This post is somewhat of a filler post I guess, as I don’t feel like reviewing anything today really. But it is a little interesting. And after reading Stereo Love’s blog it made me want to do some post like this. So here it is:

What’s in an album title? This little article will focus on the title of albums, whether it come from a song on the album, or whether it’s just out of the blue; and also what it reveals about the title track and whether it was good or not. The real question however is is it pure driven emotion, just some title, spur of the moment, or perhaps some insight? But either way there’s a reason behind it, whether it’s obvious or not. Now for some artists, the album may come from their company, however absurd that might sound; but for some have more deeper, hidden reasons. But for now, we’ll review some basic reasons, and my thoughts.
First up is Hikki!

Heart Station – Utada Hikaru

Well we all know about this little gem, right? It was Hikki’s 5th Japanese studio album. But more importantly it was named after the song off a single of her previous single. And it’s a very good title. As the lyrics mention receiving frequencies of the heart, it gives the album a personal feel. However, I personally think she was trying to express her feelings threw the music, especially about the divorce with her ex. But I guess it also symbolizes a new beginning for Hikki. Anyway Hikki mentioned that Heart Station was a good name for the album because it was the overall feel. Either way it was a fitting name. And on a last small note, the song was fantastic and one of the best allusions.

Ultra Blue – Utada Hikaru

Originally released as her 4th Japanese studio album this has been the only Japanese album to not have the album name, full name, to come from an song. Anyway, to the title, I’m not sure whether it was actually from emotions or anything, but my guess it was named after her favorite color, which is BLUE, and the name of one of the songs. And when she was asked a question on what her favorite color was she said it was blue, and as for the ultra part, she said that blue sounded so lonely and it didn’t specify a blue, so she then added the ultra, and there you have it. As for the song BLUE, it was pretty good, sweet, and so simple.

Exodus – Utada Hikaru

Hikki’s first full English album, well once she reached stardom. But this album really gave Hikki a chance to express herself. As for the title, like Ultra Blue, it came from a song, or in this case it was a part of the song. In order to make the album, she moved to New York to record it. An exodus is moving from one area from another, often forced to for some reason. Now in her song, Exodus 04, she sings of moving from Tokyo to a new place, New York in real life. The point was this was journey for her in many ways, and it seems to have been successful. I’d like to say that the title wasn’t really just spur of the moment, it was emotional and nice too.

Time for Ayumi!

Secret – Ayumi Hamasaki

Here we have Ayumi Hamasaki’s 8th studio album. After only a few singles, two really, this once mini-album was turned studio album. Now this album is named after one of the last tracks on this album. I personally don’t think that the title track was that phenomenal but it was good, but the album was nothing short of genius. As for the title, well Ayumi stated that she wanted people to feel that they knew her better, like they knew her secret, which is very personal and lovely. I do think that it affected this album a little bit, especially with the first track, mentioning miracles and secrets. Overall, it was an attempt for her to become more well known with her fans, if that’s possible, but it was nice and very personal, go Ayumi!

Memorial address – Ayumi Hamasaki

Well, even though I said album, i think that this mini album would be a good example of what’s in an album title. This was Ayumi’s first mini-album under AVEX, and it’s a pretty darn good one at that. Anyway, this mini-album had a lot of dark inspired and sadder songs featured, most would be added to her latests A BEST 2 albums. But this album was really about how Ayumi was feeling about her father, who left her and her mother. And that’s really a lot of emotion was put into here, especially with forgiveness, Because of You, and finally Memorial address. And it was really moving and very emotion driven and very sad when you think about it. But the title did fit the album in this case.

GUILTY – Ayumi Hamasaki

Guilty was Ayumi’s latest studio album and her latest venture into music, really rock, but music will do. This album was very emotional, especially with the last song being, and considering the album was dedicated to a friend of hers. I have no clue whether or not Ayumi felt guilty, but that was the title track and one of the songs on the album. As for the song, i felt it lacked a lot, emotion, power, and climax, but it made you feel so sad and sorry. And that’s what you feel when you’re guilty, right? I did feel that this was one of her most powerful albums to date. This album was very heart wrenching and very sad once you when hear it all, and the lyrics. You might find yourself feeling a little Guilty with this album and it’s title. But the last track was really what defined the album, rather than the title track.

BoA is up!

THE FACE – BoA

BoA’s 6th Japanese studio album and and another no. 1 album. This album is really different compared to the previous albums above. I mean there was no title track here whatsoever. However, this was a little more expressive. The album contained many different types of genres of music, song wise. And it seemed to be a little more personal for BoA. But it was a chance to know the many faces of BoA, hence the title I think. It was pretty good, but I guess it was spur of the moment. Not much to add besides that.

That concludes this section of What’s In An Album Title??? Check back later for part 2!