Ayu: Anything Goes [XXIV]

[EndOfTheWorld]

I'm still sticking with A Ballads 2. I have been wanting that for sooo long. Also would like a new Cyber Trance.

[Evan Odinson]

A ballads 2 sounds nice, she has many amazing ballads also if they make another compilation I'd like something like with two versions/CDs, one for the compilation and the other with same tracks but remixes, so we could get both a new compilation AND remix album in one

[xLuna&1LOVE]

I kinda view LOVE CLASSICS as an A Ballads 2, but of course its quality doesn't meet the standards of A Ballads 1. All of her latest ballady or orchestry albums sound off in my head
It will be very hard to have such an amazing compilation album like AB1. Seriously... that album is perfect. I recognize the A Song For Xx and TO BE version as the originals. They are that good to me!

Oh and ofc there is RAINBOW. That song... Oh my god!

[CeReSu]

Originally Posted by xLuna&1LOVE

I kinda view LOVE CLASSICS as an A Ballads 2, but of course its quality doesn't meet the standards of A Ballads 1. All of her latest ballady or orchestry albums sound off in my head
It will be very hard to have such an amazing compilation album like AB1. Seriously... that album is perfect. I recognize the A Song For Xx and TO BE version as the originals. They are that good to me!

Oh and ofc there is RAINBOW. That song... Oh my god!

Totally agree! A Ballads is perfect, no need to have another which would never match the perfection of this one.

[mi|kshake]

Originally Posted by xLuna&1LOVE

It will be very hard to have such an amazing compilation album like AB1. Seriously... that album is perfect. I recognize the A Song For Xx and TO BE version as the originals. They are that good to me!

Oh and ofc there is RAINBOW. That song... Oh my god!

So true, it could never be replicated but I would be so up for an A Ballads 2!

[Aderianu]

A BEST was rerecorded, A BALLADS was rearranged and that's why they are perfect. Just compilation is boring

[DonkeyKongRemix]

It is too fun making up albums for Ayu. Though it makes me wonder why.

XD

[channy]

Originally Posted by Aderianu

A BEST was rerecorded, A BALLADS was rearranged and that's why they are perfect. Just compilation is boring

"A BALLADS" is and always will be the eternal proof that a best of album doesn't necessarily has to be a lazy job!

[cosmicfirefly]

A BALLADS is amazing, I like that she included a cover song in it too. I wish she would release a cover album with older songs she's done plus some new ones. That would be pretty different from what she's done before.

[mi|kshake]

"A BALLADS" is and always will be the eternal proof that a best of album doesn't necessarily has to be a lazy job!

Yes! I love Bests like this e.g. Namie's Ballada and Love Enhanced. They're as good as any studio album!

[Minttulatte]

I kinda have a hate/love relationship with A BALLADS tbh. I mean, I really like some of those rearrangements (M, YOU, A Song for xx) on the album but there's also ones that I just can't like at all because I love the original way too much (appears, Who...). I really love RAINBOW and Sotsugyou Shashin though.

I've also noticed that my feelings towards Ayu's ballads as a whole has changed in the past year and half. I've suddenly begun to appreciate them a lot more than I used to. I used to think her ballads were boring as hell but now I have no idea of why I thought so in the first place. XD

[Evan Odinson]

Me: *waits for Ayu to announce her supposed retirement on her bday

Ayu: *doesn't announce shit

Me: *pretends to be shocked

[hud]

Originally Posted by Evan Odinson

Me: *waits for Ayu to announce her supposed retirement on her bday

Ayu: *doesn't announce shit

Me: *pretends to be shocked

literally

[Aderianu]

For My Dear... single was released 20 years ago! i never liked this song, but PCDL performance was so amazing

[thinkingoutloud89]

I find myself constantly checking back for an announcement of any sorts.

[Amalgam]

Daybreak's single version and the album version are both so good that I can never choose a favorite between the two. The album version with the solemn verses breaking into high energy highlight the optimistic air of the song, but the subdued, dreamy version from the single/video serves the sorrowful parts of the lyrics. So atmospheric.

Lastly, I think that this lyric is one of her greatest.

Light and shadow are
really the same thing.
If you close your eyes,
you can see them on your own.

Both the sadness in happiness,
and the hope at the end of pain


I don't agree with it, but when fans are nostalgic for "this" Ayu I have learned to completely understand who they're referring to and why they miss her. There was this rough quality about Ayumi, wether it was her voice or her rock sound. I did always wonder why it was that Ayumi never branched off into a band/rock side project because she was so in her element.

[jean-baptiste]

I always preferred Daybreak's single version, but after listening to I am... earlier this year, now I feel similar. Both are good in their own way.

[pedronekoi]

Talking about lyrics, the lyrics for "I Am..." are just incredible. I relate so much to the feelings she's expressing there.

I want you to stare into my eyes and say my name.
I want you to hold my hand and tell me it'll be ok.
Help me; if you don't, I don't think I can make it.
If this is a lie, then at least keep the lie going to the end.

I'll be forever in tears everytime I watch her performance on CDL!

[Xianghua]

I can never choose between which Daybreak version either! They're both masterpieces. I guess it depends on my mood, and most of the time I have the single version in my head. But usually if I listen to one version I'll have to listen to the other right after. I love the song so much.

[EndOfTheWorld]

Daybreak will always be beautiful to me. It's one of her most unique songs. Sometimes I feel like I love that song more than all the other songs.