Review: V-RARE #1 (DDRMAX -Dance Dance Revolution 6thMIX-)

The original V-RARE, came bundled with DDRMAX. DDRMAX was notable as being the first PS2 release of a DDR. I remember I bought this the day it came out, and while I was impressed with the perfection of the port itself (everything was so amazingly fast, it blew me away), the fact that there was nothing new in it aside from two new songs (Kind Lady and So In Love) was a let down.

On to the V-RARE review.

1. Look To The Sky (True Color Extended Mix) / System S.F. feat Anna
Keep in mind, this was before there was ever a DDR version of True Color Mix. The first time I heard this, I was blown away. Here was one of the best songs in DDRMAX (until Kyle Snyder took hold of it forever solidifying the image of that song with his SVGL2 freestyle) remixed and really, really long (6'30). However, it has suffered the fate known as Konamifanmixitis. This is a cruel fate common of fan mixes of Konami songs. Its most common symptom is that it's basically the same thing just seemingly looped over and over to make it seem longer. You have the exact same verse over, and over again. It's like the same song twice in a row with some nicely done standard trance hooks thrown in for good measure. That aside, it's a solid song, but it really doesn't stand out as being much better than the 2 minute DDR version since it offers little beyond it. ***

2. Kind Lady -interlude rough instrumental- / Okuyatos
This is the same song that found its way into DDR releases, and even the same length at 1'33. Kind Lady kind of grew on me after a while, and this is pretty decent musically with its funky beats and guitar, and makes a pretty decent DDR song. But, in itself, it's just kind of meh, I much prefer the true long version of Kind Lady. **

3. After The Game -POWER DUNKERS ver.- / NPD3
This is the Konamix instrumental version of ATG that caused the uproar because OMG THE DIRTY LYRICS ARE GONE. Little has changed, even though there is a bit more funky sax thrown in to compensate for hte lack of any vocals. **

4. CUTIE CHASER -morning mix- / Club Spice
I believe this is the first time this song had appeared in an album. Before, it was only found as a track in DDR Oha Sta. So, for many this was the first time it had been heard. It's a pretty decent rearrangement of the original, but not much more than that. **

5. AM-3P -303 BASS MIX- / KTZ
This song was another exclusive addition to Konamix. I personally despise this mix, and refer it to "ASS MIX." I is like a stripped down version of the original AM-3P with lots of annoying clicks in the percussion and little else. It serves only to annoy me. *

6. Firefly -RIYU VERSION- / 小阪りゆ
This is supposed to be Firefly without the BeForU, I suppose. Despite Riyu being the only vocalist. But, if you listened to the two versions side by side, you'd be hard pressed to find much of a difference. Firefly is a decent enough song, though. **1/2

7. DESTINY (piano ver.) / Paula Terry
This was the first real "holy shit" moment for a V-RARE. Not necessarily because of Paula Terry's always scintilating vocals, but just because this was such a radical departure from any previous Bemani remix. It's Destiny, of course, minus the Naoki. It's a simple piano backing track with Paula Terry singing over it. It's much slower than the original. Sure, without the Naokification, Paula Terry is further exposed as being a not-so-great singer, but really, it isn't as bad as it could be. ***

Very mixed bag here, and it's pretty obvious that Konami hadn't quite landed in their groove for doing V-RAREs. It's one part remixes, one part rehashed material, and one small part something completely different. Overall, it's pretty forgettable and not worth making a huge effort to find.