A Best [Import]

Ayumi Hamasaki | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 28, 2001)
• Original Release Date: 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Avex Trax
• ASIN: B00005HWK4
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #353,536 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Song For Xx

2. Trust

3. Depend On You

4. Love (Destiney)

5. To Be

6. Boys & Girls

7. Trauma

8. End Roll

9. Appears

10. Fly High

11. Vogue

12. Far Away

13. Seasons

14. Surreal

15. M

16. Who

Editorial Reviews

CD ALBUM

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Boys & Girls: the Best of Ayumi? Who...?!, September 29, 2001

By 

J. Taylor "chicoeldivo" (United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Best (Audio CD)

Ok, so there is only a handful of us on Western shores who know her name! But if the rest of you want to find out what you're missing, then here is the chance: the BEST -so far. Covering the biggest hit tracks from her 3 albums, BEST charts Ayumi's change from J-pop Starlet to J-Dance Queen to fully fledged J Phenomenon! (think the Madonna of Japan; and you're thinking on the right scale!)

The 16 track set kicks off gently with the debut hits "A song for XX" and "Trust" before the heavy loaded guitars strike up the action on "Depend on you". These 3 tracks were specially re-recorded and mixed for this compilation. What is important to note is that Ayumi writes all the lyrics for her songs in collaboration with music producer Max Matsuura. Every song on this CD is an anthem -with the kind of chorus that get's stuck in your head and the musical melodies that make you move. "LOVE-Destiny" and "TO BE" are 2 successful ballads from early on in her career that present the serious, tender side of Ayumi. Then "Boys & Girls" and "Trauma" fire up the kind of power pop drama that has made Ayumi the No1 face of pop in the Far East -with giant infectious, high-pitched vocal hooks and brilliant techno-infected beats & noises. "End Roll" is another huge power ballad that sinks into the brain -and if only I could sing Japanese or understand what she's saying then I'd be able to sing my heart out with her! Then it's back to the dancefloor for the electric guitar-driven "appears" and the loud, techno beats of "Fly high" -sounding like a Japanese extension of Rozalla's "Everybody's free". That's 5 tracks lifted from Ayumi's monster 2nd album "LOVEppears"; a difficult choice considering that just about every track on the album turned into a No1 hit single! After the wild success of "LOVEppears" in 1999, Ayumi moved in to serious singer mode for another succession of No1 hit tracks and a 3rd album in 2000: "Duty". "Vogue" -a bouyant, mid-tempo groove with latin stylings/ "Far away" -a grand, sweeping power anthem and the Roxette-"Listen to your heart"-like "SEASONS" completed a trilogy that presented a more mature Ayumi. Although "Duty" paved a change of direction, it contained a couple of huge, cutting-edge, dance tracks, like "SURREAL", that kept her audience on their knees. "M" -a No1 hit single for Christmas 2000- is a fabulous, uplifting celebration of pop drama and dance beats. BEST closes with the slower, Human League-"Human"-like "Who..." -a fragile track with a more acoustic, organic edge and delicious, sweeping, cinematic sounds.

And the story continues ...
(Since this CD was released in March 2001, Ayumi has had another 4 No1 hits in Japan!) If you're new to Ayumi and curious, then this collection is a perfect tool to bring you up to date. (Note that every track is sung in Japanese; English titles are a fashionable trend in J-Pop.) If you're a fan already, then you know the score and what are you waiting for?

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good CD, November 26, 2002

By 

Gelgoog (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Best (Audio CD)

This was a first Ayu CD I bought and is still my favorite of all of them. She has pulled together all the best songs from her many albums, so I like almost every song on this cd. In addition, she has rerecorded a few of her earlier songs with a more mature, controlled, and developed voice. (ie, the same soul/heart but with less screeching.)

All the songs are in Japanese and the Japanese lyrics are also included in the insert. (Why do American "Best Hits" cds never include the lyrics??!) She also mixes in ballads along with her techno/pop songs, so you get a good example of her range. If you've never heard her music before, I'd recommend this as an introduction to Ayu since it gives a good sampling of quality songs. If you're already a fan, then this is an essential addition to your collection.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Certainly the "A" Best!, January 4, 2002

By 

Wendy Peacock (Orlando, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Best (Audio CD)

When they made this album, they weren't joking. This is the one Ayu CD to get if you never get another one (if you do, I recommend "A"). I bought this because I fell in love with one of the songs, "End Roll"; I had never heard most of the others. I've listened to this CD way more times than I can count now, and I love almost all of them.

I've noticed that some of the other reviewers don't speak Japanese, which is unfortunate. If you don't know Japanese, you should try searching the web for song translations. Her lyrics are sad, sentimental, and very poetic and thoughtful. And somehow she manages to blend it with unique pop/techno music that just fits.