Search - D:Ream :: 7th Memorial Dream

The ultimate dream album release! All CD singles and music

Dennis A. Amith (kndy) | California | 08/10/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Within the last seven years, we have seen the female pop group dream evolve from a trio to an eight member troupe and now a seven-member group to become part of "GirlsBOX", the Avex Trax umbrella group featuring other artists such as Nagasawa Nao, Kaiyou Aiko, Saito Michio, Hoshii Nanase and several other female artists.



The story of dream begins back on January 1, 2000 when trio Matsumoro Mai, Hasebe Yu and Tachibana Kana were the three members selected among 15,000 girls who auditioned at "Avex dream 2000".



For Avex Trax, the creation of dream was a passing of the torch initiated by female idol groups who brought EuroBeat to the masses. From Amuro Namie and the Super Monkeys to MAX, D&D, Folder and several others.

The trio released it's first CD single on January 1st titled "Movin' On" and from 2000-2002, the trio released a total of 14 CD singles.



It was on February 13th with the release of the group's 14th Maxi Single "MUSIC IS MY THING" that the 2nd generation of dream began and the group became more pop oriented.



With original member Matsumuro Mai graduating from the group, the groups numbers increased to eight with the addition of Ai Risa, Abe Erie, Takamoto Aya, Nakashima Ami, Nishida Shizuka and Yamamoto Sayaka.



As many may have made comparisons between dream with another female idol group with large numbers, the group went through another change a year later with member Ai Risa leaving the group, thus making dream to a seven member group.



From here on in, seven has become somewhat of a significant number for the group.



Seven years as a group and on January 1, 2007, celebrating their seventh anniversary with the release of "7th Anniversary Best" and "Greatest Live Hits".



"7th Anniversary Best" features 26 songs from their first CD single "Movin' On" (2000) to "Transit -independence-" (2005) and a special anniversary track titled "Dreaming Way".



With three different releases, a 2-CD album a 2-CD+DVD album and a limited edition version that comes with a photobook.



For dream fans, this album is indeed the ultimate collection. You get every CD single release and songs that were released from dream's concept albums "BOY MEETS GIRL" and "Natsuiro".



For anime fans, your favorite songs by dream featured on anime such as "Inuyasha", "Hikaru no Go", "Ichigo 100%", "Asobotto Senki Goku" are on this best album.



And if you buy the version that comes included with a DVD, you get to see all 19 music videos (2000-2006) from the group.



I could remember the first music video from dream and I have to admit that the original video is a bit cheesy but to watch the original members from way back in 2000 and to see how dream evolved over the years is pretty cool.



Most of all, to see how the production quality of the music videos had improved over time.



I was very impressed with the last two videos on the DVD such as "Kono natsu ga Owaru Maeni' which features a love lost through tragedy and "Transit -independence", trying to move on after the tragedy and to have a new love.



As for contents, the CD book features a few photos, discography and lyrics. Also, included is a "7th Anniversary Best" card featuring a member from dream and a little flyer showing information on the group's website.



There are many positives of why to buy the 2-CD+DVD version of "7th Anniversary Best". With some best albums, you are always missing a song but in this case, all CD singles are included with a few extras and the full DVD with all of their PV's, can't beat that!



If you are a dream fan or someone who wants to make their first dream purchase, this best album has it all."