Gone are the days when I could dedicate a whole day to make a SEB review, so instead I'll do a few each night.
Super Eurobeat 221 review
1.
SEB All Stars – SEB 4 U (SCP)
“Blah Blah Move your body all night long. Here We Gox3 Uhx3. Yo! Check this out.5-4-3-2-1. Almost 30 seconds of terrible intro babble that I would easily hear in one of those EDM songs featuring Pitbull, Flo Rida ect… , before the really cool synth riff starts blaring out my p.c. speakersand I concider that "ear torture". I initially thought this would be one of the stand out tracks when I first heard the sample? I had very high hopes for this one and from what I heard on the sample; it sounded like it would easily be one of my top 3 tracks on the cd. Oh, how SCP proved me wrong with that intro alone. I can’t decide if it’s the lyrical context or the way D.J. Boss pronounces his words, or what? What I do know is that everyTIME I hear it I start to cringe and an almost acidy taste forms in my mouth. I can’t help thinking that that intro was aimed at the same crowd who listens to that Urban EDM. Nothing about it readies my ears for a cool Eurobeat song. The intro is very important in a song; Whatever Genre it may be and this one just sounds so out of place in a Eurobeat song. It’s a real shame, because the rest of the song shines with exceptional value, because of all the cameos we are graced with from the different Eurobeat vocalists. They all sound great and put their best vocal efforts into the song. Weather it be a verse or just a small line like, “Eurobeat Forever” as sung by Franz Tornado. The riff; as I already mentioned, sounds like one of the best SCP has produced ever. Up to a point where I got a small ABeatC vibe from it. As I slowly begin to leave that abysmal intro behind and just when I see a clear Eurobeat road ahead; the inevitable happens. D.J. Boss returns to blow a black cloud of smoke all over the mini break. “Tokyo Yeah go!” Or whatever. His voice really ruins a great sounding mini guitar break and that is unforgivable. The fact that the song barely qualifies as an extended makes that intro and break come around one too many uninvited TIMEs as I try replaying the song. The chorus; is the funny part. The lyrics state "SEB 4U Maniacs", but it seriously sounds like it mentions (NES). A notorious misheard lyric. Or is it? I wouldn't be surprised if that misheard lyric was purpousely inserted to appeal to the video game buffs? I’m sorry. I’ll probably be the only one bothered by D.J. Boss appearance (let alone give the song the lowest rating), but argh! I just can’t stand his vocals. In the end; I cannot for the life of me give this song a grade any higher than a -7; which in turn; ends up being one of the lower grades I give out on this cd.
-7/10
2.
An- G – Different Girl (SCP)
Two SCP songs in a row to start the cd. Is this a good idea? I don’t know, but I know I enjoyed this song a notch better than SEB 4U. The intro sounds very Eurobeat and the series of synth chords just adds to its power. It’s funny, but that very un-Eurobeat like vibe I got from An-G’s vocals from the sample; seems to have disappeared. Her vocals are not as urban as; say, Kelly Wright, and I enjoyed her vocals too. We were initially given the hint that this new female artist could have been Annerly Gordon? I really didn’t hear any Annerly in her vocals, but none the less; I believe she sounds right at home among Eurobeat veterans. So, with acceptable vocals; I can tune in to the rest of the song. The intro is easily from SCP stable, but perfectly sets up the listener for the melody in
the verses and bridge. Now; the melody in the chorus is what brings the song up another notch above SEB 4U. It has that slight Heavenly vibe that sometimes Pamsy would use, but done the right way. I would consider this song to be a combination of aggressive and slightly tipping to Aishu in the chorus. That’s a great combo that ‘Dall Ora mastered with Elena Ferretti’s songs. If I had to choose a stand out part of the song; I would have to say the break. The hard synth sounds accompanying her in that last verse are really what was needed to inject that last dose of power into the song and I think it turned out to sound just fine among this adrenaline oozing batch of songs featured on this last cd. This first showing leaves me with a positive feel for An G’s next song.
-8/10
3.
Dejo & Bon- Loving Eurobeat (Sinclaire Style)
“A classic and at the same TIME progressive” are the first words we hear in the intro. They seem completely meaningless, because the song is anything, but progressive. However; that ; for me is a good thing, because it has the traditional sound we have come to love and accept from Sinclaire since his days at AbeatC. I prefer this song to “Boys Gone Wild” for a few reasons. First off; is the intro. The guitar laced intro reminds me of all those Edo Boys songs gone by and the riff likewise screams of all the Niko power songs of yester year. The song itself; since it features both DeJorio and Bonini seems like one of those team ups they did back on DELTA. What was their name? Tokyo Future?But anyway; this is one of those songs that gets better with each listen. I might have even chosen my top 5 prematurely? That is yet to be seen as the weeks progressed, but I really did enjoy this Sinclaire comeback immensly. Favourite part? I want to say the Guitar break. What Rock fan doesn’t love an agressive guitar lick inserted into his Eurobeat, but instead I’m gonna say, that false outro around the 3:20 mark. It really gave the feel that song was about to end, but instead takes it to 5th gear and one more TIME around the race track before going to full victory. This song is a perfect example of how to make a bi-themed Racing and Eurobeat love anthem.
9+/10
4.
Stephy –Power and Love (Dima Music)
This brings me to one of my absolute standouts on the disc. I’m talking about one of my favorite female vocalists. Ever since I heard “Emotions” on Delta; I knew she would follow up hit after hit. Speaking of “Emotions”; “Power & Love’s” intro reminds me so much of that same acapella style she used in that Delta classic. The buildup in the intro is perfect to introduce that guitar laced synth riff, but what I really loved was that small synth key insert right before she starts singing the verses. It’s tiny, but when you look for this little details; it really shines and gives the verses that extra sauce. The melody in the verses; itself is wonderful and giving the song even more power as it progresses into the bridge and then finally the chorus; which is filled with that good up-tempo feeling I look for in my female sung Eurobeat. Even better is the fact that this song also features a mini guitar break before the last verse which immediately zooms the listener into final chorus. This final chorus contains all the essence of the song’s title; “Power & Love”. My only hope was that she would use some of her screaming notes from the past. Something like in “Speed Demon” would have been nice. Alas; this song is sure to bring hours of joy to my player and is already etched as one of my favorite ever from Stephy. So as of now; #1. Emotions, #2. Speed Demon,and now #3. “Power & Love”. I’m hoping SEB 222 features her new song at Live Music Studios(HRG Attack).
10/10
