AAA - ZERØ/MUSIC!!! (a J!-ENT World Groove CD Single Review)

September 5, 2008 by Dennis Amith

“AAA’s 19th CD single features a collaboration with ALI PROJECT’s Takarano Arika and remixer Kusama Kei which features a fusion of the three styles for an all out interesting song used as the opening theme for the anime series ‘WORLD DESTRUCTION’.”

GROUP: AAA

CD SINGLE: ZERØ/MUSIC!!!

LABEL: avex trax

CATALOG #: AVCD-31438/B

DURATION: 21:41

RELEASE DATE: August 13, 2008

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

ZERØ
MUSIC!!!
Crash (Extended Version)
ZERØ (Instrumental)
MUSIC!!! (Instrumental)

DVD: Region 2, 4:3, Duration: 3 minutes

ZERØ (Music Clip)

AAA’s 19th CD single features a double A track featuring “ZERØ”, which is a collaboration with ALI PROJECT vocalist/songwriter Takarano Arika.

The song was used as an opening theme song for the anime series “World Destruction: Sekai Bokumetsu no Rokunin(ワールド・デストラクション～世界撲滅の六人～)” that aired in Japan starting in July 2008 and based on a Sega RPG game for the Nintendo DS that comes out in September (note: The video game has received hype because it is created by members of the SquareEnix team that created “Xenogears”).

For those familiar with ALI PROJECT music, the music is tightly based around synth and rock n’ roll and has a strong anime tie-in with theme songs for “CODE GEASS”, “SUPER ROBOT WARS OG: DIVINE WARS”, “Rozen Maiden”, “My Hime”, “.Hack/Roots” and many more anime series.

The song is also a collaboration with KURID INT’L’s Kusama Kei known for his remix work for YMO and work with Suzuki Ami who provided the musical arrangement.

So, by combining these forces, you get a song and consecutive CD single that deviates from AAA’s dance music style to a song that features a lot of electric guitar but also a lot of electronic beats courtesy of Kusama. So, this makes it a song that either AAA fans will enjoy or dislike because it’s a sound different from their previous works.

As mentioned in my last review for “BEYOND ~Karada no Kanata~”, I welcome the changes and it appears from various reviews of the anime series “World Destruction” that many people enjoyed the opening theme and enjoy the song. And it does incorporate the AAA style by Hidaka Mitsuhiro’s rap and overall the vocals are pretty good in the song. It’s just if the music is your cup of tea or not.

I found it a unique mixture of AAA, ALI PROJECT and Kusama KEI wrapped in one. So, for me it was different and I embrace things that are fresh and new.

As for the second A-track, “MUSIC!!!”, the track is an upbeat pop song courtesy of Tsutaya Koichi and arrangement by Chewzen Ogoyz. A very fun pop track from the group that is happy and an overall fun track.

The coupling song “Crash” is an extended track by the guys of the group. The song is from the AAA mini-album “CHOICE IS YOURS” which is an album that features only the guys from the group. The song is an upbeat dance track that I’m accustomed to from AAA, especially the guys and I enjoyed the song.

This CD+DVD version features the music video for “ZERØ” which is a trippy dark music video featuring the members in a cell (solitary confinement) with just cement walls and lights all around them while they are being filmed. And you watch the group’s acting skills as they grow crazy in their cells. Interesting lighting used in the music video sporting a black/bluish hue.

As for the CD single insert, the insert is a tri-fold featuring lyrics and production credits. There is a wrap around cover featuring a sticker from “World Destruction”

Now, there are three versions of this CD single available. This version that I’m reviewing features the music video “ZERO”. This single is notable for it’s much darker cover while the other two are much colorful. These other versions features the music video for “MUSIC!!!” and the third version features a short film featuring AAA. Personally, I am quite interested in how the short film is because AAA short films tend to be quite enjoyable to watch.

It seems that the direction for AAA this summer is a bit of experimenting with various music styles and I know that some fans have been either open or not as open to the musical direction with the last CD single “GROOVE ~Karada no Kanata~” and with the collaboration with ALI PROJECT and the song not being a straight out dance track, I’m sure there are fans who will not be into it as much.

But all in all, I found the CD single to be different and something new with the collaboration and personally, I thought it was a cool song. Not great and not one of my favorite AAA songs but overall, a cool song. I did enjoy both “MUSIC!!!” and “Crash”.

All in all, it’s a cool CD single from the group and it has something for everyone. If you are a fan of AAA or the “World Destruction” anime series, definitely check it out but choose which CD+DVD version suits you.

Check out more of our reviews at J!-ENT’s World Groove

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