I am.. is ayumi’s fourth full length album, released January 1st 2002. It has sold over two million copies and was number one on the Oricon music charts.
*Bolded are singles released
I am…- The album opens up with the song of the same title with Ayumi singing at first with no music. She sounds pretty good going along and then that’s when the heavy guitars and other beats kick in. At first it’s pretty interesting but after a while it gets kind of boring, The song just sounds the same throughout and it is kind of hard to keep up. Otherwise I think this song is okay and opens out the album not in a good nor bad way. I just wish it was more captivating.
Opening Run- This is an interlude in the album. It starts with this weird clicking noise, Then you hear a weird echoing noise and then all these different beats come along. All in all this song is kind of pointless but it fits in the mood in the album none the less.
Connected- I fell in love with this song when I first heard it. It is a very techno inspired track. I love the way she sounds in the song. It is probably the best she has in this entire album. In the end I really enjoyed this song its fun and very interesting and shows a new style in her music. I even thought this should have been the opening song because it is just very unique and different all at the same time.
UNITE!- The song starts with a softly played piano and some other instrument but I’m not sure exactly sure what. Then Ayumi starts singing in a well pitched voice. We then hear that the beat is more fast paced and she stares singing like she’s four years old(I’m jut saying). The chorus is really the climax of the whole song. I don’t really like how her voice sounds at times but I’m able to look past it. The only problem with this song for me was the break. There is this heavy guitar and it is just so random and does not go well with that melody. Other than that this song is very cheery and fun and all in all is just okay to me.
evolution- They might as well called this song UNITE! Part 2. It very much resembles the beat of unite but more rock and roll style. I actually prefer this song more though even though her voice is even whinier. The difference also in this song is that it is even more upbeat and cheery and it even makes you want to sing along. So this song is good too and one of the best tracks on the album.
Naturally- I LOVE this song! It is very slow past but has an electronic feel at the same time. It starts off with a very unique composition that I really can’t explain but there is some drum beats . Then Ayu starts singing and then we get to the part right before the chorus which is my favorite other than the chorus. It basically slows down up until the chorus and then picks up more. I think the song is very relaxing but interesting with the background vocals which I very much enjoyed. It’s basically a techno ballad when you think about it. Some people say it is boring or too laid back but I think it is very unique and one of the best tracks.
NEVER EVER- Well this song if anything sums up the word different. The opening sounds like music they play at the circus or carnivals. Then Ayu sings in a soft, gentle voice. Then sings in a more angry voice in the chorus. I liked the chorus for the most part because she put a lot of emotion into it. This is not one of her best singles that’s for sure. Though I love the way she sounds so angry in here. If you ever feel pissed of this would be one of the songs you listen to.
Still Alone-After a very fast paced song, we get a cool off with Still Alone. When I listen to this song it is very much a song you would hear in an anime or commercial. I don’t know why but that is like the first thing that comes to mind. The most interesting part is the chorus which isn’t even really that upbeat. There is not much to say but this song isn’t bad but isn’t that great either. It has a nice melody and transitions well after NEVER EVER.
Daybreak- This song has some time getting used to. When I first heard it I honestly hated it. It was just so boring to me. It starts out with this weird chime sounding noise that is hard to explain. Then you hear random drums and she starts with the first verse which plays out nicely. Then you’re thinking well in the chorus it should start picking up but really it sounds exactly the same but Ayu just sings louder but thankfully not in her annoying little kid voice. So really this song is just okay to me. I like the melody but it just sounds too laid back even for me. So this song was okay, not the best that’s for sure. Oh! You should watch the video it is so weird to me, I feel like I’m the only one who thinks she looks like a mummy wrap in cheap ass toilet paper it seems like.
Taskinlude- Here we have another interlude(yah!). I actually thought this was a good track seeing as I think most interludes are kind of pointless. It is a good transition for the album as we get to more of the ballads at the end.
M-I think this is seriously one of the best singles Ayu has put out in her career. She really never sounded better as far as vocals go. She starts of singing the first few lines and the background music really is breath taking. As funny as these sounds the melody sounds like one of those songs they play when someone sees an angel or something. After the first verse we go straight to the second part of the song then to the chorus. It is very dramatic and the arrangement is sheer bliss. Then the break comes with a heavy guitar and it seems like it is very random and doesn’t fit but trust me it just gets even better. I really love this song and its one of my favorites. The HAL’s progress version is really great as well but that’s on her A Ballad’s complication which I will soon review.
A Song is Born- This was a single released as collaboration with Keiko from the group Globe. When the track starts off it is very calm and soothing and I’m thinking “ Wow this is actually going quite good!”. Ayumi pretty much sings most of the song. So then after a few minutes (Dang this song is long!!) comes the chorus. For the first time it was okay Keiko was very high pitched. But then the second time they both sing and its hell from then on. They sound like cats that are being tortured by being splashed by water. It is really that bad. Though not the whole problem is necessarily there voices but they sing in this pattern that just is very annoying and eventually you feel like slapping the crap out of them very ruining a potentually excellent track. Some people are able to listen to this song but I’m sorry it just does not work out for me.
Dearest- One way to describe this song is simply beautiful. This is the best song on this whole album! If you plan not to listen to the whole album at least give this song a try. It is so heart breaking but peaceful. It starts with the piano and then some guitars follows after. Her vocals are very good seeing in the previous track it was an absolutely train wreck. In the song she is basically saying that her and her lover I guess, were hurt and how even though they are apart they will be in her heart until the day she is in eternal sleep and she will always think of them. When you listen to the song look up the translation because you will cry your eyes out. She really brought out her emotions and sang her heart out. At the end her vocals are little rocky here and there but you can look pass it thank god. This is my favorite on the album and also in general.
No More Words- A strange rattling noise starts off and some other organic sounds as well to start the track. Ayu begins her infamous humming and then eventually a violin and piano starts as she begins the first verse. It’s pretty much like that throughout but as it plays through she puts more emotion and feel. I really like this song a lot. It again is a song they would use for an anime(Btw Dearest was the third ending for Inuyasha). Now that I think about it this track was an ending for was of the Inuyasha movies.
Endless Sorrow gone with the wind ver.~- This was originally a single that was released as “ Endless Sorrow” but they decided to put the remixed version and this was a great choice. The original one had a very pop sound to it,(which isn’t anything new for Ayu) though it came off as mediocre to me. As sad and emotional as the song was it didn’t hit me. But after listening to this version I think it’s better than the original in my opinion. It has more feeling and an acoustic tone to it. It really sounds like the wind is in the music if that is possible. In the end it is a very great track. Just when think it’s the end of the album(Finally!) there is another track called Flower Garden, which is a hidden bonus track. Drums and a really cheery fast beat play out. I really enjoyed the intro but then the chorus starts I don’t like it for some reason. I think it’s because it once again sounds like a track from an anime. But other than that it is a cute song. Though I think Endless Sorrow should have been the closing song.
All together this album was pretty good. It precede my expectations for it. I think Ayu did an excellent job. There were some minor vocal problems here and there especially in A Song is Born. I also think this album is perfect for an anime for some odd reason, none the less it was better then what I had perceived it to be. So here is my overall rating:
A- 92%
Ayumi proved me wrong on my initial thought of this album. You know what they say, “Don’t judge a book by its cover”.
Favorites: Dearest,M,No More Words, and pretty much everything minus A Song is Born, I am.., NEVER EVER, and Daybreak.
