GROUP: TACKEY & TSUBASA
CD SINGLE: SAMURAI
LABEL: avex trax
CATALOG #: AVCD-30301/B
DURATION: 17:59
RELEASE DATE: August 8, 2007
- SAMURAI
- Yakusoku ~Flowers Song~
- Yakusoku ~World wing~
- SAMURAI [KARAOKE]
DVD: Region 2, 4:3, DURATION: 12 Minutes
- SAMURAI -Live Version- MUSIC CLIP
- OFF SHOT
Back in August 8th, TACKEY & TSUBASA released “SAMURAI” which debuted at #1 and the CD single was to signify the duo’s fifth year anniversary.
Compared to previous releases, this CD single would be different in the sense that it featured more of a rock sound.
In fact, watching the music video clip, it’s like watching a J-Rock act but in actuality, it’s of the popular duo’s to come from Johnny’s Jimusho.
While “SAMURAI” is more of a rock-based, electric guitar driven sound, for those who want the pop sound that they are accustomed to, have no fear as the CD single also features Takizawa Hideaki singing “Yakusoku ~Flowers Song~” an Imai Tsubasa singing “Yakusoku ~World Wing”.
The main difference between the two solo versions is that Takizawa’s version is more pop-based while Imai’s starts out like a ballad and has a different arrangement. I prefer Imai’s version and definitely like the arrangement and the transition from a ballad to a faster-paced song.
The fourth and final track features the karaoke for “SAMURAI”.
If you are not familiar with Johnny’s groups and their music releases, similar to past releases, there are three versions of this CD single.
The normal CD single release of “SAMURAI” features an extra track not on the CD + DVD single release. Thre are two CD+DVD versions available. The version I am reviewing features the music clip for “SAMURAI” and the OFF-SHOT (behind-the-scenes of the making of the video) and the other version features the music videos for both solo versions of “Yakusoku”.
The DVD portion features actually a very well-produced music video and compared to their past music videos, the “SAMURAI” music video is very stylish, J-ROCKish and the off-shot shows the behind-the-scenes but shows more of the samurai scenes (that are NOT featured on the live music video).
The CD insert features concert tour and DVD promo with a cutout of Tackey & Tsubasa dressed as samurai’s. Back page features the lyrics.
It’s hard to believe that these two guys who I watched on TV as kids are now grown up and here they are celebrating their fifth year anniversary as a group.
Production values of their music videos continue to get better, the rock n’ roll, guitar driven style of “SAMURAI” is very cool and all-in-all, I think that Tackey and Tsubasa fans are going to love this CD single.
Personally, when reviewing Johnny’s or boy band albums with DVD’s, I leave it to the fans to give the best review of their music video (which there are quite a number of them online).
But I will say that with the many Tackey and Tsubasa songs that I listened to so far, I like the J-Rock style of “SAMURAI”, cool song with a very cool music video . Very different and a new take on the duo. Check it out!