｢Party Queen｣ Thoughts on album?

[Kanzaki]

Originally Posted by 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.

That bridge thing? Naw, didn't fancy that too much either. Idk, in its entirety I just found it epic. I guess it was the goosebumps from every chorus

Guess it's kinda offtopic, I just despise the word 'overrated'.

[tourniquet]

Originally Posted by Kanzaki88

That bridge thing?

yeah, when the organs join in and everything becomes a mess. XD it seems really detached from the rest of the song and just seems to be there for the sake of sounding 'epic' but tries too hard.

[RayJason]

I don't like the part that comes in around 3:00 either. So annoying like someone has been smashing the piano or something, totally not cool!

[isthisLOL?]

That's by far my favorite part...it's where there's a REAL classical influence and not just instruments usually associated with Classical music. And it makes me imagine Yoshiki from X-Japan playing it...SO Art of Life!

[Kanzaki]

Smashing of the piano was kinda awesome though. I 'air-pianoed' and looked like a retard through that. But the chorus and the opening is 100x better.

[jewelbox]

My problem with Return Road has nothing to do with the music itself, it's Timmy's little iipy piipy voice which is so out of the place. If she wanted this kind of choir effects she should use a real choir or none at all. Yea, I know it worked on BRILLANTE but it wasn't like this. IIpy PIIpy

[Chiharo]

So, here's my rating:

Party queen 6/10
NaNaNa 7/10 (would be 9/10 without Timmy's rapping)
Shake it 8/10
taskebab 9/10
call 5/10
Letter 5/10
reminds me 6/10
Return Road 9/10
Tell me why 10/10
a cup of tea 9/10
the next LOVE 10/10
Eyes, Smoke, Magic, 10/10
serenade in A minor 10/10
how beautiful you are 10/10

[gogirlanime]

About 10 listens though later...

I'm still not "OMG I LOVE THIS ALBUM" I don't think I'll ever "adore" this album but I do like it a lot more. I like it sliiiiiightly more than Rock'n'Roll Circus now and I'm sure it will grow on me more over time. I've noticed I tend to flow in the opposite direction of most Ayu fans what most hate I end up loving. I'm more for Love Songs type Ayu like that light hearted or dark ballads. Duty is my favorite Ayu album it's so emotional, sad, and full of ballads much like Love Songs.

Last score with interludes: 5.89/10 New score with interludes: 6.7/10
Last score without interludes: 5.86/10 New score without interludes: 6.8/10

What I would give this album now 7/10 (was 5/10)

So not a huge difference but lets see how it goes a month from now. If Eyes, Smoke, Magic, the next LOVE, and Serenade in A minor weren't in this album I would probably give it a 8/10 but I just do not like those songs at all jazz, burlesque, circus, and depressing instrumental interludes is just such a no for Ayu (for me)

Party queen 6.5/10 (was 6/10)
I'm still not super big on this song but it's grown on me a bit the song itself is great and really addicting but Ayu's vocals bother me a bit. It's a bit oldschool Ayu in the bad ways, screechy and too high. I think if they made the sound of this song a bit darker and had her sing a bit lower this song would be perfect. It's not a skip-over but not a favorite it's very much a worth album titled song, most Ayu album titled songs I don't like. This song made my clean my room at a quicker pace and I couldn't help but dance at the same time

NaNaNa 7.5/10 (was 7.5/10)
Still love it but I didn't grow to love it more I still love it just as much. I love Timmy's (not Marc as I've found out now haha I still can't believe that it sounds JUST LIKE Marc) part but that's probably because I'm a big globe fan so I'm used to that sort of "whisper rap" globe style. The PV suited this song well the PV had it's flaws (like after they walk past the hot dog stand they are waaaaaay over there for like 40 seconds of the PV that part was boring). One of the top tracks of this album for me. The synth effects and bass are just awesome and considering this is a electronic song Ayu's vocals fit well and are controlled well. My second favorite song on the album.

Shake it 7/10 (was 7/10)
I like this song a little less or the same now it's a bit bland or overly repetitive. It sounds like a NEXT LEVEL reject. Although, regardless I still think it's pretty good. The song is just a bit weak, It's barely 7/10 worthy I feel like something is missing, like another layer of background music would have spiced it up to perfection.

taskebab 8/10 (was 8/10)
Feelings are still the same I really wish this was a full song because I love it's feeling

call 7/10 (was 6/10)
I still get that "album filler" feeling towards this song I still feel it is pretty generic. It's better than previous albums "happy song album filler" her vocals are quite nice, high, but not annoying like ASFXX annoying. It doesn't make a super lasting impression on me. I think depending on my mood I'll skip this song sometimes and not skip it other times.

Letter 7/10 (was 5/10)
A very joyful song it uplifts you, feels like something that would have been on MY STORY or I am… it kind of feels like Heartplace. It's pretty generic of Ayu, nothing special from her previous work. I still have a bit of that "album filler" feeling towards it perhaps over time that will leave.

reminds me 8.5/10 (was 6.5/10)
I love this song more and more it's very powerful and I love the la la la parts (it has such an epic melody to it makes me tear up it reminds me of pushing away a sad past), some think it's too long but I think it's just the right amount, had it been any longer it would have been too much. This reminds me of what I always had wished GUILTY would have had on it. It reminds me a bit of decision mixed with End of the World and a splash of talkin' 2 myself. A strong song from beginning to end. I liked this song from the beginning but now it has a lasting impression on me. Love it it brings me to tears. This is my favorite song on the album.

Return Road 6.75/10 (was 6.5/10)
I feel pretty much the same about this song I like it a tad more. I just feel like it is missing something like a bit more impact. Her vocals could have been better, the song is a little too anime-ish to me (the organ and the wild piano as well as the melody). I do love the Malice Mizer and Visual Kei undertones of the song though it's kind of like Ayu mixed pop with goth Visual Kei. The ending is great how it builds up a lot I wish the song had the same intensity though the whole song it starts out a little boring and her vocals near the end are fantastic. I still have a bit of that "album filler" feeling towards it perhaps over time that will leave. The vocals are a little flat and weak I wish her vocals were a little lower / sexier and less child / innocent / young-sounding. If the vocals before the ending were better I would have liked it more. I think with more listening this song could bump itself up to a 7 with me.

Tell me why 7/10 (was 7/10)
Very emotional vocals it reminds me of a mixture of all the ballads on (miss)understood (Pride, rainy day, HEAVEN) I love the vocal layers near the end and the beginning is eerie. I still love this song just as much and now more.

a cup of tea 9/10 (was 8/10)
Still love it a great and uplifting Ayu interlude

the next LOVE 6/10 (was 4/10)
I'm still not big on this song and I think it's because I'm just not big on jazz at all. I rarely like jazz and naturally and unfortunately that applies to Ayu as well. Stepping back from that for what it's worth she did jazz quite well. I think jazz isn't her best genre but I'm proud of her for trying something different and her vocals are quite gorgeous in some parts. I like this song a bit more but I can see myself skipping over this song very often and listening to it rarely.

Eyes, Smoke, Magic 3.5/10 (was 1/10)
Surprisingly this song did manage to grow on me SLIGHTLY. I still think it is ONE (not THE) of her worst songs ever I just do not like this jazz / carnival / burlesque type of music and her vocals are pretty annoying. I just see kids running around with cotton candy every time I hear this song. I love the opening whispers and that would have been great for another jazz-only song but then they bring out the moulin rouge feeling and I hate it. I have bumped this song from a 1/10 to 3.5/10 I mean, that's still shows I don't like the song a lot but it has a bit more potential than I first thought. I think I will skip over this song every time.

Serenade in A minor 2/10 (was 2/10)
Still don't like it, it's too depressing and just sounds like a Playstation 1 boss/death background theme. Nothing original, it barely suits the rest of the album.

how beautiful you are 8/10 (was 8/10)
A really beautiful song my feelings towards it haven't changed it has lots of meaning and a wonderful PV the melody itself isn't super original but her vocals are great I've grown to love this song more

[Zeke.]

Originally Posted by artcika

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.

no worries, I don't blame you but the comment just seemed to hit me like "That's it. That's what I have been looking for. That feeling."

[Kanzaki]

Originally Posted by Zeke.

no worries, I don't blame you but the comment just seemed to hit me like "That's it. That's what I have been looking for. That feeling."

Curious now, what's your favorite album? What songs makes you feel that Ayu-nostalgia? :O

[love in music]

omg the piano smashing in Return Road is my fave part as well. it's so badass.

Originally Posted by Andrenekoi

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?

awesome choices. mine was like

1. (miss)understood
2. I am...
3. Love Songs

not sure if PQ beats out Love Songs yet. needs some more plays.

[emi♡]

Yes. Piano smashing is perfect.

I was so happy with her return to the great use of keys in this album.

And yeah, if I had to pick one thing I don't care about with Return Road, it's the choir. I actually don't like Timmy's choir that much But I think it adds an interesting sound that you just don't hear anywhere.

Maybe it's for good reason...but...this is the sound she wanted.

And actually, even with all the over the top and contrived arrangements on this album, the compositions made up for it for me. She finally has songs that freaking flow nicely.

[isthisLOL?]

Return Road is quite literally a short version of X-Japan's "Art of Life" in so many ways, down to the piano smashing, and "Art of Life" was my favorite album before Party Queen was released(now it's still my favorite individual song)

[emi♡]

I have to point out...that it seems they took quite a lot of influence from other places with this album...

Not that there is anything wrong with that...it obviously makes for a better album. But I find it interesting how many little things keep popping up.


Listening to Tell Me Why, which I think is actually my favorite...It reminds me of old school ayu. How she used to have "pop" songs like this, but they'd have all the electro and key stuff happening in back.

[Mimichild]

After listening to album 4x today, I gotta say this is what 'Next Level' should've been! I LOVE the whole album and I don't get the Timmy hate but you we all have different tastes...

BUT!!!

I did hear "Aerodynamic" from Daft Punk in taskebab...
(correct me if I'm wrong)

[firefox]

After several listebs still Not liking this album!!

Tell me why is the only one i liked!!!

[ren'ai]

holyyyyy popsicles I am loving this album.. woahhh

Tell me why & Return Road are amongst my favourite songs from her. Ever.

reminds me, NaNaNa, Shake it♥, the next LOVE = pure amazingness.

I am liking Party queen too which I didn't think I would after the live version. Eyes, Smoke, Magic is definatily a lovely change for Ayu but it's not really a song I'd listen to often.. but also not something I'd skip when it comes on. Also really like how beautiful you are too, but her voice in the verses are a bit annoying.

Only call & Letter haven't grabbed me yet but maybe after a few more listens

Overall, agree about this going in Top 3 Ayu albums. And that's only after a few listens. I didn't really get the love for Love Songs, but for this album, definitily

I applaud you Ayu <3

[Lady~Deviance]

Originally Posted by tourniquet

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.

I thought I was the only person in the forum who felt this way. "Return Road" is a good song but it's nothing worth writing home about in my eyes. The melody is missing that imperative unique factor for me. That's why I gave it a (6/10).

Originally Posted by Mimichild

I did hear "Aerodynamic" from Daft Punk in taskebab...
(correct me if I'm wrong)

No you're not the only one. I definitely can hear a snippet of Daft Punk's "Aerodynamic" in "taskebab". The guitar solo of the interlude sounds just like "Aerodynamic" and it surprised me. For some odd reason, a lot of the songs on the album sounded reminiscent of songs I've heard before. I still like the album regardless.

[Raiu-Ayu]

Originally Posted by Mimichild

BUT!!!

I did hear "Aerodynamic" from Daft Punk in taskebab...
(correct me if I'm wrong)

lol yeah I got this feeling too hahaha its the same kinda rhythm but it jumps a tone lower rather than higher in one part lolol

[kagami]

Fantabulous. Enough said.

I don't think I'm going to want to listen to anything else for awhile haha

People complaining about her voice...the hell. The only songs she doesn't sound fantastic on are Party queen hbya.