Re: B'z 20th Best Albums : The Best 'Ultra Pleasure' & The Best 'Ultra Treasure'

[Lebon14]

Sure.  Here it is : http://www.oricon.co.jp/music/release/c/11142/

In the comment section.

[Arthuro]

Thanks, unfortunately I was already modifying my post... lol

[anjoschka178]

nice wallpapers ^^

[Kaizou]

I could only agree with him.  It's only re-release except for Splash, Super Love song and the two remixes.  It gets old.  They could have chosen stuff from old album except "all from singles" (except Bad communication, which is on the mini).  Only ~200000 has been sold yet (including us that ordered from CDJapan, because we enters Oricon when buying there).  It is far from beating Pleasure I and II in term of copies sold...

Yeah, naturally. Pleasure I is one of the highest selling releases in Japanese music's history, so topping that (especially in this age of piracy, of which we're all guilty of) would be really mind blowing. This is more of a "definitive" best-of collection, so there are pro's and con's for it--I definitely see that side, and agree partially. The new version of BC, though, tends to justify the release for me.

I doubt this release or Treasure will actually "fail" in the normal sense, but I get what you mean. ULTRA Treasure will be a bit more anticipated by fans, true, but I doubt the sales will be quite as high as ULTRA Pleasure due to the identifying of various singles by prospective buyers. I haven't seen the DVD yet, but I would imagine there are some great performances featured on it.

If ULTRA Pleasure breaks a million, it would be astounding. Sales are on a downward slide across the board (naturally, not just for B'z), so seeing the release break a million would be great. I expect about 600,000~700,000 copies sold by the sales period's end, though.

[Nat.ty]

The ULTRA Pleasure almost sold 200,000 copies in the first day and sold already about 333,000 copies. Nice sales.

[jon]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%27z_The_Best_%22ULTRA_Pleasure%22

yeah, found these useful links as well, anyway, the price is a good deal to have the two Pleasure CD's together and as a real fan one must have everything, 
http://www.oricon.co.jp/news/ranking/22742/

[Kaitoukidsama]

ULTRA Treasure will be a bit more anticipated by fans, true, but I doubt the sales will be quite as high as ULTRA Pleasure due to the identifying of various singles by prospective buyers.

I completely disagree. I feel that ULTRA Treasure will be the better seller. I think this due to the fact that the people voted for the songs on this album so there has to be some special value there. Also the good part of these songs have never been on any compiliation to date and therefore would be more desirable than the ULTRA Pleasure. And finally, getting this album will essentially be buying it for the 20th Anniversary. Not on the exact date, but pretty damn close.

I do expect the upcoming Treasure to have a special bonus. I'm hoping for a DVD like the one that came with SLS. Even if it didn't I would still buy it.

[Lebon14]

ULTRA Treasure will be a bit more anticipated by fans, true, but I doubt the sales will be quite as high as ULTRA Pleasure due to the identifying of various singles by prospective buyers.

I completely disagree. I feel that ULTRA Treasure will be the better seller. I think this due to the fact that the people voted for the songs on this album so there has to be some special value there. Also the good part of these songs have never been on any compiliation to date and therefore would be more desirable than the ULTRA Pleasure. And finally, getting this album will essentially be buying it for the 20th Anniversary. Not on the exact date, but pretty damn close.

I do expect the upcoming Treasure to have a special bonus. I'm hoping for a DVD like the one that came with SLS. Even if it didn't I would still buy it.

I have to agree with KKS for this one.  I have the same arguments. 2CD+DVD or simply 3CD will be awesome.  And, for once, I would like to receive a bonus with my album... :\  Now, I'm battling my way on Yahoo! Japan auctions...

[Kaizou]

Well, the reasoning behind it is the simple fact that this was done ten years ago: Pleasure in late Spring, Treasure within days of the anniversary. Treasure's songs were then, too, chosen by the fans from what I've read (I believe Keen said it; obviously wasn't around then). While I would love to see ULTRA Treasure be a tremendous success and outsell ULTRA Pleasure, it just doesn't seem too likely given the past. As was said earlier, though: It is possible that Pleasure II will have an effect on this, as it was, after all, nearly half of ULTRA Pleasure and was only released three years ago. So, if that does factor in to slightly lower sales for ULTRA Pleasure in the end, I wouldn't be too surprised. It's best to keep in mind that singles--re-releases or otherwise--always move quite a few units. So far, there are only like seven or eight singles in the top thirty songs for Treasure, so that could factor in a bit as well. 

It is a safe bet to say there will be a 2CD+DVD edition of ULTRA Treasure as well, collecting other unreleased performances. A new version of two classics would be a welcome edition, like maybe BLOWIN' or Brotherhood (hey, it's #1, and I know I'd kill for an extended and altered version). Although it's nigh impossible with the original already being on ULTRA Pleasure, the acoustic version of Itsuka would have me interested without question.

I wouldn't count on a 3CD collection, though. That's generally way too many songs for a single release, but that doesn't mean it's impossible. This is B'z, after all.

[Keen]

I said it before and I'll say it again.  That "Best Pleasure II" shouldn't have happened.  It would have meant so much more if we only had to witness Best Pleasure & Treasure and then 10 years later Ultra Pleasure & Treasure.  It was a WEIRD decision by the sales department I suppose.  I didn't buy it so I could pretend that it never existed.  Now eagerly waiting for my Ultra Pleasure.

Kaizou, you're right, 10 years ago the fans decided on the content of Best Treasure so of course B'z must follow course and do it the same way again this year.  It sold fantastically well although if I'm not mistaken did not surpass Best Pleasure.


I wonder if there'll be Ultra Mixture? ^__^  Then it will be the B-sides with much remixing and such.  Would love one!!

[Lebon14]

Now, I'm pretty sure that Ultra Treasure will beat Ultra Pleasure in sale.  The only reason why Pleasure I have beatten Treasure was because it was the first compilation of around 20 singles.  They have put the most selling songs of their 10th anniversary.  Now, it's only the second Treasure and well, there are also more fans, more vote and the votes are more significative.  My 2.

[Kaizou]

Kaizou, you're right, 10 years ago the fans decided on the content of Best Treasure so of course B'z must follow course and do it the same way again this year.  It sold fantastically well although if I'm not mistaken did not surpass Best Pleasure.

Ah, I thought I saw you say that somewhere. Awesome.

Pleasure II has always felt a little out of place, what with the lack of a second Treasure until now and all, so I'm definitely with you there.

Now, it's only the second Treasure and well, there are also more fans, more vote and the votes are more significative.  My 2.

I actually would take the stance that there are less fans these days, or at least ones with an active interest in the band's activities. While B'z obviously continues to produce remarkable music of the utmost quality, it seems they are, for the most part, no longer a part of the "main" part of the mainstream music of Japan (which is dominated by mostly bland J-Pop and guys with a lot of makeup and costumes on)--and that's to be expected, as their sound has evolved quite a bit from the days of yore. While B'z is still wildly popular, I can't really see myself saying they're as highly regarded as they were in the early to late 90's. It really just comes down to what you wanna say, really: Is it their legacy these days or is it their notability these days?

And yeah, Keen, an ULTRA Mixture would be mind-blowing. If they came out with a new one and were willing to look all over their entire catalogue, I can't imagine them not re-doing Out Of Control. Tak & Koshi have been pretty fond of playing it live as of late, so I can only imagine the result of a re-recording. Of course, this would also give the guys a chance to bring back some of the old English demo's to mold into new recordings. I would particularly like to see a Mixture version of Odekake Shimasho, as it seems like a perfect song for that treatment. I wouldn't think I"m alone with this one, but... I say bring back THE GAMBLER already.

[jon]

Finally i could buy the Best Pleasure in HMV yesterday and it is totally worth the money. Alone the DVD is actually.

The songs sound so fresh, i am not sure if they did some slight rearrangements on some like 'Be there', 'Ai no mama ni..' and 'Lady Navigation'.

I just watched the DVD and i am so blown away. Odekake Shimasho being my favorite on that one, wild performance and one of b'z best. Koshi can hardly be recognized, hehe.
And 'Don't leave me' is also great performed,
i would also say best performance of 'calling', better than in 'brotherhood' live gym.
Love Phantom and love me i love you can only be great. Quite touching performance of 'mo ichido kiss' and 'itoshi good night'.

cheers,
jon

[anjoschka178]

I can't wait till my copy arrived 

hm and a Ultra Mixture would be great too 

[Lebon14]

I'm EXTREMELY late for that but the Ultra Best Pleasure sold 940333 copies and was placed 7th on the yearly 2008 Oricon ranking.  Ultra Best Treasure sold 573581 copies and the 16th place.  Burn ~Femetsu No Face~ didn't make the Top 50 cut.

This was released in December 2008.