“Who Is Rie Fu?” Album Riefuiew
I know, I know. You’re sick of hearing about Rie Fu, right? I mean, it’s been pretty difficult to avoid the huge promotion for her English debut album – “Who Is Rie Fu?”. Turn on the TV, she’s there. Turn on the radio, her song will be playing. I don’t know about you, but I’ve had trouble getting her tunes out of my head with all the airplay she’s been getting.
And as for the high street, holy cow! Her album isn’t due for release until the 3rd March, and as early as last month I began seeing huge posters in the HMV windows. Clearly Britain is caught up in Rie-fever.
But is all this critical acclaim and media coverage justified? To find out, I had a look at her forthcoming album in a track-by-track analysis, to see what the fuss is all about.
- London (Like many foreigners, Rie Fu’s attempt to list UK cities is short and not-so-sweet – 1/5)
- Beautiful Words (I guess beauty is in the
eyesears of the listener… or something – 2/5) - Decay (Fu’s attempt to highlight the state of British teeth falls flat on it’s arse – 2/5)
- Life is Like a Boat (Stinks of fish, and people throwing up over the side? – 3/5)
- Shine (Take That make an unexpected, and unwanted appearance – 1/5)
- I Wanna Go To A Place… (Don’t let me stop you – 3/5)
- Negaigoto (Probably has a really deep meaning to it. It’s lost on me – 3/5)
- 5000 Miles (You better get going then… – 4/5)
- Tiny Tiny Melody (Tiny Tiny Score – 1/5)
- ROSE (The CAPS LOCK curse shows it’s face and ruins an otherwise flawless song – 2/5)
- Realize (Realise. It’s a UK album afterall – 1/5)
- Sunshine Of My Day [Live] (Again, you’re in England, so no Sunshine here. Just ask Rihanna – 2/5)
- Both Sides, Now (Rie Fu shows her love for threesomes, and I for one can’t wait for the video. Bonus points – 6/5)
Overall, it’s a spectacular entry into the UK Punk Rock scene. There’s no doubt that this album will sell by the bucket load, probably going platinum in it’s first week of release.
And beyond that? Well, let’s just say move over Jacko, because Thriller is about to get kung-Fu’d.
Oh mah GAWD. I cannoh wait for dis album, I even collec all mah stickahs in mah Rie fu sticker book.
sakuranbo
March 1, 2008 at 5:45 pm
I found your site on technorati and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. I just added your RSS feed to my Google News Reader. Looking forward to reading more from you.
Chris Moran
Chris Moran
March 1, 2008 at 5:57 pm
i have never even heard a rie fu song…
is it really that big-a-deal??
x
xannikinsx
March 2, 2008 at 10:57 am
Oh completely. You’ve never heard rie fu?!!!! You must live in the middle of nowhere or someplace like that.
spiderpig
March 2, 2008 at 12:19 pm
This review baffles me. I’m not sure if it’s serious or not, so I won’t actually comment on it. >,>
Mac2492
March 4, 2008 at 6:32 am
LOL WHAT IS THIS.
Lex
March 4, 2008 at 7:16 am
Wow I don’t exactly know if I should find this review funny or not.
But oh well, I think I’ll rather go with the “funny” and sarcastic instead of punching your face.
Either way, if it helps to get the album some more promotion, even some retarded review like this is fine! <3
MellowB
March 4, 2008 at 6:40 pm
rie fu is actually a good musician with much better output than what some artists in the uk have ever produced. the “review” is shit.
tourniquet
March 8, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Woo yeah, Rie fu propaganda in paraody review FTW.
sakuranbo
March 8, 2008 at 4:58 pm
You either haven’t listened to her songs or was clouded by your hate to even pay attention. “Life is like a Boat” has nothing to do with fishes. It’s not hard to read between the lines. The title gives away what the song is about anyways. I agree with tourniquet. Your commments are shit. They are so biased. Clearly, you hate the singer and you take it out on her songs. Your barely one “sentence” comments wouldn’t even be considered a critical review or even a review. They’re just some senseless bashing from some idiot.
Luke
March 16, 2008 at 5:57 am
I’ve never seen her promotions up North where I live. I was waiting for her album as I was curious to see what her English was like. I didn’t even know her album was released already. Anyone know which section the album would be in in HMV or the newly renamed Virgin Megastores, Zenko, Zanno, Zavvi or whatever?
Kookii
March 16, 2008 at 9:35 pm
What is your definition of foreigner? Rie Fu lived in Maryland, USA for a couple of years and she studied at University of the Arts London too. She speaks english fluently.
Salster
March 24, 2008 at 8:50 am
I just got the album for my birthday :3
It’s really good. Her cover of Both Sides now is amazing :3 But, I kinda was expecting her to change the Japanese songs into english. Ah well, it’s still lovely :3
Misha
May 11, 2008 at 4:13 pm
I wish they would hurry and bring her music over here (America) I’ve been listening to her music for a few years now and I just wish they would hurry, I need to get my hands on a few of these tracks though.
Blissfull_Wulf
May 14, 2008 at 2:18 am
Did the album really recieve heavy promotion in the UK?
Do you know how well it did, sales or rankings? I can’t find them anywhere…
themonkeyofdoom
May 23, 2008 at 12:58 pm
sorry but i missed all the radio tv stuff
or i would have this album
tiny tiny melody 1 outta five are you deaf
kevin
July 12, 2008 at 1:35 pm
I was just listening to “I So Wanted” and happen to stumble on this site.
Yeah, I’m also wondering if she received alot of media attention in the UK? If that’s the case, awesome! Over here in the states we would be lucky to have Jpop TV ads or at least some media attention for asian singers. The lip synching debacle in the Olympics doesn’t count =P
I haven’t listened to the whole album yet, but I can tell I’m going to enjoy a lot more than the reviewer.
John Spartan
August 12, 2008 at 9:06 pm
I’ve looked everywhere and I still can’t find Rie fu’s version of Both Sides, Now driving me a bit nuts.
Blissfull_Wulf
August 13, 2008 at 5:25 am
Uhmm… LOL @ everyone getting pissy over this. It’s just a bit of fun you know? Actually looks like a pretty good review to me.
And no, Rie Fu is not famous in the UK.
Anya
August 18, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Frankly, that review was a load of shit. I THINK you’re trying to pull dry sarcasm here, but the entire review completely falls flat. I hardly even cracked a smile. UNFUNNY AND FAIL
What’s more, you could at least make an effort to pick a musician worth making fun of. Rie Fu is actually an amazing artist; there are no lulz from ridiculing her.
Emmy
September 28, 2008 at 7:23 pm
HOW ON EARTH ARE YOU PUTTING BREAD ON THE TABLE AS A REVIEWER!? rie fu is the best change from other music i have ever heard! she is a beautiful singer and musician, and really sings from her heart. EVERYTHING she sings is something meaningful to her, and everyone except you realises that! rie fu is amazing and inspiring, and has a voice that would make angels weep with jealousy! millions of people would back me up on this, you’re ON YOUR OWN!!!
Elemental_Shadow
October 5, 2008 at 11:54 am
Someone said that they were looking for an mp3 of Both Sides, now earlier up. The song is available on IMEEM, and you can just save it off IMEEM.
Anon
October 25, 2008 at 11:29 pm
Your review is total fail.
Open your mind before you listen and judge.
Kinder
December 5, 2008 at 1:21 am
If you’re going to make nonsensical comments about a good singer’s songs, they’d better at least be funny.
They aren’t funny. Sorry.
And if you’re taking off points because the songs’ names are in caps or American spelling, you’d better at least learn how to properly use apostrophes (-pokes the “reviews” for #3 and #10-).
Bleigh
March 3, 2009 at 1:14 am
you clearly have hearing problems. her voice is way better than some shallow UK singers like DUFFY. you’re just jealous of her. face facts, she’s bilingual, can sing, play instruments, write songs, go platinum, is pretty, what can YOU do? beside grumble? ok, i can’t do all that she can too, but i don’t grumble/begrudge people of their talents. i aim to improve myself with them as my goal. why don’t you give an objective review as to WHY you hate her songs? Cause her voice sucks? lyrics suck? or what?? don’t just hate her cause she’s not UK.
Im not trying to insult anybody, just saying my opinion. thanks
SL
April 7, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Rie Fu is probably the most talented artist/singer I have ever seen/heard. She is also very beautiful.
I actually liked the track “London”, it was really good.
Negaigoto literally means Wish, btw.
Jake
April 17, 2009 at 8:37 pm
Not funny at all.
doomster
May 5, 2009 at 3:50 pm
[...] To read a more accurate review of this rare CD, with a lot of feedback from devoted fans, please visit the Daily Grumble blog. [...]
Review: Rie fu – Who Is Rie fu? « Blog Jam
May 17, 2009 at 1:06 pm
your gay bitch
Gagoh
September 15, 2009 at 7:55 am