THOUGHTS ON "SECRET" :30 PREVIEWS...

[fireworks501]

1. NOT YET - - this is what i wish the next ayumi album would sound like. hard techno at the end, sounds like 'connected' mixed with 'game'. I LOVE IT SO MUCH!

2. UNTIL THAT DAY - - great! fast! different! rockish, direct! this sound is fresh.

3. STARTIN' - - same startin' as we've had since this time last year...

4. 1 LOVE - - i like this more than in the CMs. strong chorus and direction. rockish. I LOVE what she does with her voice at the end of the chorus.

5. IT WAS - - nice! this sounds like a DECENT ending theme to an anime.

6. LABRYINTH - - interesting instrumental. sounds like some of her other interludes, not as creepy as some of the past ones, though.

7. JEWEL - - maybe it'll grow on me, maybe it won't. i still don't dig it.

8. MOMENTUM - - not as much of a ballad! i am looking forward to this. this is ayu pre-dating RAINBOW and I AM... - the strong background beat is fantastic and makes it sound a lot like her older songs. uses slight bits of traditional japanese instrumentation.

9. TASKINST - - decent, rocky, i like it. i've always liked these interludes...

10. BORN TO BE - - ugh, sounds like a song for the olympics. really don't like it. haven't liked it. never will like it.

11. BEAUTIFUL FIGHTERS - - well, this song is always delightful.

12. BLUE BIRD - - as is this song.

13. KISS O' KILL - - finally, a rock ballad! - that doesn't rely on production! hell to the yes!

14. SECRET - - sorry, not digging it. i was hoping i would. this is a generic ballad, worse than no way to say or, dare i say it, carols. nothing makes this sound out. awful way to end a really good album.

ALL SAID AND DONE... I AM EXCITED. for the first time since RAINBOW... seriously.

thoughts?

ps. all of these tracks sound 10,000 times better considering that last year this time we were trying to convince ourselves that we really LIKED bold&delicious/pride. thank god that's over.

yayayayagagagagadadadadawowowowo

[theprojectzero]

I think all those new tracks is really refreshin' and amazin' , but dun't know why i just didn't like "Taskinst". Just sumething 'bout it. Maybe the full one will be ace!

Good luck guys! Hope the album leak soon!

[tl1029530921]

honestly i didn't take as much of a liking to this album as i ahve with past albums..:-/...hopefully that'll change but as of now im pretty dissapointed.

[chocopockymaster]

1.) Not yet - Absolute GENIUS. I love the way the preview starts out and then morphs into techno. The full version is going to rock, and it blows Catcher in The Light right out of the water!

2.) until that Day... - Well, let's get right to it! It's a very strong track, very fast, upbeat, and well-paced. I love it!

3.) Startin' - I think it's good that this was placed right next to until that Day..., otherwise there wouldn't have been a good place to put this.

4.) 1 LOVE - Oh DAMN. This isn't the same mix they used in the Panasonic CMs, and for some reason it sounds slower to me, but no less awesome. I'm still highly anticipating the full version!

5.) It was - Mid-paced, but still got that rock feel. The lyrics definitely sound nostalgic to me, from what I can understand. Thumbs up.

6.) LABYRINTH - Wonderland Part II. <-- That's what I thought when I first heard it. But as the preview progresses, I really get that feeling of being lost in a maze with no way out. I still wish this had been a full song, though...LABYRINTH is such an awesome title.

7.) JEWEL - <3 <3 <3. But her voice sounds...weird in this preview. Sorry for lack of a better descriptive word, it's 6:30 AM here xD

8.) momentum - OMFG. INCREDIBLE. <3 <3 <3 The song lives up to its name...it keeps the tempo up even during the verses (you can hear a little bit towards the end of the preview). This song is absolutely amaaaaaaazing!

9.) taskinst - Well, I'm not too crazy about the fact that we have one instrumental, two songs, then another instrumental...but I'll live with it. This was NOT what I was expecting. Hard rock sounding. Sounds slightly repetitive to me. So far, I like tasking much better.

10.) Born To Be... - Let's put it this way, going from taskinst to this is an insane transition. But I guess that's kind of good...it means Ayu's getting out of that bad habit of "grouping" tracks on her albums.

11.) Beautiful Fighters - Yeah. Uhm....moving on.

12.) BLUE BIRD - <3. Next!

13.) kiss o' kill - Another fast-paced rock song. She could definitely rock this out at concerts. The strings are a really nice addition! Sounds like it's going to be GREAT.

14.) Secret - Doesn't really leave a big impression, but it's nice enough. I'm interested in hearing the rest of the song before I finish judging it, though. I'm still hoping there's a secret track!!!

Overall, I was freaking blown away. This could possibly be my favorite Ayu album EVER. I don't think there are any fillers, the instrumentals are great, the new songs are brilliant, and the old songs were placed as best as they could be. My only complaint is that there aren't more PVs!

Score (based on previews): 10/10

GO AYU!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[HanabiChick]

Not yet - I liked it except the part at the end of the preview, where it sounds like it changes.

until that Day... - not sure about it yet from the preview, but it's a bit like the type of 80s music I like, so I'll wait to hear the full thing before deciding.

1 LOVE - love it, knew I would. Can't wait for full version.

It was - okay track, nice, not as annoying as the other pop tracks.

LABYRINTH - beautiful, love it - so peaceful and dreamy.

momentum - hate it, very irritating - makes me want to throw a brick to make it stop.

taskinst - wonderful, wish it was a full track with lyrics.

kiss o' kill - like it, thought it would go one way, but it changes in the last part of the preview, can't wait to hear the full version.

Secret - I like it, nice way to end the album, very nice ballad.


Overall, I'm glad Ayu changed it to a full album, the mini album would have been very weak, but adding the extra tracks has made it a stronger album.

[truehappiness]

So uhm yeah..

Best album ever.

I'm sure that Secret sounds sort of weird because it's like, all in the middle of rock. ROCK. Plus it reminds me of hot enka!

[alt.total-loser]

Doing 'em all. xD


1.) Not yet - It's so awesome. Like... it totally gets my adrenaline pumping. Makes me want to run outside and do something incredible.

2.) until that Day... - Fast paced. And Ayu's voice sounds so freakin' incredible. She really is just amazing~

3.) Startin' - Eeeeh. It's okay. =/ Never a big fan of the song, anyway, heh.

4.) 1 LOVE - WAAAH! It's SO much better sounding than on the preview! I love it. I need it. ;__;

5.) It was - Hmm. Sounds decent. Not something I'll put on repeat, but very good.

6.) LABYRINTH - Inspiring. 'nuff said.

7.) JEWEL - Ah, yes. I love this song. She sounds so great and it's powerful in the chorus. <3

8.) momentum - It's all fast and cool and LOVE. Pretty much in the same boat as It was, though.

9.) taskinst - I like it. =] It makes me think of RAINBOW's interludes.

10.) Born To Be... - I've always liked this song. It's so powerful~

11.) Beautiful Fighters - o___o Dieplz.

12.) BLUE BIRD - Cute.

13.) kiss o' kill - Hmm. Same as It was, pretty much.

14.) Secret - Awww. It sounds really sweet. ^___^= Her voice is sweet, the compostion is. Ya know.

[~X2RADialbomber~]

Please stop the double posting. If you would like to add something to your post than use the Edit button.


I like the album, but I'll probably get sick of it quickly, like Born To Be... Lets hope for the best! I don't have time to generally review every song so I'll just say, I love 1 LOVE, momentum, and a few others.

[[ Melinda ]]

Here's what I think.

01. Not yet
This sounds goood, a lot like Ayu's previous works! Great start for the album. Somehow I feel that as an interlude, this is amazing but I wouldn't like it as a full song. 8/10

02. until That Day...
Sounds very strong and it rocks! It has the same feel as evolution, but still it's completely different. Sounds good! 9/10

03. Startin'
I love this one! I always liked it. It rocks! 10/10

04. 1 LOVE
I didn't like it that much from the Panasonic CM, but here it sounds so amazing!! So different and fresh, I think it will be one of the best songs on the album! 10/10

05. It was
I love how this sounds. So Ayu. I'm sure it will be great, too!

06. LABYRINTH
When I heard the title, I wanted this to be a full song. Hearing this, I still want it to be a full song. But it's very nice as an interlude, so calming somehow. 9/10

07. JEWEL
From the Panasonic CM it sounded a little boring. When I heard the full version, I fell in love with it and it's still on replay. So beautiful and her voice sounds amazing. One of her best ballads ever. 10/10

08. momentum
I LOVE THIS! Sounds like this will be one of the best songs on the album, too. Sounds like old Ayu, reminds me a little bit of M, but not as an "M ver 2" but as a completely different song. Love it. 10/10

09. taskinst
I'm not that big fan of interludes. I like them, but I don't listen to them I like listen to some other songs where Ayu sings. But this sounds very good. As an interlude, I'd give 9/10

10. Born to be...
This actually is starting to grow on me. Without the whole Olympics feel I'd like it more. The chorus is very powerful and I like it. But I still hate the PV xD 8/10

11. Beautiful fighters
I don't hate this, but I don't live this either. After listening it on a repeat, I kind of got enough of it. It's not bad, it's just nothing special either. 8/10

12. BLUE BIRD
I like this song as a summer song, but it's not that special either. Sounds too much like fairyland. 8/10

13. kiss o' kill
The title sounded like this would be rockish and different, and that it is! I LOVE IT so much!! One of the best one the album, I predict. 10/10

14. Secret
Sounds like a nice ballad. Beautiful. It doesn't give you the "omgamazing"-feeling but I'm sure the full version will be better. 9/10

So judging for the previews, this IS one of Ayu's best albums ever, if not the best. The singles this year weren't that promising and I didn't expect an amazing album. But the other songs really make up for it and make this a strong album. When the single songs (expect Startin') are like "This is very good, but not special" almost all the others are like "This is AMAZING omg!" I try not to download the full songs when this leaks, but wait for my own copy to arrive. But I just don't know if I can do that!!

[happytoadstool]

I can't believe how much i like this previews. I am anticipating every single song in the album! The previews are that amazing! Ayu, I can't believe it. I didn't know she still had it in her to create an album which could potentially top all of her previous albums considered as her greatest...

Not yet - sounds like a very good intro song to set the mood for the whole album. starts slow and goes very dance-y trance-y

until that day - gets me pumped up, sounds really good! gives an evolution/Unite feel, though heavier and not as happy/jolly, as if sung with a little anger or something

startin - the usual. nice single. though i honestly fel that other album tracks could actually top it

1Love - i thought it was going to be such a monotonic song, and it is. but it's still a great rock song. excited for the PV, though i'm much more excited for the momentum pv.

It was - I like it a lot! slow rock song. can't wait to hear the whole thing! it's like a rock version of monochrome for me.

Labyrinth - like kaleidescope. nice, but i'll wait for the whole song first, since right now it's a pretty track, but doesn't stand out yet

jewel - amazing ballad, relaxing, soothing to the ears, love how it's only the piano to accompany her

momentum - WOW... i want to see the PV already! my favorite of all the new tracks i've heard :p it does sound like a winter-y themed song, yet not a ballad.

taskinst - like labyrinth, still need the full track, since right now, it's just alright

Born to Be - great pop song, especially as an intro to a concert (Arena tour :p)

Beautiful Fighters - nice pop song, but don't really like this too much. could be my least favorite track here, which is saying a lot since the song is already above average for me.

Blue Bird - current favorite ayu track.

kiss o' kill - very heavy rock song. i though this would be a pop song, based on the title. can;t wait to hear the rest of the song based on the latter part of the 30s preview

secret - nice ballad. glad they had another ballad besides Jewel in this album. and im glad that there are only 2 ballads here :p so that the 2 will stand out among the crowd, unlike in My Story where the ballads just blurred because of the sheer amount of them. Based on this track and the mandarin version, it sounds really nice as well. wish this one could have a PV of its own as well.

hooray for the midtempo songs! I love those kinds of songs, (like monochrome), so i'm glad the album has 2 of them (It was and momentum). Plus, all album tracks are really promising! favorites would be not yet, until that day, momentum and secret. it was and 1love are nice too. kiss o kill for me is still same old rock song, but shows promise at the last few seconds. CAN'T WAIT!

[immel]

I had a dream once, that dream was about people making threads with sensible letter cases. Err.

Should I start off with saying... wow. Excited to no ends. Can't imagine I ended up listening to them, I'm usually way too lazy to do so.

Not yet
This is probably the track I'm the least excited by. Cool with an interlude with vocals, though.

until that Day...
Now we're talking, thanks Ayu. The heavy rock feel of this album starts right away. This is how heavy Ayu should be, it's where she's at her best. Rammstein.

Startin'
The reason there's a preview is probably because it's a new mix, like they did with alterna. Can't hear any clear difference in the preview though. Still like it.

1 LOVE
Rammstein. Haha, yeah, another wondrous track. Heavy enough to kill your eardrums any time of the day.

It was
New rock ballad, by what I can hear from the preview. Lovely.

LABYRINTH
Kaleidoscope vol.2, it's awesome.

JEWEL
As usual, not much climax, but it's very neat. I'd rather have this one be an instrumental than taskinst.

momentum
Not too excited about this one either, sounds good, upbeat, but rock is what I love.

taskinst
If this would have been a full track... top track of Secret to me, as of now. Totally reminds me of Rammstein.

Born To Be...
The new remix sounds powerful, I want the full version. Is the best track from a single of 2006.

kiss o' kill
Why did you steal this title, Impact? Why, oh why. Well, I think I know, because it's awesome .

Secret
Haha, sounds damn bland after all the metal-ish hard rock. No more comments until I get the full version.

[truehappiness]

Not yet
Amazing track. Kiseki wo. Himitsu wo. WOOOOOO! WO WOWOWO!
until that Day...
Can you say evolution pt II? Amazing track.
Startin'
Still got the same energy as always. A favorite.
1 LOVE
Ayu's first title to start with a number?! Anyways, amazing song. Strong! Expressive!
It was
Mellow track to balance out the hard rock!


Too lazy to do the rest. I LOVE THE WHOLE ALBUM.

[Coelacanth]

The previews sound too good to be true, really exceeded my expectations. The new sound really does remind me of B'z, which is great - especially until that Day... / 1 LOVE.

I'm absolutely loving kiss o' kill, I love powerful rock orchestra songs. It's looking a lot better than criminal too, more fast-paced and energized.

Secret is really beautiful. At the end of the preview especially, very Hibari Misora / enka.

Not yet is awesome, as is taskinst. LABYRINTH is pure HAL - it really sounds too much like Kaleidoscope, it's alright though.

momentum is where HAL's arrangements work. It's got the M feel. Repetitive chorus, but I think I'll love it.

It was - The vocals are a lot different than the rest of the album it seems, she has the voice from LOVEppears almost. She goes 'shi-ku-teee~~' LOL. Man, I missed that.

OK could be the best album EVAR, but not getting my hopes up just yet.

[AyuGAME]

my thought from the preview

01. Not yet
i love it, but its not my favourite...its kind of old to hearing this kind of arrangement...but its still nice (8/10)

02. until That Day...
its sound like evolution...maybe it will replace evolution on the tour...very retro feeling...need to hear more to judge but 9/10 from the preview

03. Startin'
i always love this songs, but the PV ruins it 9/10

04. 1 LOVE
ABSOLUTELY THE MOST POWERFUL TRACK IN THIS ALBUM!!!
its sound really REALLY GOOD!!! so ROCKS!!! zilliion/10

05. It was
mediocre...but still want to hear full version of it 8/10

06. LABYRINTH
sounds great, looks like wonderland 9/10

07. JEWEL
FANTASTIC BALLAD!!! dont need to give any explanation 10/10

08. momentum
this song genre usually sings by hitomi shimatani...but ayu did really well to sings this kind of song...after repeat to hear this song preview for about 10 times..i thikn i love this song 10/10

09. taskinst
i love rock interlude 10/10

10. Born to be...
yeah...9/10

11. Beautiful fighters
dont like it very much...but its a variety of ayu songs 9/10

12. BLUE BIRD
LOVE THIS SONG!!! 10/10

13. kiss o' kill
ROCKS!!!! 10/10

14. Secret
ANOTHER BALLAD and i love it 10/10

overall i give this album 10/10

yeah maybe this will be the best album that she ever made...
i have faith that this album can sales more than 1million...
and i would say that album tracks stronger than single tracks...first time happened in ayu album...

[Norrel]

I like them all except for It Was, just don't like it
Until That Day is my favorite song on this whole album so far.

[realize_!]

each album track sounds like it should belong in some sort of game an anime

on the other hand

Not Yet: Love it, just a good way to open up the album
until that Day... : my oh my, ayu you've done it again^^
1 LOVE : just amazing. although -dont get mad at me- the last 12/13 seconds just reminds a BIIIIT of ningyo-hime.
It was: THe song is just...there... it's a love or hate song... I love it
LABYRINTH: soooo kaleidoscope, very peaceful
JEWEL: nuff said, it's just one of a kind.
momentum: It really reminds me of M, I have to wait for the full version. although the PV is looking promising.
taskinst: I just don't like it.
kiss o' kill: Now this is probably my favourite track off the album. I love the instruments, I love her vocals, I love the feel I get off it.
Secret: Very heartwarming such a sweet beautiful song.

And I just loved the singles so yea.

Overall this album is very pleasing, but to call it her best, I'm not sure yet. It's an amazing album judging from the previews and I don't have a doubt in my mind that the full versions will rock just as much as the 30 second previews I cannot wait to get my hands on this album^^

[Raleigh]

01. Not yet
Sounds like a new style of ballad. Sounds really abstract but quite nice.

02. until That Day...
Sounds quite fast paced and powerful. I'm not too excited on this one. I love the tone of her voice though.

04. 1 LOVE
Wow, sounds even better from the CM. Sounds like a very powerful song, in the BoY style.

05. It was
Has the typical Ayu ballad feel with a new flavour. I like the chorus and her tone.

06. LABYRINTH
As many mentioned it's a very beautiful interlude with a dreamy feel to it. Sounds like something from RAINBOW.

07. JEWEL
Definately the ballad of 2006. Beautiful and memorable.

08. momentum
The chorus sounds awesome and extremely emotional. I'm really looking forward to this song!

09. taskinst
Sounds like a rockish interlude. Nothing really exciting but anyhow...

13. kiss o' kill
Another pretty exciting song which sounds like something from MY STORY.

14. Secret
I'm loving the tone of Ayu's vocals however this preview doesn't seem to give it justice.

Since the single songs are already out I'm not going to review them.

[darc_aqua]

BEST ALBUM EVER.
no more comments. the previous comments tells us enough.

[makie_7]

Not yet: it sounds cool! but I need to hear the full version because of the changes at the end of the song.

Untill that day: really good! love her voice! so fast!

1 LOVE: I love Ayu's rock style!

It was: it's ok.


LABYRINTH: it's very good! and relaxing!


JEWEL: I love it! I think it's my favourite Ayu's ballad. I'm not fond of ballads, but this one is awesome!

momentum: amazing!!!! I love it!!!

taskinst: sounds good.

kiss o' kill: very good!! I like it a lot!

Secret: it's very beautifull! I'm impressend with this year's ballads!!

About the single songs:

Startin': I love it!

Born to be...: I love the chorus it's very powerful.

BLUE BIRD: love it too!

Beautiful fighters: I think is the song I like the least.

I'm very surprised with the previews! I really love this album! very good job Ayu!! maybe my favourite! the songs are amazing, I love the covers, and from the preview of the photobook I think it'll be great too!

[Taki]

I did not listen preview and is not going to listen. I will wait while will not get an album waiting remained not long - two weeks or a little longer.