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#41
12th April 2014, 09:47 PM
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Her last album was a flop. The imagery wasn't all there and the production when compared to her past.
While Love Again has some of the most BEAUTIFUL arrangements, Love Songs had electronic influences and other things in it while Love Again had glasses. The single covers were bland (yet lovely) and the music videos were not that appealing except when Ayu gets pushed out of the car. It's kind of like the album was TOO cohesive lol kind of like an ADELE album, it all sort of blends together and gets dull after a while. 
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#42
12th April 2014, 11:18 PM
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With the merchandise issue, it's not something that's unique to Ayu . It's really just Japan and their overinflated media prices. (anime box sets are 40,000-50,000yen, CDs of albums are 3000yen on average, DVDs/BDs/video games are 6000-8000yen, etc.) Korea tends to have things at much more reasonable prices with strange packaging and lots of bonuses because otherwise they may not be able to get consumers to purchase things there. I always hear they have issues selling physical versions overall even for popular acts over there despite the low prices.
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#43
12th April 2014, 11:35 PM
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 someone losing interest doesn't mean it's not a fan anymore, otherwise, he/she wouldn't even bother to post....For me, it began with Progress ... then all that went after, the lame image, the "I'm not even trying/don't care" attitude, the lazyness, the leeches around her... Before, she gave me the image of someone strong, who cared, and was giving her best, now I just feel lazyness from her! People always blame the staff for this but you really think she is a victim in all of this?! -Releasing maxi single as mini album, then pack everything and call it an album. -Classical album, hey let's ask someone to draw the cover of one the mini album, relation between the two? Who knows... -Tour logo? Lets' steal someone else's work then say it was "inspired" by a fan when people got the fraud... though this, she could perfectly ignore it, even now, but it shows the little respect of her staff to her.... -Her last, using a picture from a magazine shoot as live cover .... she didn't even try and shoot something just for this cover (if she didn't wish for live picture), no... hey guys let's just slap on of the pic and that's it *leaves to paint my nails* I won't swallow the fact she is a victim in all of this! Ayumi, with her status, is a victim of an evil staff? ... But the main thing that drive me crazy is her voice (and the garbages she released lately). There was already something in LS, but it was still ok, PQ, some were listenable but something was off and now I don't even want to think about, I can't listen the majority of LA just because of her vocals on it. I do not understand why she want to sing with her high pitch, screechy, ear bleeding vocals, when obviously, she can't anymore, and have to push/force her voice and then destroy it, force it more, destroy it more. That era is over, period! Her coach isn't able to tell her?! But since how her voice is now I think she should just fire her coach... but yeah she loves to build her little family and be all so nice with them even when they stab her in the back  ... hope she learnt her lesson with Kee... speaking of him, what a waste to have worked with him, most of his work with her was awful!I don't care if she tries something new as I don't care if she doesn't, I just want she works, care, does her very best and stop to be so childish at 35 years old, the corny love story lyrics, PV/peach color pics and everything make me sick! We all know what she is capable of and ...seeing/hearing this? I also wonder why there is no poster anymore? No lottery anymore? That's funny how the end of that kinda coincide with the lost of interest from people.... I highly doubt they don't follow her, buy because of this but it helps to create a hype in a way. By the way, why to stop? Money? Just cut off the budget for bad/useless PVs and it will do the trick! Now, I've never cared about Jpop, and still don't care. Ayumi was the "little something" in my music library, but if she keeps her path of bad, lazy and botched work, I will just stop to care about her. Of course she has a life and don't have to dedicate it, only to music but before to release something she should ask herself : is this really the best I can do? Honestly, if she reply yes to this about her last works...
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#44
13th April 2014, 12:58 AM
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Then there's always the argument that "she's trying to have more fun with her career now at this point." What that translates to is she is taking things less seriously which translates to she doesn't care as much to make a polished and complete effort. It seems like more of a hobby for her now. Wonder if someone who wasn't a star went into their normal jobs and said "I'm going to take this job less seriously from now on" how their bosses and people would react... Last edited by Zeke.; 13th April 2014 at 01:02 AM.
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#45
13th April 2014, 02:05 AM
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 It's sad to see so many people frustrated with Ayu... But I completely understand where y'all coming from. Hopefully her new album changes your minds.*endlessly blasts Merry-go-round*
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#46
13th April 2014, 03:43 AM
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Ugh, I hate that I have loads of negative thing to say about her because I love this woman! But, she has continuously disappointed me and I'm guessing the cycle would never end. I feel like she has completely given up. She's not even faking nonchalance to seem cool... she simple does not care at all. I know that she has lost a lot of support after her series of scandals (which I won't even mention here). Instead, of proving everyone that she still got it, she started muddling along. I don't want to listen to recycled, rejected songs from another era or worst artist. It doesn't even have to be ~life-changing, genre-defining, revolutionary~ song. I just want something that grabs my attention and holds it. I hate that she's not even trying to regain some of the support she has lost. Like, get moving, girl, and do some actual fucking work to show people you're still here! She's also rotting in mediocrity because of all the yes-men around her. I wish someone would tell her: woman, are you seriously going to used that photo again?. Or, even: girl you crazy, that music video totally looks like it's been made by members of a high school film club with a $5 budget. What the hell, it's so obvious that you're on a decline. Don't just sit there and be content being on the bloody sidelines. Get to work!!! Or you'd lose everything you've ever worked for.
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#47
13th April 2014, 03:46 AM
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Last edited by tasking; 13th April 2014 at 03:49 AM.
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#48
13th April 2014, 03:50 AM
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I haven't really read the thread, and whatever.
I'll just repeat something a friend said to me a few years ago when we discussed a few reasons why Ayu is not as great today (in our opinion). Her music just doesn't resonate with us anymore. Probably because of her age and her values. But the biggest thing, in my own opinion, I don't feel like her production quality is there anymore. I get the reasons for this, and it's fine. I do my best not to complain about it, because there's no use. Her music doesn't really fit my styles anymore (not something I have a problem with), but I don't have as much musical respect for it either. I have A LOT respect for the fact that she's experimenting and trying new concepts, and I really admire how much she's grown as an *artist*, but at the end of the day, I don't care for how much she still hasn't grown as a musician, and how much she doesn't get some things, things you can't always teach people. I've actually been really disappointed with her in this way. And tbh, I have a real problem when it comes to her live performances, and the lack of creativity she has with her entire body of work. She either sings these new, weird, unique and unrelateable songs, or she rehashes the same tired, old thing. I know it's fairly obvious who I'm a fan of. I don't want to bring up comparisons and arguments that way. But when I have my favorite people, people who are deemed even less talented than Ayu, less respectable, less watchable, less EVERYTHING, coming out with stellar performances, new arrangements, and having a body of work that is consistent, or always growing, always giving out bonuses and gifts, finding new ways to connect with the fans... Ayu just kind of gets pushed aside. And it makes her seems so far away, so distant, and sometimes even, like she no longer cares. Maybe it's because she's in a different stage of her life. Maybe it's because to her she's DONE and DONE IT and now it's time for other things. Whatever. She seems contented, and that's what's important in life. There are plenty of other new (and old) artists in the world that fill my need for amazing music. I'm still interested in her in many ways. I admire the person she's grown into, even when she does stupid things or is oblivious, and as a big part of my life, I have a lot of love for her. If I passed by her on the street, I'd probably cry as I spoke to her. I'm still interested in what she produces, even if I never listen to it. ~~~ I see that true brought up a good point there about the market in Japan, and I do have to say, it is also one of the reasons I've lost interest in Jpop as a whole. I know it's not what this thread is about, but there are amazing artists in Japan that just, are not nurtured, not encouraged. They're so stuck in their traditional dark ages on so many things, it's really starting to show. They need to change their business models, change the way things work to keep up with the rest of the world. Not really something I see happening though.
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☆ bunnnniiiieeeesssss ☆ - The "New Artists You're Trying Out" Thread - Last edited by emi♡; 13th April 2014 at 03:55 AM.
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#49
13th April 2014, 04:57 AM
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#50
13th April 2014, 07:16 AM
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But yeah. It's sad. Sometimes, I feel like people's frustrations also come from misperceptions or assumptions about ayu that may or may not be correct. And it all depends on what a person wants too which gives people different frustrations. Also when people make comparisons to any aspect of her past, that's bound to end in disaster. She's clearly not some fresh 20 year old girl now. I kind of like how she's grown. Sometimes I want darker lyrics but honestly her old lyrics weren't always so dark anyway and then we had party queen. But she seems to be in an interesting place in life. People say she just doesn't care but that's a very bold assumption. Who knows what goes through this woman's mind. It's been so long. She is a human. She could've had mild mental health break downs at some point for all anyone knows. I don't know. I'm excited about where she's going now. I just hope it turns out well and that her voice will still be managed decently. I get sad when she can't sing well
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#51
13th April 2014, 12:11 PM
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I'm sorry for popping out here. As you can see, I've been lurking on this site for quite some time but too chickened out to post anything because your discussions often time seem so mature and complex and my english isn't the best, but I need to get this out there.
I don't think my reason has been mentioned here (pardon me if it has, I didn't scan through the whole thread) but one of the biggest reason of my fall out is because of the way she sing... Her vocalization (idk if that's the word) was more natural and smooth a couple years ago, now she sound like she's kinda forcing it out. Even nasally at times. She just sounded a lot cooler on her older era. HBYA could have been a really good song, I enjoy listening to the instrumental ver., but I don't like it as much when ayu sang in it. That aside, I feel like her voice and the backing track don't blend well? Like when you compare her recent songs with the older the quality dropped a lot.
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#52
13th April 2014, 12:40 PM
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 If this many people are losing interest for the same reason, then it's a very real possibility there's truth there.
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#53
13th April 2014, 01:11 PM
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Idk, maybe it's just me seeing people throw that phrase around without looking at the big picture. Not for ayu. But like, other things... Obviously I get the argument or assumption. It just isn't so concrete. Last edited by primavera♥; 13th April 2014 at 01:16 PM.
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#54
14th April 2014, 01:48 AM
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Well I think Ayu has always been hit or miss with her music, but some stuff she releases lately makes me cringe and go wtf (Feel the love and My way especially). Also a lot of her live performances have been just plain terrible lately. I prefer artists I can count on to be good live the majority of the time. I still keep watching her new lives out of habit but wind up regretting it. I'm probably going to give up with those soon. I still love her but haven't been as excited for anything new that comes out. Pray was awesome though, so I know she has it in her to be amazing, just wish it would be more often again.
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#55
14th April 2014, 05:45 AM
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What probably means she does care. Her fandom is filled with spoiled b. that trully believe they known her personally as they were having tea with her weekly.
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#56
14th April 2014, 06:15 AM
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Yeah I don't really believe that she doesn't care. I think she cares a lot, but I don't think it always comes off that way.
I don't think it's bad that her fans have expectations of her. I think it sucks that sometimes people have unreal or delusional expectations, but not all of them are always so. We can talk about the market and all of these things, but at the end of the day, people want things. That's something that leads people to be discontented when they don't get it. It happens with anything in life. That's when you move on, or take a bit of a back seat and be more careful with your opinions. But of course, some people never do. To be honest, one of the biggest disappointments in the Ayu fandom is how some of the fans treat each other. I'll never underestimate the value of the fans I've befriended who aren't assholes.
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☆ bunnnniiiieeeesssss ☆ - The "New Artists You're Trying Out" Thread -
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#57
14th April 2014, 10:58 AM
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I think the problem is that her persona from years ago was simply more likeable, that's the wrong word, interesting maybe?... but it wasn't her, we didn't really know anything. Now she can be herself and do what she wants, and she's... kind of boring. Champagne, sunshine, pools and millionaire friends are only interesting for a short while.
So much of Ayu's appeal is being able to relate. So, I guess, her life now kind of breaks the illusion in a way. It makes you realise how crafted everything has been all along.
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#58
14th April 2014, 11:50 AM
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2. Really? Do you seriously think you can't judge someone personally unless you, I don't know, grew up with her as an identical twin and therefore know every facet of her personality inside and out? Ayu has been out there for over 15 years now, there is PLENTY to judge her by without actually knowing her personally. It's not as if she's completely devoid of any personality whatsoever just because she happens to be a famous person. Make personal jabs at her fans and call them spoiled bitches all you want, but you are so judgmental it's almost painful. Actually, I'm just going to block you. You never seem to reply to anything except to stir up drama about how you apparently hate the fandom so much for not bowing at her feet 100% of the time.
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#59
14th April 2014, 01:18 PM
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#60
14th April 2014, 04:26 PM
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2. You can't know someone based on manufaturated pop music and staged interviews. Almost everything we "know" about Ayumi or any other public figure is based on whatever they want us to know and most of the time we have nothing but a calculated "glimpse of personalities" for the sake of a public image decided by a marketing team. 3. Be my guest. 
Last edited by Andrenekoi; 14th April 2014 at 04:30 PM.
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