He/Him
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Ayumi Hamasaki Discography Rate Pt. III
- Thread starter Cutlery
- Start date
Am I on crack? Both "A ONE" and "M(A)DE IN JAPAN" got higher averages, dddd.
RUNAWAY
Staff member
he/him
Yeah cause you won't let me forget it! I'm SHOOK that we gave the album the exact same average....
Never♥
He/Him
The way I know EXACTLY that this is about Kuu's Heat alsksksk
He/Him
Whew y'all I've been OUT of this rate. I promise that I'm picking up the pace for our final stretch though!
Well guess what Mimi...
21
The Show Must Go On: 7.92
HIGH: 10 (@RUNAWAY)
LOW: 4 (@otenkiame)
Now I was this close to using the following iconic Instagram photo for this song's cover:
To refresh your memory, this was posted to Ayu's Instagram (@a.you) about a year ago. After the event, some Japanese blogs, media and mostly people who've hated her for more years than gay PVs she has released since 'Lady Dynamite's, expressed their discontent for her «childish» and «immature» behavior in this picture. As for me, I wanted a full-on editorial from the aesthetic of it, such a nicely composed and colorful photo~
Anyway, onto the track. 'The Show Must Go On' was produced by Legend Komuro, and features backing vocals by Akiko Fukushima & May Ishiguro, whom I can't seem to find any credits for besides this track. Like Komuro tracks in a similar vein, (i.e. 'snowy kiss') it has this relentless beat and an epic-esque feeling. And strings, duh. The most striking feature is Ayu BELTING her way through the choruses, with several "THE SHOW MUST GO ON / YEH YEH YEH YEH" 's about an octave higher than she should've been permitted to. Like other A ONE tracks, 'The Show Must Go On' is slightly dance/trance-tinged, in this case with the underlying production at points. Thematically, it's all about Ayu devoting herself to the stage regardless of how her audience(.mp3)s change over time. I recall that one interview where she said she felt she had nothing if she didn't give it 100% in the tour's, and, damn, she's really been touring non-stop since pretty much LOVEppears' promo cycle. And that's without even getting into the fact doing so is actively damaging her hearing. On a more light-hearted note, I hope she and her baby are able to be spending beautiful quality time now. The audience will wait just fine.
@otenkiame shows great minds think alike, at least because he highlighted the same things I do, though I am way more lenient on those choruses, "A 'snowy kiss' rip off, and not in a good way at all. Ayu manages to sound annoying as nothing else with the whole "yeah yeah yeah" bits after the hooks and the way she sings the hooks in general, honestly. It's way too long and irritating for my liking". You weren't having it! I blame 'Angel' for this.
@evilsin has similar feelings on Ayumi's health as I've expressed, "I feel bittersweet reading the lyrics. Ayu was always adamant that she will continue to sing for her fans no matter what, but life happens and things change, so you never know in the end".
And I'm not sure I get what @Weslicious means in the second part of their comment? "It’s pretty much 'snowy kiss' part 2, but the stops are grating".
It feels good to be back on track.
Well guess what Mimi...
21
The Show Must Go On: 7.92
HIGH: 10 (@RUNAWAY)
LOW: 4 (@otenkiame)
Now I was this close to using the following iconic Instagram photo for this song's cover:
To refresh your memory, this was posted to Ayu's Instagram (@a.you) about a year ago. After the event, some Japanese blogs, media and mostly people who've hated her for more years than gay PVs she has released since 'Lady Dynamite's, expressed their discontent for her «childish» and «immature» behavior in this picture. As for me, I wanted a full-on editorial from the aesthetic of it, such a nicely composed and colorful photo~
Anyway, onto the track. 'The Show Must Go On' was produced by Legend Komuro, and features backing vocals by Akiko Fukushima & May Ishiguro, whom I can't seem to find any credits for besides this track. Like Komuro tracks in a similar vein, (i.e. 'snowy kiss') it has this relentless beat and an epic-esque feeling. And strings, duh. The most striking feature is Ayu BELTING her way through the choruses, with several "THE SHOW MUST GO ON / YEH YEH YEH YEH" 's about an octave higher than she should've been permitted to. Like other A ONE tracks, 'The Show Must Go On' is slightly dance/trance-tinged, in this case with the underlying production at points. Thematically, it's all about Ayu devoting herself to the stage regardless of how her audience(.mp3)s change over time. I recall that one interview where she said she felt she had nothing if she didn't give it 100% in the tour's, and, damn, she's really been touring non-stop since pretty much LOVEppears' promo cycle. And that's without even getting into the fact doing so is actively damaging her hearing. On a more light-hearted note, I hope she and her baby are able to be spending beautiful quality time now. The audience will wait just fine.
@otenkiame shows great minds think alike, at least because he highlighted the same things I do, though I am way more lenient on those choruses, "A 'snowy kiss' rip off, and not in a good way at all. Ayu manages to sound annoying as nothing else with the whole "yeah yeah yeah" bits after the hooks and the way she sings the hooks in general, honestly. It's way too long and irritating for my liking". You weren't having it! I blame 'Angel' for this.
@evilsin has similar feelings on Ayumi's health as I've expressed, "I feel bittersweet reading the lyrics. Ayu was always adamant that she will continue to sing for her fans no matter what, but life happens and things change, so you never know in the end".
And I'm not sure I get what @Weslicious means in the second part of their comment? "It’s pretty much 'snowy kiss' part 2, but the stops are grating".
It feels good to be back on track.
He/Him
TOP 20
Wake me up
Song 4 u
Missing
Bye-bye darling
snowy kiss
What is forever love
Terminal
WARNING
NO FUTURE
Out of control
Movin' on without you
Step by step
Sayonara
Sorrows
FLOWER
Mad World
Survivor
Many Classic Moments
We are the QUEENS
OTHERS
My Way
Did you expect this LOVE again sudden domination? Or will A ONE and M(A)DE IN JAPAN keeping her on her toes outlast her in the end? How will Colours fare? Stay tuned.
Wake me up
Song 4 u
Missing
Bye-bye darling
snowy kiss
What is forever love
Terminal
WARNING
NO FUTURE
Out of control
Movin' on without you
Step by step
Sayonara
Sorrows
FLOWER
Mad World
Survivor
Many Classic Moments
We are the QUEENS
OTHERS
My Way
Did you expect this LOVE again sudden domination? Or will A ONE and M(A)DE IN JAPAN keeping her on her toes outlast her in the end? How will Colours fare? Stay tuned.
TOP 20
I spit out my drink at this. Omg
NO! The Show Must Go On falling before the Top 20? And not even with an 8 average? Gutted! Yes, the vocals on the chorus are way too high and grating at first but you get used to it because the song is so good. Why it was decided she had to sing it that high I'll never know. It sounds just fine when she performs it live! I love this song - the energy! The melachony of the verses! What a ride!
I think they may be the winners of a competition to sing on an Ayu song.
Step By Step, Mad World & My Way could have gone by now to be honest. Step By Step is cute but I'm surprised it's still here! Even Bye Bye Darling could have gone and I do enjoy that song!
I think they may be the winners of a competition to sing on an Ayu song.
Step By Step, Mad World & My Way could have gone by now to be honest. Step By Step is cute but I'm surprised it's still here! Even Bye Bye Darling could have gone and I do enjoy that song!
These two deserve Top20 though.
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He/Him
20
Missing: 7.95
HIGH: 9 (@Weslicious @lalaclairi_ @Cutlery)
LOW: 6 (@soratami @Ana Raquel)
Seems like the only thing 'Missing' here is some 10s! What a horrible pun
I love this mismatched icy bop (think 'momentum') with cues from traditional Japanese music (think 'BALLAD'). Moreover on that, the instrumental bit just past the first chorus in particular, I love a lot. It feels like an excerpt from the Super Mario Galaxy sountrack to me. It's overall a cinematic moment that sure, still tries to be gran and majestic but it doesn't fail, at least to me.
@otenkiame likes this vibe, "Another track that starts off pretty dramatic from the beginning, but gives more of a ballad feel to it. That is until it hits the hook, and the energy gets amped up quite a lot! Ayu serves the emotion perfectly, making this one epic midtempo track". @evilsin hands out a discreet 7, and is positive in his piece of commentary, "I appreciate this burst of the chorus over here, it certainly gives the song character and distinguishes it from the others".
I think @Weslicious really had to blow some serious dust off from his unopened LOVE again CD+DVD for the rate, "It seems to be missing something instrumentally in the chorus, especially as it lyrically seems a bit much. But it’s OK. So far this album is better than I remember". I see you with the puns, but those are MY job you trick.
Also I'm fuming over avex pulling off most of the tour material I'd linked in elimination posts, merely weeks after they were posted and we had full Ayu concerts uploaded for what feels like the first time ever, so have this instead. The way it looks like an ad for a camera with the abuse of the slowmo reversed funstion though, kii.
Missing: 7.95
HIGH: 9 (@Weslicious @lalaclairi_ @Cutlery)
LOW: 6 (@soratami @Ana Raquel)
Seems like the only thing 'Missing' here is some 10s! What a horrible pun
I love this mismatched icy bop (think 'momentum') with cues from traditional Japanese music (think 'BALLAD'). Moreover on that, the instrumental bit just past the first chorus in particular, I love a lot. It feels like an excerpt from the Super Mario Galaxy sountrack to me. It's overall a cinematic moment that sure, still tries to be gran and majestic but it doesn't fail, at least to me.
@otenkiame likes this vibe, "Another track that starts off pretty dramatic from the beginning, but gives more of a ballad feel to it. That is until it hits the hook, and the energy gets amped up quite a lot! Ayu serves the emotion perfectly, making this one epic midtempo track". @evilsin hands out a discreet 7, and is positive in his piece of commentary, "I appreciate this burst of the chorus over here, it certainly gives the song character and distinguishes it from the others".
I think @Weslicious really had to blow some serious dust off from his unopened LOVE again CD+DVD for the rate, "It seems to be missing something instrumentally in the chorus, especially as it lyrically seems a bit much. But it’s OK. So far this album is better than I remember". I see you with the puns, but those are MY job you trick.
Also I'm fuming over avex pulling off most of the tour material I'd linked in elimination posts, merely weeks after they were posted and we had full Ayu concerts uploaded for what feels like the first time ever, so have this instead. The way it looks like an ad for a camera with the abuse of the slowmo reversed funstion though, kii.
He/Him
Fear not!Not this falling onto the page 3 of the "Charts, rates etc" subforum...
He/Him
19
Step by step: 7.98
HIGH: 11 (@Weslicious) 9 (@RUNAWAY)
LOW: 6 (@lalaclairi_)
And just like that, we bid farewell to sixxxxxx's only (albeit digital) single. It totally feels like a summer song, particularly recalling 'July 1st'. In fact, both songs share a bit more of a connection/nod, since 'Step' was released on July 1st 2015, and included the song as a digital B-side.
Personally, I enjoy this direct throwback moment a lot, even when Ayumi might threaten to sound like she's just had a helium incident somewhere in the recording process for the choruses. It's just energetic, happy and oh so slightly naïve.
@otenkiame recognizes the shortcomings, but is more than capable of bopping along to them, "This type of encouraging j-pop song is usually something I hate, and I totally did hate it upon release. But...listening to it more and more over time, I have grown so fond of it. Sure, Ayu sounds squeaky in the hooks, but I just love them! Mou ippo tte! It cheers me up so much and makes me wanna bop along!". Yes that's the spirit.
@evilsin throws vitriol in the direction of, arguably, RAINBOW's best single, "I really don't mind this, but it's so faceless it hurts". Let the light in, sis. @RUNAWAY graces the comments section with some taste, and the rare occasion of just popping up in here, "already a summer classic for me, up there with July 1st, BLUE BIRD, glitter, and independent. Her voice is so fucking good on this song". I detected a little bit of unintentional shade there, yes I did.
Our final word is for the resident backhanded complimenter of the countdown, @Weslicious, "I don’t care. If this had been released as a summer single after fairyland or BLUE BIRD then this would be more loved. A solid summer bop that sounds like it could have been released during her more imperial phase without sounding like an uninspired rehash". Girl I gotta admire how, even in your favorite song of the rate, you just can't step your heel off from these eras' necks. Love that for you!
I first watched the song's accompanying PV a little before opening the thread, and I was pleasantly surprised. It just has its own aesthetic that I'm intrigued about. I think it's one of her best to be honest, and it adds a lot of dimension to the track by being somewhat the complete opposite of it. Watch below.
Step by step: 7.98
HIGH: 11 (@Weslicious) 9 (@RUNAWAY)
LOW: 6 (@lalaclairi_)
And just like that, we bid farewell to sixxxxxx's only (albeit digital) single. It totally feels like a summer song, particularly recalling 'July 1st'. In fact, both songs share a bit more of a connection/nod, since 'Step' was released on July 1st 2015, and included the song as a digital B-side.
Personally, I enjoy this direct throwback moment a lot, even when Ayumi might threaten to sound like she's just had a helium incident somewhere in the recording process for the choruses. It's just energetic, happy and oh so slightly naïve.
@otenkiame recognizes the shortcomings, but is more than capable of bopping along to them, "This type of encouraging j-pop song is usually something I hate, and I totally did hate it upon release. But...listening to it more and more over time, I have grown so fond of it. Sure, Ayu sounds squeaky in the hooks, but I just love them! Mou ippo tte! It cheers me up so much and makes me wanna bop along!". Yes that's the spirit.
@evilsin throws vitriol in the direction of, arguably, RAINBOW's best single, "I really don't mind this, but it's so faceless it hurts". Let the light in, sis. @RUNAWAY graces the comments section with some taste, and the rare occasion of just popping up in here, "already a summer classic for me, up there with July 1st, BLUE BIRD, glitter, and independent. Her voice is so fucking good on this song". I detected a little bit of unintentional shade there, yes I did.
Our final word is for the resident backhanded complimenter of the countdown, @Weslicious, "I don’t care. If this had been released as a summer single after fairyland or BLUE BIRD then this would be more loved. A solid summer bop that sounds like it could have been released during her more imperial phase without sounding like an uninspired rehash". Girl I gotta admire how, even in your favorite song of the rate, you just can't step your heel off from these eras' necks. Love that for you!
I first watched the song's accompanying PV a little before opening the thread, and I was pleasantly surprised. It just has its own aesthetic that I'm intrigued about. I think it's one of her best to be honest, and it adds a lot of dimension to the track by being somewhat the complete opposite of it. Watch below.
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Ummm, @Weslicious has been at this job for years, though. Know your seniors.
How dare you? "July 1st" is forever unmatched.
I don't get this...
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He/Him
WELL unlike the last dates of TROUBLE Tour
~misunderstood~ this rate's results are not cancelled just yet!
18
Sorrows: 8
HIGH: 10 (@otenkiame)
LOW: 6 (@Ana Raquel)
Can anybody peek which artist/album this fine piece of fanart by yours truly is a reference to?
With this way behind schedule elimination, 'Sayonara' (you know, the EDM banger featuring SpeXial) is the sole remaining song from sixxxxxx. And to think it was waaay ahead of every other body of work well into the top 40! How much time left does it have?
Anyway. The EP's runner-up has a traditional transition from piano-led verses to a heavy chorus with guitars and strings. It's all very cinematic, and quite in the vein of the type of rock she'd later explore in 'FLOWER' too. From my end, I have no choice left but to stan.
@otenkiame can easily and confidently repeat the last statement I made, "Good god. That beginning is dramatic just from one key being played. I adore everything about this song. The piano is so beautiful but full of pain. The choruses are heavy and aggressive. It has all the dark and forlorn Ayu sound that I am here for any time of the day". Ugh yes, the higher octave piano-only intro is simply great.
However, our other two resident commentators, @Weslicious and @evilsin, (seriously you three folks are like my trustworthy sports commentary people) were considerably less keen on it, saying "This both sounds far too busy and yet never really goes anywhere" and "It's another rockier affair that kinda smidgens with the others, although a bit heavier beat makes just a tad more noticeable", respectively.
'Sorrows' was unfortunate enough in that it's right on the second half of its parent EP, and therefore missed out on getting a PV. Poor it.
18
Sorrows: 8
HIGH: 10 (@otenkiame)
LOW: 6 (@Ana Raquel)
Can anybody peek which artist/album this fine piece of fanart by yours truly is a reference to?
With this way behind schedule elimination, 'Sayonara' (you know, the EDM banger featuring SpeXial) is the sole remaining song from sixxxxxx. And to think it was waaay ahead of every other body of work well into the top 40! How much time left does it have?
Anyway. The EP's runner-up has a traditional transition from piano-led verses to a heavy chorus with guitars and strings. It's all very cinematic, and quite in the vein of the type of rock she'd later explore in 'FLOWER' too. From my end, I have no choice left but to stan.
@otenkiame can easily and confidently repeat the last statement I made, "Good god. That beginning is dramatic just from one key being played. I adore everything about this song. The piano is so beautiful but full of pain. The choruses are heavy and aggressive. It has all the dark and forlorn Ayu sound that I am here for any time of the day". Ugh yes, the higher octave piano-only intro is simply great.
However, our other two resident commentators, @Weslicious and @evilsin, (seriously you three folks are like my trustworthy sports commentary people) were considerably less keen on it, saying "This both sounds far too busy and yet never really goes anywhere" and "It's another rockier affair that kinda smidgens with the others, although a bit heavier beat makes just a tad more noticeable", respectively.
'Sorrows' was unfortunate enough in that it's right on the second half of its parent EP, and therefore missed out on getting a PV. Poor it.