I definitely noticed the change in HAL's works. When Atsushi Sato left the group, the programming and sounds that I recognized from select Ayu songs could be heard in his post-HAL works. The arrangements he did for SweetS, especially, are some of my all-time favorites.

The works from the current HAL aren't nearly as much to my liking as their old stuff, but I certainly don't think the group is worthless. The guys have their certain sound ("safe" as it may be), and they do it well. I would like to see new people do work for Ayu, though.