I think Exodus had potential, but some of the lyrics when compared to some of the stuff we know she's capable of sucked. The album sounded like it was done on a MAC, and the collaborations with Timbaland were complete let downs. The only good song he did to me was Exodus '04, and even then the song left me feeling "It's good but not great". The Exodus album just had no feeling. It was stale and it didn't seem like she brought that same spark of musicality that she does when she's doing her Japanese albums. It's like she tried too hard and we all know that when you try too hard and don't let things come you fail. With that being said I think doing the album brought on a new sound that was already forming when she released "COLORS" and "Traveling". So in that aspect I think doing "Exodus" was just like the meaning of the word: A departure.
I hope she sticks to doing something similar but more out there like "ULTRA BLUE" for her 2nd English album. I wouldn't mind seeing her pulling a Bjork and going all "Hidden Place" on us. But I'm hoping we won't be hearing the same type of music that we're already getting with this next English release. Here's hoping that it gets better promotion than Exodus and that the woman actually
tours for a change. Noone knows who the hell she is in Canada, the U.S., and the U.K. She needs to do a Dir en grey and start doing some shows.
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And by "go American" I mean, go into the American mainstream. Seriously, I have respect for her since Exodus was not the mainstream when she released it, if she were to go mainstream, I'd lose a HUGE amount of respect for the woman.
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I think doing mainstream music isn't as horrible as your making it out to be. You can do mainstream in the States and not conform to whats already being done over here. Prime examples are Bjork and Pj Harvey. They release whatever the hell they want to release; which both of their more recent albums are masterpieces and sold quite well. So getting more exposure doesn't necessarily mean you have to sell your soul. But I will agree with you on your point that American popular music does suck in recent years. But it's not something new. In fact most people who actually use their brain over here and don't watch reality shows 24/7 know this. But I will disagree with you're point in saying Japanese popular music is better. I think we've all seen various acts from Japan. In some cases brilliant people like Dir en grey are heavily in the forefront, but then you have your Koda Kumi's, Leah Dizon's, and BoA's, which can be seen as brainless fluff. Not to mention "idols" releasing albums titled "Big☆Bang!!!" like Shoko Kakagawa. But..your opinion is your opinion. I disagree with half of it though.
P.S for people who like Heartstation that's cool. But personally I thought it was bland as hell. I even think it's one of her worst albums. I can say I like
2 songs and thats it. Not a very good reason to buy an album, which I haven't and I won't. At least the covers were cool.