Music Only Music But Music: M-flo inside -WORKS BEST- III

Today I got the newest “best-of” album by m-flo called inside -WORKS BEST III-, and it seems even better than the second compilation.  What caught my by surprise were the high profile Western hemisphere artists like Kanye West and The Ting Tings.  But I guess m-flo has enough star power in Japan to attract foreign singers.  So let’s look at this song by song:

What Now? – feat. Mademoiselle Yulia:  Never heard of this woman, but she’s got nice vocals.  The lyrics are nothing special, but it’s a pop song I could zone out to or play in the car on a long trip.

Universe (Kozm? Remix) – feat. Boa & Crystal Kay: I like the background music although the tempo feels like it’s not steady.  I’m not a huge Boa fan (she just sounds really nasaly to me), but the song works out by adding Crystal Kay to the mix.  Oh, but the whole ONE TWO ONE TWO ONE TWOx 1000 could have been left out.

Bad Men! – feat. Lisa: I generally like Lisa as a singer, but the lyrics in this song are so damn unfortunate.  For example, the chorus: BAD MEN, LALALALALALA, BAD MEN, LALALALALALA, BAD MEN, LALALALALA, BAD MEN BAD MEN BAD MEN.

I Know – feat. Crystal Kay: Usual CK song – pop-ish, enjoyable, nice rhythm.  I wish she would do something out of the box, but I guess she knows what brings in the yen.

Super Shine – feat. Exile:  Verbal opens up with his whole “haters to the left” verse, and Exile does their thing.  “Super Shine” just makes me think of a car wash though.  A car wash with slick attendants who dance and sing while they clean.

See You – feat. Melody:  Decent happy pop song, next.

I Still Love H.E.R. – feat. Kanye West and Teriyaki Boyz:  Well the background music certainly has the big brass Kanye effect.  I liked the Teriyaki Boyz from that butt music video they did with Pharell, and this song’s pretty good too.  The difference between Kanye and the Teriyaki Boyz is that the T Boyz can sing and rap.  Sorry Kanye, your latest autotune album just isn’t that great.

That’s Not My Name (Taku Takahashi Mix) – feat. The Ting Tings: Kind of a techno-ish remix (which I usually dislike) but it works out well with this group.  Great DJ is is still my favorite Ting Tings song.  Oh, and I’ve played this on repeat the most so far.

For So Long – feat. Lisa: This is a different slower version of Been So Long from m-flo’s album Planet Shining.  Now this is a good Lisa song.  I like this version a little better since it’s smoother.

Can’t Believe It (Lost in Shibuya Remix) – feat. T-Pain:  O SHI–, T-Pain wasn’t kidding when he said he’ll work with anyone.  Not that it’s a bad thing in this case.  Only thing is that this remix isn’t really much different than the radio version I’ve heard.  There’s just an additional Verbal rap towards the end.  I kind of wonder how they name these remixes though.  If I was lost in Shibuya, I’m pretty sure this would be a frantic confused song.

Turn It Up – feat. Little, Kohei Japan,青山テルマ / 童子-T: Fun song to dance to, especially with the “Turn It Up, Turn It Up WHOO!” parts.

Material World – feat. Sowelu:  I was sure this would be a Madonna song, but I guess there’s no relation.  The background music is a little rough and dark-natured in a Rihanna “Disturbia” way, but better.  Well, better if you like Japanese music.  The music video is pretty cool, though I found it funny that Sowelu runs in the same manner that Bennie K did for their “Sunrise” music video.

夢のFUTURE (Time is Dissing Me Remix) – feat. Kotomi:  I’m on the fence with this one; I like the background music but the lyrics are the type of techno remix editing that I don’t like.  It’s just all over the place with pitch.

Summertime – feat. Double:  Very cute with just the right amount of bass to make this a good song to blast in your car with the windows down.  The music video is kind of lulzy with the over-the-top ecstatic friends and skankalicious dancing, but that’s hip-hop culture I guess.  Double needs to get that tan checked.  I hope it’s fake, because it sure looks that way.

Lotta Love (Vibes Mix) – feat. Minmi:  I like this version since it’s not as in your face, fast paced as the original was.

Get On! (Ugly Duckling Remix) Remix: This is a shortened version of the Ugly Duckling Remix from the Astromantic Charm School album.  All it does is add in that narrator chick that m-flo likes to use for their albums, and cuts out all of Crystal Kay’s vocals.  The whole point of this second disc is to have songs that flow into each other like a party mix, so people who haven’t heard the originals would probably be better off listening to them first.

Quantum Leap: Just makes me want to pair it up with footage from the TV show Quantum Leap.  Laughed at the random “Who shot the sheriff~” lyric.

Mirroball Satellite 2012 (Sratm Mix By Towa Tei): The background music would work well with an oldschool Sonic the Hedgehog level.

Reeewind! – feat. Crystal Kay: I don’t think I cared much for the original song, but this version sounds fine.  Perhaps m-flo cut Crystal Kay out of the first song since she gets so much exposure throughout this album.

How You Like Me Now?: Another one that I never really listened to, but no complaints about the short version.  The last 15 seconds or so mix with “Loop in My Heart”.

Loop in My Heart – feat. Emyli & Yoshika:  Just a short version of the original, no real changes here.  I don’t know why they bothered with this song because a short version was already included on the electricolor album.

The Love Bug – feat. BoA: Only difference is a new 5 second intro.

Hey! (Souvenir of Little Green Men) Mashup: This is a short version of the remix from Dope Space Nine.

Dopeman?: Short version of Dopeman, which is a remix of the song Dopamine.  The re-dos never end, do they?

I Wanna Be Down (Space Cowboy Disco Edit Mix):  I’ve never heard the original, but calling this the disco edit is fitting.  Perhaps Spike and the crew would play this on one of their long trips (but probably not).

Bad Men! – feat. Lisa: LOL, if I don’t like the long version I’m not going to like the short one.  Next.

Golden Ballers (Diplo’s Love Guns and Foster Children Remix):  Uh, points for a creative name?

Luvotomy: Another remix that’s even shorter than the one that was on the electricolor album.  They block out more of the bass to focus on the vocals.

Tripod Baby (Shinichi Osawa Remix):  It’s only 44 seconds long, you might as well get the original song.

Dancehall Jungle: Another 44 second song with a little tango flair.

Ten Below Blazing (Taku Takahashi Edit):  I like Lisa, but they fuck it up by speeding her vocals up.

She Loves the Cream (Dexpistols Remix):  Different than the original song, but it works out well.  There’s a bigger instrumental section, too.

That’s Not My Name (Taku Takahashi Mix):  Oookay, so you’re going to remix a remix that’s on the first disc?  Whatever floats your boat, m-flo.

Way U Move Ver.2: Darker and rougher than previous mixes of this song.

Love Me After 12am (Ram Rider Remix Dub): Kind of a dance version of the original.

Love Long and Prosper: Didn’t care much for the original, nor do I for this one.

I Rave U: Glow sticks are required?  I also feel like I’m in a Street Fighter battle.

夢のFUTURE (Time is Dissing Me Remix): Just as annoying as the one on the first disc without any noticeable changes.

A.D.D.P.: Shorter version of the original without any real changes.

Lotta Love:  Same as above.

Come Again (Ht Inspiration Remix): A bunch of repeating in the song, and it’s a little cuter than the Tokyo Cafe jazzy version.

Love Song (Danny Byrd Remix):  The song’s slowed down a bit in a way that makes it feel like it’s being pulled through water.

Miss You: Not really different than the original, just shorter.

Let Go (Quantrek Remix):  Faster paced and has more background music than the original.

Let Go:  And m-flo graciously puts a short version of the original just in case you wanna compare them.

Been So Long: Pretty much just like the original version and length.

————————-

The second disc was harder to describe because I’ve heard most of these songs a bazillion times over on other albums.  I know Verbal and Taku are busy with other projects right now, but I hope they release a new album soon.  Compilations are nice but they get old after the third time you’ve remixed a song.