FROM ME TO YOU is the debut album from twenty year-old singer-songwriter/guitarist YUI. A fairly-moderate hit, the album peaked at #4 on Japan's Oricon charts, selling a tad less than 200,000 copies after its release in mid-2006. The album has twice seen a resurgence on the charts -- once when YUI truly broke into the scene, starring in and releasing a single for her first acting vehicle, taiyou no uta, (the single, Good-bye days, has become her most successful to-date, selling just shy of 230,000 copies), and just recently, with the release of YUI's second album, CAN'T BUY MY LOVE.

Feeling like a combination of Ai Takaoka's grittier-edged material and Eri Takenaka's penchant for slightly-whiny vocals over acoustic backing, YUI's debut is a lot of the standard fare. She's not the strongest vocalist ever to grace the business -- her range is decent, but she comes across as slightly whiny and nasal at times, which can make some of the tracks here hard to listen to (the verses of feel my soul come to mind); in fact, I'm just now getting in to and appreciating YUI's music because of her vocals -- for the longest time, her voice had a tic in it that bugged my ears, so I can understand how some people might find her hard to get interested in.

Musically, the album utilizes guitars to their fullest extent, entwining acoustic and electric riffs and solos around plenty of songs and arrangements that, while not the most original, are certainly catchy and well-done. Tracks include a multitude of arrangements and styles, including a few surprises. There are harder-sounding, rock-inspired tracks, like the album opener Merry·Go·Round, whose catchy chorus, wistful childhood-farewell lyrics and impeccable guitar work make it one of the album's best; Swing of lie, which makes up for the lack of a real hook in the chorus by amping up the intensity of the song -- vocals, guitars, everything -- during that part, which, combined with the serious, well-vocaled verses make it another standout; and Just my way, which would've made a perfect single: it's got some killer guitar and drum work (even if it sounds slightly derivative) and spot-on vocals from YUI (her slight whine aside), especially during the rapid-fire, hook-filled chorus.

Acoustic tracks include the lovely ballad Blue wind, which layers the guitar over a very soft, slow drum beat to create a lilting, gently-rolling atmosphere that YUI conquers well. Her quiet vocal performance works well and the slight whine in her voice works well during the longing-filled chorus, in which YUI remembers a friend (who's died, I'm assuming) that gave her advice about believing in things like God and life. It's pretty and well done. Also driven by the acoustic guitar is the album's lead-in single, TOKYO, a very quiet, unassuming track which YUI delivers on, emoting perfectly as she relates the story of how she left her hometown of Fukuoka for Tokyo to pursue a singing career. It's easy (for me) to picture YUI sitting on a train station bench or in a park or standing on a street corner strumming her guitar to this, and that's what makes it work -- there's true artistry behind the song.

As a debut, YUI's FROM ME TO YOU works well enough. There's certainly nothing truly groundbreaking here, but YUI writes songs that fit her voice well, and she's got talent to spare. She's developing and coming in to her own as an artist, and if the her increased sales-trend continues, she's got a bright future ahead of her. Recommended.

YUI: "FROM ME TO YOU"
[ CDA | SRCL-6237 | ¥3,059 | 2006.02.22 ]

01. Merry·Go·Round [ 3:52 ]
02. feel my soul [ 3:48 ]
03. Ready to love [ 3:48 ]
04. Swing of lie [ 4:17 ]
05. LIFE [ 4:03 ]
06. Blue wind [ 4:10 ]
07. I can't say [ 3:38 ]
08. Simply white [ 3:36 ]
09. Just my way [ 3:22 ]
10. Tomorrow's way [ 4:47 ]
11. I know [ 3:04 ]
12. TOKYO [ 4:07 ]
13. Spiral & Escape [ 3:27 ]

[ http://www.YUI-net.com ]

Recommended: Yes