Ongaku Cafe (The 2000s): LINDBERG – LINDBERG XX (The 20th Anniversary) (2009)

I can easily remember when I first discovered the Japanese rock band LINDBERG.

The group was one of the more popular rock bands from Japan that featured an all male band but a female lead vocalist that had her own unique vocal style.

The band which consists of lead vocalist/songwriter (and former idol) Watase Maki, Hirakawa Tatsuya (guitar), Kawazoe Tomahisa (Bass) and “Cherry” Koyanagi (drummer) formed the band back in 1988 and had a string of hits previous to the release of “EXTRA FLIGHT II” which include “Ima sugu Kiss Me” (their second CD single back in 1992) and again a revival in 1996 with hits such as “Every Little Thing Every Precious Thing” and “Green Eyed Monster” before disbanding in 2002.

The group ended their run with a total of 35 CD singles from 1989-2002, a total of 17 albums and 19 videos.

In 2008, there was buzz that the group would reunite for their 20th Anniversary with an album release and a concert tour.

On April 22, 2009, LINDBERG released their 18th album titled “LINDBERG XX (the 20th Anniversary)” on their latest label avex trax.

The new album would feature three new songs but also re-recordings of many of their classic hits to highlight their 20th Anniversary.

So, suffice to say, the 90’s rock sound is replaced with a more modern interpretation using newer technology and slightly different arrangement which is not a bad thing, considering that fans can easily obtain their previous released or greatest hits albums if they wanted to own their classic hits. So, needless to say, the newer sound for these classic songs such as “Koisugu Kiss Me”, “Koi wo Shiyoyou Yeah! Yeah!”, “BELIEVE IN LOVE” and many other classic hits with their new sound is another incentive of why fans should pick this new album up.

If one thing that comes to mind when listening to a lot of their latest re-recordings of their classic hits, the songs are much more polished. Many sound more modern, while some have a touch of that early 90’s feel. For many of the songs, the band works with MOTO (from the band GaGaalinG) for arrangement and

Songs such as “Koisugu Kiss Me” (the band’s second single) is more polished and Maki’s vocals are still quite solid now as it was back in 1990. Their fourth CD single “Dream On Dakishimite” sports a deeper bass and also a much more polished sound compared to their original release track. And songs such as the powerful ballad “every little thing every precious ting” sounds impressive with the electric guitar and strings working in balance with each other along with Maki’s beautiful vocals. But then you get really awesome modern tracks such as “POWER”.

The arrangements of the songs are slightly different but it works with its modern interpretation and better production. Maki’s vocals is what keeps the songs consistent from the past. So, overall, I was very pleased with the album. Of course, with over 35 CD singles, there were songs that I wish that made it to the 20th Anniversary album such as their 16th CD Single “だってそうじゃない!?” (Datte Soujyanai!) and actually a few other songs that I have enjoyed from LINDBERG’s two decades. But overall, the songs that were re-recorded were very good selections.

The three newer tracks from the band such as “Ikkou!!!!” and “Re-FLIGHT ～あの日描いていた大人になってるかい?～” are just awesome songs that show the band still has what it takes to create awesome music.

As for the DVD, the DVD comes with a 20th Anniversary version of “Koisugu Kiss Me” and Maki still looks absolutely fabulous and the video shows the band performing in the middle of a raceway.

The second video is from their new song “Ikkou!!!!” which features a group of five friends getting together to say goodbye to one of their female friends who is leaving by train. The music video was created like a short film and has dramatic situations and a higher production.

The third clip features the making of their 20th Anniversary version of “Koisugu Kiss Me” and “Ikkou!!!!”.

The CD insert booklet features the lyrics and production credits and images of the band. A mini-flier is included and is promoting the band’s 20th Anniversary Live concert and how fans can purcahse tickets for the concert at CC Lemon Hall, as the Shibuya concerts have sold out. Also, another mini-flier promoting Avex releases in the month of April ’09.

Overall, I found “LINDBERG XX” to be a fantastic release If anything, some may have wondered how the band would sound seven years after they ended their activity and sure enough, the band still sounds great. Over twent years later and LIDNBERG is still able to create fantastic music and Maki Watase sounds as incredible as ever.

I really enjoyed hearing the modern and polished sound of their classic hits on this album and sure, I wish there were more songs from their past that would have received a re-recording but overall a good balance of new songs and re-recorded songs. Also, if you are a big fan, getting the CD+DVD version is also well-worth it.

If you are a LINDBERG fan, this album is highly recommended!

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