Okay, let's get this ball rolling.
1.
Like a Virgin 2005 - Virginelle - ABeatC Records
Okay, well for starters, the vocals are more present in this version, I find. It certainly improves that aspect of the song, but I found the best part of the original was the higher reverbed lyrics and the high energy synths that were being used. Perhaps Elena's eveolved her singing style in the five years between this one and the old one. So, at best, I'd say this version is at par with its original.
8/10
2.
Without You - Madison - Delta Dance Studios
I can hear a tinge of what I can only describe as 'hyper-techno' in this song. It's a bizzare mix of older sounding eurobeat with a lower than average tempo and throwing some old techno-dance stylings to it. Though, in general, the song is beautifully done and is really showing Delta's recent upswing in quality that I've remarked in recent releases (Pilot is the Hero, Tic Toc, Hot Hot). Top notch stuff.
9/10
3.
Stand Up - Degaz feat. Vanessa - Time Records
I'm told there are other versions of this same song, but, alas I have not heard them, so I'll be judging it solely on its merits on its own, mkay?
Well, the song is very heavily disco influenced. It's very funky and catchy, too. Not too remarkable otherwise, though, really. It's a very nicely produced song, but not good for any distinctive reason. Not bad.
7/10
4.
Stop To Give Up - Van... er... Eurofunk - Delta Dance Studios
Luca Torchiani lends his talents to Delta for this song! Uses the distinct funky style that Luca usually uses in his SCP productions, but with a Delta styling. This was, apparently, a really awesome idea. This is most certainly on par with "Rockin' Dome" and quite possibly better. Luca has a really great, if not a bit quieter, voice and it's great that he gets a song like this to showcase it here. I'd like to see future Delta/Luca productions. What's next? Maurizio singing on SCP? ^_^
9/10
5.
Line of Fire - Mister Max - Boom Boom Beat
Another signature BBB sounding song. Very quick and intense but doesn't sound really as detailed and involved as most BBB songs do. It's a very decent song and has many qualities that make BBB songs so enduring to me, but not as much as some other ones. It shows though, that even a mediocre BBB song can be a good song in general.
8/10
6.
Oh Baby Call Me Now - Groove Twins - ABeatC Records
Groove Twins are back! The first thing I note is that the pre-intro to this song is done really well, in my opinion. I'm a big fan of well produced pre-intros. The song itself is a little lacking in distinctive special qualities. It's a good song with lots of energy, but the whole mood of the song is ratrher neutral with no highs and lows and not too impressive.
7/10
7.
Stay With Me - Sarah - Boom Boom Beat
Very unique song by BBB. It's distinctly theirs, but at the same time, is unlike anything I've really heard from them. Unfortunately, I'm not a big fan of this particular song. I really do prefer male vocals for BBB songs because they can output some really nice power with BBB's synth style. The song's also paced a little frantically too, for my taste.
7/10
8.
Please Don't Go - Manuel - ABeatC Records
Manuel's back again with another song that is distinctively his. A very good song that has great pacing and good lyrics, too. Not as good as Manuel's older stuff but this is still a song that ABeatC should be proud of. Not bad.
8/10
9.
Carry On Baby - Suzy Lazy - Delta Dance Studios
Powerful, present synths dominate this energetic tune, to nice effect. If the song suffers from anything, it's that it's a little generically Delta, really. Aside from the nice synthwork (which I think sounds a bit like a BBB song, almost) at times, there isn't too much to make this song overly enjoyable. Decent.
7/10
10.
So Fragile - Pamsy - Stefano Castagna Productions
This song seems to be geared to showcase Pamsy's beautiful vocals and it does a fabulous job of it. Very dreamy and whimsical sounding, this song is a welcome addition to Pamsy's already impressive eurobeat arsenal. On a sidenote, that downsampled drumloop sample that you hear adds such a nice touch to the song, I really liked that.
9/10
11.
All Alone - Nayr - Time Records
All Alone is a very medicore Time production and it's songs like this that make people so biased against Time, these days. The label has a lot of history and potential and I think that they need to try a bit harder.
5/10
12.
Like a Fire - Mark Foster - BBB
Three BBB songs on one SEB, I could get used to this. Especially if they're great songs like this one. When we think of good BBB songs, ones like this one spring to mind. Aggressive, driving and powerful are all words you can use to describe this song.
9/10
13.
Rock'n' Roll Emulation - Nando feat. The Prophet - Delta Dance Studios
I was ever so worried this song would have something vaguely hyper-techno about it, but it turns out that The Prophet acts a bit like Lil Jon does on the songs he's featured in. "What!?" "Okay!!" if you get the picture. Altogether, it's not that bad a song, but it's a bit weak on the percussive side of things. It's certainly interesting, though. Maybe the title is a message? Like, a comparisson to eurobeat as trying to emulate rock 'n roll. I forget who said it, (might've been Clara Moroni, not sure) but "Eurobeat is pretty much just rock with synths.". Something to think about.
8/10
14.
Memories & Feelings - Lucya & Ace - Stefano Castagna Productions
Wow, what another great pairing of Ace and Lucya. This song has a great building up feeling to it and the sabi just climbs and climbs and hits a really sweet high note where their voices harmonize into an amazing pinnacle that is simply pleasureable to hear. This is a great contribution from SCP but only the first Ace song on the album...
10/10
15.
Moonlight Sensation - Dave - Time Records
Not Mr. Rodgers, that's for sure. This is another bland sounding Time song that doesn't speak to me at all, really. I'd quite possibly skip this if it came up in a playlist. The worst part is that the Sabi bores the hell out of me.
4/10
16.
Lucky Doom - Jeff Driller - Hi-NRG Attack Studios
The only HRG track on the album is another one to feature guitars and to great effect, too. Even with just one song, HRG manages to make a sizeable impact on the album with this memorable song. Very good job.
9/10
17.
Rider of the Sky - Ace - Stefano Castagna Productions
Christian Codenotti's second song on this album, this song really delivers in old-school Ace quality. This is easily his best song for many SEB decades and I think it's a shoe-in for Initial D.
10/10
18.
Eldorado - Dave Rodgers - ABeatC Records
This one's the real Dave, this time. ^_^ It shows, too. This is a great and catchy song. "Welcome to my Eldorado! *SSSNAP!*" Dave delivers another solid hit to follow up "Space Invader" in 162.
9/10
Album Score: 7.5
Albums like this make me wonder how long eurobeat can last if there aren't some immediate quality improvements. I mean, there are some solid songs on this album, but they should all be solid.
Best Songs:
Like a Fire - Mark Foster - BBB
Stop To Give Up - Eurofunk - Delta
Memories & Feelings - Lucya & Ace - SCP
Worst Songs:
Moonlight Sensation - Dave - Time
All Alone - Nayr - Time
Oh Baby Call Me Now - Groove Twins - ABeatC
Honourable Mention:
Rock'n' Roll Emulation - Nando feat. The Prophet - Delta
don't need any replys. I just got this cd, because since not too maqny reviews were posted, I thought it wasn't that good. I'll do my review, because it's better than I expected, but I'll post songs in order of preferance. The female vocals kick but this time.
This has a wonderful chorus were you can here the synths taking different sounds all throuout. ...and The La-La-las are a nice touch.
"let's Go Come On" just sounds irritating to me, but this is surprisingly nice. The melody in the verses really works well with the keys and Manuel's vocals(wich I can finally appreciate ). and the chorus moves me , especially when he sings "Please Don't Go" Manuel I owe you an apology. This is great Eurobeat.
I love Acapela intros. "Emotions" -Stephy Martini , Vanessa- Just A Game just to name a few. This is Saifam's faster songs, but you gotta love those "Happy" synths. Can any one say "Chilly Boy"? her vocals aslo work nice with this beat and the way the chorus builds up to the main melody. SWEET!!
make mine SCREAM TEAM anyday. This is like that Christine song on SEB 53 "Wings Into The Sky", but with a better main melody. I won't skip it though.