Pokémon: The First movie Single "Don't say you love me." System/accessory by Atlantic records/Game Freak/Nintendo/M2M Reviewed by The Avardancer Released: 1999 Use with: CD Player... computer. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Opening Snide Remarks: It's a song by song review.. of well.. a two song CD single. So.. this isn't really a review. Think of it as half a review. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Impressions: For one.. I like the multimedia stuff on the CD for one reason. It installs Netscape 4.08 if you want it to. That's nice. I needed to update that browser. But the multimedia stuff.. doesn't even list the lyrics. I mean it.. it shows a trailer for the movie. Nice large trailer; but everyone has already seen it. Oh, well. Netscape 4.08 is a nice little extra; because I was too lazy to download a newer version. This is the first Single for the movie. You can bet money that there will be more. It includes two songs. Yup. TWO songs. Well, for $1.50... what should I expect? Anyways, the Cassette version of the single is.. the same; except for it is missing the multimedia stuff. My sister has a Backstreet Boys Single that has a video for the song and lyrics. I mean, seriously, we could all use the lyrics or more pictures of M2M. Or maybe.. the video for "Don't say you love me". I'll start the review right now. Track 1 "Don't say you love me" By M2M (3:44) What can I say.. it's a POP song. Written/produced/mixed by the talents that built the artists that sell HUGE. I'm talking acts like the Spice Girls, N*Sync, Ricky Martin, Britney Spears, B*Witched, 98 Degrees, Hanson, and a lot of other groups. It was mixed by Tom Lord-Algae; who also worked with The Contemporary Christian Music act: "The Newsboys". These are the people who make the music you either love or hate. I like all sorts of music. In fact, I look for a few things in my music. Lyrical creativity -Read: The Message-, and musical aethestics. Read: Does it "click"; how strong is the hook, vocal depth/range/originality. And I would like to say that the breathy opening vocals sound.. cliché. No really, they do. It's all been done. But, the positive message forbidding infactuation is unique. At first, I thought it would be like the Christina Aguilera's "Genie in a bottle". But the "Genie" song is about.. the nookie. And in that song -which has some excellent sound shifts near the beggining- she is saying that if treated right; she'll give out. The M2M songs lyrics are different. They promote a more "lets be friends for a while; before we even think about love" approach. I see so many kids dating so very young these days. It makes me sick. Because, I believe that early dateing is practice for divorce. It's not about commitment. You should at LEAST wait until you can DRIVE before you start dateing. The vocals mature near the end of the track and create a great hook. Some very nice harmony at the end. In fact, the last minute and a half justify the song and make it.. better than it would have been had they not rounded it out with some excellent vocals near the end. The song is decent and the hook is decent. I can see some potential for a hit song lurking within these two young pop-stars. This song is a good introduction.. but I feel that they can do better. We'll just give them some time. They are in an enviable position. I mean it.. they are the first single for the POKéMON movie. I mean, that's almost as big a break as being in the Mickey Mouse Club. The music that backs the single would have made an excellent instrumental track; but alas.. it is not so. Too bad really. Nice music in the background; although there are some "cliché" record scratches in part of it. I love how it all rounds out though. A positive message that won't make parents cringe and a catchy hook that will embed itsself in the back of your mind. The song is worth the price of the CD and a little more. Buy two of the single; because it will get literally destroyed from being on "repeat track" mode. It is my belief that these two girls could probably amount to something and should be kept tabs on. Mainly; because I sense the next "big money-makers". With such drive behind it; this is product worth exploiting. Track 2 "Mewtwo Strikes Back Suite" (4:51) This instrumental track has some good points. It seems a little deriative at points. The opening made me think of.. Superman. Or the brilliant score for The Iron Giant. Some of it dips low and "mysterious". This makes it similar to parts of Star Wars/Star Trek/Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Part of it is sad sounding. Almost mournful. This fits. And the instruments are surprising in places. Sweeping instrumentals that do justice to add a bit of grandeur to the CD. I would venture to say that the Instrumental Track is worth more than even the main single. Why? Because, there is more instrument depth in here. I love instruments. It's superb. Some excellent stylings. Nice use of drums, and several string instruments. Although, it paints a tragic, and quizical mood for Mewtwo. I think Mewtwo should have a theme similar to, say, The Imperial March. But, that's just my opinon. This score is going to sound AWESOME in theatres. Yummy. I think I will sit nice and close to the speakers; to get the full effects. Nice. I have my volume on my computer all the way up. With my headphones on.. I hope I don't get that annoying asterix sound my computer makes. *cringes at the thought* Very good job. Buy it for the song, keep it for the suite. "Suite" is pronounced like "sweet" and it truly is. Liked: Very nicely presented CD, with two very worth-while audio tracks. Hated: If you are shallow.. this isn't for you. You need to have adept artist "ears" to hear the quality. The first track sounds weak near the start of it. Both songs are deriative in sections. The "multi-media" section.. sucked. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Improve: If they make a Maxi-Single of this... I want a few remixes. Why not left remixer David Morales loose on it? Add an instrumental version and add worth-while multi-media enchancement. Or let The Dust Brothers mix it as well. Of course, do an extended. Or an accapella. That would be interesting. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Final Words: Do you like pop/light rock? You'll like this. If you're more of a rapcore fan; or death metal only person. You may pass; although variety is a good thing. And those who listen to rap & rapcore already know what the word deriative means. Seriously, I haven't seen many original Rap artists.. in a while. Rappers like Nas, Eminem, Will Smith, Tupac, Lil' Kim just drag rap into the dredges of uncreativity and well.. they are as deriative as you can get. It's all rotten. When innovation like Lauryn Hill, Jay-Z, Aceyalone, and OutKast barely make it in. If you are a pokémon fan; buy it for the score and if you like pop music; buy it for the song. Either way, you can't lose. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Score: 85.9% +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Secrets: Not to say anything really; but there should be more pictures of M2M on the Single. After talking about the broup with some friends. They better watch out.. when they tour.. they may have to beat back infactuated teens with a stick!