A lot of time has gone by since MAX's debut in 1995, which is the reason for the eurobeat group to release an album in 2008, luring fans in with numerous remixes of their greatest hits. There is a limited press with 12 songs and a DVD full of video clips, and the cheaper regular press contains a bonus track. This review is of the regular edition.
The four ladies of MAX present Ride on time to start in their remix music world. The song itself is mid-tempo, playful and an easily arranged eurobeat number. The next track is the slow hip-hop inspired kitschy love song Love is Dreaming. Neither song leaves much of an impression on the listener, much like Shinin’on-Shinin’love. It starts dramatically, but the schmaltzy lyrics and the acoustic sound bring the whole thing down, and the song lacks that certain something. The following track is the first catchy and dynamic surprise on the best-of: Ginga no chikai. It creates a mysterious mood with a a hypnotic, catchy tune, and you'll promptly want to listen to it once more. The next two tracks are more like ballads, but both songs are very entertaining. Through its soft ambiance and harmonic lines, the Christmas-inspired Issho ni... turns out to be a winner.
Unexpectedly varied is the remix of Seventies, which combines retro charm with dreamy melodies. The song develops from a calm ballad to a fast party tune. GET MY LOVE! and TORA TORA TORA are typical MAX eurobeat songs, meaning they are lively and partly atmospheric. However, the ladies sound a little over the top on the latter; the vocals don't really harmonize with the music, leaving a strange impression behind.
The “Wall5, SpiceMagic MIX” of Give me a Shake is pretty disappointing. The early curiosity and exciting background choir are destroyed by the unsuitable dramatic vocals of NANA, MINA, REINA and LINA. The last ballad on the album is Grace of my heart, but unfortunately it's a miss because of the overpowering vocals. It's a few more songs before another dance track with potential comes along, and Senkou -hikari- no VEIL is just the thing to pick you up! The only new track on the CD is the bonus track Are You Ready?, and it's a true pleasure to listen to.
MAX’s NEW EDITION~MAXIMUM HITS~ can leave a listener with mixed feelings. On the one hand, there are some really nice gems featured, but on the other hand there are also many average eurobeat songs.It might be an album great to put on during dance parties, but the rest of the time it would just be gathering dust.
