I disagree, I think this album's pretty good. Great variety, which is what I like about Ayumi. The only songs that I'm kind of iffy about are STEP you, alterna (would've been a lot better if it wasn't stretched needlessly so long), Ladies Night, in the corner, and Beautiful Day. Five out of sixteen's not bad. I've disliked much more songs on her other albums.

To each their own.

Hmm, am not sure about this album... I like (miss)understood, Criminal previews and Beautiful Day full version. In The Corner is just okay, not really into that kind of thing, I don't think that suits Ayu. I agree that her vocals lack emotion in these. That sort of lets the whole thing down, I'm beginning to think that this could be a better album if there was a bit more work done on it. Overall, I'd say this album is weaker than MY STORY, it's tracks like Ladies Night, In the corner and B&D together with those bland vocals that let this album down for me.

Crap. I'm resisting those spoilers.. >.< I dont want these DLs to spoil the album for me, the surprise factor counts you know..

Make a poll?

I tend to agree with Larissa and BanFan. However, my opinion in based on the previews of the new album tracks only - it's possible I'll love the full song, as was the case with Rainy Day. Judging from the previews though, I can barely stand Ladies Night and Beatufiul Day and In the Corner sound so generic to me. And it pains me to say it because throughout Ayu's entire discography there has rarely ever been a time when I didn't like her album tracks, at the very minimum I thought they were all at least decent. These are the only ones that from the very start I haven't liked. These do feel too rushed and with her schedule that's easy to understand. I just wish the record company would back off and give the albums the time they need to come together, even if it means we won't get an album a year anymore. Putting out 8 albums in 8 years is too much to ask of any artist, especially with the performance schedule that Ayu has IMO.

I think this will be an awsome Album just like My Story for me, I dont want to listen and watch the tracks and new PVs only previews, and I dont think it will be as bad as some say, I think all singles were awsome, I liked them all especially Fairyland single

Wait...! There are previews out for Criminal...etc? Where are they?

edit:
found them.

Look in the downloads section...

Actually I'm more than satisfied. It's great. There's not one song I dislike. Honestly it doesn't sound rushed to me. Now Ai's "LOVE COOK" does sound rushed to me. I love the variety and the guts to experiment. It definately strikes out as her boldest album.

Ok I previewed the songs and to be honest I found that the songs have set my bar lower for Ayumi's songs. Yes, they're that horrible!

I don't see how these songs can be any good after listening to these previews (unless they intentionally featured the worst parts of the songs which is highly unlikely). If the rest of the album follows the pattern then it seems Ayumi and whoever's producing/composing this album was picking up scraps from the new wave and arena rock dumpster. With the exception of 2 songs that came off previously released singles, this album feels like its gonna be stinker.

That's not what you said when MY STORY was released last year and you listened to the previews:

Once Banfan listened to the whole album he ended up liking it.:) Hopefully the same will hold true for this album.

i'd definatelly buy it if i had money just now. it's still before i got my xmas presents, so i don't know if i can afford it yet xD

i guess i'd buy it mostly for the dvd. i love making of's and i hate to download everything from the web.

Hopefully people will listen to the whole thing with attention before sentencing the whole album based on their impressions in short previews only.:) That happened to MY STORY.

I'm pretty sure I will love this album. I love all the singles so far (except the B-side song Will). I dun wanna spoil my fun so I'm not going to download ANY preview/full song this time (it's been a mistake to download rainy day pv... hehe).

Like I said in another thread, I'm pretty happy with the songs so far. Some of the album tracks even sound single quality ((miss)understood, rainy day). Then again, some songs are plain and unoriginal (In the corner, Beautiful day). Criminal sounds cool in the preview and Ladies Night sucks :P

i have to disagree with all of you. i have been prasing this album since the singles, and after hearing the previews, it's nothing like i haven't said before. this album is just one of ayu's best imo. in the corner is something so different you have to love this song! beautiful day is cute, it's just like ayu's cutesy days! criminal is just another rock song as well as (miss) understood so if you liked the MY STORY album you have to like this one. Ladies Night is something totally different from what ayu has usually done but it's not a track to complain about. STEP you and is this LOVE? they also have a rock influence to the song so if rocks your thing you'll like it. fairyland is like a typical jpop song heard. alterna which i must say is the strongest track on the album is one of her best. HEAVEN has her singing emotions into it and it can be heard. Will was something I wasn't expecting with the japanese tradition feel to it, her voice shined in that song. Bold & Delicious, has an american feel to it but gotta admit makes you smile. Pride, just because it sounds like some other song doesn't mean you have to hate it now!? it's just another song that shows ayu's voice. rainy day, the first 3-4 seconds sounds like some movie, 4 seconds! now you're just going to say, omg, she copied i hate this song, now shes on the bottom of my list. what a bunch of BS! get real. this album rocks and it's something that regular ayu fans will enjoy. the problem with the MY STORY album was that i didn't get a different variety of tracks making me put the CD somewhere where it will collect dust for years to come. -phew- *exausted* :thud

I agree wholeheartedly on this :)

Also to evolution excellent points! This album is definately very powerful. The weakest track till now (Beautiful Days) is rather enjoyable.

1. In the Corner sounds passionate and full of emotion. I am so awaiting the full version. It sounds sort of epic and I love how her voice sounds raw.
2. Criminal sounds another heartfelt ballad with rock influences. I am currently loving it!
3. Ladies Night sound retro, electronic and reminds me of Madonna's old days in some ways. I have a feeling this song will be the most original sounding one out of this album.
4. (Miss) Understood has got the wow factor. It reminds me of a singing style of an italian artist Laura Pausini. Excellent vocals, composition and a lot of mixed emotions put just into one song. I'm currently still stunned at this song.
5. rainy days - How did she manage to mix cute vocals with such a poignant ballad? I'm impressed. It sounds so different from her ballads yet manages to portray her emotions in a clear manner.
6. Beautiful days is okay. Hasn't got the wow factor but it's quite enjoyable nonetheless.

I really do love this album :D can't wait to listen to it at my home!

Ohgosh, this is really starting to annoy me.

What the hell does 'sounding western' mean, and why is 'sounding western' a bad thing? The songs are Great, I think those who've dissented just need to lighten up and just let the songs under your skin for abit.

If that doesn't work, then maybe, well, you just don't know how to have fun.

exactly. If people want original japanese music, listen to enka singers for god's sake. If not, this album has "Will" for them to listen on repeat. Ayu is a pop singer who has several times mentioned she gets inspired on american artists.
As for having fun, maybe their fun is not listening to music but putting down anything new ayumi releases :shrug

Previews always make people not interested...Wasnt this the case for 'Will' and 'Pride'..'Will' in the CM was so blurry and smoky...'Pride' was bleh in the preview on her site (so dead)...But when the full song came out...Both were very powerful...

I think this year is the best for Ayu and this album is gonna ROCK 110%...So many variety...You can't just want Ayu to do the same style forever right?....besides, she is undergoing a change now