The review of "&"

[isaac hiew]

The recent hit single “&” which was performed by Japanese songstress Ayumi Hamasaki, maintained at a steady rate of sales that grabbed the trophy of Oricon Ranking. Despite having a fierce competition with other singers’ single releases such as Zard or Da Pump, Ayumi topped the rank without any hassle, thanks to her very own band of fans.

As her usual perfectionism on her singles, Ayumi even included 3 new songs into the single for boosting the sales, not only that, she also paid much attention to her new PV, “Ourselves”.

However, criticisms regarding the single itself and the PV still slammed mercilessly upon the 25-year-old Fukuoka Perfecture born singer, despite the successful sales.

She seemed not having enough fun ever since she cloned herself in her last video, “Rainbow”, now she even being challenged by her evil self in the new PV!

In the PV, the “Evil Ayu” messed up the real ayu’s life by haunting her using her army of crazy hardcore fans that will not let Ayumi go, no matter what.

The video was somehow filled with the sense of a horror-film, where we can see that Ayumi’s creativeness overall. When enquired about the single’s concept, she answered, “It is a sequel of my recent singles’ theme, which is that, I wished to discuss a lot more about some of our views of life. I am expressing that everyone will always have their very own obstacle or unhappy times, but they have to overcome them by themselves.”

Translated by Isaac Hiew,
Sin Chew Jit Poh,
14th of July 2003

[nmskalmn]

Thank you for the translation isaac

I didn't really like the ourselves PV, but I'll agree that it was creative

[boogieordie]

She seemed not having enough fun ever since she cloned herself in her last video, “Rainbow”, now she even being challenged by her evil self in the new PV!

I don't get that part.

I personally think the PV is about Ayu being bashed. I don't think it has anything to do with those people being fans. They were destroying her work and hoolding her captive. Destroying her and trying to make her fade away, but she came back, only to face them again. That's what I thought. Saying that she wasn't going to back down, even with the bashing. ???

Ashley

[CREA]

The meaning of the "ourselves" to me, was that those people became so infatuated with Ayumi, that the border of love and hate became blurred. I thought the children represented youth being brainwashed into liking music/idols before they are even able to make their own choices (like when the masked people circle around the girl or the boy, I can't remember). That was just my interpretation of the PV.

[Piccolo]

Excellent review, thank you for sharing !!

[ImpactBreaker]

Originally posted by CREA
The meaning of the "ourselves" to me, was that those people became so infatuated with Ayumi, that the border of love and hate became blurred. I thought the children represented youth being brainwashed into liking music/idols before they are even able to make their own choices (like when the masked people circle around the girl or the boy, I can't remember). That was just my interpretation of the PV.

I like your interpretation! It's really hard to tell if people there love or hate Ayu so I think there's a mix of both like you said. I know it might look like people are only bashing her but if you get to see, there's a guy blurring himself with lipstick and insanely kissing Ayu's pic like some twisted fan.

[Ryoko]

Thanks for the info... It's good that Ayu topped the charts depsite long awaited releases...

[ayutopian]

Originally posted by CREA
The meaning of the "ourselves" to me, was that those people became so infatuated with Ayumi, that the border of love and hate became blurred. I thought the children represented youth being brainwashed into liking music/idols before they are even able to make their own choices (like when the masked people circle around the girl or the boy, I can't remember). That was just my interpretation of the PV.

Agree!! coz I'm one of them... I dunno know how come...

[destiny_ayu]

Thnx for the translated review... The review of the "Ourselves" PV is kinda scary.. now i noe the PV's meaning

[Darkevil]

Thanks for the tranlation!! Next time remember to put copyright reserved

[Kaiousei]

thanx for the translation!

[uindoshin]

thanks for the translations..
i havent seen all of the PV of ourselves yet =_=''

[angela]

thanks for the translation!