Opinions on Party Queen covers?

[MissElin_]

^^Pretty much what I already said no? I didn't say she wasn't allowed to do this and that. I also think that pretty much noone here thinks that either. I simply said that there is much more than just "hate" or "love". It's everything in between and it's really not about if she have done it before and how e.t.c. It's about how people in here reacts to it. It's more of a design problem than the whole Ayu is posing sexy and almost nude, because she have done it before. It's how it all comes across and for some people it's good and for some it's not. Personal preferences. That's all. Noone said that the idea was bad so. Now I'm just repeating myself.

[kiseki]

MissElin_:

I got your point but my post was just stating my mere opinion. I wasn't replying or arguing against your idea .

[MissElin_]

kiseki: No no I wasn't pointing at you. Only one ^ would have been you, doubble ^^ means the one above you. That means jbrat2219.
I actually agree to your point of view, it's just not my cup of tea for covers that's all.

[kiseki]

MissElin_:
Sorry, I didn't know that . I was away from AHS too long it seems

[kendelle]

Most people seem to think that some of us dislike the covers because we're prudes, or uncomfortable with our sexuality...

So I'll say it for probably the 7th time since they came out - I like the concept of a sad "party queen" who feels her life is empty but this cover shoot was done poorly. The cover looks like a 6th grader's media research project with its bad photoshopping and photo angles. You can't slap a mock barcode and a star label onto a picture and call it a "tabloid parody" then get upset when half the people don't instantly see it.

Ayu has done numerous risqué shoots in the past and none of them have looked as bad as this, bar probably S/S. Sticking your butt towards a camera is also not my idea of a feminist statement, as I wrote in the fifth thread on the album...this pic would be fine if included with others in the photobook, but as the standout image on the "ultimate" version of this album? I just think she's better than this...

I'm not saying by any means that this will stop me from supporting Ayu through this release and onto the future, but I'm sad that she's putting herself out in public with such a badly done cover to represent what is a powerful and relateable theme. Like others said before, what drew me to her and J-Pop in the first place was the lack of trashy unrelateable people in Western media. With all its flaws, Japan's music industry does exude a sense of cleanliness and dignity that I don't see in music played here on the radio...

[isthisLOL?]

Bad photo angles are an essential part of the tabloid parody aspect...

[MissElin_]

^Yes I'm quite sure we all get that. But some of us still don't like it still. It's as simple as that. And it doesn't make us less of fans, or prudes or anything. It's just not our cup of tea for a CD cover. Just like some don't like fish lips and thinks she can do better than that you know.

[isthisLOL?]

Originally Posted by MissElin_

^Yes I'm quite sure we all get that. But some of us still don't like it still. It's as simple as that. And it doesn't make us less of fans, or prudes or anything. It's just not our cup of tea for a CD cover. Just like some don't like fish lips and thinks she can do better than that you know.

I know, I wrote a million times that I accept people disliking it. But kendelle said the bad photo angle was a sign of the cover being executed badly when in fact it's the opposite, it HAS to look like amateur photography, that's the whole point. If it was a glamour shot with perfect lighting and composition the whole concept would be lost.

[channy]

Please explain me what getting naked may have to do with expressing your sexuality? Is this the way some people on here express their maturity? XD

Ayu is not showing her private life, no-one knows who "Hamasaki Ayumi" is, you can only believe in what she pretends to be. However, in fact she's working as a professionel in entertainment section of japanese media.

Everything people do in this business is calculated and happens for a reason. You guys can believe in whatever you want, but in my opinion she's not losing her clothes because she's no longer an ever-virginal artificial product or trying to show new aspects of "her life".

After all, I am not really sure who decides what these album covers look like. I for one don't believe in Avex, letting an artist do anything he/she wants. It's a company and they will make sure, what they produce, what they investigate in, is gonna sell as well as possible.

For me these covers are a mirror of the most recent trends in japanese popular music, which you can see on many many, mostly female singers. Things have not always been this way. Just look at singers in the past, like Akina Nakamori, Momoe Yamaguchi, Seiko Matsuda etc.

They always portrayed a classy image and you may assume basically no-one would of ever accepted covers like "Party Queen".

That's why I don't connect these "Party Queen" covers with a possible process in maturity of Ayu as a human. For me, this is just the cheesy product of japanese businessmen and Ayu has to deal with it/them.

Originally Posted by kiseki

Hamasaki Ayumi is better than posing like that and agree to go on with that production.

I was a fan of her years ago because of her unique style and songs.

Yepp.

[jbrat2219]

Originally Posted by MissElin_

^^Pretty much what I already said no?

I didn't read your post so I wasn't really addressing it. I'm sorry if I was repeating what you said lol. But I guess we agree?

[Andrenekoi]

Originally Posted by isthisLOL?

Bad photo angles are an essential part of the tabloid parody aspect...

This... and so are the font choice and the colors... Still, talking as a graphic designer, the composition is not wrong. It may be a little disturbing, but is not wrong at all.

And in the end of the day, a good design is not the beautiful one... Is the one able to solve the needs of that job. Some stuff are made to be ugly...

[BlackSilence]

crappy fonts and bla bla is not the choice they did specifically, it's just what they do the best with Ayu's covers, it's like a natural thing xD even if they intended to, it actually fits the actual photo than any of the other covers I've seen of hers xD

um, been thinking, okay i get the idea....i get the stuff bechind i think it's a great idea, still not impressed much....on the other hand it gave the right impression to me, the oimpression they were going for, so i guess they suceeded....
tho to be honest....i hate myself for being so shallow..... on the other hand it's difficult to see beyond when you don't know the person....i still hate myself...makes me feel like a dumb, crappy fan

[truehappiness]

Well, this is Ayu we're talking about. She usually tends to do things with a purpose in mind ESPECIALLY when they're more than just 'pretty'.

[emi♡]

Originally Posted by channy

Please explain me what getting naked may have to do with expressing your sexuality? Is this the way some people on here express their maturity? XD

Ayu is not showing her private life, no-one knows who "Hamasaki Ayumi" is, you can only believe in what she pretends to be. However, in fact she's working as a professionel in entertainment section of japanese media.

Everything people do in this business is calculated and happens for a reason. You guys can believe in whatever you want, but in my opinion she's not losing her clothes because she's no longer an ever-virginal artificial product or trying to show new aspects of "her life".

After all, I am not really sure who decides what these album covers look like. I for one don't believe in Avex, letting an artist do anything he/she wants. It's a company and they will make sure, what they produce, what they investigate in, is gonna sell as well as possible.

For me these covers are a mirror of the most recent trends in japanese popular music, which you can see on many many, mostly female singers. Things have not always been this way. Just look at singers in the past, like Akina Nakamori, Momoe Yamaguchi, Seiko Matsuda etc.

They always portrayed a classy image and you may assume basically no-one would of ever accepted covers like "Party Queen".

That's why I don't connect these "Party Queen" covers with a possible process in maturity of Ayu as a human. For me, this is just the cheesy product of japanese businessmen and Ayu has to deal with it/them.

well, being naked is a part of sex. Being naked shows off the body.

Ayu's not naked in these covers...but in any case...Some people often express their sexuality by being naked. I don't see why it's something so weird to you, or cheap.


I think your next statement is really important. Because I think it has everything to do with these covers.


The next statement that I bolded is also important. As far as my knowledge goes, at least one of those artist constantly uses sexuality to sell their products. They're just stuck in the Japanese lolita complex of what is sexy.

Which has always been much more disturbing and detrimental to a woman's overall well-being in my opinion, however subtle and not in your face it may be.


And the last bold statement. It's exactly what these covers are.


Now, I'm not going to say that Ayu hasnt done trendy things, cause...you only have to look at the recent SCawaii to see that she does. And I'm not going to deny that it's AWFULLY convenient that her concept allows her to be in a bra and panties showing off her ass.

But as I said before, whether this falls into something "classy" versus "trashy" is such a subjective thing. I personally, find it both, which is a reason why I really admire them.

I've seen sooo much rougher and more in your face and brash than this

Anyway, I think they say a lot about who she is. Both in the media, and out of it. So, even completely disregarding the dumb tabloid thing, I find the covers quite successful.

[Tom Punks]

Originally Posted by emi♡

And I'm not going to deny that it's AWFULLY convenient that her concept allows her to be in a bra and panties showing off her ass.

As much as I'm over the CD+235DVD cover being what it is, you have a point. And you definitely don't have to strip down to your undies to portray a party queen.

[SunshineSlayer]

Originally Posted by jbrat2219

It sounds like you are implying some fans are ashamed of ayu for doing this. Otherwise why would other people's opinions matter. Do you think that is the problem beneath the surface?

That's not really what I meant but, yeah I think some fans do seem somewhat ashamed.

What I meant though was more along the lines of her general standing in Japan. It seems Ayu wanted to present some kind of deeper meaning to the people that see the album but if that doesn't come across, then I think most people are going to be left with a negative impression. The general public here already holds a somewhat precarious opinion of her and this might be the final nail in the coffin.....or it will go over huge and sell a ton, haha. Its one of those things that is not going to have a middle ground when it comes to public opinion you know? I don't think that Ayu is a shallow **** at all, but I would hate people to get that false impression of her, you know? It's easy to say you shouldn't care what other people think, but the reality is different when you are a public figure because what people think of you will in many ways directly effect you for good or bad.

Originally Posted by MissElin_

If people between the lines say thay they would be ashamed of the covers or you know, feel that people will judge Ayu right away wihtout giving the album a chanse and listen to it - they don't mean that they are worried about what their friends will say and doubt themselves of why they have that album/listen to it. I don't actually think noone thinks this. What people who's "worried" mean is more like "Ah, shoot, since we do live in a world where sex and porn is still quite tabu to put out in regular stores in the bright day, this album might get more bashing then it deserves". Are you getting what I mean here? It's not like these "worriers" feel like they will doubt their own liking and preferences, but more like that the album will get a more unfair chanse towards the casual listners. Because we all know that the world isn't as rebellic and forward thinking as Ayu is. That's pretty much the thing about the whole "worry" aspect.

Yes, this. I should really read all the posts first before I reply.

[Andrenekoi]

Originally Posted by SunshineSlayer

That's not really what I meant but, yeah I think some fans do seem somewhat ashamed.

What I meant though was more along the lines of her general standing in Japan. It seems Ayu wanted to present some kind of deeper meaning to the people that see the album but if that doesn't come across, then I think most people are going to be left with a negative impression. The general public here already holds a somewhat precarious opinion of her and this might be the final nail in the coffin.....or it will go over huge and sell a ton, haha. Its one of those things that is not going to have a middle ground when it comes to public opinion you know? I don't think that Ayu is a shallow **** at all, but I would hate people to get that false impression of her, you know? It's easy to say you shouldn't care what other people think, but the reality is different when you are a public figure because what people think of you will in many ways directly effect you for good or bad.

Well... good thing she is doing that on a time most people is not even aware she still is singing... If there is a good time for her to take bigger risks is now that the majority of the public doesn't really care about her and her core fanbase is pretty much used to her...

[Aditmi Krisnasaki ~II~]

Originally Posted by channy

Please explain me what getting naked may have to do with expressing your sexuality? Is this the way some people on here express their maturity? XD

Ayu is not showing her private life, no-one knows who "Hamasaki Ayumi" is, you can only believe in what she pretends to be. However, in fact she's working as a professionel in entertainment section of japanese media.

Everything people do in this business is calculated and happens for a reason. You guys can believe in whatever you want, but in my opinion she's not losing her clothes because she's no longer an ever-virginal artificial product or trying to show new aspects of "her life".

After all, I am not really sure who decides what these album covers look like. I for one don't believe in Avex, letting an artist do anything he/she wants. It's a company and they will make sure, what they produce, what they investigate in, is gonna sell as well as possible.

For me these covers are a mirror of the most recent trends in japanese popular music, which you can see on many many, mostly female singers. Things have not always been this way. Just look at singers in the past, like Akina Nakamori, Momoe Yamaguchi, Seiko Matsuda etc.

They always portrayed a classy image and you may assume basically no-one would of ever accepted covers like "Party Queen".

That's why I don't connect these "Party Queen" covers with a possible process in maturity of Ayu as a human. For me, this is just the cheesy product of japanese businessmen and Ayu has to deal with it/them.



Yepp.

yeah, but there's an infinite space for creativity. Ayu has all the rights to express her inspirations on her works. I used to hate them so much but now It's kinda okay.

so just take it or leave it.

[sinfonietta]

They would look x10 better sans the neon text and leopard print.

The original photos they have used don't seem to fit Ayu's usual style but she still looks sexy - especially in the CD only ver. cover.

[waterballoon]

what I hate the most is that it's kinda obvious about the first impressions these covers give & Ayu giving a last minute "I'M THE SAD PARTY QUEEN, NO WANT TO BE ALONE~~~~~~" "explanation" along with Timmy's outrage tweets are just making me believe even more that YEP, these covers don't mean anything and the last minute "saves" annoy me.

however, she might pull a last minute thing. maybe the back cover will have her in similar clothes and setting but with a crying face; messed up mascara and stuff like that. who knows?

this isn't even about being thrashy or anything... it's just bleh. and i hate that she's using old photos too.