Best and worst harmonization~

Chibi_Venus · #1 16th July 2008, 08:24 PM

In all of Ayumi's songs, we have the main vocal and then a backup vocal to create harmony.

Have you ever come across a song where you really loved the harmonization? How about where you didn't like it at all?

Post your thoughts and opinions here.

In my opinion, I think "RAINBOW" has the worst hamonization. I can easily pick out Ayu's vocal and the backup vocal in every single spot. Harmony, in my opinion, should blend smoothly, with the main vocal being easier to hear.

I haven't really thought about it much for a best harmonization. I really enjoy "HEAVEN" and "(miss)understood."

maikaru · #2 16th July 2008, 08:49 PM

I thought usually it's just ayumi singing that harmony track...
Like she doesn't use back up singers most of the time in studio track.
Am I wrong ???
It always sounds like her in instrumental track... :S

But you're right.. sometimes you could clearly hear them...
In rainbow..
Ahaha also in Daybreak

Chibi_Venus · #3 16th July 2008, 08:52 PM

^ Her backup singer is usually Junko Hirotari, but sometimes Ayu herself provides the backup vocals. (It seems that she did a lot in MY STORY, but I'm sure she's done more.) She's also had more than Hirotari, but I think Hirotari is used most.

Coelacanth · #4 16th July 2008, 09:23 PM

Great thread!

For best harmonization, I'm going to say that Life wins. The harmonization gives the chorus more power and pizzaz, but still retains the laid back feeling of the song. With Life, the backup vocals exude just as much emotion as the leading vocals. She's singing like she's deeply reflecting on her life. I love it.

Other good ones - appears, BLUE BIRD, glitter (very smooth!), CAROLS.

Bad ones.. I'm not sure if it's because of the harmonization, but the songs with grating choruses like is this LOVE?, July 1st, and Because of You are pretty whack. The lalala's in Moments are just simply unpleasant. I also agree with RAINBOW, even though it's one of my favorite songs ever.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot I am... the backup vocals are scary as hell.

maikaru · #5 16th July 2008, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chibi_Venus

^ Her backup singer is usually Junko Hirotari, but sometimes Ayu herself provides the backup vocals. (It seems that she did a lot in MY STORY, but I'm sure she's done more.) She's also had more than Hirotari, but I think Hirotari is used most.

ohh I thought because Ayumi did lots herself that's why sometimes the backup vocals sound sooo annoying...

maybe she should replace her with Peco and Princess... I think they sound better.. to add bass and full to her voice in recording...

I did look up some credits on Guilty album... yeah she's there..
I really didn't know there was backup singer in untitled song..
So surprising!!!

chibi_sunny · #6 16th July 2008, 11:31 PM

Very nice thread, I like it!

Best harmonization:
Heaven: Sounds heavenly!
Seasons: the vocals make the song sound very ethereal.
Rainy day: same as seasons.
Fly High: the background voices really blend in with the fast-paced parts of the song.
Voyage: even though the vocals are in english, again, they blend in very beautifully to bring in a mystical quality.

Worst harmonization:
We wish: I definitely would have liked that song a whole lot better if there wasn't the annoying "weee wiiish" in the background...it really stands out.
Unite!:the lyrics are very beautiful and universal, but the vocals during the chorus are just----aaah!!
vogue: same as Unite!

I don't mind the screechy voices in Ayu's angsty songs like Because of You or 1Love...rather they just add to the overrall feel of the songs.

*Petit* · #7 16th July 2008, 11:42 PM

I thought ayu did most of her harmonies herself untill "lately" (meaning last four albums I guess.. )

Seiko Yua · #8 16th July 2008, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maikaru

I thought usually it's just ayumi singing that harmony track...
Like she doesn't use back up singers most of the time in studio track.
Am I wrong ???
It always sounds like her in instrumental track... :S

But you're right.. sometimes you could clearly hear them...
In rainbow..
Ahaha also in Daybreak

ah! i knew it! i thought the back-ups sounded familiar lol XD i thought i was going crazy when listening to karaoke tracks.

for best harmony, i'd say forgiveness is pretty up there. Voyage is definately done VERY well. and pretty much the ones that give ayu some oomph like HEAVEN.

for worst... i would say criminal.

CHE.R.RY · #9 17th July 2008, 02:08 AM

I thought that SEASONS had nice harmonization in the chorus part. When it comes to the worst, I guess I'd have to say for my dear was kind of awful.

maikaru · #10 17th July 2008, 02:46 AM

oh I forgot to mention Honey...
The harmony makes it seem like some high pitched girl or something...

Kikaru · #11 17th July 2008, 05:46 AM

Seasons was great. I also thought Life was pretty good, and Heaven was amazing. I actually really liked the chorus in Pride.

The english "we wiiiish" in the background is pretty annoying. And also the "every where nowhere" in that song. Rainbow is good as an overall song, but the harmony was just...weird.

Melrose · #12 18th July 2008, 02:12 AM

Best: Close to you. Amazing backing vocals.

Also the usual songs like HEAVEN and SEASONS. Not Voyage because I can't make out the backing vocals for ****. XD

Worst: INSPIRE and July 1st. The vocals ruin the songs for me... GOD those vocals. @_@

#13 18th July 2008, 03:56 PM

Best:Endless sorrow
Worst: Daybreak

wenren93 · #14 18th July 2008, 05:30 PM

IMO, Best : Moments ( well, i dono why i pick Moments.. but i just simply love the harmony .. hmm o__0 )
Worst : Unite! (man.. the harmony.. sounds terrible ;X )