B'z (International EP)
| B'z | |
|---|---|
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| Digital release by B'z | |
| Released | April 3, 2007 |
| Genre | Hard rock |
| Length | 20:25 |
| Label | Vermillion Records |
| Producer | Tak Matsumoto |
B'z was a self-titled international release by B'z, released in a number of Western territories via iTunes on April 3, 2007. The extended play album contained re-recordings and remixes of previously-released songs prepared in 2005 and was their first foray into the West. Although the album was released in a number of territories including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and France, it was not made available in Japan. As such, it remains one of the few items in the B'z catalogue to not receive distribution in their home country.
One of the five songs made available here was an English version of the 1998 single "HOME" that had been premiered live during a streamed show the year before. The English version of the song would be voted for inclusion by fans onto the fan-selected compilation B'z The Best "ULTRA Treasure" in 2008 to celebrate the band's twentieth anniversary.
The song titles on the release were presented only in English, with changes in capitalization and, in the case of the third track, having the title shortened to only the last word. Although it was an international release, only two of the songs are in English: "Home" and "Brighter Day". The three Japanese songs featured here would later be remade in English on the band's 2012 debut English album, which also received an international release.
Also released internationally on April 3, 2007 was "FRICTION", an all English song made available on iTunes as part of the soundtrack to the video game Burnout Dominator. The single was available for purchase only for a limited time and distribution has since ceased. However, later in the year, "FRICTION" was included as the second B-side on the band's forty-forth single, "SUPER LOVE SONG". In addition, a reversion of the song with a new arrangement and newly-recorded vocals was included on their 2007 album ACTION.
As of 2013, the international EP is no longer available for purchase. It has since been succeeded by the band's likewise self-titled debut English album, released globally on July 25, 2012.
Track listing
All music and guitar by Tak Matsumoto. All vocals and lyrics by Koshi Inaba.
- Ai No Bakudan — Original: Ai no Bakudan (2005)
- File:it02 01.ogg [REMIX] Although there is no stark difference to the original Japanese version, the bass and drums have been stressed slightly. This version of the song is only available on this release.
- Home (English Version) — Original: HOME (1998)
- File:it02 02.ogg [NEW RECORDING] An English version of the 1998 B'z single "HOME" making its debut here. The song itself is much the same as the original with some slight changes to the arrangement. One year following this EP's release, it would be voted by fans for inclusion on B'z The Best "ULTRA Treasure". This version was debuted in 2006 during the network live released on DVD as B'z LIVE in Namba 2006 and would later be performed during both the 2011 and 2012 North American tours. Years later, with the 2011 Japanese earthquake disaster, the English song would be offered as part of a Music for Relief charity album organized by Mike Shinoda and Linkin Park; a group B'z would perform alongside as part of a special charity concert in the fall of that year known as Music for Relief's Secret Show for Japan.
- Dangan — Original: Samayoeru Aoi Dangan (1998)
- File:it02 03.ogg [RE-RECORDING] A completely overhauled recording, it does not contain any lyrical changes but does feature a number of changes to the arrangement, composition, and instrumentation that matched how the band had been playing the song live at the time. The overall sound for the guitar has been changed, the drums have been made heavier and brought to the front of the track, and the second half of the guitar solo is substantially different. In addition, the song no longer features a fade-out to end the track. This version, particularly the guitar solo, later served as a spiritual basis for the 2012 English version, "Into Free -Dangan-". To date, this re-recorded version of the song has not been made available in Japan and is only available here.
- Ultra Soul — Original: ultra soul (2001)
- File:it02 04.ogg [RE-RECORDING] A complete re-recording, the intro is now cleaner with the track as a whole featuring a much more raw sound. The overall mood of the song exhibits more of a hard rock vibe and features a number of changes throughout, including a new bass solo and a raw drum track. This version of the song is exclusive to this album and has not been released in Japan.
- Brighter Day — Original: Brighter Day (2005)
- File:it02 05.ogg [REMIX] Originally released on the band's 2005 album THE CIRCLE, the remix featured mostly changes on the vocal side. For the bridge and chorus throughout, the backing vocals have been raised to create a harmonizing effect not apparent in the original song. In addition, the volume levels of the guitar in the outro have been boosted compared to the 2005 rendition. The version found here is only available on this release and has not been made available in Japan.
Sales data
| No. | Cover | Specialty Album | Physical Copies Sold | Chart Positions | Certification | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIRST WEEK | LIFETIME | WEEK | MONTH | YEAR | ||||
| 6 | 
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B'z — INTERNATIONAL EP |
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Personnel
B'z
- Tak Matsumoto: Guitar, Music Composition, Arrangement
- Koshi Inaba: Vocals, Lyric Composition, Arrangement
Support Members
- Shane Gaalaas: Drums, Percussion
- Akihito Tokunaga: Bass, Arrangement