SEB169 MEGA GET! So, I've heard a lot of differing opinions on 169 so I thought I'd throw a review into the ring. I've had it for a few days and have heard it through a good dozen times already, so I think I'm ready to review it.
1.
Say Yeah - A Gordon
Wow. What a great upbeat note to start the album off on. I found the song to be really gripping and powerful, especially the really catchy Sabi. Reminds me a bit of an SCP production at times, for some reason...
9/10
2.
Eurobeat Kind of Love - Candy Taylor
The song has a lot of energy and a very interesting melody, too. Ms. Moroni sounds bright and clear as she should be and is responsible for making this a wonderfully catchy tune. I'll throw this one on the stack of other great songs with the word "Eurobeat" in the title. Megamix in the works...
8/10
3.
Oh Honey Oh - Gipsy Baby
A very typical Saifam tune, which isn't a bad thing, but there isn't really anything that makes this song stand out in particular from the other tons of great Saifam stuff out there, or the other great stuff on this album. Still, as most Saifam songs, it has a great tempo, a solid baseline and uses clever samples.
7/10
4.
Maharaja Night 2006 - Lou Grant
Not very familiar with the original; I've heard it maybe... twice? Still, on its own, this is a very well-paced song with a lot of activity. Seems a little hard edged, but that just makes it more danceable. Not my favourite 200X song, but it's still a very solid song. Personally, I'd rather see a 200X remix of "Dancing in Maharaja - Tri-Star" but what are you gonna do?
8/10
5.
Mr Frankenstein - Bombers
It's nice to see new hallowe'en songs, (albeit a little early) and this one really hits the mark and is one of my new favorites. Saifam songs always tend to work well with a lower, darker set of synths... and like drnrg says, it's nice to see the lyrics making sense and being appropriate to the music.
8/10
6.
Hot for Your Love - Lolita
Very nice intro, but the song loses momentum and doesn't really hold my interest for very long. It's a bland, typical Lolita song that I could do without. It's sung quite well, but not very lyrically interesting. Uninspired title, too... especially for an artist who constantly has similar titles.
5/10
7.
Super Kaiser - Garcon
Namco lawsuit get!
I laughed when I heard the Pac-Man death sample. It works really well to catapult the song into the fast and furious intro. This song has tons of energy and really gets your blood boiling. Almost seems like a trend with HRG songs with "Super" in the title, Like "Super Guts - Jeff Driller". Nonsensical but really powerful lyrics like "Cosmic power in my gasoline!" Are HRG's specialty and they really help make this song extra energetic. Still, this is a great example of the powerful songs that we're lucky to get from HRG once in awhile like "Stop & Go - Jeff Driller". ...and is that Greta Accatino I hear in the "Fireball..." sample? If it is, it's been awhile since we've heard anything from Baby Bazooka...
10/10
8.
Love Can Be Your Game - Norma Sheffield
Normally, I'm a fan of Francesca's stuff and this is a good example, but it seems to me that her vocals might be pitched a bit high... it could be just me, though. Either way, it's a decent song and a welcome addition to 169.
7/10
9.
Roly Poly Rock - Kiki & Fancy
Wow. Fast and powerful for a Kiki & Fancy song. Has a somewhat unique feel though, very up and positive. It's a very good direction for them to be going in. I half-expect Goofy DJ to chime in every once in awhile, though.
...though, I'm thankful he's not there.
8/10
10.
Welcome to the Beach - Yellowfin
Someone got chocolate in my peanut butter! Nuage and Freddy sound as though they were made to sing together. Freddy does overpower her a little bit, but as the male vocalist, I think it's for the better. This song has a great summery feel to it. Sunshine, swimsuits and fun are what this song is all about. This is probably Frederico's best work, so far... is it just me, or is his voice starting to deepen a little bit? Interesting and cool sounding artist title, too.
9/10
11.
Magic Rainbow - Rose
For me, this is the ultimate cheer-up song. I love that pre-intro... such weird but great sounding synths! I'm a big fan of the piano backup melody, it adds much to the song. Magic rainbow, baby I love you! ^_^ I'm really starting to like this style of Time's stuff.
9/10
12.
Get The Dark Side into My Brain - Cy-ro
Wow. Pure. HRG. Power! This song is fast, fierce and serious. It's rare to see a really angry eurobeat song, these days. I really beleive Nick Festari is angry as he sings this. ^_^ Very gripping and epic. Kudos to drnrg for his "SHOUT FROM THE TOWER RIP MY CHAOTIC PALADIN HEART OUT OF MY CHEST AWESOME" comment. Hits the mark.
10/10
13.
Now Celebrate - Christine & Van T.K.
Meh. Another reason for me to think Luca's better off with Delta and Akyr.
This didn't do too much for me at all. It's kinda simple and a generally uninteresting song. It's pleasant, but I've come to expect more than that from SCP.
6/10
14.
Disco Fire - Neo
In my opinion, this is a very typical sounding ABeatC song... much like Giancarlo's latest style. It reminds me of a faster version of "Space Invader - Dave Rodgers" at certain points. In more detail, I think the song loses some pacing in the b-melo when the 4/4 snapping sample is cut off. Not a bad song, but I've heard it before...
7/10
15.
Drive in the Night - Sophie
Uh, heh, where to start? Maybe it's because it was hyped so much to me before I heard it, but I really can't stand this song. Sounds like it's going for an older style and that's not bad, but I don't think it succeeds at all. It sounds awkward and doesn't really make me want to dance. I'm certainly not a fan of the synths they've chosen throughout this title, either.
4/10
16.
Big Heart - SCP All Stars
Very nice job. It's great to hear all my favourite SCP stars together in one song. The more the merrier seems to be the key with eurobeat. ^_^ A very simple positive message is put out in this song, too. Very catchy and I can see a para para routine for it, already. Wouldn't be surprised if Hinoi Team tried to pick this one up...
8/10
17.
Dream pf You - Alvin
As this song builds up, you can feel the energy, pacing and all the good makings of a great Saifam song. The song is very catchy and very memorable. Some great samples are used too during the lyrical pauses. The sabi is particularily memorable and catchy. "Di-da-di-da-di-da-da!" It's at the top with my other favourite Saifam songs. ^_^
9/10
18.
If You Ever Leave Me - Ale
I love the intro and sabi for this song. It has that feeling you associate with most powerfully oriented Delta material, but it's still unique. I also find it very danceable... which is always good. Personally, I think the vocal volume's a bit low, but that's a small grievance in a song that has so much else to offer. A great end to a good album.
9/10
Album Score: 8/10
Final Thoughts:
A very solid way to end the 160's. Easily one of the top three best albums in the decade. This album has a lot to offer from many different labels... but I think that HRG really shines the brightest of them all. I've been really impressed with their music as of late. Still, I'm very anxious to see what the 170's have to offer. Are we really at 170 already? Time flies when you're listenning to eurobeat... ^_-
Best Songs:
1. Get The Dark Side into My Brain - Cy-ro (HRG)
2. Super Kaiser - Garcon (HRG)
3. Dream of You - Alvin (BBB)
Worst Songs:
1. Drive in the Night - Sophie (TIM)
2. Hot For Your Love - Lolita (ABC)
3. Now Celebrate - Christine & Van T.K. (SCP)
Honorable Mention(s) (There are a lot of stand-out songs in 169.)
1. If You Ever Leave Me - Ale (DLT)
2. Roly Poly Rock - Kiki & Fancy (SCP)
3. Big Heart - SCP All Stars (SCP)
4. Magic Rainbow - Rose (TIM)
First of all .it's no surprise that everyone knows I hate "Trans" and don't care what it sounds like. If I say the trax sound "Live " to me then they do. Second.. I am Bias to other labels like TIME and HRG and Saifam, That is why this is my review and not yours, but this TIME around I also praised SCP, because they did an incredible job. If you read my past reviews then you see that I give specific reasons why I like certain songs and others not too much. I mention the synths ,vocals, and compare to other songs.