14th album 'LOVE again' out February 8th, 4th of five 15th anniversary releases [III]

[koumori]

Originally Posted by sugarbasil

And you can argue that they should at least buy one CD in their lifetime. But maybe they've never in their lifetime been able to afford that one CD. If you think that's not possible or likely, again - you're probably that person who fits in the 'never lived paycheck to paycheck' category. Try to look outside of your own lifestyle or acknowledge that you can't understand what it's like.

I agree with this totally. I've been in the position of not having a lot of money in the last few years - fortunately, my position in life has vastly improved, but anyway. In those years I scrimped extra pennies for this and that, managing to buy two albums and a single from Ayu in that time. They're very precious to me.

That said, I don't feel people who have more money are somehow "better" than me...well done, you have a good job and you're comfortable in life. That's great! But it doesn't mean you're a "better fan". Anyone who thinks like that can remove the pole from their ass and educate themselves by looking up the word "empathy".

As for your question Basil..I don't think there's been any official statement from anyone linked to Avex about the fandom being unhappy. I'd be very surprised if there was going to be one.

[miru2590]

Originally Posted by Koumori

I agree with this totally. I've been in the position of not having a lot of money in the last few years - fortunately, my position in life has vastly improved, but anyway. In those years I scrimped extra pennies for this and that, managing to buy two albums and a single from Ayu in that time. They're very precious to me.

That said, I don't feel people who have more money are somehow "better" than me...well done, you have a good job and you're comfortable in life. That's great! But it doesn't mean you're a "better fan". Anyone who thinks like that can remove the pole from their ass and educate themselves by looking up the word "empathy".

Yessssssssssssssssssssssssss

[Andrenekoi]

Originally Posted by Koumori

I agree with this totally. I've been in the position of not having a lot of money in the last few years - fortunately, my position in life has vastly improved, but anyway. In those years I scrimped extra pennies for this and that, managing to buy two albums and a single from Ayu in that time. They're very precious to me.

That said, I don't feel people who have more money are somehow "better" than me...well done, you have a good job and you're comfortable in life. That's great! But it doesn't mean you're a "better fan". Anyone who thinks like that can remove the pole from their ass and educate themselves by looking up the word "empathy".

As for your question Basil..I don't think there's been any official statement from anyone linked to Avex about the fandom being unhappy. I'd be very surprised if there was going to be one.

Also, never spent 1 cent on Ayu as I don't like physical releases, I don't like having piles and piles of stuff just for the sake of having it, and I have other priorities for my money, but a lot of people who like her because I introduced her to them did. You can even help her getting richer without spending money.

[URANUS]

The good thing about this album is

1. The covers.

2. The album will sell more than PARTY QUEEN. Why? Because the album shot up to the top 10 on Japan's Amazon. I didn't see that for LOVE and AGAIN. Looks like fans that didn't buy the previous albums (A SUMMER BEST, LOVE, and AGAIN) will be buying this purchase. I'm sure a lot of fans were waiting for all the songs to be patched into an album to finally make a purchase. I suspect this album will sell at least 200,000 copies.

[harufi]

Originally Posted by URANUS

The good thing about this album is

1. The covers.

2. The album will sell more than PARTY QUEEN. Why? Because the album shot up to the top 10 on Japan's Amazon. I didn't see that for LOVE and AGAIN. Looks like fans that didn't buy the previous albums (A SUMMER BEST, LOVE, and AGAIN) will be buying this purchase. I'm sure a lot of fans were waiting for all the songs to be patched into an album to finally make a purchase. I suspect this album will sell at least 200,000 copies.

Kinda surprised but it makes sense. I know when I was pissed off yesterday I said I wanted it to flop and I doubt it'd sell 100k, but now I've calmed down I can say it'd be nice for her sales to improve on an album for a change.
To be fair to Ayu, all the tracks from LOVE and again are pretty high quality (bar Ivy for me haha). I'm expecting the new songs to blow me away.

(I also hope for at least one experimental track on LOVE again, like how we had the jazz on PQ)

[Pieces_of_SEVEN]

Originally Posted by URANUS

The good thing about this album is

1. The covers.

2. The album will sell more than PARTY QUEEN. Why? Because the album shot up to the top 10 on Japan's Amazon. I didn't see that for LOVE and AGAIN. Looks like fans that didn't buy the previous albums (A SUMMER BEST, LOVE, and AGAIN) will be buying this purchase. I'm sure a lot of fans were waiting for all the songs to be patched into an album to finally make a purchase. I suspect this album will sell at least 200,000 copies.

I certainly hope you're right!

[mizuki-7]

^^^^
It depend also if you are a collector and like to have things physically or just don't care and prefer to download legally ! Buy a Japanese CDs when you are foreigner is very expensive I think people have others priorities ! For exemple I'm a die hard fan of Nana Mizuki & Ayu and I would like buy all their CDs but I just can't because I've others things more essential ^^

[IYFreak]

Originally Posted by mizuki-7

^^^^
It depend also if you are a collector and like to have things physically or just don't care and prefer to download legally ! Buy a Japanese CDs when you are foreigner is very expensive I think people have others priorities ! For exemple I'm a die hard fan of Nana Mizuki & Ayu and I would like buy all their CDs but I just can't because I've others things more essential ^^

Yea I'm sure there are tons of people that would love to have BOOKSHELVES of there favorite artists' releases. But they just can't. Of course there are people that want to "support" there favorite artist...but they just can't.

But they have every right to complain about a release just as much as the next person whether they're buying it or not. You can still criticize...nothing is wrong with that. Why do people have to say "ugh the people who are complaining are just the the whiny people who don't buy releases....aren't true fans...download illegally.." makes no difference.

Also I think you show more support by not buying something that's release because you expect a better quality of product to be released from your favorite artist and that shows them "Oh I can't just go around releasing any type of crap I want to, i have to put some actual thought into this." (well I mean they CAN release any crap they want, but that does not necessarily mean anyone will buy it just because there name is on it...)

[sinfonietta]

Originally Posted by Pieces_of_SEVEN

Look at all my playbuttons!! It upsets me that I can't order the LOVE again playbutton!! smh

Spoiler:

...OK OK, I'll stop being obnoxious now.

I do really want that LOVE again play button though.

This post made my morning.


I'm still undecided on whether or not I'm prepared to pay for the JP press or if I should cancel my preorder and switch to a cheaper version after alternative presses are announced. :/ Definitely will buy it though.

[TeamAyu2004]

I really dont think we should get into what makes a fan and such because its just gonna piss people off.

everyone here is pretty much a fan... its if you are a supporting fan or not.
You can say you support her, but the ONLY way to support her is to spend your money on her.
there is no other way around it... if you dont buy her products, then you dont support her because she is a product, and if you support a product, you buy it.

[primavera♥]

Originally Posted by TeamAyu2004

I really dont think we should get into what makes a fan and such because its just gonna piss people off.

everyone here is pretty much a fan... its if you are a supporting fan or not.
You can say you support her, but the ONLY way to support her is to spend your money on her.
there is no other way around it... if you dont buy her products, then you dont support her because she is a product, and if you support a product, you buy it.

I'd like to say ayu is a person too. Because I'm sure science defines her as such. You can also call her a product. But because she is also a person, there is more than one way to support a person.

[TeamAyu2004]

Originally Posted by primavera♥

I'd like to say ayu is a person too. Because I'm sure science defines her as such. You can also call her a product. But because she is also a person, there is more than one way to support a person.

Ayumi Hamasaki is a person.
Ayu is a product. If you dont support the product you dont support the person.
It has nothing to do with science or her being a human being.
You can support the person, but musically you can not support her if you dont spend money on her.

[primavera♥]

Originally Posted by TeamAyu2004

Ayumi Hamasaki is a person.
Ayu is a product. If you dont support the product you dont support the person.
It has nothing to do with science or her being a human being.
You can support the person, but musically you can not support her if you dont spend money on her.

I feel that there's a contradiction in there. But that's okay.

Basically I can support her without buying things. It's great.

On another note, even if people do have money to buy cds, they could choose to spend it on something else.

[BlackSilence]

okay so what does it make of someone like me who never bought anything? because i just simply can't? And i am not sure if i ever will be able to? like how do you people who are saying all this would call a person like me then?

it's kinda not nice reading all that as being one of those people who just simply can't buy anything...it actually just makes me want to leave the fandom....

but ANYWAY...

i know people hate Melody, but i am actually GLAD it's gettign a PV since it's my fave on LOVE.

[Yoake]

Originally Posted by primavera♥

I'd like to say ayu is a person too. Because I'm sure science defines her as such. You can also call her a product. But because she is also a person, there is more than one way to support a person.

Agree. Just by tweet/write a letter to her with encouraged words is a way to support her & to show her your love and your interest for her music

[pepper]

i can't stand the fact that she realesed/realesing 3 albums with word LOVE in it.

I'm gonna throw up one day.

[Pieces_of_SEVEN]

^I agree about all the LOVE titles. LOVEppears I don't mind though

[mizuki-7]

^

[Pieces_of_SEVEN]

I suppose we're getting OT now, so we should get back to discussion about the album.

Anyone else think the titles seem...idk, hollow?

[TeamAyu2004]

Originally Posted by Pieces_of_SEVEN

Anyone else think the titles seem...idk, hollow?

I dont think the individual titles are hollow, but the CD title is..
Love again?... I mean come on...

Originally Posted by Pieces_of_SEVEN

^It's not a contradiction, as people who can't afford to buy them are excused. It's just the way I feel about it.

Of course they're not cheap, or second-hand, or not true fans. I lived paycheck to paycheck for years, and still kind of do because I spoil myself constantly. I never said not purchasing things means you aren't a fan. But I think if you are a real, die-hard fan, you would WANT to own something, that's all.

this is way i stay away from true fans and what not... you are either a FAN or you are not. it's the support and how you show support.

You can write ayumi a nice little letter and what not, but that dose nothing to her but maybe make her feel nice... It's like buying a starving diabetic a huge piece of chocolate...well its the thought that counts right? not really.
If it wasn't for people actually buying things we might not even be here to talk about it today.