Your Love Songs reviews!!!

[waterballoon]

up to this date, I'm still pissed that great songs like do it again, November & Like a doll didn't exactly have any climax & that's just so lacking it reli angers me...

and I HATE how in November, after the music all dies down and goes downward when the 1st chorus comes in. it's like the part before it was like building up to SOMETHING and then it died down to a quiet chorus like.. wtf??

[brener]

Originally Posted by all.night.raver

I fell in love with it when I noticed how amazing the composition and strings are. I just love that. Reading the lyrics really helps but also... I had done something to enhance the sound of the music so I really fell in love with it because I listened to it then.

that's what I feel for sending mail when I listen to it, and the lyrics help me also like it more, and the fact that I feel conected to the song...

well, i'll receive my album tomorrow, so i'll take a better listen with my headphones and maybe i'll start liking it more (i hope)

Originally Posted by waterballoon

up to this date, I'm still pissed that great songs like do it again, November & Like a doll didn't exactly have any climax & that's just so lacking it reli angers me...

and I HATE how in November, after the music all dies down and goes downward when the 1st chorus comes in. it's like the part before it was like building up to SOMETHING and then it died down to a quiet chorus like.. wtf??

yeah... for me 'do it again' and 'Like a doll' really have something missing :S

[Zeke.]

Originally Posted by waterballoon

up to this date, I'm still pissed that great songs like do it again, November & Like a doll didn't exactly have any climax & that's just so lacking it reli angers me...

and I HATE how in November, after the music all dies down and goes downward when the 1st chorus comes in. it's like the part before it was like building up to SOMETHING and then it died down to a quiet chorus like.. wtf??

I know exactly what you mean. I felt the exact same way but now I have learned to take the songs as they are and I love them.

[brener]

Originally Posted by all.night.raver

I know exactly what you mean. I felt the exact same way but now I have learned to take the songs as they are and I love them.

that's what I need to do... :~ I hate when I don't like ayu songs ://

[Zeke.]

Yeah I just really kept my expectations for this album under hardcore wraps so my disappointment was very minimal.

[emi♡]

I want to do the stars! These days, to keep myself from disappointment, I take every song for how it's supposed to be, and for the feeling ayu was trying to convey.

I cant compare it to her older music, or anyone else's music, or else it would just suck all the time, as music, anyway lol As expression...it's great lol
☆☆

01. Love Song ☆☆☆☆☆
02. crossroad ☆☆☆☆☆
03. MOON ☆☆☆
04. sending mail ☆☆☆☆
05. Last Angel ☆☆☆☆☆
06. insomnia ☆☆☆
07. Like a doll ☆☆☆☆☆
08. aria ☆☆☆☆
09. blossom ☆☆☆☆
10. Thank U ☆☆☆
11. Sweet Season ☆☆☆
12. overture ☆☆☆☆
13. do it again ☆☆☆☆☆
14. November ☆☆☆☆☆
15. Virgin Road ☆☆☆☆
16. SEVEN DAYS WAR ☆☆☆

[brener]

Originally Posted by all.night.raver

Yeah I just really kept my expectations for this album under hardcore wraps so my disappointment was very minimal.

guess i was waiting to much from this album... :~

[love in music]

Originally Posted by waterballoon

up to this date, I'm still pissed that great songs like do it again, November & Like a doll didn't exactly have any climax & that's just so lacking it reli angers me...

and I HATE how in November, after the music all dies down and goes downward when the 1st chorus comes in. it's like the part before it was like building up to SOMETHING and then it died down to a quiet chorus like.. wtf??

I actually feel the opposite. I think there's actually a lot of stuff going on in the songs and that nothing is really missing. I was overwhelmed while first listening to them because I didn't really expect so much from the arrangements. like for example 3:20-3:46 in do it again was really unexpected to me and is just epic.

Originally Posted by jbrat2219

You know, I believe every Ayu album has something about it that makes it stand out from the rest, whether it be the theme, lyrics, PVs, experimentation, mood etc. I think what makes Love songs stand out so much to me and make it an instant favorite are the arrangements. I'm all about instrumentation and the way they used instruments and synths and beats in this album really stood out to me. Even the least liked song, Thank U, has an AMAZING arrangement.

And in November when that random flute was thrown in during the climax, my heart stopped! Do it again, although super repetitive lyrics-wise, is anything but music wise. It's almost as if they had multiple ideas for how the music should be for each part and instead of just picking one and repeating and repeating they made the chorus, verses, bridges all sound musically different almost each time. Don't get me started on crossroad, which has a heavenly arrangement sent from above in my opinion.

I just can't get over how well done all of the arrangements for all of the tracks were for this album. None of the songs have a "typical" Ayu arrangement (except for MOON and maaaaaaaaaybe blossom), each song (even interludes) has something about it that stands out as a great song in general. It's hard for me to hate or dislike anything about these songs. I will admit, I don't listen to much music outside of a few artists (Asian or Western) so if anyone knows artists with breath-taking arrangements like these, please let me know. Because so far for me only Ayu, Gackt and alan are the only ones I know with the best musical arrangements in the business.

you totally typed out all of my thoughts again! amazing post. I couldn't agree with you more.

[truehappiness]

That's kind of an odd observation. Sure some of the songs have weird factors about them like not having blatant choruses, but other than that, they're all complete imo. It feels like they threw everything in the kitchen sink into these songs and made everything work despite having so many elements. The arrangements are just so lush and gorgeous that I wonder why the heck Yuta hasn't been making her arrangements like this since 2007.

[thatstacey]

Originally Posted by Picaflor 7/4

she should have nixed the rock n roll part. if it was just called "circus" I would have been fine with the title. the first part of the title makes you feel like you're going to get an album chock full of because of you, game, about you, microphone, talkin' 2 myself, rule, and taskinst. we only got 2 songs though (microphone, countdown).

But those aren't exactly "rock and roll" songs, either. I agree that "Rock'n'Roll" doesn't exactly fit the songs, and we'd probably also agree that a pop artist is as much about image as she is about music, right? Since we know she isn't going to sound like the Rolling Stones, John Lennon, or The Who, I think calling her album "Rock'n'Roll Circus" was done less to accurately describe the sound she was going for and more to evokes the (Japanese) image of British rock the participants in the original Rock and Roll Circus have come to represent. This is the album with a jacket and photobook plastered with the Union Jack, after all.

Originally Posted by jbrat2219

You know, I believe every Ayu album has something about it that makes it stand out from the rest, whether it be the theme, lyrics, PVs, experimentation, mood etc. I think what makes Love songs stand out so much to me and make it an instant favorite are the arrangements. I'm all about instrumentation and the way they used instruments and synths and beats in this album really stood out to me. Even the least liked song, Thank U, has an AMAZING arrangement.

And in November when that random flute was thrown in during the climax, my heart stopped! Do it again, although super repetitive lyrics-wise, is anything but music wise. It's almost as if they had multiple ideas for how the music should be for each part and instead of just picking one and repeating and repeating they made the chorus, verses, bridges all sound musically different almost each time. Don't get me started on crossroad, which has a heavenly arrangement sent from above in my opinion.

I just can't get over how well done all of the arrangements for all of the tracks were for this album. None of the songs have a "typical" Ayu arrangement (except for MOON and maaaaaaaaaybe blossom), each song (even interludes) has something about it that stands out as a great song in general. It's hard for me to hate or dislike anything about these songs. I will admit, I don't listen to much music outside of a few artists (Asian or Western) so if anyone knows artists with breath-taking arrangements like these, please let me know. Because so far for me only Ayu, Gackt and alan are the only ones I know with the best musical arrangements in the business.

QFT. I think the only arrangement I'm not in love with is "Last Angel," though I think that may have to do with me getting my single late after reading all of the praise for it.

[emi♡]

I think the arrangements are great for the songs, but I don't think any of them are out of the ordinary for her.

She's like the Queen of amazing arrangements, and she's had these types since forever.

Though she kinda stopped having arrangements like these in her past few albums...but idk...as someone who's favorite albums are LOVEppears, duty, I am, and RAINBOW...

...this album fits right in. Another reason why her older stuff is effing amazing...but don't want to get into that here now.


This post has absolutely no purpose though, other than to say, November owns lol cause it's the funniest little song.

And also to say that, I think, the arrangements are the best parts of this album, and that her vocals actually kind of ruin it a little bit ;P

Not really...well a little...lol whatever, this has potential to be freaking amazing live, and I really hope she's got power when performing the songs.

[TeddyGrahams]

^ I find that too! The vocals are definitely something that was ticking me off. These arrangements are really good thou, especially with the intros to every song.

The strange thing is that Crossroads/Blossom/Virgin Road/Sweet Season have relatively amazing vocals compared to the album tracks. D: What happened in LA?

[ayulove_18]

I've only listened to the album fully once but the way i feel about this album right now is that it's not my favorite one. It's the kind of album that i have to play all the way threw multiple times to really get a good feel of it. From what i've heard so far, a lot of the album tracks don't have a substantial, steady beat/rhythm/vocals to it that makes any of the songs "that song". When I play a new cd i try to sit alone in the dark, no distraction and listen carefully and get a feel of what kind of album it is,what the meaning is and what the artist is trying to convey. I don't really have one for this one yet. How she and alot of other artists release is with a few singles then make the album tracks around them and they seem to have different feeling to them than the singles do. Cause the single were made months apart and the album tracks all at the same time. The album doesn't really flow well for me. I just think ayu just doesn't give herself proper amount of time to create a album. It feels rushed and a little bit slapped together. She seems to give herself a set amount of time for the whole thing to be created. I think a album shouldn't have a release date until the artist/production/label feel that it if fully completed and ready to share. I'm not saying she gave us a half-ass album, i'm sure she believes she did well and that we would like it. i've got a really good feeling that once I find that groove/feel to it i'm sure i'll really like it, and my opinion about it will change. I'll take another "listening season" and see what happens. Out of all of the songs on this cd i love crossroad/sweet season/love long/do it again, the rest will take a bit of time.

[isthisLOL?]

Originally Posted by emiko

She's like the Queen of amazing arrangements, and she's had these types since forever.

There always was an idiot heavily doublevocaling her in the chorus(hello UNITE! and crossroad!!!) that totally destroyed the arrangements for me - unless performed live.
So in my opinion this album got her best arrangements(she had some like this before, but not a whole album through) and by far better mixes than before, part of that may be that American guy she used for some songs. Virgin Road for example just sounds incredibly beautiful.

[AyumiAi]

loved it as pure and simple as that all tracks were amazing i waited
till i got it to listen to any of the new songs and it was well worth it, amazing.
9.5/10

[gallowsCalibrator]

I'm too lazy to type out a whole review =u= So I'll just sum it up~

I just finished listening to it on the USB :3 It sounds awesome!! I love it! Love song has to be my favorite though, I just can't stop listening to it! It just sounds so different from any other song~ (IMO ) Overall, it's a great album, and I'm so glad I was able to get the big version :} (I like to call it the "big version" because it's just...big! I thought it wouldn't fit on my J-pop shelf but luckily I could slide it on top of my manga books ) I also watched the PV's on my laptop once I realized you could change the regions on it The PV's are not her best, but they are really interesting, and I like them a lot.
I think overall, the album is a 9/10

[tinka69]

1. Love Song - 8/10
Too...catchy...not to like.

2. Crossroad - 6/10
Crossroad is Crossroad. It's good but nothing amazingly special.

3. Moon - 4/10
Eh.

4. Sending Mail - 9/10
This song is ridiculous. The chorus is annoyingly repetitive, and very generic but the verses and bridges are just plain WOW.

5. Last Angel - 10/10
Ah, amazing.

6. Insomnia - 2/10
Out of place and just plain random.

7. Like a Doll - 5/10
Eh. The only part I like is when Ayu hits those high notes at the end of the chorus.

8. Aria - 8/10
When I listen to this interlude I feel like i'm at some kind of renaissance garden party.

9. Blossom - 3/10
Zzzz...

10. Thank U - 8/10
Hang on...this isn't an interlude.

11. Sweet Season - 7/10
Nothing special but it definitely has a mood that effects it's listeners.

12. Overture - 1/10
Um. No. Just no.

13. Do It Again - 10/10
I didn't see this one coming. Honestly. The previews do this track no justice. This is easily the best track on the album. Why the hell wasn't this song an A-side?!

14. November - 9/10
A very simple, memorable track. Ayu's vocals are fantastic and it's nice to hear that she can still hit those high notes.

15. Virgin Road - 10/10
This one sits among her best ballads. Anyone who doesn't think so...please die.

16. Seven Days War (Live) - 7/10
The live version does well to choke up it's audience. I find it hard to really like this song but its not bad.

Overall: 8/10

I gave extra points for flow and general consistency in arrangement. The album is weighed down by some below average tracks and pointless interlude but it is a very simple and enjoyable album and i honestly think some of the tracks on this album are among her best works.

(So much better than Rock N Roll Circus and Next Level, phew -__-).

[neuteka]

Love song-Nice way to start the album. It doesn't just slam into my face and intimidate me ( like B&D hello lol), but with the change in pace and addition of instruments, it just makes me want to listen for more. The lyrics fit so well with the arrangement of the song, and the verses and bridges are nice. Sad to say though, her voice can get slightly irritating at times, and the chorus gets a tiny bit bland after awhile, but over all, this song is great 9/10

Crossroad-I have had up and down with this song, but more like up and down from loving it with a passion to just really liking it, haha. I have always loved the composition, instruments, and her vocals in this song. It just flows so nicely. Every time I sing along with this song, I can just feel the passion with how she accentuates her voice, and my heart starts to beat a little faster. All in all, I just love this song 10/10

Moon- moon, moon. I used to think you were bland, but as time went on, I just knew you were special. Your beautiful opening, smooth verses, and passionate Chorus, it's really hard for me not to just feel that very passion as she sings this song. 9/10

Sending Mail- I was having mixed feelings about this song in the beginning, from loving it to eh, but after a few good listens, I really love and appreciate this song. The interesting arrangement and anime-esque feel, just gives it a charm that can't be beat. 9/10

Last Angel- I don't even know what to say about this song... well, the fact that it's probably stuck in my head all of the time might say something good about it. I love this song so much, I have loved it since my first listening. The way they blend techno and orchestra without it sounding forced, just sounds amazing. 10/10

insomnia- This sounds really cool, I love the weird voices,effects and the instruments that are going on. 4/5

Like a doll- I love how R&B this sounds, her voice is almost consistently nice as well. I like how her voices overlap, and do things in the song that I don't expect. It sounds beautiful and catchy at the same time, which is a difficult task in my book. 9.5/10

aria-Beautiful. Not particularly special, but they did a good job on it. 4/5

blossom An energetic song to get us back on our feet after a few mellow ones. Just listening to this song makes me feel happy and safe, and just evokes some weird emotion that borders nostalgia with security. While many people tend to think of it as just generic and unmemorable, I find it special.10/10

Thank U- Good song, but the LA LA LA LA at the end gets repetitive and annoying.It's not even the fact that she keeps repeating it, it's the fact that her voice is really screechy along with it for some reason. The rest of the song is amazing, so I don't see why she had to do that. 8/10

Sweet Season- I thought this song was bland and horrible about a week ago, but now I find it very sweet, haha. As much as I love the PV for this song, I think the song stands way better on it's own. Her voice is very good, and the nostalgia of it just tops it off. 8.5/10

overture reminds me of a track in an anime/RPG OST, in a really good way. So charming and relaxing~ 4/5

Do it again-My word is this song powerful! It goes from this charming elegant song to this dark and profound one in seconds. The lyrics get really in my head ( no, not just the English ones) and make me think. They fit in the song in a such a way, that it makes me think of all kind of crazy things. That is definitely what I like in a song. The arrangement also gives this song a + 10/10 favorite track

November-The song itself is so wonderful, with the arrangement of the instruments and the lyrics. I love it, but her voice gets kind of annoying in a lot of parts, which really sucks, because her voice throughout a general portion is actually really good. I bet in a week I will get used to the scratchiness of those parts, so it's not a big deal by any means. 9/10

Virgin Road- This is honestly a tough one to write about, because I feel like I should love it a lot more than I do. I feel like if she sang this song in a lower voice, I would be drop dead in love with it, but I have to stick with just really liking it. Beautiful instrumentally, and the PV for it is probably one of my favorites from her to date, but something is missing... that last point making to 10/10... 9/10

Seven Days War- I love this song, but something about it makes me never listen to it. Her voice is great and it's very powerful. Great cover. (p.s, maybe ayu became perfect at singing overnight, but I can assure that the version on my CD is not live, even though it says it is .) 9/10

over all 9.5/10

Like everyone said, this is a very cohesive album. All the tracks blend together in such a perfect way, that it's really hard to skip any tracks. It's made it's way up there with my favorite albums, just a masterpiece. Thanks so much Ayu. 4 years of you being my favorite artist, and more years to come~

[Benikari47]

I've listened to the album for a while now and it's actually already 1 of my favorites from Ayu, the instrumentals & arrangements alone are just beautiful and flows perfect with her vocals, i'm not very good at reviews.. so i'm just gonna give each song a score from 1 - 10

Love Song 9'5/10

Crossroad 7/10

Moon 9'5/10

Sending Mail 8'5/10

Last Angel 9'5/10

Like A Doll 8'5/10

Blossom 7'5/10

Thank U 8'5/10

Sweet Season 8'5/10

Do It Again 10/10
Favorite song of the album, and already one of my favorite Ayu song's

November 9/10

Virgin Road 8'5/10

Seven Days War 9/10

I just wanna say that this is comming from a guy from denmark, who have absolutely no idea what she's singing, but still love her to death!

she's def my favorite asian import along with BoA

[JesA]

After having a while to listen to the album and get used to it, I've noticed something interesting when looking at my last.fm/iTunes stats...the only songs I listen to on a daily basis are Sweet Season, November, and Love Song. I've fallen in love with Sweet Season, for some reason :p I used to abolutely DESPISE the three songs from L...But Sweet Season changed that. Sadly, I still HATE Virgin Road and Last Angel.........