GLAY - Love is Beautiful

After patiently counting the days for nearly three years, GLAY fans can rejoice as their idols have finally brought a new album to the table. Not only does Love Is Beautiful contain everyone's favorite tracks from the band's last few singles (two of which are the excellent collaborations with Kyosuke Himuro and EXILE), it also incorporates some new songs that definitely pack a punch. However, does this CD warrant a purchase if you already own all the singles that came before it?

The answer is yes. While tracks like Rock N' Roll Swindle, Henna Yume - THOUDSAND DREAMS- and Koi demonstrated last year that GLAY had yet to slow down, it's refreshing and reassuring to know that their latest compositions also have panache. Take, for example, American Innovation and WORLD'S END. Both these tracks are near-perfect rock songs that fit like a glove next to the other Grade A rockers on the disc. While their choruses fall under the "tried, tested and true" category, it doesn't stop them from staying stuck in your head for hours following playback.

If you happen to care more for ballads, you'll feel right at home as you find solace in three new ones: Bokutachi no Shouhai, Saragi no hi and I Will. While the first is what you'd normally expect from the outfit, Saragi no hi and I Will stand out thanks to the way they venture into fresh territory. Saragi no hi sets the mood perfectly with a choir-like intro that leads to a perfect fusion of melodic guitars and piano, while I Will starts things off with a provocatively different hip-hop flavored backbeat before Takuro performs some of the most beautiful, heartfelt guitar playing you'll ever hear. Hisashi doesn't miss a beat either as he fills the verses and chorus line with some astounding guitar work of his own.

If you still aren't convinced, then Mirror is the track that will make you believe. Already considered a fan favorite by those who've had the fortune of hearing it, you'll be hard pressed to find a better example of what GLAY is all about. It's catchy right from the start, constantly bettering itself as it progresses, supported by some great tweaked guitars with a slight strum here and there to keep you glued until the chorus hits, magnificent in all it's splendor. Teru almost croons his way through it, accompanied by some outstanding U2-esque guitars that really help the whole thing come full circle. As it does, you'll realize just how outstanding the song really is.

Every song on this album is a testament to GLAY's devotion and ambition, whether it be a favorite from last year or one of their new pieces. They are all great songs, breaking the mold in most areas and offering fans nothing but excellence all around. And what else can we expect from one of Japan's premier bands!