Customer Reviews

Duty

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Track list:> 1 Starting over/ 2 Duty / 3 Vogue/ 4 End of the world/ 5 Scar/ 6 Faraway/ 7/ Surreal/ 8 Audience/ 9 Seasons/ 10 Teddy Bear/ 11 Key/ 12 Girlish.

Well, this is SLIGHTLY disappointing after the powerful last project "LOVEppears". The energy and speed is gone and Ayumi has slowed the pace down considerably, opting for a more rock oriented direction. This is fine and it allows her talent to shine, her strong, high-pitched vocals to reign over the music. The vocals hit correct and there is no denying the infectious tunes -the girl can pen a great song and hit all the notes! However tracks like "Seasons" and the piano-led "Teddy Bear" come across as bland rock ballads -certainly lacking the originality and beauty that surfaced on "LOVE".

The set opens with the misleading, futuristic intro, "Starting over" that springs into the big title track, which, with it's slow feel, Enigma-like chanting and broken beats, is a strange delivery. The fabulous "Vogue", opening with the sounds of a cheering crowd, takes the tempo up a touch. It's a gorgeous mid-tempo dance track with a bouncy "La Isla Bonita"-like energy and catchy synthesizer hooks; a definite crowd pleaser! From then on, Ayumi heads straight into the big anthemic rock journeys like "End of the world", "Scar" and "FarAway". Track 7, the delightful "Surreal" breaks up the set and leads into some teasing and rock guitar-powered dance beats. BUT it's the fantastic track 8, "Audience", that is the big dance hit here -a blinding, beat-driven slice of J-Pop that is the closest thing to the anthems that hit on "LOVE" and it's a great reminder that Ayumi is still in a league of her own. The closing track, "Girlish", is a fun feeling, unplugged romp complete with jangling guitars that reminds me of Janet Jackson's "Whoops now", that closed her "Janet" CD.

It's hard not to compare "Duty" with the last set, considering that "LOVEppears" was such a huge success that catapulted her into a Mega Star status in the Far East. "Love" stood out because it sounded like nothing else before, wheras "Duty" sounds slightly borrowed, tried and tested. It's good to see Ayumi show some change in direction, be creative and her focus is still bold and confident but this project is not as hugely inspiring as before. Don't get me wrong, I still think she's great and I'm still going to buy everything that the girl puts out! I'm trusting that the forthcoming Remix CD -"A-yu-mi-x 3" (which includes remixes of "Duty" by various UK and US DJs) will spark my further interest. Buy it and make your own mind up. Whatever happens, you won't be TOO disappointed.

Although I do love her voice, the most attractive thing about Hamsaki Ayumi (usually called "Ayu")is her lylics. Her lylics soaks into listers' hearts. I usually do not buy CDs untill I get to know the singer very well and like him/her. However, in the case of Ayu, I just simply fell in love with her world. For months, her song did not leave my ears. So, I strongly recommend those who like (I guess many love)Ayu to get English-Japanese dictionary and get the taste of Ayu's lylics. There is no need to know grammer. I guarantee that if you know what she is singing about, you will like her more--a looooot more. The lylic captured me was, in translation, "Because you were there, I could smile, I could cry, I could live" (From TO BE) Also, my favorite lylics are "While getting something big, maybe we have lost something. Even if we get them back now, probably they are subtly different" (From TO BE) "You can cry as much as you want, until tears dry" (Powder Snow)

and so on. Of course, my translation is not perfect, so I think the best way is, again, get a dictionary and tastes Ayu's lylics world in your own way.

So it seems like Hamasaki Ayumi is trying to break out of her original dance-pop genre. Her first two albums (I still love the second album) were very standard girlpop, with a little seasoning of dance. This album has more of a indie feel to it. It's got a very experimental sound to it (as other reviewers pointed out), and the instrument combinations on the songs are very interesting. She's changed her style of singing for this album, which I'm not too certain I like. She tends to extend and/or drag syllables out in a very artistic, yet somewhat whiny way. My personal feeling about my album favorite: if she had sung "teddybear" in her original way, it would've been a much nicer song. It just sounds SO whiny now, as opposed to somber/sad.

But I do admit I like the album, and I do like the lyrics. One thing about Ayu is that she can write really awesome song lyrics. "appears" was my first introduction to Ayu's music, and man, I love that song. "teddybear" on this one is a definate tear-jerker.

If you're looking to get a good dance album (like her first two) check out: Ayu-mix-/// Non Stop MegaMix (orange cover). Otherwise, get this album and see if you like her new style. Either way, you won't be disappointed.

1st time listener, i fell in love with it right away. seasons was the 1st j-pop song i've EVER heard, and it's so..... beautiful. it's even more beautiful when i found the translation (i don't know japanese). even if you don't understand the words, i think you can still enjoy it just like i did. i am so getting her other cds!

Wow! This album rocks! SURREAL is a real feel-good song with some beautiful vocals. TEDDY BEAR has to be Ayu's most touching song, and her voice is just perfect for it. SEASONS is beautiful, and VOGUE is really easy to listen to. A must buy - but all Ayumi Hamasaki's albums are!

I don't speak a word of Japanese, but man, it doesn't matter if you're listening to Ayumi Hamasaki. I was first introduced to Ayu when I was recomended the song Evolution. The first time I heard it, I download 25 songs by her in that single hour.(Thank God for cable modem and Napster). I highly recomend Ayumi Hamasaki. She can fuse together rock, pop, and almost techno.(In many of her remixes). Its good to hear unique voices and something different from everyday music. Do yourself a favore and buy this album. Its the best.

When I found out that Ayumi Hamasaki had a new CD coming out, I didn't even have to preview the songs on it to see if I wanted to get it. I ordered it right away.

It was a SUPER decision.

Ayumi Hamasaki's style changes slightly on this album, compared to her others. The title track, "Duty" is a great song with a wide variety of sounds - this song contains violins, Spanish guitar, Gregorian chants, and a strong beat to back it all up - and it sounds great! The 3rd track, "Vogue", incorporates more of the Spanish sounding instruments with a distinct Latin beat to it. Ayumi also has more 'edgier' songs on this album as well, like track 4, "End of the World". Track 8, "Audience", is without a doubt the standout track on the album - as well as the fastest. Towards the end of the album, Ayumi lightens things up a little with the beautiful song "Teddy Bear", and "key ~eternal tie ver.~" The very last song is perhaps the most unexpected on the album - it sounds like a jam session on a Friday night, and is very different from anything I've heard her do. This CD is a must for any Ayumi Hamasaki fan, and if you have not yet heard any of her music, this is also a great place to start.

i am so happy that i picked up duty! it is definitely a grab bag of songs ranging from incredibly dancable (AUDIENCE) to very sober and sad (the trilogy) but through it all, her very high range and beautiful lyrics paint pictures of all stages of life. ayu's songs often involve tragedy and images of struggling with emotions, but also, a hope that lives in us all. somthing she says in AUDIENCE, which i believe might just be a dedication to her fans, shows just how much she believes in her fans and how much work she puts into her music.

Hey! Raise your arms Let's all clap our hands and go If you want to run away Then come here and we'll start together

she's in touch with each and every one of us.

Ayu does it again, hitting up the charts with her 3rd album "Duty". The songs are awesome, some of them with a bit of a rock influence, such as "End of the world" and "AUDIENCE". "Duty" talks about Ayu's responsibility to live up to her media image; "SURREAL" contains a beautiful bridge, with Ayu hitting all the high notes; and "AUDIENCE" is just a happy cheerful song. CD Jacket sleeves and book have pictures of Ayu in a leopard costume - very cute! Recommended for Kuraki Mai or Utada Hikaru fans.

Ayu's latest album Duty is awesome. Almost all the tracks sre outstanding. I didn't like End of the World very much. Besides that all the songs were at least 4 out of 5 stars. SEASONS is the mega hit on this album. It's a beautiful ballad and i think every body will like it. My favorite song was SURREAL a little more rock but who cares? I also liked teddy bear and Key. Key is a little short but it still is awesome. I hope this review was helpful.