Kyle-x Posted October 12 Posted October 12 The Free & Easy single being the start of the end of her iconic huge maxi singles ugh. We deserved 5 iconic remixes of this song on there. The two remixes of I am… tracks in there do EAT down though so I can't be too mad
Curaga Posted October 12 Posted October 12 2 minutes ago, Kyle-x said: I'm suspecting LOVE ~Destiny~ after this ballada massacre Let's hope LOVE ~refrain~ kept it safe 1
AvadaKedavra Posted October 12 Posted October 12 (edited) Love the Medieval Flute. I suggested this one on reddit after that chappel middle ages performance and got tons of upvotes (People were lookin for songs with those themes) This is the cousin of We Are The Queens and M Ayu really has such a diverse set of songs with all the moods and themes. The video is so creepy. This is how i feel sometimes in the anglo world as someone from the developing world. Theyre burning me like joan of arc cause im different But im joan of arc with a gatling. Fight me Edited October 12 by AvadaKedavra 2
Kyle-x Posted October 12 Posted October 12 Back to this icon… the classical versions of this go tf awf. The first one brings the drama and the second one really turns the springtime vibes up to an 11 2
Kyle-x Posted October 12 Posted October 12 1 minute ago, Curaga said: Let's hope LOVE ~refrain~ kept it safe And that LOVE ~since 1999~ didn't cause trauma 2
Graves Posted October 12 Author Posted October 12 Track #8 on I am... HIGH SCORE: 10 x 4 (Kyle-x, SA*KURA, Invisibility, blueberries) LOW SCORE: 2.7 x 1 (Curaga) HOST SCORE: 9 File this as another "unassuming verse that explodes into a dramatic chorus" vibe. Yet, it kind of works on this one for me... That alarm tone, metronome swinging beat to the verses could be seen annoying to some, but I kind of like it. There's a sort of placid monotony that it seems to imply. As if the days are almost empty without that person, and you're only barely pushing through. Just peddling along. The chorus, then, would represent the rare moment alone in which you can drop the mask and let yourself feel. Let yourself cry and break down. But only for that one moment. The lyrics, too, are tugging on the heart strings. Ayu's feeling regretful again. Thinking about somebody she once loved and wondering where they are now, wondering if they've made the dreams that the two once shared together come true on their own. Don't make me cry, mama. No live performances to mention for this one unfortunately. But sometimes you don't need the live experience to bond to a track. Sometimes all you need is for it to be featured in a Taka no Yuri Beauty Clinic commerical. Suilen: a relatable title, partially interesting, but ultimately too long. Kyle-x: When the song explodes in the second half WHEW. The orchestral version on ayu-mi-x 4 is stunning too. Invisibility: It took one Inuyasha AMV for this to cement itself as one of my favorite deep cuts by her... ever! The earned key change! DRAMA mamma!! It's so melancholic too, like damn you really watched a loved one's dreams come true but you weren't pictured in them huh. Curaga: This song starts off so cool, but the end drags on for sooooo long. I am beyond done by the end. AMIT: I used to stan this one DOWN, yes mama give us the DRAMA. 10/16 3
Curaga Posted October 12 Posted October 12 Oh, the verses on still alone are my favorite parts The instrumental is sooo sparkly and pretty The chorus is where it loses me...
Kyle-x Posted October 12 Posted October 12 3 minutes ago, Graves said: But sometimes you don't need the live experience to bond to a track. Sometimes all you need is for it to be featured in a Taka no Yuri Beauty Clinic commerical. I cackled dkfkkff 1
Kyle-x Posted October 12 Posted October 12 And speaking of the Free & Easy single, the remix of this on there OMG
Graves Posted October 12 Author Posted October 12 2 minutes ago, Kyle-x said: I cackled dkfkkff but fr though NEED that ayu brand weighing scale at the end
AvadaKedavra Posted October 12 Posted October 12 (edited) The instrumental in the verses give me such a kiddie playful vibe but also feels a bit anxious-creepy with the piano thing. I also dont like the chorus that much. I was not aware this one was part of Inuyasha. That anime is life Listenin the chorus feels like this gif Edited October 12 by AvadaKedavra 1
Kyle-x Posted October 12 Posted October 12 1 minute ago, Graves said: but fr though NEED that ayu brand weighing scale at the end Takano Yuri the mother you are 1
Graves Posted October 12 Author Posted October 12 8 minutes ago, Kyle-x said: And that LOVE ~since 1999~ didn't cause trauma 7th Single Track #15 on LOVEppears HIGH SCORE: 10 x 4 (Kyle-x, Meloetta Carey, AvadaKedavra, confide in me) LOW SCORE: 5 x 1 (Bad Decisions) HOST SCORE: 6 Well, let's ask up front... which version of LOVE did you guys rate? For those that don't know, LOVE~destiny~ was Ayu's seventh single and was released in April 1999. This is the very standard ballad form, with that quiet piano backing. A very cutesy and ordinary sort of J-pop ballad. Following the trend of her rising popularity and increasing chart positions with each new release, LOVE~destiny~ became Ayu's very first number one single!! Of course, when the album came out five months later, it wasn't LOVE~destiny~ on the tracklist, but rather LOVE~refrain~. This version substituted the more traditional instrumentation for some trance and house sounds, turning the love song into a chilled out club mix. Probably the right choice, in the interest of keeping LOVEppears consistent in its dance-pop direction. Destiny just wouldn't have fit, I fear. Of course, these aren't the only versions of the song. The single release was paired with another take, LOVE~since1999~, a duet on the song with Morning Musume producer Tsunku. This version has its fans, but I generally find it less interesting than either of the solo takes. That said, it is one of the earliest example of Ayumi singing in full English lines on a song. Another fun fact, two weeks after the initial single release, Tsunku did his own take on LOVE for a solo single entitled LOVE～抱き合って～. This version only managed to reach a middling #14 on the charts however, a far cry from Ayu's #1 hit. All of that to say... Really? This song is the one that got all of these mixes and collaborations? Well alright then. What positive things can I say about LOVE? The video is pretty! It's nothing ground-breaking, one of those faux "behind the scenes" music videos. Like, look guys! She's recording the song!!!! But it is pretty. And she's rocking an early Ayu trademark bob, yes hunty. I guess I like refrain the most of these, though it is asking a lot of me. Five full minutes of this track? Girl, I love you but don't push it... Suilen: why couldn't Tsunku give her a Some Boys Touch? Kyle-x: The album version was necessary I think and has actually grown to become my favorite version of the song. The duet version with tsunku wailing though…. I really love the music video for this one. Invisibility: Choosing to rate the chill R&B beats to study to 〜refrain〜 ver. because 〜destiny〜 is horrendous. Curaga: Huge Bayonetta vibes with that cello/double bass part (chapter clear music). omg and I'm in LOVE with that old sparkly synth sound in the background in the bridge (it's loudest at 2:49, but comes back for the bridge around 3:41, 3:48)—sounds like a Mother Earth's Plantasia sound. Meloetta Carey: both versions are 11 contenders tbh ... those weird lyrics about that old guy can't stop me, because I can't understand Japanese. AMIT: so many versions of this one, but I think they're all good. the male duet version is kind of a hot mess, but I enjoy it as well. 14/17 2
Graves Posted October 12 Author Posted October 12 Also LOVE~destiny~ represents the mid-point of the rate. Everything from here on out is officially in the top half of the rate 1
Suilen Posted October 12 Posted October 12 Pretty underwhelming compared to the classics tsunku was churning out around the same time. I know he didn't 'give' her anything and was doing exactly what she wanted, but I fear that she underutilized him. Or maybe he was sabotaging her on purpose because he was already planning to make Maki Goto the next queen of j-pop. I was kind and rated the album version, let's just say that. 1
Kyle-x Posted October 12 Posted October 12 I LOVE refrain but I also LOVE destiny, it feels very classic. 1
Curaga Posted October 12 Posted October 12 I rated refrain, but I really love Destiny too The melody is just so amazing I'm not in the 10s, but I did give this one a 9.0 9 is always a hard score for me because it's like... why not just give it a 10 if I like it that much, and if I don't wanna give it a 10/don't want it to win, why not just sabotage at that point
AvadaKedavra Posted October 12 Posted October 12 (edited) Just beautiful i listen this song all time in the night. Those days when im feeling sad or just without grit and i want to remember how beautiful is life and how many things happen at night I have a huge tv in the living room, so watching videos is great I love how they show the new reality of ayu with fame. How she was depressed and lost but her dream came true and she was able to find herself sometimes i imagine myself like that. With all my dreams coming true. I also love the studio setting. Music Studios can be such a relaxing place to be I love to watch all the vintage music gear from that time. Thank U Max. U discovered one of the most special human beings in the planet i need my max matsura too. Rescue me daddy Edited October 12 by AvadaKedavra 1
Graves Posted October 12 Author Posted October 12 3 minutes ago, Curaga said: I rated refrain, but I really love Destiny too The melody is just so amazing I'm not in the 10s, but I did give this one a 9.0 9 is always a hard score for me because it's like... why not just give it a 10 if I like it that much, and if I don't wanna give it a 10/don't want it to win, why not just sabotage at that point 9 is discerning, mama. It's for second tier faves. Your benched players. "If my 10s fall, I'm counting on you!" - me to immature.
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