SCANDAL – BEST SCANDAL (a J!-ENT World Groove Album Review)

In 2006, four students of the Osakan vocal and dance school Caless would form to create the all-female band SCANDAL. Featuring band members HARUNA, TOMOMI, MAMI and RINA, the quartet would fill the void that Sony had missed since their all-female teenage bands such as ZONE and Whiteberry called it quits.

The group began as a band tied to Kitty Records and needless to say, their singles would continually to do well in Tower Records “Indie’s Weekly Single Charts” and in 2008, the quartet would take part in the Japan Nite US Tour 2008, performing in the US and eventually the group caught the attention of Sony and the band was signed to Epic Records.

And here we are in 2009 with eleven CD singles released (including their indie singles) and now the release of the band’s first album titled “BEST SCANDAL”.

While the name may seem to imply that it is a best album, it’s not.

One thing that Epic Records was smart is knowing that many people who began listening to SCANDAL beginning with their first major single “Doll” probably have missed out on the previous indie singles.  So, think of this album as a way to reconnect new fans who want to listen to SCANDAL but don’t want to hunt down the first seven singles.  So, if you are a big fan of Scandal’s recent hits, then you can consider this first album as essential.

So, what “BEST SCANDAL” consists of is the band’s first seven CD singles from their first indie single “Space Ranger” and their two indie singles “Koi Moyo” and “Kagero” to the band’s major label singles “Doll”, “Sakura Goodbye”, “Shojo S” and “Yumemiru Tsubasa”.

While most American fans may be familiar with “Shojo S” as it was used  as an ending theme song for the anime series “BLEACH”, the other singles may not be as well-known, so it was  a great idea for Epic Records to include the first seven singles.  And also included are seven new additional songs.

My favorites on the album are “Shojo S”, “Anata Gamawaru”, “Space Ranger”, “Maboroshi Night”, “Ring! Ring! Ring!” and actually, I like all the songs on the album.  I have already listened to the album many times and I find myself zeroing in on the actual instrument playing by the young ladies and I’m quite impressed.  And the interesting thing is that what you hear on CD is how they play live…they rock!

As for the CD insert, you get lyrics to each song, a flier for their fan club and live performance and also a few images of the band.  It’s important to note that there are three versions of this album that has been released.  I’m reviewing the regular version but there is one limited edition with the music videos and another with a photobook.

Overall, if you are a new fan of Scandal and are enjoying their latest hits and are curious about their singles released in 2008-2009, including their independent work, then you definitely want to pick up “BEST SCANDAL”.  Recommended!

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