The artwork and insert mimics a Yoko Ono cover and are alright. The original artwork is more pleasing. It must be because of all the colors on the Japanese release. The US release is just cream and black -- not to mention, quality wise, it looks like it was printed off of my own ink jet printer. The CD itself is a solid block of cream.

First off, I had to watch the bonus video material. It was pretty standard with four songs performed live during their tour of the US, including the NY show JaydeKitten and I went to (I swear I can see where we are when they do quick pans of the audience). I think it was taken from their DVD, which was only released in Japan. Pleased overall by the footage, I went to the music.

I hated it. I don't know what the problem was but their voices irritated me. Disappointed, I cringed in distaste and quickly shelved the CD away. I guess I wasn't in the mood to listen to it at the time because a couple days later I gave it another spin and loved the infectious, poppy hooks.

1. Planet Tokyo -- A/B -- track 13 with English lyrics, not a translation, "stereo" sounds like "cereal"
2. Tokyo Nights -- A -- fun, rockish, "Radio Killed the Radio Star" feel in some parts
3. Angel of Love -- B -- ballad
4. Sayonara -- B -- prefer Bleu's "Sayonara" song but he plays guitar on this version, 80's pop
5. Invisible Tomorrow -- A/B -- pop rock, typical Puffy
6. Thank You -- B -- strangely catchy, Shania Twain's "Always and Forever" country feel
7. Long Beach Nightmare -- B/C -- old school Puffy, kind of bland
8. Your Love is a Drug -- A/B -- another English track, catches my attention, 80's pop feel
9. K2G -- B -- ska-esque
10. Shiawase -- B -- nice ballad
11. Urei -- A/B -- nice, rockish
12. Teen Titans Theme -- B -- English track, title theme from Cartoon Network show
13. Red Swing -- A/B -- original version, better than English version

Lyrics and more information can be found here.

There were a few dollars left over on the gift certificate, so Sailor Moon: The Full Moon Collection also found its way into the virtual shopping cart. The artwork is at the same level as the first two CD's with the CD being stamped with the insert cover image. The tracklisting on the back only names five tracks and the insert's shows 12. However, the CD is actually filled with hidden tracks that gives it a grand total 21 different musical pieces. It includes background instrumentals, which was the only area where DiC trumped the original, and songs sung by the "Scouts." Half are great. Half are... eh.

1. Pan Flute -- Alan's flute melody
2. Sailor Moon Theme (S.A.F. Remix) -- C -- annoying Euro-pop techno remix
3. I'm Not Ready -- D -- where did this come from? Madonna/Euro-techno crap
4. My Only Love (S.A.F. Remix) -- A+ -- the back beats make it extra sweet and feel good... original appeared in "Crystal Clear Destiny"
5. I want Someone to Love -- B/C -- weird crossbreed that sounds like Britney singing a Paula Abdual song
6. I want to Hold Your Hand (Hi-NRG Mix) -- C -- the Beatles set to a dance beat...
7. Moon Crystal Power -- Serena's transformation music
8. Call My Name (and I'll be There) -- A -- always liked this song by Raye, which appeared in #48 "Raye's Day in the Spotlight"
9. Tiara Action -- Moon Tiara Magic music
10. I Wanna Be a Star -- B -- typical kid's soundtrack song, shorter version appeared in #4, "So You Wanna be a Superstar?"
11. Receiving Waves, Part 3 -- funky bgm played when the girls go shopping
12. The Power of Love -- A -- lovely battle song, much like "Carry On," from the movie, "Sailor Moon R"
13. Tuxedo Mask -- just appearance music
14. Rainy Day Man -- B -- Pretty, from #43, "A Knight to Remember"
15. Luna -- Luna appearance and atmosphere
16. Nothing at All -- A/B -- would've rather had "Oh Starry Night" but this one's just as nice, ballad
17. Sailor Jupiter -- attack and transformation music
18. It's a New Day -- A -- feel good song from #40, "Day of Destiny," would've been nice to have "Carry On" with it
19. Melvin -- LoL
20. Sailor Moon Theme (S.A.F. Club Mix) -- D -- a longer version of track 2
21. Queen Beryl -- Negaverse bgm

There are quite a few songs I skip over but the songs that are left are definitely worth the price of the CD. Of all of the songs and music in the DiC Sailor Moon world, I would've liked to have heard the original "Only a Memory Away" on this compilation since the one on the first soundtrack sounds like it's on crack.

~* September 18, 2003 @ 11:01 pm *~