BREAKERZ – FIGHTERZ December 8, 2009

Track Listing

1. THEME OF FIGHTERZ
2. NEXT LEVEL
3. LOVE FIGHTER ~Koi no Battle~ (FIGHTERZ MIX)
4. SUPER-HI-TENSION!!
5. BAMBINO (FIGHTERZ Version)
6. Everlasting Luv
7. SECRET GIRL
8. Bokura
9. Hatsukoi Trampoline
10. Orion
11. Snow Rose
12. DEAR LIAR
13. GRAND FINALE
14. Hikari (FIGHTERZ Version)
15. Feel so good (B.R.Z Version) (bonus track)

1. THEME OF FIGHTERZ

A beautiful and epic opening…well opens up the album.  There’s a lot of strings and brass and a full orchestration.  It’s probably the most intriguing album opening I’ve heard this year since it’s so strong and in your face like some epic Final Fantasy boss theme.

2. NEXT LEVEL

The first new track off the album, NEXT LEVEL is more angsty than most of the songs they’ve released this era.  I really enjoyed DAIGO’s vocals in the song, but it feels a little throaty at points.  Still it is one of their harder hitting songs off the album so I kind of enjoyed it besides DAIGO’s vocals.  He did make up with the amazing chorus though, hmmm good start.

3. LOVE FIGHTER ~Koi no Battle~ (FIGHTERZ MIX)

Ok, so the song has a different opening than the version found on the single.  I honestly think this was the best song of the era because it’s amazingly catchy especially with the whole ~love, love, love fighter!~.  It’s the right amount of rock n’ roll and fun times.  It’s a song not to miss form the album period!

4. SUPER-HI-TENSION!!

I thought SUPER-HI-TENSION!! was going to be a kickass fast song from BREAKERZ and trust me they’ve done really hardcore songs.  I was a little disappointed that the song was more of pop-rock status, but since its a more stable track on its own, I can’t bag it too hard.  DAIGO sings good, but it feels like his vocals go nowhere at a lot of places.  It’s alright, but it’s no “LOVE FIGHTER”.

5. BAMBINO (FIGHTERZ Version)

I love the trumpet solo that opens up BAMBINO.  It’s also the new inclusion for the song so don’t expect anything more new here.  BAMBIMO falls with “LOVE FIGHTER” because of the damn catchy chorus.  There’s just something about these songs that get me excited and wanna rock out with them.  This song proves that having fun with rock is so much better than just singing about love or loss.

6. Everlasting Luv

One of two tracks that weren’t touched on making to the album, Everlasting Luv was the right fit on its single with “BAMBINO”.  Though having it after is a little weird, Everlasting Luv is still one of the better songs of the era with all 3 members singing together and sounding quite nice with the rock and orchestral mix.  The solos though were great here!

7. SECRET GIRL

Oh, SECRET GIRL is a strange track indeed.  Instead of the boys usual fare of rock n’ roll, they went with being a little jazzy.  DAIGO’s vocals are a little bit whiny here and it makes just kind of tune him out for most of the song.  I really like the verses with the string bass and little blips of the brass instruments.  It’s nice, but that chorus has to go IMO

8. Bokura

Bokura marks the first slowish song off the album.  DAIGO’s vocals are better off like this than back on “SECRET GIRL” and the whole rock ballad arrangement worked here.  Though what was with DAIGO’s fast singing in the 2nd verse….that was like so out of line.  Nice track, and it makes for a nice break from the energetic stuff.

9. Hatsukoi Trampoline

I kind of thought Hatsukoi Trampoline would’ve been the new giddy and fun song off the album, but it turns out to be a mid-tempo rock track from the trio.  It’s a lot easier to listen to DAIGO of course and there’s a nice hook to it which is great BTW.  It’s my favorite new track off the album.

10. Orion

Why are their so many “Orion’s” this year?  BREAKERZ’ Orion is of course a slow track so that’s not amazingly surprising, but there’s a stronger life flowing through this song.  I love the string, piano and band ensemble that fills the headphones.  It’s great and it’s the best Orion song I’ve heard.

11. Snow Rose

Another winter song on the album?  I guess I didn’t see this one coming, but this is a lot more towards BREAKERZ rock stuff rather than the balladish “Orion”.  It’s pretty epic as winter tracks go so I’m happy for that.

12. DEAR LIAR

DEAR LIAR is back to the harder sound from the band.  While it doesn’t have that punch the earlier tracks had, DAIGO’s vocals are great here and are a lot more stronger too.  Though once again it’s not as memorable as the other tracks it’s nice

13. GRAND FINALE

The other track that wasn’t touched on the album, the era’s first, GRAND FINALE feels more like something that should’ve ended the album altogether.  DAIGO’s vocals are kind of bothering me again in this song, but since SHINPEI and AKIHIDE did a great job with the song’s arrangement, it’s one of the stronger songs that doesn’t include synths.

14. Hikari (FIGHTERZ Version)

Like the other new versions, Hikari has a different opening this time around.  Starting with a nice strings solo and then DAIGO coming in with the opening.  It’s still my least favorite A-side of the era, but that’s not saying much because it’s a ballad and such.  I wish there was something to remember it by, but there really isn’t. 

15. Feel so good (B.R.Z Version)

Feel so good ends the album off in a more acoustic way.  While there’s no original cut of the song, I like this since it does feel like an album ending and DAIGO’s vocals are good.  It might not be for everyone since it is acoustic and strings together, but I think it fills the album out in the end.

Tracks Recommended

• LOVE FIGHTER ~Koi no Battle~ (BREAKERZ MIX)
• Hatsukoi Trampoline
• BAMBINO (BREAKERZ Version)
• Snow Rose
• Everlasting Luv

Ahhh, FIGHTERZ is a nice album.  I did feel the singles did overpower the new songs by a long shot, yes even “Hikari”.  It wasn’t that the new songs were bad, but they felt a little short against the uber cool A-sides.  Good 4th album from the group.

BREAKERZ – GRAND FINALE December 2, 2009

Track Listing

1. GRAND FINALE
2. Smile In Tears
3. Dandelion ~Acoustic Version~
4. GRAND FINALE (Vocalless Version)

1. GRAND FINALE

While the other singles in the era were more lighthearted and sad (Hikari).  GRAND FINALE feels more serious all-around is the era’s lone serious track IMO.  I’m still not entirely sure if I like DAIGO’s vocals that much, but he puts a lot of personality in his singing.  The rest of the band sounds great as well and given the mood, I kind of like it.

2. Smile In Tears

Somehow by the title, I was guessing it was going to be a rock ballad, but what we got is a dark and edgy track from the group.  It seems really angsty almost and DAIGO’s vocals calmed down a bit for this.  I’ve never heard the group sound this dark so I really enjoyed this (makes me wonder why I didn’t review this first).  The only thing I really didn’t like was the guitar solo, it felt so out of place and rather bad…other than that, surprising song but good.

3. Dandelion ~Acoustic Version~

While the original version can be found on BREAKERZ’s 2nd album, “CRASH & BUILD”, the acoustic version a more calmer version.  It’s also the first acoustic version to be released on a single and has been one ever since.  DAIGO sings quite nicely being by himself with just acoustic guitar and piano backing him up.  IMO, it isn’t as good as later acoustic versions but it’s a good start.

 

 

Where was I when the single released.  I was actually liking this single a lot more than “Everlasting Luv/BAMBINO” and “Hikari”.  GRAND FINALE and Smile In Tears showed off a different side to their music not seen later in the era.  One’s serious and ones just dark, it’s an interesting way to put songs next to each other right?  The acoustic version of Dandelion was alright, but there were better ones later on.

BREAKERZ – LOVE FIGHTER ~Koi no Battle~ November 4, 2009

Track Listing

1. LOVE FIGHTER ~Koi no Battle~
2. Winter Bell
3. Birdman ~Acoustic Version~
4. LOVE FIGHTER ~Koi no Battle~ Gachiage Battle Mix

1. LOVE FIGHTER ~Koi no Battle~

When compared to their previous singles of the era, LOVE FIGHTER is a bit different, kind of like how “BAMBINO” was.  There’s a whole lot more synths here and DAIGO is also under some autotune making the song a little more interesting.  The chorus is a little repetitive for me, but it’s still pretty catchy nonetheless. 

2. Winter Bell

I really had to hold back the laughs when DAIGO and the other guys repeated the whole ~silent night, holy night~ line at the beginning.  As the guy’s Christmas-themed song, it’s your cheesy song for some reason, but I really do like all of the strings in the song so it makes up for the band’s cheesy-filled lyrics.  Alright, but thank god it’s relegated as a B-side.

3. Birdman ~Acoustic Version~

So, Birdman was originally a track off their debut album, “BREAKERZ”.  It seems that since “GRAND FINALE”, the band’s been acoustically redoing their old tracks and while since this is the fourth single, I’d be tired of this, I’m not.  It’s a whole lot better than the original IMO.  The acoustic version gave Birdman a more mysterious sound and the group sounds nice together, especially in the song’s chorus.  I have to say this is my favorite acoustic song I’ve heard from BREAKERZ.

4. LOVE FIGHTER ~Koi no Battle~ Gachiage Battle Mix

I don’t think I’ve seen a remix of a tune from them period so this is clearly a first for the group.  LOVE FIGHTER sounds a lot more edgier in its arrangement since there’s more emphasis on the synths involved.  Once DAIGO comes in, his voice is auto-tuned even more than what it was which is a little annoying and the chorus is a little anti-climatic but it’s a daring remix and it’s alright, just not as powerful as the original.

 

 

As BREAKERZ finally get around this era to release their 4th album “FIGHTERZ”, LOVE FIGHTER ~Koi no Battle~ was an interesting single for sure.  The title track and its remix were definitely treading on new grounds and that’s good.  However, Birdman took over as the best thing on the single since it showed improvement from the original in many aspects.  Winter Bell is the worst song however, but it’s just because of the winter song syndrome xD.

BREAKERZ – Hikari July 19, 2009

Track Listing

1. Hikari
2. Faraway so Close.
3. B.R.Z. ~Ashita e no Kakehashi~ Acoustic Version (Regular Edition only)
4. Everlasting Luv Live Version (Limited Edition A only)
5. BAMBINO Live Version (Limited Version B only)

1. Hikari

I think for the first time listening to BREAKERZ, I finally hear a ballad-like track from the trio.  DAIGO sounds really good doing the more serious singing this time around and his emotional vocals resonate very well through the song.  Even when one of the guitarists come in for their solo at the midpoint, it stays true to its form and I like it.  It might not be as good as “BAMBINO”, but this is a pretty good rock ballad for sure.

2. Faraway so Close.

Unlike the soft relaxing feel “Hikari” gave, Its B-side was a return to a more rocking BREAKERZ we have all loved from the start (not me though).  I do hear snippets and synth here and there through the song and that’s always a nice welcome to their music.  It’s furious and full of life.  I think it made a great B-side to “Hikari”

3. B.R.Z. ~Ashita e no Kakehashi~ Acoustic Version~

Just like how the last single had a past song,  “Hikari” also features a song from the same past album.  It’s funny since I haven’t heard the original, but the song sounds a bit like reggae and jazz mixed together to make a strange hybrid with each other.  I’m not sure if I like it much, but it’s kind of different from the band and I like that they can keep it original and keep it as a band.

4. Everlasting LUV Live Version

Now for different versions of the CD+DVD versions, we get a live version of both of the last A-sides.  Everlasting LUV was the more frenetic one between the two and it seems to continue in their live performance.  DAIGO does live performances well even though he might sound off at places, it’s still not bad here. 

5. BAMBINO Live Version

BAMBINO was actually the fun song here.  Now the live version of this track is very explosive and pretty sweet and more of the crowd was even into this track moreso than the last track actually.  There’s still problems that DAIGO is stressing himself off like that, but still a pretty worthy performance.

 

 

BREAKERZ’s 3rd single was a nice surprise as Hikari showed off a softer side to the group and I like that they can just take it slower.  Faraway so Close. was more serious than what I’ve heard from them and I really thought it was a catchy tune.  The other 3 tracks were alright more or less to the respectable originals.

BREAKERZ – Everlasting Luv/BAMBINO April 14, 2009

Track Listing

1. Everlasting Luv
2. BAMBINO
3. Nanzenkai…Nanmankai…~Acoustic Version~

1. Everlasting Luv

Already from the starting point, this track is exciting and such.  DAIGO sounds so anxious to just start screaming, like what he’s doing.  I love how they added strings to some parts of the song to make things especially more exciting.  The 3 members singing together is pretty cool and they harmonize pretty well for a rock song. 

2. BAMBINO

BAMBINO definitly takes the rock sound and spices things up with a latin sound that totally took the song to a new level.  I really don’t know what they word, Bambino means but it made a pretty catchy chorus.  Pretty good A-side to share it’s side with “Everlasting Luv”

3. Nanzankai…Nanmankai…~Acoustic Version~

Originally from their 2nd album, “CRASH & BUILD” I have yet to hear the original soooo…I’m just basing off of what I’m getting from this.  The version is definitly deviod of the harder sounds of the other two tracks which is a nice surprise.  DAIGO sounds really nice all by himself though, I’m pretty sure the other guys had solo parts, but I can clearly hear him.  Sometimes DAIGO pushes his vocals to some odd positions creating a icky part…mostly it was good.

 

 

BREAKERZ 2nd single for their new era was a little less memorable than “GRAND FINALE”, but it wasn’t terrible at the least.  The A-sides were rockin hard are pretty catchy, but it lacked a true interest.  Definitly far from said single.  The acoustic version of a past song was an interesting take ans I wonder what the original will sound like.