MY STORY- a huge disappointment:(
 

well I must say, that I've been an ayu-fan for about 2 years... and when I heared the previews of MY STORY... I was VERY DISAPPOINTED... after hearing some full songs... I'm still disappoionted. And the word "disappointed" is not even enough.

I can't listen to these new songs at all. Her voice is so freakin terrible. The songs doesn't stand out at all. They mostly pretend to be "hard rock" when in reality they're just plain pop. And there's so many fillers that don't bring anything new, no freshness. All of these songs have almost identical structures(u know, her usuall structure- verse, chours, verse, chours, music bridge, chours without backing vocals, chours). And there is "HONEY" which is a BIG misunderstanding- I mean this whole "myyy honeyyy" thing and her vocals- Jesus is she almost 30 queen of j-pop or 13 and singing in an elementary school girl band?

I thnik I'm getting frustrated cuz of this album=/ I'm wondering- was she always that crappy and i didn't noticed it? I did always knew that ayu was a pop artist, but she always had something unique to offer, even if her voice wasn't the best out there(listening to the new songs i'm starting 2 think that it's the worst). And even the new PV- "about you" being a fine PV itself is just a lazy copy of GAME combined with INSPIRE (all her PVs are going downhill now days- where are the PLOT PVs I ask???).

Right now I'm very close 2 deleteing all her stuff from my harddrive=/

I know that many of u guys are going 2 bash me cuz I see taht many people like this album:P I'm very sorry if I offended anyone!

hmm you are VERY entitled to your opinion. don't let anyone tell you otherwise!

you shouldn't delete her songs you like tho just b/c you don't like this album lol. ayu's style has been changing a lot lately. some people love it and some people hate it it seems. no shame in it!

You're definitely entitled to your opinion, but give it some time. Not everyone liked I am... when it first came out, and now most of the songs on that are classics. A couple years from now you might find out that you actually like it - it's just different now. I don't know, I'm upset with some of the songs too, but in the future we may turn out to like them a lot more than we do now - and if you still don't like them, keep an open ear though! I think she changes her style a lot and you'd find something you like about her again.
I don't know, even though almost all the songs have been leaked by now, I still think we should refrain from calling things a disappointment when they haven't even been released yet.

You haven't even heard the album and you're judging so early... =/

I'm not dissapointed at all... but i'm just waiting to hear the album and see how is it... of course you can't expect another "I am...", her masterpiece... but just give it some time... and i bet... i really bet that when you hear the full album, you'll love and sing along most of the songs... heheh =P :yes

Im disappointed too... But I guess I had too high expectations anyway. She will never make another I Am... This album is alright i guess, pretty much like Rainbow, a nice album, but nothing special. The songs are kinda similiar, but I hope ill change my mind after i've heard the whole album. And about that song structure you are mentioning; allmost any pop song is built like that...

From what I've heard, I just have to agree with you. The songs that were released on single before didn't do much for me (although I didn't dislike all of them), and the 'new' songs, or what I've heard from, are so-so at best. It all sounds generic and random and like nothing special. Definitely her worst album yet, imo. Not all her albums were masterpieces, but they all had at least 3 or 4 stand-out songs. My Story has none so far.

Very true. Ayu's lacking when you consider innovation and original thoughts; everything seems to have been written, recorded and whatever on auto-pilot. Ayu, I miss you.

If there's anyone even CONSIDERING bashing, think twice, thrice even. We're talking opinions here, and opinions should be voiced. You're supposed to say what you think. That's not offending. That's just honest.

Indeed; even if the new material is crap, there's always the good old songs, and they're still great.

Actually, I don't think one will discover more musical value in Ayu's music in hindsight. What you hear is what you get. The foremost reason for I am... having a load of classics, is because the songs were actually good. Ayu's music isn't fine wine. It's pop music.

I disagree. Well, you can't expect it, but I'm sure hoping for it. Ayu delivered masterpieces before, she can do it again. I'm not lowering my standards just because she's releasing crap now.

Earlier, like.. a couple of years ago,when Ayu released songs, i listened to them over and over again (her new ones), and didnt get tired of them. But so far, i havent gotten the urge to play her songs over and over again.... Except Walking Proud, its kinda nice^^ I like it the best, so far,,,

so far i am still listening to the old songs...my story songs arent really my type, apart from carols

Yep, it's definitely pop music, but you shouldn't make lasting opinions on songs that quickly - at least I wouldn't.
I see what you're saying, but you've never had a song grow on you over time? Maybe I'm just fickle, but my tastes have changed over the past few years when it comes to her music. Songs I thought I hated a while ago I see more value in now than before.
It just seems too easy to say "this is crap" and discard it as a disappointment. Don't get me wrong, I'm not an advocate of blindly following every new thing she does because it's Ayu, but we should probably give it more of a chance than we are.

you know, everyone gotta change sometime... she has different styles one each album so why judge her when she's trying to reach out to people. she loves making music, it's her living and we want to hear/have her music... she gives us her life and her true feelings.
think of it like art. if you were an artist.. say, you painted a picture and you wanted to show everybody... some people love it and some hate it. but it might grow on you if you give it a try.

Well.. yes.. Carols and About you sound with the same structures.. and Walking Pround sonds the same as No Way to say. but if you haven;t noticed this before then you were blind or deaf. ;)

I did notice this a long time Key - Who - Dearest Same structure same bridge... It's like they said: "we are going to try and try to make the best song..." so they came up with Key and Who wich are like base for Dearest.

And so Just happens that here on MY STORY you can hear the srtuctures!... even more. :innocent

Now what do fans really want? they are all: "I want CUTE AYU BACK", "i want something like signalm you or to be", "Why is she pretending to be ROCker! ??"

Nobody is statisfied with her this days.... :(

No she wasn't, she is special.. her music from her past albums is really Good, I mean c'mon NEVER EVER, RAINBOW, LOVE ~DESITNY~???? THat's fine jpop music... Even in rainbow you have sapecial music and Memorial Address is a great album too... No way to say, Forgiveness, BoY.

Quote:

Right now I'm very close 2 deleteing all her stuff from my harddrive=/

You'll regrate if you erease her... i know you are mad.. even i'm mad.. but is still think Moments Carols and even Inspire are really AYu HITS just beautiful music! even GAME beacuase is more rocker than BoY.

yes... there will be ppl that will be offended but don't pay attention.. if this is how you feel is good you are leting all out.. and even nicer that you share your point of view.

And like Tuski said she's just trying New things out... all her albums are different..

A Song For XX: Cute songs.
Duty: Dark
LOVEppears: Dance songs
I am: all past tree albums in one
Rainbow: Trying every Style
Memorial Address: Nice Ballads and Dreams of being Rocker (c'mon since BoY we all wanted AYu to be ROcker)
MY STORY: ROCK

At least she's not repeating herelf evrytime! :lech

My personal tastes have developed a whole lot over the years, and I currently don't see it developing any further soon. My tastes are as eclectic as can be, and I know what I like and dislike. From what I've heard, I dislike most of the My Story tracks. I somewhat agree with your statement about songs growing on one, but a song I tremendously dislike, despise even, from the very beginning, will never become one of my favorites. I wrote quite the comments on all the songs I heard so far, trying to be as detailed as can be. My criticism concerns everything from unappealing melodies and generic instrumentation to lack of innovation and technical shortcomings. I wasn't biased when listening to the new material (even if I was, I'd be leaning towards Ayu, since I very much like her) - it just proved to be very disappointing. Pity.

Don't worry, not thinking that.

:| you want to delete ALL stuff just because you don't like the NEW stuff? what kind of fan are you? If you like some songs, then download/buy the CDs they're on. If you don't like my story, than don't and hope that she'll come with something you DO like. Anyway there are 17 tracks on My Story, I think that if you give it a chance everyone will like at least one, because My Story has it all: pop, rock, techno, ballad, happy, trance...

Yeah, I definitely see what you mean. I just hope this album turns out really well, and I guess I take it too personally when people don't like it, but it's their opinion and I can see why people would be upset. I hope I didn't come off as rude or offensive, if I did I'm sorry.

That was needless. I can see how Kacper87 is disappointed, I can see how it just depresses him. No need to jump at him with mindless comments like that.

Don't worry, you didn't come off as rude or offensive at all. You posted a thoughtful reply (and then some more), kudos for that.

Its ok .. I feel your pain. All of these songs are recycled and generic. The only one I really like is Moments .. and I semi-like CAROLS. The rest ... pfft.

Too many of the songs sound like other people .. as if Ayu doesn't care or something about her music anymore o.O

Woah, who were you guys listening to before? This is Ayu, it sounds totally Ayu... I think this album has just as much growth and originality as ever before... I think you guys just need to get used to it. After hearing the album a few times, maybe you'll feel different?

I'm not dissappointed because I never expected it to be good. He.

I listened to Rainbow a whole hell of a lot, but I never liked it.

I agree with the general recylced and generic feel. I do however really like About You, especially after listening to other new songs.
Maybe I'll like it more with time.

I wanted more from walking proud.. but the song Liar is really good!

deleting all of her songs because of MY STORY.. is just rather stupid, in my opinion. just because you don't like her new stuff, that doesn't mean her old stuff automatically gets 'bad'.

I thought the same when she released Inspire. So I can't say much.
I just can say that I'm loving this album, I loved the previews, loved the songs that already came out (I haven't heard Liar nor Replace until now) except Inspire.
I don't like her new PVs too. Except for Carols and Moments, all the other ones are normal to me (Oh no, Inspire is really BAD).. But I think you should wait for the album to come out, and hearing the full songs. About You was a real crap to me in the CM, but after hearing the full version, I like it very much! =)

It's not a huge disappointment for me, I wasn't expecting another I am..., Duty, or LOVEppears. Yes, I'm sad that she's no longer making music that sounds as fresh and original as back then. But those are all in the past, this is now. I was scared that it'd be another Memorial Address laden with Bounceback songs and 9999 bubble-gum pop songs and horribly sappy ballads with lots of Engrish. I expected a couple on this album, and lo and behold there are a couple. But I feel that Ayu has redeemed herself from RAINBOW and the poor songs on Memorial Address. I tend to like the rock music that's on MY STORY, so I guess it's just an album that suits my style.

For me, it takes sometimes a long time for a song to stick to me. I don't know about Ayu's new stuff.. I REALLY love it. She's maturing.. however, it's kind of hard basing one song on the whole album.. maybe I'm wrong but I'm damn giving it a chance

Larisa-chan = I lub Ayu's rock songs too :yes

at least give her credit for trying new things.
she changes it up, people whine about how it's not as good as duty or i am...
but if every album was another duty or another i am..., then they'd complain about her getting stale and boring.

it's like that in almost every music fanbase. people find one album to latch onto, and turn it into the standard.



i happen to particularly like my story, by the way.

All I can really say is give it a chance, but as far as my opinion will take you doesn't really mean anything I guess. I can't tell you what to think about the Album, because I myself am really loving it. Maybe because I'm obsessed with Ayu and always feel that if she releases a poor song that she always redeems herself with something better. I actually thought after RAINBOW she started improving a lot, I was seriously impressed with Memorial Address and it's one of my favorites, and this album is even better. I agree, MY STORY is -no- I am... or even LOVEppears, but seems better to me than Duty in a way. I don't think she can recreate the past without sounding like she's copying herself. There are a lot of Ayu songs I have to listen to again and again for them to grow on me, especially with Dearest.

Also, I agree with Bates, if you think her album is poor, don't start hating her old stuff too! Her stuff is still good no matter what if you truely enjoy it, don't let this ruin Ayu for you. It's not like it means all her songs are bad now, like she's somehow soiled her past with the stuff she has now.

I'm not trying to say this in a condescending way, because it is your opinion. I have my own thoughts on some of her songs that other people enjoy too. But don't completely give up on Ayu yet.

I'm not going to give her credit for having songs that sound like a bunch of generic rock bands.

Nor would I give her credit for using the same melody in Replace as Trauma ... perfect title too .. she replaced the lyrics to Trauma's chorus with the lyrics for Replace.

i only really like walking proud... lol

Walking Proud is the only song on the album for fillers that grabbed me even just a little bit

I haven't heard much of the album other than the singles and "About You" (I'm saving myself until I actually get the album or the pvs come out), but so far I like this more than I liked rainbow, for example.

One reason people may not be liking this is from when I listened to the mp3 of all the samples, the songwriters clearly are branching out. a lot of the instruments, tunes, etc that are on the album are clearly from different genres/influences (one song sounds a lot like a spitz song) and she doesn't necessairily fit in them. the only standard ayu song I could hear was an interlude, I believe.

I really hope it turns out good, because Rainbow was so dissapointing. Cheer up. Don't delete the stuff just yet. It's kind of like when people don't like a singer because they sound bad live. They sound good in the studio, so why bother worrying about anything else...

I am not disappointed even tho I don't really enjoy many songs in this new album. She tried her best trying to be "rock", but sounds like it doesn't sound that well but I am still an Ayu fan.

Oh, well, you can't expect everyone to be thrilled, though I am. I think the album is wonderful, and that's all I'll say. <33

[QUOTE=sxesven]That was needless. I can see how Kacper87 is disappointed, I can see how it just depresses him. No need to jump at him with mindless comments like that.

:P Thanks for understanding, but saying I'm depressed is a little 2 far:) I listen 2 a lot of different artist besides ayu, but I just don't like the idea of one of my faves turning 2 be one of my least faves. I really do appreciate that she is trying 2 come up with something new, but I won't appreciate the fact that it didn't work out.

I know that many songs grow on you, but I think in this case it's impossible simply because I can't even manage to listen to these songs till the end. There were times when I could listen 2 ayumi non stop for a week and now...=/

But maybe I'm just being 2 harsh, cause I've been 2 a lot of "dark" music lately (f.e. PJ Harvey), and maybe I'm not fair.

And about ayu's usuall song structure- why won't she come up with at least one "diamond" like M, Free & Easy or BOY at least? 17 songs on the album and all following the same pattern? Isn't this lazieness?

I also love rockish ayu, but when she really is rockish- like BOY, or I Am.. times. These songs had mostly real instruments if I'm correct (especially beautiful endless sorrow). And now? It reminds me of this German (I think) girlsband called Vanilla Ninja- they're like- "Look! We have guitars so we do real hardcore rock music!!!" The fact that we hear guitars or automatic percussin doesn't make ayu a rock arist...

[QUOTE=Kacper87]maybe it's cheaper to hire mediocre composers/arrangers who compose and arrange their music all the same way?

No problem. And indeed, it's quite the word, 'depressing', but I couldn't come up with a better one.

I don't think this affects your perception of Ayu's new songs - other than noticing how weak they are. However, I myself have always listened to some 'darker' music as well (including P.J. Harvey, for instance - and much more), but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy light-hearted music. It's like with movies - I'll be watching a Disney flick and then a Guinea Pig one.

i think i will like this album because it suits my mood right now

Well this is not her best album but i like listening to it. My favorite is REPLACE, i's very soothing for this season. You should give it more try. The album hasn't even been released yet, not enough time to make a decision.

Do not like the song.. u just have to keep listen to it.. and u will get used to it.. thats what i used to do :P So keep listening to it..

I'm hoping to actually enjoy songs. Getting used to them is not to problem. I can get used to N'Sync songs - enjoying them is a different story altogether.

I just have to say...

These are not the "Actual" tracks in the LP, these are leaked from i dunno where, the quality is not the best and "talkin" about music in a pc...well, many things can happen, the songs by itself are not that good, adding the poor quality in some tracks makes a stupid plain track.
The album is going to be realease the 12th, today is 09...umm¿?
Are around 6 songs leaked still missing like 8? or something...so theres still some chance

i know this cuz i though the same with britney's last cd and happen the same leaking thing and most of the ppl hate it, after the 320[or cd rip] comments go "wow awsome, a master piece, blah blah blah"
Then again the comments started by the "poor" versions of the songs :p
Don't judge a cd by its "first" look, i havent and wont get any of the new songs until the tag "QUALITY" appear infront em'

OK Well I haven't listened to the album yet (WAITING) Here are my two cents.

A lot of you are saying her structure is the same. A lot of her songs have the same structure. M & Free & Easy. Dearest =Voyage=CAROLS=SEASONS=Dolls= Many others.

I think the biggest limitation is not the arranger or composer, but it is in her style of writing the lyrics. I'm surprised you guys didn't notice that O.o. A lot of singers follow traditional styles, so its nothing new.

A lot of Ayu's PVs had no plot O.o
Boys & Girls, appears, poker face, Trust, Depend on you, kanariya, YOU and the list goes on. Having a plot in each PV gets very tedious after a while, and sometimes you just need something more visually appealing and flashy. Moments has a plot, and CAROLS sorta has a plot. I'd say 2/6 isn't a bad number since we haven't seen the other two pvs yet.

the quality may alter her voice....but the melody and the arrangement's still gonna be the same

im tno saying i dont liek this album tho..i think it rules..:-P

*pets*

good point Jimmy

Get the torches its time to go get Ayu XD

When reading posts of most actual users (and even staff members)... I kinda wonder where have the Ayu-loving-people-gathering-forum gone?

I understand that people like me, who love onnly her and worship her and her music may be boring with their "excellent" comments after each new song... that's why I rarely post in the threads saying "(new song) - thoughts"

But I noticed that SO MANY people write only "trash, crap" (especially one staff member :/ )

Isn't that even worse? I know all of You can have Your opinion and You can say the new song isn't really good... but this Ayu-loving-forum is more and more changing into an Ayu-bashing-forum. And that's something I don't really like and for some time I really don't feel good here.... I miss old days when I was really curious about all the people here - who shared the same love I did...

Tell me, if Ayu is realeasing such crap after "I am..." album - why are You still here? If I would thought every new song by my favourite artist is crap I would lost interest in that artist and it would be pointless for me to still listen to that artist only to comment on the forum "crap, crap"

Maybe some of you didn't like what I wrote here - but that's wwhat I feel.

I love Ayu! I worship her! And I will keep buying her every new CD, Single, DVD and whatever... because I love what she is doing and I think no artist can reach her.

I'm still waiting for my CD...

:shrug There are lots of songs and groups that I disliked at first but that I love now.

All the people who constantly complain and whine and nag need to get their head out of whatever dark hole they have it stuck in. If Ayu "sucks" lately, why don't you move onto something else? There's many many artists out there. I was sick of Ayu for a while, and so far from what I've heard of the new album, it rocks. A little criticism is fine, but when you end up bashing over and over, you just kill it. Ayu's trying, I don't see the people complaining going out and selling a bunch of CDs and having a huge ass fanbase.

Now you are seriously wrong here, excuse me for saying this. (mind, I was aiming towards Shiso's post here)

First off, you're confusing saying what one's thinking with, if what's said is negative, bashing. When one listens to a new song, dislikes it, and then shares the fact that he or she dislikes it, how can this be considered bashing? Bashing is a negative thing - unfair to begin with, it's mindlessly trying to beat down the person in question at all points; relentlessly and without any respect for the artist, actor, etcetera. What's happening here? We, who are ALL as much Ayu-fans as one another, all listen to the new songs. Some of us love them, some of us don't. That doesn't make us any less or more Ayu-fans - we still appreciate Ayu, like her, love her. However, being a fan does not mean that we should blindlessly follow her!

This discussion is an old one - it's been held ten times already, twenty times, thirty times maybe. However, there's always some people who mistake honest criticism from Ayu-fans for mindless bashing. That's terribly wrong, and offensive to the fans who just don't happen to like a new song, release, or whatever.

As for AHS being an 'Ayu-loving-people-gathering' forum - we all still love Ayu. If I didn't, I would've been long gone already. I wouldn't have listened to the new songs. I wouldn't go and buy the new album still. AHS is not changing into an Ayu-bashing forum. If that's your perception - well, by all means, perceive it like that, but do keep in mind that it's a wrong perception.

I can honestly see what you mean, skal, I really do. However, I hate to say this, but a bunch of the new songs just seem below standard to me. I don't expect my musical taste to worsen so much all of a sudden that I will eventually like them.

I sooo agree! REally! Thank You for this post y2687-san!

I didn't hesitate to spend $40 on the album and have not regretted it. I eagerly await my CD in the mail.

Ayu's styles will always be ever changing.....I personally think her new stuff is great along with the rest of her stuff from the past.

[QUOTE][B]Posted By: ShisoI agree with you, and I stand by your opinion!!
I mean, I only came here recently, over this past summer, but it wasnt so "bash this, bash that!". Now I read about how everything is crap, and it kinda confuses me. This is a "Fan" forum, so whats happening to the "Fans"?

Same here. I look forward to it!

$40 is expensive, but so worth it :yes

I'm waiting too :) I think about buying the normal edition too :) to have at least two different covers :)

I was trying to express that tastes are very subjective and everyone experiences music differently.

Maybe everyone can try being a bit less judgemental of other's musical preferences and a bit more tolerant of dissenting views.

First of all- do you wish this forum to be a gathering place for all the fanboys/ fangirls(NO OFFENSE TO ANYONE, really)??? For people with the attitude like
- OMG!!! NEW AYU SONG!!! I LOVE IT!!!
- Hey, haven't you noticed that this song has no music nor vocals? It's just silence!
-Oh really? Oh, WTF I still love it cuz it's AYU!!!

There is a clear border between the PERSON and his/hers MUSIC!!! I don't judge ayu but her new songs. And I don't intend to justify any of her bad songs just because it's she who sings them. And the other way around- if she released a great song and at the same time announced that she hates all the people in the world and comitted countless crimes i still would like that song:P:P:P

And all the people are still here, even if ayumi releases crap, because they love/like/admire her as a PERSON. And at the sime time they're able to keep their feelings for her from distorting their opinions on her MUSIC.

I dunno...I listen to zillion of different artists, I put a lot of expectations on ayu's new stuff, but I don't really feel let down when she releases something new. I particularly find interestingly funny that people get all surprised that ayu is using recycled melodies and generic pop as if it is her very first time doing that. I mean, I ALWAYS knew that, what was LOVE~Destiny~ and the whole lot of offsprings it has? What about POWDER SNOW and PSII? evolution and UNITE! were so originally different from each other, yeah right. What was Real me if I may ask, wasn't it generic pop? apears is a pretty generic song imo. Wasn't Trauma and several other songs from her kinda JPOPish? She always was a JPOP artist but I'm afraid people have put ayu in a pedestal of being some rocker or non-commercial singer and constructed a whole different insight about her. One funny thing is that a lot of people , including me just discovered ayu when she released Duty or a bit right after that. OMG at that time everything was fresh and new. Ayu had released enough material in a way that if you disliked something you could just turn to another greatest hit of her. That's kinda how it happened to me, I didn't really like a lot of the Duty songs the first time I listened to them (teddy bear was extremely boring, AUDIENCE was VERY generic and SCAR was not anything super) but since ayu was new for me I had TO BE, SURREAL, M, evolution, A Song for XX, YOU and all those greatest songs by my side to enjoy. That of course made me think ayu was a goddess of perfection because there were too many hits to be enjoyed because she already had way too many albums released. With time even the songs I disliked would by force of the other great songs and specially because of the remixes making me try to appreciate them and love them as much. That's what greatly made albums like: ASfXX, LOVEppears, Duty and I am... pretty much consolidate as being extremely pleasant albums. By the time RAINBOW was released ayu was definitely not a new artist to me anymore. That kinda made me get way too much expectations on RAINBOW in order to compensate the fact there was not anything new from ayu anymore to be appreciated at all. When I listened to each of the songs I hated as much songs on it as I had hated on the Duty album the first time I listened. However Duty was already set in my mind as one of her best because of the impact of how ayu was fresh and new and by the hundreds of songs I had already listened to bak in the day. Later on after RAINBOW was released I went through an ayu hiatus - I decided to not listen to her (not because I was angry or disappointed or anything) because I thought i was time to listen to different material. I got to discover so many japanese artists my artists list grew from just ayu to the huge list you can see in my profile (there was still no space to put all artist) and most of those I have listened to at average 70% of the discography of most of them. That helped me to get off the anxiety of awaiting mega huge productions from hamasaki, i actually found out a lot of artists had a bell shape curve at their discographies too, started averagely in the middle started producing amazing stuff and nowadays are releasing regular to mediocre stuff. When ayu released & followed by a ballad single I was sure the ideas were starting to run out (A, H, &... 3, 4 a-side singles with a simmilar pattern of songs), I actually think people had the intelligence to notice that too which surprises me that the bomb is just exploding now because it was something that could be realized one year ago. Moments was quite of a shock to me though because I had in mind ayu wuld still release good stuff but not be able to impress me as much as when everything from her was fresh new but that song actually surprised me a lot. I have kinda gotten used as to what ayumi is trying to take her lead. I don't really mind, I was never the kind of person to get way too attached to technical stuff and whatever because none of the ayu's songs have never been technically perfect. I actually really love her imperfections. i like how she ventures through different genres even generic pop but for me ayu was always the queen of JPOP and yep JPOP is JPOP and isn't an underground genre or some experimental, classical or something. It follows trends, and by the current trends the artists kinda shape themselves. It's kinda clear that the latest trends in Japan are indeed generic pop explaining why artists like BoA got such an uprise over these years while some of the long time JROCK bands have been disbanding and losing their strength. That was something I got preapared over tyhese years and I guess that's why I really agree with what Corybory said, I still think ayu IS ayu, I still can appreciate each one of her works and that's not being blind, its because the melodies, her voice they still flow n my ears and they still get stuck on my mind. I kinda find there is way too much overreaction not just by people who "OMG THAT'S THE GREATEST SONG EVA!!!!111" but isn't listening to previews and bad quality tracks and making a full review of the actual thing overreacting too?

I agree, I have only had the urge to play "walking proud" "About you" and "my name's WOMEN" over and over, other than that, this album is beginning to suck really bad, Humming 7/4 is not even good enough for a PV AT ALL!! It's beginning to piss me off. But lets be honest, true Ayu fans love all of Ayu's music even the really crappy stuff, this album will grow on everyone.

And you're absolutely right. As far as I know though, I haven't been bashing other people's musical tastes - I simply expressed my own sentiments regarding music. If I have - by all means, I didn't mean to.

Amen!

I've been listening to her material since ASFXX and LOVEppears. I was a little dismayed, really, when the songs were coming out for RAINBOW and even for some of the songs from I am... I think I'm in the minority when I say that I don't think I am... is her best work. That said, I think that everyone has their own tastes as to what music they like and because she bridges so many styles, Ayu is going to take criticism for jumping genres. I think that the new music is better than anything she released last year and probably even the year before that. I had some real favourites from the past two years, but overall, this new stuff is more impressive to me. I didn't dislike anything from the Memorial Address and RAINBOW period, but I was not thrilled by much of it, either.

I do, however, really admire that she is continuing to reinvent herself and trying to send different things our way. I am glad that the people of this BBS are willing to say, "Hey, I don't like that." I just hope that we can continue to give the new stuff a chance because, as someone mentioned, it certainly affects vocal and instrumental quality when ripping from a PV and so on.

Ayu's lyrics are what first drew me to her and they haven't really declined in their ability to be brilliant yet simple. I do have to say that I was sort of disappointed with those of CAROLS (I didn't much care for the song, truth be told) because it seemed a repeat of several other songs that she has released. However, I think that she releases with such consistency that really, I can't gripe. We get a new album once a year when most other artists I listen to only release once every few years.

As to loving things just because IT'S AYU, I don't think that I would say this is true for me. I like her as a person but I was first attracted to her because of her lyrics, so that's not a huge stretch (lyrics are influenced by the person's life, after all) but I also admire her music. I like to listen to her stuff, genuinely. I listen to different stuff on different days, but most days I listen to something by her. It's not uncommon for me to listen to UTADA in the morning, Every Little Thing during the afternoon and some sort of Ayu while I'm working out and before I go to sleep. It's no exaggeration to say that she's probably the only artist (besides Onitsuka Chihiro) that gets daily play in my CD players and DVD player. I just like her stuff and I haven't been turned off by many of her songs. So, even though it may seem highly unlikely, I really have liked pretty much everything she's released. That's why she's the only artist who has BBSs dedicated to her that I will join. I joined this one because I was interested to talk to other fans and read news if it came along. I hope that this is the reason why most of you joined, too. If that's the case, I don't think that we have to be worried about differences of opinions. At the end of the day, we all like her to some degree or another, right? ^_^ I hope so!

Amen.

p.s. As a staff member I didn't realize I wasn't allowed an opinion.

Disclaimer: This post is not meant to offend anyone, nor is it meant to be targetted at any individual. This is just my opinion.

It is a little disheartening to see every other post bashing Ayu. Although I'm sure it's not intended, it does feel like a personal blow to my tastes when somebody calls something I happen to like "complete and utter crap". Yes of course, everyone is entitled to their opinion and I respect that. But it's one thing to say "I didn't like this song," but it's another to say "This is crap! How can anyone like this?!?". And I've seen posts like that. Now it just seems trite. They're so abundant that it seems like they're trying to force their opinion down your throat. So...let's just summarize it to personal taste.

What annoys me even more that all this complaining has just made a huge circle and now it seems hypocritical. For example...it's funny to see people complaining about Humming 7/4. "omgwtf! Humming 7/4 sounds like independent+ and flower garden!!111one *automatic hate*" Personally, I don't think they sound anything alike, but they do elicit the same feelings of enthusiasm. I thought she needed another song like this for her fans to go nuts during her concerts. But then again...these would be the same people that complain that she always sings said songs in concerts. She tries something new and she's bashed for it. She just can't win it seems like.

Ayu's trying something new. It's obvious that not everyone is going to like it. But all this comparing to previous albums is a bit excessive. And I completely agree with Rainmaker on this. If she did create another I am... people would still complain that it's the same old thing...been there, done that. When you hold something in such a high standard, it's expected that you're going to find that anything else as sub-par. All I can say is try to keep an open mind.

I'm loving this album so far and I can't wait until it comes out! I think it's nice and balanced. It has its harder, edgier parts, beautiful ballads, and it's feel-good songs. I appreciate her efforts.

:yes That's what nearly all the bashing related fights come down to. So please try to express your opinions in a way that isn't degrading to a person who disagrees.

That's your opinion. But trashing Ayu just because you're not quite loving her new songs is wrong. I prefer not to judge before listening to the entire thing. So far, i love GAME, Moments, About You, my name's WOMEN, Liar, walking proud. Not liking humming 7/4 but hey. Instead of saying how much you hate it, try to listen to it again. Maybe you'll grow on it. Yes, her older songs are better but you can't expect her stuff to sound the same still. Just, try to grow on it. And if you really but REALLY hate it. Well, you still have her other songs that you like right? Think positive! :) ;)

I hope I didn't offense anyone? I never said "how can anyone like this" cause i do understand that taste is a personal matter.

Nah ^_____^ I was interested to read your opinion on the matter. I probably could have written the same sort of thing about CAROLS or something. :headache *dodges bottles* Seriously, it's all a matter of personal taste.

Yes, i agree! I think her new songs are awesome!

Exactly, this is your personal taste of music. You may not like her new stuff but other people do. I respect your decision but i still think her music rocks. :luv2

My remark wasn't aimed at you nor anyone specifically. It's just the general vibe I seem to be feeling at this forum as of late. But as I've said, I respect other people's opinion. It's perfectly fine if you don't like something. But it is my impression that some people feel the need to emphasize their discontent for Ayu in every single one of their posts, like they want you to feel the same way by forcing their opinion on you. And of course, this can apply to the same people who are like: "OMG! You don't like this?!? What's wrong with you?!?"

You can voice your opinion, but there comes a point when you're just beating a dead horse with a stick.

I donno... I don't find this a huge disappointment. At first when I listened to the previews I was all.."what the hell did she do?!" but then when I took time to actually listen to her songs.. I found out that I rather liked them. Plus we haven't listened to all her songs. I rather like all the songs I have heard right now. Walking Proud has such a nice feel to it. I never thought I'd place a song up to the level of Dearest, but this goes up pretty high close to it. It's so pretty.

She cannot go on with the same style as before. I admire her at trying out new styles. She's trying hard enough to be innovative and develop new styles. When she released her first album, Poker Face, I believe not many people liked her music and she wasn't so popular. Instead of feeling disappointed I feel really excited that she is actually taking the effort and the risk to try new styles instead of sticking to the same old style. If she did stick to the same style maybe she would have had an easier time and also no problems bcuz the people who liked her previous style would like the next album and such. So..yeah.

I just ask you to wait and listen to the whole album to judge fully if her album is really good or bad. And don't just listen to it once and then simply say "It sucks". At first I really didn't like any of Ayu's music but after listening to it for a while most of her songs grew on me.

what i don't get is..how can many of you is complaining ayu when she is not the one composing the songs...if you complain..complain the composers and arranger
and sadly...this albums fills with the not so good composers Bounceback and Tetsuya XXXXx forgot his name...and would you guys be alot more "happier" atleast or even saying
OMFG I LOVE THESE SONGs ect if it were composed by D.A.I or even
H/\L?? just a guess.
i personally...love this album madly and i hope in the future ayu can do more music like this and in my other post i said ayu is experienting different genres to suit her fans or even other people new to her and...remember when B.o.Y came out??Everyone goes...this song IS OMFG GOOD and stuff...
i do think ayu know this and ayu is smart...after that came out...we see GAME and maybe About You have this "rock" style....to make her fans happy
And what do ayu get...nothing all she gets is getting complain and telling her that her music is getting bad :no...everyone might not agree with me but these are just my opinions...
sorry if i offended anyone

edit: i see where you coming from...take me for instance..
I HATE INSPIRE..the music melody just make me sick >.>
so is all matter of taste i guess

I have been reading through this forum for a while, and I see certain members (won't say names) actually put her down constantly. I mean, I know everyone is entitled to their opinions and everything, but when you constantly see the same person post "I don't like these new songs, they suck, they are so generic" in one topic, and then again you see the very same person in a different topic post the exact same thing, with the exact tone, but twist their words around in different ways. They post very sarcastic remarks, instead of just expressing their opinion and moving on. To me, liking an artist isn't liking every single song by that artist, but by liking certain things and hoping for new stuff that they will like. If they don't like it, just post that you don't like it, and move on. I feel like Ayu fans are so separated now, because of this CD. If you like it, buy it, if you don't, then don't buy it. Enjoy her older stuff. But please don't constantly bash her or put down her image *coughcoughcertainPVScoughcough*, because it gets very depressing when you see fellow fans say these things. Also, to the people that think her music has been generic, I think Ayu has always been true to herself and her type of music, because she has always said that his her goal in life, to stay true to herself. Maybe she is actually feeling like this (the melodies+lyrics) in her songs, and it just happens to sound generic? I'm just happy that she kept to herself and didn't go the route other people would. Personally, I can't wait for this album, because it sounds nothing like any other album she has put out. I have a feeling she will give us many suprises next year.

I did not mean to offend anyone with what I posted ><;

Which has been discussed widely, has been agreed on by many - we're not here to bash Ayu, that should be clear by now. We've heard how negative comments are being interpretated as bashing by now - please read the thread on it. Thank you.

It's pretty much what's happening. So that's a good thing.

Thread. Read. Now. Please. Thank. You.*

LIke the album buy it. dun like it, dun buy it and stop flaming here and there..

i get this feeling too, who knows i might like the rest in due time... in this album i am only liking, thus far, walking proud, about you and catcher......light. for sure i hatred liar, nothing can be done about that

shiso i relli admire you!

When i first came to this forum i was so happy that everyone here loved her and felt the same way i did.

it relli makes me sad everytime someone complains about Ayu's My Story album which i relli like, when i see Ayu's happy face on my desktop and then I read all these complaints about her in this forum, it just makes me wanna cry :cry ....

Ayu looks so happy when i see her in pictures because she thinks we appreciate wat she does, but... (ok im annoying, u can just ignore wat i say)

Of the songs I heard, I either really love the song or could do without it. Walking Proud, Game, and Carols are just some of the songs that I could listen to on repeat. However, I honestly dislike Inspire and My name's Women. Although I'll listen to those two songs (and probably even know the lyrics), I probably will never really enjoy it because it's not my cup of tea. Still, I'll always be a fan of Ayumi and will give hew new albums and songs a chance.

I believe that you can be a huge fan of any artist and still be able to express your likes and dislikes about the songs, PV's, etc. Criticizing a song or other things doesn't automatically make the comment a flame or a statement of "I hate Ayumi." When fans start criticizing each other for being too negative or whatever, it causes people to seem clique-y and elitist. You don't have to agree with an opinion but you shouldn't jump on the person for expressing themselves either.

I agree, it's a horrible album, with the exception of Moments and CAROLS, which I plan on buying separately as singles, even if it costs more than buying the album..

From what I hear so far, it's still much better than the Memorial address album. For one thing it had much balance to it and keeps you on the seat, instead of getting up in the middle to get a cup of coffee, and walking back slowly.

This album is being portrayed as a more personal side of ayu, but really. Her older albums were MUCH MORE PERSONAL. Especially a song for xx. I don't see it here. At all. And rainbow was a good album because it had really good songs that stood out and there were just so-so songs. This album has about 1 or 2 songs that stand out. and the rest seem to be either BARABLE OR TERRIBLE.

i wouldn't be 'OMG! THIS ALBUM SUCKS' right away after hearing like 5 songs.

yeah. some of her releases lately have been okay.
but i still honor the fact she's still on top, even after RAINBOW.
that's why i still listen to her new music.

I thought Memorial address was a lot better, it was very balanced out. Even if you thought it was going to just be boring ballads at the end, I thought forgiveness with its strong end chorus as well as the surprise rock track Memorial address helped the already strong mini-album. MY STORY just sends bad vibes to me, I don't like it at all, and I'm not buying it...

Ok. no problem

How can you guys say it's an horrible album (that's very harsh) when you haven't even heard it yet? I think some of you guys or taking this whole thing too serisously. Come on. How many songs have you heard and how many you haven't heard? You guys should stop jumping to a conclusion so fast.

And how do you even know this album is not personal? Have you heard the lyrics yet? Have you read translations? Do you know japanese? Do you know what she's singing about?

If you don't like the album, okay. If you're not going to buy it, good for you. But stop coming to this forum and flame this forum with trashy comments. You don't have to say such words and refer her new my album as 'her most horrible album ever' and 'terrible album' to say that you didn't quite like it.

After all, you haven't heard all of it yet. Serisously. Some jump to a conclusion way too fast.

::sigh::

Anyone can come here and state their opinions. Please read sxesven's thread about honest criticism in the chat room.

This is getting really old.

Bashing and stating your opinions is a WHOLE different thing.

Saying 'Well, it's not her best work and not her best album for me. I hoped for a better song.' is a TOTALLY different thing from 'THIS IS AN HORRIBLE ALBUM!!! ARG! I can't stand it! It sucks!!!'.

I know that you don't have to like everything she does. Not all of her songs are great. And it's not because you're a fan that you have to love and admire everything she does. But i really think people are jumping on a conclusion too fast about this new album.

Give it a chance. After all, Ayu does this for us. The fans.

..i LOVE my story...but im really not seeing any bashing..O_o..ppl..chill. please.

ayu changes a lot...she'lll gain some..she'll lose some. She might lose old fans that followed her old songs, and she'll gain fans who like her current style...

but if u dont like a song...thats perfectly fine..don't start complaining though. Ppl complained about MA being 7 tracks...now ppl are complaining abotu crappy songs..

I completely agree with Jonny and Shiso on this. I don't believe that voicing your opinion is wrong because that's what I'm doing and what people are suppose to do in a forum, but just the feeling that everyone is giving off is sort of negative. It seems like there are like 20 negative posts to one positive posts here, not that their 'bashing' Ayu or anything, it just gives off that feeling and just makes the stay here at AHS not so plesant. Meh what do I know... oh and yeah I completely agree with Impact too, everyone just thinks what they first heard of Ayu were her best hits because it was new and fresh to them at the time, but now most of us are use to Ayu and expect something new like when we heard her the first time and of course she's not going to repeat that again cause we'll probably end up bashing it anyways and saying it's a cheap rip off of some other song. I think that if she released Memorial address/MY STORY type stuff earlier we would think that was amazing and if she released I am... not we'd be like WTF that's crap. Just my thoughts on it, and I know most of you might say since I'm starting to not like the forum, why don't I just leave, well it's because maybe I'm expected things to get better like many of you are expecting Ayu to improve. I hope that made sense ^^;; Oh and one other thing, many of you are saying her new music is generic JPop but wasn't most of her stuff Jpop-ish to start with? I thought Impact brought up a good point, appears, trauma, monochrome ALL her LOVEppears type work is pretty generic JPOP but we don't bash that because it's the 'oldies'. Maybe I'm just a bit fired up hahaha I should just avoid these threads anyways.

That's very true :)

i just never understand why people freak out when someone doesn't like something. who cares?!?!?!?! what's important is that you like it. obsessing about why other people don't like it is not even worth your time.

I have to disagree with this album being a disappointment. It's so different. But I love that is so different. I love that her new album is nothing like her old ones. It's a very different sound and I love it!!

I get the feeling that most of you are reffering to me when you mean "bashing."
Well this album is crap and I don't care what you guys think of my posts. Blah, blah I'm bashing Ayu. Well, she made crap, so she's gonna get crap.
All the latest songs have a generic pop-punk sound. I'm just glad she's not going by the genre that most artists use today...

Some of you wonder why the people who don't like the new songs are still here. Well, it's not like we've stopped liking Ayu altogether. We like her old music. Plus, some of us are hoping for something good to come along.

EXACTLY.

I don't think anyone was referring to you, at least I wouldn't. To me, your opinions have always been really sound and well thought out. The same with a bunch of people here. A lot of people who don't like this album and have made it clear have really good reasons and I wouldn't consider it bashing at all; I'm happy we can all just talk about the album without everyone's opinion being a repeat of the same thing.
But please don't say she made crap - you could talk about how you don't like it and it's just bad, but I don't think anything someone worked hard on should be called crap. I mean, I like what I've heard (and maybe I'm just oversensitive) but it kind of makes me feel stupid when people say things like that. I don't think it makes any of us bad fans or anything, or takes away from anyone - but some people take things like that the wrong way.

YOU STUPID-you never like ayu from th way you talk....never mind.....everybody has their own opinion...MY STORY is A GREAT ALBUM........

Yeah, that's why I consider the works of "POWDER SNOW" and "A Song for XX" to be the greatest lyrics of all...

Let's be logical now.

Also, don't go around bashing me for what I've said. Do you want me to call you stupid because you like MY STORY?

To me. I don't think this album is a disapointment. Again, her style is changing and it all depends on the fan's taste. I think this album is not the best but still is very nice because her vocals a better. Can control better. =D And somehow, I like how her WHOLE album stuck to ONE style. I mean. When my friend told me "Yah. Sometimes it's good to have variety. But sometimes it's better to stick to one." and I agree. I think it's a good idea for her to have this whole album have one style. ^_^ The songs have a catchy tune. I DO miss the PVs with meaning in it. I don't only want her dancing around on a stage...I want there to be meaningful ones like Because of you or No Way to Say or Moments. Those I must say, am dissapointed. But I guess we'll have to see. =D About You was awesome though.

All I can say is... I deleted Inspire off the HDD the first time I heard it.

Now I'm listening to it everyday :mgrin

So... I can imagine myself hiding the My Story album under the bed upon the first hearing, then glueing it into my CD player a month after that.

Give it some time! (^v^)

INSPIRE is amazing isn't it? Hehehehe I'm absolutely IN LOVE with the song. I have the single on repeat haha even though the instrumentals aren't exactly great to listen to.

Well.. that sad to hear... but who knows maybe you'll open up to it later on.. or maybe not XD

i must disagree with my story is disappointment, i think your taste is quite from japanese. do you know if you tell japanese to vote for album, what place is I am...?, it is always among the second last place(BECAUSE OF THE MELODY )while the last place is RAINBOW(reason why it is at the last is because of Ayu's voice). do you which one is the best? always is Duty or loveppear.

1 LOVEppears 5443 13.39 %
2 Duty 5379 13.23 %
3 Memorial address 5125 12.61 %
4 A Song for XX 5120 12.60 %
5 A BEST 5111 12.57 %
6 I am... 5056 12.44 %
7 A BALLADS 5018 12.34 %
8 RAINBOW


i totally disagree with I am... is the best album(some track such as i am..., never ever and still alone are horrible, i use seversl months to let myself to listen it, the is music is just... i even can't call it is music, the notes are not musically) . duty is a LOT better than i am...

maybe you disagree that, but i want to remind all of you, Ayu is japanese, so her music is mainly for japan.I am really disappointed about all you guys say, i never discover that western people's style ARE that different from Japanese untill MY STORY.i understand people from different culture are quite different, i only want to remind that it is not ayu's music are becoming worse in this album, only all of you can't accept the style that japanese like. Such as my name' WOMEN, almose all japanese say it is great song, but you guys said it is something bad :no . maybe that is caused by the music that you listen in europe or USA are some kinds of dancing music, but , actually that kind of song in japan is not that many(except BoA, that is the reason why she is being popular, it is because her music is rare(but not sounding good) but it can't stay long, you see, BoA is not popular in Japan now, her album only sells 600,000).

J-pop is what japanese like, you see, ayu is being popluar by her most POP-ISH album LOVEppear(this is the most common album, espiaclly for the arrangment). so,plaese don't say something about 'that is pop-ish, so i don't like', remember what type of songmade ayu to be the J-POP queen.

IMO, my story is almost the best album so far, at least i don't need to force myself to listen to listen to something not melodic (such i am... and never ever).and this album's lyric are SUPER GOOD, much better than I am... , DUTY and RAINBOW.

i think the reason you like I am... is because that was the first time you hear about ayu, also one point, the best song that japanese like is seasons,or voyage, also M is the one they like most. but i don't think evolution will be on the list...( also the song they don't like most is:
1 LOVE ~refrain~ 54 6.6%
2 forgiveness 46 5.6%
3 girlish 41 5.0%
4 Endless sorrow 38 4.7% ( the music is really.... but the lyric is good)
5 Close to you 34 4.2%
6 RAINBOW 33 4.0% (actually it is a good song)
7 A Song is born 30 3.7%
8 Present 29 3.6%
9 UNITE!
10 P.S II 25 3.1%
11 SIGNAL 23 2.8%
11 INSPIRE 23 2.8%
13 FRIEND2 22 2.7%
13 Daybreak 22 2.7%
15 still alone 21 2.6%
16 theme of a-nation '03 20 2.5%
17 from your letter 19 2.3%
17 AUDIENCE 19 2.3%
19 Far away 18 2.2

the song they like:
1. Voyage 42 4.1%
2 SEASONS 40 3.9%
2 A Song for ×× 40 3.9%
4 Moments 36 3.6%
5 GAME 35 3.5%
6 Who... 32 3.2%
7 Because of you 31 3.1%
8 CAROLS 27 2.7%
9 immature 26 2.6%
10 Key～eternal tie ver.～ 25 2.5%
10 M 25 2.5%
10 HANABI ～episode II～ 25 2.5 (they like the song that you don't)


as for this album, i really like walking proud(one of the best song she ever make) also, i absolutely like the rock style in this album ( the reason for all of you don't like, maybe there are too many rock artist in eurpoe or USA, actually there only a few in Japan, and always they are not mainstream artist in japan)this album is at least 100x beter than rainbow(rainbow is horrible)

^ I think you hit the problem right on!! Because we can't understand the lyrics all we have that we can enjoy from Ayu is her music. And good music she makes. Honestly, I don't think many of us would have listend to Ayu if it wasn't for the melodies and arrangements and etc. But that's not what Jpop is based on. Jpop is still fundamentally focused on lyrics and the message that the song is trying ot get across. So Ayu might have written her best lyrics in this album and we don't care simply because the musical side of the album wasn't brilliant.

All in all I don't think MY STORY is a horrible album at all...just like ASFXX wasn't, even though it was weak musically. I think most people who disliked MY STORY are people who enjoys ear candy like 'I am...' and particularly songs like evolution. I think there is still a sort of cultural difference afterall.

edit: oh yeh...you also mentioned something which I think is strange...Ayu wasn't exactly a good composer and 'I am...' imo had the worst melodies out of her discography. Yet it is still so popular.

i agree
i love MY STORY
i think it's just some peoples problem lol.. not trying to be mean here
just dat the albums great heaps new song ayu worked hard.
all the song i've heard so far i like them all i na different way. I've heard 7
dont be harsh people....
My story is SUPER ^^