Shizuka Kudo - Doing
(Pony Canyon) Most Japanese female singers, whose beauty overrides musical prowess in the public's eyes, yearn for a successful self-produced album. Shizuka Kudo has achieved this with Doing.
Many singers have lost direction when they take over as producers but Kudo has managed to avoid the trap. In the 10-track album, she attempts to bring across her dual image: the feeble and lovable ballad queen, and the tough street girl. The result is pleasurable listening.
The former surfaces in ballads such as Loving, Melody and Flying High. Worth noticing is the opening track, Loving, which hooks the listener with ease.
The classy nightclub orchestra-sound is pervaded with a cosy and soothing melody. The vocals are the best on the album. One might wonder why the mediocre 7 and Butterfly, but not Loving, were released as singles for the cut-throat Oricon chart.
Kudo, 26, has always kept herself apart from the girlish singers with her chic aloofness. Luna - Moon Goddess lends a helping hand. Layered with heavy rock guitar and drums, the powerful number resembles US pop rock group Heart's work in the mid-80s.
The uptempo Girl and Butterfly can only be taken as attempts to add diversity and she is let down in Melody and Like the Wind. They are reminders of what she was like nine years ago when she started out.
Still, on the whole, Doing is a sign the new Kudo will find a firm footing.
