Originally Posted by Jawdarna (Post 2895082)

^ Yeah, I think this too! It explains why she no longer desires to release singles. That, or she feels as if she has proved herself (which she has, fifty singles is no small feat).

But then again, I always imagined Ayu going to 60 singles.
Perhaps I'm tapping into some kind of psychic channel? :D

Originally Posted by Delicious n Bold (Post 2895101)

that's true
There was a japanese article circulating which spoke about ayu's current career state.
Apparently she's going to get major budget cuts or something like that.
Her CDs no longer break even with promotion costs and such (is what I read).

Originally Posted by Pieces_of_SEVEN (Post 2895111)

I definitely believe that the quality of music >>>>>>>> chart positions.

Originally Posted by Pieces_of_SEVEN (Post 2895134)

Yeah, I do feel like sometimes the artists that DO sell so much and make it to #1, are EXTREMELY undeserving of it. Although I know that's subjective.

Originally Posted by TITANIC (Post 2894720)

ASB is more like A BALLADS so it definitely will sell less than A BEST. I'm not happy she release ASB at the the end of summer,its kinda outdated

Originally Posted by ALfromHELLSING (Post 2894869)

Sales are still bad. It should have at least outsell Party Queen. It's BEST album and we are talking about JAPAN. At this rate it won't sale much better than PQ.

avex is still making easy money with it, so I guess they are happy.

Originally Posted by Pieces_of_SEVEN (Post 2894880)

^^Exactly! I'm shocked. I know we should expect some sort of decline for sales, but not THIS much. She is still ayumi hamasaki.

Originally Posted by Jawdarna (Post 2895072)

The only reason why I believe she'll release an album or mini-album this year, it because she just seems to be over singles. :/ One more month, and it'll be 2 years since her last single.

To be honest, I don't think it's Ayu's use of promotion that is the reason behind these sales, it is her lack of singles (which I guess are promotions in itself). I mean, yeah, TV lives and such are important, but Ayu hasn't released anything consistently to keep herself prominent, so she's slowly slipped. She hasn't got people going, "Oh, I liked Ayu's last two singles, maybe I should buy the album as perhaps she has recorded similar quality songs!!!" You know, it's surprising when you see a band, or an artist's CD in a shop, and you think, "Wow, they have a new album out? I didn't know..."

I think this is why Ayu isn't selling, or is as popular as she used to be.
Singles = TV lives (throughout the year), album setlist/quality promotion, magazine covers and interviews throughout the year, new fans.
No singles = No TV lives (except when album is about to be released), lack of album setlist/quality information to the public, no magazine covers/interviews unless near the time of an album release, absence of new fans.

Originally Posted by Pieces_of_SEVEN (Post 2895098)

Yeah, Avex, ayu, and I think most of Japan has accepted that she's way past her hey day. I don't care about charts at this point, I just want ayu to keep releasing new songs.

Originally Posted by TeamAyu2004 (Post 2895158)

holy crap people... lol
its not the end of the world that she gets a number 2.
I mean... start worrying when her top spot is 15 and then disappears after the first week.

as of right now, she is still selling lots (compare to a tone of other artist). and I have been told she is number 1 on itunes??
this is the digital age.
plus, as long as she is in the top 10 the company will still fund her to make as much music as she wants.
although she may not be able to do those 1 million dollar videos.