Atsuki Kodou No Hate

ATSUKI KODOU NO HATE
B'z 33rd Single | Release date: June 5, 2002

Review by --- Gerald from Shiroi Heya

The song begins with an acoustic rendition of the chorus, with Koshi belting out "atsuki kodou no hate ni!" at the top of his lungs in his characteristic style, accompanied by Tak playing simple chords on acoustic guitar. It's a really high note to begin a song on, especially acoustically (an "A" above middle C) and Koshi sounds like he's straining a bit, but he's in tune. The drums enter after two repetitions of the same musical phrase, but Tak stays on acoustic guitar. The verse is in a minor key, and there are what sounds like backup singers in the background doing "ooooh" accompaniments. When Koshi hits the chorus a second time, it's a nice effect, balancing the minor verse with the major-key chorus.

At the end of the chorus, at 1:24, there's a sudden leap back to the minor key, and Tak switches to electric guitar. The beat also goes to cut time, so that while the tempo is the same, the drums are playing twice as fast. The little bridge part there reminds me somewhat of Calling. In all, the verse is the same as before except with addition of electric guitar and more drums.

It's in the third repetition of the chorus that we can really notice a change. Before, the song seemed like a kind of slow, dramatic, moving, almost ballad-type, but with the tempo in cut-time, it's almost like a fast dance track. Very bouncy, very catchy, very easy to move with. You can definitely hear the B'z sound within, but at the same time, it's a little lighter than their usual fare.

At 2:37, Tak's guitar solo begins, and as always, it's marvelous. Tak's solos are almost never very long, but he manages to be astounding on every one of them, and this one is certainly no exception. Koshi comes back in at 2:52 with a reprise of the end of the verse before the chorus, and then repeats the chorus with a lot of background vocals supporting him. It almost sounds like a gospel choir, and listening to this I can almost see the blinding stage lights and Koshi and Tak up there rocking away with thousands of screaming fans below.

There's a nice rhythm bit after Koshi drops out at 3:44 and then everything fades away rather suddenly at 3:49. A second later, you can hear them all come back in, but very muddy and distorted, in what sounds almost exactly like the beginning of Calling.

You probably don't even need to ask my verdict on this song, because I've loved everything B'z does, has done, and will do. Koshi uses the higher end of his range here but does it beautifully, and Tak's skills are great as always. The high points are the little backup vocal bits thrown into the chorus ("Baby!"), the minor/major switches, and Tak's solo (obviously). My only complaint is that the song is too short! (4:05...must have more B'z!) B'z has always been my definition of a band that just loves hardcore rock and roll with a little fun thrown in, and they have definitely delivered here.

- Gerald -

Other reviews by Gerald --- Atsuki Kodou No Hate and It's Showtime!! (single), GREEN (album)

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