Okay, I finally finished listening. (:
I actually am one of the few who loves A Song for XX.
I love its innocence and simplicity. In my opinion, her best lyrics come from this album and LOVEppears, which is a big plus. I tend to listen to ASFXX when I'm sick because it makes me feel better.
That said, I find it pretty underrated, but I can definitely understand why people tend to dislike it. Its sound is really dated and her vocals can be headache inducing I guess. The album is also pretty lacking in variety, which is really as much of a bad thing as it is a good thing. I like that it's very cohesive, but it's definitely a "one sound" album so if you don't like that sound you obviously aren't gonna like the whole album. ):
It's also a really long album so it's hard to listen to in one go. :| I mean it has fifteen full songs plus Prologue. It could definitely do without some of the more forgettable songs, like Wishing, As if.., or from your letter.
Favorite tracks
- A Song for XX of course. This is pretty much THE Ayu song. It's such a classic.
- FRIEND II was originally a song I found very forgettable, but thanks to the remix on LOVEppears, I eventually grew to LOVE it.
- Depend on you is one of the catchier songs and it has one of the best PVs on the album as well.
- SIGNAL was my initial favorite after ASFXX when I was first getting into the Ayu. Her vocals are strained but I think it's a fun listen.
Least favorite tracks
- POWDER SNOW, although this is usually everyone's favorite or second favorite song on ASFXX, I can't really stand it. The lyrics are awesome, but the song itself is unpleasant imo. The arrangement doesn't work with it. It lacks oomph.
- Wishing is just one of those songs that I will always forget exists.
- For My Dear... I don't really like the melody or the vocals very much.
- Present, but maybe just because I never get far enough in the album to actually listen to it.
I think this album would be amazing if it had been re-recorded. But... not by modern Ayu. It'd be better re-recorded during a time when Ayu wouldn't have to struggle so much to reach the "higher" notes, so maybe around RAINBOW - MY STORY era.
So overall, I love the album and I think she's had worse. (: