DISC 1:

Life ~Tooi sora no shitade~ (****) – see Speed Pop album review

Innocence (**1/2) – see Speed Pop album review

Regret (***1/2) – see Speed Pop album review

Gone with the Wind (****) – Wonderful beat and sorrowful guitars make this really worth listening to. The vocals are also first class here. It seems like a very sad song and it’s proof that Glay can also be mournful when they want to. I still prefer it when they’re ironic, like in Cynical and Trouble on Monday. Maybe I haven’t heard enough Japanese pop-rock but this easily beats a lot of what I’ve heard from the English-speaking world. A truly exquisite sound that is so refreshing in times of manufactured music.

Acid Head (****) – The great concert song. It starts with a great guitar sequence followed by some really cool verses and that great chorus. That’s actually about it for the song but take my word for it that the execution is superb. For those wanting the definitive version of the song, go watch a concert or buy a DVD of a live performance. All four members should theoretically chip in to the vocals but in this CD version, Hisashi’s contribution is sorely missed, especially during the ‘no more hero’ bits. Also, the pace is much slower… the concert version sounds really wild and fired-up and leaves the more conventional-sounding CD version in a cloud of dust.

Believe in Fate (****) – Gotta love that bridge where they basically take a big liberty from Pachlabel. The drum performance is noteworthy and overall, this is a catchy, fun track that one would be a fool to miss. They say that these are throwaway tracks but let me tell you, Glay really knows how to ‘throw away’ in style! Some of these songs deserve more than just a supporting role and I’d implore you all not to ignore coupling songs for future singles.

Together (new version with orchestra) (****) – the new, dramatic opening doesn’t actually add much to the overall effect of the song. See Beat Out! Album review.

Haru wo aisuru hito (****) – See Beloved album review or Haru wo aisuru hito section.

I’m Yours (****) – A classic rock anthem that just oozes ‘cool’. That groovy chorus is just so infectious that you’ll be hooked no matter what your musical preference is! The verses are overshadowed but they do their best to set up a magnificent piece of songwriting. I find it irritating that such brilliant pieces such as this can be overlooked so brashly… well, I suppose it may just be me but I think that a lot of Glay songs get far less attention than they deserve. This is why it’s always worth listening to their songs more than just a few times. I’m Yours coupled However back in their Beloved/Pure Soul days. Man, what an awesome single…

Little Lovebirds (***1/2) – A rather strange but dazzling love song that coupled with Yuwaku. The guitars and drums are top notch and it boasts one of Glay’s more notable guitar solos. Teru is brilliant here, as both songwriter and vocalist, and manages to sound both gentle and desperately passionate at different points in the song. It isn’t really to my taste but I recognise its quality nonetheless and there’s no doubt that hordes of girls would flock to this. It’s songs like these that make you wonder why you still listen to those really sticky, saccharine ballads…

Doku Rock (****) – The opening part of a fused 6-mintue song. The rattling tambourine is a great way to open up to a rollicking, fast-paced and at times gleeful short piece of music. I really like that idiosyncrasy ‘help me God go a (sic) hell’… marvellous how they come up with stuff that you wouldn’t hear in 99% of other songs; stuff that’s stupid enough to be clever if you get what I mean. The chorus is really infectious and after that, it’s a short musical number before leading on into the next song…

Strawberry Shake (****) – The next part starts with some really cool sound effects followed by some nifty guitars. Jiro’s performance is just spellbinding and much better than in Shutter Speeds. I know Teru should always remain the leading vocalist but I feel that there is no reason why Jiro shouldn’t take the spotlight from time to time. This song is a refreshing change and I hope to see more of this kind of thing in the future. The tune is really neat and funky… you can really nod your head to this stuff all the way through. Out of all the three parts, this is the one I wish had been lengthened into a full song.

It’s Dying It’s Not Dying (**1/2) – The final part of the fused song. Not much to say… it’s hard to pay attention when your mind keeps on drifting back to the previous two parts. Frankly, I fail to draw any sense from the lyrics and I definitely prefer it when they deliberately set out to be idiosyncratic, self-contradictory and ironic rather than preachy. Oh yeah, it is short and it does have a fairly nice melody but that’s about it. Think of it as more of an epilogue.

Shiawase ni naru, sonotoki ni (****) – Fell in love with this the moment I heard it. I know that this sounds similar to Sotsugyou made, ato sukoshi but before you accuse me of being inconsistent, I’d like to point out that there’s more to it than meets the eye. Firstly, the verses are definitely more resonant. The way Teru softly sings the opening, with just a piano accompanying, is much more affecting than in Sotsugyou and the chorus is sounds more along the lines of what Glay usually uses rather than a the slightly more conventional tune in the latter song. The song is touching and emotional and I really hope that they include this in a future album. As it stands, this is another one of their more outstanding ballads and a relative of Aitai kimochi and Mitsumeteitai.

DISC 2:

Innocence (LIVE VERSION 1995.6.12.in SHIBUYA KOKAIDO) (**1/2) – No significant difference from CD version. See Speed Pop album review.

Mitsumeteitai (from GLAY TOUR '98 Pure Soul pamphlet CD) (****) – You know, Glay ought to do more reggae. This and Hitohira no Jiyuu are pretty great songs. Sure, it is almost absurd to think of a Japanese pop-rock band doing reggae but, hey, whatever works… This should have been on the Pure Soul ALBUM rather than the pamphlet CD. The singing is fantastic and the whole song is infused with such soul that it would be impossible not to like. The Caribbean-like beat suits the tune quite well and lends to a romantic, yet gentle atmosphere and this really contrasts well with the fiery vocals. With songs like these, it is a sure bet that these albums are for keeps.

Survival (LIVE VERSION 99.3.10 IN TOKYO DOME) (****) – Somewhere in between the original album and the Glay Drive version. See Heavy Gauge album review or Glay Drive album review.

< Misery (from the album: Hide Tribute - Spirits) (****) – I’ve heard Hide’s original and this version is a whole new spin on it. The song itself is simply divine. The title is truly fitting as you really get this sense of overpowering depression but this is counterbalanced by the fact that it also somehow manages to be uplifting as well. What you end up with is a real emotional mix of sorrow and resolve… very powerful. That guitar solo at the beginning is simply amazing and the final parts of the song will really get you going. Glay’s only cover is one in a million.

Misery (GLAY EXPO'99 SURVIVAL LIVE VERSION) (****) – I won’t compare between Hide’s and Glay’s Misery but suffice to say, this live version is the definitive one. It is less refined than the studio recording but that is a minor flaw. The vocals are more powerful, Hisashi’s guitar has a greater part to play and the whole thing is much faster. Glay really ups the ante here… you’d figure that a former X Japan member would come up with a pretty extreme song but as it turns out, Glay’s version is, while not necessarily better, much more set in that classic punk spirit.

Kokodewanai, dokokae (GLAY EXPO '99 SURVIVAL LIVE VERSION) (***1/2) – No significant difference from CD version. See Heavy Gauge album review.

Hitohira no jiyuu (GLAY EXPO 2001 “GLOBAL COMMUNICATION” IN KYUSHU VERSION) (****) – No significant difference from CD version. See One Love album review.

As you can see, this is another wonderful album to go with your ever-increasing collection. So why are you still reading this? Buy it now.