For the theater edition of AKB48’s 13th CD single “Iiwake Maybe”, I can easily recommend it to AKB48 fans who are interested primarily in the music and wanting a cheaper alternative to the regular CD+DVD edition. But for the fantastic song alone, this single is recommended!
GROUP: AKB48
CD SINGLE: 言ã„訳Maybeã€åŠ‡å ´ç›¤ã€‘ / Iiwake Maybe (Theater Edition)
LABEL: King Records
CATALOG #: NMAX-1086
DURATION: 15:48
RELEASE DATE: August 26, 2009
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- 言ã„訳Maybe off vocal ver.
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With the success of their last single “Namida Surprise!”, AKB48 is back with their 13th CD single “Iiwake Maybe” (which translates to “An Excuse, Maybe”).
Debuting at #1 on the Oricon Daily Charts and surprisingly beating SMAP, SMAP would eventually overtake the idol group in the Oricon Weekly Charts and AKB48’s latest single took #2.
Still that was an impressive accomplishment for the idol group and showing that Japan is gaining interest in the idol pop group.
There are two versions of the single that were released, a regular edition which came with the CD+DVD and the theater edition (with no DVD and different cover).
The version I will be reviewing is the theater edition which features the top 12 senbatsu members on the front cover. The insert is a tri-fold which includes the 13th CD single senbatsu promotional posters (21 of them ala thumbnail) arranged in order of senbatsu ranking with Atsuko Maeda at #1. While the other side are lyrics and production credits. Included are an AKB48 mobile promotional, handshaking event ticket and a random AKB48 picture.
The first track on the single is “Iiwake Maybe” and the song has quickly become my favorite AKB48 song. An upbeat, catchy track with great vocals from AKB48, the song is about a one-sided love…one liking someone and missing them. As one is riding their bicycle on the road, she thought maybe she and the person she likes were just friends but she finds herself starting to like the person. Maybe, she likes the person. But that can be an excuse. But the person is starting to realize more and more that she really likes that person to the point that it’s becoming painful, but the person is not brave to confess their true feelings, so for now, it will be a one-sided love.
The second track is “Tobenai Agehacho” (which translates to “Swallowtail Butterfly”). The song is an smooth, upbeat dance track that is not as cute or idol pop like “Iiwake Maybe”, but it’s a good track about one who likes a person and finding themselves to be weak that she continually cries because she met a guy for the first time, that she doesn’t want to lose. And her feelings is not “liking” or “passion” but is actually love and her heart continues to beat fast for that person and while her wings have come out, she became a swallowtail butterfly that can’t fly. But she is determined not to lose to anyone and wants the person she likes, all to herself.
The remaining two tracks are the off-vocal instrumental versions of the first two tracks.
Overall, “Iiwake Maybe” is a cool single with a fantastic song. Everything about the song from its catchy music to the adorable and sweet vocals, I really enjoy the song a lot! While I can easily recommend the theater edition for those on a budget and don’t want the DVD version, the regular edition of “Iiwake Maybe” does offer both music videos and the AKB48 General Election documentary. So, for AKB48 fans, the regular edition may be worth it for you.
Otherwise, for the theater edition of “Iiwake Maybe”, I can easily recommend it to AKB48 fans who are interested primarily in the music and wanting a cheaper alternative to the regular CD+DVD edition.
Recommended!
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