Disappointing 10th anniversary.

[KarenPang]

Originally Posted by truehappiness

Ayu has a reason for releasing this, and that's the 10th anniversary. It's her first true single collection, so it makes sense, but why not? Why not during her actual anniversary?

I know TH . At least there's a good valid reason why the A COMPLETE album's going to be released but I can't help but feel a bit cheated on the fact that A BEST 2 was put out just last year only

[truehappiness]

This is totally different from A BEST, and everyone knows it. I know that people may be freaking out that it's coming out right after, but so what? There's nothing we can do about it.

It's every (main) A-side she's ever had, more than a few of which were not on ANY best albums.

[KarenPang]

^ I guess

I probably might be getting it because of the DVD in which the contents of it looks really good & filled to the brim

[Akutenshi]

So I read almost the whole thread, but I couldn't get through it all because some of it just made me sad. Sorry if this gets offensive, but it needs to be said, I think. Some Ayu fans are seriously the most spoiled people I have ever known. I understand that some people expected a 10 year anniversary to be big and spectacular, and to be honest, it is. She's released a lot, she's doing an AMAZING tour, and she's dealing with personal problems still, I'm sure. You can say there are people who have it worse than her, but that doesn't change the pain she feels from anything that goes wrong.

For those of you who say you don't follow her tours or anything; stop complaining and deal with it. Start following them if you need to feed your Ayu obsession. Why should a certain number of years change anybody's schedule? It's a great achievement, yes, but that doesn't mean that much has to change. Seriously, I can't believe how much you people whine. She's been giving you so much for the past 10 years, and you just keep expecting more and more. That's probably the reason why so many of you complain about "recycled material", because she's always releasing music. Maybe taking a break this long might actually do her music some GOOD?

Anyway, my point is, so what if she's not releasing or promoting as much? Expand your music tastes, and follow others until she gets back into the game. It's REALLY not that hard. No matter how much some of you don't want to believe it, Ayu is NOT a goddess. She can't do everything, all the time, nonstop.

Oh, and to whoever said that she should get back to singing, because it's her life; she IS singing. On tour. Tours are where artists make the most money and performing is what most artists really long to do, anyway. I'd say she's celebrating her 10th anniversary the best way she can; with her fans.

[truehappiness]

Some Ayu fans are seriously the most spoiled people I have ever known.

Well, it's true. It's Ayu's fault for setting the bar so high, and I don't think it's really that bad that a lot of us expected more than what we got so far for the 10th anniversary. [even before and after the announcement of A COMPLETE]

Ayu's the one who usually goes out and shoots like 10 magazine covers and goes on like 6 different TV shows to promote a single, and it's just really strange that we have barely gotten even that from her.. it's like, you think her 10th anniversary would've been a little more golden, but instead she almost lost her #1 spot like twice [once she actually did, and another time, she was saved by fans].. seems like her 10th anniversary is ending up like it could be one of her worst years yet in general terms [loss of a loved one the year before, relationship broken, ear problems, etc..]..

But Ayu herself isn't really affected by this and I admire her for it, but dang it. RELEASE SOMETHING, AYU.

I'd say it was a terrible decision to release A COMPLETE now, and it would've made tons more sense had it been done at the same time as Mirrorcle World, replacing it, with MW not being a single and having its PV on the DVD along with the making of.. Bleh. What's done is done, and we can only look forward.

[KarenPang]

erm what do you mean ayumi set the bar for being so high ? I don't get it

[mica8chu]

Chibi_Venus raises a good point, I agree.

However, you can imagine that if most of us were really annoyed that in 2007 and 2006, she had only TWO singles each year, you've got to see how we are even more annoyed she only has one so far in her 10th year in 2008.

Yes I understand she has an extensive tour and she did remix albums and a studio album. But ONE single which wasn't exactly "new" is just not good enough.

I really don't know why but she is so lazy with single releases.
Together When... should have been released on CD, even if only as CD only.
if part of Me was released as a single in Feb 2007 instead of A BEST II, then people wouldn't be groaning about A Complete Singles only ~1.5 years later.

[truehappiness]

The expectations for Ayu goods/lives/songs/performances/pictures/PVs/etc are set very high, and thus, we end up expecting a lot.

[Piccolo]

Originally Posted by Akutenshi

So I read almost the whole thread, but I couldn't get through it all because some of it just made me sad. Sorry if this gets offensive, but it needs to be said, I think. Some Ayu fans are seriously the most spoiled people I have ever known. I understand that some people expected a 10 year anniversary to be big and spectacular, and to be honest, it is. She's released a lot, she's doing an AMAZING tour, and she's dealing with personal problems still, I'm sure. You can say there are people who have it worse than her, but that doesn't change the pain she feels from anything that goes wrong.

For those of you who say you don't follow her tours or anything; stop complaining and deal with it. Start following them if you need to feed your Ayu obsession. Why should a certain number of years change anybody's schedule? It's a great achievement, yes, but that doesn't mean that much has to change. Seriously, I can't believe how much you people whine. She's been giving you so much for the past 10 years, and you just keep expecting more and more. That's probably the reason why so many of you complain about "recycled material", because she's always releasing music. Maybe taking a break this long might actually do her music some GOOD?

Anyway, my point is, so what if she's not releasing or promoting as much? Expand your music tastes, and follow others until she gets back into the game. It's REALLY not that hard. No matter how much some of you don't want to believe it, Ayu is NOT a goddess. She can't do everything, all the time, nonstop.

Oh, and to whoever said that she should get back to singing, because it's her life; she IS singing. On tour. Tours are where artists make the most money and performing is what most artists really long to do, anyway. I'd say she's celebrating her 10th anniversary the best way she can; with her fans.

Right on. I bet you when she retires that people will complain she retires too early, hahaha. But you're right, despite Ayumi's efforts, certain people are always going to complain about how they feel disappointed or cheated. I think people forget she is human sometimes, not some plastic robotic idol.

[KarenPang]

Originally Posted by truehappiness

The expectations for Ayu goods/lives/songs/performances/pictures/PVs/etc are set very high, and thus, we end up expecting a lot.

ah ok I get it now

that's true that's why I always tend to keep my hopes on such issues as low as possible to prevent disappointment from happening

that happens most of the time

[Akutenshi]

It's not Ayu's fault that you people still expect the same out of her. She's not as young as she used to be, and (I know this defense is over-used, but it's true) she's probably still in some sort of stage of grief for her lost friend and relationship.

You can't get over painful things that happen to you just like that, no matter how strong of a person you are.

[truehappiness]

But you're right, despite Ayumi's efforts, certain people are always going to complain about how they feel disappointed or cheated.

What efforts? This year has been basically a replica of last year with the ASIA TOUR spread out further, a remix album(s) in place of one of the A BEST 2 albums, and a single switched with one of the A BEST 2 albums [A BEST 2 -> glitter / t2m switching to MW -> "A COMPLETE"]..

I've got to say that you all say that she's putting "SO MUCH EFFORT" into everything and I'm sure she's trying her best doing lives and stuff, but dang it, this year lacks passion/effort. It's not like I usually complain about Ayu like this just because she doesn't release, but I think this year should have been something special, and it's just.. 2007 happening all over again in 2008.

[Akutenshi]

Originally Posted by truehappiness

I've got to say that you all say that she's putting "SO MUCH EFFORT" into everything and I'm sure she's trying her best doing lives and stuff, but dang it, this year lacks passion/effort. It's not like I usually complain about Ayu like this just because she doesn't release, but I think this year should have been something special, and it's just.. 2007 happening all over again in 2008.

If you can say that (in the bold), and then not see any passion or effort coming from her this year, then I don't know what to say to you. Singing for her fans IS her passion, and it IS what she puts her most effort in. If you don't realize that by now, then it sounds like all you care about are your selfish desires for new music.

She definitely did put in "SO MUCH EFFORT" this year, just in different ways, and whether you're satisfied or not isn't going to change that fact.

[Kikaru]

Originally Posted by Akutenshi

If you can say that (in the bold), and then not see any passion or effort coming from her this year, then I don't know what to say to you. Singing for her fans IS her passion, and it IS what she puts her most effort in. If you don't realize that by now, then it sounds like all you care about are your selfish desires for new music.

She definitely did put in "SO MUCH EFFORT" this year, just in different ways, and whether you're satisfied or not isn't going to change that fact.

I <3 you so much right now.

Yes, she did set the high standard of releasing rapidly, but you know, a person is allowed to change. During most artist's peaks they will release a lot but slow down eventually.

[maikaru]

Originally Posted by Akutenshi

It's not Ayu's fault that you people still expect the same out of her. She's not as young as she used to be, and (I know this defense is over-used, but it's true) she's probably still in some sort of stage of grief for her lost friend and relationship.

You can't get over painful things that happen to you just like that, no matter how strong of a person you are.

I completely agree with that..
And everything you said before in previous post.
I really believe she is focusing this year on thanking her fans in Japan and China.
That's what Asia Tour is all about.

Maybe this will become a rant, and I'm sorry... but I wanna say almost what you said, and add some more things again.

I really think "It's Ayus fault" is a LARGE mistake to stay..
Not mistake, but... I don't know what you call it.
Selfish thing to say?

I'm pretty sure that if any of those people who are saying "Oh she got over it" would NOT be able to do what she is doing, when her best friend died, she was officially declared deaf in left ear, and she broke up with her boyfriend.

You try to become instantly happy with what you are doing, and want to do so many thing like make music and such, when those things happen to you.

She already tried that, GUILTY was the album, and everyone complained about it.

Then she did Mirrorcle World, and everyone complained about that.

Now she is doing A COMPLETE, and a lot of people are complaining about that.

She is continuing Asia Tour, and people complain that she isn't doing anything.

The ones who don't live in asia complain about no Ayu.
But the fact is she IS doing things in ASIA that are important,
That make news, that get people of Asia excited.

The fact of that is. She is thanking her fans located in ASIA this year.
Which is why those people who dont live in asia and follow her only on the internet feel that she isnt doing much in this year.

I wish people would just consider those facts, right now PV or new single or whatever is not important to her. She has stated in a comment about A COMPLETE that she wants to continue to use the 10 anniversary to thank people, to have her tour, and to send her voice out to those people in Asia who support her, by her tour.

Yeah she has americans who support her, or europeans, or other parts of Asia.
But her main markets are surely getting her attention with the AT08.

I wish people would calm down... and stop whining about no kinds of information, and then when we get some information, complain about it.

Make your mind up about it..

She's not so young anymore. She's gotta to rest. =[

and p.s. I said before, but a singer needs to rest their voice to become fresh before long term recording happens.
A full length album usually takes 1 - 2 months to plan and record.
She has only just finished her Japan tour, and probably is preparing for A-Nation
And is doing her photoshoots and stuff.
Let her some time to rest her voice, so the stuff we do hear can be good and crisp once more.

[truehappiness]

It's not the rapid releasing and stuff that I miss. I don't really give if she does 2-3 singles a year or 5-6! It's just in general, things have seemed really.. bleh. It's not that she's not releasing new music right now at all! I DON'T CARE ABOUT THAT ALL THAT MUCH.

It's just that there's a lack of excitement that seems like it should be around during her 10th anniversary. Like I've said before, she's had the least TV appearances and magazine covers this year, the tour just wasn't as flashy as usual, etc etc it doesn't feel like a celebration of her 10th anniversary at all. If you haven't noticed, the 10th anniversary aspect of this year is what I'm disappointed at, not the lack of releases [though that does contribute to it since MW was half a single [or three-quarters worth..]..

I don't think you understand what I'm trying to get at, so I guess I'll just stop here. I'm not one to not like Ayu, ask anyone! But really, she should really be stepping it up for this year instead of reenacting last year.

Please. I don't think you guys are giving Ayu enough credit here. She's a strong woman and I'm sure she'd be angry to know that some people think she "needs to rest"... she's not an obasan!

[Akutenshi]

Originally Posted by truehappiness

It's just that there's a lack of excitement that seems like it should be around during her 10th anniversary. Like I've said before, she's had the least TV appearances and magazine covers this year, the tour just wasn't as flashy as usual, etc etc it doesn't feel like a celebration of her 10th anniversary at all. If you haven't noticed, the 10th anniversary aspect of this year is what I'm disappointed at, not the lack of releases [though that does contribute to it since MW was half a single [or three-quarters worth..]..

I don't think you understand what I'm trying to get at, so I guess I'll just stop here. I'm not one to not like Ayu, ask anyone! But really, she should really be stepping it up for this year instead of reenacting last year.

You say you're disappointed at the aspect of her anniversary. What EXACTLY do you expect out of her, if it's not about her releasing material? What does she need to "step up"? Because her tour is doing better than ever, and she seems like she's thoroughly enjoying it. I'm pretty sure her fans there are genuinely excited.

As a fan, what exactly do you want? I'm honestly curious.

[maikaru]

Originally Posted by truehappiness

Please. I don't think you guys are giving Ayu enough credit here. She's a strong woman and I'm sure she'd be angry to know that some people think she "needs to rest"... she's not an obasan!

She is also not God.

No matter how good a singer she is.
She NEEDS to rest her voice.
Or we can have the same sounds as 2002 - 2003 if you prefer from her lives.

I don't mean her body when I say rest.
Her VOICE needs to rest.
So she can sound 100% for her newest releases.

[truehappiness]

What do I want?

I'd have been happy with a regular schedule of like 4 or 5 TV appearances and more than 4 magazine appearances. That would've sufficed in my opinion.

But this is the first year in Ayu's history that she's only appeared on four magazines in the first half of the year. She hasn't even been on MUSIC STATION. It's like she just disappeared other than her tours.

It's just lame that all we get for the 10th anniversary is Ayu being hot during her tour for 3/4ths of the year and a singles collection that came 5 months too late.

]

Originally Posted by maikaru

She is also not God.

No matter how good a singer she is.
She NEEDS to rest her voice.
Or we can have the same sounds as 2002 - 2003 if you prefer from her lives.

I don't mean her body when I say rest.
Her VOICE needs to rest.
So she can sound 100% for her newest releases.

You seem to think Ayu's been resting.. when really she's been doing what she normally does [sleep at like 3am and wake up like 4 hours later..] which has been her routine since her debut probably. And no matter how much she rests, she'll probably sound terrible live. No offense, but that's the truth. She's not exactly good with TV performances, but boy when she is! I love it. An example is when she returned to TV after BLUE BIRD with JEWEL's first performance.. it was.. not so hot.

[Akutenshi]

I understand where you're coming from to an extent, but she's out touring, how much time does she have to squeeze that in? ESPECIALLY when she eventually does start recording more music?

And anyway, what more can magazines or TV shows ask her? God knows, they've asked her every question under the sun in the past 10 years. And what is there for her to promote on TV? That all goes back to "lack of releases", which you claimed wasn't the problem.

This discussion seems to be going around in circles.