[Bad Wolf]

I have no complaints, honestly. I don't think I can sincerely complain about Ayu's voice and then turn around and listen to Dir en grey... Kyo is like the Japanese metal equivalent of Ayu, IMO. Both of them aren't trained singers, both of them aren't even that musically educated, but they still compose(d) and they still sing their hearts out and do their best with what they can do. Obviously their musical styles are drastically different, but Kyo and Ayu are working with educational and physical limitations -- both of them are deaf in their left ear and both of them have musical schedules that require them to put their bodies and voices to the limit each night they perform.

Because of this, I can't complain about Ayu's voice at all. Once I realize what she has to go through just to sing a song I find it completely unfair of me to criticize her -- and not only that, but I really don't have anything to complain about in regards to her voice. It's different and it stands out. It's not ~omg perfect~ but I don't expect or demand perfection from any of the musicians I love. I only expect them to do what they want to do, and to do the best that they CAN do, with the abilities and talents they have.

I think Ayu's current era of a deeper voice is much, much better than her earlier years if only because I prefer deeper-voice Ayu to the ASFXX ~ Duty days. I find that it shows off her growth as a singer, even if she's still struggling with it.