It's not just the kind of music B'z do to make them atypical (there are others rock band in Japan - maybe not so successful, but they exist). Since 1993 they never released an album every year. And there are many artists that make "single collection" instead of albums, just adding a couple of song. They don't do that. If a song isn't created of an album, they don't put in it, even if it's a big hit - just think of Taiyou no komachi angel. Who wouldn't fit their first Oricon #1 in an album? The only exception to this could be ultra soul and OCEAN. But I don't think someone forced them to put them in albums, they're just too perfectionist to release something they aren't 100% satisfied of.
As for Inaba, I think his interest in writing music grew up when he started working at the arrangements with Matsumoto. He can keep working at his solo with this irregular pace because his main work is with B'z. Could he write an album every year? I'm not so sure...
I think in the future B'z will keep relasing an album every 2 year. Maybe they'll do less live-gym but more showcases or live in smaller places - I think they're less expensive in physical strenght, and they fit perfectly in a smaller place.
Hello hello,
I agree with you Lum, B'z isn't the most commercial band in Japan. They won't do more best-ofs than original albums for example. Many singles don't take place in albums, that's right.
But I don't agree about ultra soul and OCEAN. ultra soul fits perfect in the album GREEN while OCEAN has nothing to do in the album MONSTER.
I'm not sure that they are totally free. They have many engagements. Ichibu to Zenbu was good but we can hear it was made for a drama opening.
And what they did with The Best ULTRA Treasure was not very correct. You don't propose two versions of your best-of like that, "forcing" many fans to buy the two versions... So, in this case I don't think Matsumoto nor Inaba are guilty, they must have someone in their back who wants to make the most money.
You're surely right, since 1988 B'z always released at least one single every year. So it could be the last chapter in 2010 after the DVD...
Hello Arkard and wellcome!
I also think Magma is maybe the best Inaba's album, and it has surely to do with the freedom we are talking about. No single, no commercial engagement. But I think Peace of Mind is different, more mature. Tamayura is just gigantic when the last song ano inochi kono inochi is surprising for its lyrics about war. A great album!
