｢Party Queen｣ Thoughts on album?

[stickyrice]

Every time I listen to the beginning of Letter I always end up singing "What if God was one of us"

[Tom Punks]

Originally Posted by stickyrice

Every time I listen to the beginning of Letter I always end up singing "What if God was one of us"

I've always done this with HOPE or PAIN, too.

[js_surrealism]

Reposting what I wrote in the news thread, didn't realise there was a discussion going on here:

Just gave it a listen. As expected, magnificent album. Much, MUCH better than Love Songs. So glad she ditched that cheap sounding TK sound.

[puddinx]

I love every single track in this album! (*o*)
Definitely better than Love Songs for me.
The thing I don't like is how Timmy ruins the epic Return Road.
But I do love his works. The jazz songs are surprisingly good.
And I think Eyes, Smoke, Magic should be put in RnRC instead of Party Queen.

[ayuuk]

Like...
reminds me
Return Road
Tell me why

Dislike...
Party queen
NaNaNa
Shake it♥
a cup of tea

Find them weird...
the next LOVE
Eyes, Smoke, Magic

[Sirea]

I love Return Road.
But how the hell did ayu listen to timmy's god awful warbling and go "yeah that sounds good keep it!"
It ruins it more than he's ruined any of her other songs. :/

imo Tell me why is better. It has slightly the same feel but without timmy being like HAY GUISE I'M STILL HERE LOL.

[ayuuk]

Return Road is nice, but after 3:00 it kinda falters....

Sad.

[kaled kalil]

Like:
Return Road
the next LOVE
reminds me
Shake It♥ (I hate that SHAKE IT LA LA and OH LAI LAI, the rest is good XD)
how beautiful you are (I kinda like only the last chorus, but anyway lol)

Don't like
NaNaNa (I don't have nothing against Timmy, but the rap was so weird, the only good part is the TIC TAC TIC... Ayu + autotune is not a good combination)
Party Queen
Eyes, Smoke, Magic (It's really different but it sounds too long and I don't know why)

Don't really care:
all the interludes
call (basic song is basic, too much Do As Infinity to me)
Letter
Tell me why

Overall is a cool album, way better than Love Songs (I don't like a single song from that album). And Sexy Little Things could be easily in this album, it have the same style.

[Zeke.]

So... biggest disappointment of my life. Makes me have a more profound appreciation for R'n'R...

I first listened to a cup of tea through how beautiful you are before work. I figured I might as well get the crap songs out of the way and they were indeed crap. Finally after work, I went out to my car to sit back and take a journey in my mind while ayu's new album blasted through my speakers.

First song, Return Road. Verdict: It's nice, but not what I was expecting. I was expecting some hardcore rock song. This has too much "ballad" for me. I wanted a full on kick-your-teeth in rock song. It's not as epic as it tries to be and therefore probably won't be a new favorite of mine. Microphone, About You, BoY - they are all better songs. Plus, Timmy's whiny little voice is just so out of place!

I moved on to NaNaNa, and I almost freaking died over the intro. I said "HOLY MOTHER OF GOD, THIS IS BADASS!!!" I was so excited "OMG IT'S AMAZING" and when her voice came in all sexy and auto-tuned, I loved it! But, Timmy's terrible voice does not compliment Ayumi's at all. The lyrics for that rap part are so God-awfully embarassing I can't handle it. Seriously...? Wow. This song had so much potential and I'm crushed at the final outcome. I started out listening to the song like this and ended the song like this

Shake It, well, it's not a favorite either. Her voice sounds hot as Hell here though, and I love the verses - but the chorus is a little dry. I am not a fan of the trumpets or the overall "showy" feel to this tune. I prefer Kumi's showgirl. Again with Timmy...

call is a big fat NO as well. I hate Timmy's backing vocals here once again! It sounds SO CHEESY! Ayu's voice is so rough here too, I am not a fan. This is like nothing Ayu has ever done and I hope she never does again. It sounds so OUTDATED and another EMBARRASSING track.

Letter, well, another disappointment. The chorus yet again sounds so OUTDATED. It's like all I can picture is Ayu singing this holding hands with people in a big grass field like from Little House on the Prairie. That's what I picture.

reminds me, finally, here is the reason I will be happy this album was made. reminds me has so much emotion, it's gorgeous. I love the intro and how it just builds on this feeling of tragedy and sadness. The intro of decision comes to mind. This truly is an Ayu classic with the La-la-la's. I can't get enough.

Tell me why doesn't make me happy either. It's so un-Ayu until the chorus hits and even then it's missing a little something. Timmy's voice just turns this song into another piece of hot trash.

Overall, I think this is my least favorite Ayu album ever. I am so surprised at the positive reaction on this. I remember reading a comment someone had made about feeling as if they had "returned home" with this album before I listened to it and that comment really fed into my hopes and dreams for this album. I've always been searching for that feeling from Ayu again - to feel "at home" once again with her music. But, this is ANYTHING BUT! It's unlike ANYTHING she has ever done and it's so off-the-wall. It sounds like a completely different singer in most of the songs. I hate that vibrato she has now and that extra raspiness. However, in songs like Shake It and reminds me it sounds great! I think the auto-tune in NaNaNa is the route to go - they need to explore that further. She needs to settle on a mixture of auto-tune electro-trance and hardcore rock. Her voice really suits rock and in reminds me it sounds PERFECT!

So sad over this album... It's just so outdated and cheesy and un-Ayu. What really sealed the deal on it all is Timmy's invasive voice in throughout the majority of the album. I always loved that Ayu did her own backing vocals but now it just sounds so awkward and embarrassing and non-complimentary. Sorry for my harsh review but I am just crushed right now

[Andrenekoi]

I really liked it... I don't know if it's her best, but it's among her best IMO, top3 material, maybe...

[love in music]

Originally Posted by Andrenekoi

I really liked it... I don't know if it's her best, but it's among her best IMO, top3 material, maybe...

agreed. what are your top 2? jw

[Minttulatte]

I want too. I tried to give you a review last night but couldn't because I got too tired.

Party queen
I loved this song a lot since I heard that live version but this song sounds even more amazing in 320kb/s in my ears. It's a nice club banger I think. It also makes me wanna dance, and that has happened once before with Ayu: When Sparkle was released in 2009 so I can say that I really love this song. <3 Ayu's and her party group's laugh at the end of this song reminds me of independent. I love her laugh 10/10

NaNaNa
This song was on repeat for 2 hours last night and it really sounded amazing. Timmy sounds so hot here. Those English lyrics were cool too. I don't think I'm the only one who thinks this sounds a bit like Happening Here in style. I can't wait to hear/see the live performance of this song. And I really hope she will perform it live on AT12. This song might also be my favorite song from the album because this really made me go wow. 10/10

Shake it
This is the song I waited to hear the most. It really sounds amazing. Not as good as I expected, but this still amazing. I want the translation of this as soon as possible because I read that this is a bit erotic lyrically. I'm curious of those. But I like this kick ass rock/dance edginess she has here~ Still this needs a bit more time to grow on me. 9/10

taskebab
I listened to this through twice yesterday but it didn't really make me feel anything yet, meaning I'm not impressed enough yet. But it's okay since I felt this way when I first heard taskinlude and taskinst (latter I love now and former is on my ok list). Actually, I don't really know if I like it or not yet. I need a live version. Usually I fall in love with her songs that I hate at first and love their live performances. Kebab might become one of those, but we'll see. Kinda reminds me of pieces of SEVEN and Load of the SHUGYO from NEXT LEVEL too~ 0/10 (because I can't say if I like it or not)

call
This song amazed me because it sounds so easy to listen, much like HANABI ~episode II~, Life and Last Links (and needless to say, I adore this song for sure. Hell, it's the best song on RnRC). I'm not even bothered with those whoa whoa's because HANABI part 2 has those too and I adore Memorial address a lot. After reading two translations (by Misa-chan and tenshi no hane) I've loved this song even more. This song is heartbreakingly beautiful. 10/10

Letter
This song really reminds me of her songs during 2004-2006. Very similar imo. MY STORY's ballads and It was are very similar in style imo. I really felt like a happy fangirl when I listened to this because it was just too amazing. I just want to read translated version because I really want to know what this song is about and what kind of lyrics it has. I only understood 3 words and one sentence in the song and it doesn't say a lot of this song. But even so I love it very much. 10/10

reminds me
This song really brings me to tears at the moment. It's just so sad. When I heard it for the first time, I didn't really feel anything but after reading the translation, I think this is one of the best songs on the album after all. Lyrically this song has already become one of my favorite Ayu songs in a while. Not gonna give it full 10 because when I first heard it, I didn't quite feel it but the grade will rise when I hear it live. I love those dramatic lalala's at the end of this song though~ 8,5/10

Return Road
Ok, this song didn't sound like a ballad at all when I heard the preview because the preview was so short and I couldn't really say what this sounded like but it was definitely rock. And I liked that fact. Full version didn't impress me that much at first, but I did love that Gothic beginning a lot. It made me think of Microphone at once. Chorus of this song is epic. I personally don't think this is the best song on the album though but it's now one of my favorites. I'm not giving it 10 though mostly because of the same reason as I didn't give 10 for reminds me. I don't mind this song being performed live though. :3 8,5/10

Tell me why
This song is supposed to be a cover, or how was it? Either way, I really enjoy this song. It sounds a bit R&Bish in my ears and that's why I like it. Not a bad song. It's good as a 3 minute track. This song also will be one of those I'll overplay. I'm also waiting for the translation for this eagerly. One of my favorite songs on the album. Should've been released as a single imo. 10/10

a cup of tea
When I saw this title, I thought it's a cute song. I didn't expect this to be a interlude but it's okay with me. I kinda like this too for some reason. It's a bit odd to be between ballad section and the jazz section but maybe that's because I like it. Best part of this song is the beginning. When that dubstep/electronica part starts, this interlude becomes a bit less interesting but it's still listenable. 7/10

the next LOVE
This really surprised me too, in a good way. I thought it's going to be a epic classical song like Voyage for example, but didn't expect jazz at all. Hell, this song became a instant love for me. Timmy's turning into my hero soon haha. He really is a talented musician. Why hasn't he composed music for Ayu before? o.O Seriously, this dude needs to work with Ayu on every album from now on because he adds something new into Ayu's music imo, and I really love that. Ayu's vocals in this are gorgeous too. Jazz is Ayu's genre for sure. Please gimme more songs like this! *____* 10/10

Eyes, Smoke, Magic
That odd beginning really made me lol at first, then came the whispers and I was like, "Yey, more kick ass dance *_*", but it was more jazz instead with a twist of a musical haha~ This song is so cute in its own way, melody is a bit challenging for me but Ayu pulls this off nicely. I really enjoy listening to this song. It's also another proof that Timmy is a talented dude. 10/10

Serenade in A minor
This interlude is just plain gorgeous. I don't really fancy fully orchestral interludes when it comes to Ayu (because montaga and overture doesn't sound too good in my ears), but this is amazing. So relaxing in a way. It also makes me think of Hana Yori Dango. This would fit nicely together with that drama imo. I can also imagine a possible interlude movie for this already. Good intro for how beautiful you are as well. 10/10

how beautiful you are
This song is beautiful as hell, I've loved it since I first heard it as a live version from CDL11-12. Musically it brings songs like meaning of Love and beloved into my mind but it's still really different since Ayu doesn't use English lines so much in ballads. It's really nice change. This song also makes me think of Kuu's You're So Beautiful but only because of the themes. But I love songs about self confidence because I can relate to those so I don't really mind. How beautiful you are is pretty and I'll love it forever. It makes me cry. 10/10

Overall I'd say that this album is definitely her best since (miss)understood. Not even Rock'n'Roll Circus, which made me love Ayu again, has this much surprising songs and music variety on it. Party Queen definitely blew me away and it's probably her first album in years in which I love every song now. Usually I only find more or less 50% enjoyable but much like with my favorite 3 albums (miss)understood, Memorial address and Rock'n'Roll Circus, I love about 98% of this album. Party Queen is definitely one of the best albums of 2012 so far. I'm really into this stuff now. <3

Overall grade for the album would be 10/10 because this blew me away in the same way as my Top 3 favorite Ayu albums. Party Queen would be now my 4th favorite Ayu album, followed LOVEppears.

I'm very curious of HOTEL Love songs tour now and I hope she will sing many songs from Party Queen on it to spice it up. I'm sure Love songs and Party Queen will mix together nicely as a concert.

[Andrenekoi]

Originally Posted by love in music

agreed. what are your top 2? jw

Before it was like this:

1. Love Songs
2. (miss)understood
3. RAINBOW

Don't know if it's better than mu or rainbow...

n urs?

[Jennie Mae]

Okay, I'll do one too
Party queen: I love that this song isn't actually about drinking and partying, but more of the dark side of it viewed through the eyes of a "party queen". I totally understand the cover of the album and what she was saying on Twitter after the album covers were released. But at the same time it's really fun to dance to, and I'll be grooving to it for a long time! 9.5/10
NaNaNa: I love this song for the reasons that people are saying they hate it. I love the campy rap and the music and everything. I'll also be jamming to this for a long time too. 9.5/10
Shake It♥: I love this song too! It's super fun and dancy! 9/10
taskebab: I really love this interlude, but the Daft Punk sample just feels a bit weird, like I can't really get into it and enjoy it because it sounds more like Daft Punk than anything. But it's still great. 8/10
call: I like how American this sounds, like it could be a Kelly Clarkson song. I think it's a good introduction to the divorce section of the album. 7.5/10
reminds me: This is a great song too. I think all the "lalalas" are Ayu's way of saying that she doesn't have words to express her feelings. 8.5/10
Return Road: Of course Ayu puts this song in the middle of the album because it's the true heart of it. It's super beautiful and very sad. I didn't even notice Timmy in the background until I started reading reviews on here, and every time I listen to it so I can hear Timmy, I get swept up in the music and lyrics and I still don't even hear him. This song is going to be a classic. And it's so obviously not a sequel to Virgin Road even though we all thought it was, oh well. And bravo to DAI, the music is so fantastic. 9/10
Tell me why: I actually like this song more than Return Road. I think her voice is beautiful in this, and it's the perfect conclusion to the divorce section. Well done, Ayu. 9.5/10
a cup of tea: I tried really hard to like this, and I really wish it was dub step instead of... whatever it is. I suppose that on it's own it's not bad, but wedged in between the divorce section and the cabaret section, it just doesn't fit. 4/10
the next LOVE: I love this. To me it sounds almost like an old school James Bond theme song. Also it makes me think of Jessica Rabbit, lol. 9/10
Eyes, Smoke, Magic: Haters to the left! I'm obsessed with show tunes, especially anything by Bob Fosse, so hearing this was so surprising and wonderful. As a tap dancer/show dancer this song is right up my alley. It's a total welcome surprise and something that we'll never hear from Ayu again, and it's going to be incredible live. This was really my highlight of the album. 10/10
Serenade in A minor: It's really pretty, but again, it doesn't fit with this album. I wish she had used something better to bridge the gap between the cabaret songs and "how beautiful you are", but on it's own it's lovely. 5.5/10
how beautiful you are: I think this ballad is just gorgeous, and a perfect way to end an album, any album. I've been listening to it nonstop since the digital album came out and I'll continue to do so. 8.5/10
Overall - this is an album that I'm going to be listening to A LOT in the next few weeks. Apologies to everything else on my iPod but it's going to be nothing but Party Queen for a long time. I give this album an A.

I'm also writing this with the biased opinion that Ayu can do no wrong. I loved FIVE. There isn't a song that she's written that I've ever hated. I love them all. So my opinions may be invalid since, to me, everything she touches is gold.

[miroro]

i have to say that this album is so good!!! i'm not going to review each song individually, but omg, i'm so obsessed with ESM i never imagined ayu would make something like that.
The only song i didn't like at all, tell me why, is growing on me

[BlackSilence]

Originally Posted by Zeke.

Overall, I think this is my least favorite Ayu album ever. I am so surprised at the positive reaction on this. I remember reading a comment someone had made about feeling as if they had "returned home" with this album before I listened to it and that comment really fed into my hopes and dreams for this album. I've always been searching for that feeling from Ayu again - to feel "at home" once again with her music. But, this is ANYTHING BUT! It's unlike ANYTHING she has ever done and it's so off-the-wall. It sounds like a completely different singer in most of the songs. I hate that vibrato she has now and that extra raspiness. However, in songs like Shake It and reminds me it sounds great! I think the auto-tune in NaNaNa is the route to go - they need to explore that further. She needs to settle on a mixture of auto-tune electro-trance and hardcore rock. Her voice really suits rock and in reminds me it sounds PERFECT!

So sad over this album... It's just so outdated and cheesy and un-Ayu. What really sealed the deal on it all is Timmy's invasive voice in throughout the majority of the album. I always loved that Ayu did her own backing vocals but now it just sounds so awkward and embarrassing and non-complimentary. Sorry for my harsh review but I am just crushed right now

lol oh I'm so sorry you got your hopes ruined because my PERSONAL TASTE FEELINGS gave you the wrong food for your expectations of the album.... it's kinda funny tho, how you were all over the place full of excitment and went down crashing with sad....awwwww lol I think it's simply the different things we find in Ayu's music, so my returning home might be a "omg i am so lost what is it" for others....in general you should keep that in mind.

[isthisLOL?]

I talked to a composition student at an academy of music today, made him listen and he told me it's a masterpiece from beginning til end and so far the best 2012 album o.0 Did NOT expect that, he dislikes most of Ayumi's older work for "sloppy melodies". I guess he liked the Bach-y organ in Return Road just as much as I did haha

[tourniquet]

Originally Posted by ExodusUK

Why are you guys obsessed with MY STORY? The album is sooo blah, I give kudos to anyone that sit through it without skipping a track, so many boring songs that go nowhere.

please go listen again to MY STORY Classical. the melodies are flawless, the execution on the actual album is a matter of taste though.

Originally Posted by ストロボ・EdGE

Her voice on recordings is starting to sound more and more like her live voice.

sadly, this is true.



also, Return Road is overrated. the middle section is completely over the top, almost ruins the song which overall has a good melody and feeling.

[Kanzaki]

^
Sorry, but saying RR is overrated to me just sounds like "I don't like that so many people find this amazing". It's ok if you don't like it that much, but...meh.

[tourniquet]

no, I just don't see it tbh. like when people were raving about Marionette I couldn't see it either, because the song still doesn't rank so high with me even today. people were probably giving it more credits because of the PV or something.

RR seems like a blueprint ayu track and maybe people like it because of that, but I really don't think it's that much different from the other rock songs on the album. and yeah, the middle section is horrible.