Anzenchitai HITS (ALBUM+DVD)(First Press Limited Edition)(Japan Version) DVD Region 2

Acting as co-producers, the band chooses to stay close to the original arrangements of the songs, retaining their original flavor. That leaves much of the re-interpretation work to vocalist/songwriter Tamaki Koji, whose magnetic voice is the band's most recognizable trademark. An older and wiser Tamaki's vocal performance is really the star of Anzenchitai HITS, carrying a newfound sense of melancholy that only decades of life experiences can bring. This especially applies to ballads like Friend; in its original version, Tamaki delivered the song like a performer that had studied Matsui Goro's lyrics and his own composition thoroughly and proficiently acted out the song. In the 2010 version (Track 5), on the other hand, Tamaki not only sings the song with a sense of familiarity, he also sounds like he is incorporating decades of his infamous personal life into his performance, lending a new emotional impact to the song.

While much of the arrangement styles of the original versions remain in the covers, they benefit from advanced production tools that easily beat the result of any remastering work. Much of the producing efforts for these covers come in very subtle forms that update these classic songs for a new era. The memorable electronic keyboard-produced hook in the introduction of Koi no Yokan (Track 7), for example, remains in the 2010 version. However, the band also inserts new instruments like the flute and the classical guitar into the arrangement, adding a fresh touch without changing the sound that devoted fans remember.

Despite being a cover album, the band also took careful consideration in the arrangement of the album's set list. Rather than just putting the songs together like a singles compilation created by a record company, the band approaches the set list like they're creating the ultimate Anzenchitai album. Even though it's simply an enhancement of the same flavor, at least the band put in the effort to enhance the flavor instead of just sending it out unchanged.

The classic status of Anzenchitai's music has been solidified for so long that the songs of Anzenchitai HITS don't really open themselves up to re-examination. Instead, the covers here are very successful in retaining the power of Tamaki's composition and impeccable vocal performances without the outdated 80s pop sound. The true intention of the album seems to be a renewal of Anzenchitai's appeal to a new generation of pop fans, and that is accomplished fairly successfully here. As history has proven, the band's latest reunion isn't likely to last long, but Anzenchitai HITS has done its part to ensure that Anzenchitai's music will not be easily forgotten in the years to come.