Ayumi Hamasaki - Rainbow

Ayumi Hamasaki's 5th album includes the million selling hit 'H', 'Free And Easy' and more. Avex. 2002. Album Description

Alright

I'm not into slow songs and there's a LOT of them here.
Some of the lyrics also made the songs feel even slower.
"We are free to go anywhere we want to, we are free to do anything we want too".
Seemed a bit simple, I'm glad the songs are mostly japanese.
You could just skip this album and get "Ballads" and a "Best" album, since the good songs on this CD are on those. June 6, 2007

not worth the effort

After the genius of the 'I Am...' album, I was hoping for something of an encore: tight song structure, walls of guitars, etc. Unfortunately, this album is a far cry from anything like that. I could only listen to this once: there is just nothing here of interest. Fortunately, the follow-up albums were better. One to avoid... May 18, 2007

Ayumi the Goddess

This woman, a tiny Japanese woman, has captured my (...), American heart. Almost every cd she has is full of so many different styles and sounds, it amazes me. This cd (Having heard everything up to the day of thise review) has to be the best cd she's ever done. RAINBOW captures the mind and takes it places it's never been.

Here's a rundown of my fav songs...

Real Me - This song is good, even has some English in it, showing versatility. The video is absolutely amazing.

HANABI - This song is so beautiful and has a nice flow to it. At first listen it seems to lack in the musical department, but when you give it a few more listens, it begins to show you why it took that style.

Everywhere Nowhere - This song is very nice. I love to listen to it. It has a pleasant melody.

Independent - This is the best song on the cd. Great beat and intuitive sound, this song is guaranteed to be on your playlist. July 16, 2005

Just like a rainbow

This CD is beautiful
1. Rainbow-Nothing really here N/A
2. Everlasting Dream-Calm nicegoing melody, but way too short 8/10
3. We Wish-Pretty energetic with a nice pop style to it 9/10
4. Real Me-At first it sounded like a Destiny's Child song, But the hook was the defining moment of this song. I always hear mysalef saying "In order to survive" 10/10
5. Free And Easy-This is a definite rememinice of M. It starts off slow, has a goos hook and switches off to a more energetic style. And Ayu's voice goes with the whole song 10/10 Favorite track
6. Heartplace-This song is a decent slow song, and it has a nice hook, altho, I expected a bit more energy from a rock style ballad. 8/10
7. Over-A sad ballad. I love the calmness of this song mixed with pure emotion. Very beautiful 10/10
8. Hanabi-I love the beautif piano style used in this wonderful ballad, and Ayu's voice was beautiful from begining to end 10/10
9. Taskinillusion-Interlude N/A
10. Everywhere Nowhere-Ayu speaks a lot of english in this CD, unlike her others. Anywho, after the english intro the song is a very high spirited energy paulser, and it's very catchy. 10/10
11. July 1st-I bought this CD a while ago and got it yesterday, close to date of the song, but no. Anywho this reminds me of greatful days, cept this is more energetic, and catchier. And it's got some cool record scratches in it. 10/10
12. Dolls-I love the mystic feel this song gives, and the smooth flowing hook, along with Ayu's calm voice. 10/10 2nd favorite track
13. Neverending Dream-Interlude N/A
14. Voyage-The song starts off in a sad way, but the hook was very livley, and it takes the track up a notch at the end, And Ayu's voice went smoothly along with the motions of this song. 10/10
15. Close To You-Out of all tracks, this is the one I'll most likely skip. It's way too slow, and I can't tell where the hook is. 5/10
16. Independent-The let's go clap get's it started, and then prelude sets it up for a fast paced, energetic anime flavored song. I definitly love the up temponess of the hook. 10/10 3rd favorite track.
+(Secret track)Sounds like flower garden Pt.2 It's ok. Not all that great or bad. 6/10

This is the 4th CD I got from Ayu(First 3 I am Memorial Address, My Story). And I have to say, it is so dang close to I am.(I had a very hard time picking my 3 favorite tracks off of this) This CD should be owned by every fan of Ayu, or J-pop. To me I'd say if you're starting with Ayu to pick up this or I am. This is dang near a near perfect follow up to I am.

peace
July 3, 2005

ordinary, ordinary, ordinary.....

Having read some of the other reviews here, it appears some people have approached this album with a pre-conception of what they think Japanese culture is, and so their reviews can be discounted at the outset. That having been said, tho', this album is just plain boring. Experimental, yes, but so was Rush in the mid-70's, and no-one listens to that anymore. Musically dull (live, both Nomura & Enrique look bored), and lyrically it lacks the fire that was on previous albums, like she just churned it out in 5 minutes to fit the music.
This would not be a good introductory album for a new fan to buy. June 4, 2005

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