[Zeke.]

I don't "hate" Namie either; some of her songs are nice to listen to. But, I don't get the same feeling listening to her music. I don't feel emotionally involved. I don't know, it's just like something to listen to.

I have very few absolute favorites by Namie but the following I adore:
Come (first Namie song ever)
White Light
NEW LOOK
the SPEED STAR

Then maybe one point less than those are:
GIRL TALK
No

I have others that aren't bad and I enjoy when listening to, but I am not drawn in by the entire "package" like I am with Ayu and to some extent, Ku.

Anyways, back on topic, after hearing about 2ch it's kind of sad that it's Ayu's 15th Anniversary year and nobody really cares. I guess you know you're a has-been when every chance you get to perform a song to the general public you go with your peak songs. It's like "Hey, remember this song guys!? YEAH!!" and the audience is like "Yes Ayu, we've heard it everywhere in 2001 and we've heard you perform it every year for the past 5 years any chance you get..." When you're promoting your prime instead of your present, that's when you know it's over.