ACTION
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| ACTION | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by B'z | ||||
| Released | December 5, 2007 | |||
| Genre | Hard rock | |||
| Length | 1:09:39 | |||
| Label | Vermillion Records | |||
| Producer | Tak Matsumoto | |||
| B'z chronology | ||||
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| Singles from ACTION | ||||
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ACTION is a studio album by B'z, released on December 5, 2007.
Several songs from the album were played during B'z Special LIVE at EX THEATER ROPPONGI in 2013. The show was a one-off performance tied to purchases of B'z The Best XXV 1988-1998 and B'z The Best XXV 1999-2012.
Upon release, ACTION debuted at the top of the Weekly Oricon Albums chart with 292,987 physical copies sold. It would be ranked fifth for the month, number 36 for the year of 2007, and continued to sell well into 2008 where it ranked number 76 for the year. It has been certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of Japan and is nearing Double Platinum status with sales of 440,108 last reported.
Track listing
All music and guitar by Tak Matsumoto. All lyrics and lead vocals by Koshi Inaba.
- Junjou ACTION — Pure ACTION, 純情ACTION
- Kuroi Seishun — Dark Youth, 黒い青春
- SUPER LOVE SONG
- File:a16 03.ogg Although the song as we know it is a hard rock number, "SUPER LOVE SONG" began production in Los Angeles in January with it originally intended to be of a much slower tempo. The early days of recording what would become ACTION were rough for the band, with Tak expressing in a "CLOSE UP" interview: "We had a slump unlike anything before." Koshi noted that, to overcome the initial slump for the album's session, they started "doing music with a different feel to it. With that, we started to get the rhythm—what we call the 'recording rhythm'." The band were satisfied with the result and premiered it live in the summer of the same year. The song was collected on B'z The Best "ULTRA Pleasure" in 2008 and B'z The Best XXV 1999-2012 in 2013. For the purposes of this album, the song was initially considered as its opener.
- Mangetsu yo Terase — Illuminated by the Full Moon, 満月よ照らせ
- Perfect Life — パーフェクトライフ
- File:a16 05.ogg A hard rock song with an encouraging theme, "Perfect Life" is one of several B'z songs to feature mathematical references in its lyrics due to Koshi's background in the field. The English "Go on" portion of the lyrics was prepared as part of the provisional demo but was retained because it is both easy to understand as part of the Japanese lyrics. Notably, the dedicated, full-length music video for the song was shot on location at the Kinoshita Circus. The song was revived five years after the album tour for several occasions in their 25th year, including the hall portion of B'z LIVE-GYM Pleasure 2013 -ENDLESS SUMMER-.
- Isshinfuran — Intently, 一心不乱
- File:a16 06.ogg Composed as a blend of hard rock and a power ballad, "Isshinfuran" was Tak's favorite track on the album at the time of release. As was the case with the album's latter single "SUPER LOVE SONG", the song underwent a great deal of change during production. This included changing keys, adding a number of small parts to bridge larger sections, differing tempos, and overall resulting in a different flavor than they initially expected. The lyrics use Tak's school days as a motif. The song has not been performed since B'z LIVE-GYM 2008 "ACTION".
- FRICTION -LAP 2-
- File:a16 07.ogg A song with entirely English lyrics, "FRICTION" was written for the Electronic Arts video game Burnout Dominator. The song was recorded in Tokyo with the band's mainstay Canadian drummer Shane Gaalaas being credited with advising the English lyrics. This new version subtitled "-LAP 2-" is essentially a re-recording with all new vocals, a new guitar intro and solo, and an all-new arrangement. Tak said he wanted to re-record the full guitar but it was too troublesome given the rest of the production. The original version is only available now as a B-side to "SUPER LOVE SONG" but was once available on iTunes internationally. The song has been performed more than most of their English output. After receiving its live debut during B'z SHOWCASE 2007 -19-, it would be performed several times and was also included in two international events in the United States and Canada: B'z LIVE-GYM 2011 -long time no see- and charity show Music for Relief's Secret Show for Japan later in the same year.
- ONE ON ONE
- Boku ni wa Kimi ga Iru — For Me, There was You, 僕には君がいる
- Nanto Iu Shiawase — Such Happiness, なんという幸せ
- Warui Yume — Bad Dream, わるいゆめ
- HOMETOWN BOYS' MARCH
- Koubou — Ray of Light, 光芒
- Traveling Men no Theme — Traveling Men's Theme, トラベリンメンのテーマ
- Ore to Omae no Atarashii Kisetsu — Your & My New Season, オレとオマエの新しい季節
- File:a16 15.ogg Featuring a Latin-infused arrangement, "Ore to Omae no Atarashii Kisetsu" is one of the more unique songs on the album. The lyrical theme is reminiscient of the European art and poetry style of Mannerism. The song came early in the sessions and was recorded just after "Eien no Tsubasa". It has to date never been performed live though it was used as the ending theme to Japanese airings of The O.C. as a tie-in promotion.
- Eien no Tsubasa — Eternal Wings, 永遠の翼
- File:a16 16.ogg A soft ballad written for the 2007 film For Those We Love, "Eien no Tsubasa" was composed for a work that told the stories of the Kamikaze pilots of World War II and the families they left behind. Tak completed the opening and ending first, and only then did he move onto composing the melody. Throughout production, he rewrote the melody several times until he was content with the result. The lyrics of the song speak of the preciousness of what has assumed importance in one's life. Koshi stated that the lyrics were written about "doing something from the bottom of one's heart, for someone else. When someone does that, they grow wings on their back, and their hearts are rewarded from it. I wrote about that sort of symbolic hope." Tak recalled during an interview with NEWS ZERO: "When I went to Chiran that day, the sky was really blue—really calm. After seeing that, I really opened up to that image." That image was one that made quite an impression, causing Tak to revisit it on two future occasions. The first came in 2010, when he said he thought back to the band's visit to Chiran when he wrote a semi-sequel to "Eien no Tsubasa" titled "hotalu" for his joint album with jazz legend Larry Carlton, TAKE YOUR PICK. Later, Tak would craft an instrumental version from the original composition for his 2012 solo album Strings Of My Soul. The song has not been performed live since B'z LIVE-GYM 2008 "ACTION".
- BUDDY
- File:a16 17.ogg Originally recorded during the sessions for 2006's studio album MONSTER, "BUDDY" was used as the Ending SE for the resulting live tour. The earlier version featured almost entirely different lyrics than the finalized version featured here as well as a slightly altered arrangement. The solo is preceded by a short interlude section that was per Koshi's suggestion. Notably, the guitar on the track was a Sadowsky which has rarely but occasionally been used by Tak live. The song has never been performed live.
Reversion history
Main article: B'z Reversioned Songs
| Original Song | Reversion History |
|---|---|
| FRICTION B-SIDE & ALBUM SONG* (2007)
|
RE-RECORDING: FRICTION -LAP 2- (2007) |
| BUDDY ALBUM SONG (2006)
|
UNRELEASED: BUDDY [Demo Version] (2006) |
Live appearances
Live Performances
- Junjou ACTION [54 SHOWS]
B'z SHOWCASE 2008 -Kiyotake ACTION- [1/1 SHOWS]- B'z LIVE-GYM 2008 "ACTION" [53/53 SHOWS]
- Kuroi Seishun [55 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2008 -Kiyotake ACTION- [1/1 SHOWS]
- B'z LIVE-GYM 2008 "ACTION" [53/53 SHOWS]
- B'z Special LIVE at EX THEATER ROPPONGI [1/1 SHOWS]
- SUPER LOVE SONG [79 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2007 -19- [6/6 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2007 -B'z In Your Town- [7/7 SHOWS]
- SUMMER SONIC 07 [2/2 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2008 -Kiyotake ACTION- [1/1 SHOWS]
- B'z LIVE-GYM 2008 "ACTION" [53/53 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2009 -B'z In Your Town- [8/8 SHOWS]
- SUMMER SONIC 09 [2/2 SHOWS]
- Mangetsu yo Terase [34 SHOWS]
- B'z LIVE-GYM 2008 "ACTION" [34/53 SHOWS]
- Perfect Life [77 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2008 -Kiyotake ACTION- [1/1 SHOWS]
- B'z LIVE-GYM 2008 "ACTION" [53/53 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2013 -Pleasure75- [1/1 SHOWS]
- AEROSONIC [1/1 SHOWS]
- B'z LIVE-GYM Pleasure 2013 -ENDLESS SUMMER- [19/30 SHOWS]
- B'z Special LIVE at EX THEATER ROPPONGI [1/1 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2020 -5 ERAS 8820- [1/5 SHOWS]
- Isshinfuran [54 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2008 -Kiyotake ACTION- [1/1 SHOWS]
- B'z LIVE-GYM 2008 "ACTION" [53/53 SHOWS]
- FRICTION [73 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2007 -19- [6/6 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2007 -B'z In Your Town- [7/7 SHOWS]
- SUMMER SONIC 07 [2/2 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2008 -Kiyotake ACTION- [1/1 SHOWS]
- B'z LIVE-GYM 2008 "ACTION" [53/53 SHOWS]
- B'z LIVE-GYM 2011 -long time no see- [3/3 SHOWS]
- Music for Relief's Secret Show for Japan [1/1 SHOWS]
- ONE ON ONE [55 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2008 -Kiyotake ACTION- [1/1 SHOWS]
- B'z LIVE-GYM 2008 "ACTION" [53/53 SHOWS]
- B'z Special LIVE at EX THEATER ROPPONGI [1/1 SHOWS]
- Boku ni wa Kimi ga Iru
- Nanto Iu Shiawase
- Warui Yume [20 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2008 -Kiyotake ACTION- [1/1 SHOWS]
- B'z LIVE-GYM 2008 "ACTION" [19/53 SHOWS]
- HOMETOWN BOYS' MARCH [54 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2008 -Kiyotake ACTION- [1/1 SHOWS]
- B'z LIVE-GYM 2008 "ACTION" [53/53 SHOWS]
- Koubou [75 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2008 -Kiyotake ACTION- [1/1 SHOWS]
- B'z LIVE-GYM 2008 "ACTION" [53/53 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2018 -The Wall Of Rock- [1/1 SHOWS]
- B'z LIVE-GYM Pleasure 2018 -HINOTORI- [20/23 SHOWS]
- Traveling Men no Theme [19 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2008 -Kiyotake ACTION- [1/1 SHOWS]
- B'z LIVE-GYM 2008 "ACTION" [18/53 SHOWS]
- Ore to Omae no Atarashii Kisetsu
- Eien no Tsubasa [68 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2007 -19- [6/6 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2007 -B'z In Your Town- [7/7 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2008 -Kiyotake ACTION- [1/1 SHOWS]
- B'z LIVE-GYM 2008 "ACTION" [53/53 SHOWS]
- B'z SHOWCASE 2020 -5 ERAS 8820- [1/5 SHOWS]
- BUDDY
Home Videos
- Junjou ACTION
- Kuroi Seishun
- SUPER LOVE SONG
- Mangetsu yo Terase
- Perfect Life
- Isshinfuran
- FRICTION
- ONE ON ONE
- Boku ni wa Kimi ga Iru
- Nanto Iu Shiawase
- Warui Yume
- HOMETOWN BOYS' MARCH
- Koubou
- Traveling Men no Theme
- Ore to Omae no Atarashii Kisetsu
- Eien no Tsubasa
- BUDDY
Sales data
Main article: B'z Sales Records
| No. | Cover | Album | Physical Copies Sold | Chart Positions | Certification | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIRST WEEK | LIFETIME | WEEK | MONTH | YEAR | ||||
| 16 | 
|
ACTION |
292,987+ |
440,108+ |
1 |
5 |
36 (2007) |
Platinum |
Personnel
B'z
- Tak Matsumoto: Guitar, Music Composition, Arrangement
- Koshi Inaba: Vocals, Lyric Composition, Arrangement
Support Members
- Jeremy Colson: Drums (Tracks 1, 3-6, 8, 10-12, 15)
- Shane Gaalaas: Drums (Tracks 2, 7, 9, 13, 14, 17)
- Josh Freese: Drums (Track 16)
- Sean Hurley: Bass (Tracks 2, 5, 9, 10, 12-14, 16, 17), Wood Bass (Track 2)
- Robert Deleo: Bass (Tracks 3, 11)
- Juan Alderete: Bass (Tracks 1, 4, 6, 8, 15)
- Akihito Tokunaga from doa: Bass (Track 7), Chorus (Tracks 12 & 14), Arrangement (Tracks 10 & 16)
- Akira Onozuka: Organ (Tracks 3, 6, 8, 10, 14, 17), Piano (Tracks 4, 8, 9, 11), Wurlitzer Electric Piano (Track 11)
- Shinichiro Ohta from doa: Chorus (Tracks 12 & 14)
- TAMA MUSIC: Strings (Tracks 9, 11-13, 16)
- Naoko Ishibashi: Strings (Tracks 9, 11-13)
- Hiromi Isoda: Strings (Track 16)
- Kazuki Katsuta: Saxophone (Tracks 10 & 12)
- Shiro Sasaki: Trumpet (Tracks 10 & 12)
- Fussy Kobayashi: Trumpet (Tracks 10 & 12)
- Wakaba Kawai: Trombone (Tracks 10 & 12)
- Nobu Saito: Conga Shaker & Tambourine (Track 15)
Production
- Hideyuki Terachi: Arrangement (Tracks 1-6, 8-15, 17)
- Daisuke Ikeda: Arrangement (Tracks 3, 4, 7, 15, 17)