[Official Message] "WINTER BALLAD SELECTION" 2014.11.26 Digital Release

[orangeakira]

Originally Posted by Ayu-me

I just listened to the song, and I do see what you're getting at but the whole feeling of Christmas and winter in the song doesn't save it in any way for me. My main problem with the song is the flatness of it all, and how Ayu sings it just sounds so... dispassionate and completely separated from the "Christmas spirit" that it seemingly wants to convey. It has potential to be a good Christmas song for me, but it falls way short and the positives are just too outweighed by the negatives.
But it's only one song, and I have a more or less positive opinion on all other Ayu songs released so far, so I can live with it. People who enjoy the song, can keep enjoying it and I'll just take my pick of all the other great Ayu songs I can listen to this Christmas (many of which appearing on this selection).

I don't really like it either. I mean, I think it's alright, I can listen to it if I'm listening to Rainbow, but I don't even have the song on my computer. It is kinda.. flat. I think it's a mixture of the composition and her singing. lol But it definitely should have been on this "winter ballad selection" album.

[microphone]

Any knowledge of whether or not the tracks are remastered?

[tokyoxjapanxfan]

I've always loved Close to you!

Her displacement is what intrigues me. It's not too...forced. Like she's thinking out loud as opposed to making this big statement. Like she's, staring off into the distance just saying her deepest thoughts out loud, just to be heard.

[Zeke.]

Originally Posted by tokyoxjapanxfan

I've always loved Close to you!

Her displacement is what intrigues me. It's not too...forced. Like she's thinking out loud as opposed to making this big statement. Like she's, staring off into the distance just saying her deepest thoughts out loud, just to be heard.

Exactly! It's more like a sweet narrative. It's definitely different than her more powerful and emotional types of deliverance, but that's also what makes it unique.

[kotora]

Basically this is

A WINTER BEST

[AyuGAME]

and suddenly A BEST entering the chart again on position 3

[tokyoxjapanxfan]

haha A BEST is number 3 and WINTER BALLAD SELECTION is #8. Pretty good.

(Recochoku)

[tsumekaze_]

lol the pattern is:

ayu releases something

everyone: "Oh it's good. NOW I REMEMBER THOSE OLD SONGS OF HER, LET'S DOWNLOAD A BEST"

Seriously you gotta love this. I know ayu didn't want to do the best back in the time but it was probably avex's smartest move in her career lool

[adantatu2]

Originally Posted by microphone

Any knowledge of whether or not the tracks are remastered?

Same question here.

[ayuinh.k?]

WINTER BALLAD COLLECTION is #2 on iTunes Japan J-Pop Chart and #7 on iTunes All Genre Chart

[tokyoxjapanxfan]

Was listening to the previews of the songs, and it seems like they're using the 99 greeting mix of appears?

Maybe it's just me, but the volume of her vocals on appears seems a bit higher (in volume) than the single version... I wonder if they are remastered?

[Pieces_of_SEVEN]

I'd love to know if they're remastered.

Such a lazy release though. I would have loved a physical release, remastered, maybe some new re-recordings ala A BALLADS, professional photo shoot, etc.

The track list is just so weird. Ugh.

[jbrat2219]

^ This release isn't worth all that honestly. I arranged these songs according to the tracklist and slapped on the cover and voila, same thing.

[orangeakira]

I don't care if they're remastered, itunes quality sucks.

[microphone]

orangeakira makes a good point. xD

Really wish this was a physical release with more tracks. momentum needs a re-master.

[yoshino]

^Agree with Pieces_of_SEVEN. The cover seems too simple. Seems like they're doing for the sake of releasing something. >_<

I'm glad that Over is in the list! But I think Close to you should be in it too. Lucky it's a digital release afterall. But it's still a lazy release! Not too happy at this point. lol.

[Andrenekoi]

I don't why I'm gonna post this, but okay:

It's not a release for fans, people. It's OBVIOUS we have all these tracks. But casual listeners maybe only have Days single and know JEWEL because it was played like hell at 2006, for example. This is the target public of this compilation.

[Tom Punks]

Originally Posted by Andrenekoi

I don't why I'm gonna post this, but okay:

It's not a release for fans, people. It's OBVIOUS we have all these tracks. But casual listeners maybe only have Days single and know JEWEL because it was played like hell at 2006, for example. This is the target public of this compilation.

++++++1

Plus it's a digital release. I see it as the equivalent of those iTunes Essentials releases some artists have.

[stickyrice]

Originally Posted by Andrenekoi

I don't why I'm gonna post this, but okay:

It's not a release for fans, people. It's OBVIOUS we have all these tracks. But casual listeners maybe only have Days single and know JEWEL because it was played like hell at 2006, for example. This is the target public of this compilation.

Well someone had to say it.

[Chibi-Chan]

Originally Posted by Andrenekoi

I don't why I'm gonna post this, but okay:

It's not a release for fans, people. It's OBVIOUS we have all these tracks. But casual listeners maybe only have Days single and know JEWEL because it was played like hell at 2006, for example. This is the target public of this compilation.

Thanks, I myself was to lazy to post something like that.