All Standard is You (***) – Being an album having mainly to do with experimentation, it comes to no surprise that the opening track is a foray into R&B. I really liked the opening piano bit and the song is okay overall. The verses are nice enough and the chorus, whilst not especially catchy or energetic, is carried way higher than it deserves thanks to Teru. A good once off but it doesn’t really suit them.
Wet Dream (**1/2) – Interesting title… wish I could say the same for the song. I appreciated that strange vocal background track and the overall feel, which is a darker sounding type of rock. However, like a few of their songs from ‘Heavy Gauge’, I felt that the song was just too monotonous throughout. Without an outstanding chorus or verse (or even bridge), you are left with something that is rather forgettable.
Shitto (****) – Now we’re talking! This one seems to be a step into the dance direction but it can easily match quite a few of Glay’s older rock songs. This is an incredibly powerful piece and puts great emphasis on electronica but the instrument-playing members are all experienced with this sort of thing so the effect is astoundingly good. Playing this at full blast, with the bass turned way up, will be an experience to behold.
Highway No.5 (****) – One of the best songs in the album! It’s a really catchy, hyper song that also features nifty sound effects and, of course, Jiro with a weird voice. Well, he wrote it so none of this should come as a surprise. Teru more than copes with the very kinetic nature of the song and just leaves the listener stunned and amazed. I think it was a good idea to leave it short as well. Leaving this for too long would've made it repetitive and annoying.
Fighting Spirit (***1/2) – I like the feel of the song and the overall flow: not too fast and not too slow. Presumably, this is about surviving/fighting to live on/never giving up a la ‘Ikiteku tsuyosa’ and it is done well enough here to warrant a high rating. But while I do think that it’s nice, I don’t think that it stands out enough and listening to it enough times really takes away the initial sparkle.
Hitohira no jiyuu (****) – Wow! A Glay reggae song! Easily one of the most offbeat things that Glay’s ever done, ‘Hitohira no jiyuu’ also happens to be one of the most successful experiments. This song will draw you in very efficiently; with its soft, slow, easygoing verses and choruses interspersed with those emotional middle parts. I also liked the fact that Teru just sang it naturally and you’ll find that his voice works really well with the music. A very, very good song.
Think About My Daughter (****) – There are quite a lot of pop songs masquerading as rock songs here and this is one of them. That isn’t a bad thing though and listening to this always leaves me with a nice feeling. It’s got a good tune and is fast enough to easily hold to your attention. Everything is right with this song, which is why I’m giving it full marks.
Viva Viva Viva (***1/2) – One hell of a crazy song that’s sure to be a kick at concerts! Most of it has Teru shouting out the lyrics but it’s all so revved up and dizzying that it adds to the sheer excitement you’ll feel when you listen to it. The only qualm I’d have with this would be that it should have ended around the three-minute mark, as it gets a bit inane towards the end.
Prize (****) – This one’s a really good Hisashi number that is sure to put a smile on anyone’s face. It has a remarkable flow throughout, giving the impression that Teru is effortlessly singing non-stop and it is incredibly catchy. The idiotic ‘the only prize’ background vocal at the end spoils the song a bit and this is one occasion where they should have made it a bit longer. However, I think it’s still a great song despite its minor flaws.
Mermaid (****) – For whatever reasons this song made an appearance here, I’m thankful that it did. This is sheer brilliance, the sort of peak that these guys can reach if they really set themselves to it. Takuro, Jiro and Hisashi are all mind-blowing here, especially Hisashi, with that stunning guitar solo. Add that to Teru’s spirited performance and you get something that will literally take your breath away.
Mister Popcorn (***) – Another weird title, another weird song. This one’s not too bad. The verses are rather boring but the choruses hurtle along at breakneck speed. This makes the song rather inconsistent but that is not really a bad thing. They ought to have sped up the verses, though. It really would have improved the song overall.
Denki iruka kimyo na shikou (****) – Didn’t know Glay did children’s songs… I suppose only Hisashi or Jiro could have written this. It’s so fun and silly that I just let myself go every time I hear this. The chorus is an absolute sing-along type that will surely enchant anyone. Anyone wanting their kids to grow up as Glay fans? Just place this in between the alphabet song and ‘Mary had a Little Lamb’.
Stay Tuned (****) – Very, very pop and very, very good. This is one of their most enthusiastic performances, so full of hype and energy and with such a catchy feel that you will get drawn in immediately. This will give you the boost to accomplish anything you may feel impossible. Wow, Glay walks that thin line between pop and rock with the skill of a tightrope artist. I first saw this as a music video on TV and loved it instantly, my favourite song in the album (rockers, don’t go into convulsions). Come on darling, kiss me deep again!
Kimi ga mitsumeta umi (****) – And you thought that ‘Stay Tuned’ was the most pop-like song… here's another marvelous song that leans more towards the pop area. It’s also one of the most American-sounding of their songs and I can envisage a band like Sum 41 or Blink 182 performing something similar. Having said that, I think it’s just lovely. It starts with a mysterious, almost haunting intro before going into one of the most fun and charming melodies they’ve ever made. Gotta love that chorus!
Muyubyou (****) – The sleepwalking song. Actually, the song does have a dream-like quality about it and would make a good lullaby if it didn’t have so many guitars. I don’t know why so many people (myself included, at first) find this forgettable. All it takes is a few listens. I especially liked the female vocal track in the background. It’s one of those little things like the piano in ‘Haru’ and the guitar at the beginning of ‘Yes, Summerdays’ that really complete the song.
Christmas Ring (**) – My least favourite song in the album. It is quite dull and drab and feels so inferior compared to the immense quality of the songs just before it. I mean, I wouldn’t switch the radio off if I heard it come on but I wouldn’t voluntarily pick this from the track selection.
Global Communication (****) – Ah, that’s more like it. This one is a pretty non-cynical attempt to promote world peace or something like that and I don’t really think they mean themselves to be taken seriously… just watch the music video. The guitars are really nice in this and it sports an ear-catching tune that anyone will pick up. This is one of those songs that doesn’t quite push Glay above the others so much as cements them up there.
One Love ~All Standard is You Reprise~ (**) – Basically a repeat of the instrumental bits of the first track. I would have given this three or three point five but the really annoying computer voice spouting nonsense about something incomprehensible took it down to two.
COMBINED STAR SCORE: 63.5
SCORE: 88.2%
AVERAGE: 3.53 (to 3 sig. fig