[CHARTS + SALES] GUILTY - second topic

[namiie]

Originally Posted by bluegie

That's how I feel about STEP you. This is so far the only recent ayu songs that I would think it could be a million sellers if it was released back in her peak era.



Of course I know it's not a one hit wonder . But I kinda feel it's sorta like somehow. Yes SMILY/Planetarium were really popular as well, but it's not up to par with Sakuranbo in terms of longevity and sales (even tho I hate this song). And too bad it seems like Ai-chan cannot make another 500K seller (judging by her recent sales..). It's like, if you ask anyone which ai-chan song is the most popular, everyone will point towards Sakuranbo.

Ayu or hikki are different on the other hand. They have more than a few songs that hit million marks (ayu: B&G, A, SEASONS, M, or even evolution, which was about 960K sold) (hikki: Automatic, Addicted To You, W&S, CYKAS?).

About ayu's most popular songs being released in her prime theory.. Well I sorta disagree. As a fan going through LOVEppears to GUILTY era (well too bad I wasn't into JPop when she released A Song for XX), I still consider SEASONS, M, evolution, etc. are one of her best works. Those songs are more unique in their own ways, unlike recent her works. Honestly I cannot see the difference between fairyland/BLUE BIRD/glitter. They have the same formula.. similar melodies, similar tones, etc. It's like whenever she's releasing a new single, it just sounds like recycling her old materials. That was how I felt back in I am to RAINBOW era (e.g., Free & Easy sounds too similar to M). And thank god she released Memorial address, in which the materials sounded quite different compared to the works in I am and RAINBOW. And somehow I believe ayu's going through the cycle again, as I have faith that she'll be releasing some spectacular like Memorial address again this year.

I think we need to give Ai some more time. After all, Ayu and Hikki have been in the game for ten years. Ai's recently just celebrated her fourth year If you've been taking notice in her concerts, Ai's signature song is now branching out from Sakuranbo...."Happy Days" and "SMILY" are definitely becoming fast fan favorites and are performed at every concert.

And *I* honestly think you can throw in "July 1st" and "Greatful Days" in with the "fairyland/BLUE BIRD/glitter" mix. They are quintessential summer songs--happy lyrics, danceable melody, the works. However, people to tend to leave these summer songs out when comparing summer releases because they are more old school Ayu--the Ayu that everyone likes to glorify and leave recent Ayu in the dust.

I do agree on the awesomeness that is Memorial Address though. However, I think that Ayu hasn't stopped being unique. I was struck by how amazingly original "Ourselves" as a song is (albeit the PV was not up to par). I think "until that Day..." is pretty unique in itself too, and what about "kiss o' kill"? Chainsaws are definitely something Ayu--and many pop artists in general--usually don't throw into their songs. And hello, "Bold & Delicious"??? If that isn't unique for Ayu, I don't know what is.

I'm not trying to say that Ayu is 100% awesome 100% of the time (I gave "fated" a good 50 listens before declaring it absolutely boring, which it is), and she does have her share of "WHAT THE HELL IS THIS" when it comes to songs (see "Humming 7/4" XD), but I do believe that her new music is not bad at all. I'd rather take the vocal improvement present in something like B&D over the ~totally original~ but frankly quite horrible vocals of "Heartplace". It's all about acquired taste I think.