Break the Rules

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Break the Rules is the fifth studio album by Japanese recording artist Namie Amuro, released on December 20, 2000, through Avex Trax. It was released only eleven months after her previous album Genius 2000 (2000). It is her final album working with her long-time producer Tetsuya Komuro, and features American producer Dallas Austin (who first worked on her previous record). The music style on Break the Rules is still based on American R&B, but the tunes are more lively than its predecessor. Upon release, Break the Rules received positive reviews from music critics, who praised the production and Amuro's vocals throughout. The album was not a commercial success and failed to win first place on the weekly charts for the first time in her career. Break the Rules debuted at number two on the Oricon Albums Chart with first-week sales of over 157,000 copies. In doing so, it became Amuro's lowest-peaking and lowest-selling record in Japan to that point. Only around 335,000 copies were sold by the end of its chart run, less than half of her previous album. Despite this, Break the Rules was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ). "Never End" was released as the album's lead single on July 12, 2000, and served as the image song for the 26th G8 summit. The single became a success, peaking at number two on the Oricon Singles Chart and being certified double platinum by the RIAJ. "Please Smile Again" was released as the album's second single on October 4, 2000; it peaked at number two and was certified gold. "Think of Me / No More Tears" was released as a double A-side single on January 24, 2001; it only peaked at number seven on the chart. Amuro promoted Break the Rules by embarking on the...