[News] Winter diary ~A7 Classical~ - release 23rd December 2015

[orbitalaspect]

Originally Posted by Pieces_of_SEVEN

Gimmick? I didn't realize that she has already released A ONE CLASSICAL. Since it's stuff we've heard before.

You're taking my statement out of context. A7 is like Koda Kumi's BEST ~BOUNCE & LOVERS~. It's an idea people bought and enjoyed the first couple times, but quickly loses popularity from over-saturation. A Classical was a hit because fans had wanted a classical remix record for almost 10 years. Then came LOVE CLASSICS, which did alright.

It's a nice idea to release this, but it's an idea we've already seen twice in the last three years. I think a few classical mixes from A ONE and sixxxxxx would be appreciated, but a whole album? I don't think it's a great use of Ayu's time when fans would probably appreciate this more as part of a new a-yu-mix collection, which is something we haven't had in five years.

[Refix]

I hope this album didn't reused any image from her two previous album, A ONE and sixxxxxx. Whether unpublished picture or a drawing version. Getting sick of it and make me think how lazy the design team was. Make a new photoshoot, Avex is rich, why can't they make a new one.

[pimenta]

^ I don't think a hand drawing like A Classical could possibly be considered lazy. I always consider a well done hand draw to be impressive.

All classical albums used pictures from the previous releases, so I would expect her to do a new shoot for this one (though I would like it). MY STORY classical's inside cover was lazy and poorly done, but LOVE CLASSICS wasn't bad... it was simple, but I personally like it, and A Classical had an actual artist to do a very well made drawing. I like the idea of a drawing as a cover, imo it fits for a classical album.

[Andrenekoi]

Originally Posted by orbitalaspect

And singles. I know she's not topping the charts, but singles build interest. It gives us something to enjoy every couple months as opposed to waiting several months for news of some kind. Ayu has only released 53 of them, which averages out to around 3 per year of her career. If sales and charts don't matter, why not stick to the formula of a few singles then an album?

Sales and charts doesn't matter, but singles aren't free to produce. There's no point on moving a lot of money to produce a single that won't pay itself once it hits the market.

My other concern are things like this Samapura nonsense. How is it fair for someone to pay full price for an album but only have two years to listen to it?

She is always making her music avaliable through different media... It's not like the is putting a gun on the head of her fandom and forcing them to actually adhere to those media and neither is limiting her releases to those.

It's mostly because it's like a gimmick. "Buy this whole album of stuff you've already heard and get the new thing you want to hear."

Or you can just buy the digital release of the new song? Also, I don't get why you are complaing that we "already heard" those songs and yet is complaining this is not a different kind of remix album. If it was a trance or euro-beat or whatever, it would also be a remix of something you already listened.

As I said above, I think these strange releases just need to stop. If Ayu wants to release new music, put out a single, album, or minialbum. Stop packaging things in weird collections or in awkward formats or in weird ways. People want A BEST 3 not A SUMMER BEST. They want a triple A single, not a minialbum with 3 new songs, 1 PV, and 7 remixes. They want a new single rather than a remix album with an original song as a bonus track.

There's nothing forcing you to buy those "weird" releases. Also, if she wanted to release new music the wouldn't be releasing a compilation, she would release new music (something she actually did twice this year). You guys need to (but I know you won't) understand that the releases aren't aimed all to every single person and that major releases has proper market timing. She isn't releasing summer compilations to people who already have those songs, she is releasing those to casual listeners, and she can't just release A Best 3, that would be a major release, only based on the fact that she hasn't released an A Best for this long, unless she releases it to sell 20k copies.

I know Ayu is doing her thing, but I also know she has to know that fans are losing interest over this stuff. I know I'm a bit like, "Whyyyyyyyyyyyy...?" over several of her releases since 2012.[/QUOTE]

I don't think it's a great use of Ayu's time when fans would probably appreciate this more as part of a new a-yu-mix collection, which is something we haven't had in five years

This doesn't use much of Ayu time. She isn't an orchestra arranger, she doesn't play any instrument. The only thing she will do with those releases is aproving them. Also, besides its name, Love Classics isn't a classic music album, it's a crossover album, something she never had done before.

[spanishfan]

A ONE and sixxxxxx were promoted as Ayu's old sound, like her comeback, and people seemed to agree.
This single+classical compilation could be a great idea to increase her sales a bit. (It could be also a fiasco, we'll see)

What I always think is, if you don't think it worth the money, don't buy it; quite simple.

[ayu_ready?]

no. just no
she could have released A Classical for her classical winter hits, or make x-masy remixes of her ballads, new and old, that would be interesting.
I don't think it will be popular with Japanese public. I think they're cold to such releases.

[njanjayrp]

Everyone here is a music industry expert.

Pretty much agree with andrenekoi, nobody is pointing a gun at you to buy this, but I am sure that all of you will download the album so why even bother...

[kaled kalil]

You know that when people are collectors, the idea of having to purchase a bad release is kinda like pointing a gun to their head, right? I mean, you NEED to have the CD because without it, your collection would be incomplete. Of course it's a harsh view of the case, but you get the point.

I do think people are overreacting about this release because it's almost 70% of new content. The only thing that we "heard before" is the vocal. We're getting a new song and classical remixes of songs that we aren't sick to hear yet because they still fresh out the oven.

About the Samapura thing, Avex is always behind something to get more sales for their releases. At first playbutton sales counted on oricon rank, but not anymore so they stoped with this gimmick. They also tried music card, which also isn't counted by oricon rank again. It's just the way they are, I don't even think that Ayu has something to do with this Samapura nonsense.

My only concern about this release is the mix 'department'. Her recent releases are really lacking a good mix with the vocals and the instrumental. It's sounding really flat and with a classical remix album you can get this quite easily.

[Pieces_of_SEVEN]

Of course I'm gonna buy it regardless. There's bound to be at least one or two classical tracks that I will really enjoy. I don't dislike these releases...I just prefer a more upbeat, traditional remix album. I craaaaave it. Besides, she has been known for remixes since the very beginning.

Originally Posted by kaled kalil

You know that when people are collectors, the idea of having to purchase a bad release is kinda like pointing a gun to their head, right? I mean, you NEED to have the CD because without it, your collection would be incomplete. Of course it's a harsh view of the case, but you get the point.

See...you get it. Many people don't get it. You do. Lol (I don't think this is a "bad release" though, but even if I did think it was, I'd still buy it.)

[ExodusUK]

Originally Posted by njanjayrp

Everyone here is a music industry expert.

Pretty much agree with andrenekoi, nobody is pointing a gun at you to buy this, but I am sure that all of you will download the album so why even bother...

This.

People have been crying out for remixes/alternative versions and we finally get them. People need to get past the trance thing, it's not fashionable in Japan anymore and was only really in for a hot minute over a decade ago.

[Pieces_of_SEVEN]

^People like what they like. Another ayu-mi-x would be fine too. You don't get it. It's like asking for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with grape jelly, but you receive it with strawberry jelly. According to your logic, it's still a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, right? Nahhhh son.

ayu herself isn't "fashionable" in Japan right now either, if you haven't noticed. It doesn't matter what's fashionable, if enough fans out there desire a certain product, there is a higher chance of that product being released.

[orbitalaspect]

Originally Posted by ExodusUK

This.

People have been crying out for remixes/alternative versions and we finally get them. People need to get past the trance thing, it's not fashionable in Japan anymore and was only really in for a hot minute over a decade ago.

Please explain how ayu-mi-x 7 -trance- sold just as many copies in 2011 as the other three releases, if it was so out a decade ago?

Look, Love Classics sold 8k during its life. This may sell a fraction of that. You know it won't be promoted. And I bet there will be another editorial criticizing Ayu for her career moves.

I'm sure some of these remixes will be loved, but this release only adds to the list of the reasons people cite for not buying Ayu's records anymore. You can tell yourself whatever you want--it's admirable to support Ayu--but it doesn't change that Ayu's career isn't reflecting her fans right now.

EDIT: I just realized I've been spelling ayu-mi-x wrong for two days. Fixed.

[Coelacanth]

A gimmick would be releasing a remix album with production styles that'll be obsolete six months after its release.

Classical music isn't exactly trendy. Ayu and her team definitely see more value in more highbrow reworkings of her songs. Undoubtedly they will enhance the timelessness of her music in the long run.

the only people checking for them old ass Ferry Corsten remixes in 15 years are gonna be Norwegian twinks who go raving on the weekends.

[MessiahofSilence]

Originally Posted by Coelacanth

A gimmick would be releasing a remix album with production styles that'll be obsolete six months after its release.

Classical music isn't exactly trendy. Ayu and her team definitely see more value in more highbrow reworkings of her songs. Undoubtedly they will enhance the timelessness of her music in the long run.

the only people checking for them old ass Ferry Corsten remixes in 15 years are gonna be Norwegian twinks who go raving on the weekends.

Lol since when? Unless you're part of her team, you can't really say that they seek to do this or that. Nobody knows what they want to do for sure.

[Coelacanth]

so her most recent remix albums have been...

A Classical
Love Classics
A7 Classical

all released within a three year span.

I think it's becoming increasingly clear that they're not pumping out huge wods of $$$ to strengthen her reputation as a dance/club artist (unless it comes to her original material, which is an entirely different scenario). avex hired HACKJACK to do a remix of Terminal, his only sign of life on the Internet was his Soundcloud.. they must have paid him peanuts.

[KarenPang]

Originally Posted by kaled kalil

You know that when people are collectors, the idea of having to purchase a bad release is kinda like pointing a gun to their head, right? I mean, you NEED to have the CD because without it, your collection would be incomplete. Of course it's a harsh view of the case, but you get the point.

I do think people are overreacting about this release because it's almost 70% of new content. The only thing that we "heard before" is the vocal. We're getting a new song and classical remixes of songs that we aren't sick to hear yet because they still fresh out the oven.

For collectors , it's like Pokemon , you have to catch them all LOL . I do that for other artistes but the difference's that if there's certain releases they put out which are not worth buying , I will not buy for the sake of 'collecting'

Let alone I do open all the releases that I buy . Not opening them and leaving them in the plastic wrappers , I might as well use them as drinks coasters for the living room table

I like some of the material from both A ONE & sixxxxxx and I'm definitely up to hear how they will sound like in classical form . At least it's not another Dearest , M , SEASONS

People in AHS will always forever complain but I'm sure the very same people will eventually buy it , let alone download it

[MessiahofSilence]

^ complain about complaining, I guess.

To me it's a lazy release

[tokyoxjapanxfan]

this album is funny because their kind of marketing it as making a complete "album" by combining the two and making the common thread be their classical remixes. The guest violinist even said she's going to have this "album" on "heavy rotation" and that there's no other album like this. Which, though she's inclined to say these things, it just struck me as abnormal in terms of her other remix albums.

[Pieces_of_SEVEN]

On the TA shop, what's the difference between ordering from TA or mumo? Same price, no differences in bonuses...anyone know?

[pimenta]

^ Buying from mu-mo (the open store and not the exclusive TA shop) shouldn't come with those TA bonuses and TA limited stuff (though for some.artists they do sell the fc limited stuff, just without the fc bonuses that come with the CD). As far as I know, that was the only difference... If mu-mo comes with TA bonuses the TA shop kinda becomes useless...