ACTION Reviews

[Kaizou]

Here is my very, very lengthy review of ACTION (1,387 words, in fact). I encourage everyone else to post their reviews as well!

ACTION
B'z

There are consummate expectations for any major music release anymore. This is multiplied significantly for historical groups with a reputation for the utmost quality. Anything less than momentous can unduly impair the aforementioned expectations. Luckily, the sixteenth studio album release from Tak Matsumoto and Koshi Inaba optimistically meets and exceeds all expectations.

ACTION is a charming package overall and has a sentimental value to it with it being the album to precede the overwhelming "B'z 20" campaign. The almost indefinable quality of the album seems to be that each of the songs are so well constructed that they demand your attention. No matter what play list you add the songs from this album to, you'll be drawn to them immediately.

It seems only fitting that ACTION would be released just before the 20th anniversary campaign. Each track is reminiscent of simpler times, considering all of the tracks present serve as a catalyst of sorts. This being due to the fact that, from start to finish, any listener familiar with B'z will immediately find themselves right at home.

With B'z having such an expansive and evolving career over the past twenty years, it comes as no surprise to hear that there is astounding variation present in ACTION. From true rock titles, such as BUDDY and Perfect Life, all the way to the slow-building Mangetsu Yo Terase, you'll find that B'z is as assorted as ever. Those looking for the trademark power ballads B'z has made famous will find solace with Koubou. The truth is that the album has so much to offer that it's difficult to put it all into words.

The lyrics and overall charisma presented by Koshi Inaba in the album is far above the norm. It seems that no matter what the mood of the song is, his voice matches perfectly. Even when faced with what is traditionally a formula for low-key vocals with a track like SUPER LOVE SONG, Inaba brings his proprietary voice and trademark range to the table. His diversity is as apparent as ever when comparing the likes of Eien no Tsubasa to Junjou ACTION. No matter the tone intended for a song, Inaba comes off as a singer first and foremost--something you very rarely see from a rock group. This versatility is likely what has made him one of the leading voices in Japanese music.

Should someone just now discover B'z with ACTION, they will likely be taken aback by the guitar work and overall diversity of the composition found within. Each and every track is composed very differently from the last, from the guitar, bass, drums, specialty instruments--it's all here and it's all on showcase. Tak Matsumoto is known to every music enthusiast in Japan as a masterful guitarist with few equals, but it's not only the guitar work that shines here. Ore to Omae no Atarashii Kisetsu is a perfect example: a blinding, exotic rhythm is present throughout the entire song, but is highlighted so well by the guitar work that you may not distinguish it from the rest at first. This borderline-perfect encompassing of every instrument available is what makes Tak's music so enjoyable and has been a contributing factor to the group's success for the past twenty years.

The overall track listing has few--if any--weak points to speak of. Every song is treated with care and it shows. Junjou ACTION is the perfect opening, as it will instantly feel familiar to anyone familiar with rock music. Kuroi Seishun is a perfect complimentary follow-up with its many tone changes and strong chorus. This is another likable factor of any B'z work: every piece of the puzzle fits perfectly with the next.

All B'z fans have heard SUPER LOVE SONG by now and, despite the hundreds of listens, they likely won't skip over it this time around either. Mangetsu Yo Terase is a familiar, high quality build-up song with a relaxing tone, which is a great lead-in to the even more familiar rock style present in Perfect Life. Perhaps the most unusual song on the release is Isshunfuran. The song itself is a melodic mood twister with an engaging guitar melody, but the vocals will have you tuning back in soon after the first listen. Tak proves, once more, that he is the master of the short guitar solo in a number of the songs, but especially the lightning fast FRICTION -LAP 2-.

ONE ON ONE will likely trick you with the piano opening, but it soon becomes a fitting addition to the B'z library as an upbeat and simple vehicle for both Koshi and Tak's talents. Few songs on the market are as uplifting as Boku ni wa Kimi ga Iru. The song itself, being the longest on the album, relies much on its reflective nature and Inaba's strong vocal performance, but it works very well. Nanto Iu Shiawase is likely the one track that will seem strikingly familiar to long-time B'z fans, as it should immediately remind you of the novel approach taken with the old classics.

One of the more intriguing songs on the album is the somewhat bluesy Warui Yume, which has elements from so many music genres that it's hard to describe with words. Found here is a persistent and strong melody with a revealing consistency between every instrument and Inaba's voice. The unusually titled HOMETOWN BOYS' MARCH is a thrilling song in a lot of ways, but most notable of which is likely the gripping chorus and mere integrity of the composition. The song will definitely be a preferred song at future LIVE-GYMs, as it's certainly constructed well for the occasion.

Koubou is anything but ordinary, as it really brings a little something new to the usual ballad. The gap that's bridged from each verse to each chorus is done so magnificently well that you may have to listen to it several times to truly appreciate how well it's done. There is certainly something poetic about the song, but there's also a lot to love about Tak's wonderfully implemented solo at the end. The follow-up is Traveling Man Theme, which is more or less an elevated song. While it's hard to tell what this song is about, it will definitely grow on you with time.

Nearing the end of the track listing is Ore to Omae no Atarashii Kisetsu. What we have here is, as was mentioned earlier, a really exotic and intricate song. The sheer brilliance and depth of the composition here is not something you see often in music and is probably something you can only get with a B'z song. The second-to-last song on the album is the first single for the album, Eien no Tsubasa. The song itself is a refreshing ballad with a great spirit and a guitar solo that can only be described as fantastic.

Some believe everything you need to know about an album can be discerned from the final track. For ACTION, this observation is doubly true. BUDDY is not only a great rock song but a prominent experience for any B'z fan. The song simply has a certain indescribable aura that just projects a great energy. This may be due to it encompassing everything Tak Matsumoto and Koshi Inaba have experienced for the past twenty years as the leading entity in Japanese music, but that's up to the listener to decide. No matter what you take away from the song, it's clear that Tak and Koshi are both at their best here. Koshi's lyrics are catchy, instantly memorable, and simply stick with you. Equally as important is Tak's guitar work, which narrates the entire song only the way he can.

There is so much to be said about the quality of ACTION that abbreviating one's thoughts on it into a review can't do it justice. This is truly an album that simply cannot be missed by anyone, especially those who claim they are fans of rock music.

The redeeming quality of ACTION present in all B'z music ensures that everyone will take something different from it. Some will be reminded of how far B'z has come but has retained a musical quality unparalleled anywhere else in music, while some may figure that Tak and Koshi have always done what they felt was best and it's always worked. Either way, you are bound to come to the same conclusion: The appeal B'z had nearly twenty years ago is as apparent now as it ever has been.

[Kaitoukidsama]

I can't believe I read all that >.>;

ACTION is a pretty good album... definitely the longest and probably most diverse.

[jayz24]

Awesome awesome review Kaizou! I definitely vote to put your review up in Keen's website.

Thanks very much! Now I'm sure of what my first ever B'z buy will be. When I apply for a credit card by February. Gonna be my birthday present to myself (as I can't afford all the expenses for a live-gym). Need to start saving up, cuz once I start buying, I have the feeling I won't be able to stop anytime soon. :'(

[Lebon14]

-_-
Didn't ask to open a new topic lol...

Anyway, I'll wait to have my album... *some people points me to a certain somewhere on the Internet*
No, no, I'll wait my real copy of the thing.

Oh yeah, I'll sticky this for the occasion.

EDIT

Oh yeah, good review Kaizou.  But I didn't ask for THIS long lol

[Kaizou]

Oh yeah, good review Kaizou.  But I didn't ask for THIS long lol

Sorry (lol). As someone who writes often, this sort of length is natural.

[Keen]

That's a brilliant piece of review.  I'll be honoured to feature this on my site, Kaizou.

I'm also waiting for my copy, Lebon.  I haven't even watched (only took a few peeks) at Perfect Life or Junjou Action because I wanna keep it all fresh    Aside from the singles obviously, I have only heard Buddy (from Monster Garage dvd's ending song) and LOVED it to pieces!!  I thought it's such a perky classic B'z.  Gosh, I'm so excited!!

Jayz24, good luck with buying B'z discography lol.  Yeah, you will not stop for a while just yet, as we all know it only too well hehehe.

[anjoschka178]

 
really an awesome review.
When you read it you really WANT TO liste to this :-)
So i think it's a perfect review for everybody who isn't a B'z Fan yet (i'm sure after reading this, and yes listen to the album (i want soooo bad too  ) you become a huge fan of B'z)

Now i'm really curios about this album, because sometimes i have the feeling, that the most fans like B'z there old albums much more. Me too, i think. That doesn't mean i dislike the newer ones, but i think the older are a little bit better... my opinion really changed with MONSTER and i think it will changed completly with ACTION :-)

For the first time i will wait for my ordered copy of the album and don't search for it in the internet. It's hard, sure, but it's the start of the 20th anniversary campaign :-) It would be a really exiting time now...
hm i digress more and more from the topic...

[Kaizou]

That's a brilliant piece of review.  I'll be honoured to feature this on my site, Kaizou.

No, I'm the one who would be honored--to have it on your site . Thanks for the work you've done for B'z fans; I'm glad I can contribute a little something to that with the review.

When you read it you really WANT TO liste to this :-)

I was hoping it would come off that way, but I just wrote exactly what I felt about the album xD. I'm very glad it worked that way, as I have literally no experience writing reviews. It comes easily when it's something you're passionate about, of course .

Thanks to everyone for reading through it, I know it's really long xD. I look forward to reading everyone else's reviews of the album as they get their album in the mail!

[Lebon14]

Also, I want to say that when I'll write my review, be aware of those fact :

1. Being be big a listener of Eurobeat, slow song will probably get score below 5/10.  I don't like songs that doesn't move fast or that the feeling doesn't get to me much.

2. I became a fan of B'z with Banzai because of it's rock melody (and also fast : ~162 BPM) and the fact it's fast.

So, it's why I'm very very picky on songs.  A lot of you will like a other JPop/JRock and, myself, don't like them because they can't get heavy rock numbers like B'z do.  (Example : All-Out Attack, Giri Giri Chop, Banzai, F.e.a.r, Arakure, Out Of Control, etc) and can't make ballads that gets to me like B'z do sometimes (Ex. Guitar Wa Naiteiru, Alone, Raging River) and many of JPop artists tends to do a lot of "Piano-and-vocal" songs.  To me, it's so bad.

That's why I'm very picky and it's on every music genre (except rap, hip hop and some dereived genres... I will totally not listen to that)

EDIT

Got it today wait for my review, if not today, tomorrow

[anjoschka178]

i can't say it often enough
I want my album!!!!
So please god of B'z  send me my copy from japan RIGHT NOW :-)

[coldfeet]

10/10 - FRICTION -Lap 2- - I'm not a huge FRICTION fan to begin with. It's an alright song, but by far not their best English song. This version however nearly made me reconsider. A whole new twist on the song seems so refreshing somehow. By tweaking the music a little bit this becomes a whole new song to my ears. Good job B'z! I'll compare this to Bad Communication (000-018).

My thoughts exactly.. it feels like a totally different song to me.. and I definitely prefer this one

I wish they didn't add eien no tsubasa to this album... I don't know why I just felt Eien doesn't fit the album
maybe the fact that i dislike Eien cloud my judgment a bit
It's the same feeling I get when I hear "Konya Tsuki no Mieru oka ni" in Eleven

[soccernbz]

I totally agree with you

[Lebon14]

Here is my review.

1. Junjou Action Length : 3:06

From the first second where the song starts playing and the guitar turns in, it's an instant hit.  Also, like the drum in the opening the song is very fast.  Also, Koshi's "Action" here and there are just really damn catchy.

Junjou Action is a mostly a song that is made to cheer up everyone listen to it and I think it really plays its role.  The guitar solo is also fantastic but a little too short.  The intermede is also well timed.  A very good piece of work from B'z.  One of my favorite!

Score : 10

2. Kuroi Seishun Length : 3:47

Since I have only heard the preview before, I was waiting for a hard rock song from the beginning to end, couplets included.  When I got my CD yesterday, The second click I made is on the 2nd song, well, this one.  When I heard the opening, I was like "What the hell is that?"  Seconds later, the hard rock came.  I was happy and it's really catchy.  But that "jazzy" parts are not bad at all and fits the couplet and Koshi fits in pretty good!  The chorus is really good and I'm actually rocking to it.

Well, everything about the song is pretty good and the best part of the song is the second chorus and upward.
I almost forget, we add another awesome Koshi scream to the list which is VERY nice!

Score : 10

3. Super Love Song Length : 3:56

I'm pretty sure you all know what is my position on Super Love Song.  This is a super catchy song from beginning to end.  Koshi's voice fits "OMGly" (copyrighted word) well with the song and, still, that part after the guitar solo (oh which is explosive!) is sure is my favorite part and it's thrilling!

I'm still not sure if I could listen to the song in loop though.  Because, I don't know why, the song gets on nerve somewhat.  Good song anyway.

Score : 9

4. Mangetsu Yo Terase Length : 3:59

Immediately after hearing that vocal intro and the first instrument part, it gets me sick.  The only thing I can say that it's good, it's the bridge which Koshi's voice just makes it exciting but it's way too short.  Also, the guitar solo is too jazzy.  Well, for an overall, it's the kind of rock ballad I really don't wish to listen.  But, it's not a song I would ignore like "Amadare Blues" from Monster.

Score : 4

5. Perfect Life Length : 3:39

What a strange way to start a song.  Among the guitar riffs, the song is really catchy.  The most notable part of the song is indeed the chorus. Also, the part I like the most is just before the guitar solo, the guitar solo and the chorus.

Perfect life is a perfect song *thumbs up*

Score : 10

6. Isshinfuran Length : 3:25

You maybe not know, but, this song just remind me of Koi No Summer Session in style.  The song in itself is not bad but not good.  Medium.  The guitar solo really put some energy inside.  That's a good plus.  It's not a favourite and probably won't become one.  In other words, it's a song I wouldn't mind hearing anytime.

Score : 7

7. Friction ~Lap 2~ Length : 3:06

I'm a huge fan of Friction (at the opposite of KKS) and this version didn't make come in pleasure but after hearing it once, I said to myself "Hey, it's as good as the original!"  Well, that's the fact.  Being in English, is a plus.  But, this version's English seems less clear to me.

Also, don't forget the "Yeah!" at the end XD

Score : 10

8. One On One Length : 4:35

How wrong was I to compare this to Mabushii Sign and Ashita Mata Hi Ga Naboru Nara... it's far from being this good.  The rhythm may be good but the feeling don't get to me.  We hear that the work is really great but it's not anything close the song before this one.

Score : 5

9. Boku Ni Wa Kimi Ga Iru Length : 5:53

The song starts peacefully with piano.  Soon after, Koshi starts singing along with the piano.  It's not bad... but not great.  Bass and violins join in later on.  The song takes color.  After the first chorus, drums come in and well, everything comes in progressively.  This is a very good ballad finally!  We only need to wait the instruments to join in.

Score : 9

10. Nanto Iu Shiawase Length : 4:59

OMG... the opening of the song let me think so much of Amadare Blues's intro... But the song has an advantage : it's not has boring as the song it's being compared with.  In fact, that's a very OK rock song.  The chorus is pretty OK and has a good mood.  One thing I think it's out of place : the guitar solo. -_-  Myself would have put it a little less hard.

Verdict in the score

Score : 8

11. Warui Yume Length : 4:34

This song has a lot of style : from Blues to Hard Rock.  The guitar solo for example is an overreacting one (lol).  There's apart of the song that makes me laugh.  "aaa... furu.  Hoo hoo."  lol. 
Anyway, the song in itself, for me, is not good.  Not really anyway.  Another miss on the album...

Score : 4

12. Hometown Boys' March Length : 4:26

The album is going on and we are already on the twelth song already.  Hometown Boys' March is a song that we probably say "Huh... it most be a boring rythmic song".  Nah Nah.  Well, it has a rhythmic feel but it has some special power that cheer up everyone.

I especially love the ending

Score : 8

13. Koubou Length : 4:51

One word : Sugoi!  This ballad is just sweet.  Everything fits in together perfectly.  I can't find words for that song.

Score : 10

14. Themu No Travelling Men Length : 3:09

Where the (complete yourself) this song is coming from?  Next.
Score : 0

15. Ore To Omae No Atarashii Kisetsu Length : 3:30

I'll keep it straight : I hate it.  That's it that's all.
This one and the travelling Men's theme are making my ears bleedin', 'k?

Score : 0

16. Eien No Tsubasa Length : 5:10

So, this is the generic ballad's turn?  Well, yes, obviously.  I think it's too generic to be a song to be retained as an epic and memoriable song as, for example, Itsuka No Merry Christmas.  But, I don't say that it's a bad song.  At the opposite, I think that's an OK song.  It's not a song I would substain myself from listening like Track 14 and 15.  You know, the score talks by itself

Score : 7

17. Buddy Length : 3:26

So, we are at the last song!  It was a tedious write but I'm proud to be here already.  So, the song opens in some guitar riffs.  I don't know why, but, the intro and the actual riffs make me think of a song.  But, I can't get my hand on it.  The song in itself is OK with no big plus, really.  It's also too blues-y (7th Blues style rock... ugh... well you all know why I say that).  Well, that's it.

Score : 7

Overall Total play time : 69:39

Wow.  What a thrill it was!  So, in overall this album has a lot of diversity in the songs.  For me, it's not really important.  The importance is the quality of every songs offered on this new album.  Many songs were top quality like Junjou Action, Kuroi Seishun, Koubou, Super Love Song & Friction ~Lap 2~.  This is a good album.  Not as good overall like Big Machine was but still has his good and bad points.  However, if a new potential fan would like to start by this album, I would say no.  Why?  I think this album has his own potential but not to intruduce anything to anyone.  I'm still suggesting the best ofs to new fans like Pleasure & Pleasure II.  Finally, after a good listen to, I'm showing that this album is a worth buy!

Overall Score : 8

[anjoschka178]

today i pick up my CD in Frankfurt.
It arrive yesterday
 
When i'm back from there i will write down my review, maybe :-)

[Kaitoukidsama]

10/10 - FRICTION -Lap 2- - I'm not a huge FRICTION fan to begin with. It's an alright song, but by far not their best English song. This version however nearly made me reconsider. A whole new twist on the song seems so refreshing somehow. By tweaking the music a little bit this becomes a whole new song to my ears. Good job B'z! I'll compare this to Bad Communication (000-018).

My thoughts exactly.. it feels like a totally different song to me.. and I definitely prefer this one

I wish they didn't add eien no tsubasa to this album... I don't know why I just felt Eien doesn't fit the album
maybe the fact that i dislike Eien cloud my judgment a bit
It's the same feeling I get when I hear "Konya Tsuki no Mieru oka ni" in Eleven

Lebon14 and I seem to have similar likes and dislikes on this album... which is VERY rare...

I just wanted to elaborate on what I said about FRICTION -LAP 2-.

      As we all know FRICTION was included in the game BURNOUT Dominator. Now for the thousands of avid Burnout fans out there, they would have had to have heard this song at least a hundred times. (Or, if you are Akai-Shuichi who only has that song activated, you would heard it hundreds)
     Anyway. The way I figure, after 8 months of hearing the same song over and over, it could get old. So I think putting FRICTION on a single and giving it a fair B'z release is awesome. And then altering the song to make it sound different and putting it on the album will lessen the worry of people skipping over the song because they heard it too many times. In fact, it actually gives fans a reason/an extra reason to look forward to FRICTION on the album.
     You know what I mean? I just think the way they handled that was pure genius.
     Maybe they should've done something similar with Eien. I actually would've preferred Lonely Stars in the spot of Eien. I think it would've fit better in the grand scale of things. I do agree with Coldfeet, Eien really doesn't seem to fit into the album, or at least at the track it's at.