Album Listening

[lumieregrl]

I have no idea what to search for to find something like this...so if there's already a thread for this, sorry. XD

With the interesting discussion going on about Ayumi's past albums going on in the RnRC news thread, I had an idea.

What if we went through Ayumi's albums chronologically and listened to one per week (or longer if necessary) and discussed them? Perhaps also dig up the pvs for each album and watch them. I think it would provide a lot of interesting conversation for sure.

Any thoughts? Is it a stupid idea? LOL

[jean-baptiste]

haha, i don't find it a stupid idea at all. xD

although, i wouldn't do it myself since i've already heard all her albums and watched most of her PVs but i'd still take part in the discussions for sure. =p

[lumieregrl]

Yea, if people have already listened, they shouldn't have to again..but I know I haven't listened to all of them through, and I'm not the only one.

[jean-baptiste]

^haha! you're definitely not the only one. xD i hope more people will be up to it. it would be interesting. plus, i love when we have all these discussions, lol.

[AyUta]

Yeah, it's not stupid . I just wouldn't do it because I'm lazy like that XD

[lumieregrl]

Okay...for those peeking in...A Song For XX is up first.

PVs from ASFXX:

YOU - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLppzQIZLJs
Poker Face - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bumlaSKSQA
Trust - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7bXOKoqatw
For my dear... - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmhgzGUp_X4
Depend On You - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqNBOthwtbg

ASFXX is probably available for download in the Downloads forum if one needs to get it.

I'm going to listen to the album tonight.

Anyhow...go forth and discuss.

[GRACE]

I've sorta been doing something like this, except not chronological. Since about midFebuary I've been listening to an album a week while driving to and from school, but only the ones I own. I'm on A BEST right now, it's actually pretty fun

[lumieregrl]

Okay, just finished listening to A Song For XX...



I'm very glad that I was introduced to Ayumi later in her career (just prior to Guilty's release actually)!

Not saying it's a bad album...Listening through, my ranking goes:

Loved
Prologue (wish it was longer!)
A Song for xx
Hana
Friend II
Poker Face
You
Trust
Depend On You

Eh
Friend
Wishing
Powder Snow
From Your Letter
For My Dear...
Present
As if...
Signal

I would have LOVED Signal, but this was one song ruined by her vocals, imo. She tried to sing too high and sounded too strained--a bit painful to listen to. Ayu sounds so young on this album, and, honestly, I find her hard to listen to in large amounts. Most of the time it's not a big deal, but yea, there are moments. I'm glad her voice has matured. I really enjoy her redone versions of ASFXX tracks from later years for this reason (as well as musical changes).

Ayu's voice is really a very MINOR complaint, so don't jump all over me. XD

The other thing I noticed was a lot of the songs sound similar, in that vague "I heard this bit in this other song from two tracks back!" feeling. It's like the album is one long track of similar sounding music...

Musical style, it reminds me of early 90's American. I obviously prefer the upbeat tracks (that's always a given with me ).

I have to admit I'm not a big fan of this album. While I love A Song for xx, Depend On You, Poker Face, and so on, it's not the versions on this particular release. I prefer DOY orchestra and 10th Anniversary versions, Poker Face remixes, etc. It is a good album for a debut, but if this was all Ayu had out, I probably would've ignored her.

Haven't watched the PVs yet, but there's my thoughts. *hides from tomatoes*

[Tom Punks]

I think this is a cool idea. I'm totally in the mood for ASFXX right now so this is perfect. I'll post my thoughts later.

[CHE.R.RY]

I've actually been doing that already . I stopped listening to Ayu's music for a bit (although I would d/l the new releases and keep up), so I put all her albums in my iPod and I've been having a hay-day! Rediscovering her music is like uncovering some hidden gems . I feel great and I find myself not only reminiscing, but appreciating her music even more.

I've been really listening to Duty and onward mainly...I haven't been in the mood for ASFXX and LOVEppears, but they're in my iPod nonetheless lol.


I've began to really fall for Hanabi especially...god that song is beautiful .

[love in music]

I like all of the PV's for ASFXX. For my dear... is my least favorite though.
They're simple, but I like them that way. Ayu looks natural and sweet in all of them.
As for the album, her voice is kind of an issue, but lyrically there are some amazing songs.

My favorites on the album:
A Song for XX - The lyrics are what make me love this song, the arrangement is good too, but unfortunately there is no emotion to be heard in her voice.
FRIEND - This song sounds way too old.. but the lyrics are so sweet and I like the arrangement.
poker face - I don't know why, but I find this song very catchy. I remember a time where I had it on repeat a lot, I was just addicted.. I still like it
POWDER SNOW - The lyrics are depressing, I just wish she sang this better. The high notes are bad, it's still a good song though.
Trust - Ok I LOVE this song. I don't mind her voice at all and it just sounds sweet and happy to me. It always puts me in a good mood.
SIGNAL - This might be my favorite song on the album. It sounds SO 80's, but it's catchy and I love how she brought it back to sing live at PCDL and AT09. The lyrics help motivate me too.

Least Favorites:
Wishing - No matter what, I just CANNOT remember how this song sounds! Even if I put it on repeat I'm sure I still wouldn't be able to remember. It just drags on and on.
For My Dear... - I can't stand her voice in this song. The lyrics are great, of course, but her voice is way too high pitched. I actually prefer her live of this song, though it was mostly screamed, I could hear more emotion in her voice and it wasn't as bad as her squeals in the original song.
Present - I just really don't like the arrangement at all.

The rest of the songs are alright, but I don't want to listen to them very much because of her vocals. I'm glad she re-recorded some of the songs on this album. Overall I can't say this is a bad album because the lyrics are all amazing and there are some songs I really like. It just lacks emotion and her voice isn't easy on the ears.

[jean-baptiste]

Originally Posted by Tom Punks

I think this is a cool idea. I'm totally in the mood for ASFXX right now so this is perfect. I'll post my thoughts later.

me too. i think i'll listen to it before i go to bed.

[Tom Punks]

Okay, I finally finished listening. (:

I actually am one of the few who loves A Song for XX. I love its innocence and simplicity. In my opinion, her best lyrics come from this album and LOVEppears, which is a big plus. I tend to listen to ASFXX when I'm sick because it makes me feel better.

That said, I find it pretty underrated, but I can definitely understand why people tend to dislike it. Its sound is really dated and her vocals can be headache inducing I guess. The album is also pretty lacking in variety, which is really as much of a bad thing as it is a good thing. I like that it's very cohesive, but it's definitely a "one sound" album so if you don't like that sound you obviously aren't gonna like the whole album. ):

It's also a really long album so it's hard to listen to in one go. :| I mean it has fifteen full songs plus Prologue. It could definitely do without some of the more forgettable songs, like Wishing, As if.., or from your letter.

Favorite tracks

• A Song for XX of course. This is pretty much THE Ayu song. It's such a classic.
• FRIEND II was originally a song I found very forgettable, but thanks to the remix on LOVEppears, I eventually grew to LOVE it.
• Depend on you is one of the catchier songs and it has one of the best PVs on the album as well.
• SIGNAL was my initial favorite after ASFXX when I was first getting into the Ayu. Her vocals are strained but I think it's a fun listen.

Least favorite tracks

• POWDER SNOW, although this is usually everyone's favorite or second favorite song on ASFXX, I can't really stand it. The lyrics are awesome, but the song itself is unpleasant imo. The arrangement doesn't work with it. It lacks oomph.
• Wishing is just one of those songs that I will always forget exists.
• For My Dear... I don't really like the melody or the vocals very much.
• Present, but maybe just because I never get far enough in the album to actually listen to it.

I think this album would be amazing if it had been re-recorded. But... not by modern Ayu. It'd be better re-recorded during a time when Ayu wouldn't have to struggle so much to reach the "higher" notes, so maybe around RAINBOW - MY STORY era.

So overall, I love the album and I think she's had worse. (:

[Ayumi_lover]

^^okay POWDER SNOW, For my dear... and wishing are my favourites from ASFXX, and of course A song for XX

[jean-baptiste]

@Tom: nice review! =] i liked the way you executed your thoughts. although i disagree with As if... i love that song!! =\ but i agree overall. i love that album. <3

[cavonzia]

can i join?

favorite song:
- a song for XX = maybe it's the song that makes ayumi really famous today,i think most of Ayu's fans love this song too.
- depend on you = listen to this song always makes me feel that i was flying over the world
- powder snow = the music kinda makes me feel sadness yet a wish & will
- you = really a sweet song,& the PV pretty good
- wishing = looks like most of fans don't like it,but i love it because it's very smooth

dislike song/least favorite:
- present = never like this one,just like an additional song to complete the album
- trust = not hating the song,just don't like her style on that PV

well,not really much song that i don't like,mostly all a nice-to-listen song

[Crystal_Ageha]

I'll do this, too!


I'll just list the songs by category according to the tracklist, not favourite to least favourite, etc.

Favourites:
- A Song for xx: C'mon, you HAVE to like this song! It's a classic! And the lyrics are one of my favourites still, out of her entire career. ^_^
- Hana: This song is so catchy, hah. And I love the random trumpets that go 'badubadubadubaduBAH!'....or such. ^.^'
- FRIEND: Holy crap, I love this song. It's so freakin' simple, but it's always been one of my favourites. It just makes me feel all warm and happy inside. Because of that, it's always been a go-to song for when I'm down.
- poker face: Badass song right here, lol! XP Another super-catchy, super-nostalgic track. It doesn't get the attention it deserves, being her first single and all, even. D:
- As if...: I'm not even sure why, but this song ended up growing on me so much. Something about the chorus, and maybe the background bells.... It just makes me want to get up and sing along!
- Trust: This is my least favourite of the songs I love on this album, and I'm kinda tired of it.... But it's still nice to listen to every once in a while, hah. ^^'
- Depend on you: Listening to the original, after listening to the anniversary version so much lately, it sounds so different..... But that hasn't taken away its charm, or the love I have for it. It's just a fun, catchy song.
- SIGNAL: I remember I used to get this one confused with Hana. :X And to this day - I guess because of the instruments? - it still reminds me of a not-as-good Hana. But I still really like it. It's another one I get sick of easily, though.

Least favourites:
- from your letter: I honestly ALWAYS forget how this one sounds. D: And then when I listen to it, I'm surprised at how different it sounds from what I thought it was, lol. It has....kind of an early 90s R&B touch to it, doesn't it? Anyhow, even after listening to it again, it's hard for me to remember the verses, and the chorus is too soft and simple for my tastes.
- For My Dear...: I sometimes forget how this one sounds, also! >.<' Or, more often, I can clearly remember the melody, but I don't remember the name, lol. Anyhow, this one's not bad, it just doesn't do anything for me.
- Present: Again, I'll forget this one if I don't listen to it.... It's my favourite of my least favourites though, hah. And I probably just forget this one so much (and For My Dear..., too) because I don't listen to it...well, ever, pretty much. >_> I like the happy feeling it has to it, it just gets boring.

[R_Hikki]

I've listened to this album straight through only once and thought that would be the last time but I'll try again...

Favourite moments:
- Prologue - My favourite song on the album.
- A Song for XX - I don't often listen to this song but I always enjoy it when I get around to it.
- FRIEND - This is a cute song with a catchy chorus and decent music. I never realized how much I liked it until now.
- Wishing - I really like this song. Her voice finally gets lower and calms down after all that 90's power-pop from the previous songs.
- YOU - This is one of those songs where I like the verses more than the chorus but I still really like the chorus. Overall, the song has a very kind tone, one that I haven't really heard in any of her other songs and that's what makes it very enjoyable.
- As if... - The music is a little different from most of the other songs on the tracklist and the chorus is pretty cool.
- POWDER SNOW - I find the ballads on this album very refreshing. And it's really cool when the drums come in and pick up the pace but the emotion is still very much there.
- Trust - This is one of the least memorable songs on the album but it's not bad so I like it.
- Depend on you - When I think of the A Song for XX era this is the first song that comes to mind. Something about the chorus just hooks me. I have rarely listened to this song yet it has found a home deep inside my memory.

Least favourite moments:
- FRIEND II - The music is a little too 90's for me and this is where I start getting tired of her voice. But, I really like the chorus.
- poker face - The first twenty seconds of this song is the only part I like.

There's four other songs that I may comment on later but right now I've written enough.

[primavera♥]

oh cool. i like this thread well:

my favorites:

POWDER SNOW: its beautiful and sad. its surrealy makes me feel i am in truly in a snowstorm with inescapable sorrow. its nicely arranged to.
As If...: i love this very much. theres something calm and beautiful about it
Trust: its pretty and very good. a lovely song
Wishing: so calm and pretty i just adore this song. it wearily sad too
ASFXX: i cant help but cry, its beautiful and amazing

i like all the other songs just not as much. SIGNAL is best to me performed live like AT09 or PCDL. same with Hana. wonderful tracks but lacking that energy.

[Aditmi Krisnasaki ~II~]

Originally Posted by CHE.R.RY

Rediscovering her music is like uncovering some hidden gems . I feel great and I find myself not only reminiscing, but appreciating her music even more.

this..