Koda Kumi - Black Cherry

The dark jacket cover with a sometimes lascivious looking, sometimes innocent looking Koda Kumi gets the listener in the right mood for the first songs on her fifth original album Black Cherry. The fans, however, had the tough decision of choosing which version to buy: three editions were released on December 20th, 2006. This review will be of the regular edition.

The walk through Koda's work starts with a bass intro, and anyone who hasn’t gotten to their feet will do it immediately and groove through the living room with Get Up & Move!!. The rock styled Ningyo-hime, however, gets listeners to do some headbanging. The next couple of songs are slow ballads mixed with sugar-sweet pop hymns. There is a very disappointing "Black Cherry Version" of WON'T BE LONG; the hip-hop influence, which can be heard in both the musical and vocal styling, makes the song extremely sluggish and boring. Even the fact that EXILE - one of the most famous boy groups in Japan - is featured on that track doesn't help to improve the impression of the song.

The following song, JUICY, contains some rapping parts as well, but this song possesses an oriental touch that reminds of Christina Aguilera's Genie in a bottle, and it is much more pleasing than the previous number. For the last third of the CD, ballads are predominant. The section starts with the sensitive Candle Light, which is accompanied throughout by a piano. The following Cherry Girl breaks the gentle spell with its catchy tune; but the next light pop song is that one that stands out: I'll be there has a nice acoustic guitar melody that accompanies the lovely singing. The next few songs are soft ballads meshed with fast pop hymns of the charming type; the very last track of the regular press is the sugar-sweet Milk Tea, which is unfortunately very short.

With Koda Kumi you always have high expectations, and the songs Get Up & Move!! and Cherry Girl are really delightful. However, the album still seems lacking. Back Cherry is a nice gift for loyal listeners of Koda, especially those who are used to her style mix. For everyone else though, it would be wise to preview it first, just in case the numerous ballads aren't your cup of tea.