Japanese Media Addresses Ayu's Voice - Page 9

polka-dot-jewel · #**161** 18th January 2010, 04:24 PM

lol I hate to be mean, but the media seems to be really late.

In regards to her "evolution" performance, true, that was a bit embarrassing, but it's not like she hasn't forgotten lyrics before. In fact, she forgot the lyrics to "evolution" at AT08 as well (the TV version, anyway).

And we know her voice hasn't been the best for the past few years either. She strains out her voice quite a bit, plus she's deaf in her left ear, and it's very hard to hear and keep yourself in tune when that happens.

And lol @ these people saying "the era of Ayu is over". Whut? That ended a long time ago. I think her era ended in '03/'04. But, hey, even with these problems, she's still continuing with sold out concerts. She may not be AS popular as she was many years ago, but she still is enough to the point where she can still have #1 singles and albums and still have sold out concerts.

AyUmIXx · #**162** 18th January 2010, 04:34 PM

^
yeap, i agree to what you've said..
and in fact that Ayu still charts and she often ranks in some pollings by oricon rankings or tv shows rankings, that means ppl still love her.. still demand of her~

noisy_harmony · #**163** 18th January 2010, 04:49 PM

Finally thread about her voice is a big thing in Japan... Maybe she'll change her mind finally. Everybody wants her to take a break and start vocal training, I want it to... But when? Delaying the tour now would be insane. I hope for vocal lessons, but... It's a wishful thinking.

SunshineSlayer · #**164** 18th January 2010, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maikaru

I disagree very much... she sang amazing during 2002 (except Arena Tour) to 2006, and then it just started fading, but with some great vocals for A BEST 2 promotions, and then it got so bad.

If it was a deaf problem, she would just be off pitch a lot... but the QUALITY of the voice is much different, much deeper and hoarse... it's not good right now!

Yes, Maikaru and I are agreeing for sure on this.

She really did have some great vocals from 02-06. Even 98-01 I would put as better than now because at least those were much more controlled. The reason Japanese press is only bringing this up now? Because it has gotten so bad that it can't be ignored anymore.

I will never understand when people say that her voice was never good so its fine that her voice is bad now because I just don't think that is true at all. Take any non-sick performance from 02-early 06 and put it up against any performance from late 06-09 and I just don't see how someone could say in good faith that no matter what period her voice was always bad.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrenekoi

maikaru
Some songs on Music Fair were good, but this don't make her other lives from as 2003 good...
Even if she goes for vocal coaching, if she needs to re-learn how to use her voice and her ear all over again, it will take more than 1 or 2 years...
And even with voice post deafness, she has some very good (and some of her best) vocal performances:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8SL-...eature=related (Yeah, it's the dvd, but the tv version is as good)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyTeswlUbf8

http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/pdA7262pvRQ/

http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/4oqrQFt5xmM/

http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/6JcSzjoEc58/

Honestly, those performances are only "good" because we view them through the "current Ayu standard" filter. To any regular person viewing those, they are average at best. And most of the Japanese comments I've seen about Kohaku this year have thought that her voice was awful. And I love ya, but I think you are crazy for including any Sunrise performance.

AyUta · #**165** 18th January 2010, 05:51 PM

Oh dear, finally an article pops up in Japan about her voice.

I was wondering when they would do something like this, not that I like it. Poor ayu, it's obvious her vocals are really bad nowadays, but some of those comments are just....mean. This could really hurt her career.

hidekirby · #**166** 18th January 2010, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunshineSlayer

She really did have some great vocals from 02-06. Even 98-01 I would put as better than now because at least those were much more controlled.
I will never understand when people say that her voice was never good so its fine that her voice is bad now because I just don't think that is true at all. Take any non-sick performance from 02-early 06 and put it up against any performance from late 06-09 and I just don't see how someone could say in good faith that no matter what period her voice was always bad.
Honestly, those performances are only "good" because we view them through the "current Ayu standard" filter.

I can't agree more... I don't understand people who think that she's not a good singer... Of course her vocals abilities are not perfect but she could put awesome performances in the past, her lives could be amazing. She was not an average pop star trying to sing, she could sing!

ayu_ready? · #**167** 18th January 2010, 06:30 PM

it's very sad reading all this, but I supposed, and probably, honestly wished it appeared

I don't think her voice was bad during 1998-2001. I liked it sometimes, sometimes not. I'm the fan of A BEST era Ayu, I think it must be the best time she had produced, so I quite liked the vocals during that time. although I think that with the beggining of I am.., RAINBOW voice got even more improvement & I liked it even more.

MY STORY era changed the voice again and probably it was due to music change, the music started to have a heavier sound, no? there was kinda a progression, (m)u, Secret, GUILTY - heavier & heavier sounds. I think it does affect, doesn't it? the heavier music. and we got deeper vocal and much much much vibrato, it wasn't brought in before. I don't really like her voice since 2006

whenever I heard MW performance, I couldn't but turn it off. not that I only absolutely hate the song *oh yes shoot me twice*, the live it sounded horrible for me. maybe it was due to the sound, but I guess it was due to the sound and to the voice. I think every MW performance sounded horrible. that's when I noticed the voice problems

I can say, that Best of CDL, surprisingly, I think, was very well sung

I don't like reading all this : AYU GO & RETIRE through obviously it's what must be made, and that's what makes the most sense. I think just probably a bit of hiatus would be okay. I think fans will understand. I think some fans will much support this

I doubt she does it. if she doesn't cancel new arena tour, it will bring up a lot of trouble & sorrow. to her & to fans, and lotsa media bashing. because seriously she doesn't have much time to improve or cure
I see no sense in this arena tour

I don't know what's happening to Ayu's soul, though. I wonder about it. because I think earlier, maybe she wasn't that opened and didn't have a personal blog on the same level as now, but she was "opened" in terms of expressing herself throughout lyrics

now she's very much reserved. I think she somehow feels really bad inside. even though she tries to show she's happier, I kinda cannot believe in it

I think she has many personal problems. now this media. how will she feel about it?

Crystal_Ageha · #**168** 18th January 2010, 07:51 PM

^ I also feel she's kinda putting on a front with her emotions lately....... Dunno why. Just feels that way.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raiu-Ayu

She was placed first to perform on Kouhaku because she was going to her COUNTDOWN LIVE right after. Come on, its plainly obvious. They aren't going to put her on at 11pm peak time when she's supposed to be in the middle of a concert.

As for her Japan noticing her 'voice is bad these days' look at some older lives. God-awful. ayu is like anyone else: she has good days, she has bad days. She's not a machine, she won't be 100% every time. Also its 2 articles written by God knows who. And as for the little comments they've included, I don't see any source. Who's to say that these people aren't just major ayu haters and aren't just bashing for instead of someone else? Also, ayu just released a single. This is prime time for all the haters to jump right in with all the little comments because she's outsold someone else they like...

Yeah, no matter how much popularity Ayumi loses, we can't look at it by the Kouhaku timeslot (or even if she appears at all). She does many other things at the end of the year, as does everybody else. We should only worry when we're not seeing her on anything.
And that's a good thing to point out... Who's this written by?? :\ Since we have no source, this could be a haters blog for all we know.. Not that I'm knocking the whole idea of everything, because I agree with most of it, but...yeah.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Misa-chan

...Is it because she's shouting when she sings songs like Rule and Mirrorcle World? Well, these are rock-ish songs, aren't they? The lyrics and tune are very strong, it's natural for her to put more energy into singing them. She's singing about conviction, determination, never giving up, surely you won't expect her to use a soft and lovely voice to sing that? As a result, she sounds like she's shouting, and everyone just assumes it's because her voice is bad and she can't get the sounds out...

This is a very good point, too.

Sometimes, she's screaming or whatever, not even because her voice is bad or anything, but because of the over-excitement! I actually noticed this during many of the Rule performances, like the latest one coupled with You were... When you look at her face, and listen closely to her voice, you can see that she's just so thrilled! And when you're singing, sometimes you accidentally scream when you're having so much fun... I've seen Ayu do it, I've seen Kumi do it, I've seen many do it. And I don't mind this type of screaming, because it means they're enjoying themselves, hah!

Quote:

Originally Posted by polka-dot-jewel

...And lol @ these people saying "the era of Ayu is over". Whut? That ended a long time ago. I think her era ended in '03/'04. But, hey, even with these problems, she's still continuing with sold out concerts. She may not be AS popular as she was many years ago, but she still is enough to the point where she can still have #1 singles and albums and still have sold out concerts.

Also, I wish people wouldn't judge her by You were... performances...... I mean, not just 'cause I think she sounded amazing in almost every one so far, but..... Seriously. Try singing that song. Especially if you have a deep voice or rely on the lower register, or if you can't sing exactly right. Just try it. It's a truly hard song, and I think she's done wonderful with it.

greenteadrinker · #**169** 18th January 2010, 07:54 PM

Whatever... any article that mentions negative comments about her figure I just basically disregard. Ayu's peak was over a couple years ago. Everyone knows that you really only have about 5 years to be at the top of the industry. If anything, it's great that after 11 years she's still getting number 1 albums and singles.

She needs to take better care of her voice and prepare for her live performances more carefully. That's about it. Same for every veteran who's hit a rough patch. It's just that lately the media has been giving her a hard time. Well, better than no publicity at all.

SunshineSlayer · #**170** 18th January 2010, 07:55 PM

@CrystalAgeha: I don't know if the reason she was first for Kohaku is what the article says it is, but CDL really shouldn't have anything to do with her being first. Besides the last 2 years she always performed in the second half of the show even though she had her CDL, the CDTV Super Live, and the Japan Record Awards all in the same night.

As for the source, both are from legitimate places in Japan.

rakeru · #**171** 18th January 2010, 07:59 PM

"the era of Hamasaki Ayumi is finally and truly over"

Oh please. She's still a top seller and her presence is everywhere in culture. So she isn't what she used to be-- almost nobody is. She's going through a rough patch and she'll pull out of it the way she always has before.

Ayu_Ready · #**172** 18th January 2010, 08:01 PM

For one bad perform on Evo I think it's totally foolish ! Ayu can't be like she was but she's something new I can't believe what I read Ayu era is not over at all she is every where and Y/B was 1st it's totally stupid !

Maemi · #**173** 18th January 2010, 08:06 PM

It's beginning. People are noticing her bad singing. Ah...

Ayu_Ready · #**174** 18th January 2010, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maemi

It's beginning. People are noticing her bad singing. Ah...

Are you kidding me ? We don't hear the same thing xD

Do you think Ayu will be here as a super star if she couldn't sing anymore ?

She can't be at the top every days I totally agree but she is at the top 9days on 10 ! And tour 2010 will be very good I'm sure !

She is fabulous and has a great voice ! She has really a marvelous voice !

ALfromHELLSING · #**175** 18th January 2010, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rakeru

"the era of Hamasaki Ayumi is finally and truly over"

Oh please. She's still a top seller and her presence is everywhere in culture. So she isn't what she used to be-- almost nobody is. She's going through a rough patch and she'll pull out of it the way she always has before.

WORDS OF TRUTH!

ALL this is crap.
And People here are SO funny. You all suggest from your point of view, your life, your house. But no one of you is AYUMI HAMASAKI. You don't know what's with her, how she is, why is this happening to her voice, etc. I'm pretty sure everything is very complicated for her. Try to think from another point of view...

FuNsTyLe · #**176** 18th January 2010, 08:24 PM

We have to consider the fact that Avex might be "pushing" Ayu to not take a break. After all she is their "flagship", and she contributes to quite a bit of their income, so it might not be so popular if Ayu wants to have abreak for a year... For Avex, that means one year with ALOT less income. As brutal as it may seem, it is probably a factor for why she always has ten projects in the air at all times.
We don't know what goes on on those top secret meetings... For all we know, they might threaten to use alot less money on promoting her if she wants to have a year off and then start again. I dunno... I don't think it's all glittery and happy smiley times in the Avex business. Money comes first. It's a stock holder company after all. All about the dough...

Crystal_Ageha · #**177** 18th January 2010, 08:32 PM

^ Of course avex is pushing her to do as much as possible... But I still think that Ayumi doesn't completely mind.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ayu_Ready

Are you kidding me ? We don't hear the same thing xD

Do you think Ayu will be here as a super star if she couldn't sing anymore ?

She can't be at the top every days I totally agree but she is at the top 9days on 10 ! And tour 2010 will be very good I'm sure !

She is fabulous and has a great voice ! She has really a marvelous voice !

Really...? If you really think that, okay... But I can guarantee you, most of the world doesn't and hasn't felt that way about Ayumi Hamasaki. :\

But some of you seem so surprised, that somebody with a "terrible" voice can be so huge... Um, it isn't just like this in Japan, guys. D: In the States, look at Lady GaGa right now - an awfully mediocre voice, but she has a gimmick, so she's popular. Britney Spears is an awful singer, but she's an icon, so it doesn't matter. And I've heard plenty of European Eurobeat singers who shouldn't be given a microphone ever, yet they've made it on several albums. Also, boybands from EVERYWHERE also have such average voices - and some of them flat out suck - but their catchy songs and sex appeal gets them major fame...
Being a famous singer, or celebrity in general, is usually never about how much talent you have, no matter where we're talking about. Ayumi isn't and didn't become famous because of her voice. She's famous because she was incredibly likable and had a ton of charisma, and then we also found out she's an amazing lyricist and has great fashion. Afterall, if all we did to choose who became famous was base it all on who could sing four octaves, or whatever, it would probably be a boring industry...

noidea · #**178** 18th January 2010, 08:35 PM

^ Erm...have you heard Gaga sing one of her piano versions? She belongs to the best vocalists that got succesful in the last years. Just most songs of hers are really easy to sing.

Crystal_Ageha · #**179** 18th January 2010, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noidea

^ Erm...have you heard Gaga sing one of her piano versions? She belongs to the best vocalists that got succesful in the last years. Just most songs of hers are really easy to sing.

I'm not saying she's bad, just that she's average (it's not bad to be an average singer, especially since the majority of people are far~ below average), and she doesn't even have a unique voice to make up for it (not to me, at least--I could easily confuse her with several other artists :\). Yes, she's one of the best singers of the past few years (from the Western world), but........is that really saying much? XD

Ayu_Ready · #**180** 18th January 2010, 08:42 PM

When you hear a song evrybody has a different opinion okay no problems but don't say that Ayu doesn't have talent ! It's totally wrong !! She has more talent than every body here ! If she was just charisma she did 2/3 years like an idol but not 11 ^^

Do you find AT 2009 was bad sung ? It was great ! She was tired these times but you can't say she has not talent it's totally stupid for me.

And millions peoples think like me all around the world