MONSTER B'z 15th Album | Release date: June 28, 2006 Review by --- Shinobi Shaw Click to buy this album and get FREE Shipping!! "I do not like green eggs and ham, Sam-I-am" - Keen ^0^

ALL-OUT ATTACK was a great way to start things off, at first it was kind of weird with a slighly creepy sound but then it explodes in typical fast pace B'z fashion. Though I have to say this song reminded me of the stuff they did in Brotherhood, the Tak solo was amazing!

It's always a pet peeve of mine when they put singles or b-sides of singles at the beginning of the album, I always say put them in the middle or towards the end. I was still bothered by it in this case, but SPLASH! Did flow pretty well after track 1. But as long as the high energy remains, then the song is quite welcome because it does just that!

I really did not expect Yuruginaimono Hitotsu to be placed this early in the album and I think it kind of ruined the high energy that was brought by the two tracks. I love the song, but I don't like the placement of it on the album and I think it should have been placed towards the end or middle. But I really love the chorus of this single, it's probably my favorite single of the album.

Ok, some new music finally coming in! Koi no Summer Session has a very laid back playful style that is very endearing and very fitting for this time of year. Lots of summer images going through my head when hearing it. Once again the Tak solo is great!

Kemuri no Sekai brings back the high energy but still retains a bit of that summery laid back playfulness of the previous track. Tak is just giving me exactly what I want, great solos! The end was great, reminded me of that high pitchness Koshi is sometimes known for.

Shodou I think should have been place as track 2 or 3 because this song is pure high energy, the guitars and drums shine quite brightly on this song. It's a bit short for my tastes, but nevertheless it's a great song.

For some reason I expected a ballad(or power ballad) just from reading the name Mugon no Promise and lo an behold...it is! And the great thing is that the song does not slow down the album considerably and is very well placed. It's like it's trying to be the calm before the storm because...

MONSTER is incredible and amazing! The beggining almost gave goosebumps, did not expect such a thing from B'z! Then Koshi gives me an orgasm with that insane scream! I love the mix betwen the rare epic sound and B'z trademark guitars. So far my second favorite album track on the album.

Netemo Sametemo, oh yeah! Old school! reminds me of pre-1999 songs that could be found in such albums as LOOSE. I love that they decided to give a nod to some of their older sounds, because those sounds were quite prevalent for some time and should be completely forgotten.

Happy Birthday is easily my favorite track of the album, I just love it...plain and simple. It's a fun song that I will surely play outloud on my birthday! It's weird and quirky, but I love it!

Pierrot is my favorite b-side of the last four singles, not only that but Tak is incredible with the guitar here.

I think Amadare Blues was amazing but may be overlooked by some, but this song is great..love the Blues sound throughout. Any resemblence of old school B'z is going to make weep with joy! This song could be amazing live as well. Koshi's vocals are pretty good in this song as well. This is my third favorite album track on the album so far. When Tak did his solo I just said "give it to me baby!".

Ashita Mata Hi ga noboru nara is another amazing song ( I am just exhausted now, so many great songs in one album, giving me quite a B'zzzz). This song is no exception. It's as great as the rest of the songs on the second half of the album.

The album finishes nicely with a new mix of OCEAN (love the new mix!)

It's interesting that they left out many c/w tracks from the singles, including 2 from Ocean, 1 from Shodou and 1 from SPLASH!. I understand the former three would not really fit, but MVP I think would have fitted perfectly.

I liked the first half, but the second half of the album was amazing and what has made me love this album so much. The album has typical B'z before MONSTER but then changes and gets daring and old school afterwards.

This album was so good, I think it rates higher then BIG MACHINE, The Circle and GREEN. It's right up there with my favorites as well which are ELEVEN and Brotherhood.

- Shinobi Shaw -

Read reviews of LOOSE, Brotherhood, GREEN, Big Machine

June 27, 2006 | Gathered by Keen for this website ©