Best: Third Universe

Best: Third Universe

Best: Third Universe only cover. Artwork that was included on the conjoined album Best: Third Universe & 8th Al. Universe.
Compilation album by Kumi Koda
Released February 3, 2010
Recorded 2005–2009
Genre
Length 68:02
Label
Kumi Koda chronology
UNIVERSE
(2010)		 Best: Third Universe
(2010)		 Koda Kumi Driving Hit's 2
(2010)
Studio album booklet
Universe was included into the double album under the title Best: Third Universe & 8th Al. Universe. This is the booklet for Universe.

Best: Third Universe (stylized as BEST～third universe～)[upper-alpha 1] is the third greatest hits album by Japanese recording artist Kumi Koda. It was released as a double album with her eighth studio album Universe on February 3, 2010 by Rhythm Zone. The greatest hits album includes singles between May 2006 "Koi no Tsubomi" and her December 2008 single "Stay with Me", with a bonus disc with newly recorded material. As a double album, it was released in four different formats; a two album bundle, a two album and DVD bundle, a two album first pressing bundle, and a two album digital release. A fifth format was released, but only featured the compilation.

Upon its release, Best: Third Universe was met with generally positive reviews from music critics, many of whom complimented the vastness of Kumi's back catalogue and was noted as one of her strongest releases. Commercially, Best: Third Universe was a success. Charting together as a double album, Best: Third Universe and Universe became Koda's third and fourth number one compilation and studio album album to reach the top spot on Japan's Oricon Albums Chart respectively. Best: Third Universe and Universe was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for shipments of 250,000 units. It also charted in Taiwan, entering the top twenty on two competent charts. Koda promoted the album on her 2010 Universe Tour and her 10th Anniversary Tour, and followed up with remix albums; Koda Kumi Driving Hit's 2 and its third issue.

Background and material

In early January 2010, Japanese recording artist Kumi Koda announced plans of releasing a double album.[9] The double album was to promote both her third greatest hits album entitled Best: Third Universe, and a new studio album that consisted of unreleased material from recording sessions for her 2008 album, Trick.[9] However, new material arose after completing her concert tours: The 2009 Trick Tour and her first Taiwanese concert tour.[10][11] Best: Third Universe is Koda's first double album since her 2005 greatest hits album Best: First Things, which included single between her December 2000 debut "Take Back" and her May 2004 single "Cutie Honey", with a bonus disc with newly recorded material.[12] Third Universe is also Koda's first double album to consist of a greatest hits and full-length studio album.

The material from Best: Third Universe includes singles between May 2006 "Koi no Tsubomi" and her December 2008 single "Stay with Me", with a bonus disc with newly recorded material.[13] The recordings are sung in both English and Japanese language; "That Ain't Cool", a duet with American recording artist Fergie, is recorded in full English, while "Lady Go!" and "Taboo" are both bilingual tracks.[upper-alpha 2][upper-alpha 3] Each song is co-written by Koda, including the English and Japanese tracks.[13] Both Best: Third Universe and Universe have been described as a J-pop album with numerous elements of dance-pop, rock, R&B, electropop, and pop ballad.[14][15][16]

Release and packaging

Best: Third Universe was released as a double album with Koda's eighth studio album Universe on February 3, 2010 by Rhythm Zone in four different formats. The double CD featured the sixteen greatest hits tracks and fourteen original tracks on two separate compact discs.[13] The second first press issues featured a bonus track, the live version to "Moon Crying", and a bonus poster.[13] The double CD and DVD bundle featured the sixteen greatest hits tracks and fourteen original tracks on two separate compact discs, and a bonus DVD, including the music videos for the lead singles from the greatest hits and all featured singles from Universe.[17] This format also included the live version of "Moon Crying" and a bonus poster.[17] The final format is the digital release, which was released worldwide. This format featured the sixteen greatest hits tracks and fourteen original tracks.[8] A fifth format was released to promote both Best: Third Universe and Universe, but only included the greatest hits CD. However, a bonus booklet featured a website code to download short ringtones of all Universe tracks.[18]

The six Best: Third Universe and Universe cover sleeves feature different images all photographed by Leslie Kee.[8][13][17][18] The double album format has Koda looking towards the camera, holding up the booklet to her second greatest hits compilation Best: Second Session (2006).[13] The double album and bonus DVD format has Koda drinking from a coffee mug, while sitting on a kitchen bench reading the booklet.[17] Despite not being included on the compilation only format, the text "8th Al. Universe" is featured on the front cover, and has Koda holding up a strawberry.[18] The digital release uses the double album as its front cover.[8] Apart from the digital and compilation only release, each physical format features two booklets. The booklet front for Best: Third Universe has a close-up of Koda with long brown hair and minimal make-up. The Universe booklet was also issued, featuring a close-up of Koda with dark eye shadow, feathered jewellery and long false nails.[13][17] The booklets and photo shoots were designed by members of United Lounge Tokyo, and the theme is immolating Koda's Best: Second Session photo shoot.[8][13][17][18]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic (first review)[16]
Allmusic (second review)[15]
CD Journal(positive)[1]
Douban[19]
HMV(positive)[3]
Hot Express(positive)[20]

Best: Third Universe received favourable reviews from most music critics. Poppy from the Chinese website Douban awarded the album four stars out of five. Poppy complimented Koda's vocals and song writing, and went on that majority of the album's quality was "fresh". She also commended the "slow" and "fast" songs on the album.[19] Adam Greenberg from Allmusic awarded the album three-and-a-half stars out of five. He commented "Kumi Koda has enough hits on her hands to fuel a whole series of greatest-hits compilations. Proving this, Best: Third Universe is actually a companion pair of albums. Best Third contains the various Oricon chart hits (and a few others) released since her last compilation - Best Second. The songs are well-produced, well-performed, perfectly in the realm of Koda's forte. She can slink, she can croon, she can run a massive dance tune with a heavy beat, and all are shown off with great effect on Best Third.[16]

Ian Martin from the same publication awarded it three-and-a-half stars, opening by saying "Kumi Koda is a performer who divides opinion in her homeland, mocked and hated openly by many in Japan, and with many of her fans reluctant to admit to liking her." Martin later commented "Delving beneath Koda's image also reveals a generally high standard of music, albeit one that, for all the genre-hopping on display, never really strays too far from the blueprint of archetypal Avex Trax pop."[15] A staff reviewer from CD Journal commented the albums production, labelling it "luxurious". The reviewer also called the content of the greatest hits and the original album as "full of charm".[1] A staff reviewer from Japan's HMV store highly praised the album, calling both the greatest hits and the original album her "strongest work" to date.[3]

Commercial performance

Despite selling over 372,000 units, Universe was the fith best selling album by a female artist. Lady Gaga's The Fame Monster (left) and Namie Amuro's Past Future (right) had beaten Koda's sales.[21]

Charting together as a double album, Best: Third Universe and Universe debuted at number one on the Japanese Oricon Daily Albums Chart with 76,056 units sold, but slipped two number two for the rest of the week days.[22] Despite this, Best: Third Universe and Universe debuted at number one on the Japanese Oricon Daily Weekly Chart with an estimated 221,887 first week sales.[22][23] Both albums became Koda's third and fourth number one compilation and studio album album to reach the top spot on the Oricon Albums Chart respectively.[22] Despite this, Best: Third Universe and Universe became Koda's lowest selling greatest hits and studio album since Best: Second Session and Trick in first week sales; the former sold over 950,000, and the later sold over 250,000 units in its first week.[23] It fell to three in its second week, shifting over 60,552 units.[23] The album stayed inside the top ten for four weeks, selling over 325,000 units in its course.[22] It spent fifteen weeks inside the top 100 chart, and 32 weeks in the top 300 chart.[22] By the end of 2010, Best: Third Universe and Universe sold over 371,590 units and was ranked 18 on the Annual Oricon Yearly Albums Chart; this made Koda the fifth female artist on the chart, behind Lady Gaga, Kaela Kimura, Namie Amuro, and Kana Nishino.[21] To date, Oricon's database has ranked Best: Third Universe and Universe as Koda's seventh best-selling album.[24]

Best: Third Universe and Universe entered at number two on Japan's Billboard Top Albums Sales.[25] Unable to reach the top spot, it slipped to number three the following week, and eventually stayed in the top 100 chart for 16 weeks; its final position was at 89.[26][27] Best: Third Universe and Universe was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) for shipments of 250,000 units.[28] To date, the album has sold over 372,002 units in Japan.[23] Best: Third Universe and Universe also reached number 18 on the Taiwanese Albums Chart, and 4 their East Asian Albums Chart.[29][upper-alpha 4][upper-alpha 5][30][upper-alpha 6][upper-alpha 7]

Concert tours

To promote Universe and Best: Third Universe', Koda went on her 2010 Universe tour. The concert tour went throughout Japan, and the recurring theme was outer space and the shuttle used for the voyage (on all concert merchandise) was labelled Koda Airlines.[31] The concert tour was released in two formats; a double-DVD bundle, and a Blu-ray release.[32][33] The DVD reached number one on the Oricon DVD Chart, with over 67,078 units sold by 2010 and was ranked 27 on the Annual Oricon Yearly DVD Chart.[34] Koda further promoted the album on her 10th Anniversary Tour. The concert tour was released in two formats; a double-DVD bundle, and a Blu-ray release.[35][36] The DVD reached number one on the Oricon DVD Chart, with over 40,141 units sold by 2010 and was ranked 36 on the Annual Oricon Yearly DVD Chart.[37]

Track list

Best: Third Universe album (CD 1).[13]
No. Title Length
1. "Koi no Tsubomi" (from Black Cherry) 4:06
2. "I'll Be There" (from Black Cherry) 4:15
3. "Ningyo Hime" (from Black Cherry) 4:25
4. "With Your Smile" (from Black Cherry) 4:15
5. "Yume no Uta" (from Black Cherry) 4:43
6. "But" (from Kingdom) 3:37
7. "Freaky" (from Kingdom) 3:18
8. "Girls" (from Freaky) 4:37
9. "Ai no Uta" (from Kingdom) 4:51
10. "Last Angel" (feat. Tohoshinki; from Kingdom) 3:48
11. "Anytime" (from Kingdom) 4:09
12. "Moon Crying" (from Trick) 5:43
13. "That Ain't Cool" (feat. Fergie; from Trick) 3:30
14. "Lady Go!" (from Koda Kumi Driving Hit's) 4:02
15. "Taboo" (from Trick) 3:50
16. "Stay with Me" (from Trick) 4:53

Best: Third Universe & 8th Al. Universe track list

The Best: Third Universe and Universe collection premiered on February 3, 2010 as a double album.[13][17] The listing below contains two formats; the original double album, and a bonus DVD format.[13][17] The track list below details the personnel, credits, and performances from both Best: Third Universe and Universe, and not a stand-alone for Universe.[13][17]

Best: Third Universe album (CD 1).[13]
No. Title Length
1. "Koi no Tsubomi" (from Black Cherry) 4:06
2. "I'll Be There" (from Black Cherry) 4:15
3. "Ningyo Hime" (from Black Cherry) 4:25
4. "With Your Smile" (from Black Cherry) 4:15
5. "Yume no Uta" (from Black Cherry) 4:43
6. "But" (from Kingdom) 3:37
7. "Freaky" (from Kingdom) 3:18
8. "Girls" (from Freaky) 4:37
9. "Ai no Uta" (from Kingdom) 4:51
10. "Last Angel" (feat. Tohoshinki; from Kingdom) 3:48
11. "Anytime" (from Kingdom) 4:09
12. "Moon Crying" (from Trick) 5:43
13. "That Ain't Cool" (feat. Fergie; from Trick) 3:30
14. "Lady Go!" (from Koda Kumi Driving Hit's) 4:02
15. "Taboo" (from Trick) 3:50
16. "Stay with Me" (from Trick) 4:53

All formats

Charts and sales

Charts

Chart (2010) Peak
position
Japan Daily Albums Chart (Oricon)[22] 1
Japan Weekly Albums Chart (Oricon) 1
Japan Monthly Albums Chart (Oricon)[22] 4
Japan Yearly Albums Chart (Oricon)[21] 18
Japan Weekly Albums Chart (Billbard)[25] 2
Taiwan Weekly Albums Chart (G-Music)[29] 18
East Asian Taiwan Weekly Albums Chart (G-Music)[30] 4

Year-end charts

Chart (2010) Peak
position
Japan Yearly Albums Chart (Oricon)[21] 18

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/Sales
Japan (RIAJ) Platinum 372,000[23]

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone

Release history

Region Date Format Label
Japan[13] February 3, 2010 Double CD
Japan[17] Double CD & DVD
Japan[18] Best: Third Universe CD only
Japan[40] Digital album Avex Music Creative Inc.
Australia[41]
New Zealand[8]
United Kingdom[42]
Germany[43]
Ireland[44]
France[45]
Spain[46]
Taiwan[47]
Hong Kong February 10, 2010 Double CD
  • Avex Hong Kong
  • Rhythm Zone
South Korea[48] February 19, 2010 Double CD
Hong Kong[49] February 23, 2010 Double CD & Original Chaku Uta/Shidax
  • Avex Hong Kong
  • Rhythm Zone

See also

Notes and references

Notes

  1. ↑ Although BEST ~third universe~ is the albums registered album title, its name has differed since its release with the greatest hits album Best: Third Universe. For its domestic releases, BEST ~third universe~ and the original album goes by the title; BEST ~third universe~ & 8th AL "Universe", Best ~Third Universe~ & 8th AL "Universe", and 8th AL "UNIVERSE".[1][2][3][4][5][6] For international releases, Best: Third Universe and the greatest hits album goes by the title; Best - Third Universe & 8th AL Universe and Best: Third Universe & 8th Universe.[7][8]
  2. ↑ According to the album notes and accompanying lyric sheet, there is one English ("That Ain't Cool"), two bilingual ("Lady Go!" and "Taboo") and thirteen Japanese tracks (the remaining album tracks).[13]
  3. ↑ Despite the two English tracks being identified as English songs, each of those songs include minor words in Japanese. This is similar to the other thirteen Japanese tracks, which includes minor English language. However, because the tracks overemphasize their respective languages in the lyric sheet provided by Rhythm Zone, Avex Trax, S.M. Entertainment, and Avex Taiwan,[13] they are identified as their respective language tracks.
  4. ↑ The G-Music chart was established in July 2005 and only archives the top 20 releases.
  5. ↑ Week references for G-Music: Bon Voyage 2010 week 6.
  6. ↑ The G-Music chart was established in July 2005 and only archives the top 20 releases.
  7. ↑ Week references for G-Music: Bon Voyage 2010 week 6.

References

  1. 1 2 3 CD Journal Staff (February 3, 2010). "Kumi Koda / Best: Third Universe – Universe" (in Japanese). CD Journal. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
  2. ↑ CD Japan Staff (February 3, 2010). "BEST -third universe- & 8th AL "Universe"" (in Japanese). CD Japan. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 HMV Japan Staff (February 3, 2010). "Kumi Koda – Best: Third Universe – Universe" (in Japanese). HMV Japan. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  4. ↑ CD Japan Staff (February 3, 2010). "BEST -third universe- & 8th AL Universe" (in Japanese). CD Japan. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  5. ↑ Billboard Japan Staff (February 3, 2010). "Kumi Koda – BEST -third universe- & 8th AL Universe" (in Japanese). Billboard Japan. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  6. ↑ Oricon Style (February 3, 2010). "Kumi Koda – BEST -third universe- & 8th AL Universe" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  7. ↑ Amazon Staff (February 3, 2010). "Kumi Koda – Best: Third Universe & 8th Universe". Amazon.com. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Best - Third Universe & 8th AL "Universe" – Album – By Kumi Koda". iTunes Store NZ. February 3, 2010. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  9. 1 2 CD Journal Staff (January 19, 2010). "Kumi Koda's Best & original album announced!" (in Japanese). CD Journal. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
  10. ↑ Koda, Kumi (2009). Live Tour 2009: Trick (DVD; Liner notes). Kumi Koda. Japan: Rhythm Zone. RZB1-46528.
  11. ↑ Koda, Kumi (2009). 2009 Taiwan Live! (DVD; Liner notes). Kumi Koda. Japan: Rhythm Zone. RZBD-46400.
  12. ↑ Koda, Kumi (2005). Best: First Things (Liner notes). Kumi Koda. Japan: Rhythm Zone. RZCD-45254.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Koda, Kumi (2010). Best: Third Universe & 8th Al. Universe (Liner notes). Kumi Koda. Japan: Rhythm Zone. RZCD-46493~4.
  14. ↑ CD Journal Staff (February 3, 2010). "Kumi Koda / Best: Third Universe & 8th Al. Universe [CD + DVD]" (in Japanese). CD Journal. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  15. 1 2 3 Martin, Ian (February 3, 2010). "Kumi Koda – Best: Third Universe & 8th AL Universe 2 Disc". AllMusic. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
  16. 1 2 3 Greenberg, Adam (February 3, 2010). "Kumi Koda – Best: Third Universe & 8th AL Universe 1 Disc". AllMusic. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Koda, Kumi (2010). Best: Third Universe & 8th Al. Universe (CD and DVD; Liner notes). Kumi Koda. Japan: Rhythm Zone. RZCD-46491~2/B.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 Koda, Kumi (2010). Best: Third Universe & 8th Al. Universe (Greatest Hits album; Liner notes). Kumi Koda. Japan: Rhythm Zone. RZCD-46495.
  19. 1 2 Poppy (February 3, 2010). "Kumi Koda – Best: Third Universe – Universe" (in Chinese). Douban. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  20. ↑ Hiraga, Tetsuo (February 3, 2010). "Kumi Koda – Best: Third Universe – Universe" (in Japanese). Hot Express; published by Billboard Japan. Archived from the original on March 14, 2010. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  21. 1 2 3 4 "アルバム 年間ランキング-ORICON STYLE ランキング" (in Japanese). Oricon. December 20, 2010. Archived from the original on December 20, 2010. Retrieved December 20, 2010.
  22. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 倖田來未のリリース一覧 [A Look at Kumi Koda's Releases]. Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved April 16, 2014.
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 "オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」" [Oricon Ranking Information Service 'You Big Tree']. Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved May 21, 2014. (subscription required (help)).
  24. ↑ 倖田來未のランキング [A Look at Kumi Koda's Rankings]. Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  25. 1 2 "Billboard Japan Top Albums Sales Chart". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). February 15, 2010. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  26. ↑ "Billboard Japan Top Albums Sales Chart". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). February 22, 2010. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  27. ↑ "Billboard Japan Top Albums Sales Chart". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). May 31, 2010. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  28. ↑ ゴールド等認定作品一覧　2010年2月 [Works Receiving Certifications List (Gold, etc) (February 2010)] (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. March 10, 2010. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  29. 1 2 "G-Music Combo Chart" (in Chinese). G-Music. Archived from the original on July 6, 2012. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  30. 1 2 "G-Music J-Pop Chart" (in Chinese). G-Music. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
  31. ↑ "Kumi Koda Live 2010 Universe Tour". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). May 17, 2011. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  32. ↑ Koda, Kumi (2010). Kumi Koda Live Tour 2010 Universe (Liner notes). Kumi Koda. Japan: Rhythm Zone. RZBD-46682/3.
  33. ↑ Koda, Kumi (2010). Kumi Koda Live Tour 2010 Universe (Liner notes). Kumi Koda. Japan: Rhythm Zone. RZXD-46892.
  34. ↑ Oricon Style (December 20, 2010). "Oricon Style's 2010 Annual DVD Chart Sales and Positions" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  35. ↑ Koda, Kumi (2011). 10th Anniversary: Fantasia in Tokyo Dome (Liner notes). Kumi Koda. Japan: Rhythm Zone. RZBD-46886~7.
  36. ↑ Koda, Kumi (2011). 10th Anniversary: Fantasia in Tokyo Dome (Liner notes). Kumi Koda. Japan: Rhythm Zone. RZXD-46895~6.
  37. ↑ Arama Japan Staff (December 19, 2011). "Oricon Style's 2010 Annual DVD Chart Sales and Positions". Aramajapan.com. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  38. ↑ CD Japan Staff (February 3, 2010). "BEST -third universe- & 8th AL Universe" (in Japanese). CD Japan. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  39. ↑ Koda, Kumi (2010). Best: Third Universe & 8th Al. Universe (Liner notes). Kumi Koda. Japan: Rhythm Zone. RZC1-46517.
  40. ↑ "Best - Third Universe & 8th AL "Universe" – Album – By Kumi Koda". iTunes Store JP. February 3, 2010. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  41. ↑ "Best - Third Universe & 8th AL "Universe" – Album – By Kumi Koda". iTunes Store AU. February 3, 2010. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  42. ↑ "Best - Third Universe & 8th AL "Universe" – Album – By Kumi Koda". iTunes Store UK. February 3, 2010. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  43. ↑ "Best - Third Universe & 8th AL "Universe" – Album – By Kumi Koda". iTunes Store GER. February 3, 2010. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  44. ↑ "Best - Third Universe & 8th AL "Universe" – Album – By Kumi Koda". iTunes Store IRE. February 3, 2010. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  45. ↑ "Best - Third Universe & 8th AL "Universe" – Album – By Kumi Koda". iTunes Store FRA. February 3, 2010. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  46. ↑ "Best - Third Universe & 8th AL "Universe" – Album – By Kumi Koda". iTunes Store SPA. February 3, 2010. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  47. ↑ "Best - Third Universe & 8th AL "Universe" – Album – By Kumi Koda". iTunes Store TWN. February 3, 2010. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  48. ↑ Koda, Kumi (2010). Best: Third Universe & 8th Al. Universe (Liner notes). Kumi Koda. South Korea: S.M. Entertainment; Rhythm Zone. SMJTCD336.
  49. ↑ Koda, Kumi (2010). Best: Third Universe & 8th Al. Universe (Liner notes). Kumi Koda. Hong Kong: Avex Hong Kong; Rhythm Zone. RZCD-46495.

External links

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