Hitomi kind of kicks Ayu's (and most other's) ass at exotically-themed pop songs.... Falco is AMAZING. I do like DLB a lot, but it definitely cannot compare with it. While not perfect, I must embrace the idea that Ayu is trying new things. We're always complaining that we've heard so-and-so song before and that she should explore jazz or whatnot. Yet when she does, people are upset that she's not sticking to her roots.
Overall, I love ethnic songs, and I honestly think that the Arabian style of DLB is the main thing that makes it beautiful to me.
