My review:
Microphone - This is my jam! It has the classic Ayu-rock sound we've gotten so used to in the latter half of her career. The guitars are pretty heavy this time around. her rock songs really are starting to get less "poseur" (for lack of a better word) I think fans of rock music would be impressed. I'm disappointed they didn't make more use of the pipe organ, though.
A
count down - My favorite song on the album. Her best song in years, I think. Honestly, this is the kind of rock song I've been wanting to hear from her for a long time. I love how gritty the arrangement is. There's something about the chorus that just hits that emotional G-spot, man... The lyrics as well, make the song all the more special. Vocal performance is so raw, flawless.
A+
Sunset ~LOVE is ALL~ - I was never too fond of the song as a ballad. If Sunrise did not exist, I might really like the song. Her vocals are quite shaky here... Perhaps that is my biggest beef with the song. Nonetheless, the arrangement is beautiful. Still think it should have been left off the album.
C
BALLAD - It'd be really sweet if they combined the oriental feeling with a kind of trip-hop arrangement like in HANABI & HAPPY ENDING. It's an enjoyable song, but a little flat at times. Low replay value. DAI stock song.
B
Last Links - AN AYU SONG WITH A PROMINENT ACOUSTIC GUITAR? Uh finally, dude. I adore how the song flows so well. It's short and to the point. The chorus melody is a little unsatisfying, but still awesome.
B+
Don't look back - It's dark and spooky without really trying too hard. That's what I love about it. There's a strange intensity to it. The melody, arrangement, vocals... it's intense.
A-
Lady Dynamite - Still reminds me of B'z. Song gots some major attitude. the part right before the chorus is badass. If it wasn't for the atrocious music video, I might like it some more.
A-
Sexy little things - I don't know, I really like it.. but then I don't. The replay value probably won't be too high, but I respect the creative process this song must have went through. Love the ending.
B
Sunrise ~LOVE is ALL~ - Great song. So much fun to sing along to.
A-
meaning of Love - Yeah, it's a different kind of Ayu-ballad... It sounds more like stereotypical J-pop, but it totally works. I love the part from the instrumental bridge onwards.
B+
You were... - Grew on me a lot since its release.
A-
RED LINE ~for TA~ [album version] - Love the updated drums/acapella ending. So happy she didn't change it
too much.
A+
Instrumentals don't help nor hurt the album. They're just there, I guess.
I don't think my initial impressions have ever been this positive. I usually feel a little underwhelmed, but this time around I can sense the effort and I think it paid off. This makes me even more excited for her future music.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GRACE
04. Sunset ~LOVE is ALL~
This song is probably my least favorite Ayu song ever.0/10
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I must agree. My C grade was a little too lenient. It's listenable, but a complete waste of 5 minutes.