Super Eurobeat 206

1.AAA - Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride (Eurobeat Remix) (Avex)
I have to admit that I was highly suspicious about this track, mainly due to the title sounding a bit too hippy for me, as well as J-Euro acts occasionally presenting material that just doesn't work when it's reworked to a eurobeat remix. Oh how wrong I was. This is possibly _THE_ best J-Euro song I have ever heard, hands down. The song has the most upbeat and energetic melody that gets influenced by hawaiian sounds and lyrics I don't understand at all, but who cares! It's still a blast, a definite example of how uplifting the music on Super Eurobeat albums can be. Actually I don't think an actual song by a eurobeat act has made me feel as giddy and upbeat as this one has done in the past year or so. Well One-O-Nine did, but that was also in Japanese, but still... Maybe I just love hearing Japanese in secret, who knows. Yet this is an absolutely masterpiece, something that deserves all the credit and attention the world can offer.
Rating : 10+++

2.The Snake - Freedom Ride (SCP)
It does seem that The Snake has quickly earned himself a spot in the spotlight with strong performances time after time. Freedom Ride does exactly what you would expect to hear from the SCP powervocalist. The track just oozes of energy to even such extremes where it feels a bit too aggressive. The sounds are very rich and full, yet somehow lack a bit of that exotic flavor his songs have had previously. The use of electric guitars does not surprise anyone, so you even sort of expect to hear more of them. Freedom Ride offers a catchy chorus and a macho-esque tune that's just perfect for driving, just beware of speeding, it happens instantly when this track is playing. A good song that could have been even more effective, now it falls on the midground.
Rating : 8+

3.Kaioh - It's Like A Fire (Go Go's Music)
If the previous entry had sounds that were aggressively in your face, it's slightly surprising to notice that Go Go's Music are putting out more of the same. It's Like A Fire balances between the quieter chorus and verses just to have them followed by an excessively loud synth sabi. I had a lot to chew before I could really find myself liking the stronger sound. I've heard quite a few people ask for fatter synths from GGM and if this pleases some people then good, but I myself feel slightly violated. It's like the synth just enters my personal bubble without asking for permission. The song does slightly suffer from the loudness that becomes unbearable when listened through proper speakers, my iPod on the other hand does the song justice in a completely different way. A nifty song to listen to here and there, but nothing to write home about in the long run. Oh and that synth *shush*.
Rating : 8-

4.Louise - Screaming Out The Power (HI-NRG Attack)
It's like Eurobeat Flash just made a comeback! There's this very strong similarity to some of the classics HRG released during the golden days of eurobeat that makes me feel perfectly at home with Screaming Out The Power. Whether it's the familiar synths or the tacky "Break down"-lines it doesn't really matter, what it all comes down to, is that this is a good song. There's nothing very special in particular about this production, but the melody and chorus just build a very strong base for the rest of the song. The flashbacks to EBF are definitely also a plus. A simple fun song that sounds thoroughly like HI-NRG Attack in general does, but this time around it's not a negative thing.
Rating : 9

5.Garcon - On The Top Again (HI-NRG Attack)
Ah, a song that earns brownie points for the weirdest of features. The intro starts with weird hollering that sounds distinctively like the finnish word "joulupukki" which means Santa Claus, in it's silliness it always manages to make me smile and like the song a bit more. Fortunately it's not the only merit this track has, as this is maybe one of the strongest Garcon songs ever. A simple track with an absolutely awesome chorus and sounds that reek of HRG yet sound very efficient at the same time. Synths have gotten a make-over which also works for the track's benefit. Good use of vocals, an effective chorus and different synths already help this song stand out from the crowd. 2 good HI-NRG Attack songs in a row, would not have expected this after the few horrible performances in the past.
Rating : 9

6.Nathalie - I'll Remember Why I Love You (SinclaireStyle)
Some songs just give out immediate flashbacks or feelings of Déjà vu. Due to some weird reason this track and especially the synth make me think of the 90's aerobic shows on telly. Women in funny looking spandex suits doing the morning excercising. Whether this is a good image to have or not, well... At least it makes this song have something special as opposed to the majority of the songs. But well the aerobic-image aside I can't really vouch for this track. The chorus is quite unexciting and the verses fall in the same category, yet I could listen to the melodic parts for a lot since the upbeat mood is definitely needed during this dark time of the year. In the end, this is just a weird weird song with some good sounds and maybe to accompany it, that aerobic video could have helped a bit. Now it sort of gets forgotten.
Rating : 6+

7.Powerful T. - Louder & Faster (Sunfire Records)
A-Beat C went and turned into Sunfire Records, if this is the direction we're headed, then let there be light! Louder & Faster showcases a new style for Roberto that sounds refreshingly different, without moving too far away from the safety of the old style. The track has an aggressive, yet slightly lighter synth that we've learned to expect from the title. In a way the strong vocals and guitars clash with the different thin synth, but after heavy airplay they sort of make up enough of a difference to make this song stand out. The melody is fairly simple but also has its hooks which help in making this an effective track. Verses could have been a bit more memorable and some extra spices here and there would've made it even better, but it's great as it is already.
Rating : 9

8.Momo - Flash & Love (SCP)
I was looking forward to the song as the title already sounded memorable. I was sort of left in a Not sure I want-feeling after I heard the track. Female presentations don't often come off as aggressive and in your face, but this track just sort of leaps at you and crits you for 1000 damage. I wasn't quite happy with the critical hit though. The song has the typical light atmosphere to it, but at the same time the vocals especially are so straight forward and loud they make it hard to notice that there actually is a song behind it all. After Send Me An Angel it's slightly sad to admit that this song is just not something I like. It's aggressive, but not in a good way, the vocals are too loud and just make it impossible to concentrate on anything else going on. The bits without vocals also don't really convince me enough to give this track much praise.
Rating : 6

9.Michelle Rose - Hard To Say I'm Sorry (HI-NRG Attack)
This, I did not expect, in any way. Weddings were the first thing that came to my mind when I heard this song, yet HI-NRG Attack doesn't quite fit the image of a wedding in my head. Hard To Say I'm Sorry is an entirely different production from the previous slower HRG tracks and definitely for the better. It's just surprising to notice Avex has chosen 3 strong tracks from the label on the same album, they really could have spread them around a bit more though. A beautiful slower eurobeat tune is definitely a nice change of pace from HRG. The track features these jingling sounds at the background that seem like a direct bow down towards the SAW sounds, and quite frankly they fit HRG's style perfectly as well. A very very refreshing direction that helps me rebuild my trust in HI-NRG Attack also props for not using as much high pitching as usual.
Rating : 9+

10.Kate Project - In My Arms (Asia/Saifam)
It's about time Asia release a song that I actually enjoy thoroughly. In My Arms sounds so pure and beautiful that it really stands out from the general material in every way. Vocals sound soothing, sounds are basic yet perfectly fitting for this piece. That is all topped by the strong melody that does justice to the simple way the song is presented. Sometimes less is more, this is definitely the case. Not much to say since the track just doesn't need much explaining. A pleasant piece of art, aesthetic to the ears.
Rating : 9+

11.Ace - Me & You (SCP)
Back in the day when basically every new SEB offered a song by Ace seems long gone, it does seem like Christian has taken a bigger role as a producer and has left singing for others. So it's definitely nice to hear some more of his solo material. Me & You presents the calmer and more laidback Ace as opposed to the aggresive style he started off with. Whether the new direction is for the better of for the worse is debatable, but I have to admit that this specific track does sound pleasant and relaxing. A love song without all that unnecessary roaring or energy is fun every once in a while, especially when it's done properly. This time I have to admit that I am a lovefool and enjoy this piece.
Rating : 9-

12.Aleky - Labyrinth Of Love (Dima Music)
First thing's first: I absolutely love the song title. Some titles just instantly catch your attention and this is definitely one of the finer titles. The good news are that it's not only the title that is fine about this piece. Labyrinth Of Love showcases pretty much everything good we've learned to hear from Dima Music. Absolutely breathtaking vocals that do justice to the strong verses and even stronger chorus. The pieces all fall together perfectly with this track, the sounds are simple yet efficient and the melody really stands out as art. A definite highlight for the label so far.
Rating : 10

13.TRF - Boy Meets Girl (GoGo Mix) (Avex / Go Go's Music)
So the second TRF remake in a short time, and a second failure. The Para Para version in the 90s from this very song was absolutely magnificent, so I'm not too surprised that the remake can't quite really live up to the expectations I had for it. Even if my favorite producers at GGM have given it their best, I just don't think they really came close to repeating the magic of the older track. Maybe I'm just oldfashioned and want to let nostalgy work its magic on older pieces as most of these remixes have ended up sounding disappointing to say the least. Boy Meets Girl was an ending theme for the anime Da! Da! Da! and therefore had a bit of extra exposure, but everytime I listen to this remix I rather go to youtube and check the short ED version instead. Says pretty much everything there is to say I guess.
Rating : 6

14.Dave Rodgers - Music For The People (Rock Mix) (Sunfire Records)
Funnily after going through quite a few of these albums where the last 2 songs have been the worst the album has to offer, I'm becoming slightly desperate and nearly want to skip out reviewing them all together. Music For The People is basically everything I was fearing it to be. A badly rearranged rock version of a track that has lost most of its edge through the years. I sadly have to admit that some of these eurobeat songs just don't age well, plus reworking them into different styles just doesn't really seem to work out for the best. I do think though that handing them out for some people outside the actual eurobeat business would be interesting. Never know what sort of results we'd get from that...
Rating : 5

Final Words :
It is definitely fun to hear a strong SEB for a change, my occasionally waning interest in the genre gets easily reawoken when this sort of material is released. The absolutely magnificent Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride and Labyrinth Of Love make this a very memorable album. To top that off with 3 excellent HI-NRG Attack songs as well as the great In My Arms, I hardly have much room for complaints, the end aside. Yet again the last 2 songs of the album showcase the more boring parts of the album. I seriously am keeping my fingers crossed that they would stop this trend as soon as possible, time for something different. Or put these songs as an extra disc with remixes instead of hogging the space of other tracks. Wishes that are probably not gonna happen, but that doesn't stop me from wishing upon a star. This is definitely an album worth of getting acquinted with, fun music for fun people.

Final Score : 8

The Best 3 songs

- AAA - Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride (Eurobeat Remix)
- Aleky - Labyrinth Of Love
- Kate Project - In My Arms

The Worst 3 Songs

- Dave Rodgers - Music For The People (Rock Mix)
- TRF - Boy Meets Girl (GoGo Mix)
- Momo - Flash & Love

Honorable Mention

- HI-NRG Attack's strong array of songs, definitely lit up my interest again

Labels present on the album:

Avex: 1(2)
Dima Music: 1
Go Go's Music: 2
HI-NRG Attack: 3
Saifam: 1
SCP: 3
Sinclaire Style: 1
Sunfire Records: 2

Reviewed by Bore