Graves Posted October 12 Author Posted October 12 Track #14 on MY STORY HIGH SCORE: 10 x 2 (Kyle-x, blueberries) LOW SCORE: 6 x 1 (Suilen) HOST SCORE: 7 The second half of MY STORY feels like it's trying to expand the palate from the rock-heavy first half.. HONEY, to these ears, is cut from the same cloth as something like ANGEL'S SONG. That saccharine sweet, full-blast pure pop tune. It definitely has the sort of breezy and sweet feel that is missing from early parts of the album, but... well, that part of the album is embittered for a reason, you know? HONEY feels slightly incongruous on this record, I fear. A pretty decent pop tune that is in need of a different project to house it, I'd say. I think HONEY is quite a decent track and yet I also think that in the realm of pure pop Ayu bops you can probably do a lot better. It's a nice track, no doubt, and far from my lowest score on the album... I just don't know if I think it belongs here. And coming after the jagged and unabashed INSPIRE? Ooh, this tracklist is a mess. Sounds better on shuffle for sure. Suilen: not bad at all, though still too happy. Kyle-x: Very cutesy, very demure. Invisibility: Ayuminnie Hamousaki you poor overtly saccharine thing. The gag being it's more memorable and distinct than a good chunk of the album. Bad Decisions: one of her best cute songs. AMIT: catchy and enjoyable I guess, but I like other similar songs from her better. 8/17 2
Curaga Posted October 12 Posted October 12 Love HONEY, but really though, what were they thinking putting it right after the superior INSPIRE
Kyle-x Posted October 12 Posted October 12 The lowest score being as high as 6 is shocking to me, feels like this song is usually more polarizing!
AvadaKedavra Posted October 12 Posted October 12 (edited) I live for cutesy things so i really love this one. She could lend this one to ai otsuka. She loves this type of corny-cheesey songs This is the type of songs i would play in a dreamy pink desserts restaurant with my Significant other while i give kisses This song is as cute as the dog of my atrl bestie favorite weapon Edited October 12 by AvadaKedavra
Graves Posted October 12 Author Posted October 12 1 minute ago, Kyle-x said: The lowest score being as high as 6 is shocking to me, feels like this song is usually more polarizing! Exactly. You just know that Miss Suilen was tapping her foot to it no matter how much she says otherwise. 1 1
Suilen Posted October 12 Posted October 12 (edited) 1 minute ago, Graves said: Exactly. You just know that Miss Suilen was tapping her foot to it no matter how much she says otherwise. It's better than a good half of Kana's discography, I'll give her that Edited October 12 by Suilen 1 1
Graves Posted October 12 Author Posted October 12 Track #5 on RAINBOW HIGH SCORE: 10 x 5 (Kyle-x, SA*KURA, Invisibility, blueberries, AMIT) LOW SCORE: 1.1 x 1 (Curaga) HOST SCORE: 9 Some may say that it's too long, I think it's just a slow burn. Emphasis on the burn. Where other rock-star Ayu numbers are more energetic and full of attitude, Heartplace carries a vibe of nostalgia and longing. Even before Ayu has sang a single syllable, those guitars carry a certain feeling of wistfulness. A worn out star just trying to get on with her life. That's what Heartplace says to me. And might I say? One of my favorite English choruses she's ever done. Not a live staple, but a song that has seen more than a few outings over the years. I think you can tell from the performances that Ayu has a lot of affection for it, especially when she has the full band and backing singers behind her. Mama gets to go off and serve drama for us. A beautiful song, one of her best album tracks ever and way too low. Suilen: a bit too long, artistry shines through regardless. Kyle-x: Probably my favorite song on the album! Another 11 contender. Rock chicks RISE. Check out the "dj Remo-con Remix" and the "Lange remix" slays. Invisibility: Rawk chic Ayu came in full force and tore it all down in her wake. Simply one of my fav album cuts from her!! AMIT: the strings + electric guitar make the song, mother always chews on these dramatic ass moments let's be real. 6/16 1
AvadaKedavra Posted October 12 Posted October 12 (edited) This one feels so anthemic and goes hard to me this is her peak when we talk about rock songs from A song for XX to Rainbow That powerful bridge solo. Those violins-orchesta. I love to hear this one with her 2008-2013 vocals. Her rock songs shine to me more with her lower register. When her voice is deeper and raspier I love all her early records so much but i definitely vibe sometimes more when her voice is like from a darker-less high pitched shade All the records post-my story Probably my favorite type of ayu songs with the summer ones and some electronic ones yes Guilty is my favorite ayu record all time. This is my favorite version of ayu. The rockhead. Some jpop divas wish they were this good but they serve boring balladist singer i been noticing how all all the real and most powerful majorpopstars in the game have that rockstar energy from the old legends... Singers like....Gaga,Madonna,Shakira.Beyonce..There's something about their scenic personas Ayu is definitely one of those....She serves choreo dancer, sometimes balladist, sometimes powerful rockstar, sometimes circus performer The one and only Edited October 12 by AvadaKedavra 2
Kyle-x Posted October 12 Posted October 12 11 minutes ago, Graves said: Exactly. You just know that Miss Suilen was tapping her foot to it no matter how much she says otherwise. Suilen, you can be my HONEY 1
Kyle-x Posted October 12 Posted October 12 Heartplace doesn't feel long at alll to me, it breezes by with its excellence 2
Graves Posted October 12 Author Posted October 12 12th Single Track #17 on LOVEppears HIGH SCORE: 10 x 2 (Kyle-x, Fevesy) LOW SCORE: 5 x 1 (sanzo) HOST SCORE: 5.5 How often does a hidden track get a full single release? And how often does that turn an otherwise obscure track into a number one hit? Breaking boundaries without even trying. kanariya was released only a month after LOVEppears, and despite being a post-album single AND having a limited 300,000 copy run printed, it still managed to hit the top of the singles chart. Ayumania had truly taken over by this point. That said, I don't think she likes this track all that much? For years it had not received even a single live performance! It took until 2016, seventeen years after release, for Ayu to perform this track. She has not performed it again since. LMAO. She threw the gays a bone but only once. I... don't know that I blame her. I'm all here for R&B-leaning Ayu, but the album mix of this track is such a snore to me. I think the video mix is slightly better, and it is the version that I rated. A serviceable club mix, though still towards the back of the pack on LOVEppears. The video itself though! We love it. She's serving looks here, between the jet black hair and the bejewelled face. Style icon Ayu hard at work. Suilen: I suppose I use the HAL mix. Kyle-x: I've always had an obsession with this song ddd, it's so unique and weird. The PV for this one has imprinted on my mind. The "W4M Peace & Be Wild Mix" is so fun, "HIROSHI's Nite Clubbing Mix" is a smash, and of course the "system F remix" is legendary. Every remix of this bangs though. Invisibility: R&Byu back in the lounge section, but this time she decided to wake tf up! Curaga: Peters' Vocal Club Mix > Original Mix, but I like the original too. Meloetta Carey: the moody radio edit version is like the seminal text of Ayu&B. AMIT: a nice chill bop which is welcome after such an energetic album. Fevesy: Both the original and Jonathan Peters version are 10s tbh. 13/17 2
Invisibility Posted October 12 Posted October 12 Not RAINBOW songs dropping like flies Btw this is one of the best images of Ayu ever oh Ayoan of Arcasaki photoshoot for Free & Easy 1 1
Graves Posted October 12 Author Posted October 12 RECAP Spoiler 107. + - 5.079 106. Interlude - 5.294 105. For My Dear... - 5.529 104. taskinlude - 5.588 103. A Song is born - 5.629 102. WONDERLAND - 5.853 101. FRIEND - 5.859 100. Wishing - 5.888 99. Prologue - 5.912 98. Humming 7/4 - 6.134 97. Present - 6.197 96. FRIEND II - 6.332 95. starting over - 6.405 94. opening Run - 6.406 93. girlish - 6.435 92. taskinillusion - 6.441 91. Kaleidoscope - 6.547 90. from your letter - 6.582 89. Replace - 6.624 88. flower garden - 6.7 87. neverending dream - 6.718 86. everlasting dream - 6.741 85. Introduction - 6.75 84. teddy bear - 6.829 83. Close to you - 6.972 82. forgiveness - 7.014 81. As if... - 7.062 80. winding road - 7.106 79. SIGNAL - 7.115 78. P.S II - 7.194 77. Catcher In The Light - 7.24 76. UNITE! - 7.253 75. no more words - 7.271 74. Key ~eternal tie ver.~ - 7.282 73. theme of a-nation'03 - 7.312 72. YOU -7.318 71. everywhere nowhere - 7.371 70. Two of us - 7.384 69. independent - 7.435 68. POWDER SNOW - 7.456 67. Hana - 7.5 66. poker face - 7.503 65. HOPE or PAIN - 7.511 64. AUDIENCE - 7.529 63. Liar - 7.535 62. HAPPY ENDING - 7.549 61. Dolls - 7.589 60. 卒業写真 - 7.591 59. SEASONS - 7.735 58. SCAR - 7.8 57. Over - 7.821 56. Free & Easy - 7.841 55. still alone - 7.871 54. LOVE ~destiny~ - 7.882 53. HONEY - 7.888 52. Heartplace - 7.893 51. kanariya - 7.91 TOP 50 A Song for ×× Trust Depend on you Fly high Trauma And Then immature Boys & Girls TO BE End roll WHATEVER too late appears monochrome Who... Duty vogue End of the World Far away SURREAL ever free I am... Connected evolution Naturally NEVER EVER Daybreak M Dearest Endless sorrow WE WISH Real me HANABI July 1st Voyage ANGEL'S SONG Greatful days Because of You ourselves HANABI ~episode II~ No way to say Memorial address About You GAME my name's WOMEN Moments walking proud CAROLS INSPIRE RAINBOW 2
Suilen Posted October 12 Posted October 12 I don't think RnByu and I are friends, but the HAL mix did bop
AvadaKedavra Posted October 12 Posted October 12 Where's Everyone Oh kanariya. i would mind a whole r&b record from ayu next its chill. not my fave but its something different to take a break from all that strong techno trance influence from Loveappears
Curaga Posted October 12 Posted October 12 Dang, kanariya really grew on me. The 9 minute mix is so easy for me to listen to all the way every time Thank you so much for amazing reveals again! 1
Suilen Posted October 12 Posted October 12 Not a bad top 50 though the debut deserved more representation. The gays couldn't stay unbiased when it comes to Love pears (though I gave high scores for the majority of those myself), a good lesson for another homosexual album in part 2.
AvadaKedavra Posted October 12 Posted October 12 (edited) Oh is over for today? thank u hennie. Loved all the commentary. Thanks for takin the time to do this Hope the next time we have more guests-people in attendance here maybe in weekends would be a good time cause everyone is like free lol? I cried, i laughed, i was dancing. I had a blast Edited October 12 by AvadaKedavra 1
Graves Posted October 12 Author Posted October 12 Next update... idk. I can't pull a late nighter Saturday unfortunately. Maybe we'll do an earlier, Euro focused update? Otherwise you'll have to wait for Sunday to come.
Suilen Posted October 12 Posted October 12 2 minutes ago, Graves said: Next update... idk. I can't pull a late nighter Saturday unfortunately. Maybe we'll do an earlier, Euro focused update? Otherwise you'll have to wait for Sunday to come. Americans won't be working so maybe they'll be there
Kyle-x Posted October 12 Posted October 12 Oh kanariya, the smash you are. Pleased it made it this far. This was one of my instant faves when I first got into ha 1
Kyle-x Posted October 12 Posted October 12 Well I think I gave a 10 to pretty much everything remaining 1
Kyle-x Posted October 12 Posted October 12 10 minutes ago, Graves said: Next update... idk. I can't pull a late nighter Saturday unfortunately. Maybe we'll do an earlier, Euro focused update? Otherwise you'll have to wait for Sunday to come. As long as it's not in the AM stateside, I will try to be here
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