MONSTER
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| MONSTER | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by B'z | ||||
| Released | June 28th, 2006 | |||
| Genre | Hard rock | |||
| Length | 59:14 | |||
| Producer | Tak Matsumoto | |||
| B'z chronology | ||||
| ||||
MONSTER is the fifteenth studio album by B'z, released on June 28th, 2006.
At release, MONSTER debuted at the top of the Weekly Oricon Albums chart as had all of the band's studio albums dating back to 1990's RISKY. The first week sales of 401,000 were a fifteen percent increase over the debut of their previous effort THE CIRCLE from 2005 and qualified it for Platinum status by the end of the week. MONSTER would debut at the top of the Weekly Oricon Monthly chart and would rank at number 20 for the year 2006. The album has since sold over 539,000 copies and is certified Double Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan. In 2018, the album was reissued as a two vinyl set made available to visitors of their thirtieth anniversary public exhibition entitled "SCENES" alongside all other studio albums to that point.
Track listing
All music and guitar by Tak Matsumoto. All lyrics and lead vocals by Koshi Inaba.
- ALL-OUT ATTACK
- SPLASH!
- File:a15 02.ogg A single with among the fastest tempos in the B'z catalogue, "SPLASH!" was a defining single for the band despite its entirely new sound. The song was recorded along with the second half of the album, and was produced with the mindset of creating a song that could be danced to. The suggestive lyrics of physical intimacy are among the most forward of the B'z singles, challenged only by the earlier 2000 single, "juice". In a rarity for their output, Tak also utilized a seven string guitar for the sessions. An English version was premiered live in 2011 in North America before being released in studio form on the band's debut English album. Despite its popularity, it has not been performed live since featuring all throughout 2006.
- Yuruginai Mono Hitotsu — One Sure Thing, ゆるぎないものひとつ
- File:a15 03.ogg A song that mixes both acoustic and electric guitar, "Yuruginai Mono Hitotsu" is one of the few B'z songs to open with only an acoustic guitar before introducing more instrumentation. Koshi particularly praised the guitar solo by Tak, stating that he felt it was a great example of a guitar solo highlighting the essence of a song. Despite featuring all throughout 2006 showings, it has not been performed live again in the years since.
- Koi no Summer Session — Summer Session of Love, 恋のサマーセッション
- Kemuri no Sekai — World of Smoke, ケムリの世界
- Shoudou ~MONSTER MiX~ — Impulse, 衝動
- File:a15 06.ogg A rock single with a frenetic pace, "Shoudou" is the fastest and shortest B'z single in their catalogue with a runtime of only 3 minutes and approximately 14 seconds in its original incarnation without silence included. The song has worked very well in live settings for the band, often being paired with another song such as "Ai no Bakudan" in 2006 and "IT'S SHOWTIME!!" in 2012. Interestingly, the album version found here is labeled a remix despite featuring several re-recorded parts. Almost all of the guitar work is touched up and overhauled with only the acoustic portion remaining intact. The backing vocals feature support members Akihito Tokunaga and Shinichiro Ohta prominently, notably, and Koshi's final shout at the end of the song is at a different pitch than the original.
- Mugon no Promise — Unspoken Promise, 無言のPromise
- File:a15 07.ogg A string-driven, stirring ballad, "Mugon no Promise" emphasizes piano and light percussion over electric guitar. An acoustic guitar features as backing throughout with an electric accompaniment only joining for the final chorus before culminating in an ending solo. Uniquely, the song features a Tagalog spoken section as part of the interlude. This is the first instance since 1994's "WILD ROAD" from The 7th Blues that a female vocal was featured as a lead in a B'z song.
- MONSTER
- Netemo Sametemo — Whether I'm Awake or Asleep, ネテモサメテモ
- Happy Birthday
- File:a15 10.ogg The first birthday-themed song by B'z, "Happy Birthday" was first premiered live during B'z LIVE-GYM 2005 "CIRCLE OF ROCK" a year prior to its inclusion here. Initially, fans were unsure whether a recorded version of the song would ever find its way to a release after Tak implied it may be used only live. The following year, its upbeat rock roots were skirted in favor of the full six member band performing an acoustic rendition—all with their own guitars—as part of B'z LIVE-GYM 2006 "MONSTER'S GARAGE". For the recorded version here, as compared to its 2005 rendition, some additions were made to the lyrics and the arrangement was fully overhauled. The original live version began with a piano intro which was omitted here. Although well-regarded for both of its live years, the song has not been performed since but was included on both tours' home video releases.
- Pierrot — ピエロ
- Amadare Blues — Raindrop Blues, 雨だれぶるーず
- Ashita Mata Hi ga Noboru Nara — If The Sun Should Rise Again Tomorrow, 明日また陽が昇るなら
- OCEAN ~2006 MiX~
Reversion history
Main article: B'z Reversioned Songs
| Original Song | Reversion History |
|---|---|
| SPLASH! SINGLE & ALBUM SONG (2006)
|
ENGLISH: Splash [English Version] (2012) |
| Shoudou SINGLE & ALBUM SONG* (2006)
|
RE-RECORDING: Shoudou ~MONSTER MiX~ (2006) |
| Happy Birthday ALBUM SONG (2006)
|
LIVE ONLY: Happy Birthday [Demo Version] (2005) |
| OCEAN SINGLE & ALBUM SONG* (2005)
|
REMIX: OCEAN ~2006 MiX~ (2006) |
Live appearances
Live Performances
- ALL-OUT ATTACK [32 SHOWS]
B'z SHOWCASE 2006 "Yokosuka MONSTER" [1/1 SHOWS]- B'z LIVE-GYM 2006 "MONSTER'S GARAGE" [17/17 SHOWS]
- B'z LIVE in Namba 2006 [1/1 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2007 -19- [6/6 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2007 -B'z In Your Town- [5/7 SHOWS]
- SUMMER SONIC 07 [2/2 SHOWS]
- SPLASH! [20 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2006 "Yokosuka MONSTER" [1/1 SHOWS]
- B'z LIVE-GYM 2006 "MONSTER'S GARAGE" [17/17 SHOWS]
- B'z LIVE in Namba 2006 [1/1 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2020 -5 ERAS 8820- [1/5 SHOWS]
- Yuruginai Mono Hitotsu [20 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2006 "Yokosuka MONSTER" [1/1 SHOWS]
- B'z LIVE-GYM 2006 "MONSTER'S GARAGE" [17/17 SHOWS]
- B'z LIVE in Namba 2006 [1/1 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2020 -5 ERAS 8820- [1/5 SHOWS]
- Koi no Summer Session [18 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2006 "Yokosuka MONSTER" [1/1 SHOWS]
- B'z LIVE-GYM 2006 "MONSTER'S GARAGE" [17/17 SHOWS]
- Kemuri no Sekai
- Shoudou [58 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2006 "Yokosuka MONSTER" [1/1 SHOWS]
- B'z LIVE-GYM 2006 "MONSTER'S GARAGE" [17/17 SHOWS]
- B'z LIVE in Namba 2006 [1/1 SHOWS]
- SUMMER SONIC 09 [2/2 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2009 -B'z In Your Town- [8/8 SHOWS]
- Pepsi NEX presents B'z PREMIUM LIVE [2/2 SHOWS]
- B'z LIVE-GYM 2012 -Into Free- [11/11 SHOWS]
- B'z Special LIVE at EX THEATER ROPPONGI [1/1 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2017 -Hissatsu Hiokinin- [1/1 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2017 -B'z In Your Town- [11/11 SHOWS]
- ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL 2017 [1/1 SHOWS]
- RISING SUN ROCK FESTIVAL 2017 in EZO [1/1 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2020 -5 ERAS 8820- [1/5 SHOWS]
- Mugon no Promise
- MONSTER [19 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2006 "Yokosuka MONSTER" [1/1 SHOWS]
- B'z LIVE-GYM 2006 "MONSTER'S GARAGE" [17/17 SHOWS]
- B'z LIVE in Namba 2006 [1/1 SHOWS]
- Netemo Sametemo [19 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2006 "Yokosuka MONSTER" [1/1 SHOWS]
- B'z LIVE-GYM 2006 "MONSTER'S GARAGE" [17/17 SHOWS]
- B'z LIVE in Namba 2006 [1/1 SHOWS]
- Happy Birthday [60 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2005 "Abashiri Extra Edition" [1/1 SHOWS]
- B'z LIVE-GYM 2005 "CIRCLE OF ROCK" [41/41 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2006 "Yokosuka MONSTER" [1/1 SHOWS] (Acoustic Version)
- B'z LIVE-GYM 2006 "MONSTER'S GARAGE" [17/17 SHOWS] (Acoustic Version)
- Pierrot [21 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2006 "Yokosuka MONSTER" [1/1 SHOWS]
- B'z LIVE-GYM 2006 "MONSTER'S GARAGE" [17/17 SHOWS]
- B'z LIVE in Namba 2006 [1/1 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2017 -Hissatsu Hiokinin- [1/1 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2017 -B'z In Your Town- [1/11 SHOWS]
- Amadare Blues [19 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2006 "Yokosuka MONSTER" [1/1 SHOWS]
- B'z LIVE-GYM 2006 "MONSTER'S GARAGE" [17/17 SHOWS]
- B'z LIVE in Namba 2006 [1/1 SHOWS]
- Ashita Mata Hi ga Noboru Nara [18 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2006 "Yokosuka MONSTER" [1/1 SHOWS]
- B'z LIVE-GYM 2006 "MONSTER'S GARAGE" [17/17 SHOWS]
- OCEAN [106 SHOWS]
- B'z LIVE-GYM 2005 "CIRCLE OF ROCK" [28/41 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2006 "Yokosuka MONSTER" [1/1 SHOWS]
- B'z LIVE-GYM 2006 "MONSTER'S GARAGE" [17/17 SHOWS]
- B'z LIVE-GYM Pleasure 2008 -GLORY DAYS- [6/6 SHOWS]
- B'z LIVE-GYM 2010 "Ain't No Magic" [19/19 SHOWS]
- B'z LIVE-GYM 2011 -long time no see- [3/3 SHOWS]
- B'z LIVE-GYM Pleasure 2013 -ENDLESS SUMMER- [8/30 SHOWS]
- B'z LIVE-GYM Pleasure 2018 -HINOTORI- [5/23 SHOWS]
- B'z PARTY Presents B'z Pleasure in Hawaii [1/1 SHOWS]
- B'z LIVE-GYM 2019 -Whole Lotta NEW LOVE- [17/36 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2020 -5 ERAS 8820- [1/5 SHOWS]
Home Videos
- ALL-OUT ATTACK
- SPLASH!
- Yuruginai Mono Hitotsu
- Koi no Summer Session
- Kemuri no Sekai
- Shoudou
- Mugon no Promise
- MONSTER
- Netemo Sametemo
- Happy Birthday
- Pierrot
- Amadare Blues
- Ashita Mata Hi ga Noboru Nara
- OCEAN
- Pleasure II Limited Edition: LIVE-GYM 2005 "CIRCLE OF ROCK"
- LIVE-GYM 2006 "MONSTER'S GARAGE"
- LIVE-GYM Pleasure 2008 -GLORY DAYS-
- LIVE-GYM 2010 "Ain't No Magic"
- LIVE-GYM 2011 -long time no see-
- LIVE-GYM 2005 -CIRCLE OF ROCK-
- LIVE-GYM Pleasure 2018 -HINOTORI-
- LIVE-GYM 2019 -Whole Lotta NEW LOVE-
- SHOWCASE 2020 -5 ERAS 8820-
Sales data
Main article: B'z Sales Records
| No. | Cover | Album | Physical Copies Sold | Chart Positions | Certification | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIRST WEEK | LIFETIME | WEEK | MONTH | YEAR | ||||
| 15 | 
|
MONSTER |
401,000+ |
539,708+ |
1 |
1 |
20 |
2x Platinum |
Personnel
B'z
- Tak Matsumoto: Guitar, Music Composition, Arrangement
- Koshi Inaba: Vocals, Lyric Composition, Arrangement, Harmonica (Track 9)
Support Members
- Shane Gaalaas: Drums, Percussion
- Akihito Tokunaga: Bass, Chorus (Tracks 1, 4-6, 8, 10), Arrangement
- Akira Onozuka: Keyboards (Tracks 4, 5, 7, 12, 13)
- Osamu Ueshi: Trumpet (Tracks 4 & 12)
- Azusa Tojo: Trombone (Tracks 4 & 12)
- Takahiro Miyazaki: Saxophone (Tracks 4 & 12)
- Kazuhiro Takeda: Sax (Tracks 4 & 12)
- Naoko Ishibashi: Violin (Track 7)
- Tokunaga Tomomi: Violin (Track 3)
- Maki Nagata: Violin (Tracks 7 & 8)
- Mayu Takahashi: Viola (Track 7)
- Eiko Onuki: Cello (Track 7)
- TAMA MUSIC: Strings (Tracks 3, 8, 14)
- Shinichiro Ohta: Chorus (Tracks 1, 4-6, 8, 10, 13, 14)
- Shiori Takei: Chorus (Tracks 4 & 10)
- Hazuki Morita: Chorus (Tracks 4 & 10)
- Natsuki Morikawa: Chorus (Tracks 4 & 10)
- GOW: Voice (Track 7)
Production
- Jay Baumgardner: Mixing, Engineer
- Sergio Chavez: Recording Engineering