I am (lol) not a "big" fan of "I am..." either. The 3 top hits started my love for Ayu (evolution~NEVER EVER~Daybreak combo plus maybeee M, cause its a classic right) but for the rest it's a bunch of same sounding kinda songs (UNITE!, Naturally, Still alone) The ballad section bores me to death (I was never a fan of Dearest or Endless sorrow) so I guess, she made better albums. Duty for example. Pure perfection.

I prefer the single version of Endless Sorrow, by far. I find it interesting because at the time she said something like she changed the song to "save" it, but her life versions are much more closely aligned to the single version. I don't mind the lyrical edits though, just the musical.

I love the intensity of I Am.... Every song has such conviction and purpose. I really wish she would perform some of the album tracks more, like No More Words or Still Alone.

I also love the story of M and her composing it. Basically she went out and bought a super keyboard, ready to compose -- and then realized she didn't know how to use it properly. So she ended up just recording herself humming the melody.

It's also interesting to see that people don't see a theme or concept to the album. This album is all about her struggle with Love vs. Freedom. Rainbow is a continuation of that theme, but I think this really introduced it in a strong way.

I know there is a concept to I am..., but the songs were too strong individually and the concept were overshadowed. Maybe the lyrical contents are working well together, but the music are not. So for me, I am... is better at singles, while RAINBOW is better as an album. I didn't really love the single songs in RAINBOW (except HANABI and Voyage) but I really like the album as a whole.

I think from 1998-2004, I really enjoy LOVEppears and Duty. I am... and RAINBOW are fantastic albums, but I don't connect with the themes of freedom/love, as much as I do with youth, confusion, self-doubt, etc. based themes that appear in LOVEppears/Duty. Imo they are her strongest albums in terms of pure concept and theme rigidity, perhaps only rivalled by GUILTY and Love Songs.

it sure is nice to have a bit of fun in the sun and sand from time to time

^ what are ayu and shuya doing on that photo?
new MV? summer love?
haha

It's from last summer...

it's from Summer diary shooting

screen from the video
http://i.imgur.com/MecXIGAl.jpg

You & Me part 2...

EDIT: Oh wait, it is just some damn throwback thurday picture compliation.
There really is nothing to talk about anymore, eh?:o:(

Well this is the social network thread. We only talk about what she posts lol

A few times here and there, people do throwbacks on Instagram or Twitter.

#ThrowbackThursday - or #TBT - that is... :D

Anyone knows what the description says? Looks like there's something about Tokyo Olympics.

I don't get it also. Is its something about preparation of Yoyogi Stadium to Olympic Games? It will be her last performances there?

I wonder where she will hold CDL

She just posted on twitter, seems like she's back to working with Leslie and Ryan now :/ Weird, but I do like Leslie's photos, just not the scandals during 2011-2012 *rolls eyes*

I wanna say maaaaaybe not. But who knows, maybe they got over their tiff, lol.

She says something about 6 final performances in yoyogi. 3 concerts for MIJ and I'm definite she will have her last 3 concerts at yoyogi for CDL16-17 and then she has to find a new venue to replace yoyogi until 2020

wow..that will be hard to find new venue such like Yoyogi