist in the world. 12 tracks. 2002.

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Customer Reviews

Deep River
All fans of music must not pass this album up. It's one of the best records in J-pop history. Utada Hikaru has delivered Japan several 10 ten hits as well as number one albums. As she makes her debut with her fourth album "Exodus" in the U.S.A, it is a wonder if the luck she has had in Japan will rub off on her with her style which some fans may call 'racy and sexy,'

Taking a step back from Exodus, we find ourselves stuck at Utada Hikaru, or 'Hikki' as her fans call her, Japanese career, and with that, if you want to get one album which is full of spicy J-pop lyrics and style, it would be this album.

"Sakura Drops," the albums opener is one of the high lights of this album as the notes she reaches are not only high, but off-key. Not that this should steer you away from the album's content, the song is very meaningful when translated correctly and uses doesens of metaphores which make this song worth while to listen too. ***

"Traveling," Deep River's second cut, carries a fun/funky beat along with a medley that you absolutley must sing along with. The lines 'there's no need to hurry, there's a song I want you to listen [to], repeating endlessly, spurs on my feeling, just as planned' sums up this song as it will be stuck in your head all day. One of the albums best tracks *****

"Shiawase ni Narou" a/k/a "Lets Be Happy" when translated into the American languge starts out with a sweet and innocent tone in the beat which is should, because within a minute into the song you will be dancing on your bed attempting to sing along with the japan lyrics but unfortunally, failing horribly. Again, the beat in this song is most notable as it combindes a classic piano tone with an R&B bass. ****

"Deep River," 'Connecting points to points, Drawing lines with my finger, I came down this road... or is it my destination?
Line to line, we link together, Before long, everyone arrives at the sea, And becomes one, that's why I'm not scared.' As you can see by verse one of this song, it is very meaningful. If you do not speak japanese it would be a very good idea to translate this song into the English languge and just read it all. It is very deep, like a river! *****

"Letters," is another song that you will not want to turn off because the beat is so fresh and different (as is the whole album) This gets you caught in from start to finish. Like 'Deep River' and well, most of Hikaru's songs, this song is filled with a ton of litterary devices and is beatuiful when sung by her in Japanese. *****

Hikki throws a curve ball at you with "Play Ball," for it is one of the most urban sounding J-pop songs on the album. Keep your eye on the ball as she 'takes aim and throws her heart at you' and if you don't catch it, the aim of the song can often be mistaken for something else. ****

To limitation of time we gather and have the spree, Who prevents you from leaving this song? "Tokyo Nights" drops a very Japanese sound into this album which makes you remember Utada is not forgeting where she came from. The lyrics follow many things about her or someone else's doings in Tokyo, Japan. While the lyrics maybe again filled with metaphores, if you do not pay attention, you may be thrown off by what the song is about. This song is a song I refuse to skip when listening to "Deep River." It is the best song on the album and if you do not like this song seek medical help. (Kidding of course...)

"A.S.A.P.," 'right now, right now listen to me!' Hikki shouts out in this song. And with this song, you will Stay here until the story finishes! The urban beat Utada produced herself (along with the rest of the album) provides a perfect setting with the mysterious lyrics and flow of the medely. A.S.A.P. will be one of the first songs you will listen to on this record after the first couple spin. It's not one of my personal favorites, but every other Hikki fan I speak to seems to love it. "Take it or leave it," the choice is yours. ***

Does the medeley in the chorus of "Uso mitai na I Love you," sound familiar? If you didn't know Utada recorded a song for the disney inspired game "kingdom hearts" entitled "Simple and Clean." The medley for this chorus and "Uso Mitai na I Love You" was intended for the Japanese version of "Simple & Clean" entitled "Hikari." Although, since words in Japan have different sylabals than ones in the U.S. it had to be recycled for "..I love You" and then returned to it's rightful place in the English version of "Hikari." Do NOT dodge this rock! It's a big one and has a bit of off-key notes (again with the high ones..WHY CAN'T SHE STAY AWAY?) But never the less, the guitar and drums in this song saves it from a terrible plunge. I, myself, am not a huge fan of rock music, but this is probably the best I've heard at it (...that is, present day rock.) Four 1/2 stars to the top selling lady who loves to sing high notes off key!!! **** 1/2

"Final Distance," is probably the hardest song to get through on this album for it's medely and instrumental was re-writen from it's original form "Distance," the title track for her sophmore album and included on this album for a child who was stabbed at a school. She was a very big Hikaru fan and wanted to be just like her when she grew up. You can read about it in a journal entry Hikki wrote herself online. She dedicates this song to the girl who died as well as the others. Suprisingly, all high notes on this song is on-key and will give goosebumps to whoever is listening. The production is amazing on this track and stands out as one of the best ballads ever in the history of J-pop. *****

"Bridge (interlude)" combindes Traditional Japanese music you are used to hearing when you listen to Japanese folk tales or watch Japanese movies, with that of a very dance/pop beat. Although there are no lyrics, this song will have you wanting more at it's one minute and eight second stand. *****

As mentioned before, "Hikari's" Medely for the chorus was changed to fit the song and lyrics better, but it still stands as a very good close out to this very deep and thoughtful album, "Deep River." It is yet another balad and unlike most of the other songs, is about well...I think it's time for you to get the translator and start eh?

Five stars for this album! It's the best J-pop album I've heard and I doubt anything can top it. Anyone who does NOT have this album needs to buy it. and NOW!

Hikki keeps getting better!
Utada Hikaru is the type of musical artist I love to keep track of: you listen to her latest album and think she can't possibly top herself, but then the next album comes along and she's improved in a variety of ways...and without losing the strengths she'd already established!

Overall DEEP RIVER has a more reflective sound, with ever-improving vocals (and she was fine to begin with!), more sophisticated tunes (with melodies that you don't tire of with repeated hearings), and a contemporary production that mixes a variety of influences into a fresh, unique sound that sets trends rather than follows them. While the album has quite a few mid-tempo ballads, the pace quickens with the irresistable tune TRAVELLING, and even gets into rock territory with USO MITAINA I LOVE YOU (track 9). All of Hikki's recent singles are included, but there is also a lot of new material that maintains the quality of her hits.

As much as I like TRAVELLING, it is the elegant ballads that are the highlight for me, beginning with the title cut. Tunes like SHIAWASE NI NAROU (track 3) and PLAY BALL (track 6) have a pretty melody, heartfelt vocals, and an underlying hip-hop beat--everything is perfectly balanced! I could go on about every cut on the album--let's just say there are no weak spots! Each track is unique, yet there is an overall consistency to Hikki's musical approach. Highly recommended!

Excellent!
I really love this CD. I like every song on it I really recommend this CD if you like this type of music.