Super Eurobeat 179

[Densetsu13]

Danger In Chinatown is easily the best HRG track for ages (alongside Super Kaiser) - it's just as strong as the excellent Shake Me Up from Euromach, which was of course also by Jungle Bill

I see people making a lot of strong statements on EP but this one definitely caught my attention. I hope not to be disappointed by this track.

Only listened to the remixes so far. Parapara Girl is definately the best of them

This statement excites me

I hope my order comes on Friday

[Shawaazu]

I've listened to the first CD now.

Is it just me or does Irene sound a lot like Zexy from Walk On Fire

Otherwise, it's a really good album. Red Light And Sex is definately the best Yay for Go Go's Music

I did get a little weirded out when they started talking about Parapara on Bach Is Back. o_O

[Wataru Akiyama]

I don't know if Heartbreaker 2007 sucks or not.

It'd be awesome if it was a wholly different tune, but why, oh, why, did they fuck up Heartbreaker?

[Jay]

So here's my little review. I'm generally harsh in my reviews, but I try to give credit where it's due. I prefer not to rate the tracks individually since nobody really cares about which songs I think aren't too bad. I'll just talk about the extremely good and the very bad.


A-Beat C/GGM: As far as We Can Be Heroes is concerned...I can't begin to describe how bad it is. Everything is deranged and isn't what I enjoy from Digital Planet at all. Please don't do this again.

Delta: Don't Let Me Be The First is the weakest link and could be a lot stronger all around; it isn't too bad though. Frontal Impact is a very powerful production that I love, and Bach is Back is rather unique (which is always welcome!). Great work.

Hi-NRG Attack: I don't understand the hype behind Danger in Chinatown. I found it lacking in many areas, is rather generic, and fails to fascinate me on any level. It was an even worse choice to place it as the album opener. I enjoy the other two HRG tracks thoroughly, so it isn't all hopeless.

SCP: Disappointed me yet again with Summer Ski and Follow the Rainbow. To be frank, I haven't really been too thrilled with their tracks for a few albums now aside from Babyface. I don't consider this SCP's fault, however. The majority of Avex's recent selection of SCP songs are much too airy and bubbly, which I don't mind in small amounts. When there's a consecutive streak of these type of songs, it begins to get annoying. I'm flexible in the type of eurobeat I enjoy listening to, but I daresay the lack of a strong male production has tainted my perspective on the label lately. I know SCP has them, give them to us Avex!

TIME: Did they hire a totally new producer to create these killer songs or what? Haha. I'm almost overwhelmed by the amazing level of these tracks. My only gripe is with Heartbreaker 2007, wherein it's almost like Version 2 of Speed Man (SEB173) with a different vocalist (De Leo I believe). You could mix them both together and it would sound almost identical. I don't really mind that all too much though; I love both songs.

Just a sidenote about the remakes: I treat them as brand new songs rather than try and compare the quality of the remake with the original. Both versions usually have very distinctive production values that deserve credit (or its lack thereof). It might sound hard to mentally accomplish such a distinction between the two, but it's possible since I'm able to do it. The only time I don't enjoy the remakes is when it's pure shit on its own without influence from the originals, much like any other song.


Best Tracks:

• Erika - Fever & Music (TIME)
• Magika - Dancing to the Moon (TIME)
• Daniel - Frontal Impact (Delta)

Worst Tracks:

• Digital Planet - We Can Be Heroes (A-Beat C)
• Jungle Bill - Danger in Chinatown (HRG)
• Christine - Summer Ski (SCP)

Honorable Mention:

• Toby Vale - Heartbreaker 2007 (TIME)

[para_rigby]

Best 3:
DON'T LET ME BE THE FIRST/ QUEEN 26
FRONTAL IMPACT/ DANIEL
LET'S FLY TOGETHER/ IRENE

Bottom 3:
DO YOU WANNA FLY/ NORMA SHEFFIELD
WE CAN BE HEROES/ DIGITAL PLANET
SUCKA SUCKA PIZZA/ FRANZ TORNADO

3 Honorable Mentions:
BACH IS BACK/ DANIEL & CHERRY
SUMMER SKI/ CHRISTINE
FEVER & MUSIC/ ERIKA

Best Label(s): Delta and SCP
Worst Label(s): A-BEAT C

[DJ Mike TJG]

Well, I have my copy now (Faster than usual!) Let's see how it matches up to my initial thoughts:

01 Jungle Bill / Danger In Chinatown
- Catchy chorus - better than most out of HiNRG recently; nice enough sounding instrumental from what little you can hear (but I'm not a big fan of HiNRG's synths for those at the moment)
- Astonishingly this was as good as the preview implied - I really enjoyed this one a great deal - might even enter the ranks as a favourite recent Hi-NRG song - ★★★★★★★★☆☆ (8/10)

02 Irene / Let's Fly Together
- Considerably less sugary than Dancin' Baby - more like a sped-up form of Pamsy. Sounds quite nice, if not outstanding
- Powerful, catchy track - love the improvement in the vocals. Not quite sure about the synth in the instrumental, but it's mostly a nice track - ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ (7/10)

03 Magika / Dancing To The Moon
- Nice vocals - otherwise nothing much to go on this early - sounds a little bland
- The song has a very 'busy' feel to it - like a lot of dynamic compression was applied to bring the volume of everything up - quite a curious effect, indeed. Overall this turned out a lot better than the preview suggested, if a tiny bit muddied by all that loudness - but I'm really loving all the harmonies at play here! - ★★★★★★★★☆☆ (8/10)

04 Daniel & Cherry / Bach Is Back
- Not sure I find myself going for the way they're singing "Bach Is Back" there, but nice powerful synths underlying it.
- Haha, the intro straight away reminded me of Back On The Rocks (perhaps that would have been more appropriately titled 'Bach' On The Rocks? ) - The gratuitous use of Bach riffs is amusing, but I can't say I find that much of interest here. The vocal quality is fair, but as with the preview I still don't think much of the material they're being asked to sing. Just feels like a third-rate Chemical Love, and not even that passable. - ★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆ (5/10)

05 Erika / Fever & Music
- Great vocals again - could be an interesting track with what sounds like a good instrumental from what little is there
- Funnily enough I've been listening to Time's seminal 'Music Fever' a great deal recently, since getting it on a recent SEB purchase - great to hear the lineage of 'spiritual sequels' progress onto this favourite of mine. The original's verse and chorus melodies have been reworked subtlely into Time's modern style with good measure. Again, Time seems to have this strange 'loud' sound to their tracks this month. Possibly Avex is asking them to step up the power, who knows. Not quite as strong as Time's previous effort this album, but a good effort nonetheless - ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ (7/10)

06 Three Of Spades / Dancing With A Reptile
- Sounds like a Go Go's track, given the more 'thumping' A-Beat C sound - sort of sounds like Nuage, but not quite
- I'm still convinced I can hear Nuage in this ensemble, but it's difficult to be certain. Nice sounding track with good power, vocal work and synths, but perhaps less strong writing on the melodies (it isn't poor by any measure, but it falls short of being catchy enough to be memorable). - ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ (6/10)

07 Digital Planet / We Can Be Heroes
- So-so DP track - I'm not a big fan of this artist to begin with, and this isn't standing out in any significant sense
I don't know what's happening to A-Beat C. So much of the talent in song writing seems to have been sucked away by Go Go's, leaving us with so-so tracks that don't do anything to defy my original opinion from the previews. Nice intro gives way to an OK but ultimately sub-par song that at best has nice work in the instrumental, and not much to praise in the verses/chorus. - ★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆ (4/10)

08 Toby Vale / Heartbreaker 2007
- Liking the synths and drums on this remake, could be a good one!
- With some nifty deep booming guitar and synths, this is as funky a remake as I've heard out of Time in recent months, and certainly back on a par with Doctor Doctor 2007 (the last remake I really enjoyed). Not Time's best, but it's a fun and energetic tribute! - ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ (7/10)

09 Dany / Love Is Like A Fever
- Nice chorus, good synths in the small bit of the instrumental - liking the sound of this
- Wow, where did this come from! Time's presence on this disc has been very strong so far (and that's a big thing, given how much I usually 'meh' at their work). That deep growling guitar from Dark In The Night 2004, which slowly grew on me, is back in earnest in the intro. Strong vocals, and quality writing which makes this a genuine joy to listen to. Definitely a winner! - ★★★★★★★★☆☆ (8/10)

10 Norma Sheffield / Do You Wanna Fly
- Awesome! Norma returning to the more airy sound I enjoyed in some of her less recent material. Hopefully the rest of the song will match up.
- Norma has always been in a different pocket of EB from most other artists, perhaps shared only by the likes of Alexis and sometimes Nuage. For me, Norma is never about demonstrating power through rhythm or speed, but simply about more magestic and soulful themes. After some rather poor material in the 160s, it's nice to see a good return to form, and with some good rhythm to boot. - ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ (7/10)

11 Queen 26 / Don't Let Me Be The First
- Stock Aitkin Waterman disco-fever again Queen 26 never lets me down on this front. After a disappointing last couple of songs, this sounds quite promising
- This is what I love! Definitely in SAW mode (so exactly as the preview belied), with all the catchiness and musicality that comes by standard. Queen 26 return to the frontline with a superb track with plenty of power! - ★★★★★★★★☆☆ (8/10)

12 Christine / Summer Ski
- It really is 'ski' - how unusual Like the general sound and melody on this one
- The same kind of gentler sound I really shot into liking with "Me, Myself & I" and "Wings Into The Sky". A beautiful soundscape with outstanding vocals as always by Christine - some may dislike the departure from the older, perkier stuff she used to do, but for me that gap is better filled by the likes of Pamsy and Lisa Lion. - ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ (7/10)

13 Lucya / Follow The Rainbow
- Holy crap, this is one I am seriously waiting to hear in full length - exactly the kind of Lucya sound I was hoping for (curious that Avex is running Christine and Lucya back to back, though, as the songs are remarkably similar in style)
- This really is a surprising song to follow straight off the back of "Summer Ski" - especially given that they're in the same style and key no less. I was a rather disappointed by the synths and melody in the instrumental, but Lucya's voice is heavenly as always and the verses and chorus are well done. Really just a shame that the song is let down in that instrumental. - ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ (7/10)

14 Powerful T. / I Want You
- Powerful T. gets a much more 'powerful' song for a change, for sure - less grating than the previous few attempts have been, but I'm reserved over how this'll turn out
- Well, my reservations about Powerful T. this time out were unnecessary - this was a much stronger effort and some outstanding vocals for a change (my biggest problem with this artist is that the vocals really grate more often than not). Good writing and synths and overall power make this a much better outing for the T-man! - ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ (7/10)

15 Mega NRG Man / Red Light and Sex
- Wowsers, this is a return to form for another artist - not sure if this is A-Beat C or Go Go's - given how poorly A-Beat C have treated this name for the past few songs, I'm leaning towards Go Go's, but we'll see!
- A slightly diminished volume level in the drums does nothing to disuade from this being a strong and catchy song with usual quality vocals from the Man. - ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ (7/10)

16 Daniel / Frontal Impact
- Much better than his debut song - has this guy usurped Kevin as Delta's frontline male?
- As I expected, this song turned out stronger than Daniel's debut on SEB 177, or perhaps I'm just getting more used to him? Nonetheless, nice power from Delta as has become the norm from them lately - nothing much to complain about, if nothing exceptional either - not one I find myself endearing to, though. - ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ (6/10)

17 Remy Panther / On The Road Again To The Show
- Less strong than HRG's opener, but I like the synths in the instrumental a lot better!
- Ugh, that intro did not sit well with me, and the instrumental turned out a lot weirder than I was comfortable with. However, the main song was nicer, but not enough to redeem this from being a rather lame HiNRG effort. - ★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆ (4/10)

18 Franz Tornado & Mozzarella Girls / Sucka Sucka Pizza
- Average-sounding HRG track - can't say I find the chorus catchy, but a glimpse of the instrumental reveals a curious electric guitar in place of a synth? Hmmm...!
- Love the electric guitar presence in this song, and it's a mostly OK track, but it feels like the special something that graced a lot of HiNRG's older stuff is still sporadic in their modern tracks. - ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ (7/10)

So it's a mostly good album, and certainly a lot better than we've had in recent months And for once, I'm really loving Time's output this month!

[Bore]

I gotta agree with many of the earlier posters, most of the labels did really good and the only one I gotta nitpick about is A-Beat C. Their presentations were lacking that something big time.

I hate to say it, but it really does seem like Go Go's did get the longer straw as their productions seem to turn out better and better than A-Beat C so far. What time will bring later will remain to be seen, but for now I'm gonna turn my fanboy-coat for a while and wait for what the future brings from GGM.

[SirSlugma]

I have to say, this album was really boring and disappointing after my first listen to it. Delta's tracks were pretty good, but labels that usually produce good stuff (like SCP) were just bland.

And don't get me started with Heartbreaker '07. What a piece of trash.

[drnrg]

Bore wrote

I gotta agree with many of the earlier posters, most of the labels did really good and the only one I gotta nitpick about is A-Beat C. Their presentations were lacking that something big time.

Just an assumption, but could it be that you just expect soooo much more from AbeatC. Like when a team's best player fumbles the ball?

Jay wrote

Just a sidenote about the remakes: I treat them as brand new songs rather than try and compare the quality of the remake with the original.

Wise man. You seem to understand the essence of remakes.

[Torizenon]

TOTALLY DISSAPOINTED, SHIT SHIT SHIT

[DJ Mike TJG]

{pointless crap removed}

Since you can't actually string together the remotest amount of constructive criticism, I'll chalk up your comments to the "idiot" crowd.

Enjoy 179!

[Jion]

lol...

[DanWaigand]

Yeah I gotta admit.. That really WAS really REALLY AWESOME!!! weeeee....

Oh wait, SEB 179? No uhh.. I meant how the first song that I actually noticed more then the porn was the Mega NRG Man one... Yeah.

This one blew goats, And Time really didn't have a clue what to do with guitars.

----

at least that's my opinion. Luckily there are multiple schools of thought, so some people will totally love this album. I hated it and thought it could get no lower an opinion, but PHIL proved me wrong.

It's interesting to note that everyone unhappy with SCP Material seems pissed off at Avex rather then SCP, Myself included. With any luck, they'll get itunes or something.

[zoupzuop2]

I'd listen to Danger In Chinatown, but for some reason Mu-Mo won't let me download the license. I type in my username and password and the page that SHOULD enable "play" freezes up. For HOURS.

As for Back on the Road and Sucka Sucka Pizza, they're mediocre for HRG. Back on the Road is sort'a "meh-worthy" Garcon fare, and Sucka Sucka Pizza is gimmicky and weak overall.

[Ricfiam]

Yes:
Irene
Lucya
Mega NRG Man
Daniel
Franz Tornado

No:
Digital Planet
Norma
Queen 26

...and we have a summer-break