Ahane Ayano – A-ray [CD album data + review]
format: CD album
label: Pioneer
disc#: PICL-1151
price: 2913 yen
release date: 1997-07-16
track time: 1:07:32
Larger images: [ jacket: front ] [ CD case: back ]
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| # | Track title | Comments | Lyrics |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prologue | n/a |
| 2 | がんばれ 私！ | Ganbare watashi! | |
| 3 | Seventeen | |
| 4 | First Friend | |
| 5 | 大きな風 | Ookina kaze | translation / .rtf |
| 6 | My Home Town | |
| 7 | 愛はきっと | Ai wa kitto | |
| 8 | 弟ではいたくない | Otouto dewa itakunai | |
| 9 | るり色の夢 ~forget-me-not~ | Ruri-iro no yume ~forget-me-not | |
| 10 | 自己紹介 | Jiko shoukai | |
| 11 | あなたに会いに行こう | Anata ni ai ni ikou | |
| 12 | ひこうき雲の空の下 (Album Version) | Hikoukigumo no sora no shita | |
| 13 | Crystal |
Review
Ayano Ahane’s debut album is cheerful and dreamy, evoking the backdrop of her hometown of Okinawa. A-ray captures all the charm of her tender years, as Ayano was 17 at the time of the album’s release. This disc opens with an instrumental track as ocean waves blend into samples of the other tracks on the disc. This prologue is pleasant but does not add anything musically to the collection, and leads into “Ganbare watashi!”, a mid-tempo upbeat number which was released as her second single. Her vocal ability starts to show in the catchy “Seventeen.” The album’s pace slows with “First Friend” which then leads into the reflective and beautiful ballad “Ookina kaze,” which was her first single. “My Home Town” is another slow song which contrasts with the bouncy “Ai wa kitto.”
The album takes a dip with “Otouto dewa itakunai,” a plodding number which is rescued by the track that comes after, the tender and sweet “Ruri-iro no yume.” Two peppy and bouncy songs follow, reaching a second height with the album version of the rousing ballad “Hikouki-gumo no sora no shita,” her third single. The album then ends softly with the lullabye “Crystal,” a sedate number that opens with music box instrumentals and fades out with strings and a luminous guitar to close.
Overall Ayano’s first album is gentle and charming, showcasing her strong vocals amongst bubblegum pop elements. Fans of Ayano’s wistful voice and style will find great value in this early work, which contains her first three singles and all of their coupling tracks. Those who do not already like her or prefer more energetic fare may find their interest lacking in this album.
Favorite tracks: “Ganbare Watashi!”, “Ookina kaze”, “Ruri-iro no yume ~forget-me-not.”
MC G rating: 6.5/10
MC L rating: 8/10
Fan factor: 9/10
Shop: where to buy
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[…] comments: Ahane Ayano’s debut album is relaxed and charming. It sounds cute, yet manages to showcase the mature talent of this young singer. Listening to this for the first time a decade after it was released, the music does not come off as particularly dated. A-ray’s message is still beautiful, young, and optimistic. Read more… […]