dream – SINCERELY ~ever dream~ December 14, 2009

Track Listing

1. SINCERELY ~ever dream~
2. Message
3. SINCERELY ~ever dream~ (Instrumental)
4. Message (Instrumental)

1. SINCERELY ~ever dream~

I really liked how SINCERELY ~ever dream~ is so far from being anything of their eurobeat stuff.  It’s a ballad of course, but a simplistic one as well.  I think this is the nicest I’ve heard from the girls so far in their careers and Mai, Kana, and Yu sound great together as well.  No more screaming!  Definitely a strong track on it’s own

2. Message

It’s odd to see another ballad making an appearance as the B-side to the single, but I actually prefer Message over “SINCERELY” since it’s more focused on the members vocals even more and the arrangement is a little more interesing.  It feels like a solo sometimes, but w/e this is really nice.

 

 

Sadly, SINCERELY ~ever dream~ marks as the final single before Mai Matsumoro graduates and dream gains 6 members.  I have to say SINCERELY and Message make great ballads to hear from the 3-nin dream and probably one of their best singles.  After this single there’s a best-of that chronicles the 3 ladies and their singles, but after that is a whole new ballgame.

dream – Process September 25, 2009

Track Listing

1. Prologue
2. Yourself
3. “Puzzle”
4. solve
5. New Days
6. destine
7. Precious Heart
8. Our Time
9. “NeverMore”
10. SUBPAIN
11. Answer
12. Negai
13. Get Over
14. Don’t forget memory
15. STAY ~now I’m here~ brilliant version

1. Prologue

Opening up the album is a minute-long opening track.  Already it sounds so fresh when compared to their last album, “Dear…”.  There’s still a sense of eurobeat in it, but it’s rather light and luckily not in the way.

2. Yourself

After that introduction, we start the vocal tracks with the last single of the era.  It does connect the opening because it has a mix of strings and eurobeat that seems to rival GND’s music.  I like the piano-forward of the whole tune and while Kana, Yu, and Mai don’t sound really good together, they did carry the song better than most of the slower tracks of their two eras so far.

2. “Puzzle”

Then we get back into their eurobeat sound fully with “Puzzle”.  I have to say it’s one of their more energetic tracks off the album and I actually started to miss this side of the girls.  The girls are stuck yelling in the song, but it seems they sound somewhat better this way and more emotional here.  I really enjoyed this song…and with the whole harpischord thing going on, that was a nice fit.

3. solve

We get into the track that started the era up and solve continues to sound rather boring.  I mean there’s things to like from solve, but it just seems to fly by.  There’s the whole eurobeat sound going and then there’s parts where it goes into a ballad and that was a bit wacky.  So, it’s not really a great song.

4. New Days

A first for dream, we get solo songs from all three members!  First is from Kana Tachibana or the leader of the now Dream.  New Days is rather pop-like and mixed in with the eurobeat it sounds rather refreshing.  Sadly, her vocals aren’t exactly the best of the three, but it sounds alright.  I do wish she tried a little harder to sing right.  The random rapper guy is a little meh as well. 

5. destine

I’m rather surprised at how beautiful destine starts up.  Then it totally goes into fail once they implement eurobeat in the song and seemed to drag the song down.  The piano melody comes in from time to time, but other than that, destine is rather bland for them.

6. Precious Heart

Next up on the solo list is Yu Hasabe’s track.  Compared to Kana’s song, Yu’s is a lot stronger and her vocals are also sounding a whole lot better.  The song is also rather a first because it’s a piano-ballad with some pop/rock thrown in.  Actually, it reminds me of a day after tomorrow tune, but since it’s rather nice sounding on this album, I can’t burn on it too much. 

8. Our Time

Released as the trio’s summer single, Our Time still doesn’t leave much of an impression on me even though the arrangement is highly addictive.  I think on the album this tune stands out because it’s not the typical eurobeat sound that destroyed their last album, basically.  Ok, it’s alright, but still isn’t as good as songs like “NIGHT OF FIRE”.

9. “NeverMore”

Acting as Mai Matsumuro’s solo track, “NeverMore” is even more simpler than the other two girls tracks.  It sounds rather like a wintry song before the hard guitar comes on.  Right when that happened, I was like…another dat-like track?  I do think she’s alright as a solo vocalist, but she’s no Yu. 

10. SUBPAIN

Is it bad that I thought the opening for SUBPAIN was amazing up until that messy guitar solo?  Anyways, SUBPAIN is of course a eurobeat track and while that might not be a good thing, it’s another strong song that screams epic and some of the parts remind me of “w・h・y” from their last album.  Especially the bridge.  It’s not a bad song really.

11. Answer

We have another good song within Answer.  The girls altogether sounds so much stronger in this track and having an edgier electric guitar sound, the girls really scored nicely with this song.  There’s even some sitar thrown in their for some strange reason.  I think it’s one of the best tracks they’ve done this entire era LOL.

12. Negai

What’s up with dream having these nice openings?  Negai is rather a ballad with piano and some light synthwork going on.  This is also the first time I’ve heard the girls get into some pretty high notes.  Most of the time they hit but it’s rather strained.  I just like the whole feeling of the tune and is prolly another winner for me.

13. Get Over

While it can be said that I called Get Over one of their better tracks of the era, it kind of still is.  Besides the screaming going on, they managed to sound alright through it and the music is a bit slow, Get Over didn’t bore me to death. 

14. Don’t forget memory

Why is the album’s best songs near the end of the album?  Don’t forget memory is nothing short of amazing and that’s because of the whole guitar and synth melody that stood out for me.  The girls even sound rather nice to each other and that’s a plus.  It might stick out to be one of mayn songs that sound similar, but I really liked this track off the album.

15. STAY ~now I’m here~ brilliant version

Ahhhhh, a new version of STAY huh?  The new version seems to be a lot more simpler and better than the original.  I’m not exactly sure if it was resung for the album, but I love the fact that it’s the first tune to include acoustic guitar for them.  I think they scored pretty nicely for this ending track of the album.

Tracks Recommdended

• Don’t forget memory
• Answer
• “Puzzle”
• STAY ~now I’m here~ brilliant version
• Negai

I’ll admit that Process was a way better album than “Dear…”, but it’s a small step above.  Process is the last studio album from dream which is sad because now things will start to get confusing.  The tracks here were more varied in sounds, but some of the eurobeat songs are starting to not be as catchy as their previous songs were.  Meh, at least some of the songs stood out well. 

Dream – Perfect Girls/To The Top September 15, 2009

Track Listing

1. Perfect Girls
2. To The Top
3. Perfect Girls (Instrumental)
4. To The Top (Instrumental)

1. Perfect Girls

I’m pretty happy that Dream return to the music scene with such a strong track to back it up.  I’m unsure who’s the lead of the group nowadays, but they have stopped with the excessant screaming that’s found through their previous eras which is a blessing.  They also ditched the eurobeat for a slicker dance style that seems more fitting.  I do enjoy the sound and the girls are great with it as well.  I still think the ~we can move it on~ lines are the catchiest part of the song.

2. To The Top

Interesting that we knew about the other A-side before “Perfect Girls” and while it’s almost like a sexier version of the A-side, I really loved the deeper synths that filled my speakers and the girls are a bit more exciting to listen to as well.  Ok, I think the bridge was amazingly put together and showcased the class and sound they should have today…

 

 

Their last physical release was when Dream were known as DRM and released their sole mini-album back in 2007.  Since then they’ve lost another one of the original three members, but I’m happy that Kana is the last one since I remember her the most.  Perfect Girls/To The Top is a great way to come back into the spotlight and the new sound they have is great for them….maybe a little bit like MAX’s sound, but it’s still good.  I just hope they don’t go back into silent mode.

dream – Yourself July 31, 2009

Track Listing

1. Yourself
2. Get Over (Warp Brothers Remix)
3. Yourself (Dub’s Unrestricted Remix)
4. Get Over (Flutlicht Vocal Mix)
5. Yourself (Instrumental)

1. Yourself

I’m guessing it’s typical to have somewhat of a slower track right?  At various points the song comes off as a bit wintry with the jingle bells and slower tempo.  The piano here and mix of guitars really sound similar to GND’s stuff.  As usual the trio can’t harmonize very well together and their energy is a bit lacking, but the song is nice, but there’s been a lot better.

 

 

dream finishes up the “Process” era so I guess it’s good for that, but the song isn’t anything we’ve already heard from the ladies.  I’m pretty sure they would’ve done something more, Iono….surprising maybe? 

dream – Get Over March 5, 2009

Track Listing

1. Get Over
2. Get Over -Kieth Litman’s Klub Mix-
3. Get Over -2the future remix-
4. Get Over -Razors 2MG Mix-
5. Get Over -Instrumental-

1. Get Over

We return to their eurobeat sounds with Get Over and it’s not that bad of a song.  We have our usual fare of synths and ethereal stuff going on and it’s pretty chill especially after their grim mistake with “Dear…”.  I’m kind of hearing a lot of yelling from all three members, especially in the chorus.  I guess they were just making a point.  It’s one of the better tracks they’ve had.

 

 

dream definitly scored some point with this single.  Even though I’ve never heard the remixes, I wanna say that they probably make the song a lot worse.  Get Over was a pretty good eurobeat track so I guess it’s a step up after the last few singles.

dream – STAY ~now I’m here~ December 30, 2008

Track Listing

1. STAY ~now I’m here~
2. solve (83 Key Remix)
3. Our Time (Kid Vicious Remix)
4. Our Time (Dub’s Floor Dub)
5. STAY ~now I’m here~ (Instrumental)

1. STAY ~now I’m here~

I guess, with dream’s next single, they would’ve tooken a more high octance route.  What we ended up with a ballad track that’s really different for them.  Ditching the trance/eurobeat for a more soother sound was a great idea.  Yu, Mai, and Kana sound really good singing together.  Now this is what they should’ve donw for their first album.

 

 

STAY ~now I’m here~ is by far my favorite non danceable track from them.  Keeping it tame and pretty I was pleasantly surprised at it all.  They need more singles like this.

Dream – Our Time November 1, 2008

Track Listing

1. Our Time
2. My will (Live Version)
3. solve (Hex Hector Remix)
4. Our Time (Instrumental)

1. Our Time

I’m not totally surprised that the song is a summery eurobeat track, hence the cover.  To hear it though, is a different story as it doesn’t really make sense.  The synth sounds sound familiar to another artist, DJ Sammy.  Unluckily, he can make summer songs unlike dream.  The girls sound OK but they sound bored with the song and I am too.  That is until they get into the bridge before the 2nd chorus.  Lame song though.

 

 

Disappointment runs in my head as I listened to the song, but it’s nice to know they are trying different kinds of eurobeat which is pretty good for them since their debut was pretty much the same thing over and over.  I guess the single wasnt the worst they’ve had.

dream – solve October 12, 2008

Track Listing

1. solve
2. sincerely (AQUA mix)
3. solve (Beatwave Anthem Mix)
4. solve (Dub’s Floor Mix Pop Tune 002)
5. solve (Conmo remix 4.17)
6. solve (Instrumental)

1. solve

Use of strings and eurobeat?  Is this possible?  Hahah, I guess it is because once the ladies sing it sort of disappears.  It’s kind of a mish-mash of various sounds and beats which impressed me, but also made the song sound a little confusing and messy too.  I didn’t find this as good as previous tracks so I thought this was a filler track.

 

 

I can’t really bash the single since I haven’t heard the singles, but solve was such a weak song and I didn’t find it’s purpose in the single.  So far this has to be ny least favorite single from them

dream – Dear… September 23, 2008

 

Track Listing

1. Pieces Of A Dream
2. Believe in you
3. FREE AS THE WIND
4. Movin’ on
5. Start me up
6. reality
7. access to love
8. sincerely
9. Private wars
10. send a little love
11. My will
12. ‘Cattleya’
13. NIGHT OF FIRE
14. brave
15. Kimi to Ita Sora
16. w・h・y
17. Heart on Wave

1. Pieces Of A Dream

Just a music box starts up before going all majestic and orchestrated.  Something though tellsme that the album would sound like it but doesn’t…So it’s just a small lil intro.

2. Believe in you

I still think it was a dumb decision to make this a single on the same day the album comes out.  Anyway, this song is a little more slower than some of the other high octane euro tracks found on the album.  Though vocally it’s pretty good, so I enjoyed some of the song.

3. FREE AS THE WIND

Our first new track out of 5 sounds pretty cool and the guitar sounds cool.  Though it’s got some pretty interesting tidbits and such.  Somehow I get lost in the music which is pretty good  and the ad-libbing was quite cool.  It might not be as fast-paced as some other tracks, but it’s sound and how it flowed totally won me over.

4. Movin’ On

Then we start with their debut track which still sounds very same-ish to ever other eurobeat song.  Though I really liked the chorus.  Other than that I really didn’t find anything special about this song.  I will praise the girls interest in the song. 

5. Start me up

I really liked the beginning of this track being all slow and strong but then…the bland eurobeat reappears and takes over.  I’m still enjoying the softer vocals but somehow the church bells was an interesting addition.  Another w/e track.

6. reality

Strong start but there were some odd chords.  I thought this song actually sounded more like a day after tomorrow song.  It just had that formula and sounded very similar.  It does stand out a bit from the other tracks just with how much synth and guitar were used.  Once again, I find myself getting bored with the tune.

7. access to love

Where’s our next new track?  Anyway I actually liked access to love.  The song doesn’t sound so eurobeat which is a good thing at this point.  The chorus did sound awkward at first but eventually it isn’t much of anything to note of.  Though, I really enjoyed the rest of the song.

8. sincerely

FINALLY, our next new track.  Sounds totally different being a ballad with mainly keyboard and acoustic guitar.  I thought it showed off the girls vocals pretty well and made a fine track.  However, I despise the act of trying to add eurobeat in the song, it definitly didn’t make the song better at all.  Terrible idea for an actual good song.

9. Private wars

Either this or “NIGHT OF FIRE” is their best eurobeat song off this album.  I mean it just was aggressive and full of synths.  The ladies sound pretty rad also.  So you know, I love this track and how fitting it was.  Definitly not bland against the other songs.

10. send a little love

It’s nice to see this track even after “Private wars”.  The lower synths made this song standout and even being a B-side it still stands better than a good portion of these songs.  I kind of thought the chorus was odd, but the music and everything made up for it.  Definitly another track I really liked.

11. My will

dream is mostly well-known in the Western world for this track as an ending theme for Inuyasha.  Starts off quiet with some acoustic guitar like “sincerely” and it also leads into the dance beats.  As usual once they come in the song gets bland and doesn’t really get better for me.  Maybe they should have kept it a ballad.

12. ‘Cattleya’

I know that this is one of their more popular songs because the perform it practically in every tour they have.  Oddly this song has terrible vocals at the beginning.  The song just has very bad vocals here definitly listining to the chorus.  The music sounds a bit more less eurobeat and more of something else.  Like TF6’s sound.  Worst of the new tracks.

13. NIGHT OF FIRE

This is the song that introduced me to dream and to be honest, I still really like it even though it’s a remake.  This has some of the fastest synths on it and has a fast-paced feeling to it.  Plus, cmon with a title like that, you know this song screams awesomeness.  The best track off the album.

14. brave

What?  Are they going to trick me by saying that it’s a ballad?  Actually it is.  It’s not that bad either this is the closest to a ballad you will get because it still has a eurobeat feeling to it, but it’s really only in the chorus.  I enjoyed the piano lines and how the girls sounded together.  I wish there was more to it though.

15. Kimi to Ita Sora

Our last new song comes as no surprise to what this whole album has been sounding like.  If you really wanna know what it sounds like, I’d say it’s a slower version of Nami Tamaki’s “Prayer”.  It has a wintry feeling but still has some loud guitars and the ever-so-useful eurobeat sound x.x  It didn’t really help that it was after “brave”.  Another song I’d pass up.

16. w・h・y

Probably the darkest song but it’s just as relentless as “NIGHT OF FIRE” with some very fast synth usage that can be as fast.  I found this to be more better than a lot of tracks and to see it placed back here was odd.  I so loved the chorus though.  Very cool track.

17. Heart on Wave

Maybe, it’s just me but I liked how they decided to put this song as the final track.  Somehow though I was just bored with this track.  I still have wonders about why there was disc scratching right before the chorus, it just threw the song off.  I still do like the verses and piano lines though.

Tracks Recommended

• NIGHT OF FIRE
• w・h・y
• FREE AS THE WIND
• access to love
• send a little love

Sadly, their debut album was so eurobeat it just kind of destroyed me care into listening to the album and the fact that there was only 5 new songs and a introduction really killed it as well.  Even then the new songs were not even that good while the singles took over.  I’m sorry but pass this album up unless you really enjoy eurobeat.

dream – Believe in you September 22, 2008

Track Listing

1. Believe in you
2. My will (sweet dream mix)
3. Believe in you (Instrumental)

1. Believe in you

Simple as it is, its another eurobeat track from dream.  Unluckily by this time this track just doesn’t seperate itself from its brethren.  Not even the chorus could have saved this song from being utterly bland.  Musicially it’s ok but with how the hirls took this song on its nothing.

 

 

So this single was failure on two sides.  One, the song is just like the other A-side of this era and is just boring to my ears and I barely paid attention.  The second thing, why would you release a single on the sme day as you release the album?  I mean if you had sense, you wouldn’t do that.