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| Exodus | 
 enlarge | Artist: Utada
Label: Island
Category: Music
List Price: $13.98
Buy New: $5.00
You Save: $8.98 (64%)
New (36) Used (25) from $2.29
Avg. Customer Rating:  333 reviews
Sales Rank: 47151
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 000318502
UPC: 602498863787
EAN: 0602498631621
ASIN: B0002ZYE3M
Release Date: October 5, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Tracks:
| • | Opening | | • | Devil Inside | | • | Exodus ' 04 | | • | The Workout | | • | Easy Breezy | | • | Tippy Toe | | • | Hotel Lobby | | • | Animato | | • | Crossover Interlude | | • | Kremlin Dusk | | • | You Make Me Want To Be A Man | | • | Wonder 'Bout | | • | Let Me Give You My Love | | • | About Me |
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| Customer Reviews: Read 328 more reviews...
 The Artist Formerly Known As Utada Hikaru ... October 5, 2004
77 out of 89 found this review helpful
Above and beyond the hype (i.e., Japanese pop superstar sets her sights on the USA), EXODUS succeeds based on its varied musical merits, one that may take several listens to fully appreciate. I've been enthusiastic about 21-year old Hikaru Utada's music for the past five years via imported CDs and DVDs, hearing a fresh approach to pop with liberal doses of hiphop, r&b, nu-soul, and extending even into reggae, jazz, rock, etc. Her career began at a level of depth beyond her years, and with each successive album she has grown musically without losing sight of what she previously accomplished.
What strikes me above and beyond all else on EXODUS is that Utada seems focused on letting her musical imagination run wild, with remarkably little calculation to fit into mainstream pop culture musical trends. At the same time, she succeeds in finding that elusive balance between experimentation and familiarity that gives EXODUS the potential to please both those who want to be entertained as well as those who need to be challenged. Several tracks such as "Devil Inside" and the lead single "Easy Breezy" are already making waves. But EXODUS is one of those rare albums that stays inspired from beginning to end.
There are some quite provocative lyrics at times, particularly on "Tippy Toe" that appears to come from the perspective of an opportunistic woman who seduces a married man (who shares the blame of course), seemingly turned on even further by the fact that their actions are likely to tear his family apart. Without actually showing her hand, I hear this cut as a wry indictment of such shameful behavior (btw: Utada is a married woman). However you might interpret the lyrics, it sure does place an incendiary topic on the table. No matter what the theme, the album's lyrics -- mostly less controversial than "Toe" -- avoid the plastic and/or profane excesses of pop culture, which to me makes EXODUS an album mostly suitable for all ages (with maybe some intermittent parental guidance for the youngsters).
Musically, EXODUS boldly combines classic synth sounds (funk, prog-rock, etc.), post-hiphop production, and a lot of seamless genre-blending in a manner that throughout is a fresh musical experience, an aural portrait of musical unity. The melodies without exception stay fresh over repeated listenings, and Utada's vocals give expression to a variety of moods. Timbaland produces three cuts, but no matter who is assisting it is Utada's vision that dominates. Pop culture has always been in dire need of depth and substance to counterbalance those who merely follow the money trail, and EXODUS continues Utada's track record of delivering music that will appeal to open-minded listeners of all ages ... and this time sung in English.
Excellent!!! October 2, 2004
25 out of 28 found this review helpful
Utada's album Exodus is another tribute to her talent! She create a unique and new sound, blending beautiful melody and tight beats. Her lyrics show a different side of her that adds a new dimension to her style and personality. To all you Utada fans: this is a must add to your collection! And to everyone else: if your tired of the same-old, same-old and is looking for fresh and unique sound, look no further!!!
Utada brings a fresh new sound to the pop genre.... October 5, 2004
21 out of 24 found this review helpful
Utada definately knows her stuff. This album is full of refreshing sounds and pleasing beats mixed with great lyrics and vocals. Everything about this album screams BUY ME!
Showing she's not afraid to play in the dirt, she writes, sings, arranges, and produces all the songs on her album except the two or three master producer Timbaland had the pleasure of producing for her.
Experimental songs like Animato and Kremlin dusk will blow your mind the first time you hear the aurally orgasmic brilliance that fills every crevice of your poor unsuspecting ears. Kremlin Dusk is especially noteworthy and is the best track on the CD in my opinion. The drummer from Mars Volta gives her a hand on the track. Together, they craft a beautiful song.
About Me showcases her vocal talent. Just sit back and let her deep, beautiful voice carry you through the song as you listen to the acoustic guitar followed by a soothing R&B beat.
Songs like Exodus 04, The Workout, Tippy Toe, Let me Give You my Love, and many others make this album worth every cent of your money.
Afterwards if your tired of all the serious music listening put it on Easy Breezy. Listen to the fun and energetic lyrics and have a nice time with the happy beat.
I hope you consider this CD because I know you will love it.
Breath-taking album October 2, 2004
20 out of 22 found this review helpful
This album pushes the envelope to produce a unique, refreshing sound that sets it apart from all the pop music out there. The melodies are memorable, and the productions are complex. Don't expect Utada Hikaru. This music is another genre of itself. Animato is the perfect song to explain this album, as well as the most artistic and thoughtful. It's like if Bjork decided to release a pop album. It's a definate must buy!
Comparisons are Unneccessary October 7, 2004
18 out of 20 found this review helpful
Many of these reviews putting the album down have been comparing Hikaru Utada to other artists, whether they be Japanese or American. What you need to do is look at this album for its own merits. And it does have merits. There are some songs with real effort and meaning put into them, such as "Exodus '04," and "Kremlin Dusk." These are the kind of songs that make you cry, that make you feel. Then there's something new, and a little different: songs of Utada's that make you feel like dancing or smiling. "Easy Breezy" is catchy and fun, it may not have a lot to do with deep feeling, but it's still a good song in the respect that it is only trying to be what it is. This album is very different, but it deserves a chance and it definitely deserves more than a passoff.
For one thing I don't see how people can say that her lyrics are bad, even in her Japanese music. I've always thought her Japanese lyrics are beautiful, touching, and even haunting. Very poetic. Things like "aoi sora ga mieru nara aoi kasa hirogete" (the blue sky can be seen if you open your blue umbrella)? How are those bad lyrics...?? I seriously don't know of any bad Japanese lyrics. And have YOU ever tried to write a song in English? It's sooooooo much easier in Japanese. You can still mean a lot by saying something with a lot more or a lot less syllables. It fits to music more readily than English. Just consider Utada... Her English lyrics have never been amazing, but they've never been that bad. I really wish she had done some covers on this album... It would have made the transition easier. But as it stands, as far as I can tell, she was pretty much hurtled into this release. So I guess... give her a break, because she deserves it. She's earned it.
I really think the only reason you'd think this album is bad is either you just don't like the genre (which is pretty much club and dance) or if you were expecting something different from Utada. I know I was. I was hoping for something more intimate and open, something warmer and closer, you know? Like the version of "Loving You" she sang with just the acoustic guitar. The only thing that came close was "About Me." Indeed the huge change to the more cold sound sent me reeling for a while. But I still thought Devil Inside and even Easy Breezy were good songs.
I figure the coldness is sort of trying to protect her from failure as a crossover. As for the bad lyrics such as "You're easy breezy, and I'm Japanesey," they're pretty bubblegum pop, but think about the audience she's trying to captivate here. *Raises eyebrow* Americans. American teens most likely. So, hey, it may not be deep, but it's clever and it's the kind of thing that sticks in your head.
And the other thing that disturbs me is people who say her voice is so average. Ok, I'll admit, she doesn't have the vocal strength of an opera singer, but she has a warm, raw, intimate quality to her voice and a lot of personality and emotion can leak through with that kind of voice. Have you heard "Dareka no Negai"? It's chilling...! Or "Final Distance" or "Colors" or "Hikari"??? Maybe Utada doesn't have the vocal range of eight octaves or something, but she has something more... that not everyone sees or cares to see. I don't think she's just another J-Pop artist. Sure, it's not perfect, but I'd rather hear the real Utada than a synthesized, layered, fake but perfect version of Utada.
And we know Utada can write great, catchy songs. Remember "Simple and Clean" from the video game Kingdom Hearts? Some people played the game just to find out what that song was. I bought the game because of that song!
I think Utada just needs time to get used to writing her songs in English. I almost wish she'd make a double release with songs in Japanese and English... because I know that it's easier for ME to write songs in Japanese as apposed to English... and I'm not even Japanese.
Exodus has a new and different sound that we're not used to; It's raw, it's unpolished, but if we give it time, Utada will wow us as she always has. She has the talent, but does she have the motivation? Gambare, Hikki!
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