The Official Kuraki Mai Thread

[bluegie]

Just bump into this thread .

I used to listen to Mai as well but stopped after Love, needing. The reason I listened to her was because of hikki. I was in love with hikki and people kept saying she was the 2nd hikki. I kinda disliked her, but at the same time I was curious, so I downloaded her first two singles. It turned out to be quite decent, so I started listening her songs. I almost bought delicious way when it came out, but didn't in the end. (off-topic... I was very sad when Duty couldn't sell more than DW in the end...).

But then her music wasn't really involving. They kinda sound the same and it's getting a bit boring afterwards. Her vocal is not bad tho. That's why I still listen to her old songs nowadays, particularly the singles from delicious way.

[Chiharo]

^ Thanks for sharing that! I'm kind of sad to see people considering her music to be same and boring (well not completely, but still). However, I do have to say her music really took a lot of time to grow on me. I just don't give up on artists I want to get into, so that's how I fell in love with her whole discography (omitting first 2 albums and the b-sides from them). Sure, there are some songs I like more and others not so much, but all in all I can say that I do indeed like every song she's released that I've listened to.

Did you ever try listening to her newer albums, bluegie?

@Delicious n Bold, Thanks for explaining that. I'm also very much looking forward to the new single. wana meets Born to be Free sounds very much exciting and I do hope the same.

[Delicious n Bold]

I have to let her discography grow on me, it seems.
I tried that, but I gave up cuz I was listening to ayu at the same time and ayu grew on me more.
But one life will always be that one random jpop album I picked up and liked.

[Chiharo]

^ It would definitely be worth it. It just takes some time but if you are persisten enough you will have a hundred (or so) of new songs you love under your belt.

I doubted I'd like her at first, since she doesn't really have much popularity here, and I read some unfavorable reviews so I thought her music would be horrible but it's very much the contrary of that.

Btw. I really love the FAIRY TALE album. Specially the songs Trip in the dream, Not that kind a girl, Fushigi no Kuni and Like a star in the night. Now that I'm done with getting to like all of the songs on this album, I'll try to get into Perfect Crime.

Also, it's very interesting to me that that Michael Africk guy was working with her since the beginning of her career and is still working with her. I mean when you listen to If I Believe album, you can hear him as a background vocalist in almost all songs. Also, he is in EVERY album of hers doing the same job. Obviously not on ALL the songs but on some or most even. I just find it very interesting. He is very lucky to be able to work with her so long, lol.

[KuuXAyu-fan]

I can't wait for the new album this year! I love Special morning day to you & Try again (from the previews) so hopefully the album will be great to!

[Delicious n Bold]

Where can I find Fairy Tale I'm 320kbps?
It's one of to albums I don't have, the other is diamond wave
I remember looking for ages for good quality rips of these albums.

[Chiharo]

^ I could try to upload it for you. I have all albums of hers in FLAC (checked) so I could convert to 320 kbps from it. When it's done I'll post a link.

Originally Posted by KuuXAyu-fan

I can't wait for the new album this year! I love Special morning day to you & Try again (from the previews) so hopefully the album will be great to!

You didn't like Koi ni Koishite, though? Just asking what's your opinion of that song since it's one of my most favorite songs ever.

Edit: Here's the link: http://www.mediafire.com/?sf6jyajzcx4ezk4

[Delicious n Bold]

^ oh thank you, that would be wonderful!

[KuuXAyu-fan]

Originally Posted by Chiharo

You didn't like Koi ni Koishite, though? Just asking what's your opinion of that song since it's one of my most favorite songs ever.

I love Koi ni Koishite! Just slipped out of my mind while I was writing the post.

[Chiharo]

^ Oh I see. I'm very glad to hear that!

What is your favorite album by Mai, KuuXAyu-fan, if I may ask? (lol, I hope I'm not annoying you people out)

[KuuXAyu-fan]

Originally Posted by Chiharo

^ Oh I see. I'm very glad to hear that!

What is your favorite album by Mai, KuuXAyu-fan, if I may ask? (lol, I hope I'm not annoying you people out)

Haha it's fine don't worry. It's nice to see Mai does have some international fans. My favorite Mai album is probably Delicious Way. Some amazing gems on that album.

By the way do you happen to know why Mai doesn't like performing on TV? I know she's been more open to it recently but I've wondered why she didn't seem open to it earlier. Sometimes I wonder how much of an impact not performing on TV frequently and being in magazines made in her career.

[Chiharo]

^ I can't wait to hear Delicious Way, then. I was listening to her disography from newest to oldest albums, and it will take only one more album to get to her first one. I still can't wait to hear what does it sound like.

About her not performing on TV earlier, I really have no clue. I'm quite a new fan myself, so I actually have no idea that she didn't appear on TV before. It is quite strange though. What I did notice though is that her earler PVs were kind of... very cheaply made. I'm sorry I can't be of any help for your question, though!

[KuuXAyu-fan]

Originally Posted by Chiharo

^ I can't wait to hear Delicious Way, then. I was listening to her disography from newest to oldest albums, and it will take only one more album to get to her first one. I still can't wait to hear what does it sound like.

About her not performing on TV earlier, I really have no clue. I'm quite a new fan myself, so I actually have no idea that she didn't appear on TV before. It is quite strange though. What I did notice though is that her earler PVs were kind of... very cheaply made. I'm sorry I can't be of any help for your question, though!

I hope you'll like it! The album contains her signature hits and classics people still remember today.

Ah it's ok don't worry. I suspect it's probably due to nerves or something like that.

[Chiharo]

And here's the PV preview!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=cx0B7x2KX5A

[AyuGAME]

don't like the song...the PV not so much either

[Chiharo]

I actually love both! Well, the PV is a bit cheesy but whatever. I really really like the song tho. It's very encouraging and just what I need in life, lol.

[Delicious n Bold]

It kinda impressed me

The chorus is funky though: Trigen Trigen Trigen XD

[Mirai Noah]

It's pretty catchy, I like it

[Chiharo]

The single is up at the downloads section. The full song is amazing. Sakura Sakura... is too beautiful for words! Love this single.

I translated the lyrics as well:

Spoiler:

TRY AGAIN

Take me to the high, We never cry on
To the tomorrow we've yet to see
Try again Try again Try again Always
Try again Try again Try again
Just like always, Speak Out

Not knowing what to aim for,
I'm moving forward this reckless way
If I don't look upwards even just a bit,
I'll be destroyed by my anxiety
I'm sure you're watching a dream
You want it to come true, you want to cry but… you're chasing it
Are you going to gently give up?
The reality that's too far away now, Can’ t You See?

Take me to the high, We never cry on
To the tomorrow we've yet to see
Try again Try again Try again Always
Try again Try again Try again
It will not be just unpleasant things, we are watching a dream
Try again Try again Try again Always
Try again Try again Try again
Just like always, Speak Out

Without throwing away the important "now",
I engrave this day as I'm exhausted by my stubborness
"Understand that I'm doing my best"
Clumsy myself is so bad
Everyone is surely, just dreaming
We're getting tired of the repettitive every day
But everyone is hoping
"One day, it will surely come true!"
One more step,
Can't you breathe?

Take me to the high,We never cry on
To the tomorrow that still won't disappear
Try again Try again Try again Always
Try again Try again Try again

Even when we're crying and tired of crying,
we're looking at the sky
Try again Try again Try again Always
Try again Try again Try again
Just like always, speak out

I just wanna say,
In order to make a dream come true,
the truth is always one,
and that is: TRY AGAIN!

Take me to the high, We never cry on
To the tomorrow we've yet to see
Try again Try again Try again Always
Try again Try again Try again
It will not be just unpleasant things, we are watching a dream
Try again Try again Try again Always
Try again Try again Try again

Take me to the high,We never cry on
Now we step on the brand new world
Try again Try again Try again Always
Try again Try again Try again

We pray for the better days ride on
Walk together, Don’t cry
Try again Try again Try again Always
Try again Try again Try again
Just like always, speak out




Sakura Sakura...

Why do I still come here, I wonder?
In this place where I cried so much.
Even the wind that blows on the top of the hill,
recalls my memories with you

The sky of the third month of the lunar calendar
dances in light pink color
So many feelings... sakura

I stared at you
Just by being by your side I did my best
In painful times too, you brought me courage
It seems that I can hear it now as well
"You can bloom again and again"
sakura, sakura, sakura

I'm waiting for that time here silently
Searching for your figure
I want to see you, just once again
There are words I want to say

The petals that were scattered by the wind
are now those feelings... sakura

You talked about the sadness that's in everyone's heart
The dream that was blooming in my heart is disappearing
It seems that I can hear it now as well
"You can bloom again and again"
sakura, sakura, sakura

Because it's something that no one
ever forgets,
from now on forever, just like always
keep on blooming

I stared at you
Just by being by your side I did my best
In painful times too, you brought me courage
It seems that I can hear it now as well
"You can bloom again and again"
sakura, sakura, sakura

You talked about the sadness that's in everyone's heart
The dream that was blooming in my heart is disappearing
It seems that I can hear it now as well
"You can bloom again and again"
sakura, sakura, sakura

[x-megumi-x]

Full PV
http://jpopsuki.tv/video/Mai-Kuraki-...f29cc25a9e7aa5

I haven't listened to her since DIAMOND WAVE... I don't know how many albums she has released since then, but maybe you guys could tell me which one I should listen to?
I decided to give her another try with the new single and I really liked it <3