[MUSIC REVIEW] V6 - “HONEY BEAT/Boku to Bokunara no Ashita” CD Single

The Johnny’s Jimusho group V6 featuring 20th Century (the eldest members) Sakamoto Masayuki, Nagano Hiroshi and Inohara Yoshiko and Coming Century (the younger members) Okada Junichi, Morita Go and Miyake Ken are back with their 30th CD single titled “HONEY BEAT/Boku to Bokunara no Ashita”.

V6 celebrated their 10th Anniversary in 1995 and I actually have supported this group since they debuted and have been a viewer of their “Gakkou e Ikou! MAX” variety show for many years.

With other Johnny’s Jimusho groups like SMAP and TOKIO which have had stylistic changes with their music, V6 always have remained consistent with their music.

Their latest CD single “HONEY BEAT” was released on January 31st and debuted at #1 on the Oricon Daily Chart and features three different releases.

I  am reviewing the regular release but want to quickly mention that the two other versions include additional material but the normal version  has more tracks.

Version A comes with a DVD of the music video clip for “Boku to Bokura no Ashita” and only the two title tracks.

I did find it interesting tht there is a music video for “HONE BEAT” that it wasn’t included with this CD+DVD release.

Version B includes  a total of four tracks.  A “British Rock” version of HONEY BEAT which splits the group into two groups of three featuring Sakamoto Masayuki, Nagano Hiroshi and Okada Junichi and Inohara Yoshikio, Morita Go and Miyake Ken.  Also,  an acoustic version of “Boku to bokura no Ashita” and includes a special booklet.

So, essentially, if you are a hardcore V6 fan, you may need to find all three versions.

As for the CD single, the first track “HONEY BEAT” (used for the Waseda Academy commercials) is an upbeat song that in a way has an energetic, fun style that the group exhibited back in the early 90’s.

The second track is “Boku to Bokura no Ashita” which is used as a theme song for their TBS variety show  “Gakkou e Ikou! MAX”.

This song is a good, slow to mid-tempo ballad and uplifting.  Featuring string accompaniment and spotlighting the vocals of each members.

The third track “Ai wo komete” is used as the theme for their Fuji TV “VVV6” variety show.

It’s a fast song that is on par with recent V6 songs which utilizes a lot of trumpet and has a two-step musical style to it.

The fourth track “I DON’T FORGIVE” is rather interesting.  It’s a rap song in English and Japanese that combines thrashing guitars and a LIMP BIZKET “In the End” piano style of segment and third transition into the chorus.  Three different style transitions in this song but it works in a cool way.

All in all, this CD single release is like three CD singles into one.  Each of the first three tracks could have been released a CD single and I wouldn’t be surprised if the songs debuted #1 on the charts.

As for CD booklet contents, just a single fold with the four track lyrics.

“HONEY BEAT/Boku to bokunara no ashita” is an enjoyable CD single and also one of their most strongest single releases I have heard from them in awhile.  V6 fans, check it out!

— DENNIS A. AMITH

Catalog #: AVCD-31188 (normal version) | Dur. 35:18 /AVCD-31187 (Contains special booklet and alternate “British Rock” versions of HONEY BEAT featuring versions splitting the group into three).  AVCD-31186 (comes with DVD).  Release date: January 31, 2007

1.  HONEY BEAT
2.  Boku to Bokura no Ashita
3.  Ai wo komete
4.  I DON’T FORGIVE
5.  HONEY BEAT - instrumental-
6.  Boku to Bokura no Ashita - instrumental-
7.  Ai wo komete - instrumental-
8.  I DON’T FORGIVE - instrumental-

NOTE: There are three different releases of this CD.  The normal version being reviewed has the most music tracks.