Saihuun/AAA (Attack All Around) – Break your name/Break Down/Summer Revolution (A J!-ENT World Groove CD Single Review)

August 31, 2009 by Dennis Amith 

“The 21st CD single from AAA is another fantastic release from the group featuring three solid triple-A sided singles which includes the debut of the 15-member group known as Saihuun.”

ARTIST: Saihuun/AAA (Attack All Around)

CD SINGLE: Break your name/Break Down/Summer Revolution

LABEL: avex trax

CATALOG #: AVCD-31701/B

DURATION: 27:43

RELEASE DATE:  July 29, 2009

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1. Break your name
2. Break Down
3. Summer Revolution
4. Break your name -Instrumental-
5. Break Down -Instrumental-
6. Summer Revolution -Instrumental-

DVD: Region 2, 16:9 LB, Duration: 7 minutes

1. Break your name -Music Clip-
2. Break your name – 20090429 – C.C. Lemon HALL LOVE-

AAA’s 21st CD single triple-A sided single for the Summer titled “Break your name/Break Down/Summer Revolution” continues the trend of AAA releasing four different versions of their CD single.   One that features a normal CD version with 11 tracks, the second version that features a Summer-themed cover featuring all seven members and comes with a DVD of “Summer Revolution”, a third version featuring the seven members with Takahiro Nishijima in the center and comes with a DVD for “Break Down” and a fourth version of the CD single which I’m reviewing, which features for the first time, the mysterious 15-member boy band known as Saihuun.

Saihuun’s first single “Break Your Name” consists of the five members of AAA but ten other members that no one knows the true identity of at this time.  For the single cover, each has a hood on their face with kanji letters large on top sporting “Saihuun”.  And this version comes with a DVD featuring a music video for “Break your name” and a live performance of Saihuun at C.C. Lemon Hall from April 2009.

The single kicks off with “Break your name” by Saihuun and features an upbeat, synth pop track and although I think that the members that are singing primarily are members of AAA (yes, the guys have performed live with hoods covering their faces), I am guessing that Saihuun may be similar to EXILE in which the primary members on vocals are AAA and the others are possibly background dancers similar to the recently expanded EXILE.

The second track “Break Down” is an uptempo dance track that incorporates break beats but overall, a very solid track from AAA.  And possibly one of the most exciting upbeat tracks I have heard from the group in awhile.  Definitely a solid track and wonderful vocals from Misako Uno and Takahiro Nishijima and crew.

The third track on the CD single “Summer Revolution” features the female duo of AAA – Misako Uno and Chiaki Ito.  Definitely an upbeat track with that trademark avex trax club sound.

The remaining three tracks are the instrumental versions of the three vocal tracks.

As for the DVD, the DVD includes the music video for “Break your name” and a live performance of the song by Saihuun.

The music video features all 15 members of Saihuun performing and dancing and members of AAA reveal themselves when they take off the hoods while the other ten keep their hoods on.  The group then performs on top of a CG background of a futuristic city or an all white background.

The live performance of “Break your name” was done at C.C. Lemon Hall LIVE back in April 29, 2009.  Mainly featuring the 15 members of Saihuun and of course, all members in their hoods.  So, you really don’t know who is singing (well, actually you can tell its probably Takahiro Nishijima, Naoya Urata and rap by Mitsuhiro Hidaka.  While everyone is primarily dancing.  And of course to further confuse the audience, all members of AAA then join Saihuun onstage to thank them.  But if you pause the DVD, you will then notice that only ten members of Saihuun remain on stage.

As for the CD insert, the insert is a tri-fold with the lyrics and production credits for the songs.  Also a flier which contains information on AAA’s “4th Anniversary Live” and an AAA collector’s card of one of the members.

Overall, the CD single is pretty solid.

Although, I still wish that they would stop with the four CD single versions.  I know, it has worked with other idol groups but I can imagine how costly it is for the fans trying to collect all releases.  But with each version, they offer extra tracks and the main three which include a DVD offers a different music video.  As for the three A-sided tracks, all tracks are all enjoyable, uptempo dance tracks and pretty much showcases the music that we have loved from AAA, which is that synth pop club music that avex trax artists are known for.

As for Saihuun, it’s an interesting concept and it will be interesting to see if the group is the real deal and is permanent or if it’s just a marketing gimmick, or the fact that the group is following a similar direction like the music group EXILE with many members while a few sing and most of them dance.  I have no idea how far avex trax will be taking Saihuun for the near future.

Overall, another fantastic AAA release!  If you are a fan of AAA, this single is definitely recommended!

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