[Not Fade Away]

@RayJason: She definitely puts more emphasis on dancing, I completely agree, but people have been saying she just sounds completely horrible live, which is untrue. IMO, she still sounds good live. I'm not saying she's incredible let's all give a standing ovation, but to say she sucks is just crazy.

What I mean't was that, for being exhausted from dancing and then singing, her singing is pretty good.

@Andrenekoi: I heard people cheering all during Microphone, in several spots of Moon, in most of Memorial Address (after each time she held that long note that leads out from the chorus), in Because of You, in Lady Dynamite, etc etc during Rock 'N' Roll Circus tour, and that's just THAT tour.

I actually think Utada's focuses on audience interaction about the same (but that's because she does more MC than most JPop artists) -- if it weren't for her MCs, I would agree on that point.

And that's what I meant by backing vocals for Utada -- her own, I just didn't specify or whatever, so sorry. A lot of artists get drowned out by their backing vocals (whether it's their own pre-recorded voice, or actual people) it definitely happens to Namie a lot on her more dance-oriented songs - like you mentioned with choreographed songs. But I've also heard Ayu get drowned out on songs too and she doesn't even dance.

What I'm saying is that Utada's backing vocals are more like just a whisper in the background that you occasionally notice when she's not singing because her live voice is just that dominant. Case in point being Sakura Drops or Devil Inside - again.

I really don't understand this 'swallows the microphone' comment, I guess I'm going to have to go watch her lives again because I really just have no idea what you're talking about.

My three favorite artists are Utada, Namie and Ayu.

And I usually categorize their concerts as follows:

Utada: Powerhouse Voice x More Intimate Concerts
Namie: Amazing Dancing x Nightclub-Vibe Concerts
Ayu: Phenomenal Theatrics x Going to see a Broadway Show Type of Concert

That's always been my opinion but it's just that - my opinion.

Just like yours is that she's not a powerhouse singer, so cool.

There's not going to be a compromise or anything, so I'll just leave it at that.

EDT: Sorry, I'm not trying to come off sounding like an a*hole, I'm just having a very stressful day. Plus I know that when it comes to opinions, people are very set in stone, and I am definitely one of those people (with the exception of modern social issues lol).