TIME to review SEB 203. I have to say I ended up liking it more than the clips gave to to believe. Great cd this one. The reviews for each song will be rather long, since I really enjoyed this cd.
1.
David Dima- Freedom (Dima music)
this TIME we have Dima starting off the newest installation to the SEB series. Here is a song that didn't truly grab my attention with it's preview clip, but once I heard the whole package, my feelings changed completely. IMOP this song should have carried the Dream Fighters alias. Dima is another producer that really gives it 100% on the intros. That alone makes me love this song. Yes there is a moog in this song. Bands like the iconic Cars and other 80's bands regularly inserted a bit of moog in the songs. Anyway, the moog is actually overlaying a pretty aggressive synth riff which gives the song it's aggressive mood. The verses are done Dall Ora style by adding synth parts inbetween the verse couplets. I love this style and I'm glad Dima is using it too. The chorus is one of the most important parts of the song for me and this one really lives up to it's theme. It really really has that Freedom vibe , especially with the "lets Go" shoutouts inserted throughout said chorus. Everything seems to be in perfect order for an agreesive Dima style song. Even more so with the strange, but oddly fitting effects around the 3:15 mark. these effects are giving the song even more incredible power. This kinda expirimentation is welcome by me. Minimal yet powerful enuff to give the song a sort of fresh vibe to it. I don't think I've been this hyped with a Dima track since the Duran Duran cover. Incredible!
10/10
2.
Momo- Send Me An Angel (SCP)
Here is another song that sounded just above ok level with its preview. As far as SCP songs are concerned; I isten for a certain sound that grabs me from the get go. This song achieves that by it's intro alone. I love the way the piano is played and it really introduces one of the most fast Synth laced riffs I've heard for a female SCP song in quite a while. What this song has is a great melody in the verses. Kinda sounds like somthing the SCP team would have written while they were at TIME. I would call this song somthing along the lines of fast tempo aishu. Very uplifting and definately one of SCPs finer productions. A lot of wonderful syth parts are played throughout the song that really remind me of 90s style as well and for me that's always a good thing. Lets hope Momo sticks to this Aggraishu style for a while.
9/10
3.
Ace Warrior- My Dream (ABeatC)
Up next is one of the songs that actually sounded like it could be one of my favs on this cd. I was really hyped for it's preview, especially hearing the Italo style chorus and riff. Those parts are definately present. Powerful T; himself would probobly liked to have sung this song. ..and that's my main beef here. Either Ace is losing his vocals or someone at AbeatC mixed the vocal parts in at too low a volume. The guitars and synths really drown out poor Ace up to point where the only part you can really enjoy his vocals are in the chorus. It's really kinda sux, because the melody in the verses is really great. That said; the song really does have a lot of other positive aspects. For Instance, that intro. OMG! probobly one of AbeatC's best in years. The way the bass and guitars are played together , with each instrument following it's own rhythm really gives the song it's incredible power. The riff is pure 90s style. Probobly a riff an old Corraini song would have. All systems say go, but I just can't get passed the low volume during the songs verses and bridge and it really takes about two points off the song. It would have been great if the third verse was just his vocals with raw guitar chords just as is used in that same third verse. In closing a anticipated solid 10 becomes an 8.
8+/10
4.
Daniel- Waiting For Your Hero (DELTA publishing co. )
When I first saw the title ,I thought it would be Luca doing vocals, since he opts for the hero songs. In the end it turns out that Marco Racanti returns to claim his title that made him such a new force to be reckoned with in Eurobeat. He is sounding better than ever and I was imediately taken back to the 170s with songs such as
One More Try. What this song has is an amazing Riff. The riff alone catches the excitement of the one used in
Frontal Impact very Italoesque with a hint of 2000s Eurobeat agression. The intro and break uses some Techno effects, but done the right way, The DELTA way and don't sound out of place at all. It really does stand out as one of my fav trax on the cd ,but I get a feeling that this song is missing the correct lyrics that flow easily with the song's melody. I get these Dungeons & Dragons images as I'm hearing the song. Paladins, Dragons ect..I don't know ,but Medeival and Eurobeat don't really mix for me. Still a great song and glad to hear Daniel is back. Hopefully he doesn't disapear for too long again.
9+/10
5.
Bon- Toy For Love (Sinclaire Style)
What Sinclaire has done here is create a simple yet effective Eurobeat retro sounding song that has quickly become a favourite among the E.P. community. It certainly has to do with the fact the Nando Bonini is back on the frontline, but take notice on all the elements that Sinclaire injected to pretty much secure himself instant Eurobeat bouncer. First you got Nando , which pretty much spelled hit after hit for TIME and early DELTA songs, but even more so you got the
Boom Boom Fire melody being used in the chorus. You can't deny it cause it's right in your face and probobly the reason the song hits such a strong chord in your Eurobeat heart. Add to the fact nonsencical Toy Boy lyrics and finally a bouncy addictive riff that's just too catchy to resist, and you have what IMOP easily becomes Sinclair's first classic song. It's really kinda genious cause the song lacks any sort of stand out introf and a break that sounds almost nonexistant ,cept for a hard pounding bass and still it becomes a favourit without hardyly any effort at all. Even the monstrous distorted "Toy For Love" lines sound kinda charming. I don't know what Sinclaire did, but it sure worked. A standing ovation is at hand.
10/10
6.
Vicky Vale- Do With Me (Delta publishing co.)
This is really amazing cause weather you got Sinclaire and Newfield working together or not, the way these three songs are coupled on this cd took me back to the good ole days. This song likewise follows a very retro DELTA sound. A nice intro immediatley takes you to the riff that unmistakenably borrows from
Wonderland just played in a more bouncy style. Those who love DELTA's old school sound will immediatley take on to this new Vicky Vale entry. Once again, simple track laced with cute vocals and a bass line that will surely remind you of all the older Sara songs as well. The best part for me is the part right after the 3:40 point, where she repeats "I Like" the jumpy little synths sound wonderful. This one even includes a really cool percussion lined break that introduces the accapella like outro. 6 songs into the cd and still going strong.
8+/10
7.
The Snake- The Snake Around (SCP)
the second SCP showing is actually the one I thought would be my favourite entry from the label on this cd, but it just misses the bullseye that Momo's track has. This actually becomes my second favourite Snake trax, only after Queen Of Mean, which took SCP to the next aggressive level. This song really does have an 80's retro metal sound. Guitars are everywhere and in your face and not letting you catch your breath for an instance. When I first heard the clip, I mentioned the the riff was almost nonexisitant, but that's only synth wise. It's there, just played behind the aggressive guitar work of the Snake team. Great song for SCP all the way up to it's heavt outro.
9-/10
8.
Domino- One-O-Nine (GoGo music)
the sole entry form Sandro and co. makes it appearance at the halfway mark of the cd and all it really did was burst my Eurobeat high I was on up untill now. I have never been a fan of Domino's japanese sung Eurobeat songs. The reason is that even if the song tries hard to be on the faster aggressive style ,it almost always takes a silly turn in the chorus. Pity cause the riff sounds rather enticing and also has that 90s retro feel to it. I'm inclined to give it points for the riff alone. Fortunately this low point only lasts 5 mins.
5/10
9.
Christian- Take This Way (Eurogrooves)
Just last month I was taken ablast by the sheer power TIME's "Ready Forever and now it seems "the master" has outdone himself again. If you ever asked yourself how can
Ready Forever be even more aggressive, then ladies and gents I present you "Take This Way"! Allready viewed by some of one of the highlights of this new SEB, it certainly lives up to it's name and we must give proper credit where it is due. We start off with an intro showcasing some effects that sound like someone ready to enter thier vehichle on what sounds to be a rainy scene. It's actually part of the intro, which is really one of the shortest Ive heard from Dall Ora. The kind of Halloweenish organ melody in the beggining give the song a sort of mysterious feel as the always reliable macho shoutouts get ready to introduce an mega agressive riff, which is definately the backbone of this song. I'm trying to capture the melody from another song and I'm kinda comming up with the riff from
Killer In New York, but only the first part ,as the secong part of the riff is something you have to hear for yourself to believe. It's basically just running fingers over the keyboards, but at such perfect synchronicity that it never sounds distorted. Really amazing fingerwork from Dall Ora! He is not alone in creating this masterpiece. As the ever present Degani also appears and what song wouldn't ooze perfect aggression with Christian Delo in the shotgun seat.Like always; his vocals deliver all the macho aggressive that we are used to and sound even more so during the chorus; which calls for a somewhat higher pitch to his vocals. The lyrics are full of Sexual egotistical undertones and have the full throttle vibe from songs like "Superguy" and "Hurricane Man". the song takes on different directions during the break and thier verse and is really the rason a Dall Ora track should only be released in extended. So can we safely say that Dall Ora has created the ultimate testostorone feuled aggressive Eurogroove track? Only TIME will tell, but for now IMOP, it takes honours as best track of SEB 203.
10+/10
10.
Lilly- I Am Liar (HRG Attack)
An HRG Attack trax following a Eurogrooves track is really a treat for me. Both labels are really worlds apart in style ,but somehow have always struck an instant Eurobeat love in my heart. HRG Attack who is in fact known for thier chaotic aggressive melodies and vocals; decide to churn out an Aishu style song for the fans. Funny thing is, that I easily love this syle as much as thier faster style. This song starts off with a rather fresh and very 80's sounding intro that perfectly gets the listener ready for theme of the song. It's riff is played at slower BPMs and sounds like an old Italo bouncer form the 80s as well. I trying to remeber an old Saifam song that might have had the same synth melody; which wouldn't surprise me since Accantino did in fact had his start at ASIA. I think maybe even Flea records? So the theme here is that Lilly has cheated on her man, admits it, and now wants him to forgive her. A rehash theme that DELTA used a lot in the late 90s with a lot of Clara sung songs. The question is, does Lilly pull of the same guilty vibe in her voice? The answer is not quite. Her tone basically sounds like any other aishu style HRG Attack song, but it's the melody that convinces the listener of this theme with it's Meloncholic Italo feel. Ultimately it's that riff that hits the mark and gives this Lilly entry a sadlike sound, but gain the intro is too uplifting and we are questioned to ponder, is she really sorry? One thing for sure is that HRG Attack team shouldn't not be sorry for this hit, for it turns out to be one of the strongest on the cd.
10/10
11.
Diabilik- Diabolik (Saifam)
So AVEX has realized that Saifam has quite a lot of amazing songs that are SEB worthy after all, it's just that they are from the older catalog numbers. This song really stood the test of TIME if two-three years later, it can still sound fresh enough to finally make it's SEB Appearance. Saifam's songs are really simple in the lyric department. This is actually about the character Diabolik from the old 60s crime drama series. what's funny is how for the secong TIME in a row AVEX chooses a song from thier catalog that has a rather strange structure to its chorus. Technological World followed the same pattern. Anyway, I think what makes the song such an instant succes was it's simplicity and over all vocal work, which to this date remains a mystery?. Nice to finally see it make its appearance among so many great songs.
9+/10
12.
Stephy- I Belong To You (Dima music)
I probobly dismissed this song too early on as a result of a really bad quality 2 min sample I heard. The songs actually isn't too bad. it's really slow in bpms when compared to the other contenders on the albume, but in the end it holds it own against songs from a similiar expirimental side. Mainly those Mari -San songs that I really never could accept as Eurobeat. What this song has is awesome soundworlds. The studio's sound quality has a lot to do with the way a song sounds to my ears and Dima has allways had a great sound quality in his music. I will say that the best part of the song is the bridge to the chorus. It sounds really uplifting and as always; the intro sounds amazing as well. What I didn't really care for was the third verse couplet. Thier were some really wierd effects that I can piture hearing in some Lady Gaga song. That for me isn't good. Also missing is her trademark yelling she used in Speed Demon and Emotions and I wish there would have been more guitars but she still over all sounds great. Not what I want the future of Eurobeat to sound like, but once in a while ,isn't too bad.
7+/10
13.
Girl Next Door- Power Of Love(Morris Capaldi v.s GND remix)
so we are up to the expirimental trax of the cd. Still can't get into J-Pop, but what I did enjoy was the synth riff. It definately has the DELTA sound to it. What I don't understand is the GND part of the title. I know it stands for Gilr Next Door, but is she a dee jay or something? Anyway, I wouldn't exactly skip the track, because it does have a Eurobeat feel to it, but I can't understand a fr**king word either.
7-/10
14.
Dave Rodgers- Try Me(Rock mix)
I don't know why Dave insists of covering songs that very distinctly have a female vibe to them? What's next on his list? "Like A Virgin" Anyway getting back to this song, It wouldn't sound out of place on any 80s retro radio station. It's actually sounds a lot more catchy than his previous remixes. This one has a really effective synth riff, which is somthing you don't hear to often in rock mixes, but why complain when it's the best part of the song? The guitars injected in the verses also give the song its backbone in power, but oddly enuff ,the piano solo is my favourit part and actually gives me the feeling that this song could easily pass off for a Expiremantal Eurobeat track during the 90's. The only differences I hear are in the drums, but basically it's a pretty efficient Eurobeat track.
8-/10
A lot of competition on this cd with the magoraty being great Eurobeat tracks. Christian takes the honours as best song on the cd, but the Bon, David Dima, Lilly ,Daniel, The Snake, Diabolik and Momo tracks are just as good. and there seems to be enough versatility for every Eurobeat fan to pick out a few favs from this albume.
It should be obvious to what I liked on here.