Thoughts on HEAVEN pre-release ripped version
 

Now that we have the mp3 download! So it's time to make a judgement!!!
I think this song is really excellent! Ayu sings it emotionally! and arrangement is well-made

I agree with you. The song starts off really slow and soothing. Also it has a rather ethereal feel to it.. which makes it sound rather soulful (is that an english word?) and emotional. I love it. It just flows naturally.

it's so beautiful it hurts. and it makes me cry.

edit: and I get cold shivers on the back. not many songs do that. :luv2 :love this is LOVE!

The song is superb. Although, I do wonder if it is the full version or not.. What gets to me, are the eerie sounds and powerful vocals that Ayu delivers in this songs, it seems that Ayu was really into this song.. <3

I give it 11/10 <3 Not as a "perfect Ayu" fan, but as a music critic :]

Love it.
Zeo

Edit: In my opinion; it's a very refreshing sound, but something that I don't really expect from Ayu. The beginning of the song starts with the loud piano.. very dreamy and surreal feeling, which then lead into bells and Ayu's light singing on top of the gentle sounds of a piano in the background. Her words seems to convey a sad tone of hers.. The words then lead into a strong Japanese instrumental piece, with 'ahs' and 'lalalas' from Ayu. Ayu begins to show her powerful voice, then comes the chorus, beautiful and just..amazing. :]

[although, I wonder where those lyrics from before came from.. and what version the one from CDTV is]

yeah it's a bit short, it mite not be the full version

holy the song is soo good! gonna be in my top 10 favs!~!!

WONDERFUL
i believe it can be a next "hitomi wo tojite"
hope it can sales really good
10 point and PERFECT
but i think its not a full version

the song is probably one of best Ayu's ballad

I would preferred that HEAVEN will have a more conventional structure, but it doesn't matter, I love this song so mutch *o*

the 20 secs first of the song makes me think that the whole song is reaalllyyyy saaaad but after that it´s just splendid!! :D:D:D:D:D ´*longing for better q* XD

hitomi wo tojite? Is it some well known song?

I love this song :luv2 It's so emotional, it makes me cry!

It's a famous Ken Hirai song. I think the single sold VERY well. Like really REALLY well.

:D

Zeo

Oh I see. I'll try to get hold of it then and thank you for informing me about it ^^

Such smooth vocals! Definitely, without a doubt, Ayu's best vocal performance in over a year!! The nearest competition might be Memorial Address, and before that...who knows. I LOVEEEEEEEE it!!!!

I think it's a full one.
AND! it is different from the others as you said most of ayu's songs have a chorus then verse 1 then hook ,chorus, verse 2, hook, chorus, bridge, then end up with the chorus.
BUT HEAVEN ISN'T like this indeed.
it's so wonderful!

Excellent. This song takes my breath away! It's been a long time since Ayu had a such beautiful ballad. I'm in love with it. The arrangements are incredible. I love the "la la la" part. And her voice is amazing! I love how the melody starts really slow (softer voice) and then it turns to a powerful melody (powerful voice). And i love that it ends slowly... It's amazing. OMG, I can't stop listening to it! It's such a beautiful, soulful, emotional, sad song... I'm proud of you Ayu! :) 10/10

I think it's a little bit short though. And there was some times the "sounds" (it sounded like thunder?) was too loud. But still waiting for the CD version. But I still love it!

Not exactly thunder.. I think this was badly ripped.. or something lol I have a feeling it was done using a microphone! LOL So when it got loud, the microphone made it all.. STATICY~~ :D

Zeo

oh dear...i got cold shivers down the back too! this song is just too beautiful, i'm absolutely speechless! :yes

edit: it is also amazing, that everyone that had posted up to now LOVED the song =), maybe this is the comeback for ayu...

It's great. I'm impressed! I want to see the PV. It reminds me a lot of Voyage in a weird way...

woo im loving thsi song
11/10 =)
this song is like SURREAL .. the Chorus is at the end .. and the chorus is the best part
omg .. im definetely buying this single ~~
i hope she will win in the golden disc award with this song .. and i hope this single will sell well !

omg ...finally it's Ayu..
it has been such a long time Ayu has came out with another..
super song..it makes me ignore alll other musics when I listened to it..
the composing is incredibly...well done Ayu...well done..

i really really love it!! i just makes me stop whatever i'm doing n just listen to it...
n... i cried... sorry...but i cant help it..

We should've done a poll to see who hate it... LOL.

I think the song is just flawless and brilliant!

don't say that! xD Someone will surely come along, post and ***** how poorly the song is done and that ayu's voice is screachy yadda yadda yadda.

I LOVE those aaaah parts *hearts*

omg~!! i can imagine watching the movie shinobi in the cinamas and heaven playing in the credits, and hear ppl cry :weep :luv2 :luv2 :luv2 :luv2 :luv2 :luv2 :luv2

im listening to it over and over again now, and i love Ayu's voice here!

Wow! No one can say this is a bad song! I do understand some people disliked her other songs this year,but this one is truly beautiful! Im ordering this single fo'sho!

Me too, I can't stop! I love the part at 2:50!!!

The song seems very rushed, I don't think there was enough buildup to the choruses. No instrumental breaks... nothing.

Personally, I hate the arrangement, and I guarantee HAL is behind it. I wish they would just use more natural sounds... The opening sounds like a cross between 'Dolls' and 'is this LOVE?'. The fact that the opening started with a gloomy piano, and then a real piano came in annoyed the hell outta me.

The composition is just very bland, stale; I could use a hundred words to describe it. The song doesn't bring out the same emotion as ballads like 'teddy bear', 'Dearest', 'Voyage', 'No way to say', or even 'CAROLS'. It just doesn't move me all that much, it seems like you could write English lyrics to the melody and it would work perfectly. It sounds like a cheesy American love ballad. Is that a bad thing? I don't know. But I know that it's NOT Ayu.

But WHY isn't this song longer? It's shorter than all the 2005 releases so far... I'm not saying quantity is greater than quality, but for a supposedly "CLASSIC" ballad like this, it should be a lot longer. I hope she makes a longer version for the album.

I don't know, I do seem to LIKE the song, although I did just state a very negative opinion on it. Maybe some lives, the PV, and the piano version will make me like it more... Maybe it's the quality of the rip, or maybe I'm just really disappointed because I was expecting a REALLY GOOD song. Meh, I don't know.

Yes we really should have done a poll =D

i haven't heard it...just how short is it???

Oh well, I hope after hearing the CD version, you'll change your mind. I personally love the song. I think you might be the only one having a negative opinion about "HEAVEN" for now. But remember, this is not the CD quality version.

And the arrangement, I think, are from the guy who did "SURREAL". (Notice how the arrangements are quite alike?)


4:18

4:18. But probably around 4:10 due to the late start and ending of the rip.

But it seems even shorter. *yawn*

this song is over 4 minutes .. only 4:18 ...
this is the radio rip .. they prolly edited ~

i hope they edited it for the radio...thats so short for a ballad! :(

Nah, I think this is the full version. They never shortened the long bridge in 'fairyland' for the radio, so I don't see why they would shorten this song...

oh yes!! that part is beautiful, gave me the shivers

lol

I totally agree with Phantoma and think that all his points are valid, however I do like it abit... I'm just dissapointed it didn't catch on to me at first impression. I blame the low quality (but am still grateful for the ripper :P)

I also thought it might have been recorded with a microphone + similar to surreal.

Anywho, I stand by Phantoma and his analysis though... I just do... the CD rip will probably shed some light for me though, plus Will and OVA of alterna :D

no no! it cant be...i want it to be more longer!!!! :vsad :scry :weep :cry

Aiiiiiie! I don't think this was meant to be one of those 'OMG HEAVY HITTING SONGS!' See, I think that they were going for a kind of 'movie flow' song. As the scene at the end of the movie contains the song, Ayu probably wrotethe song/chose melody and sang the song to go with the events in the movie. I mean, she read the screenplay and watched screeners of SHINOBI to prepare the song.. My guess as to why the song is the way it is, which is 'not like other ballads', is because it was made to not sound or feel like her other ballads. Perhaps this is a new kind of ballad for ayu.. :]

Zeo

I think that you are right. This song was firstly made for the movie. Not to be a huge hit.

Oooohyah, good point there truehappiness :P I think I pointed that out in antoher forum but forgot.

I always wondered why the bridge in fairyland had to be just SO LONG .... x.x (the PV of course) but why they never shortened it down??

^ I agree with Zeo. Also I don't think this song does not bring emotion. On the opposite this ballad seems full of emotion and sorrow. The composition might sound different but it still delivers the emotion neccessary to the listener in my opinion.

I'm speachless...
this is my new Ayu's Favourite song ...
I can't stop hearing it
I love the whisper parts....
But I think it's too short for a ballad, like
much of you said....
I can't wait to hear it LIVE T___T
or the ~piano version~

I'm crying....
thx AYU for doin' this....

T________T

SSN®

I agree. This song bring so much more emotion than "CAROLS" ever did.

very emotional~~ :cry so proud of Ayu~

im going to go to bed now and cry myself to sleep

I'm irritated with the rip... it's too noisy... i can't wait for the better version

but anyway... about the song...

It's really good, IMO. I find this one to have the potential to be the best song she made this year in terms of arrangement and vocals. and i go with the majority in saying that i can feel the emotions which ayu wants to show in this song. Heaven is great. another different kind of ballad from Ayu. waaaay better than walking proud though i cant compare to Moments or Carols (these 2 hold a special place in my heart :)) I love the part before the main chorus. the chorus is good as well. I just cant say that this is her best song this year yet since the quality is just too horrible. But it is very likely that this will be an amazing ballad... better than walking proud or no way to say or voyage.

I LOVE IT.
It's so beatiful! It almost makes you wanna cry it's that amazing...

The song is good, but I'm not totally in love with it like all you others seems to be. I didn't really like it from the first listen and I'm still not THAT found of it. This is not one of her best ballads... >.<

Zeo, I do see your point. I'm sure that the song fits the ending of the movie appropriately, and I definitely respect Ayu's hard work trying to make it fit the movie's theme and whatnot. I also do like the fact that Ayu is trying something different, in terms of ballads. I think her voice sounds wonderful too. It's just the composition/arrangement I have issues with... Kazuhito Kikuchi is a brilliant composer IMO, and I do love the fact that the structure is very different from the usual Ayu ballad, but I just don't think it was.. done the right way.

^ I like it better than walking proud too, but maybe not as much as Moments or CAROLS, one of my favourites. HEAVEN is my favourite Ayu song of the year with STEP you.

I think I might like it better than all of the ballads Ayu had since "RAINBOW" album. Except for "RAINBOW".

The song was beautifully well sung, and I definately like the opening of the song going into the whisper(Very calming), and the chorus......it just blew my mind right out of my head! Like half of the people here, I got shivers down my spine, makes you wanna cry, and just think about your life( well for me anyways!), and you just can't get enough of Ayumi's ballads! Excellent job ************************************************** ***************************************times 10 (that many stars!!!!)

Everyone must love this song.. OMG.

I love this song! This is her best ballade since Forgiveness I think! This song will beat Utadas "Be my last", althought I like this song, too.
Go Ayu, Go!!!!!!

True. I think it's her ballad work since I am... era.

I can't wait for the lyrics translations and romaji!

yeah this song is very good and i am not dissapointed with the songs. THis is gotta be the best ballad song that AYu has done for a very long time and the instruments suits the song!!!!!

I think this is a beautiful song, though the nasty scratching that appears in the middle of the song annoyed me alittle, cause i had to turn the sound off, lol.

I dont think it's her best ballad work, there are many ballads that top this, but no doubt it's beautiful, and i like it very much.

'CAROLS' had a much better arrangement in my opinion. I know this version of HEAVEN isn't too clear, but I can tell already that it has more of a techno-ish feel. Whereas in 'CAROLS', the instruments sounded REAL. The bridge in 'CAROLS' is so powerful, and I love the way the song ends with the guitar strumming and it just fades out so beautifully. I know all the surreal sounds probably fit the song best, because well, it's supposed to sound 'HEAVENly' and magical. But I don't like it. The snare and bass drum in the chorus sound horrible.

The piano version is going to be amazing I think... I'm really looking forward to that!

LOL. I don't think that because it's called "HEAVEN" means that the songs is supposed to be "heavenly" or magical. If the song is about death, I don't see why it should be "heavenly". I guess it all depends on the lyrics.

I can't wait to hear the piano version too. I think it's gonna be as good as the original version!

I'm looking forward to hearing the piano version as well ^___^

Argh! It's killin' meh to hear the original good version of it, but it's so beautiful so far. The song seem to be a little short...

Well, the instruments are bound to sound horrible when you hear a microphone-recorded mp3. LOL

What if you only heard CAROLS like this? omg.

In my opinion, the instruments sound really real, as if there're people playing instruments and some choral singers around her, all sobbing while doing their part.. along with Ayu. As for the whole 'CAROLS' being powerful, I think that it was because, like Ayu's previous winter singles, were supposed to convey a message of 'Winter is here. These are my feelings of Winter.' We might get a new single, so I'd wonder why this would be compared with CAROLS.. after all, they were created with different purposes, in my opinion :]

Hmm... I think that it's a little to hard for me to judge, because the rip is noisy. It's a nice song, but I don't think it's her best ballad.

isn't it too loud sometimes ? but the song is really nice !

The opening of the song reminds me of CAROLS, and it kind of drags for me a little lol.. I really like the part starting at 1:40, it's really beautiful~ I really love the chorus, it's so emotional! I agree with everyone else that this song should be longer. I wouldn't mind an instrumental break in the song where Ayu doesn't sing for a bit. I like the arrangement of this song because it's refreshing and doesn't follow the same format as most of Ayu's recent songs. Vocally I can't really judge on yet because of the low quality of the file.. her voice sounds a bit breathy and there are the "iiiiiiiiiii"s present, but at least she sings with alot of emotion!

I actually like it quite a bit. I think she has better ballads, but it's still pretty good. It might just need some more time to grow on me.

Awesome Awesome Awesome Awesome Awesome Awesome Awesome song!!!!!! Sounds amazing!!! I can wait for the single!!! >_______< Her winter singles are always so awesome!

It almost reminds me of Surreal since it doesn't really have the usual song pattern!

just as I thought before... this is song makes me feel "Hugged" by someone I love hahahhahahahaa but eventually I got no one :thud hehehehhee... If I compared with Hikki's be my last.. She has improved herself since fairyland n alterna hehehehe.... overall: EXCELLENT! ^^ PS: This is what I want from ayumi... when everyone chasing her rite now.. she makes a higher level to compete :)

i like this song, chorus is amazing. I love how there wasnt really a break. Too short of a ballad in my opinion. The song sounds misty and refreshing, but sad at the same time.

I think its a perfect amount of time. I don't want a ballad that's almost 6 minutes just because its a power ballad. I think it ended at the point it should end at. No more over doing it.

HEAVEN is a big disappointment; worse than I thought it would be
 

After I just downloaded the PV rip of HEAVEN.. and I have listened to it on repeat.. the only part that I like were the ones that were in the commercials, and I don't even like that that much.. Why? It sounds like another ballad that will be worn out within 3 minutes. I loved CAROLS when it came out too but it eventually got worn. I thought HEAVEN was going to be the big "break through" single of the year but apparently I'll just have to keep waiting.

(Don't bash me for my opinion- I am not one of those people who eats up everything Ayu puts out, although I am a very big fan.)

I'm not gonna say anything :innocent

I agree with you; though I never liked the sound of it in the first place. The full song is better than just the preview, but all in all it's nothing special. It's kind of boring actually. I was hoping for more. "Will" seems a little more promising.

I like it lots. What I like the most though is she did away with the song structure that she has been using on almost all of her songs recently.

I sort of agree with you, actually. There are some songs you just listen to and fall in love with and want to listen to 100 million times. Eventually you get sick of them a little of course, but you still love them and won't mind listening to them when it pops up on your playlist. Heaven, though... eh. If you want a good new ballad, listen to Koda Kumi's new song "Promise"! Now there's a song I could listen to 100 times but I want to buy the single before I get sick of it ;-)

Sad to see you don't like it. That's really too bad I guess.I've been listening to it none-stop since this morning and I'm still loving it. I think it's brilliant song. It's her best work since the "RAINBOW" album in my opinion. Except for "RAINBOW".


Agreed.

I just lov ethis song. This mp3 lacks the "break" that usually comes towards the end of every song before the chorus is repeated again. SO perhaps it's not the single version. Nontheless.
This song is one of her best ballads ever. I think I'm hearing a new "Dearest". .... :thud

I love it so much.

OMG... At last... The moment I have been waiting for... *seriously faints and cries at the same time*

Anyway... I have to say that this is truly a marvelous song... In my opinion anyway. I LOVE everything about it. I love how the instrumentals have a "pop-ish" feel, yet Ayu's voice is very gentle and soft and clear, especially in the beginning and the very end. The beginning "intro" is truly amazing and beautiful. I love the different "sounds" she makes (lalalala) it just sounds so smooth and beautiful.

The transition into the familiar preview segment was a bit unexpected however >_> There were some strange sound effects which I believe were part of the PV so no need to worry about that.

Overall really great. I think my favorite part was the "intro" (don't know the word for it). And also..

I definitely agree with that^ I like this song because it's unique.

i LOVE the arrangement. Its really cool how there are so many parts until the chorus. There IS, indeed, buildup the the chorus, the whole two minutes before the chorus. It'll sound even better when the 320kbs version comes out :).

There's nothing wrong with bates decision to make a new thread. This is the song Ayu fans have been waiting for all year, it's a big deal. For a song to be hyped-up so much, and for someone to be disappointed by it, is a really bad feeling. Trust me.

"The Japanese My Heart Will Go On".. Are you kidding me?

I dunno what to think of the song yet. It's odd.. It's normal, yet hyped massively by the media for the last few months. But if you dont like heaven, there's Will xD and remixes, so.. who cares

The bridge somehow reminds me a bit of theme of a-nation. I think there are some traditional japanese instruments in here.

The song is nothing remarkably spectacular but I can still see myself listening to this song many times. The one thing I'm really happy to point out though is that it seems Ayu has gotten rid of the 'chorus, verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, chorus, chorus' structure. Woohoo finally.

i was actually quite pleased. i was not impressed/excited with the preview.


the entire sogn was actually a lot nicer. i especially liked it up until the 2:25 mark when the commercial part starts. the preview parts are probably my least favorites. imo, the part between the "lalala"s and the actual chrous should have been the entire chorus. and H/\L's beats are obvious here, the background sounds like a longer version of "kaleidoscope" lol.

the composition kind of fits in with the duty album, with only one full verse. it's kind of similar to FAR AWAY actually..now that i listen to it more.

Perfectly worded. I agree wholeheartedly with your opinion. If it was longer it would be too repetitive and stretched.

^^ Yeah, you are right.

Usually, Ayu sings the chorus 5 times in a song! x____x

Well, to be quite honest...I was a lot more impressed than I thought I would be. So far I'd been "meh" towards all of the previews, but I was pleasantly surprised by this song. It's very nice. I do indeed LOVE the instrumentation towards the middle, with the traditional elements. Is this a good song? Yes. Is it my favorite Ayu ballad ever? No, that goes to M and No way to say...but it's very nice nonetheless.

I loved it so much i'm listening to it non-stop and i don't see it being off my playlist until i get bored of it which should be NEXT month but seriously, this is the best single out for me this year. It can even beat BE MY LAST.

I hope this can be another "hitomi wo tojite" (ken hirai)for 2005 in terms of sales and sound.

:luv2 I LOVE IT SOOO MUCH! Maybe this will be my favorite song of all time :yes

And it is up there there with Dearest! I think that song was a HIT! I mean smack in the face! lol GO! CREA & DAI!
I LOVE THIS SONG! I like how it's starts off all slow and then it speeds up a little and then finishes with a nice ending! This song is great! ^_^

^^ It DOES remind me of Hitomi wo Tojite!!! I think it's GREAT!

i totally love this song, its very soothing, hopefully the single can sell alot

The song is INCREDIBLY beautiful...The quiet in the beginning really helps lead to the splendidly sung chorus. Very very nice. I LOVE IT! It's gonna be a hit. :]

WOW.. I was blown away by the song.... Cold shivers exactly.. Hearing the preview, I thought it would be something like a SEASONS + FAIRYLAND, but now I realize this is wayyyyy beautiful.. I already listened to it twice and now I'm deleting it, I'm gonna make sure I dont get sick of it and I buy it this time!!! Its like a new SEASONS and M!! I dont know if anyone noticed but every year Ayu releases a SUPER-BALLAD!

2005-HEAVEN
2004-CAROLS and MOMENTS (if thats a ballad..)
2003-FORGIVENESS
2002-VOYAGE and HANABI
2001-DEAREST
2000-M
1999-LOVE~DESTINY
1998-TRUST

wonderful! i love everything about it! it starts out smoothly and leads to the chorus. and i definitely love the traditional instruments.

this may be one of my favorite ayu ballads.