Super Eurobeat 202

[#Infinity]

Well, to be fair, there actually are quite a few tracks on here that I really enjoy, some even moreso than I thought I would. Eurogrooves sounds especially hot on this release, which is quite nice, considering they haven't really had a truly great showing on one album in a while for me. The main problem for me was that there were also a few songs that disappointed me because I enjoyed them a lot more based off of their samples. I'm hoping that they will grow on me as I warm up more to the album.

Since the general level of this album is pretty consistent, I'd say it's about as good as SEB 201 at the moment, but it'll probably take a little longer before I can truly call it better.

[Jay]

The main problem for me was that there were also a few songs that disappointed me because I enjoyed them a lot more based off of their samples. I'm hoping that they will grow on me as I warm up more to the album.

Ah okay. I'd have to agree with you there; some of the songs sounded better in the samples but, fortunately, many more sounded better in full. I guess it brings up the point that you shouldn't judge a song based on its sample.

There is one song I'd give 10/10 on this album, which I seldom give away anymore since eurobeat doesn't excite me as much these days, and it's not 'Technological World' (I was disappointed by this remix but I'll come to that in my review).

[drnrg]

I love the fact that Playboy and Hey Boy sound very much alike. In the 90s TIME stayed true to the certain sound of different aliases. You knew a Dr. Money song right away. A Maio & Co song also had a certain sound.

Tiger

Anyway, to be back on topic, Ready Forever seems to have a really similar feel to A Perfect Hero for me, but I believe Ready Forever is more powerful (imo). I especially love the "Don't stop the dancing" part

Though I don't agree it's better than A Perfect Hero, It's damn near close and a PERFECT song to showcase Chris Stanton's style and the "Don't Stop Dancing" part is really going back to 90s style as well. If I can ever get the two Eurogrooves songs off repeat; I'll get to the review

[Danko]

I really enjoyed CooLoveR, Go Shinkansen! I Cant Stop Lovin You, Playboy, I Wanna Run To You, Hide & Seek and Dont Turn It Off

[Jay]

I'll just post my review for the first six songs now.

01. IRENE / COOLOVER

Irene... again... Little by little, I'm beginning to warm up to her voice. I love just about every song she has sung so far under Blast!, but under SCP she doesn't really stand out among the other women to my ears. Anyway, my first impression of 'Coolover' was meh, but it has been growing on me ever so slightly with every play. The main reason I like this song is that it sounds much more mature than anything else she has sung thus far under SCP. Compare this with 'Nothing About Me Baby' or 'Pararappa Dance' and you can clearly see the direction Castagna wants to take her in. Now, some people already believe Irene is a force to be reckoned with in the eurobeat world. I personally don't think she has reached that level yet, but she's slowly getting there.

RATING: 7.5/10

02. CHRIS STANTON / READY FOREVER

I was totally taken by surprise with this song. Based on the sample alone, this song sounded like an average Eurogroove male tune, but when I heard it in full... WOW! Now this is what I've been waiting for from Dall'Ora, another Perfect Hero-esque production. If there was just one thing wrong with 'A Perfect Hero,' it was that the introduction sounded too disjointed from the rest of the song; it was flawless otherwise. With this song, however, everything flows seamlessly. 'Ready Forever' is very aggressive, but at the same time there's not too much going on to overload the mind. The introduction would have to be one of the best I've heard in ages. I, too, love that 'don't stop the dancing' part. A song like this could've easily opened the new century of Super Eurobeat with a bang. I just love every single thing about this song; not even the fade out at the end phases me. Perfect eurobeat, and in hot contention as my favourite eurobeat song ever.

RATING: 10+/10

03. PAUL HARRIS / DREAMLOVER

I was underwhelmed by the sample, and the full version wasn't much better I'm afraid. There's nothing wrong with 'Dreamlover' exactly, but there's not much to praise either. It's your typical Delta track - aggressive and macho. There are better Delta productions out there that I'd rather listen to. I think 'Dreamlover' was in an unfortunate spot on this album given that I was still recovering from the shock Chris Stanton's song gave me. If there's one song on this album that will probably grow on me over time, it will be this one. For now, it's not doing much for me sadly. Nice riff, nice sounds, but nothing stands out.

RATING: 5.5/10

04. BUBBLES / HANKY PANKY

Back so soon, Irene? By the way, when was the last time a Kiki & Fancy song was released? SEB 185? I find 'Hanky Panky' to be an unusual blend of Kiki & Fancy and Scream Team, both of which I don't mind in small doses. Needless to say, I don't think any song in the recent past has divided me as much as this one has. The male vocalist in this song (Stefano?) sounds a bit creepy, but at the same time he adds a nice quirkiness to the song. And once again, we have those typical childish SCP sounds that we probably won't ever be able to escape from. In the case of 'Hanky Panky,' however, those sounds are fitting and aren't added for the sake of it like in 'Power of My Love,' which I still can't understand. Those la la las can be extremely annoying though, especially between 2:37 and 2:48, a section that I want to delete from the song altogether. The chorus and riff are definite highlights; in fact, the whole song is fine, but there are too many of those childish sounds for me to listen to it repeatedly. In the end, I'm very much torn in two. It's bearable though.

RATING: 6.5/10

05. CHERRY & LUKE / GO SHINKANSEN!

I really adore this introduction. It reminds me of the time when I was waiting at Tokyo Station for my Shinkansen, haha. Like 'Ready Forever,' I didn't think there was anything special about this song based on the sample, but the full package turned out to be much better if only for the fact that it brings back pleasant memories of my trip to Japan. I'm not one for praising lyrics in eurobeat songs, but I find them quite easy to follow here. I love those faint chimes in the B-Melo - very soothing. My only complaint would be that Moroni's voice sounds too deep in the verses. It's like Moroni is doing that on purpose to match Luke's deep voice, and it sounds a bit strange. Other than that, I've got no complaints with 'Go Shinkansen!' Doesn't really push many boundaries but it brings back nice memories of Japan; that's the main thing. A solid eurobeat production.

RATING: 8/10

06. GO GO GIRLS / MY HOT GUITAR

I wasn't expecting much from this song based on the sample but I certainly didn't think it would be this bad. Move over 'Para Girl' and 'Monkey Dance '09,' because 'My Hot Guitar' is, without a doubt, the worst GGM song ever released. What I find most disturbing of all is that Gobbi sounds too old for the Go Go Girls now (I'd say it's time to retire that alias before GGM taints it further). Her voice doesn't have that bubbliness or screechiness anymore; after all, that's what made the Go Go Girls. Gobbi sounds bored, aged, and... yeah. Not good. Not good. The song itself is like an anaesthetic; there are no exciting gimmicks to keep my interest perked, which was once a defining feature of earlier GGM songs like 'Go Go Where You Wanna Go Go' and 'Stop the Time Tonight.' Where has all that Oliva magic gone? Unless Oliva chooses to pitch the hell out of Gobbi to "fix" her ageing voice, I'd much rather hear Freddy and Leo try to sing as the Go Go Girls from now on. At least that'll be much more entertaining than listening to this godawful song again.

RATING: 0/10

I found the second half of the album to be a bit better in general, so I'll review those songs in a day or so. A big thank you to Eurogrooves for 'Ready Forever'!

Also, funny how I only just realised that SinclaireStyle isn't present on this album after having played it through seven or eight times, haha. Guess that proves how much I care about that label.

[the_ditz]

I really adore this introduction. It reminds me of the time when I was waiting at Tokyo Station for my Shinkansen, haha.

I was thinking the exact same thing today listening to this - memories...

Also, funny how I only just realised that SinclaireStyle isn't present on this album after having played it through seven or eight times, haha. Guess that proves how much I care about that label.

Yeah, this too. No SinclaireStyle really isn't a bad thing to be honest - not until they find the door to the 21st Century where all the modern people live

Anyway, time to start my review of the tracks I bought which are:

Tracks in red are reviewed below - those in black will follow soon...

01 CooLoveR / IRENE (SCP)
02 READY FOREVER / CHRIS STANTON (Eurogrooves)
03 DREAMLOVER / PAUL HARRIS (Delta)
04 HANKY PANKY / BUBBLES (SCP)
05 GO SHINKANSEN! / CHERRY & LUKE (DELTA)
06 MY HOT GUITAR / GO GO GIRLS (Go-Go's Music)
07 I CAN'T STOP LOVIN' YOU / DREAM FIGHTERS (Dima Music)
09 PLAYBOY / APPLE (Eurogrooves)
10 NEW TECHNOLOGICAL WORLD / F.C.F.
11 I WANNA RUN TO YOU / MICKEY B.

I'll review the first 5 tonight and finish them off when I have the time!

01 CooLoveR / IRENE (SCP)
Irene definitely seems to be the top female at SCP nowadays considering the number of recent appearances she's had, and I worry that she may quickly fall out of favour with the masses. But for now it seems, she can't really put a foot wrong. With the help of the production team, she is developing a fusion style of dance-pop-disco-funk-Eurobeat that is as infectious as it is cute. The intro is a bit dischordant to my ears with the tone of the laser effects seemingly clashing with the background chords, however after a few listens I can't really hear it that much anymore. The muted trance synths leading into the first synth hook will put some people off, but for me they work perfectly - this is exactly the kind of track that Pamsy used to nail time and time again. The vocals are crisp and vibrant with plenty of energy, and I adore the little "Coolover" refrains during the main hook. As if things weren't awesome enough, there's even a hot key change halfway through the hook - I was in heaven!! The synchopated bassline adds to the bouncy feel of the track as a whole. If there is one flaw in this track, it's the lack of a really unique and distinct "middle 16" section - instead, we just have more trance layers. It's rare that I think a sub 4:30 track could actually be made shorter, but in this case I don't honestly think that middle section adds anything significant to the track. That being said, in every other way it is another awesome Irene performance - not as instant as Power Of My Love, but far cuter and with just as much groove and energy
Score: 10

02 READY FOREVER / CHRIS STANTON (Eurogrooves)
I had a very lukewarm response to Chris' last track "A Perfect Hero" (especially considering the sheer adulation that other members gave it), so to be honest I didn't really have a great deal of expectations regarding this song. It is for that reason that I am pleasantly surprised when this track starts pounding through my speakers. The intro is very "Mission Impossible" and creates a soundscape that brings to mind espionage and action thriller movies. This is pretty much the theme that carries on through the whole song. Chris puts on a very strong performance, but truly shines during the anthemic chorus - to be honest I could listen to a loop of the hook and the chorus for 5 minutes and would be perfectly happy! The overall production is definitely from the fresher end of the Eurogrooves spectrum, and I still love the way the breakdowns are handled using the classic "drop random sound layers in a random fashion to mix it up" method - only Eurogrooves, and very ocassionally Hi-NRG Attack, are still able to do this uniquely Eurobeat structure well. All in all, Eurogrooves strongest track in a while - not quite Euronight (still the male-vocal benchmark for all their future productions for me), but very close...
Score: 9.5

03 DREAMLOVER / PAUL HARRIS (Delta)
While most of the tracks on this album have actually turned out to be equal if not superior in quality to their 30 second samples, this song is probably the most disappointing for me. I still enjoy the chorus and its somehow superhero feel, and the riff is quite pleasant and playful, but the vocals just sound so half-hearted during the verse and bridge sections. I am beginning to wonder if perhaps Luca was having a bit of an off day when this was recorded, as it is nowhere near the level of energy that should be conveyed in a song like this. Delta has been very hit and miss recently - not to the degree of their massive slump during the 150-160's, but they seem to have lost some of their consistency and spunk that was so evident at the label around the time of the mid 180's. Don't get me wrong, this track is by no means bad and I will happily listen to it again, but overall is was underwhelmed and left wanting more. In fact, I had to play Super Rider after hearing just to remind myself exactly what Delta is capable of when they do a male track right...
Score: 7.5

04 HANKY PANKY / BUBBLES (SCP)
Oh jeez, this track has me soooo confused. On one hand, it's Kiki & Fancy's more continental European brother and sister singing a Bubblegum dance ditty that is fairly inane but catchy. But on the other hand, I have started singing along and bopping my head in the car when it comes on in my car now - could I actually be starting to warm to this unashamed slice of sugary silliness?? The cutesy baby sound effects are present in large doses, but they make sense in this context. Certain parts of the vocal melody sound like an eerie Scream Team-style track, but then you are hit with another slice of goofy male "ralking" - it's not rapping and it's not talking...it's ralking! The split personality nature of the track (the bonkers, cutesy, silly verses and the more strangely eerie chorus and hook) pretty much reflect my opinion of the song - split. I enjoy the chorus and the hook has a really nice kick to it (more so than a lot of Kiki & Fancy tracks), but on the other hand I feel that SCP have tried to hard to manufacture a contrived kiddy act using a vocalist that they are trying to develop in a serious way in the Eurobeat world if track 1 is anything to go by. For that reason, I can't score this high, but it may well turn out to be my guilty pleasure of this decade....time will tell I guess.
Score: 7

05 GO SHINKANSEN! / CHERRY & LUKE (Delta)
Thank god Delta remembered to waken up their vocalists properly before they recorded this cool little track!! This was my second most anticipated sample of the bunch, and on the whole it has retained its appeal in full version. As Jay said, the Japanese announcement during the intro really took me back to May 09 and all those times I stood on random train platforms waiting for the Shinkansen to thunder into the station. From the first beat, this track captivates me - the guitar bursts, those wispy synths and the strong rhythms all draw the listener in. I was also really happy to hear that this is far more of a duet than the sample suggested - Cherry still dominates the chorus, but the verse uses both vocalists to great effect. I the same way that GGM advertised a radio station in Nack 5, this track could easily be used to advertise Japan Rail to the world as a whole - it has that sort of infectious appeal that makes you smile and want to ride a Shinkansen right now!! The easy sing-along nature of the chorus (try punching the air with every "Go!" - you'll smile!! ) adds to the appeal of the track, and overall there were very few things that disappointed me. Could the synth hook be a bit meatier - probably, but to be honest the sparse nature of it just adds to special feel that this track has.
Score: 9.75

More to follow soon...

[Ken Blast]

Should I be surprised at all that Initial D World is talking trash about Princess F's song?

[the_ditz]

Should I be surprised at all that Initial D World is talking trash about Princess F's song?

Aaah yes, but are they talking trash because it sucks (true) or because it is a personal attack on their site (perhaps also true...) lol

[#Infinity]

A little off-topic, but I just noticed...

Super GT 2010: Proof that there's still so much left to blast!

So...you have a pending second appearance, too? I don't really know if the tracklist has been released or not, but does this album feature When The Sun Comes Down again, or a new song entirely? I'd love to find out.

03 DREAMLOVER / PAUL HARRIS (Delta)
While most of the tracks on this album have actually turned out to be equal if not superior in quality to their 30 second samples, this song is probably the most disappointing for me. I still enjoy the chorus and its somehow superhero feel, and the riff is quite pleasant and playful, but the vocals just sound so half-hearted during the verse and bridge sections. I am beginning to wonder if perhaps Luca was having a bit of an off day when this was recorded, as it is nowhere near the level of energy that should be conveyed in a song like this. Delta has been very hit and miss recently - not to the degree of their massive slump during the 150-160's, but they seem to have lost some of their consistency and spunk that was so evident at the label around the time of the mid 180's. Don't get me wrong, this track is by no means bad and I will happily listen to it again, but overall is was underwhelmed and left wanting more. In fact, I had to play Super Rider after hearing just to remind myself exactly what Delta is capable of when they do a male track right...
Score: 7.5

I figured just as much, since you told me this was one of your most-anticipated tracks at first but you didn't even mention it in your initial impressions. To be honest, I'd have probably agreed with you originally. I found it to be a bit hollow and the vocals weren't particularly all-out, but I've heard it a few times and it's gradually growing on me. Really, it seems like the type of track that you need to hear several times before you appreciate it fully; it's quite an interesting track, but in a subtle way.

I totally agree with the enormous praise so far for Ready Forever. That song really takes you by force and is so well-laid out that I really can't take my attention away from it while I'm listening to it.

[DarkSky]

Travis, no you shouldn't be surprised at all haha.
Especially Oak's comment: ''I don't want to listen to negative Eurobeat''
__________________________________________________________

If I have some time I'll write full reviews of songs, but currently I'm very busy!

1. Irene - Coolover [SCP]
7/10

2. Chris Stanton - Ready Forever [EuroGrooves]
10/10

3. Paul Harris - Dreamlover [Delta Music Industry]
6/10

4. Bubbles - Hanky Panky [SCP]
5/10

5. Cherry & Luke - Go Shinkansen! [Delta Music Industry]
5/10

6. Go Go Girls - My Hot Guitar [GoGo's Music]
6/10

7. Dream Fighters - I Can't Stop Loving You [Dima Music]
9/10

8. Princess F. - Internet Kills The Eurobeat Stars [Hi-NRG Attack]
3/10

9. Apple - Playboy [EuroGrooves]
10/10

10. F.C.F. - New Technological World [SAIFAM/Asia]
7/10

11. Mickey B - I Wanna Run To You [A-Beat C]
7/10

12. Dave Rodgers ft. M.Landau - All Around The World [A-Beat C]
-1/10

13. AAA - Hide & Seek -SCP ReVamp Mix [Avex/SCP]
5/10

14. Go2 - Don't Turn It Off (Headrush Version) [SCP]
8/10

[the_ditz]

Wow, Eurogrooves are really getting some serious props here - drnrg will be pleased!

@#Infinity: I have now listened to Dreamlover no less than 7 times, and it still hasn't grabbed me. Like I said, it's not a bad song in any way, but the verse and bridge just seem terribly distant - it's quite a cold track to listen to, while CooLoveR and Ready Forever are a lot more like sitting on a warm beach in early summertime

Oh, and I just noticed - SCP outdid everyone in terms of track numbers on this album when you include the "remixes", so hopefully we'll be seeing a shift to giving more labels a chance to shine rather than the often tired sounding A-Beat C. Dave certainly hasn't done himself any favours with the god-awful All Around The World anyway...

[Ken Blast]

So...you have a pending second appearance, too? I don't really know if the tracklist has been released or not, but does this album feature When The Sun Comes Down again, or a new song entirely? I'd love to find out.

It's just WTSGD again, but any second appearance is better than none at all! As for another song, avex has not requested one of me. ...Yet.

[drnrg]

the_ditz

Wow, Eurogrooves are really getting some serious props here - drnrg will be pleased!

Yeah!!! Not only that, but "Ready Forever" could already easily be my song of the year.

Jay

Those la la las can be extremely annoying though, especially between 2:37 and 2:48, a section that I want to delete from the song altogether.

We just had a big discuassion about this and there they go. ruining an otherweise pretty good Scream Team vibe song with kiddy shouts and silly fare.

[Mikaeru]

Loving My Hot Guitar. Worth it just for the verses alone. Rest of what I picked up's alright. Enjoying CooLoveR. Hanky Panky's weird... seems very schizophrenic. Can't decide if it's a happy bubbly song from the verses, or something more darker (relatively) from the chorus and synth line. Seem to be one of the few really liking Internet Kills the Eurobeat Star (good, classic HRG, and just that nice touch to it). Ironic bit: although I *really* want to know the lyrics are, I can barely make them out, and can't read them having bought the track via Internet (iTunes)

[thejti]

!. CooLoveR - Irene - 4.5/5

Sounds a little disjointed but I'm loving the slower beat and strong dance line.

2. Ready Forever - Chris Stanton - 5/5

If this is one of the last Time songs released on SEB, thank God they ended with one of the best songs. Second best song of the year behind Power Of My Love in my opinion.

3. Dream Lover - Paul Harris - 4/5

Pretty addictive but like Capaldi's productions, Arduini's productions are sounding all the same. It sounds like the male version of Rain by Cherry.

4. Hanky Panky - Bubbles - 4.5/5

I like the style. Good but I've heard it for a while now actually. The male vocalist isn't Stefano though; it's Alesio Milani (Nick Key/Sonic Ray)

5. Go Shinkansen! - Cherry & Luke - 4/5

Typical Capaldi with a lot more SFXs. I like it a lot.

6. My Hot Guitar - Go Go Girls - 3/5

The guitars are nice but this doesn't feel like a Go Go Girls song at all. Much the same way Lolita songs haven't sounded like Lolita songs.

7. I Can't Stop Lovin' You - Dream Fighters - 4.5/5

The dance rhythm with a power Dima style in the structure of Tsundere Night? Yes please.

8. Internet Kills The Eurobeat Stars - Princess F. - 0/5

I don't like this song.

9. Apple - Playboy - 3/5

The only Eurogrooves song on the album isn't bad but isn't special either. I've heard better (especially Ready Forever when Dall'ora was producing for Time).

10. F.C.F. - New Technological World - 3/5

Not bad again but nothing mind blowing. Doesn't stand out. The remix does sound crisper than the original.

11. Mickey B. - I Wanna Run To You - 5/5

I love Mickey B. and this song reminds me of old school A-Beat C with new sounds. A hit.

12. Dave Rodgers feat. M. Landau - All Around The World - 2/5

There were better songs off Blow Your Mind that Dave could have made a Euromix version of than this.

13. AAA feat. Go 2 - Hide & Seek 4.5/5

I typically don't enjoy J-Euro but I love the sound and the vocals fit really well. Very different sounds and inventiveness from SCP.

14. Go 2 - Don't Turn It Off (Headrush) - NA

Not Eurobeat so reviewing it on a Eurobeat site is pointless.

Overall - 3.62/5

Not a bad album but some mediocre songs bring down the overall grade of the album. The HRG song was one of the weakest I've heard in a long while. Mickey B., Chris Stanton, Dream Fighters, and Irene are the creme de la creme of the album.