Hmmn, i'm tryin' to be more objective before continue writing so I won't sound like fighting hehe :P. Of coruse Mikazuki is a good song so I can see why the single is selling well. But Ayaka's case is a bit different as well. She never released any album before hand so considering the freshness of the artist, people tends to give the song a try. People gotta buy the single to make a judgement whether this new artist is good enough before buying the album.

In ayu's case, the songs were experimental, and at the same point she's not new anymore so most japanese expect what they would get from ayumi hamasaki. Whether they like or hate them, most of them knew that the album would be released 20 days later [(m)u actually started selling on the 27th of dec]. Hardcore fans would buy the single, while other not-too-hardcore fans would just go ahead for the album. Also, there're some non-fans only love one or two songs from particular artists, so they tend to buy the single instead of album. As you say B&D/Pride is pretty experimental. Even some fans didn't really like it, so I assume not many non-fans would consider them as good songs.


STEP you, fairyland, and HEAVEN are far from the album release date. By the time people bought those singles they didn't know when the album would release. If they wanna listen the songs, they either buy it online (mp3), or grab the CD. I can't say those three songs are better than B&D/Pride since different people have different tastes.

So yeah... there're several factors contribute to the low sales of B&D/Pride. I do agree with ruixiong89's comment tho... If they're meant to be experimental and not accept by the general public, they are not part of the BEST then.. (sigh... I love Pride... I like B&D... I do hope Pride will be on the BEST).

Sometimes I think... if Pride were not tied together with B&D, would people think it's really experimental? It sounds like a normal ayu song to me somehow..

I love B&D and Pride very much, two of my fav ayu songs. Maybe it's cause i'm American, who knows. But then again I don't think those songs really are all that American sounding seeing as how they would probably flop in the US unless Beyonce somehow managed to make them (lol).

THere's just something gospely about Pride. Something about the chorus. The composition is not what I'd expect from ayumi hamasaki either (which means it's not a composition it'd expect her to choose).

because Japanese people think gospel is wack yo

Then I guess the gospel is the main factor making Pride something different compared to normal ayu songs... When the official site revealed the preview of Pride I did think it's a weirdo. Yet the full version just sounds like other ayu songs - except the gospel part. I really love this song but then probly Japanese people hate it then.. :P

well...
if just the singles' sales are the answer of the question...
what is doing HUMMING 7/4 there?
all this is so subjetive :)

hmm
i like debating =)
so dont take it wrong =)
hehehe

the heat about Humming 7/4... I think it's because people wants Daybreak back to the list. If Humming was originally on the mumo tracklist, people wouldn't be annoyed too much. Daybreak was on the mumo, most people expected it would be official. All of the sudden Daybreak's gone and Humming's there.. Ahh I hope they make 16 tracks each..

yeah yeah :D

i used to love B&D but i never get into pride until i see she sings it live...that songs looks so much better...maybe there is no many fans that love it and the sales of that singles is low, forgiveness not made it into compilation too right? although i love that song

Because it sucked. :P

speaking about forgiveness.. hmmn there is lots of background vocals in this song as well... maybe japanese people hate songs with lots of background vocals... LOL