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Song By Song Review Of Memorial Address
I decided to made a song by song review for Memorial Address (one reason is because theyre are only 8 songs hehe)
So if you have the time on your hands indivually review Memorial Address' songs. I will also say I purposly stayed away frm the singles so it would be like an album of 8 brand new never heard before songs for me. Unfortantly I heard Greatful Days and Ourselves. Another note: I listened to every track while writing this. So yes this took me 40 minutes to write....meaning I was very bored!!!!!! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Track #1: Angel's Song If you are a well known artist, it is a smart movie to put your worst song first, reason being first impressions is what people expect for the rest of the album .(if that makes since) Thus is the case with Memorial Address. This song feels rushed. I dont really like the chorus or the verse. The little intro was very unappealing. Still the song is listenable. It is by no means awful, but is sounds like 'run-of-the-mill' j-pop. Which for the most part is watered down and bland. The only real positive aspect of this song is the bridge between chours 2 and chorus 3. Besides that the best way to describe this track is bland. Track #2: Greatful Days If Greatful Days was going to be a food, it would be candy. That is what this track is. It is a fun song/summer song. A perfect song for driving with the windows down, wind blowing in your face with the sun shining. One thing I will point out is the harp; it really adds alot to this song gives the song a smoother feel. One could imagine this song being played in heaven. Production on this song is really well done and the bridge on this song between chorus 2 and 3 is WONDERFUL!!!!!!! Very good song, but still...it could of been better. It is overall an average Ayu track. Track #3: Because of You The first really really good track. Props to Koji Morimoto for his mixing job on this song. It has above average production values. Values that other j-pop artist should do, but rarly do.(How many times have you wished Hitomi's vocals were turned down and music turned up a bit.) HALs solo was good and not to heavy in the mix. Ayu's vocals were perfect for this song. Overall above average Ayu track. Track #4: Ourselves The hero of this song is the beat. I wont deny it, for some ungodly reason I LOVE IT. This song has a WONDERFUL begining. The melodies and note arrangements I LOVE!!!!!!!! As you can tell I just like this song. Yes, I know it has a western sound to it, but it is still better that most western pop artists(lemme correct myself: better than all western pop artists). The break beats are wonderful. Ayu's overdubs are the only complaint they are good but something about them doesn't sound right. Overall an above average track. I like, I like! Track #5: Hanabi ~episode II~ The original HANABI would get in my head for days and days at a time, I really didn't fancy the song that much, but it was catchy. This raises the question; Why is episode II so forgetful? I have had this album for a week and with out listening to the song I can't hum a tune off of it. The back-up vocals are HORRIBLE (the yeayeaooowhoaoa). They got on my nerves. But Ayu's voice really saves this song from being bad. Guitar tone was interesting, not bad not good. Overall the second worst track on the album. Track #6: No Way To Say Aside from the title, everything is good about this song. Not amazing, not phenominal, just good. No real mistakes made on this song but then again nothing done above average. I'm sure when people remember Ayumi Hamasaki in 15 years people won't think 'No Way To Say' (unless it was their first Ayu song to listen to.) Overall this track is average. Track#7: Forgivness The song Forgivness is hard to digest, but when understood it is like a gem. This song really kicks my butt. Dynamics used like they were in this song have never been used in a Ayu song.(to my knowledge) The time changes are nothing short of genious. The most beatutiful thing about this gem is the prduction towards the end. I dont even know how to begin to praise Yasuo Matsumoto for this. Ayu's vocal production on most all her songs stay the same but the music production on this song...OMG OMG OMG! The arrangement is wonderful. The backup vocals again wonderful! The string section....wonderful. The only problem I have with this song is the ending. It needed something more to go with that Piano arpeggio. Overall an above average Ayu song. Track 8: Memorial Address GAAAH! I hate the begining of this song! When the song does finally pick up it is good. Ayus low vibratos were somewhat funny. Back-up vocals were nice. I love how the bass drives the more upbeat part in the song.(as opposed to the guitars). This song runs into the problem that Forgivness had: an awkward ending. This is overall an average song. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- There ya have it my unimportant two cents. So what did you think of Memorial Address? |
well, i dont know music language i cant say stuff like ~i really liked the pitch of the tone set in [ourselves]~
... butteh............... i was really surprised when [ANGEL'S SONG] came on, id been expecting a ballad from the title, then this crazy cheesy song started pumping out... i thought itd be produced by BOUNCEBACK cos it really reminds me of [Greatful days] (which i dont like) but i actually like this track, it makes me feel happy :P PV - WTF??!! its quite funny, but dumb... the lyrics are quite nice, altho this kind of pv is more interesting than a ballad-type video... [Greatful days] - too irritating... usually skip it on both Memo ado + &... PV - im not like ImpactBreaker hes smart enough to see the meanings in ayus pvs, but when i saw the crocodile i was just like ~........wtfs a crocodile doin in the vid?~ and i wouldnt have been able to work out why people were smashing up her house... she looks good in the video tho, her dancings... "cute" ;P she should stick her tongue out more. [Because of You] - waaa.. this track came on and i really didnt like it... it sounded too fake and over-produced.. i scared myself **** cos i started to doubt whether i still liked ayu :eek... but PV - AMAZING!! the imagery is awesome, the correography in time to the beat is really cool, and the concepts are bizarre... that director rocks because [ourselves] is also fantastic... [ourselves] - nice tune, altho the KT rmx is superior imo... best track off &... like the lyrics, tune... PV rocks... goth ayu is too cool... i already wrote about this pv b4 but its definitely one of her best!!!!!!!! if u havent seen it WATCH IT!!!!!! [HANABI~episode II~] - couldnt get myself to like HANABI, but i like ~episode II~... but i agree with RebornLS, the yeyewohwohwoh parts ruin the song a bit... videos very nice... i have another version of the vid tho i think.. i got a bootleg dvd with all & pvs and some others in july, and i think that maybe they re-editted some of it for the M.a dvd... looks better tho... very peaceful + nice pv... she looks great :thumbsup [No way to say] - i didnt like that title either... but at least it fits with the lyrics : nee umaku kotoba ni naranai... really liked it at first, its still nice, but theres so many better tracks to listen to [in general, not on M.a :P] PV - only watched it once... the santa freaked me out, but after reading Impacts interpretation i can appreciate it a bit more desyo :P [forgiveness] - I HATE THIS SONG!!!! i cant say i hate all ballads, cos i really like [Who...] [RAINBOW] [appears] etc, but i guess its just way too slow... also the engrish... ayu's darkest hour... :-/ PV = ok... but i thought when she touched the golden egg shed fly out of the tower, but instead she just stayed there... ? [Memorial address] - standout track on the album... its great, her voice is a bit dodge on the later choruses, but the arrangement and production of this is really nice [shame it wasnt CREA] avex ytf didnt u make a pv to the best track???? Special Digest was interesting too - lookin 4ward to the dvd |
well
my review is.. 1. ANGEL'S SONG = its a rather good song.... but it is the worst if we compare it with the other 7 tracks... ANGEL'S SONG'S purpose is too give you some advise to be wise and mature ;)... 2. Greatful Days = It is a nice summer song... if we listen it at summer then it will be a great song... It's a song to show your thanks to another people... 3. Because Of You = It's a rocky song... It is my ourselves ~Episode II~ coz the meaning is connected... we should know our heart.... the honesty of your feeling... if your heart say u love him/her say it... ;) 4. Ourselves = a little bit thrilling song... coz the PV is the most thrilling... ;) 5. HANABI ~episode II~ = this is the climax of this album... i love this song very much ;) 6. No Way To Say = calm song... ;) dont have any other opinion bout this 7. Forgiveness = very calm song... this song is very nice and has a good meaning.... 8. Memorial Address = since it is a take 2 version no other opinion... my only opinion is "excellente" ;) |
my review:
ANGEL'S SONG=An OK song, it's quite forgetable, I mean, I didn't remember the musoc after listening to it 2 times and the only thing I remember is the 30 second clip from the CM. The PV is OK too, not laugh-out-loud funny, but funny. Greatful days = Great summer song. It makes me happy =) and makes me think of the funness of summer. The PV is eh....random. Because of You = I love this song, but I have to listen to it more. The PV is what makes me love this song, very dark and 10x better than ourselves. Half way through the song is when it gets good. ourselves = I don't LOVE this song, but I like it. It's not bad, just weird. The PV is good, but get's boring after a few views. HANABI ~episode II~ = Another song I really like, Ayu sounds real good and genuine in this one. The PV is also good, though a bit boring, still, it's beautiful. No way to say = I love this song too, but it suffers from what I call Fly high syndrome, I played it out and it's boring now ^^. That's good though! that means I love it! The PV is real nice too. forgiveness = real beautiful song, I really found out I love it when I was walking to the train station and it started snowing slowly. I got chills and my eyes got all watery ^^. As it headed towards the climax it snowed more and more ^^ great scene. The PV is good too, looks GREAT on DVD. Memorial Address = I REALLY wish Ayu'd get rid of those evil backup singers. If it'd been Ayu alone, I think this would've been better. I don't love this song, but it's not horrible. I need to relisten to it. |
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songs...well, i dont feel liek going into detail..but here are the songs in order from fav. to least- ourselves (yep. still my favorite) hanabi 2 (listen to it a lot, u start liking it a lot.) memorial address (suprisingly nice ballad) no way to say (ok..i have a feeling these 3 ballads together are in the wrong order..o_o) because of you (..how did this get all teh way down here?! O_O) angel's song (haha..the pv was grreat) forgiveness (pretty song...but not exactly my type..) greatful days (ehhh..) pv favorite to least- ourselves..NICE! hanabi 2..simple..and she's friggin gorgeous because of you..confusing..but interesting..nice effects. angel's song..bank robbery, wolf, matrix. what else coudl we ask for? greatful days..very simple. happy pv..ayumi looks nice here. no way to say..too confusing. i dont like it when stuff makes me think. forgiveness..fairies...? FAIRIES? x_x |
ANGEL'S SONG: Nice, fun track to kick the CD off with, and a hilarious PV to go with it too :laugh I prefer this track to Greatful Days - I just love the way it sounds, and the lyrics overall.
Greatful Days: nice song, but not really one I want to listen to over and over again... Because of You: great track, very strong. One of the best on this CD - and a very strong PV for it too. ourselves: I've loved this song since the summer, and think this has a very creative PV to go with it. I really love this one. HANABI ~episode II~ : I honestly prefer the first HANABI to this one. The second one is a bit like Greatful days, nice, but not really memorable. However, the lyrics in this are just as good as the first. Nice PV to go with it too. No way to say: I really love how beautiful this song sounds, and the wonderful lyrics for it - this is one I listen to a lot :) forgiveness: This is one of my faves on this CD - I love this ballad, it sounds wonderful, and the PV has to be my fave out of the PVs for the songs... Memorial address: This song sounds like it's a ballad at the beginning, but then becomes something else. I love Ayu's vocals in this one, and the lyrics. Definitely one of the best tracks on this CD. It would be a shame if this song was not released as a single. Overall, I like all the songs on this album - I have very few CDs where I can listen to it right-through without having to skip a track, and this is one of them. There are a couple of tracks that aren't as strong or memorable as the others, but still it's a good album I feel. |
i thought angels song was da best track of the album!!next to B.O.Y and ouselves
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I'll just be lazy and list my favorite to least favorite songs on Memorial Address ;D
Because of You Memorial Address No way to say Forgiveness (except for the ending lol) Hanabi ~Episode II~ Angel's Song (wish the opening music was going to be the music for the entire song! lol) Greatful Days Ourselves (stab stab stab...) |
ill be lazy too...here's my most to least fave
memorial address because of you hanabi episode II ourselves no way to say angels song forgiveness i love everyone of these, its just that some are more memorable than others. |
my review...
ANGEL'S SONG ---> pretty good!! nice for when you're really happy song Greatful days ---> okish... not the best Because of You ---> i really love!! Ourselves ---> i love also!! HANABI~episode II~ ---> very good & sad no way to say ---> good forgiveness ---> very good Memorial address ---> i like!! i think worst song is greatful days & best is because of you *^_^* |
Okay.... when you said aside from the title "no way to say" the song is ok you didn't know this:
I am taking Japanese and am in level one but i know many things from level two and three. Me and my teacher translated this song (I came to her when I needed help... a couple of times) It is ABOUT her wanting to tell someone to all these things. Because japanese can be a metaphorical language she says her thoughts she wants to tell are overflowing. Oh and on Memorial Adress, it is her greatest song to date (not by style of music but by how GOOD it is) Thats what I think... |
angels song: its a nice song..but i cant imagine listening to it everyday o_O wen i hear a song i really like..i end up listening to it ALOT...but with angels song...there wasnt dat "connection".
greatful days: this song is "dancy"...didnt like the PV though. but its a good song!! ^__^ because of you: the PV was ok.......its a nice song i guess..but then again theres no "connection" between me and dat song. i actually prefere "BoA's rock with u" more.. ¬_¬ ourselves: the PV was sooooo scary........ : ( the song's ok....better than angels song. hanabi ep 2: it took a while for me to like dis song....but yes..as jerms said the mor u hear it the more u'll like it. no way to say: i luv dis song.....and ayu looks soo good in the PV!!!! forgiveness: i didnt like the "beating" noise in the bakground...but its a nice song...very sweet ^^ memorial address: my fav song on the album!! beautiful from the beginning and the end!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 10/10!!!!!!!!!! =^_= |
Favorite to Least:
ourselves ANGEL'S SONG HANABI ~Episode II~ Forgiveness Because of You No Way to Say Greatful Days Memorial Address |
QUOTE=RebornLS]Track #6: No Way To Say
Aside from the title, everything is good about this song.[/QUOTE] Ummm the title was PERFECT. Me and my Japanese teacher went through the song. It is the perfect title for the song, considering the lyrics. One of ayumi's most accurate titles. |
oh this is an old topic, I already said something.
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well, the first sentence was negative.... wanna read my review? check it out on my site www.geocities.com/onestop_jpop (click reviews on the right hand side)
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forgiveness Angel's Song No way to say Ourselves Hanabi ~episode II~ Because of You Memorial Address Greatful Days :P |
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for me i htink the title no way to say is a bit weird
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I love the title "No Way To Say" hahahaha rhymes are a no-no to me but it's not like ayu does that with every of her titles...it's an unique title, and she tried that the first time and it came out meaningful. At least she didn't do something like "LUV U" or "KISS4U", now those are bad titles.
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memorial address>because of You>no way to say>hanabi episode II>angel's song>ourselves>forgivneness IMO
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here's mine
[ANGEL'S SONG], well, when i first read the title, i was too thinking of some new ballad song, but when i heard the song, i was like "wow...okay..", i was kinda surprised w/ the tempo & the way ayu sang it, her voice here is kinda messed up. the song is very catchy & makes me happy, a nice opening song {Greatful days}, i like this song! like it alot! i wonder why many ppl don't :rolleyes, this is probably one of ayu's happiest song after Fly high & July 1st, it fits the summer well, nice nice song! [Because of You], one thing i don't like about this is the title-- soo Not-ayu, so unoriginal, but the song is one kick-ass song [despite the title], it's sad too [i guess], and the PV is wonderful, love it, totally a rock-ish ayu song [ourselves], a great ayu-breakthrough, ayu never came w/ this kind of sound before, the song is soooooooooo strange [in a good way] and it stucked in my head for days [in a good way too :D], a very memorable song, the PV is so GREAT also! nyahahahah, love it [HANABI ~episode II~], once being my fav track in the album, it's so beautiful, a powerful ballad, you can feel the strength in ayu's voice, the way she sang it, is to die for. the PV's somehow beautiful, but kinda boring, the song is too, kinda boring, but it's beautiful [No way to say], this song is in number six in my fav song list [it used to stay in number two, after M], this is one of my fav song, totally lovely! beautiful! i love the title, the lyrics & the PV, they're all great! this IS probably my fav track in the album [forgiveness], hmmm, hard to say, i like the song because it's a very nice ballad, and in other way i don't like it, because of the way ayu sang it, it's kinda annoying, and the PV too, it's like a rush-worked animation, come on, they can make it better than that for ayu. anyway this is a decent song after all [Memorial address], i didn't like it at first, but when i read the lyrics, the song seemed to grow on me and now i really like this song, but i think this song is better when it's a ballad, like teddy bear, i don't really like the rocking sound, since this is a sad song, but even though it's so rockish, i still love it whew, jst wanna say that Memorial address used to be my favorite ayu album! [because i used to like all track in the album and conside Memorial address as a mini greatest hits album, silly me...] |
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*Wants his Memorial address album back*
I let someone borrow it, along with ELT's EBS2 and she went on a cruise and didn't get them back to me quick enough. At least I have my eight new albums to listen to...>< |
too lazy, i'll just tell my favourite to least
Memorial Address Ourselves Becasue of You Greatful Days No Way to Say = to Angel's Song Hanabi episode 2 Forgiveness |
1) Angel's Song- 9/10
PV- 9/10-mental... 2) Greatful Days- 10/10 PV-6/10-random and boring... 3) Because Of You- 8/10 PV-10/10-excellent and beautiful... 4) Ourselves- 10/10 PV-10/10-christina aguilera 'fighter'-ness plus some true weirdness.. COOL!! 5) Hanabi Part 2- 8/10 PV-6/10-sad but VERY BORING.. 6) No Way To Say- 10/10 PV-10/10-personal favourite!!! 7) Forgiveness- 10/10 PV-10/10-Goddess ayu... 8) Memorial Address-5/10 PV- doesnt have one, not that it deserves one... AGREE??? Almost all the tracks in Memorial Address are perfect!! However, only eight tracks makes it WAY TOO SHORT. EXCELLENT ALBUM!!! :luv2 :luv2 :luv2 |
My review: (my own opinion, don't be mad on me)
01 ANGEL'S SONG-this song is an opening, and goes on it's way, opening to us the "Memorial adress" album. It has everything in it that makes you want to continue to listen to the album. It's quite cheerful and sunny, and somehow it makes your mood high up. 02 Greatful days-the song countinues to move us closer to the album. It as cheerful and sunny as "ANGEL'S SONG" and even, maybe, have much beat and energy in it. 03 Because of You-it's a place where sorrow and love pain comes by. Immediatly, it crushes our opinion about the album, that we had while listening to "ANGEL'S SONG" + "Greatful days". Sorrowful tune, lyrics and rockish style turns out into the sad ballad about "how love does hurts". It's impressive way Ayu made this-it makes us quite surprised and confused by the way, album turned into another atmosphere. 04 ouselves-this song is the golden middle of the album! The main thing! It has strong music, lyrics, good harmony and melody. With this song you really understand from what "Memorial adress" album is made. Very strong and emotional song. Deserves to be in "A BEST" definately. 05 HANABI ~ep.II.~-this song calms down our emotions in the beggining, but then, hurts our nerves by sad lyrics and music, that fits perfectly to the lyrics. You want to cry with Ayumi, because melody touches your heart, and lyrics destroy calm mood, you had in the beggining. It changes album again into the other atmosphere. Not the one "Because of You" has-it's somehow atmosphere of crying and sad feeling, that doesn't quits until the song end. 06 No way to say-first listening to it you will think it's a love romantic story. Look at the lyrics-it's about shy Ayu. You can't belive it, because music doesn't give to us such feeling. You listen to it with the feeling, like this is a somg about love. But you look at the lyrics, and get confused. The mix of emotions makes powerful harmony to our surpirse and great melody. Great song, that can touch your heart. 07 forgiveness-it has very good acoustic tune and great Ayu's voice. Beautiful song, you can feel it yourself, even with the beggining. Ayu protects love, with strong wish and all her might-song comes by with this emotion only in the middle, but it does rocks! There, everything fits everything: lyrics, to the music, Ayu's voice to the emotions, that song concludes. All that makes perfect acoustic ballad, that is good enough to make our feelings and thoughts to be in order. 08 Memorial adress-this song is very interesting by itself. The lyrics are strong and sad, but the music-it changes with time, so you mood goes up, and down, high and low and so on. This is a song that everyone must listen to-you won't loose everything. You will get mix of emotions, that is a very good thing to shake you nerves a little bit, and then let them go. It leaves a pleasant feeling iside mixed with sad feeling. GEEZ, what have I written? I am not a good critic, but the thing that I've written looks like I am writing a summary text of "Memorial adress" album by Hamasaki Ayumi Preview for the special newspaper..Ayu won't be mad, I hope? :D |
ANGEL'S SONG -- Didnt really like it when i heard it for the first time coz i expected it to be a ballad but after listening to it over and over again..its a actually very good for an Upbeat Ayu song!!Goes best with optimistic and happy people who loves dancing..^_^
Greatful Days -- I hate the fact that they spelled it wrong..I mean even though it's english doesnt mean ya have to disregard the proper spelling..Oh well..Probably my least fav. song coz it sound soo much like BoA's music but i liked singing along with it and goes well during the summer days with your friends..^_^ Because of You -- Loved it at the first time but i kinda got tired listening to it and noticed how..overdone..it sounded..maybe coz Ayu's voice was very strong but its still an awesome rock song and one of my favs. Hanabi ~episode II~ -- MOST FAV. song..I LOVE THIS ONE soo much..the mood of the song is just perfect with ayu's strong voice..I love the La la la la part in the end..you could almost sense that Ayu was actually crying while singing this..Lovely.. No Way To Say -- its..OK..the lyrics sounds good..a normal ballad for Ayu but the guitar solo just sounded so dramatic..awesome.. forgiveness -- This one is a MASTERPIECE..the violins..the piano..the vocals..the chorus..even though its repeated all the time..i loved it soo much..really sounds magical and wonderful..never heard a ballad as similar as this one..Very very good.. Memorial address -- I Love this one too..Ayu's vocals were soo good and rockish in this one..its starts out as if its a ballad then it suddenly goes ROCK! thy lyrics was good too..its an average song but its very good at the same time.. |
here's mine...a little long though...
[ANGEL'S SONG] I personally love this song. At first, I never really payed attention to it, but then I downloaded the AS10 commercial for Panasonic, and now I LOVE IT! For me, it's one of Ayu's songs that never get old. It has a fast beat, and it's really catchy. I also really like the melody and Ayu's vocals. This song really uplifts my spirit and makes me feel happy. [Greatful Days] I really like the opening for this song, because what comes after it is so unexpected. The beginning could also be used for a darker song. This song is also really uplifting, but I don't enjoy the melody as much as other songs, it is for me, very forgettable. The background music has some really nice chords that fit in well, but there are some things that don't mix too well, and at times, can sound a bit awkward. This song actually reminds of some of the music in video games that go in the background, or at the end of an RPG. However this song does have some good aspects, my favorite part is the "down" part, right before the song hits 4 minutes, that part and the sounds, really bring you into the song. For me, this song is kinda average, in the fact that there's nothing really speactacular about it. [Because of You] I LOVE the beginning of this song, and again, the part that comes after is so unexpected. It feels as though Ayu just breaks into the chorus. This is one of Ayu's more "rockish" sounding songs. There are some really good aspects in this song, my compliments to the composer. I really like the melody, and how everything really ties in together amazingly well. There are many built-up parts, and the harmony is great, always top-notch. Again, what a great composer. The chorus is so memorable, and for me, very passionate, I really like it, considering that I don't listen to this song as often as I should. [ourselves] At the moment, ourselves is my favorite song. And, like ANGEL'S SONG, I didn't really pay attention to it at the beginning, then I got around to seeing the PV, and now I'm obsessed with it. Again with the opening sequence of the song, I really like it, although this one goes more with the darkness to the song. I love the repeated parts in this song, they fit in so well with the music. The composer, again, wow, everything in this song ties together better than any other song I think. All of the background extras are absolutely amazing, and I particularly like the four beats. I also like how the chorus is built-up. I think what actually just makes this song phenomenal, is the PV, of course. Stunning visuals, and really great meanings, the PV is scary and spectacular. Everything fits in with the music, and nothing ever feels akward, everything is timed so perfectly, in the compostition and background music of the song, and also with the PV. This song never gets old, even with the repetitive chorus. [Hanabi Episode II] That time again, time for Hanabi Episode II. There is nothing to say. This is easily one of Ayu's best songs, everything just SCREAMS Ayu. Its so emotional and passionate. And everything is just built-up so wonderfully, especially the chorus. I really like how the chorus is so active, and the main lyrics are really quiet and tuned-down. This song is so memorable. The PV just adds to the emotion, with Ayu's crying scenes. I love the part of the song where there are no words, It just fits so well, you really get the jist of the song. This song wraps you in it, and, wow, this song is just the best. Easily the best track on the album, this IS (as mentioned above) the climax of the album. They also could have put it at the end, I think it could have done well there too. [No Way To Say] For me this is one of Ayu's older songs, because it was one of the first songs of hers that I heard. Its also another one of those tracks you won't forget. Its really has a lot of nice things going on in the background that you really won't hear unless you're paying attention. The chorus is really unforgettable. There's so much going on in this song, and what is really nice is that, this song is a ballad, BUT there IS so much going on in the background, its amazing that she really made it work just flawlessly. This song really works for me, I love it, its so memorable(sorry if thats becoming repetitive) but this song is really great; there is a really great balance between the music and Ayu's vocals. Many times in ballads, the vocals are really "loud" and tend to overpower the music, which is probably why, in a ballad, the vocals are everything. [Forgiveness] This song is so sad. There was a time when I just started crying listening to it. The beginning really brings you into the music just effortlessly. And if that doesn't do it, then Ayu's vocals will. Some of the notes sung in this song are so powerful, and they envelop you, especially the notes right before the chorus, its just great. Everything in this song is so passionate, the piano, and Ayu's increadible vocals. This is one of Ayu's most well sung songs. And as powerful as some of the notes are, they never really become too loud. The chorus is also built-up wonderfully, and the part where the orchestra kind of takes over, turns the song in a new direction slightly, especially with the quiet, alone vocals after it. The background singers really add to the sadness and emotion in the song. And, again, everything ties together beautifully, the backgorund singers and Ayu. The English lyrics at the end (how could anyone write a review of this song without saying anything abou these?) of the song are a bit akward, however, they do go with the background singers' melody, and i think they really adds to the passion of the song. This song is one of her greatest ballads. [Memorial Address] This song has a really sentimental meaning for Ayu, and therefore, how can anyone possibly give this song a bad review. tHis has been one of my favorite songs for a really long time. The lyrics are absolutely flawless, and Ayu delivers her message so clearly, and emotionally. With her lyrics, you are instanly brought in. The song takes a new turn with the guitar, which could be unexpected, especially if you thought this was going to be a ballad. This song is really passionate, and simple. Not a lot going on in the background, as far as synthesized and added in effects, which just works great. The drums and guitar and Ayu are really the only things explicably present in this song. the piano really makes the song softer, and gives the song a sense of presence when Ayu is singing after the guitar and drums stop, otherwise I think the lyrics at the end would be really akward. This is one of my favorite albums. People really look down upon it because it only has 8 tracks, but I was always under the impression that this was a MINI ALBUM. I seriously like every song on this album. It contains some of her best ballads, and every song is sung really well and composed EXTREMELY well. I never really noticed all the little 15-30 second introductions at the beginning of some of the songs in this album. I was listening to each to each song again as I wrote this, and so I was really surprised by the little interludes that happened so often. This album is really passionate, one of the best. wow...it did not look this long in notepad...they should count words instead of posts...:) |
ANGEL'S SONG :: the intro is.. unusual. And then it goes to some weird tune. Not a nice shift, IMO. Her voice sounds too cutesy, but those bad points aside, the song isn't that bad. I especially like the part leading up to the chorus; that bit sounds nice. 6.8/10, overall.
Greatful days :: I love this one. n_n The beginning is funny, she's all like "la la la". I actually like that bit. :\ I like the lyrics, too. The part leading up to the chorus weirds me out, but the chorus itself is absolutely amazing. 8.8/10. Because of You :: I am in love with this song. I am in love with the opening melody. I am in love with the chorus. I am in love with the PV. It turns from a sweet, innocent melody to something mischievous and dark... and then "ME TO ME ATTE SOSHITE KOTOBA WO KAOSHITE". She blasts out her lyrics. The verses are depressing. The PV is even depressing`er (o_o hey, look, I created a word). And then the part leading up to the chorus... then once again, she booms out her feelings in her amazing voice. This song is amazing, period. 10/10. ourselves :: I don't really like the start, I don't know why. It reminds me of a cave in a jungle or... some tribe's cave... or something. But then she sings a bit, and it's all good. ^_~ I like this song afterwards. The verses are cute. n_n And then when she sings that bit after "nante aitakedeshou [sakende]" really fast. I can actually keep up with her voice and sing along to like... 4/5 of that bit. The rest of the song is all good. <3 9.5/10. HANABI ~episode II~ :: this reminds me of animals and flowers at first. And it's a cutesy melody. Seriously. That's wrong, considering this song's supposed to be rather depressing. If you watch the PV, though, IMO, it hits you right in the face when she cries. But yeah, the song... she's all cutesy with her voice in the verses. It sounds a little emotional in the chorus, but that's it. I didn't like yeah, yeah, whoa, oh, oh... o_o So, overall score... it really depends. If I'm listening to the song, it's about 6.3/10. I enjoy the song much more watching the PV. PV + song: 8.7/10. No way to say :: a so-so ballad. Not really much to say here, except that I like the chorus and I sing it a lot. n_n The PV's actually pretty cute, though. She's all "I'm walking through the city with a gift. <3" It's so adorable. :laugh 7.7/10. forgiveness :: the most boring ballad ever produced by her. Six minutes of garbage. The PV was a waste of time. The end. 3.3/10. Memorial address :: this makes up for the lousy forgiveness. It all sounds really ballad`y at the beginning... and "suddenly goes ROCK!", as IRIS_intense puts it. Not much to say here, except for the fact that this song rocks and is definitely one of Ayu's best pieces. 9.7/10. |
Angel's song
Love it. One of the first songs I've heard from Ayu. It was my favorite than, but eventually I got tired of it. But now that I listen to it again, I love it again. (8/10) Greatful Days I like this song as well. B/w Angel's song and this one, I prefer the other one, but this one's ok as well. Just not too memorable compared to her other summer tracks from previous years. (7/10) Because of You One of my favorites here. Love the song, love the PV, there's something about Ayu's vocals here which I don't like, however. (8/10) Ourselves Is still don't get the song. I like the creepiness at the start of the song, but I just don't like the melody of the song. (6/10) Hanabi episode 2 This one is nice and I used to prefer this one over Hanabi because it sounded grander than part 1. With all the guitars, drum beats and the yeahyeahwowow, this sounded so gandiose, compared to the music box backgorund instrument of hanabi. But this one just doesn't have the same emotional impact as Hanabi, and eventually I grew tired of this one. (7/10) No Way to Say One of my favorite ballads of Ayu (just up there with Moments, Carols, To Be and Who). It's so beautiful and the instruments are arranged well. (10/10) forgiveness This one was my least liked song before, but after viewing the PV on DVD, I loved the song a little more. Still not my favorite, but at least I prefer this one over ourselves. The melody at the verses are what I dislike the most in the song. But it always get great when it goes into the chorus and that part before the chorus. (7/10) Memorial address Very good. wonder how this would sound if it were recorded differently. I always love Ayu songs which are slow at first but ascend then ascends into something wonderful (Heaven, Free and Easy, M, Surreal) (9/10) So my ranking would be No way to say Memorial address Angel's Song/Because of You Hanabi episode 2 Greatful Days forgiveness Ourselves |
Memorial address is the (mini) album I've been revisiting most recently and probably the (mini) album I love the best in retrospect.
Despite the two upbeat openers, Memorial address has always seemed to breathe an air of maturity and seriousness. The subdued, classy artwork was the first hint toward this, and from Because of You on, basically, Memorial address is all serious business. That is not to say I don't appreciate the upbeat openers. In fact, I generally consider Ayu's dance tracks to be among my favourites, along with her power ballads, so this isn't the worst way to start. ANGEL'S SONG I love dearly. Despite everything else about this (mini) album it's so fun and tongue-in-cheek (an impression immensily reinforced by the PV, of course). I love its cheerful tune, the great arrangement, with one of the best-sounding dance beats in Ayu's discography, I think (right up there with July 1st and AUDIENCE). It's heartwarming, it's great. Greatful Days, by contrast, I've always considered the weakest track on Memorial address. There's something about its uncomplicated, summery carefreeness that puts (or, rather, put) me all too much in mind of certain 'children pop' bands that are popular here in the Netherlands and which bugged me to no end. Revisiting it now, I think it's actually fairly okay. The chorus still puts me off - it's too simple, too carefree. Still, though, I think it's infinitely more tolerable than I used to. Because of You is where things get serious. A great, dark power ballad that has everything such a song needs: it's insanely catchy, has a great arrangement with plenty power and a guitar that sounds almost raw and dirty, and it's full of tenable tension. There's so many perfect details in here, like the deep floor tom sound just before the chorus kicks in, the perfectly rattling percussion. Excellent track. ourselves is even stronger material. Wow. Just the first 30 seconds - can you devise a more pleasantly sinister intro? The whole song is pure gold. I love the arrangement here so much; the beat is amazing, conveying such an great stop-and-start feeling as it does; the instrumentation is wild. And, just to say, since I haven't done so yet - the vocals are outstanding. This is easily Ayu at her very best. The way her voice is sampled to subtly suggest a chorus in the, eh, yeah, chorus is brilliant. I understand this is what would usually count as part of the instrumental, but it works on a whole other level. Extra kudos for the PV, btw, which was ace, too. Perfectly conveys the mood of the song, and I don't think Ayu has ever been sexier. Hells yeahs. HANABI ~episode II~ may be my favourite Ayu song. There's a couple of strong contenders (like the following two songs), but I tend to name this track as my absolute favourite. I haven't heard a more heartbreaking, heartbroken Ayu song, ever. The chorus is MAGIC; the backup singers giving into each of Ayu's lines continually, going back and forth - words cannot describe the goosebumps this gives me. The perfect melody. Intense, powerful delivery. And, again (this really applies to all of Memorial address) a fantastic arrangement - how can you not admire the subtle bassy roar of the guitar, and the guitar solo, and the winding down, and the three bassline punches, and then the immediate kick of the strongest, most intense chorus ever? Best PV, ever, too, adding so perfectly to and expounding upon the pure emotion of the song. At the risk of sounding like a girl, I'm on the verge of tears every single time I see it. God it's amazing. No way to say then - like I said, another contender for my favourite Ayu song. Not so much a power ballad as a regular ballad, but one that nears perfection in itself. The evident serenity is so wonderful. Without becoming just an exercise in style, this song exhibits all the elements a great Ayu ballad should have, so successfully combining everything that was ever good about any Ayu ballad before. Again: dat arrangement! The swelling of the cymbals, the power with which the chorus kicks in. And, I think, the pure feeling of how life can, in itself, be magical, which this song conveys more than anything else. Again, the PV deserves special mention. No PV has probably ever fit an Ayu song better. Listening to this song - and watching the PV - immediately evokes the feelings of the holiday season for me - a season which I love to tiny bits - with all its little joys and little sadnesses. Brilliant. forgiveness is a song I originally though decent but slightly boring. Strangely, it has grown in my estimation without ever revisiting it. The past few years it's been the Ayu song that's been stuck in my head most often by far, and I hadn't played Memorial address for years. It's so intensely pure and soft and, again, and I apologize for overusing the term, magical. Great vocals. The chorus I think is so intense it's almost painful - it can almost hurt to listen to (though only in the best way imagineable). I sometimes make lists for myself of songs which I wished would last an hour just so I could enjoy them on end without having to put them on repeat, and the list is small, tiny even - at the moment, it's just My Bloody Valentine - Sometimes, and forgiveness. forgiveness has the honor of winning me back as a fan, I think. Memorial address is a ridiculously great closing song. It's the quintessential power ballad, and it's probably one of the most rocking songs Ayu ever recorded (along with A Song for XX [030213 Session #2]). It builds up perfectly, so suddenly bursting into rock life. Like girlish, another of my personal favourites, it has this great 'band' feeling to it. One of the things you often get in pop music is that the music feels like the achievement of a single person. Memorial address reminds us that Ayu has (had?) gathered around her a great team of people who supported her, and jointly they arrived at the most amazing results - to which Memorial address, the mini album, is the ultimate testament. It's over before you know it. Memorial address is relatively short, at not even 40 minutes, but that's only all the more incentive to play it again, and again. Like I said, this is probably the (mini) album I love most. In fact, you can scratch the probably. Memorial address is my favourite. *plays it again, and again, and again, and again, and again...* |
It's hard to review each song individually when they're all amazing.
This is ayu's best work, hands down. The album is short but sweet and contains every (or nearly every) type of 'Ayu' song (there's no type of 'sparkle' song). So, the album IS Ayumi Hamasaki in 40 minutes. It's the perfect introduction to Ayu and if you want to listen to all kinds of Ayu music but you don't wanna waste time listening to 60+ minutes of music. You could listen to this album while waiting for class to start. I guess it's time to review the 8 songs. 1. ANGEL'S SONG I hated the song at first. Then I grew to love it. It's because of those lyrics. Those lyrics man. Ayu was so good at writing dem lyrics back in the day, and this album is proof. Some of her newer work has good lyrics, but not really. There are a few songs on (miss)understood (rainy day) and secret (secret) that get me emotional, but nothing really sticks out lyrically like this song to me. It's like, I can relate to this. Oh and the composition. It's 'heavenly' and cutesy. It's not vomit 'Thank U' cute. It's good cute. I don't even know what else to say. Umm, the PV is fun. I loved it. It's my kinda humour. The cute Ayu song. 10/10 2. Greatful Days What an interesting song. I loved it, then liked it, then hated it, then went back to respecting it. It's not a bad song by any means. I just overplayed it, like most of ayu's music. At one point, I listened to her about 700 times a week. Ugh. This song was one of the contenders for being overplayed. It's a fun, summery song. Perfect for the current season. The lyrics talk about how the short summer begins and ends and such. Kinda fitting if you ask me. Summer is strangely short. I am SO bad at writing real reviews when the songs are good. I'm only good at criticizing when then song is bad. There is nothing wrong with this song. Listen to it. The summer Ayu song. 10/10 3. Because Of You My anger song. I love it. At this point, the album loses its consistency. But that doesn't matter. The album isn't meant to be consistent. At least Ayu didn't try to make it consistent and flop hard (Next level, Rock n roll circus. At least love songs was consistent). This is a rock song. Well, rock pop. Ayu sounds angry, which is good. Sets that epic mood. I don't know much about the lyrics, but I hear 'doushite' or 'why' a lot. She seems pissed. Who needs lyrics when the goddess of emotion does her job amazingly? The rock Ayu song. 10/10 4. Ourselves My top played Memorial Address track. The song is pop, bit it isn't light, fun pop like the first 2 tracks. It's much more dark with dark lyrics. Consider it the pop version of 'Because Of You'. The song sounds, well, the melody and arramngement are lovely. The PV is a Christina Aguilera rip off (fighter), but only sometimes. I think Ayu did it better though. The pop Ayu song. 10/10 5. HANABI ~Episode ll~ I used to hate this song. I thought it was boring and just awful. However, the melody/arrangement saved the song. It's an acquired taste, but it's worth it. Ayu is very emotional in this song. She really puts her heart into it. I love it when she does that. She doesn't do that much now, however. This song is the other half of HANABI from RAINBOW. The angsty Ayu song. 10/10 6. No Way To Say This song screams winter. She went from summer to winter in 4 songs. Whoa. Well, this song is the album's only let-down. It's alright, but most of it seems forced. Also, the best time to listen to the song is in the summer. I find that Ayu's winter songs are best played in winter. But her summer songs are all year round (I obsessed over fairyland in march). Ayu sings with emotion, but that the only redeeming point. The arrangement is meh. The winter Ayu song. 7/10 7. forgiveness Oh yes. I love angst. I love the piano. I love angsty lyrics. I love epic angsty choruses. I love this song. The arrangement is fantastic, the melody is fantastic, and even that PV. Ayu co-composed this song, which means the song is simple and effective. I can't get enough of this song. It's perfect when you're feeling sad. The engrish/English at the end is just amazing. Always sends a chill down my spine when the back-up singers start to sing the English. That's poetry at its, well, finest (only because I love that sappy crap) The epic angsty Ayu song. 11/10 8. Memorial Address I read somewhere that this song is a cover. Then I went to find the original, but that flopped. Anyway, the song is great. I love the piano at the beginning. That's bonus points for sure. I love how the song turns from an angst fest with a piano to an angst fest with rock to an angst fest with piano. The lyrics are also some of ayu's best. The rock ballad Ayu song. 10/10 Overall: 9.5/10 Half the album is angst. I love it. |
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Glad to see the love for this disc. It's so good. |
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