ayumi's most critically acclaimed album ?
 

I'm wondering what's her most critically acclaimed album by the critics to date ?

Is it Duty ?

You know that's a very good question - I know if we go by sales I think Duty would be it but to be honest I've never read what critics have to say about her albums... probably because I can't read Japanese very well yet, lol.

I think someone from Japan would be able to answer this, but for the most part, the public approval rating of Ayu's releases is usually very high.

You could look at the Amazon.jp site and look for which album has the highest star points with the most votes..

if you say sales wise yes I have to agree it's Duty

but sometimes doesn't mean you sell a truckload of albums it will mean that's critically acclaimed by the critics though

hmm ok but best in what sense ?

the style of the album or the lyrics incorporated by ayumi ?

From pure guess here, I Am... seems like the safest bet on being the most critically acclaimed album. Not only did it include some of her biggest songs (evolution, M etc...) but also was the first album she composed on aswell.

Right now on Amazon.jp:
A Song for XX - 28 reviews, 4.5 stars
LOVEppears - 32 reviews, 4.5 stars
Duty - 33 reviews, 4.5 stars
A BEST - 48 reviews, 4.5 stars
I am... - 34 reviews, 4.5 stars
RAINBOW - 74 reviews, 3.5 stars
A BALLADS - 36 reviews, 3.5 stars
Memorial address - 58 reviews, 4 stars
MY STORY - 102 reviews, 4.5 stars
(miss)understood - 107 reviews, 4 stars
Secret - 167 reviews, 4.5 stars
A BEST 2 -BLACK- - 176 reviews, 3 stars
A BEST 2 -WHITE- - 172 reviews, 3 stars
GUILTY - 188 reviews, 4 stars

I'd say that Secret is her best reviewed album on Amazon. XDD A lot of haters attacked the A BEST 2 pages I think though. Lots of one star rankings.

^ thanks for the stats

I love Secret , I have a soft spot for it as it was the 1st proper official album that I heard from her :D even though techincally I 1st heard MY STORY

A BEST XD it has most copies sold afterall

As was already said. Financial success and critical success are not the same. In fact, most artists most critically acclaimed work is often their least successful financially. However, in Ayu's case, she sells so much anyway there's not a whole lot of difference but Duty and I am... stand out. Duty is lyrically lauded due to the Trilogy and SURREAL etc. and I am... was full of her own compositions.