The Voice (Kokia album)
Encyclopedia
The Voice is Kokia
's sixth studio album, released in February 2008. It is the first of four album releases in 2008 celebrating her 10th anniversary as a singer.
Three songs from the album feature on Kokia's 2009 greatest hits collection Coquillage: The Best Collection II
: "Ave Maria," "Chiisa na Uta" and "Everlasting." Also featured are "Say Goodbye and Good Day," the bonus track from the French edition, along with the Fairy Dance: Kokia Meets Ireland
rearrangement of "Song of Pocchong."
In late 2009, "Lacrima" was chosen to be used as the ending theme song for the film Uyghur Kara Kita Shōnen.
, Kokia wrote a charity song, "Watashi ni Dekiru Koto," after being contacted by one of her fans who lived in Kashiwazaki, Niigata
. The fan sent copies of the song to the local FM station FM Pikkara, who put the song on heavy rotation. A month after the earthquake, Kokia performed at a special encouragement concert to 3,000 residents in Kashiwazaki, along with the Japan Self-Defense Forces
' band. When Kokia returned from this concert, she wrote the lullaby "Lacrima," which also features on the album. Two months after the earthquake, the song was released as a CD locally, due to popular demand (featuring both "Watashi ni Dekiru Koto" and "Lacrima"). Both songs later feature on the album, though "Watashi ni Dekiru Koto" as a Japan-only bonus track. "Watashi ni Dekiru Koto" was later featured in a segment on the popular show Daremo Shiranai Nakeru Uta on the 9th of December, 2008.
In November 2007, Kokia released "Follow the Nightingale
," which was used as the opening theme song for the game Tales of Innocence
. It was a commercial success, reaching #33 selling 12,000 copies (her fourth most sold single, as of 2010). The single's B-side, "Say Goodbye & Good Day" was used as the ending theme song for the game. It features on the French edition of The Voice as a bonus track.
Kokia also released a single (the anime Gunslinger Girl: Il Teatrino's opening theme song) in January 2008 to commercial success (it sold over 10,000 copies), however the single was released through anime retailer label Marvelous Entertainment, instead of Kokia's regular retailer Victor Entertainment
. Neither the leading track or its B-side feature on the album.
Kokia started focusing on recording the album in October 2007. Originally nine of the songs were planned to be recorded in November, however recording was briefly delayed due to Kokia catching a cold. It was resumed in late November. The album release date was officially announced in early December, before recording had finished. The final song recorded for the album was "Il Mare dei Suoni," on the 8th of December. The album had finished mastering on the 13th of December.
Many songs were written for the occasion, such as "Chiisa na Uta," however others were older songs "Nani mo Kamo ga Hoshi ni Natte" was originally performed by Kokia in concerts in 2003. "Todokimasu Yō ni" was performed at her June Garden concerts in 2005. She talked in detail about the creation of the song "Il Mare dei Suoni" in her blog in June 2006, which she had originally performed at her That's Why I Was Born solo live concert in 2003 (though it was originally titled "Sento nel Core" (It:
Feel the Core)).
, it was released in Japan before in France. The Japanese edition was released on the 20th of February, eight days before the French edition.
The album was re-released in France as a part of a 3CD set called Kokia Collection, on the 22nd of October 2008. The album also featured 2006's Aigakikoeru: Listen for the Love
2008's and Christmas Gift
, and features a cover similar to the Christmas Gift photoshoot cover.
albums charts, selling 8,000 copies.
CDJournal gave the album a positive review, noting Kokia's "wonderful natural sound." The Voice received an award from Adlib magazine in 2008, for the Domestic World/New-Age category. Adlib praised Kokia's "seven-coloured voice," as well as the wide range of genres on the album, encompassing classical
, Irish folk music
and Okinawan folk songs.
by Vladimir Fyodorovich Vavilov in Italian.
Kokia (singer)
is a Japanese singer-songwriter, who performs under the stage name Kokia . She is best known for her songs and "The Power of Smile." She is also recognised for her numerous contributions to anime/game soundtracks, the most notable being "Ai no Melody/Chōwa Oto " for the film...
's sixth studio album, released in February 2008. It is the first of four album releases in 2008 celebrating her 10th anniversary as a singer.
Three songs from the album feature on Kokia's 2009 greatest hits collection Coquillage: The Best Collection II
Coquillage: The Best Collection II
Coquillage: The Best Collection II is Kokia's second greatest hits album, released on December 2, 2009.-Background:...
: "Ave Maria," "Chiisa na Uta" and "Everlasting." Also featured are "Say Goodbye and Good Day," the bonus track from the French edition, along with the Fairy Dance: Kokia Meets Ireland
Fairy Dance: Kokia Meets Ireland
-Japan Sales Rankings:...
rearrangement of "Song of Pocchong."
In late 2009, "Lacrima" was chosen to be used as the ending theme song for the film Uyghur Kara Kita Shōnen.
Background
In response to the 2007 Chūetsu offshore earthquake2007 Chuetsu offshore earthquake
The Chūetsu Offshore Earthquake was a powerful magnitude 6.6 earthquake that occurred 10:13 a.m. local time on July 16, 2007, in the northwest Niigata region of Japan. The earthquake shook Niigata and neighbouring prefectures...
, Kokia wrote a charity song, "Watashi ni Dekiru Koto," after being contacted by one of her fans who lived in Kashiwazaki, Niigata
Kashiwazaki, Niigata
is a city located in Niigata, Japan.As of May 1, 2008, the city has an estimated population of 92,947 and the density of 210 persons per km². The total area is 442.70 km²....
. The fan sent copies of the song to the local FM station FM Pikkara, who put the song on heavy rotation. A month after the earthquake, Kokia performed at a special encouragement concert to 3,000 residents in Kashiwazaki, along with the Japan Self-Defense Forces
Japan Self-Defense Forces
The , or JSDF, occasionally referred to as JSF or SDF, are the unified military forces of Japan that were established after the end of the post–World War II Allied occupation of Japan. For most of the post-war period the JSDF was confined to the islands of Japan and not permitted to be deployed...
' band. When Kokia returned from this concert, she wrote the lullaby "Lacrima," which also features on the album. Two months after the earthquake, the song was released as a CD locally, due to popular demand (featuring both "Watashi ni Dekiru Koto" and "Lacrima"). Both songs later feature on the album, though "Watashi ni Dekiru Koto" as a Japan-only bonus track. "Watashi ni Dekiru Koto" was later featured in a segment on the popular show Daremo Shiranai Nakeru Uta on the 9th of December, 2008.
In November 2007, Kokia released "Follow the Nightingale
Follow the Nightingale
"Follow the Nightingale" is a song by Kokia, released as her 18th single on November 21, 2007. The song, along with the single's B-side "Say Goodbye & Good Day," were used as the opening and ending theme songs for the Nintendo DS game Tales of Innocence....
," which was used as the opening theme song for the game Tales of Innocence
Tales of Innocence
is the ninth mothership title in the Tales series for the Nintendo DS. The game was developed by Alfa System, and was released on December 6, 2007 in Japan. Tales of Innocences characteristic genre name is . The game has not been released outside of Japan although there is a full fan translation...
. It was a commercial success, reaching #33 selling 12,000 copies (her fourth most sold single, as of 2010). The single's B-side, "Say Goodbye & Good Day" was used as the ending theme song for the game. It features on the French edition of The Voice as a bonus track.
Kokia also released a single (the anime Gunslinger Girl: Il Teatrino's opening theme song) in January 2008 to commercial success (it sold over 10,000 copies), however the single was released through anime retailer label Marvelous Entertainment, instead of Kokia's regular retailer Victor Entertainment
Victor Entertainment
is a subsidiary of Japan Victor Company that produces and distributes music, movies and other entertainment products such as anime and television shows in Japan. It was formerly known as...
. Neither the leading track or its B-side feature on the album.
Recording
Kokia first decided the theme for the album in May/June 2007. Kokia chose the album's title and concept based on what people always considered her strength in music. She generally chose album themes in the past based on lyrical messages, but for her 10th anniversary chose the theme to be her own voice. The album's neoclassical style and song selections were intended to show the entire range of Kokia's singing abilities. In an interview with Viviana, Kokia explained, "Simply put, I thought I'd made songs that only I could sing."Kokia started focusing on recording the album in October 2007. Originally nine of the songs were planned to be recorded in November, however recording was briefly delayed due to Kokia catching a cold. It was resumed in late November. The album release date was officially announced in early December, before recording had finished. The final song recorded for the album was "Il Mare dei Suoni," on the 8th of December. The album had finished mastering on the 13th of December.
Many songs were written for the occasion, such as "Chiisa na Uta," however others were older songs "Nani mo Kamo ga Hoshi ni Natte" was originally performed by Kokia in concerts in 2003. "Todokimasu Yō ni" was performed at her June Garden concerts in 2005. She talked in detail about the creation of the song "Il Mare dei Suoni" in her blog in June 2006, which she had originally performed at her That's Why I Was Born solo live concert in 2003 (though it was originally titled "Sento nel Core" (It:
Italian language
Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...
Feel the Core)).
Release
Unlike Kokia's previous album, Aigakikoeru: Listen for the LoveAigakikoeru: Listen for the Love
Aigakikoeru: Listen for the Love is Kokia's fifth album. It was originally released under Wasabi Records in France in November 2006, however was eventually released in Japan six months later...
, it was released in Japan before in France. The Japanese edition was released on the 20th of February, eight days before the French edition.
The album was re-released in France as a part of a 3CD set called Kokia Collection, on the 22nd of October 2008. The album also featured 2006's Aigakikoeru: Listen for the Love
Aigakikoeru: Listen for the Love
Aigakikoeru: Listen for the Love is Kokia's fifth album. It was originally released under Wasabi Records in France in November 2006, however was eventually released in Japan six months later...
2008's and Christmas Gift
Christmas Gift (album)
Christmas Gift is Kokia's eighth studio album, released in October/November 2008. It is her first full-length Christmas album, though she had released a special Christmas EP for fans, A Piece of Christmas, in November 2006...
, and features a cover similar to the Christmas Gift photoshoot cover.
Reception
The album reached #42 on the Japanese OriconOricon
, established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan. It started as , which was founded by Sōkō Koike in November 1967 and became known for its music charts. Oricon Inc...
albums charts, selling 8,000 copies.
CDJournal gave the album a positive review, noting Kokia's "wonderful natural sound." The Voice received an award from Adlib magazine in 2008, for the Domestic World/New-Age category. Adlib praised Kokia's "seven-coloured voice," as well as the wide range of genres on the album, encompassing classical
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
, Irish folk music
Folk music of Ireland
The folk music of Ireland is the generic term for music that has been created in various genres in Ireland.-History:...
and Okinawan folk songs.
Track listing
All songs written and produced by Kokia, except for "Ave Maria," which is a cover of the classical ariaAria
An aria in music was originally any expressive melody, usually, but not always, performed by a singer. The term is now used almost exclusively to describe a self-contained piece for one voice usually with orchestral accompaniment...
by Vladimir Fyodorovich Vavilov in Italian.
Japan Sales Rankings
| Release | Chart | Peak Position | First Week Sales | Sales Total | Chart Run |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oricon Daily Albums Chart | 17 | ||||
| Oricon Weekly Albums Chart | 42 | 4,653 | 7,765 | 4 weeks | |
| Oricon Yearly Albums Chart |