It's Showtime!!

IT'S SHOWTIME!!
B'z 34th Single | Release date: March 26, 2002

Review by --- Gerald from Shiroi Heya

The song starts off with a fast dance beat reminiscent of Bad Communication, though with a lighter, more flexible edge to it, and the beginning guitar has muted effects quite similar to the beginning of You and I. The introduction lasts only a few seconds, and then we hear the true power of the song manifest itself through the faced-past drums, still with that dance beat, and Tak's signature powerful yet melodic guitar line. Koshi is in fine form as usual as he comes in on the first verse. The song is in a minor key, but it's so upbeat that it takes you a while to actually notice it.

The transition from the verse to the chorus is especially cool with a slight syncopated feel to the rhythm to spice up the dance beat a little, and then as Koshi belts out the "SHOWTIME!" in the chorus, the mood of the song changes a bit. It's still fast, driving, as ever, but feels more urgent. Maybe it's the minor key. The chorus melody itself is exactly what you'd expect from a B'z song - catchy, memorable, definitely something you can sing along to.

The chorus transitions smartly into the second verse without much break between the two. The beat steps up for a second into a more syncopated version of the previous breakbeat before settling down again in the second part of the verse. After the chorus at about 2:32, Koshi sings a very pretty bridge that for a second takes the song into the major key, and then Tak's guitar solo explodes onto the scene. This is one of his more frenetic, fast-paced solos, with a lot of moving notes that definitely capture the feel of the song. After the solo, the chorus repeats, and then Tak has a short reprise of his beginning guitar lick in the background before the song ends.

I'd say more about how awesome the song is, but it's B'z, and you just can't go wrong with B'z, so I'll just settle for saying that once again, B'z has proved why they are without a doubt the #1 band in Japan. ^_^

- Gerald -

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

Read more reviews on "It's Showtime!!" by B'z Sunshine

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