So it's TIME again for me to give my thoughts on the newest SEB. I've been listening all day to it(Yes that is what I did on my day off)
There seems to be a somewhat split decision on this cd. Some members quite enjoy it, while others are labeling it as the worst in years. I'm with the enjoyed it crowd. There are definately a few nice gems, but the real problem I found with it, is that all these artists have released better songs. Not only that, but with fewer songs per cd, producers are sticking with thier big names and we're not seeing too many new artists, therefore a few of them seem to be getting overkil and it has that been there, heard that effect. So without further adou here goes the Dr.'s review.
1.
Go Go Girls- People Of The World(Go Go's ) Quite a few people were anticipating this track from day one. I'm not the biggest Go Go Girls fan around. They certainly do have some mega classics under thier wings, like Rock Me Babe, Nothing Can Stop The Music and the phenominal Funny Love, but this TIME there seems to be somthing missing. It just might be the light synths again, who knows, but somthing is definately off. For me it started with that odd African intro. I know it's called People Of The World and perhaps for some the intro suited fine, but for me ,it just sounded awkward. I did enjoy the claps and live sounds and the overall melody of the song as a whole therefore giving it an extra point here and there, but it's eons away from Rock me Babe. It is however what I would concider a nice comeback.
7+/10
2.
Mad Cow & The Tverskaya Street Girls- Balailaika, Vodka & Rock N Roll(HRG Attack). So here is Mr. Rimonti singing under one of his most famouse titles. At first the clip sounded a bit off and I really couldn't appreciate it untill I heard the whole song. I for one go nuts for HRG Attack's Russian Themed songs. "I Want your Balailaika" is perhaps one of my favourite HRG Attack songs eva. This one doesn't fall too far behind that original classic. It definatley has all the elements. The whacky, frantic and choatic synth progressions. along with Russian lingo here and there and Federicco singing his heart out. Perhaps it needed a few more La La la's, but otherwise a wild and funfiulled addition to the ever growing Rimonti stable of hits.
8+/10
3.
Jimmy Diamond- My Lonely Night(DELTA). Delta keeps thier flag held high as one of Eurobeat's premier labels with this catchy and effective entry from the very popular Jimmy Diamond. I love this trax. I really do. The intro kicks in and we are treated to some nifty piano work. Soon after the chorus opens before the riff, which is really more of TIME's formula, but sounds right on target here. The riff itself reminded me of the wonderful "No More Lonley Nights" ,which incedently is also sung by Jimmy under his original title, Mad Max. On this track Jimmy is trying his best to make his vocals sound a bit more agressive. His vocal tone is generally lower ,so it might sound kinda forced, but once the listener gets used to it, he actually sounds a tad better. The real star here is the music, The instruments and thier composition really steel the show form Jimmy. The riff is full of pure Italo magic that oozes all over the chorus giving the song's melody the same "Super Rider" feeling. Words like Sex, Fire , Killer and Night will always produce memorable and easy to sing along to lyrics. A few standouts for me about this track is that "Thriller" vibe it has in the break, especially in the raw piano section. I can almost here Vincent Price doing his famouse rap the way he did in Thriller and that definalety is a plus.
10/10
4.
Momo- From Heartache To Heaven(SCP). So we are up SCP's first of 2 entries. Really have these labels totally given up on comming up with interesting artist names. This might actually be that vocalist's name, but even so, it just doesn't provide any excitement at all. With that small flaw out of my system, I have to say that I found myself enjoying this trax a lot more that I thought I ever would. It has the same overall melody of "Love Is A Pretender" ,which I really didn't like at all, so it's even more of a mystery to me. Maybe it's the fact that it's not Transy Pamsy doing vocals? Who knows ,but it works, especially the Round & Round line. The riff sounds like somthing better suited for Jay Lehr, just with different keyboards. In fact that keyboard played throughout the verses is used much in the way it was in "I'm Alive". In short, I find myself tapping my feet to the bass everyTIME I hear it, so I must approve.
8/10
5.
Annalise- Feel It In Your Heart(ABeatC). Seriously how many Heart titles are there in ABeatC's catalogue. For some reason 10 Lollita songs came to mind. This song was the first slope of the cd. It's not a bad song and surley has a nice overall melody, but Annalise seems to be stuck doing sequals to all her songs. Same light synths and melodies for her bridge and choruses makes it sound kinda transparent. I had to replay the song a few TIMES just to hear if the was different melodies. Oddly enough, the one stand out was the break. Another nuetral song that cannot summon any love nor hate from me. Therefore it's just there as a nice filler and nothing more.
7-/10
6.
Tora- Flame & Fire(Sinclaire Style) This song did stand out, but not in a good way. First off, I had to raise the volume a few notches, proving once more, at least to my ears, that S.S. is using very weak soundworlds. The BPMs are there, but do not help the song one bit. If anything ;it just makes it sound rushed along with no real diifference in the melodies during the verse, bridge and chorus. As allways, I really despise cutsie shout outs during the songs and this one spares none of those. I said it once and I'll say it agin, Sinclaire needs to dream up that agressive powerful number and quick. Find Nando and beg him to return to Eurobeat and maybe , just maybe could make an awesome comback, but for now , I won't hold my breath.
6-/10
7.
Danny Rock- Heartbreak(Saifam). I really can't think of another Danny Rock title at the moment, but I guess this is Mauro's softer side vocals. I've had this song for quite someTIME and it never really struck me as amazing. How can such an awesome title go wrong? Maybe if it had the final ER at the end, it would sound better? I almost always find Saifam's songs above level and still hold deep in my heart all those 80 and 90''s classics, as well as Boom Boom Beat's catalogue, but this round the song doesn't have that extra "umph" to make me like it all that much. The best part would be the intro, with it's somewhat erree soundworlds, but these effects have also been used so much better in songs like Japan Japan, Mysreious Man and Mr. Frankenstein. I'm still wondering why "Oh World" or "Diabolik" have not been chosen by Avex?
7/10
8.
Rick Castle- Bad Boy(HRG Attack). Praises Praise and more praises is all I'm reading for this song. Do I agree? If I scored a song on the Chord Progression synth alone, than yes, but since a song must have almost all it's elements that I enjoy, than I'd say Rick's latest entry falls somewhere inbetween My Little Girl and Ride In The Night. The main down fall for me would be the rather boring bridge to the chorus. While the chorus is definatley using some Italo ingredients, that bridge just sounds like it's from a different world. That also puts a big gap between the likewise catchy verses. It's kinda like sticking a filler song inbetween two killer songs on a cd. It's really a rather annoying effect that my musical vibes can't read. That aside , the song had a really groovy intro and break effect. I love the Bad Boy's in the intro. Another concept that perhaps is becoming a bit tedious is the female backups going on throughout the song. I think Andrea could carry this melody without so much backups. In the end I did enjoy the song, but not at the level I thought I would when I first heard the clip.
7+/10
9.
Cherry-Dance Dance(DELTA) Shame on all of you. Really. This is one catchy addictive number. Clara sounds great as always, and I don't think her songs have lost any lustre in quite a while. They sound so much better than the 150's. This song has a tiny jumpy synth going on throughout it's composition like in Rain and Rebell Yell. I like that. I also like the live concert effects used on this song a lot more than the previous Sinclaire and Go Go's songs. The chorus is catchy and addictive and that added Rock groove in the outro really gives it that somthing extra to stand out above some of the other tracks featured on this compliation. 2 for 2 for DELTA and going strong.
8+/10
10.
Nuage- Baby Take Me High(AbeatC) I'll admit that ABeatC's intros are showing some signs of progresssion, but they still have that "Riff out of nowhere" dilema that cathes the listener by surprise, but not in a very good way. The first thing I noticed is that the verses and bridge have gone by totlaly unnoticed. The chorus sticks out for using soundworlds similair to "Your Love is Lightning" The small baby explosion effect and those added lasers are really a nice touch. The piano riff is Norma-wise and now that I finally hear the verses and bridge, I have to say, they are rather charming. This song could have fit Kelly T. better. Her vocals would fit that baby line in the chorus so nicely. I wish the producers would take into account this little details when choosing vocalists, instead of just by avaliablility. This little number could certainly grow on me with each listen.
8/10
11.
The Snake- Spirit Go Wild(SCP). I still wonder why "Speed Of Light" never caught on with me, whenever I hear the greatness of this song or "Queen Of Mean". That one is still in my top 10. This song uses the same formula as Queen Of mean, just not as fast. This however is a good thing, because the speed is being tru to the songs melody lyrically as well as vocally. Their is no doubt about the fact that the Snake is fast becomming some serious competition for Ace and Fastway, but it's still too early to tell. I can't get over the fact how much the guitar riff really shines on this track. An excellent song on every level and a worthy followup to Queen Of Mean. Just please don't let Fastway rap. Just hadda add that
10/10
12.
Dream Fighters-Storm Bringers(Dima). MMM.. grungy guitars in the intro. Right up my alley. Actually the intro is rather short, but effective for this track. Perhaps it's the fact that Dima got his start creating such instant classic at TIME, but whenever I hear one of his productions, I know to expect a certified hit. To start off, we have an really imaginative artist name. I actually get visions of the Dream Fighters playing the different instruments throughout the song. The guitars, the piano. the synths and Dima up on lead voacls. Of couse we all know that Dima is playing all instruments in question, but what a cool vision to go along to this amazing track. What I simply adore about this track is how it builds up to the pefect chorus, starting off with a verse melody that seems to go down in rythmic tone that suddenly .FLASH! and you got an upbeat bridge , which ultimatley leads to that perfect chorus I'm talking 'bout. I must never forget to mention that ultra-Amazing riff. Those synths will surley catch with such an intense chord progresssion. The only thing is, that I wish the break and intro were a little longer. Really exemplify those guitars and drums to the highest level possible. As it stands, it is my favourite trax on the cd.
10+/10
13.
Phil & Linda-You Give Me More(TIME) OOOHHWEE! What an amazing intro. Elena's gets first shot at vocals. Phil is sounding hot as ever. Not over pitched and sounding natural. Somthing I really treasue on Mr. Dall Ora's trax. The funny thing is that while the track itself is a bit higher in BPM's, it's Phil's vocals that are slightly a bit lower. Does it contradict? Not at all. In fact you add Elena's BEAUTIFUL harmonious vocals to what a duet should really sound like and you got the hottest comback track of the year. Mr. Dall Ora really dreampt up a sweet duet this TIME, giving Elena some much deserved airTIME to the Phil & Linda title. The synth riff is also pure bliss, as TIME after TIME ,I'm amazed on how Sregio Dall Ora summons these incredible catchy melodies from his fingertips and adds them to an already groovy vibe to creat hit after hit. #Infinity is on the right track to parise this trax to death. Dima might have the best aggressive title on this cd, but this one is just pure fun Disco vibe with a stamp of excellency and I can't praise Elena enough for her wonderful backup. This one is surley to be one of the favourites among old and new eurobeat fans.
10+/10
So the 180's have come to a close. This is a perfect example of a cd that will grow on you more and more with every listen. It contains some real gems , but at the same TIME aslo had a few songs that were missing an element or 2 to make it rise to that level that so many songs from 188 had. I really hope HRG and even AbeatC learn the difference between an extended and cd edit soon. Everyone else is over the 5 minute line, so why not follow a good example? We can only hope for the same great quality to continue on through the 190s. I for one am Super hyped and curious as F**K as to what the labels have in store for us.
Best 3
Dream Fighters-Storm Bringer
Phil & Linda-You Give Me More
Jimmy Diamond-My Lonely Night
Bottom 3
Tora-Flame & Fire
Annalise-Feel It In My Heart
Danny Rock-Heartbreak
Honourable mention:
Nuage- Baby Take Me High
Just because it's slower than The Snake's other 2 songs doesn't automatically mean it sucks. I'd say it's still a fantastic track and easily one of the best of the CD.
(Momo is Japanese for peach). I like this song a lot. That's a great SCP ballad. The riff makes me think of "One Touch"'s. The voice is like Pamsy's... so soft and fitting! I really like this song.
