Is There Anything You DON'T Like About Ayumi?

[truehappiness]

With Ayu, nothing's a B-side until the album comes out.

Or if there's no instrumental, it's guaranteed not to be on the album. [see theme of a-nation '03 and ever free and such..]

I really don't get why there's so much anti-Life going on. I swear it's a throwback song to her earlier ballads. :[

[baoanhnguyen]

when i first started to like Ayu i liked every song...but the recent releases seem so familar so her previous releases...so im still waiting for that "it" single that sounds totally different and just shock you. But i cant really expect Ayu to do so, artists have their own taste in music and Ayu likes the light rock and pop songs...so she sticks with it, so all power to her, i would just like to see something WOWISH...sort of like evolution, its not very normal but its awesome =D....... and so is SURREAL and Boys & Girls.

[sugarbasil]

^^I actually really like Life. It's nostalgic to her earlier ballads and I just really like it for my own personal reasons. I can see how it's forgettable, though. :/ Though, I've been playing it like crazy on my iPod since it came out.

I think what's disappointed me the most was GUILTY. I had LOVED every single that had come out prior to the album's release (including the album art...the PVs to some extent XD); but the arrangement of GUILTY was so poor, in my opinion, that it almost crushed me. This was partly my own fault, though. I had gotten in a real low in my life a year ago and Ayu literally was what pulled me out of it. Ayu kept me on a high then; but when I came down from that high because things became better, my expectations were so high, then, too. But I still do not think that's entirely why I didn't like GUILTY.

In my opinion, I just think it's a very sloppily put-together album. The first 5 songs blend together fine. The transition to fated and Together When... I can handle. So the first half is okay. But, to me, the second half of the album doesn't exist. It's like...it's not part of an albums. It's like...pairs of songs shoved one after another with no steady transitions. In prior albums the transitions into different areas of the albums make sense and flow. Like (miss)Understood for example: its starts with the pop section, then the rock/rock-pop section, then the Criminal-Pride-Will trio, then the ballads (which connects perfectly from Will), then the peppy songs.

But that's about all I've been disappointed with lately. Other than the Mirrorcle World PV. :/ And the photoshopping of her nose. :/

[truehappiness]

But, to me, the second half of the album doesn't exist. It's like...it's not part of an albums. It's like...pairs of songs shoved one after another with no steady transitions.

I guess people really can hear totally different things from the exact same album. @_@. I've always felt that the album had really good transitions [except the awkwardness between GUILTY and fated] and the second half really sticks out to me as a solid set of songs. The Judgement Day sort of leads from that haunting sound that Marionette had into a more upbeat section [glitter -> MY ALL] and then the ending is sort of expected since reBiRTH slows things down in order to prepare you for untitled ~for her~ because going straight from MY ALL -> untitled ~for her~ I think would've been really jarring for listeners.

[Bad Wolf]

In my opinion, I just think it's a very sloppily put-together album. The first 5 songs blend together fine. The transition to fated and Together When... I can handle. So the first half is okay. But, to me, the second half of the album doesn't exist. It's like...it's not part of an albums. It's like...pairs of songs shoved one after another with no steady transitions. In prior albums the transitions into different areas of the albums make sense and flow. Like (miss)Understood for example: its starts with the pop section, then the rock/rock-pop section, then the Criminal-Pride-Will trio, then the ballads (which connects perfectly from Will), then the peppy songs.

This.

GUILTY is probably my favorite Ayu album but I think it has an AMAZING and strong first half with a "good/okay" second. The interludes break up a lot and it sort of feels like everything after "Together when..." is a slow come down/attempt to build up again from the energy of the first few songs.

[truehappiness]

I think GUILTY starts off really energetic, then sort of tones things down a bit before rising again and then ending on a really... "sad" note. However, I think that this sort of pattern of energy is the exact same as the albums after Memorial address [except for MY STORY's ending with Humming]... Sometimes I wish Ayu would stop with the sadness and go back to her peppy album endings, but eh. She's doing what she feels is best right now.

[Bad Wolf]

Yeah, agreed. After an onslaught like GUILTY + fated + Tw... + Marionette, it's a little difficult to have your mood improved by the likes of glitter and MY ALL, though I have come to appreciate both songs a helluva lot more over the past 6 months and really, I can't see them fitting anywhere else but where they were put on the album... and of course I can't see them NOT including ~untitled~ for her as the last track. There's almost nowhere else it could go.

[truehappiness]

I think Ayu's lack of an energetic final song [Humming, +, independent, flower garden, girlish, etc..] has made people not like recent albums. :[

[Bad Wolf]

That's an interesting point. She hasn't had an upbeat final track since... before (m)u, if my memory serves me correctly:

(m)u - rainy day
Secret - Secret
GUILTY - untitled ~for her~ (I can never get the position of the ~~'s right :x)

And even LOVEppears ended on not one but two slower songs (Who... + kanariya). Hm! I can see where they might be a little bothered by it: an album is a little like a journey or even a story, and if the last part/"chapter" is slow or even sad you almost feel like it casts a shadow over the work itself. However I think that as long as it fits the 'feel' of an album that there isn't much of a problem (for me, anyway). Typically I like my albums to end on quieter songs if only to help me come down from the rush of listening to it 382490328 times lol...

[Seiko Yua]

i actually love that rainy day and Secret concluded their respective albums... it gives you a very relaxing feeling once you've reached the end and you can just.... sigh and smile

then the cd starts over and you're blasted with, "YAYAYAYAGAGAGAGADADADADAWOWOWOWO!!!" lol

[truehappiness]

I've always had this feeling that in the stead of an intro/real upbeat ending, Ayu chose to use B&D as the "intro" as well as the "end".. you know, kind of like how you describe it. Like (miss)understood is meant to be listened to from start to finish to start to finish.. and so on. XD

[Seiko Yua]

^totally agree with that. 'cause once B&D starts, you can't help but jam XD

[dez0424]

i think many of us have thought that ayu makes every decision.
we cant forget that she belongs to avex with a contract.

she used to be the "boss" in the old days during A BEST,
because she sold a lot, and she's the big % of avex's profit.

but when avex/everyone noticed what ayu says affects avex's shares,
avex did what they can to cut down ayu's power, eg. koda gets a 12-single explosion.

dont forget that Max Matsuura is still the producer, ayu is the performer.
i think it is one of the selling-point these years that they put "visualized / all produced by ayu" at the end of live dvds,
that ayu put in hard work and effort,therefore fans should admire her for that,
and ayu "did" everything.

i remember ayu once said that she started to let go of powers of decisions to her team,
since she has more to do, and her team of pros can take care of the work.


u guys remember in 2006, that ayu/max stated that the MU tour will be the best "entertainment show" ever?
that is why "ayu" puts in all sorts of eye candies in her live,
not just sit there in jeans to sing for 2.5hours.

ayu writes well, i think that is the only thing she can do 100% well.
i'm sure many of u could name others who have a better voice than ayu,
who dance better than ayu.
so "ayu" needs to be entertaining overall, that is how she must do to keep her sales for both CDs/tours.

i think avex is also to be blamed for recent badness of creativity.
you know, good creativity & visual impact needs money,
and avex is cutting that off from ayu.
i dont call "ayu pouring paint on herself" an impact,
we all want something more than that don't we?
I even start to think that Max has put ayu aside,
have u ever seen Max appearing together with ayu in public/Tours/Makings?
the last time they appeared together in public was 2002, on singapore's MTV Awards' red carpet.


the period which ayu was "absorbing" new fans have ended long time ago,
i think what ayu is trying to do now is to "keep" them.
that is why Makings/offshots of tours have taken a big place in dvds,
those "no-makeup-ayu" did made us feel closer to her.

we would all feel a lot better, if we embrace with the new "era" of ayu.
to stay close together, and not just expect eye candies.
ayu doesn't want to be a product anymore.
she wants to be a real human being infront of us.
to share the solid feelings that she writes and sing with us.


ps. i was amazed by ayu's firece-ness when she broke the CM contract with Gem Cerey when she know that Koda was the former spokesperson before her.



so, what i don't like about ayu?
nothing.
what i don't like about her team?
lots.

[sitara]

Originally Posted by Cart-RAT

then the cd starts over and you're blasted with, "YAYAYAYAGAGAGAGADADADADAWOWOWOWO!!!" lol

it throws me off every time i listen to the cd in my car... ;D

[Bad Wolf]

Originally Posted by dez0424

i think many of us have thought that ayu makes every decision.
we cant forget that she belongs to avex with a contract.

she used to be the "boss" in the old days during A BEST,
because she sold a lot, and she's the big % of avex's profit.

but when avex/everyone noticed what ayu says affects avex's shares,
avex did what they can to cut down ayu's power, eg. koda gets a 12-single explosion.

dont forget that Max Matsuura is still the producer, ayu is the performer.
i think it is one of the selling-point these years that they put "visualized / all produced by ayu" at the end of live dvds,
that ayu put in hard work and effort,therefore fans should admire her for that,
and ayu "did" everything.

i remember ayu once said that she started to let go of powers of decisions to her team,
since she has more to do, and her team of pros can take care of the work.


u guys remember in 2006, that ayu/max stated that the MU tour will be the best "entertainment show" ever?
that is why "ayu" puts in all sorts of eye candies in her live,
not just sit there in jeans to sing for 2.5hours.

ayu writes well, i think that is the only thing she can do 100% well.
i'm sure many of u could name others who have a better voice than ayu,
who dance better than ayu.
so "ayu" needs to be entertaining overall, that is how she must do to keep her sales for both CDs/tours.

i think avex is also to be blamed for recent badness of creativity.
you know, good creativity & visual impact needs money,
and avex is cutting that off from ayu.
i dont call "ayu pouring paint on herself" an impact,
we all want something more than that don't we?
I even start to think that Max has put ayu aside,
have u ever seen Max appearing together with ayu in public/Tours/Makings?
the last time they appeared together in public was 2002, on singapore's MTV Awards' red carpet.


the period which ayu was "absorbing" new fans have ended long time ago,
i think what ayu is trying to do now is to "keep" them.
that is why Makings/offshots of tours have taken a big place in dvds,
those "no-makeup-ayu" did made us feel closer to her.

we would all feel a lot better, if we embrace with the new "era" of ayu.
to stay close together, and not just expect eye candies.
ayu doesn't want to be a product anymore.
she wants to be a real human being infront of us.
to share the solid feelings that she writes and sing with us.


ps. i was amazed by ayu's firece-ness when she broke the CM contract with Gem Cerey when she know that Koda was the former spokesperson before her.



so, what i don't like about ayu?
nothing.
what i don't like about her team?
lots.

this is VERY well said - kudos to you because while i don't agree with a point you made here and there, i still think you did a good job presenting it.

oh, and I AGREE SO MUCH WITH THE LAST PART. <3

[truehappiness]

Originally Posted by dez0424

i think many of us have thought that ayu makes every decision.
we cant forget that she belongs to avex with a contract.

she used to be the "boss" in the old days during A BEST,
because she sold a lot, and she's the big % of avex's profit.

but when avex/everyone noticed what ayu says affects avex's shares,
avex did what they can to cut down ayu's power, eg. koda gets a 12-single explosion.

dont forget that Max Matsuura is still the producer, ayu is the performer.
i think it is one of the selling-point these years that they put "visualized / all produced by ayu" at the end of live dvds,
that ayu put in hard work and effort,therefore fans should admire her for that,
and ayu "did" everything.

i remember ayu once said that she started to let go of powers of decisions to her team,
since she has more to do, and her team of pros can take care of the work.


u guys remember in 2006, that ayu/max stated that the MU tour will be the best "entertainment show" ever?
that is why "ayu" puts in all sorts of eye candies in her live,
not just sit there in jeans to sing for 2.5hours.

ayu writes well, i think that is the only thing she can do 100% well.
i'm sure many of u could name others who have a better voice than ayu,
who dance better than ayu.
so "ayu" needs to be entertaining overall, that is how she must do to keep her sales for both CDs/tours.

i think avex is also to be blamed for recent badness of creativity.
you know, good creativity & visual impact needs money,
and avex is cutting that off from ayu.
i dont call "ayu pouring paint on herself" an impact,
we all want something more than that don't we?
I even start to think that Max has put ayu aside,
have u ever seen Max appearing together with ayu in public/Tours/Makings?
the last time they appeared together in public was 2002, on singapore's MTV Awards' red carpet.


the period which ayu was "absorbing" new fans have ended long time ago,
i think what ayu is trying to do now is to "keep" them.
that is why Makings/offshots of tours have taken a big place in dvds,
those "no-makeup-ayu" did made us feel closer to her.

we would all feel a lot better, if we embrace with the new "era" of ayu.
to stay close together, and not just expect eye candies.
ayu doesn't want to be a product anymore.
she wants to be a real human being infront of us.
to share the solid feelings that she writes and sing with us.


ps. i was amazed by ayu's firece-ness when she broke the CM contract with Gem Cerey when she know that Koda was the former spokesperson before her.



so, what i don't like about ayu?
nothing.
what i don't like about her team?
lots.

Personally, I believe that these are the feelings of someone that truly loves Ayu and I applaud that. However, I think that many fans do not take these sorts of things into consideration... but I think that some of this information is a little misleading. Ayu is still the "man" of the house at avex and I don't think that avex has been cutting off her funds. They allowed her to go overseas in Asia to film a PV last year, and this year they allowed her to do a PV in Paris during the promotional material shoots for Panasonic. I think that's a lot of freedom and a lot of money, wouldn't you? I also find that avex is also allowing Ayu to have huge budgets upwards of 2 and a half billion yen or more depending on the concert [this is about 183 million HKD or 23.5 million USD] giving her the freedom to basically do whatever SHE wants.

I know that it doesn't feel right to blame Ayu for recent shortcomings in terms of image and music, but I think that she's had just as much power as she had in the past with I am... and RAINBOW. She has just as much responsibility as avex does in creating the music that so many people LOVE to complain about. However in saying this, I think that as an Ayu fan, I'm sort of ashamed to be part of a group of people that call her "pride and joy" aka her most recent songs, "forgettable" or "definitely not her best." It's like, she made this and she puts it out there because she believes that it is "an article of the finest quality", a phrase that she had on the AT03-04 DVD case, and also a phrase that I believe she keeps in mind when creating just about anything that she does. @_@~

I'm going to stop this rant here because.. yeah.

[Kashoku]

I have nothing against her music or anything. Many complain her songs are too similar and rock, but I like that style so it doesn't bother me.

The thing that irks me the most about her is her short hair. Honestly! XD The only thing that ever gets me angry about Ayu is when she cuts her hair! I just do not like her with short hair *shudders*

[dez0424]

i believe same as the western music industry,
that the producer/avex has the say on "which songs to put in the album",
and "which single to be released when".

more over, ayu does not compose 95% of her songs,
she doesnt arrange them either.
so whether it's "too rockish" or "pop-ish",
ayu might not be the only one to blame,
cos she's just responsible for the lyrics and vocal.

ayu has exceed what a normal recording "artist" needs to do.
so we should respect, and TRY to appreciate her works,
even you think that "YA DA GA WO" thing was very cr*ppy.
i believe it was avex's decision to make Secret's a super-poppish style,
since it was a safe play for its sales,
after ayu's decision in choosing sweetbox for MU's album songs.

[truehappiness]

ayu might not be the only one to blame,
cos she's just responsible for the lyrics and vocal.

Ayu is not simply responsible for stuff like that.. sure, she's not personally doing it, but she's still the one suggesting stuff to the arrangers and choosing the sounds that she believes are "best" for the album.

This is not a normal case of most pop stars go through in which they are simply handed songs. I believe Ayu hand selects her songs and tailors it to whatever "sound" she wants the song to have afterwards, you know?

[Re:★]

I think she needs a few more happy rock songs. Her rock songs all tend to be serious/sad lately.

Other than that, I'm quite content with Ayu.