Graves Posted October 7 Author Posted October 7 Just now, Curaga said: not fetid and the callout... guess I gotta watch my back Babe, we both know you were going to have to go into witness protection anyway when I eliminate that song. 1
Graves Posted October 7 Author Posted October 7 2 minutes ago, Suilen said: Now why is Gaga in it, it's not even poker face's time Or is it?
Suilen Posted October 7 Posted October 7 5 minutes ago, Graves said: Or is it? It's no TAKE BACK or Automatic but top 90 is too cruel
Graves Posted October 7 Author Posted October 7 Track #1 on Duty HIGH SCORE: 10 x 2 (Kyle-x, confide in me) LOW SCORE: 0 x 1 (SA*KURA) HOST SCORE: 5 Well, it's not exactly the most showstopping intro she's ever done, is it? I do like the vibe though! That Y2K virtual start-up atmosphere with the automated voice... it's actually kind of giving PlayStation 2 boot menu theme. Which is the highest of complements to this nostalgic nerd. With that said, it's a bit of an odd fit on Duty, isn't it? Sort of seems like a better fit for LOVEppears or another dance record. I don't think it flows very well into the next song (the amazing title track). I think starting over sort of fails as an actual introduction to this particular album, but I do enjoy it as a standalone piece of music. Ayu has also wheeled this intro out on several of her tours over the years. She must have a soft spot for it too. Kyle-x: So good, I love the distorted synths in this. Really sets the tone for the album. Invisibility: A good continuation for Introduction/Interlude, but the way it doesn't fit Duty's vibe at all is funny. AMIT: kinda weird at first going into Duty but somehow it works! 13/13 and while we're culling interludes... Track #2 on I am... HIGH SCORE: 10 x 2 (Kyle-x, AvadaKedavra) LOW SCORE: 0 x 1 (SA*KURA) HOST SCORE: 7 What's even the point of having an intro when you put a song before it on the tracklist? Like, isn't that defeating the purpose? What exactly is this thing "opening" anyway? Other than my legs when the beat drops? ...And after all that, it turns out I actually like this interlude, nnn. My bad. I just find something alluring about that spooky synth line. This sounds like it should be playing as the opening theme to an angsty teenage drama series. You can totally see it, right? The names popping up on screen as this track blasts? Also does this remind anyone else of the Buffy theme? Kyle-x: Perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the album. The extended mix on the Daybreak is great too. Invisibility: This gets amazing marks because it segues into Connected so extremely well. Meloetta Carey: very cutie but not very honey. I like that it sounds like it could be in a video game or something. However, I feel like the beginning of "connected" is so abrupt (complimentary) that putting it after the opener keeps the momentum going. And it makes this interlude feel more like a speed bump than a segue. AMIT: cute intro for connected but overall kinda pointless I fear. 14/16 1
Suilen Posted October 7 Posted October 7 (edited) I prefer starting over but ok, the score difference is negligible Edited October 7 by Suilen
Graves Posted October 7 Author Posted October 7 4 minutes ago, Suilen said: I prefer starting over but ok, the score difference is negligible Indeed. We'll get through the interlude cull eventually
Graves Posted October 7 Author Posted October 7 (edited) Track #12 on Duty HIGH SCORE: 10 x 3 (Kyle-x, UrMom, AvadaKedavra) LOW SCORE: 3 x 1 (Invisibility) HOST SCORE: 5 Me, a man, trying to write about girlish... girlish is an appropriate title. This track is brimming with youthful energy... which is to say I find it annoying! nnn, sorry. Obviously I liked certain aspects of this track, enough to at least give it a middling score, but I can't say I enjoy listening to it much. Apparently this was all recorded in one take? And done with Ayu's live band in the studio with her? Well... I'm glad that they had fun! Ayu has performed this track twice, both one-off performances back in 2000 during the Duty promo trail. It has not received a performance in almost 25 years. She must've outgrown it. Maybe she should record a sequel and call it womanish. Someone get avex trax onto me. I think I have a plan to save Ayu's career. Suilen: I'm jus gonna nod and smile to tha luv. Kyle-x: It's FUN idgaf! I can't help but bop along to it. The "Tablagen mix" is a fun one for the beep boop girls. Curaga: Starts off pretty good, but I get bored of the la la las quickly. She sounds extra whiny/nasal here. Meloetta Carey: breezy little diddy. AMIT: kinda my least fave on this phenomenal record, I enjoy it but those lalalas for like half the song are a tad lazy. Duty deserved a better ending track. 12/13 Edited October 7 by Graves 1 1 1
AMIT Posted October 7 Posted October 7 me catching strays from every other elimination I wonder when the supposed Kana-sounding MY STORY song is leaving
Suilen Posted October 7 Posted October 7 Yeah, it's biggest sin is being on Duty. Would fit right on a Nishino album, though. I think I have a plan to save her career. 2
Graves Posted October 7 Author Posted October 7 1 minute ago, AMIT said: me catching strays from every other elimination I wonder when the supposed Kana-sounding MY STORY song is leaving The way the girls were talking about you in their commentary more than they talked about Ayu. And it seems the Kanaissance has overtaken ATRL. We are all Nishinosters today. Poor Suilen. 1
Suilen Posted October 7 Posted October 7 1 minute ago, AMIT said: I wonder when the supposed Kana-sounding MY STORY song is leaving It should've been out by now, but Pedro's 11 is keeping it afloat I guess
Curaga Posted October 7 Posted October 7 She should skip Womanish and get right to recording Motherish 1
Graves Posted October 7 Author Posted October 7 Just now, Curaga said: She should skip Womanish and get right to recording Motherish She already released that in 2005 I fear. 2
Graves Posted October 7 Author Posted October 7 1 minute ago, Graves said: Indeed. We'll get through the interlude cull eventually Not today tho! But someday. Track #9 on RAINBOW HIGH SCORE: 10 x 2 (Kyle-x, blueberries) LOW SCORE: 0 x 1 (SA*KURA) HOST SCORE: 7 Girl. What kind of track name...? And we haven't even reached peak tasuku nonsense here. taskebab anybody? Kudos to RAINBOW for holding onto all three of its' interludes for this long, but it had to end at some point. With that said, I fear we've made a mistake with this one. taskinillusion is the best of the three, and it should be the one still in. Ended everlasting snooze and neverending slog. Yup, yup. Those spine-tingling chimes calling out like a twisted lullaby? I'm seeing the concept. I'm feeling the vibe. It's got that unnerving intensity to it, as if it's counting down to something. What might happen when it gets down to zero?? Well, a mediocre album track starts playing... ...But in theory it works! AMIT: a genuinely great instrumental work, the best one out of the 3 from this album. Kyle-x: Stunning and ethereal. 15/16 Track #12 on MY STORY HIGH SCORE: 10 x 1 (Kyle-x) LOW SCORE: 0 x 1 (SA*KURA) HOST SCORE: 6.5 As an interlude, she's certainly a step above WONDERLAND! What? What else should I say? It's an Ayu interlude. At this point we know that they all mostly sound absolutely beautiful, and we're often left wishing some of these arrangements could've been turned into full-blown songs. I certainly wouldn't mind a full-length Kaleidoscope. Though the first half of the track is rather forgettable, the latter half is truly interesting. The swelling strings sound like the build up for a big emotional payoff... is that wishful thinking? Is the payoff perhaps the fact that the album is almost over? The catharsis. Kind-hearted mother. Kyle-x: A lovely interlude to prepare us for the bop section to come. Invisibility: I appreciate the RAINBOW era cosplay. AMIT: iirc I used to be obsessed with this one back then, it gives me ice/snow areas like that one in metroid prime. Meloetta Carey: bit of a slay for an interlude. Curaga: Cool instrumental, but I don't like the dissonant, ominous ending. 15/17 1
Suilen Posted October 7 Posted October 7 I liked all of RAINBOW's interludes equally. Ended some proper songs. 1
Graves Posted October 7 Author Posted October 7 2 minutes ago, Graves said: Kyle-x: A lovely interlude to prepare us for the bop section to come. Me looking for this alleged bop section. I mean, I can see one bop, but... 2
AMIT Posted October 7 Posted October 7 We can definitely trim the rate of some of the RAINBOW album tracks now I will say that much.
Suilen Posted October 7 Posted October 7 4 minutes ago, Graves said: Me looking for this alleged bop section. I mean, I can see one bop, but... Yeah, INSPIRE is cute but the rest... 1
AshleyLovescats887 Posted October 7 Posted October 7 Not me reading all of the pages for a rate I haven't participated in, nor do I know Ayumi Hamasaki's discography Also I am currently listening to '+' on repeat and seeing it get out first...made it very ironic 2
Curaga Posted October 7 Posted October 7 8 minutes ago, Graves said: taskebab anybody? She had a specific craving that day 10 minutes ago, Graves said: everlasting snooze and neverending slog 1
Graves Posted October 7 Author Posted October 7 Track #14 on A Song for ×× HIGH SCORE: 10 x 3 (Kyle-x, AMIT, AvadaKedavra) LOW SCORE: 2 x 1 (Invisibility) HOST SCORE: 5 That flute at the start of the track had me thinking I might enjoy the chill vibes of this track, but that same flute ends up being the most interesting part of the track. The opening does give a brief Janet tea, but it's only a fleeting moment I fear. It's unfortunate because I think there's a lot of potential to this song, but it doesn't really reach any of it for me. I really think the flute could be interwoven to the melody more seamlessly, rather than reserved for solos between the choruses. And lord knows that those choruses need some support as they're some of the more... reserved moments across the album. This song just feels like a swing and a miss I'm afraid. I'm all for a good laidback vibe, but I still need something of substance to cling onto. Suilen: this one also fell off for me, sadly. Kyle-x: I love the laidback production on this song and the lyrics are so cute. The "DJ HASEBE REMIX" is incredible too, transforming the song into a moody R&B track. The "pandart sasanooha Mix" is like an acid trip, the way it opens with a horse neighing is a kiii, but it's pretty good. Invisibility: The way this sounds ripped straight from a lounge karaoke bar. Oh it was bad for ha. AMIT: yes it sounds like an anime ending or something, but idc I love it so much. 11/17 1
Suilen Posted October 7 Posted October 7 2 minutes ago, AshleyLovescats887 said: Not me reading all of the pages for a rate I haven't participated in, nor do I know Ayumi Hamasaki's discography Also I am currently listening to '+' on repeat and seeing it get out first...made it very ironic GUILTY is her If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power 1
Graves Posted October 7 Author Posted October 7 1 minute ago, Suilen said: GUILTY is her If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power and (miss)understood is her Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Graves Posted October 7 Author Posted October 7 I'm stopping at the top eighty five, so let me get these last couple done.
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