Review Of Super Eurobeat Volume 158

[Jion]

The newest Eurobeat CD has come with the return of many favorite artists such as Niko, Mickey B. and Ace! Let’s get to it!

01 - Leslie Parrish – Victim

Quite unexpected style out of Leslie Parrish though it seems to be the theme of the album, disco style. I love the lyrics a whole lot. It’s just very strong! This song also has the shortest B melo as the A melo has two paragraphs with different lyrics. The B Melo is one sentence long which makes the song really seem different. As a whole though the song is just rather bland unfortunately. I'm a little dissapointed.

7/10

02 - Chris Stanton - Love Is Freedom

A newcomer to Time and I can say he has the best voice on Time. The lyrics make little sense but then again this is Eurobeat. Musically, they used softer synths on this song but it still sounds like several other Time songs in the past. It’s a nice solid song from Time just not too much to rave about.

7/10

03 - Ace - Power Of Sound

SCP’s first song on this album though it has been heard of before on Initial D 4th Stage. If you love guitar style SCP you’ll definitely like this song. Ace’s powerful voice and feeling just captivate you when you listen to this song along with the blending of the guitars and the synths. I remember listening to Clara Moroni talking about how Eurobeat is really rock with synths and this song clearly shows this. There is a guitar solo too which adds to the whole package of the rock feeling. Quite a Eurobeat trip!

10/10

04 - Queen 26 - Inside Your Heart

The second song on this album to use the disco style and perhaps the most controversial song on the album. Disco and Eurobeat are very close in style and that must be remembered. There are so many Eurobeat elements in Disco and vice versa. I know not everyone appreciates this song but I always review the songs on any album as how good it is, not for the style. Anyway the singing is very good and beautiful. The music is very crisp and clear and the lyrics are extremely nice as well. I’m curious as to the identity of Queen 26 because she may be like K.J. Wainwright in that she may not be Italian. Another great song by Delta on this CD. I love it!

10/10

05 - Manuel - What You Need

Manuel has been one of my favorite artists since his debut on 141. This song has so much good with it. The Digital Planet/Giacomo Caria style that has been present in so many songs during the 150’s era is here too. The biggest flaw that I find in this song comes with the intro. It just isn’t as captivating musically as I would have hoped. The rest of the song makes up for it. It has a disco airy feel which pushes his vocals which once again goes with the feeling of the rest of the album. Nice song by Manuel!

10/10

06 - Van T.K. - Dancin' Time

Now I have been a huge herald for Van T.K. since I think he’s one of SCP’s best singers. I love his Disco Eurobeat style it just does so much for me. I dance every time I hear this song. The synths are right, the electric guitars are perfect. This song to me is just extremely nice!

10/10

07 - Mike J. - Superlove Superaction

Very very bassy is this song. Other than that, if you’ve heard a Time song before most of the elements are the same. Very similar to Mike J.’s song on 153. It’s really not that much to talk about but it isn’t abysmal.

6/10

08 - Nick Key - The Speed Of Light

Without a doubt Nick Key’s best song released! The mixing of the synths and the guitars make for a cool sound and the lyrics are powerful and quick. Of course Milani’s vocals bring such flavor to the show. If this is what Alessio is capable of, then he should start singing more than one song every series. This is very easily one of the best songs on this CD.

10/10

09 - Dee Dee – Butterfly

Now I’ve heard a few Dee Dee songs and they’ve always had a modified voice by Di Marcantonio. But after hearing a normal vocal level using the Dee Dee name when he teamed up with Regina on Beautiful Day, I was hoping it would just be another name for him. Sadly, it’s not the case. The only song I really liked by Davide with changes to his voice was his song as Habegale, Music. This song isn’t bad by any means but it’s seriously not what I expected from Vibration. I didn’t like much the Dee Dee song on VIP 3 either. It is rather beautiful and the piano at the beginning and end make it rather pleasant but in between it just doesn’t seem right. I’m rather disappointed…

7/10

10 - Mickey B. - Call Me Now

Everytime I hear Mickey B. sing I am always blown away by her sheer quality. The guitars are very present as in every Mickey B. song. Another song where whenever I listen to I start to dance! I have yet to hear a song by this muse and still continue to seek her out on every CD I listen to. Awesome vocalist, awesome song.

10/10

11 - Jeff Driller - Stop And Go

Another very bassy song! The intro is very creative though I wish they would use a different instrument. Not exactly your typical HI-NRG Attack song as it sounds a little different. Lyrically you can tell it’s a HI-NRG Attack song but musically it almost sounds like a sped up A-Beat C song. Very different than what I expected. Great song all around and not what a lot of people are gonna expect from HI-NRG Attack.

9/10

12 - Lou Turner - Superguy

What a gorgeous pre-intro. And different instruments??!! What is this?? This song is gorgeous! This actually is the first time that I can remember where this actually doesn’t sound like a Time song. I actually had to repeat it to make sure what I heard was right. I fell in love with this song so quickly. Time! You are getting things right!

10/10

13 - Cherry - I Can't Stay Without Your Love

The synths and guitars similar to almost any other Cherry song. The best thing this song has are the lyrics and the crystal clear singing by Clara. But I’m really disappointed by this song as it brings absolutely nothing new to the table. Whats there is good but this seems more like a remix of several Cherry songs put together. I’m so disappointed by Delta on this one....

6/10

14 - Garcon - Bazookaaa

This almost seems like a blast to the past. This song mixes old school HI-NRG Attack with contemporary HI-NRG Attack. Once again I wish they would use new instruments like Time did earlier with Superguy. But what is there is very good. Festari’s vocals are strong in this song. The lyrics of course make little sense but the gist of the song is that he wants the girl to dance with him all night long. I’m actually quite impressed by this song I only wish HI-NRG Attack would use a different instrument.

9/10

15 - Giada - Give Me Your Love

A new vocalist for A-Beat C. Looking at the booklet, I’m guessing her last name is Massara. Of little importance right now though. This song actually seems like a mix of Norma, Susy and Meri which works fantastically. The music is soft, beautiful and strong. Ms. Massara’s vocals are also very beautiful which add a whole lot. All in all an extremely impressive debut by Giada!

9/10

16 - Fastway - Kingo King'O Beat

Ennio’s back! What a great and powerful song! Slower than most are used to by the artist Fastway but it follows a very jungle rhythm style. The guitars swing in with so much power and the guitar solo adds much pep to an already energetic song. Another song that relies heavily on the guitars. It’s very rockish and very cool. Not much else to say other than it’s fantastic!

10/10

17 - Nuage - I Feel Fine

Nuage comes back with a slower style which she has perfected. This song is no exception. She’s a master of the Disco Dance/Eurobeat style. It’s such a treat to the ears to hear her sing and to just listen to the music. It’s gorgeous.

10/10

18 - Niko - Pilot Is The Hero

Everything about the lyrics makes sense except one thing. Pilot? I’m sure they meant driver instead of Pilot but whatever! This song is all about racing and it shows from the beginning to the end. The song is actually more akin to D.Essex rather than Niko but then again it’s the same exact artist so it doesn’t matter. It’s a blast to listen to! It reminds me of the old school Delta style which is a huge plus.

10/10

This CD is slightly disappointing as it clearly is the weakest in the 150s. The good songs that are on it are extremely strong and can rival any in the 150s series. The mediocre though are really apparent. There is a lot of repetitiveness of style that I’m noticing from HI-NRG Attack and Time (though Time has redeemed itself slightly with Superguy) Vibration was extremely disappointing here and they are one of my favorite labels!! SCP was right on the money here and they really know what to do. A-Beat C is showing us a different side of itself which is paying off big time. Delta has shown a lot of improvement but they still like to rely on the same ol same ol with Cherry. Not too thrilling. A good album overall with amazing songs especially by Nick Key, Van T.K., Nuage, Ace, Fastway and Mickey B. but there are quite a few songs that just aren’t that impressive.

CD score - 8/10

[Shawaazu]

Huh? Did I miss something, I thought Habegale - Music was sung by a woman @_@ Or was he singing background vocals?

[Jion]

Nope. Habegale is another name Davide Di Marcantonio used. His voice is obviously altered so many may think it's a woman but it is in fact Davide.

[aXu]

SEB 158 is clearly the best volume of 150's, imho.

+ Chris Stanton
+ Ace
+ Queen 26
+ Manuel
++ Van T.K
[slow, but groovy, i like it. Reminds me of good'ol 80's]
+ Nick Key
+ Mickey B.
++ Jeff Driller
[i usually hate nrg-attack, this song is clearly the best of their works]
+ Lou Turner
+ Giada
++ Fastway
[rhythmical song, groovy tune. chorus kicks ass]
+ Nuage
+ Niko
0 Garcon
0 Mike J.
- Leslie Parrish
- Dee Dee
-- Cherry
[no more of this, hopefully they invent something new for Cherry, seems like i'v heard this same song in last 5 SEB's]

Rating: 9/10

Over and out.

[KitsuneStar]

Definitely nowhere near the level 157 hit, but still had a few good songs (Fastway's, Manuel's). Wouldn't say it's the weakest of the 150s, though. That distinction goes to the downright abysmal 154.

I don't think it would harm anything if Time gut their customary 1-2 songs per CD taken away from them and given to SCP, though.

More SCP = Happy Kitsune.

[drnrg]

I didn't really care for your remarks on TIME cutting thier songs off. In my opinion they are the best. I think all the lables are important, though I still don't get all the hoorays over A beatC. They are great, but not the best.. To Me TIME, HRG ATaack & DELTA will always be kings of Eurobeat. I guess I like my HI NRG to sound more traditional and fast!!!

[KitsuneStar]

My problem with Time, in general, is that every single song they put out now sounds more or less exactly the same, and sounds exactly the same as it did in 1998. Don't even get me started on Hi-NRG Attack....

And as for "Fast" or "Energetic", I wouldn't say that SCP isn't covering that angle.... I'm not much for the slower songs myself ("Victim" is especially awful, IMO).

Though, my tastes have ALWAYS been radically different from everyone else's. (Where the majority seems to be into happy, girl eurobeat or overly-hyper Bazooka/Cow-centric silliness...)

There's nothing wrong with that, in general, though I wish I knew why my tastes are so contrary...

[Ricfiam]

I liked Time records when there were writers like Davide Di Marcantonio, Gino Caria, Luca Pernici. Nowadays just regular for me. Of course there are some really good staff now too. I think about Symbol - Forever young... yeah I like Clerici's works!

[Nine]

This shows that every single person has different tastes of what the current SEBs has to offer. With this CD, I only liked one song, which was Victim, but a lot of people hated it. A lot of songs that I hated (like, the other 17) people liked. XD It's very amusing.

[Bore]

I've been slacking on writing the review for this, mainly due to the fact that I didn't really enjoy it all that much... The album had a few really clear highlights and some songs just blew my mind but in general I wasn't really happy with it.

+++

Queen 26
Mickey B.
Jeff Driller
Lou Turner
Giada
Niko

- - -
Van T. K. (uh sorry Jion but I don't see where this guy is going. First eurobeat song in ages that I couldn't stand listening... )
Mike J.

In the end I probably enjoyed the Queen 26 the most. The previous song she did was horrid but this song just kicks ass too big time!

[Bore]

SEB 158 is clearly the best volume of 150's, imho.

[no more of this, hopefully they invent something new for Cherry, seems like i'v heard this same song in last 5 SEB's]

Over and out.

Heh, couldn't have said it better myself. *chuckles*

[gs68]

This shows that every single person has different tastes of what the current SEBs has to offer. With this CD, I only liked one song, which was Victim, but a lot of people hated it. A lot of songs that I hated (like, the other 17) people liked. XD It's very amusing.

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who liked Victim. I knew from the moment I heard the first 15 seconds of the sample track that it would be a good song.

Anyway I read through the booklet thingy for SEB 158, Clara is not credited for I Can't Stay Without Your Love, even though it's a Cherry song. I don't get that--is she not under that alias anymore or did Avex just forget to mention her?

[Jion]

She probably didn't write the song. The singer isn't credited in the booklet, usually the writers and producers are. Sometimes though, the writer is the singer, such as is the case with Nick Key (Alessio Milani), Dave Rodgers (Giancarlo Pasquini), Nuage (Denise Di Vincenzo) and Jimmy Bravo/Dee Dee (Davide Di Marcantonio).

[orochi]

This album is AMAZING!

1. It shows a different side of Delta with its 80s PWL style with Leslie Parrish and its even more off-Eurobeat wall of Queen 26 whose song synths resemble Eurobeat but structure is similar to modern pop songs.
Cherry must still stay to appease the old fans though...

2. A-Beat C finally showed its revamped true colors and revealed its new holy trio for the next 160 generation.
Giada - Beautiful song. Beautiful chorus. Beautiful synth.
Could be another Susy Wender / Norma Sheffield
fusion type song. Hope she won't dissappear like Meri.
Mickey B - I always thought Mickey B as an alternate to Lolita as their
songs are similar. However after her awesome Snowgame
Fighter and her duet with Lolita, she is fastly gaining in my
books. (I have forgiven her for ruining Reflections)
Nuage - Her last song Hey Mr. DJ was not impressive. This however has
reversed her ratings. Very soft delivery and very very catchy
chorus makes this one of the best Nuage songs every.
A-beat C has finally changed its instrumentation and style to suit the newer style that SCP and Delta had changed to. Bravo! However they should retain Lolita and Go Go Girls style for nostalgia sake.

I will not bother to touch on SCP, Time and Vibration as after each brand new experimentation attempt, they withdrew back into the shell of their old style.

[Lunar]

IMO Nick Key - Speed of Light is the best song in the album. It's just too good.Then comes Power of Sound, which is awesome, Queen 26 is great so is Fastway and Niko. Giada was also decent as well as Nuage and Mike J... But apart from that the rest is pretty disappointing.....especially Victim..I was expecting much more from Leslie Parrish.

Nick Key - Speed of Light 11/10+++
Ace - Power of Sound 10/10+++
Queen 26 - Inside Your Heart 9/10
Fastway - Kingo King'o Beat 9/10 +
Niko - Pilot is the Hero 9/10
Giada - Give me your Love 8/10
Mike J - Superlove Superaction 8/10 -
Nuage - I feel Fine 8/10 +

the rest won't I even bother...
As far as disco-ish eurobeat goes, Van K.T's songs is the only ones worthy imo.