The second volume of the Rare Collectives. THIS one has the Hisashi composed songs. Be ready for major GLAY lovin'!
Young Oh Oh! (****) = "Wakasadane wakasadane..."this song will catch your attention from the catchy verses to the even more catchy chorus! It's got a very nice opening with the drums...and I love the catchy, cute way the bridge is sung. It sounds like a nursery rhyme and kind of mocking? Gyah! Just listen to this great song which youth can relate to very well...read the translations. It's worth it.
HELLO MY LIFE (****) = Co-written by Teru, a surprising, slow song. Something different ne? It's got a very lovely melody, and accordians during the instrumental bit. I love this song because the way Teru sings is so sad and poignant. The line that stick in my head is "Zutto suki datte". It's as if he's after a hopeless love, and can't help but love that person forever. It's got a very good bass solo at the end, where the bass plays quite prominently here.
summer FM (***1/2) = I know I gave it **1/2 in the Heavy Gauge version, but I love this song now. Takuro really managed to paint a summery scenery with the tune and the song. I love it when the guitars play a funfair tune. It's really cutesy. Somehow, I usually get confused. I always think this song was writted by Teru! I dunno. In my opinion, it's his song. Maybe because at the end he says something like "Teru me...sweet FM". That line can really mess with your head bad! Plus, they didn't drag out the ending like they did in Heavy Gauge.
ROCK ICON (***) = What is this song? I know, I read the translation for this song. I was shocked. I think this is the first time GLAY wrote hate music. They're really mad. Overall, the songs way too weird for me. Teru's voice is very harsh here, and you can hear Jiro's backing vocals. It's a very "hard" song, and I get bad vibes from this...
Good Bye Bye Sunday (****) = I really love this song. Jiro writes very good guitar solos, especially those that sound like you're in Hawaii. This really gives me a good feel about myself and it really does remind me of holidays, picnics, lazy Sunday afternoons...the beach! This is one of my favourite Jiro composed songs. It's really very laid-back and you can relax while listening to Teru and Jiro sing out the chorus. I like the translation as well. Hmmm... maybe I'll get it...I'll try. I like the very first line. The meaning. It's so simple, and I don't know why I like it! This is a very happy song +I think+. Innocent and, well, you need songs like these to cheer you up. Arigato, Jiro-san!!!
Time (***) = Er...it's so slow! It's got the Jiro element in it though. It's like a really angsty, sad, slow version of Good Bye Bye Sunday. I like the chorus, after a few listens, but it just isn't my song! Gomen!
WHY DON'T WE MAKE YOU HAPPY (****) = Why did I give it four? Firstly, when I heard it, I was shocked. Nice piano! It isn't something GLAY would do, but then again, it is. Why? Because it sounds so much like the Beatles!!! The chorus is very very Beatles. It's not very long, only three minutes and a bit, but I like the tambourine and the trumpets. Long time they haven't used those. I think they used it in "Kiseki..." and that is a very good song in which the trumpets further beautified the song. It sounds like a sad song, and I like the way they took advantage of Teru's deep voice. Gyahahaha! I don't think many people would be able to sing that deep! (Esp. one of my cousins who has a really high-pitched singing voice...)
GOOD MORNING N.Y.C (***1/2) = Now this song definitely belongs to Teru. He performes remarkably well here. Very well. Why? Because he's impersonating Elvis!!! I thought "What the hell? Is this Teru?" and it is! There are a few give aways, which tell you it's Teru, but it sounds so much like Elvis, you need to get your bearings! I love the guitars here as well! Is this a follow up to the album Never Mind? Is this the prelude to Teru dressing up as Elvis, calling himself "Terubisu" or "Telvis" during the EXPO? The best bit is when he goes "Terubisu owari desu!" because TERU HITS AN AWFULLY HIGH NOTE!!! And it is hilarious! So there, to people who complain about Teru! XD
BACK-UP (***) = Teru raps! O_o. Well, not really, but he sings really fast. I like the catchy "Hey get the power...". It's just not up to Little Lovebirds standard. It's got a lot of electronic...blahs in it.
Super Ball 425 (***1/2) = Another Teru song! Hehehehe...I prefer this to BACK-UP because it's better? Well-written and has a catchier tune! It's full of energy and the bridge is my favourite part. "Do you feel brand new future?" is also quite catchy, but in the end, it isn't a song you'd pick to be on your first choice to listen to a GLAY song list.
Sotsugyou made ato sukoshi (***1/2) = I'll list the flaws first. Too slow, the tune isn't catchy enough and it just isn't "up there". I really like the way he sings "How are you feeling? Daijobou?" cute! I like the piano, because the piano usually gets overshadowed by other instruments, so it's sad. Here the piano is very well-played and I like the solo it gets! +I know what I'm saying. I play the piano+. The guitars are good, but it isn't a "classic" ballad. You want ballads? Listen to HOWEVER! +Runs from annoyed readers!+.
BROTHEL CREEPERS (***1/2) = When I first heard it I was like "WHAT?" This song really got on my nerves, but after giving it a few listens, I grew to like it. I really don't know what to say on this song. Er...bad title? It's got a very nice bridge and I like the tune the guitars play during the verses.
Ituska (a definite ****) = Kitto ITSUKAAAAAAAAA!!! Yea! It starts out with some sort of, I dunno, intrument...and then you hear a sound gradually growing louder and blam! A really funky and catchy tune is played on the guitars! It's got one of the coolest ever openings! Then it quietens down and you hear people going "oooh..." Kyaa! Teru gives a very good performance, and for once, Jiro's bass is the limelight in the verses! I absolutely love the bridge! "WAY OUT!" So damn catchy! "Just wanna be love...baby I love you more than you love me honey..." he did it so well! +Used it in my other website...+ The chorus is smashing! ARGH! It's such a great song! Energizing...and really refreshes you, gets you ready to fight, to win, to dance? The guitar solo and bass at the end is a must hear!
It really confuses me the way GLAY produce a slow, gospelly album like Unity...then produce with this smash hit, Ituska! My head spins so fast because the change is so sudden! I hope GLAY fans who hated the Unity album will forgive GLAY because of this great song, and those who like GLAY because of Unity, please support them further because of this great song.
DISC 2
17 Bars (***) = Urm...weird? It's a pretty good intro, but as usual, Hisashi puts in electronic voices and devices. It really makes the whole thing sound so weird...maybe this is some sort of modern clash with classical kinda thing. I love the violins though!!!! Very country.
Cynical (****) = One of Kougaiji's top ten! Hehehe..I love this song!!! It starts of really great and I love the guitar rifts! The tune is very catchy. "Jiizasu ga hikaru tayorinai ristobando..." as usualy, Hisashi uses a lot of katakana. This is one of GLAY's best songs, coupled with the super powerful Ikiteku Tsuyosa, making it one of the strongest singles. This is Hisashi's "Classic" and I hope he composes more like this.
neuromancer (****) = I call this the Christmas song because the instruments they use remind me of Christmas. It's a very cutesy song, and Hisashi uses a lot of electronic devices. My sister likes this song. It's got catchiness and a happy-go-lucky tune. I really like the guitar solo.
AI (****) = Very electronic and very rock. I find it difficult to follow Hisashi's lyrics cuz there is just too much Kanji!!! @_@ The verses are the ones that stand out in this song. It gets a little weird during the guitar solo but I love this rockadelic song all the same. Apparently, he seems to pun on "ai" as in love, and "ai" as in EYE. I used to think he implied "Artificial Intelligence"! Very prominent guitars but then again, what do you expect from Hisashi, the lead guitarist himself? Erm...I don't think very "pop" people will like this though. But they will definitely prefer this to...
Surf Rider (****) = I told ya there'll be major GLAY lovin'! The song starts out with waves and kids laughing, and suddenly urgh! You hear some sort of "sound" along with heavy guitars and drums. It sounds like a dial-up connection to me...wonder what it really is...Anyway, he begins "I'm just Surf Rider..."and a whole bunch of katakana which I know but won't write out. The whole verse begins that way, and you enter the verse. The verse is very nice. The chorus is pretty good too, but my favourite bit is where they do the "Queens We Will Rock You" beat. After that, I love the way it compliments the way Teru sings! Sugoi! it takes quite a while to get used to it, but it'll grow on you. C'mon, anything Hisashi writes & composes is usually likable!
GIANT SRONG FAUST SUPER STAR (****) = One of my favourite Hisashi songs! "One hard kick and two hand claps..." lovely! It's got a very funky beat and is quite dance, but sooo damned catchy! I love the next bit "We born to the next generation..." so cool! The English...but still! You've got a conversation with three people, and it's hilarious, even if you don't understand Japanese! I absolutely love the chorus! "Six guns and a twenty-four bit beam!" you can tell Hisashi is singing that bit! It's just so Hisashi, this song! At the end, Teru sings "I'm just a Surf Ridaaaaaaaaaaaa..." very good song, even if it were written just for fun.
17ans (****) = Now country ain't my style, but neither was rock until GLAY came along. They seem to make every single genre likable +with the exception of rap and gospel+. This is another cutesy song written and composed by Hisashi *why am I even saying this? All the songs here were written and composed by him!* It's got a very good violin solo. He managed to compose a very good violin solo. I like the way Teru sings very quickly and says "Na na na na na na..." hahaha...I like the meaning too. "Hey Boys & Girls Kickstart Your Real Life..." it's like telling you it's time to grow up and be mature. Whoa! O_o
I'm Yours (knightmare mix '99) (**1/2) = I was hoping this will be a better version of the actual I'm Yours, but I was sadly mistaken. It just sounds so weird. Too weird. I will quote what Hakkai-san said : "It's as if they couldn't decide what genre of music to do, so they put it all in this song".
Dosanko Siisa/GALAY (****) = We come to the end of the Rare Collectives. *sobs*. Ah well. This song was not written by Hisashi, in fact composed by GALAY, a mix of GLAY and Garage Sale, a comedian duo. I really underestimated this song. When I heard it, I thought :"Weird", then I suddenly heard the powerful guitars, the ones I love and two men singing a real catchy tune and Teru going "Hitotsu". Teru comes back, singing the bridge, and would you believe it? He says :"GUREI to tomo ni..." hahahaha! Wait! You haven't heard the rest! They enter the chorus with :"ENJOY GUREI!" and one man sings the first bit, then "ENJOY GUREI!" another man sings that bit then "ENJOY GALAY!" Teru sings that bit!!!During the cool guitar solo, one of them makes a little speech. and goes back to singing the chorus. Very good song, and a humble, fun way of promoting "Enjoying Glay and GALAY!" I'm sure they were in hysterics after recording this song! A great, "enjoyable" ending to the Rare Collectives!