B'z Brotherhood

BROTHERHOOD
B'z 10th Album | Release date: July 14, 1999

Review by --- Dave from B'z Fanatics

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"I've got a bicycle!" - Keen ^0^

Brotherhood, one of B'z best albums, and a must for any B'z fan, was released in 1999 after the release of Pleasure and Treasure in 1998 to celebrate the band's 10th anniversary. It was also one of their more anticipated albums. The radical shift that took place between LOOSE and Survive in terms of style made fans ask...would they retain the rock flavor of Survive, or go back toward the rock-pop combination that made them famous? The question was answered with the release of the Giri Giri Chop single earlier in the year...it was a pulse pounding rocker with enough tricks to keep most of us guitar heads guessing, and enough vocal theatrics to keep the girls screaming for more. Just a taste of what was to come, and boy were they ready!

For this album, B'z employed the artistry of one of the most popular bassists in the rock world, Billy Sheehan, of Mr. Big and David Lee Roth fame. His combination of harmonics (on a bass!) and two hand tapping (also on a bass!) has given him a unique style. He also beats his bass mercilessly, performs scale runs that most guitarists would go buggery for, and has a unbeatable stage prescence. Mr. Big's Pat Torpey joined with Billy to play drums on Giri Giri Chop on this album.

Also, Showtaro Mitsuzono, who B'z fans saw in Yokohama Live Gym, played a divided number of tracks between Billy and himself. He has a hard, undulating, uncompromising style. Hard edged, and lots of energy. Very appropriate choice for this album. In the drumming department, Kaichi Kurose joined the fold. He is a newcomer to the field, but also played with a lot of smaller Japanese bands throughout the country. He has a simple 'bash and crash' style, which seems suited to this album. Not at all refined, it helps to add some edge to the performance.

1| F.E.A.R.

Fast, aggressive, chunky, and magnificent. Simply amazing interplay between Tak and Showtaro on this track. Kohshi sings with all of his heart on this one. The solo is a masterpiece of work...it's a audial rollercoaster...and too short!!! Kaichi does an adequate job, but nothing spectacular.

2| Giri Giri Chop (Version 51)

I am not as happy with this version of Giri Giri Chop, but it is really good...and one of the best band performances on the album. Also oddly enough, one of the best drumming performances! Billy and Pat gel really well on this, and Tak seems to be in another world...just going off into space with his solo. It's good, but not as good as the single version IMO.

3| Brotherhood

Easily my favorite song on this album, hands down. Emotion, skill, heartfelt lyrics, and 11 years of a unique brotherhood expressed in one song. Tak plays some unique apreggios at the beginning and throughout the verses that blend well with Billy on the bass. He also plays an amazing solo on this track. Kaichi seems too aggressive for this song, but not too much to disuade my rating.

4| Nagai Ai

Great song! Starts off with a nice string intro...blending into Tak's crushing riff. Kaichi's technique is actually good, and appropriate for this song. Tak uses a good sense of space in letting certain chords ring in certain parts of the song to add to the bombastic feel. His solo is amazing, loud and powerful. Showtaro's bass is clean and dirty at the same time...not an easy feat to pull off. As usual, Kohshi's lyrics are amazing, and his performance on this song is a thing to behold.

5| Yume no Youna Hibi

Took me a while to get used to this song, but after having the album for 4 years, it grows on you. The chatting and interplay before the song begins is kind of comical...Tak plays a little sitar on this track which is different sound from him. Kaichi's drumming is not appropriate to the track and a little loud. Showtaro is nice and clear with his bass. Akira Onozuka returns to play organ on the track, and has a nice kind of 70's vibe on the song. Kohshi is relaxed with his vocal, and Tak lets his pipes stretch out on the verses...a first!

6| Gin no Tsubasa de Tobe

ANOTHER Riffburger...I'm still trying to figure out where he comes up with these things!! Kohshi is loud and strong on this track, but still relaxed. Showtaro's bass is clear, clean and punchy. Kaichi is drumming appropriately, but rides the splash way too much. Tak, as per usual, lights it up on the solo...and keeps the surprises coming!

7| Sono Te de Furete Goran

Another stellar performance of many on this album. Kaichi's drumming, as per normal, is annoying and intrusive. Tak has a bizarre intro to the song, and uses it as the main riff. The guitar throughout this song doesn't sound like anything you have ever heard before. The bass is clean and crisp, no problems there. Kohshi's vocal is strong, but nothing spectacular. All in all, just the sheer bizarreness of the arrangement makes this song well worth the rating.

8| Nagareyuku Hibi

A beautiful track...simply beautiful. Slow, mellow, and contemplative lyrics by Kohshi make this one extraordinarily good. The excellent bass on this track by Billy is punctuated by his ability to back off and let Tak shine, while still throwing in some of his own tricks. The drumming is appropriate, but as per usual, amateurish. Tak plays the longest solo of his career on this track and it is simply amazing. A great song.

9| SKIN

I am still in awe of the riffs on this album. Kohshi's sexy, seductive tone and lyrics make this a great song in it's own right. Tak plays some of the best rhythm guitar on the album. The bass is barely perceptable, which makes it great. Kaichi is effective on this track, one of the few on the album where his lack of technique doesn't get in the way. All punctuated by another stellar solo by Tak. Sheer poetry!

10| Ikasete Okure!

While I love this song, it is not great. I am not a fan of the rhythm guitar during the verse, nor do I like the arrangement all that much. Tak does play a really great solo, and Billy makes waves of his own. Kaichi does an adequate job, nothing more. Kohshi's vocals are clear and precise. Not a great song, but pretty doggone good.

11| SHINE

From the classical guitar intro to the OUTSTANDING interplay between Tak and Billy at the end on the solo, this song is an EXCELLENT ending to the album. Kohshi writes another outstanding inspirational song, and it is one of his best. The drumming once again, is lacklustre, but adequate. Kaichi does manage to make the difficult time change seamlessly in the first solo spot. All in all this probably his best work on the album. Billy Sheehan never ceases to amaze me...the man is incredible!

Final Thoughts

This album is most deservedly the best album B'z has ever produced. It shows their ability to play hard rock like nobody's business, but put their own unique spin on it. This is also the most original album Tak and Kohshi have ever released from start to finish. The riffs, arrangements, and music are amazing, all the way around. I love this album simply because Tak writes and plays some of the most mindbending guitar riffs ever recorded. Billy Sheehan is an outstanding addition to this album, as well as the newcomer Showtaro Mitsuzono. Billy's incredible bass riffs, and Showtaro's sense of timing and tone really added to the project. Kaichi Kurose on the other hand, is probably the WORST drummer B'z has ever used. Kohshi really must have liked the guy to keep him after this album, and to then use him for ELEVEN and Mixture. I am totally serious that when I say for anyone who wants to introduce someone to B'z buy THIS album for them. They will not be disappointed.

Overall Rating 4.5/5

- Dave -

Other reviews by Dave ---BUZZ (video), Big Machine, GREEN, LOOSE and The 7th Blues (album)

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