Ayu - Anything Goes Thread -XII-

[TeddyGrahams]

I still stand by my comment that PQ is her worst album ever. An album with all new songs had the allure of mystery, hype, and grandeur. During that time, everyone was dying in anticipation for it. Even the bad covers didn't sway my excitement. Then came the terrible songs... I remembered I was straight in denial that I tried listening to it over and over to force myself to like it. It was so bad that I completely lost interest in her releases that followed after.

I know a lot of posters here won't agree with me. All I know was that my friends whom were into Jpop thought she was a complete joke because of that release. They stopped following/listening to her. Of course, the lackluster Love Again album didn't help.

[rainbow_smile]

I liked PQ when it was released, and I still think the songs are decent, but I got tired of that album pretty fast and in the long run I only listen to NaNaNa, Shake it and Return Road frequently. It's one of her worst albums for me, but it doesn't mean I hate it. It just has less replay value than my favourite albums of hers.

[Miduhyo]

Originally Posted by stepYOU1234

I also do not like HBYA. I might have preferred it if it had all been sung in Japanese. Ayu sounds more sincere then? I'm not fussed by NaNaNa either but I thought there were some rather good songs on Party Queen, especially considering how out there some of the tracks were for Ayu. I wouldn't want albums full of E,S,M but it was a nice change and worked on the album too.

To be honest, even if it were all in Japanese I may still not be such a huge fan of it. I think a new arrangement would be better for me. It's just so... I don't know... almost cheesy for me. Like I've never gotten that feel that I think she wanted to go for. This really honest, hopeful, sincere feeling of people not knowing how beautiful they really are. I mean, the message is great and the whole idea and love behind it is amazing but I just don't feel it. I don't know how else to explain it. I tried listening to it to be able to give a better description but I couldn't even make it to the chorus. But, like I said, I'm not going to bash it. It's just not a song I prefer is all. And I agree I wouldn't want an entire album full of Eyes, Smoke Magic type of songs (the Broadway jazzy and all) but I would love for her to do another song like that. Just one. Maybe not so... 'cartoonish' as E,S,M but I'd love a true jazz record from her. I know I'm in the minority with that thought, but hope is free so Imma keep hoping. xD

[BlackSilence]

where is this from and does anyone know where to find the full thing?

[chocopockymaster]

Originally Posted by artcika

where is this from and does anyone know where to find the full thing?

Looks like DIGITAL DREAM LIVE from 2001.

[DonkeyKongRemix]

I like some of the songs on PQ (though hbya is still my 2nd least favorite song of hers)but I feel like that album was the beginning of the end of her popularity. Like I know sales started dropping before but that album seemed to really mess up peoples perspective of her... I don't hate that album and I respect the message she gave off because it seemed like she practically told the world that she couldn't even pretend to be in a good place in her life...its hard for me to describe but i feel like that album is very raw and was written with no intention on simply pleasing the public ear.

However, I feel that her production value has dropped considerably since then so that album kind of makes me uneasy...

ESM and the next love are definitely my favorite tracks as well as the song Party Queen.

[NintendoHTF1242]

reminds me is one of the best songs in her discography, tbh.

[chocopockymaster]

^ where are the lies *____*

[paper_doll]

Man, I can't even remember what any of these songs sound like (call, letter, reminds me...). Definitely time to go through her discography again!

[Uknow!]

In my opinion, the lyrics of reminds me are the major exponential of her honesty and sincerity. She isn't telling the "secret" but only the fact she talks about it and makes a song like this, with all the "lalala" trying to forget, is really beautiful. One of my favourite songs of her.

[Toniayu123]

Definitely one of my favorites from her too. I felt so connected with that song when PQ came out

[Zeke.]

The Opening to reminds me is absolutely heart wrenching. It really draws you in. The subtle sadness boiling in the background, beginning to escalate, evolving into a warm and reminiscent sadness, before turning aggressive, continuing to grow and build up with anger until it reaches its breaking point and then just dissipates into nothingness, leaving feelings of emptiness and loneliness. It's pure and raw emotion and really gets that feeling across before ayu even opens her mouth.

[DevilsClap]

I really enjoy the Party Queen album.
Though now that the conversation over it came up here, I realize how I haven't listened to call for a while. Maybe because I prefer Letter much more so I listen to it more as well.
I enjoy listening to it on my way home.

Edit :

reminds me is one of the best songs on the album for me

[Minttulatte]

I still love Party Queen. It's so fabulous. All songs on it are amazing. I used to listen to it like crazy in 2012~

[YukiUsagi]

Originally Posted by artcika

where is this from and does anyone know where to find the full thing?

Evolution + Endless sorrow (2001-12-01 Digital Dream Live)

https://drive.google.com/uc?id=0B39I...xport=download

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bR5Tww9-0G0

[ExodusUK]

reminds me is everything.

[terra]

God, I'm so happy that everyone thinks reminds me is amazing! It is everything in PQ for me, it's so honest, emotional and relatable. One of her top best songs imo

[tsumekaze_]

I love reminds me as well. the lyrics get me every time.

[Surreal17]

Party Queen was released exactly when I was starting to discover ayu. reminds me caught my attention immediately and even today is one of my favourite ayu rock songs ever. Zeke.s description is exactly how I feel about the song.

[Miduhyo]

I just love how reminds me, Return Road, and Tell me why are put in that order on the CD. It just fits. Lyrically, musically, all that and such. (Actually. I pretty much think all of Party Queen fits, first the partying to the reminiscing to the anger to the moving on.) Damn, the more we talk about PQ and reminds me the more I'm falling in love with this album. I know its one of those albums that seems to be an either Love it or Hate it type in discussion but (except for those God-awful covers) I feel so much work was put into it. It really is such a good album.