[Not Fade Away]

^Are you even kidding me? Then why are they so loud during Ayu's performances? And I never heard the audience edited out during hers.

I can't tell you how many times I've heard that 'out of respect' bs -- fans are fans everywhere, of course they're going to be excited for their favorite performer so shouting/applause will be inevitable anywhere. I believed that at first too until I saw enough performances by Japanese artists where that wasn't the case.

I don't even know about the microphone 'almost inside her mouth' bit because I don't pay that close attention to notice whether it is or not. Even if it is though, that really means nothing. I've heard artists that were amped up to the max with backing vocals and surround sounds and still sounded weak when they were performing live. Utada rarely uses backing vocals and when she does her voice soars over them (IE: Devil Inside).

Anyway, I've been listening to more of Ayaka's music and I have to say, she is really impressive. Her voice transitions between notes so smoothly (as weird as that might sound). I've listened to Alan, and I think she was just a miss with me. I can certainly see where people would appreciate her vocals, because they 'do' have a pretty quality, they're just not my cup of tea.

I also really love YUI's vocals, even though she doesn't have the biggest range ever. Her voice sounds really youthful for being 25ish (I could be wrong).