I guess most of us have already get the fact digested a week ago. Remember, we have been discussing this for a week already.

I'm pretty disappointed that the no. 1 streak is gone finally. However, even if this album survives, I'm sure that ayu will not escape easily next time. Also, almost every artist will face this "not no. 1 anymore" one day, unless the artist chooses to retire during his/her shiniest era.

So I guess we, the fans, can go to another cycle now. We dun need to actually get worried about whether the no. 1 streak can be maintained. We just need to concern about whether the upcoming materials have better reputations or not. To ayu or us it's probably a relief :).

And last but not the least, GUILTY is doing much better than I thought. It's just 60K less than Secrets for two week sales. I guess this album will get over 500K eventually. The only sad thing is that ayu's 10th anniversary is not that perfect anymore.. :no.

BUT I have a feeling that ayu will produce better music this year... TBH my feeling towards "Secret to GUILTY" era is similar to "I am... to RAINBOW" era. I lost interest on ayu's music during the I am/RAINBOW era. At this moment I dun feel ayu's music is very interesting either, except that I did buy Secret, while I didn't buy I am... :P.

WOAH

432k isn't bad at all given the state of the industry now, though I am still a little sad that her #1 streak has been broken :( Nevertheless, GUILTY is still a great album, and I'd rather have it sell steadily and eventually make it to a million (or at least 800k +) than make a big debut and then exponentially drop later. Let's hope it pulls an Otsuka Sakuranbo when it comes to charting! (Ai Otsuka' single Sakuranbo didn't ever make it to #1, but sold well since it was consistent on the charts) :yes

to be honest, sakuranbo is kinda like a one hit wonder, as ai-chan has nothing to compared with it afterwards (even tho she is still popular afterwards). Of course technically speaking it should be called "the signature song of otsuka ai".

I just hope that something like STEP you will appear this year. Maybe STEP you wasn't a huge seller, but at least it was a still big hit for ayu. Well if she's making something that can be compared with Boys & Girls/A/SEASONS/M/evolution, that will be really wonderful :D.

I am pretty sure that if STEP you was released back than it would be a 1 million seller :D

And no.2 isn't really getting to me, she still Ayu, popular or not.

It wasn't a one-hit wonder at all. A one-hit wonder is when an artist is famous for only one song, and then you never hear from them again. Sakuranbo may be Ai's most famous song, but people definitely heard from her again afterwards and she's gone on to be one of the most famous female artists today--look at Planetarium. Look at how well Ai Am Best did--one of the top albums of 2007! I think Ayu's signature songs are Boys & Girls, SEASONS, etc. Doesn't make her a one-hit wonder :P

Sadly, I think the reason those songs are only considered as epic and majestic as they are is because they were released when Ayu was in her prime---1999 to 2001 (and a little of 2002). They are still good songs, but face it, if they were released in, say, 2006 or 2007, many people would brush them off as "boring" like they did BLUE BIRD or fated. Boys & Girls would be just another "cutesy happy song" and "M" would be another "Oh, another rock song?". I think that if they were released recently, they'd elicit those kinds of responses.

This is IMO only of course, but lately I'd say it's become rather trendy to hate on Ayu's recent releases and glorify her beginning days. Of course, her earlier albums were fantastic as well ("A Song for XX" remains one of my fave songs to this day), but people fail to recognize how far she's come as a singer lately too. For example, I'd rather take "Will" over "TO BE" anyday. While it's true that she's simply been in the business for a while and that people's interest in her is decreasing, I believe there is considerable bias toward her older work that causes some people to almost automatically brush off her new work.

so does that mean this ruins her #1 album streak? :-\ or did that streak just consist of daily number 1's? haha...

i think the sales arent bad at all, actually compared to secret's 2nd week 494,399

theres a gap, but a small one

good for ayu, and come on guys, being #1 is not everything in life

So for being emotional but this post was moving, bluegie! :weep

Question: I'm still confused! They didn't count a week or did they?

@namiie: I agree namiie. I'm a fan of her older and newer work. I always think ayu songs are good. I'm never disappointed in them...well, prolly a couple but that's about it.

to be honest.. I am really sad that this album did not make no.1, I was hoping that she would have at least 2 more no.1 albums.. to continue her no.1 streak. I can't believe it came so soon... especially since their is so many sad news about ayu from her left ear to her best friend. This is not how her 10th anniversary should start. I can't believe avex, and her fans in Japan let this happen to her. (I will get over this in couple days...)

I don't reallly care, I'll still say GO AYUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUu

Actually, I am sad that she's no. 2. Huh... I hope Koda Kumi's Kingdom will flop too^^
I don't really want Ayumi to have lower sales to Koda, But..... in this point I think Kumi might have higher sales.....
Oh NOOOOOOO....... I am going to have another nightmare tonite. Seriously, I didn't even sleep last nite, All I had in mind was, would Ayumi be no. 1??? Now I know the reason why I couldn't sleep well last nite, probably I felt that this was going to happen...

OH NOOOOO........

^This isn't flopping. It would've been #1 almost any other week and it's on its way to selling 600k. That's pretty good given her singles sales.

That's how I feel about STEP you. This is so far the only recent ayu songs that I would think it could be a million sellers if it was released back in her peak era.

Of course I know it's not a one hit wonder :P. But I kinda feel it's sorta like somehow. Yes SMILY/Planetarium were really popular as well, but it's not up to par with Sakuranbo in terms of longevity and sales (even tho I hate this song). And too bad it seems like Ai-chan cannot make another 500K seller (judging by her recent sales..). It's like, if you ask anyone which ai-chan song is the most popular, everyone will point towards Sakuranbo.

Ayu or hikki are different on the other hand. They have more than a few songs that hit million marks (ayu: B&G, A, SEASONS, M, or even evolution, which was about 960K sold) (hikki: Automatic, Addicted To You, W&S, CYKAS?).

About ayu's most popular songs being released in her prime theory.. Well I sorta disagree. As a fan going through LOVEppears to GUILTY era (well too bad I wasn't into JPop when she released A Song for XX), I still consider SEASONS, M, evolution, etc. are one of her best works. Those songs are more unique in their own ways, unlike recent her works. Honestly I cannot see the difference between fairyland/BLUE BIRD/glitter. They have the same formula.. similar melodies, similar tones, etc. It's like whenever she's releasing a new single, it just sounds like recycling her old materials. That was how I felt back in I am to RAINBOW era (e.g., Free & Easy sounds too similar to M). And thank god she released Memorial address, in which the materials sounded quite different compared to the works in I am and RAINBOW. And somehow I believe ayu's going through the cycle again, as I have faith that she'll be releasing some spectacular like Memorial address again this year.

This was all a plan to kill off ayumi's #1 streak! I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT!

Oh well, you win some you lose some, and ayumi's got her first #2. Unless some MIRACLE happens, ayumi will not get a #1

If only if these were (miss)understood sales like with her 650k first two weeks. That was a miracle.

Well I think BLUE BIRD would do awesome as well, and probably HEAVEN.
And well glitter and BLUE BIRD might have a "similar" formula, but they are different, and fairyland was less happy than the other 2 in my opinion, and I don't really see it as a summer song.But sure, I agree that LOVEppears/Duty/I am.. songs had uniqueness that not every song has.And that probably what Ayu needs now if she wants to get back on the top, something new, but at the same time totally different from anything else others are doing.I am not saying she isn't different, just that she has created her own style, and that she seems to be sticking to it.

This was all a ploy to break Ayu's #1 streak and position Kuu as the "new" face of Avex, just like what happened to Namie!! :o


Just kidding! LOL, I'm waiting paciently for ORICON's update. :D

EXACTLY! It's not necessarily the songs that are so amazing (although in this case, they are!), but the hype that went along with those songs. M was huge because it was a great song AND Ayumi was in her prime. So yes, I agree 100%!

The 2 weeks is lumped into 1 huge week.

I think we need to give Ai some more time. After all, Ayu and Hikki have been in the game for ten years. Ai's recently just celebrated her fourth year :) If you've been taking notice in her concerts, Ai's signature song is now branching out from Sakuranbo...."Happy Days" and "SMILY" are definitely becoming fast fan favorites and are performed at every concert.

And *I* honestly think you can throw in "July 1st" and "Greatful Days" in with the "fairyland/BLUE BIRD/glitter" mix. They are quintessential summer songs--happy lyrics, danceable melody, the works. However, people to tend to leave these summer songs out when comparing summer releases because they are more old school Ayu--the Ayu that everyone likes to glorify and leave recent Ayu in the dust.

I do agree on the awesomeness that is Memorial Address though. However, I think that Ayu hasn't stopped being unique. I was struck by how amazingly original "Ourselves" as a song is (albeit the PV was not up to par). I think "until that Day..." is pretty unique in itself too, and what about "kiss o' kill"? Chainsaws are definitely something Ayu--and many pop artists in general--usually don't throw into their songs. And hello, "Bold & Delicious"??? If that isn't unique for Ayu, I don't know what is.

I'm not trying to say that Ayu is 100% awesome 100% of the time (I gave "fated" a good 50 listens before declaring it absolutely boring, which it is), and she does have her share of "WHAT THE HELL IS THIS" when it comes to songs (see "Humming 7/4" XD), but I do believe that her new music is not bad at all. I'd rather take the vocal improvement present in something like B&D over the ~totally original~ but frankly quite horrible vocals of "Heartplace". It's all about acquired taste I think.

Wow that's a long reply LOL.

I'm not saying Ai-chan can't prove it since she's still like the mid of her 20s. The thing is, right now Japan is not giving her more time at all. Looking at her recent sales it seems like she starts fading already. She gotta make something different from Sakuranbo / Happy Days / SMILY / frienger / CHU-LIP / PEACH. I guess people are getting tired of her similar happy songs. I do think those songs are different from each other.. somehow the instrumental arrangements are freakin' similar. (Btw I believe that ayu and hikki have already proven how good they were even before their 4th year)

Yes, Greatful Days are July 1st~2003 ver~. Actually Until that day is quite similar to other songs somehow. BUT the difference is again the arrangement. She (or the arranger) can try something else other than hitting the drum/guitar/electrical piano everytime.

The reason I dun wanna mention Bold & Delicious is that it's actually a flop. Dun get me wrong, I really love the song, and I think B&D and Pride are super unique among ayu's songs. The thing that the majority doesn't accept this dramatic change at all. It is always hard to try out new things. I'm kinda disappointed that many people wanna wipe out these two songs out of ayu's discography, because melody and arrangement wise they are really excellent.

Sigh... the thing is ayu doesn't wanna get rid of her mates (such as peco and princess, and no need to mention her guiltar/piano/other instruments players etc.). Sometimes I kinda wonder if this is why the arrangement getting restricted? 70% materials in the albums must have all of those elements so that her players can actually play at live. Her songs should include some other instruments rather thans essential 5 (or 6 or whatever how many people in her band).

It's sad to see ayu get no.2...anyway the number itself is not bad. I saw someone predict the sale to be something around 20 thousand copies.

Well to me, I can't put songs like independent, july 1st, unite! with fairyland, blue bird, glitter...even though they're all released in the summer, they sound so different. Its not because of the era it was released in. Its the songs itself. Fairyland, blue bird, and glitter sound too summer beach...and I really can't listen to them whenever...especially non summer time. Songs like independent, unite!, july 1st don't sound as summerish and they're more like step you concert type of songs...and I still listen to them now whenever I feel like listening to upbeat songs. If fairyland, blue bird, glitter was released during her peak, I still wouldn't like it...just like I don't like audience, fly high, trauma. Inspire was the last summer song that I really truly liked. MY ALL is the type of song I've been waiting for ayu to release in the summer...but too bad she released glitter instead.

You might just be right :( If they really wanted to keep her streak alive they could have released the album in another date. I'll be honest, sometimes it feels like they don't care as much anymore. There seems to be a lack of innovative ways of promoting her as an artist. I know they still consider her as one of their most important artists (she is!) but I feel like she is slowly being put in the backburner.

Things just don't feel the same :think

I would have to agree. It feels like she is getting lessor and lessor promotion. Even though she had huge posters everywhere but things like tie-ins, magazine appearances, are getting less. The only thing that is going up is her doing asia tour again but I can't help but feel avex will very soon give other artists their asia tour just coz ayu's was successful. As if using ayu to open the path to the asia market for others.

If you compare koda's promotions and ayu's, big difference...but I guess it can't be helped as koda still have juice left for them to squeeze out...even though their sales are getting closer together.

Ayu's tired, let Koda do all the work she needs to GET her sales,
Ayu just needs the posters lol~XP

Would they consider the 1st Jan non-#1 the album's debut charting position though? Plus, there's still weekly to consider.

I agree that Ayu needs more tie-in's and CM's. I miss them.

Does anyone else besides me think that billboard promotion and trucks playing music is a really annoying way of promoting a product? I have no idea what people in Japan would think of this, but all I know is that I'd be somewhat annoyed. It's like all.. desperate and in-your-face.. I don't see why an established artist like Ayu would even need obnoxious promotion like that. Maybe in the next round, avex should lay low with that type of promotion and try to get some big-scale tie-in's. Then again, Koda probably has first dibs on all of those...

Oh wow I'm just in shock I suppose. asdfghjkl

I think it's pretty much standard for every major release.

I'm sad that she's lost her No.1 streak, at the start of her 10th year anniversary. But guess tis is expected to happen at some point of her carreer. No artist can be on top forever. No.2 is still great esp for someone in her 10th yr in e industry. Plus GUILTY is such a great album and e sales is muc better than expected.(i thot it will sell like mayb 300,000plus copies only, and at least her drop isn't as serious as mika, Boa and Ai).. hopefully it will maintain & stay long on e chart. Prayin for mayb total sales of 650,000copies..=) *finger crossed

I just hoped Ayu continue making good music and stay happy, will support her no matter what..=) God Bless. hopefully she will haf a comeback soon

Haha, sorry, I tend to ramble XD

Yeah, that's why I really admire Ayu sometimes---even though B&D was a flop, I don't think she cares. I honestly think she really loves that song--look how happy and confident she is every time she sings it! :P It proves that interesting arrangement and different vocals aren't exactly what the people are looking for...I remember in one of the talkin' 2 myself sales threads, someone brought up a really good point that everytime Ayu has an "experimental" single, it tends not to do well.

I think a lot of it has to do with Asian culture, really...being Vietnamese, it's my experience that sometimes when my parents are watching a Vietnamese music show and the song is sad or something, they're like "UGH get over it". :laugh Not all the time, of course, but I think maybe cultural mentality has something to do with it. "GUILTY" is a rather dark album ("MY ALL" and "glitter" aside), and the past two albums have been rather dark as well. I think at first it was really refreshing to see this honest young singer voicing her troubles (hence the success of "A Song for XX", etc) but lately maybe people are just tired of hearing Ayu complain :laugh It's just a theory, but just maybe. Perhaps this is why her summer singles tend to do better than her regular ones?

And about the instruments...well, I don't think it's her team, but rather just what's practical. Guitar and piano are staples in not only Ayu's music, but many, many artists' music as well.

well talkin' 2 myself isn't a really experimental single, as she has already done many heavy rock songs previously. Maybe I shouldn't say it's about piano and guitar or same instruments... It's rather about similar or even same arrangement. Let's use (don't) Leave me alone as an example. I watched the dvd before listening to the cd, so I didn't aware of the very beginning of the song is almost exactly the same as the very beginning of 1 LOVE. Then when I played the cd in my car, my brother pointed out that immediately.

I guess if B&D wasn't released as a single, people might have accepted it easier. There are other factors affected this single's sale beside the arrangement. Releasing it closer to (m)u was one of the huge mistakes. Or probly people didn't like ayu's dark hair (I kinda doubt it tho cuz she looked really really good with that). I remember that I wasn't particularly annoyed when I found out that both songs in this single didn't get into A BEST 2. But later on I feel that it's quite a stupid not to include B&D and Pride.

Actually Pride is not a really weird song in ayu's discography. Yes, it's experimental, but it's just another ballad. I guess it's been attached to B&D so it has the same fate...

About the dark concepts, I guess it's about age problem. Hmmmn... let's say in this way. The early songs that ayu wrote was mostly about her darker teenage period. We must admit that teenagers are more emotional than adults. It's easier to bring out the resonance (or unison?..) within that group.

Now the dark songs ayu writes are probly more about adult-related, or just something so mysterious/abstruse. Teenagers can't understand the meaning of the songs, and probly adults don't have time to care about the meaning (or dun even wanna touch the darker songs... life is hard already so why bother?). That means, less people attracted by her recent materials (esp fast heavy rock songs...).

Of course this is just one of my assumptions.. There must be more than one reasons why lesser people buying her materials nowadays..

Official numbers by Oricon

*1　454,601　*,845,485　Kobukuro - 5296
*2　432,113　*,432,113　Ayumi Hamasaki - GUILTY
*3　314,711　1,236,780　EXILE - EXILE LOVE

BTW, GUILTY is #1 at today rankings

#1: Ayumi Hamasaki (GUILTY) - 9,238 (x1.7) = 15705
#2: Kobukuro (5296) - 8,987 (x1.7) = 15278
#3: EXILE (EXILE LOVE) - 7,185 (x1.7) = 12215

Nifty.

GUILTY is back to #1 daily again today? I didn't think it can...good job ayu!

Nice "first" week, I'm really happy. Here's to strong "second" week sales! :D

T__T
very very sad..
but why chas_ayu create 3rd thread..
this thread still need 70 posts until 500 posts to create new thread

but i'm so happy for the 1st day sales in this week do very well

Ayu's never had a song as rockish as talkin' 2 myself before...yes, she's had rock, but they've always been pop-rock, not necessarily straight up rock. ;)

B&D and Pride weren't on A BEST 2 because Ayu only included songs from her "second chapter"--that is, songs UP TO Bold & Delicious. And even though Pride is a ballad, I still think it was different since it was a little more gospel-y (along with B&D) than previous ballads. The vocal style was definitely a change.

I don't think Ayu's newer dark songs speak of adult troubles. Rather, I think she talks about a lot of universal content in her lyrics that people of a variety of ages can feel. While it's true that her fanbase consists largely of teenagers, I don't think the lyrics are what's scaring them away from buying her albums lately. Ah well. Who knows? The industry in general is suffering as a whole.