Thoughts About Sparkle and Curtain Call Pv

[pchan1986]

i was actually surprised with SPARKLE. i love it. its new and something ayu would surprise all of her fans with. she looks great in the red suit.
Curtain Call is a nice pv, very simple. yet for some reason the song isnt attracting me. n i love her ballads. is it really this and Days that are the slow songs in the album? man....
Next Level pv is cute but driving ? c'mon i couldve directed it better lol i love the song tho, reminds me of momentum for some reason.

...i love all of her pvs

[darkcarousel]

Sparkle's concept is simple. The past and future of music. I it!

[~*Mabushii*~]

I didn't listen to either song before watching the PV's..
I find, that if I listen first sometimes I get too much set in my head what I THINK the PV "SHOULD BE" and my vision does not always mesh with Ayu's..

instead.. I waited to see her vision mixed with her song...

this is my take on watching each pv once, and thusly hearing the song only this once..

Curtain Call.. not sure about it.. the way she walked without her shoes with her feet pointing out... made me wonder why she was doing it.. it wasn't bad.. but I had to have the volume really low so maybe I just didn't get a good feel.

Sparkle, actually.. I thought 80's Ayu was cute, and a nice touch.. Sex Ayu?.. I could have used more backgrounds and something more interesting.. Something like GAME, About you... yanno?.. something that had more dark OOMPH! to it..
But it wasn't bad at all, I was too busy marvelling over how they got short little Ayu to look so tall and sexy! her hair line looks.. funky tho..
I like her with bangs if she's going to pull the sexy high ponytail.. I'm not a fan of foreheads

all in all, not too bad.. I will watch them both again when I can have the volume up and enjoy the songs to their full.

[ArchangelLegend]

The message of Sparkle is simple: 16:9 technology is sexier than 4:3 technology.

[mcluva420]

curtain call: quite boring. just her walking barefoot.. in a stage area.... just like next level with different setting..

sparkle: still not very amazing. i liked the scenes of her face in the laptop screen. i didnt like those body suits... the paint and sunglasses thing is soo lady gaga-like! she looks very nice in jet black hair (ponytail) the jetblack non ponytail style was not very nice, it reminded of this unattractive sketchers "poster" with a person with that same hairstyle Dx

[critter333294]

Originally Posted by mcluva420

sparkle: still not very amazing. i liked the scenes of her face in the laptop screen. i didnt like those body suits... the paint and sunglasses thing is soo lady gaga-like! she looks very nice in jet black hair (ponytail) the jetblack non ponytail style was not very nice, it reminded of this unattractive sketchers "poster" with a person with that same hairstyle Dx

That's exactly why I LOVED the sparkle PV. Those colors were amazing.....it was just hot, it made the song so much better for me!

Curtain call on the other hand was upsetting. The song was boring, and so was the video. I wasn't expecting another HEAVEN or Carols, but it'd could've been a lot better. It was especially bad because the preview made it sound really good!

Next Level was blah...cute simple Ayu song, cute simple Ayu video, nothing special, they really could have taken this song to the next level if they had given it a kickass PV.

[ihulk2]

Originally Posted by lfebaggins

When I see Sparkle I think of: alterna + ourselves + Startin

Thas a good thing because it was a terrific PV . Like others have said, its refreshing and unique. She looks super hot in the latex and looks like Kazuyoshi is improving (let's hope future ones don't suck too). He has Ayu doing weird facial expressions again but strangely the expressions worked in this PV; they are sexy and arousing when they work with the beat of this song. The cyborg dudes were kinda freaky but not nearly as freaky as the clowns from 1 LOVE/alterna or the dudes with Ayu faces in ourselves. I like the visuals of that gooey fluid thing whatever it was around 3:15. I was expecting some sort of "Windows Media Player Visualization" in this upbeat song so I liked that little part being there. I think this is the best PV of NEXT LEVEL. Its like the "alterna" of NEXT LEVEL.

Curtain Call was sorta boring but I also found Pride boring so PVs with her just walking the entire time doesn't seem to be my thing. But this PV gave me a good laugh when that white guy just goes up to Ayu and opens an umbrella for like 5 seconds . Curtain Call PV was alright, I can't dislike it because I dig the song. The song feels so powerful.

I guess I really can't complain about all 3 PVs because what I wished for came true.

The focus is back on Ayu, her singing and the songs.

No more gangbang vids like Rule, Days and big dance numbers like Fairyland. Well, the cameo in sparkle by the designer HAZMAT team was the exception.

All 3 vids are by no means perfect, but like someone here said before, I will gladly pay money any day to see Ayu and her band perform, the rest are just distractions.

Oh yeah, so's that Mustang convertible. Pairing that car of all cars with the horses was at best, stereotyping. Reminded me of the "Misfits", gorgeous Ayu may be, but she's a puddycat compared to Marilyn the man-eater.

[wannajoin_Team Ayu]

NEXT LEVEL/ Sparkle: added later

Curtain Call: I also thought ayu walked too fast when the CM is out, but she got to do that coz
- if the pv is made in one shot only, so the setting (piano, leave, rainfall, snow, etc) got to have certain distance to each other so that filming would be smoother and not be disturbed
- the song is only 3:45, if ayu wants to show all stuff, maybe the best way is walk faster

I also agreed her hands are over-acted. One point I found is that she was walking through all those stuff (almost) alone, even the stage/pianist, and the umbrella-man was showed up for only few seconds. Did ayu got something to tell us?

[haikudasai]

Uh. I just read a few comments regarding Sparkle and I do not understand...

Who the hell thinks this is what the 80s was? Absolutely wrong.

If anything this would be more like the 90s camera work. I'd hate to know what else any of you think the 80s was.

Also, this is not Lady Gaga style nor is this anything to do with 'mocking'. This is Ayumi doing Lord knows what.

[critter333294]

Originally Posted by haikudasai

Uh. I just read a few comments regarding Sparkle and I do not understand...

Who the hell thinks this is what the 80s was? Absolutely wrong.

If anything this would be more like the 90s camera work. I'd hate to know what else any of you think the 80s was.

Also, this is not Lady Gaga style nor is this anything to do with 'mocking'. This is Ayumi doing Lord knows what.

I think you missed the point. The PV isn't a representation of the 80's itself, but rather the aidoru (idol) style of singers on TV shows like Music Station, Heyx3 back in the 80's. If you watch videos from back then, they all had that same cutesy sort of style Ayumi has in this video. It's almost like an homage to that.

Also, if you look at Lady Gaga, Ayumi in those skintight uniforms....that is VERY Lady Gaga. Many of her outfits are made up of skintight vinyl, etc. And the shades Ayumi wears? (I'll see if I can find a screencap). Gaga has a unique pair of vintage sunglasses with all her outfits, so once again, that sort of thing is very much her. They may not have been trying to mimic Gaga, but it's a very similar concept.

[love in music]

Originally Posted by critter333294

I think you missed the point. The PV isn't a representation of the 80's itself, but rather the aidoru (idol) style of singers on TV shows like Music Station, Heyx3 back in the 80's. If you watch videos from back then, they all had that same cutesy sort of style Ayumi has in this video. It's almost like an homage to that.

Also, if you look at Lady Gaga, Ayumi in those skintight uniforms....that is VERY Lady Gaga. Many of her outfits are made up of skintight vinyl, etc. And the shades Ayumi wears? (I'll see if I can find a screencap). Gaga has a unique pair of vintage sunglasses with all her outfits, so once again, that sort of thing is very much her. They may not have been trying to mimic Gaga, but it's a very similar concept.

also i noticed copies of the EXACT same moves that Lady GaGa does in her videos. it's so obvious

[SunshineSlayer]

Originally Posted by haikudasai

Uh. I just read a few comments regarding Sparkle and I do not understand...

Who the hell thinks this is what the 80s was? Absolutely wrong.

If anything this would be more like the 90s camera work. I'd hate to know what else any of you think the 80s was.

Also, this is not Lady Gaga style nor is this anything to do with 'mocking'. This is Ayumi doing Lord knows what.

The part at the beginning is definitely representing the early 80s/late 70s of Japan. However the rest of the video is not 80s at all, so I don't get that comparison. It seems a lot of people here weren't even born in the 80s yet. And I'm just barely old enough to remember it myself.

And I actually don't like the Lady Gaga comparisons. I actually saw Lady Gaga once live. (she was an opening act) I wasn't impressed at all. No offense meant to her fans, but I thought the music was average at best, she looked ridiculous, the lyrics were childish, and she lip synced most of the time.(or at least had a very loud backing track, which when its that loud you may as well be lip syncing) Aside from having a kind of weird image/presentation, I don't see anything that's special about her. I think its kind of an insult to compare Ayu to her actually....It's not like Lady Gaga is the first person to ever wear sunglasses or latex suits...

[Evolution7/4]

^When im saying shes refrencing the 80's i mean the idol part at the beginning. i don't think anyone meant the whole video, well maybe some, don't know.

It's not like Lady Gaga is the first person to ever wear sunglasses or latex suits...

ok. honestly? Lady gaga is the only person currently who wears THOSE kinds of sunglasses. Lady gaga is huge right now, and I'm sure Ayu was somehow either impressed or at least wanted to experiment with that style. I doubt Ayu got those glasses ideas from anyone else. just like Britney's Toxic or Missy Elliot's Get Your freak On inspired Ayu's Startin, I am sure Lady Gaga has inspired Ayu for the video. And like I said, it may be tongue and cheek inspiration, like she won't make another one like this, once again like startin. She experimented and wanted to show just how different things are nowadays.

[panda87]

stop comparing ayu with others. whats wrong with her spreading the trend that lady gaga might have started? i think Ayu is just experimenting. my gaaaawd its not like we all have to put a copyright on all our moves and fashion sense do we? like ALL OF US are original in our fashion sense and character. my ***.

SPARKLE was something new and i really enjoyed it! my jaw was open the whole time b/c, dangit, she was so hot in that video. i swear, i'd go completely lesbo for her. i think it was wicked crazy awesome!

CURTAIN CALL was ok. i hate those one shot videos. its so boring. plus, i hate videos where there's only one outfit. i like outfit changes. it was a beautiful video though... the song and the video is something new she hasn't done (or in awhile, can't remember anything like it besides "appears"). but the song is so darn simple and "uuuhh . . . " that the video seems to justify it well

[Andrenekoi]

Originally Posted by Evolution7/4

^When im saying shes refrencing the 80's i mean the idol part at the beginning. i don't think anyone meant the whole video, well maybe some, don't know.

ok. honestly? Lady gaga is the only person currently who wears THOSE kinds of sunglasses. Lady gaga is huge right now, and I'm sure Ayu was somehow either impressed or at least wanted to experiment with that style. I doubt Ayu got those glasses ideas from anyone else. just like Britney's Toxic or Missy Elliot's Get Your freak On inspired Ayu's Startin, I am sure Lady Gaga has inspired Ayu for the video. And like I said, it may be tongue and cheek inspiration, like she won't make another one like this, once again like startin. She experimented and wanted to show just how different things are nowadays.

Sorry but, agree with Sunshine Slayer... Lady Gaga isn't doing or using anything new, and what Ayu used on Sparkle pv isn't new too... They are using the same references, but not in the same way (by the way, not only then are doing this, lots of pop artists are using this freaky 80s style Gaga is using right now, the diference is that Gaga is using it a little more raw...)

[Evolution7/4]

^Ok. What i was trying to say is that Ayu most liekly got that style from Lady Gaga. IE she may ahve seen a Lady gaga PV and thought hey I like those sunglasses or shes bold and decided to experiment with it. Im not saying Gaga's the first or that Ayu's copying off her but seriously where else would Ayu see THOSE sunglasses other than on the cover of Lady Gaga's CD. And I don't know about you but the Sparkle Pv is def the "raw" Gaga style you are talking about. Did you catch that humping on the leg bit?
And even if she didn't, the point is Ayu is saying the idols were like that in the 80's but this is now. i think people have been comparing it to ladyGaga because she is the most well known and current artist using that style.
And just to clear up, i'm not saying shes stealing Gaga's style at all, just referencing it. i'm totally fine with artists doing the same thing.

[Andrenekoi]

/\ And I'm saying that they most likely are using the same references in diferent ways... The 80s are a little hyped right now and there are a lot of artists using this kind of stuff...

[Evolution7/4]

^Gaga really isn't 80's. The only part in the PV thats 80's is the idol opening.

[Andrenekoi]

gaga is 80s and 70s...

[LittleDebbie]

Originally Posted by Evolution7/4

...but seriously where else would Ayu see THOSE sunglasses other than on the cover of Lady Gaga's CD.

Ummm... I'm afraid that is not a very unique style... futuristic high fashion photoshoots have been using them for a while. And everyone knows Ayu pays attention to high fashion, lol.

As far as the sunglasses, I think that while they're associated w/Lady Gaga, Gaga's just taking them from what's been in high fashion for several years now. It looks cool, but it's not a particularly original fashion statement anymore, I've seen it a lot of times (just not on celebrities).

Lady Gaga is following a trend that has been in the making for years.... that's why people are saying Christina Aguilera is copying her and visa versa. Neither are copying each other. It's just that they both have a brain and can figure out where pop art is headed. Gaga constantly says her inspiration is from Madonna and David Bowie etc (as in a lot of stuff from the 80s). She's totally inspired from 80s and 70s but making it fresh... which is awesome and exactly what we need.

I think rather than Ayu saying 'Oh I should get on the bandwagon' it's more she saw an opportunity for a sexy PV like that and Gaga is the first one who comes to mind to people. I think the latex suit is much closer to Britney's a few years back than Gaga's. (Not to mention all of Gaga's outfits are leotards, I've never seen her in a full body one)

--------------------------------------
Anyway, back on topic...

Originally Posted by SunshineSlayer

Overall though, my prevailing feeling after watching these 3 PVs is - are we ever going to get a truly amazing PV from Ayu again?

Definitely agree.
Or at least one with an actual plotline? Rainbow/alterna anyone?

thoughts on SPARKLE:
Sparkle was a really cool concept, I loved the idol intro, sci fi, sunglasses, red eyes, long hair and latex. It was sooo cool. (However, I thought the stripper shoes were a liiittle too kinky)
I really like the idea of either concept... 1) that on the outside she's cute Ayu, but inside she's really fierce and sexy 2) In the 80's the trend was to be cute and squeaky clean, and now the it's in-your-face sex

Ayu looks amazing... so powerful.

Technically however...

Spoiler:

it's total s**t.

A better transition from the idol to latex ayu would have been way better. Like maybe going into her head, something?? With this kind of PV, some kind of special effects besides blurring would have been called for.

It's frustrating because it just feels like you're watching a reel of photos or something. MW and Green didn't need all the much editing, but this... is just sloppy.

I wish they would have edited it with the sound a little better. PVs like Because of You really stick to the energy of the song, with really well thought out editing. Sparkle's such a beat driven song, I was disappointed the video barely stuck to the music at all.
3:43, 3:56-4:12 was my favorite part in the song and the energy is just unbeleivable, but the video was totally disappointing. There was almost no editing to the beat of the music, just random cuts. Something like a strobe effect would have been really nice.

Some PV's like Ourselves, Because of You, momentum totally changed how I felt about the song. (especially ourselves... It totally changed the image of the song for me) I was really really looking forward to this PV but now I actually prefer to listen to the song w/o the PV... which is really rare for me. Watching it doesn't make me want to dance or hype me up like it should.
I had envisioned something like a really cool club scene or something, but it's pretty cliche so wasn't hoping for it, but this... is not what I was hoping for.

Also a couple kanariya references but not as well done... the laptop looks really sloppily placed... the lighting doesn't match the scene at all. I don't really understand, it's not like they didn't have the time to finetune it...

Overall I liked it, but that song just begs for an unbeleivable video, so i was underwhelmed.
I agree w/taskinillusion... it could have been way better.

On 3:33 her expression is soooo cool. She looks so powerful and catlike. For me, I'm not sure why but when Ayu's sexy it comes off as empowerment, but when some other popstars (western & asian) act super sexy it just seems... like they're trying to sell sex.


thoughts on CURTAIN CALL:
It seemed set up a lot like Heaven (which I loved). Starts slow and just keeps panning back in one long take. I loved the changing scenes, it was really beautiful. It was slow but still interesting and perfect for the song imo. And I thought the barefoot was a perfect touch.
With the walking being too fast, they usually slow down the camera speed and speed up the music. Watch the making of Rammstein's Amerika/Sonne... you'd think they would have been able to do that here. Maybe they just didn't have enough time to think it through.


NEXT LEVEL PV... Ooh driving... *falls asleep*