1. Kaioh – Just Say Yeah (SCP)
We start off the new disc with a relatively new artist. Actually he first started making his SEB appearance under the name Freddy Rodgers under AbeatC label. “R U Ready” still stands out as his best song under that alias. Now days he sings at SCP. He has had a few songs, but this is the first one that really sings to me. The intro has a lot of heavenly-esque ingredients. Some of you might compare it to trance? The song’s one major flaw is that it actually goes by to fast for its own good. That fact that its only 4:00 minuets long doesn’t help it either. With its short length out of the way; the song is really great. I really do enjoy his vocals and the riff; while sounding like a various keys just played up and down and forward backward, actually gives the song the right elements to give it a High Energy vibe. The chorus is really what caught my attention because of its uplifting vibe. It also has a mini break around the 2:45 mark and I love the way it paves the way for the last verse. That’s basically all there is to the song. It has the minimal of what I would conceder “special” parts, but I guess that’s what SCP composes now a days. However that being said; this is definitely one of the best songs from that 4:00 limit class. Not a exactly a hammer on the nail, but also not an arrow in the head, so it should make a nice run on my charts before fizzling out.
8+/10
2. Stephy Martini – Stay With You (Dima Music)
Oh Stephy where are the days when you released hit after hit. The first thing that turned me off is that super short intro. I mean; why even bother with an intro, if its gonna be almost invisible. You might as well go accapella intro or start off singing the chorus or something more ear catching. This way just sounds like an intro that was sliced and diced to fit TIME allowment. The next thing I noticed is that the chorus almost exactly resembles another one of Stephy’s songs. If I’m correct; “Power & Love”. I don’t mind a rehashed melody or even chorus, but why so soon? The chorus isn’t a complete failure. In fact; I believe, if it had been released before “Power & Love”, it would have released a much more positive welcome. It also seems to stretch out itself with much strain to that 4:45 minute mark. The chorus at the end just goes on and on and that screeching effect at the last minute is horrendous. I concur that this is one of Stephy’s most uninspired works yet. That sadly inserts this song into one of the bottom songs of the cd. This is the first TIME a rate a Stephy related song so low. The good thing is we can only go upward from here.
-6/10
3. Jager- Magic Fly (SCP)
The first thing I notice is that 4:21 song length. Right of the mark; I know I can expect much more exciting songs filled with “special” parts. The intro has a great vibe. You can’t go wrong with “OhOh” effects. Weather they be in the intro , break, pert of the chorus or outro. They just give the song an extra tire to roll along even more smoothly. The song’s melody also reminds me of a certain song from the 80’s. It’s especially evident in the verses. This is; without a doubt, a plus when it comes to Hi Energy Eurobeat. You hear that acapella style in the intro. That’s a style I always feel fits SCP every TIME the showcase it in one of their songs. Another style that is evident is Jager’s own special way he delivers the chorus. It’s always a two part chorus and hits the mark evryTIME. The very special part is the way the third verse and chorus are delivered. The mini break right before, just adds to the delivery power. I realized after hearing “Won’t Fall Apart” and “Because Of You” that all three of these songs follow a certain pattern, that isn’t heard on any of SCP’s other artists. This could be the reason why Jager’s songs usually click on first listen.
9/10
4. Cindy – In The Rhythm Of The Night(HRG Attack)
I could barely bring myself not to skip right to this song after already having heard the preview. Cindy has always been a power hitting hit machine for HRG Attack. This song falls right into the aggressive group like “Jammin Spanish Men” and the like. Let’s start off with that crazy sounding intro. I feel I heard something very original in those first few sound effects. Shortly it breaks right into the very well known explosion laser filled riffs we all know and love. 1000s of songs later and HRG still finds a way to capture us with the melodies in the verses. It has that continuous vibe with the rhyming that I love. The bridge and chorus melodies have been used countless of TIMEs and still feel fresh as ever. This TIME; it’s the effect used right after she says fire. It sounds like the melody pulls away as she starts singing the second part of the chorus. This is that “Special part” of the song. Another is that great sounding bass guitar heard throughout in the second part of the third chorus….and still another is how the mid break starts right after she says “fire”. I love that! It doesn’t force stretch the song, but rather uses a lot of special musical tricks to keep is interested up until that last riff. Right before that last outro explosion. HRG Attack still got it!
10/10
5. David Dima– Dancing In The Street (Dima Music)
This brings us to the second Dima entry on the disc. Oh what a delight to hear something fresh in the intro. Those hard agresso- Guitars really put the listener in gear as to what will follow. What follows is pure David Dima musical delight. Seems he really put all the effort on his own song this round. It’s basic Dima uplifting epic sound, but with some really ear catching effects. Let me open your ears to a few of those mega effects. First and most evident is that whip sound in the chorus. Can’t say I’ve heard that effect too often these days. It actually sounds like its giving the chorus a whipping, thus giving it that nice go faster effect. Another one is the break. Damn that’s what I like to hear in Eurobeat. I hear some really original ideas in the mid break. It’s the one part that breaks away from the song’s natural melody and should be chalk full of effects. This is where you put your toppings on your pizza and Dima knows exactly how to pile them up. You add a super catchy sounding Chorus coupled with an epic sounding riff and Dima releases one of his best songs in years. This is Hi Energy Eurobeat at its finest!
10/10
6. Daniel- Poison (DELTA)
Three great sounding songs and they just keep coming. The next cut is from Daniel. It’s been a long while since we heard the original Daniel. Marco is back and really pushing the bar level of his own style into red gear. One of the things I love about this song is that while still being a race themed song, it not only about the car, but about the driver. How he has the poison running through his veins. Normally it would kill him, but in Eurobeat world it just gives him more power. It’s crazy but each song gets better as the disc continues. I could no longer but profess this cut to be the first one I give a 10+ to. I already mentioned Marco’s vocals; which seem to be at top notch. He sounds really inspired pushing those tones and accent to perfect level. A song rally stands out when the chorus is delivered in its own special way and the way he sings poison really gets to me each TIME. I haven’t mentioned the intro and yes; those synth excerpts, are giving the song the revving up feeling. That feel each TIME you press the gas pedal as the car heats up. That’s a perfect synchronization of keyboard and gas pedal. I know I’m not the first to think this; but this song gave me the feel of when Newfield was still present at the label. I don’t know, but I just got that vibe all the way thru.
10+/10
7. Ducky Chix - Prayer (Sinclaire Style)
I still think AVEX isn’t catching on to the full potential of the new Sinclair songs. I think the cd should have commenced with this new Ducky Chix song. It has all the elements of an Old School Eurobeat classic. I can’t decipher the vocalist, but it sounds perfect a Clara Moroni to sing. We have a totally original sounding intro. Short, but somehow apt for the songs theme. I myself would have switched break with intro. Or added more to the intro, but it still hits the mark for a Sinclaire song. It’s great to hear this inspiration in his new material. This song; in more ways than one, reminded of classics like “Love As A Weapon” .The melodies and even the melody of the chorus has a strong déjà-vous feel to it. Now if you really wanna hear something that’s gonna raise an eye brow, listen to that mid break. Looking to hear something fresh and original as; many of you, crave, pay attention to the whisper affect. Another affect hardly ever heard in Eurobeat music. It gives the feel that she is indeed praying, but you can still hear it over the bass line. The same effect returns in the outro, but used in a different way as the songs fades away with her praying. Very smart and very original. Seems like Sinclaire will continue his winning streak for sometime.
10/10
pärt 2 shortly
