Evaluate your least favorite album

[TakaSama]

So this post is inspired by two other posts, first the evaluate your favorite album post, and second, the rank the albums post.

The point is, listen to you least favorite Ayu album carefully, and try and discover what you don't like about it.

My least favorite album is MY STORY, and it has been since MY STORY first came out. I had to ask myself why, because there are many tracks that I love on the album - the singles were strong, and some of the album tracks are great.

Well, for starters, yes it's shallow, but the covers are ugly to me. I even own two versions of it; both are better than the regular cover, but they are still ugly. It looks more like an ad you'd see in Las Vegas than an album cover. Second, many songs have a similar feel or tempo one right after another, which bores my ear after a while. I prefer listening to this album on shuffle. Third, I think it's too long. One or two tracks could have been removed since they are too similar to other stronger tracks.

Track by track:
1. Catcher in the Light
This little interlude was nice as an opening track for the album. Ayu's la la la... is pleasant and the track builds nicely. I could have done without the last set of guitar riffs though. (8/10)

2. About You
When I first heard this, all I could think of was GAME pt. 2. The arrangement is similar to GAME, with loud guitars on the chorus. It's a good song, and the lyrics are wonderful, but the heavy guitar played over the melody in parts of the song gets to me. (7/10)

3. GAME
I loved this song when it was on the Inspire single. I was really happy Ayu was doing another rock style song. The problem on MY STORY is that it comes right after About You. Two songs with heavy guitar played over a pop melody is tiring. On top of that Catcher in the Light also has similarly loud guitar parts. I like guitar, but I wish these songs weren't right next to each other. I still love the last part a lot though, where she says "Iite, kitto..." (8/10)

4. my name's WOMEN
Great lyrics and message, but I have a love/hate relationship with the pounding synthesizer at the beginning of (and throughout) the song. Right now would be a hate moment.
(7/10)

5. WONDERLAND
I actually love this, because it's creepy and it finally gives my ears a break from the loud pounding noises present in the last four songs. It also means that we are getting into the part of the album I like best! But it feels a bit out of place - the first time I heard it, I didn't know what to think! (8/10)

6. Liar
The harpsicord style keyboard in this song is really awesome! Also, even though the distorted guitars are back, they are used much more melodically than in either About You or GAME. When I first heard this album, this song didn't really stick out to me. Now it's one of my favorites because there is so much going on musically. (9/10)

7. HOPE or PAIN
I like that Ayu's vocals are features over the guitars for the most part on this song, but over all it is pretty forgetable in the course of the album both lyrically and musically because the beat is what I would call "plodding." (7/10)

8. HAPPY ENDING
This was another song that I overlooked when this album came out, but that is now one of my favorites, thanks to AT'05. It seems like the better cousin of HOPE or PAIN to me, because the beat and lyrical content are similar. This one is more laid back though, and it's the first full song that doesn't feature overpowering guitar distortion. (9/10)

9. Moments
Hands down one of Ayu's best ballads. It has absolutely beautiful lyrics and a great melody. I have no complaint here, except that the beat for the last two songs is awfully similar to the beginning of Moments, so listening casually, even a great song like Moments almost gets lost in the mix. (10/10)

10. walking proud
Another great song with great lyrics and a great melody. The one problem? It comes right after Moments, and the two songs are similar. When I'm listening closely, this song is great. When I'm listening casually, everything sounds the same! (9/10)

11. CAROLS
Beautiful piano ballad. It was good single, and it's nice here - the strings and piano are a relief to my ears! (9/10)

12. Kaleidoscope
Kind of forgettable interlude. (6/10)

13. INSPIRE
FINALLY SOMETHING DIFFERENT! This song is one of Ayu's most original tracks, and I love it on MY STORY even though I didn't care much for it as a single. It's like someone finally gave me a breath of fresh air... the song has an awesome melody, and a really cool keyboard organ. It's just so cool! (10/10)

14. HONEY
Hmm, this is different too. Ayu proves that her cutesy nasal voice is still there if she wants to use it, although it doesn't have that same squeak it used to. The song's a bit sugary for my tastes, but because it also adds variety to the album, I've grown to appreciate it. (8/10)

15. Replace
The song has a great message, but it's nothing special musically. Also, the strange computerized voice used throughout is annoying. I will admit that it's better in AT'05 though. (7/10)

16. winding road
This song is better than Replace musically, but because it is placed after Replace, it doesn't sound as good as it could. If you listen to it in shuffle, it's actually a really nice song. It progresses nicely into the chorus. I like the lyrics, and the bridge is nice. (9/10)

17. Humming 7/4
This song is fun, and it's the typical way that Ayu ends an album. However, it's a bit jarring to hear right after the more relaxed winding road, which sounds like it could be the end of the album. I like it though. (9/10)

Overall score: 7/10 (not an average, because the flow of the album hurts the score A LOT).

What could be better? Axe HOPE or PAIN and Replace (and maybe even Kaleidoscope) and change the track order to prevent my ears from getting tired!

So, now tell me what's good and bad with your least favorite album!