[SunshineSlayer]

I don't see why rock songs that are pop influenced are not really considered rock.(Ayu has several of these kinds of songs, most have been listed here) If that is the case, then the Beatles were never a rock band. U2 is not a rock band. Queen was never a rock band because their musical influence jumped all over the map. Electric Light Orchestra then isn't a rock band because they are heavily synth influenced. Any Aerosmith or GNR songs that were big radio hits are more pop songs than rock songs etc. etc.

If you think that only the most guitar crunching and loudest songs should be considered rock, then you have a very narrow definition of the genre.(and maybe mine is wider^_^) There are exceptions to every rule and Ayumi's music is definitely one of those.