[Review] Yellow Gold 3011 DVD Review

A much awaited solo concert for fans of Akanishi especially and also from fans Johnny’s Entertainment. Most of Akanishi’s fan have been following his development of being a very talented talent as a product of Johnny’s Entertainment starting off as back dancers and now he has grew to be a solo artist and trying his luck being an international talent. The concert was recorded at the Saitama Super Arena.

The concert started off with a montage with Akanishi’s voice over saying:

“I’m sitting here today because of the decisions I’ve made.

So these are my last words for all of you I’ve “betrayed”.

The ones who love it, when I fit their mold,

who scream and cry now saying “he’s out of control”.

Since I can remember you’ve told me what to do.

The way I talk, the way I act, the way I tie my shoe.

But even then I knew I had the right to decide.

Scared of punishment I hid it deep inside.

And if I’m exiled for my sins then fxxx it.

Cause I no longer want to be anyone’s puppet.”

Then followed by the legendary WB logo. The words are very ‘Jin’ and he as much as he can to not try to cover and make his words clean. But that is expected from Akanishi anyways. The opening song was a remixed version of Yellow Gold, and Akanishi came to the stage in a bubble and as if he was a robot (it seems like it), personally, I think the bubble and robotic act is a metaphors for what his life used to be.

The setting of the concert is very futuristic, the dynamics between Akanishi and the dancers and also the dancers themselves are good. The usage of stage is not bad and the set list is as per written below. One thing though, the songs are not bad, the lyrics are quite nice really, maybe it’s just me but for someone who possesses such a nice voice, why abuse the use of the voice changer.

In my opinion the best songs in this concert would be ‘Eternal’, ‘care’, ‘Murasaki’ and ‘A page’ which if I’m not mistaken, are his older songs from when he was younger. Maybe because I’m not much of a disco/techno fan, but these songs really brings out the singer in him. His voice is brilliant and the hint of sexy and seduction is just right. Akanishi also finally shows the dancer that he has always been. His backup dancers are not bad, but I’ve seen better dancing. I maybe a little biased but the ladies dancer seemed to be too flirty and not dancing as much. Joey Tee on the other hand over shadowed the other dancers. The other dancers are quite good really. Saying this as a fan of both Joey Tee and Akanishi, these two boys had danced much better in their junior years.

The song ‘Paparats’ depict the paparazzi that haunts and dictate the smallest mistakes that are made by talents and artists. The opening uses the much famed picture of Akanishi drinking and partying. Still, the use of voice changer overpowers the power of his voice. ‘Eternal’ was used as the closing of the concert and it was just brilliant. It brings tears to my eyes.

The set list:

1. Yellow Gold (remix)

2. Christmas Morning

3. Magnitude

4. Bass Go Boom

5. I.N.P

6. Oowah

7. Body Talk

8. care

9. ムラサキ(Murasaki)

10. A Page

11. LOVEJUICE

12. Paparats

13. Hey Girl

14. Pin Dom

15. WONDER

16. The Fifth Season

17. Yellow Gold

18. My MP3

19. Tipsy Love

20. Eternal

Over all the show was not bad, but I’m a little disappointed with the lack of real singing by Akanishi. It is unfair for me to compare his solo performance with his performance before but I bet he could do much better without the voice changer. He has a lovely voice. He has the style and he has so much potential. Maybe he is still keeping in his fangs and not showing his true potential yet. Maybe he is waiting for the right time to boom for the international industry. For this DVD, I’ll give him a sorry two out of five (2/5).

The DVD comes in three (3) editions:

Limited Edition A (2DVDS) (cdjapan/ yesasia/ Amazon Japan/ HMV Japan/ Tower Records)
DISC1: "Yellow Gold Tour 3011" @ Saitama Super Arena (120 min)
DISC2: Triumph tour documentary, Jin Akanishi long interview, US tour digest clip (25 minutes)
+ mini poster

Limited Edition B(DVD + photobook) (cdjapan/ yesasia/ Amazon Japan/ HMV Japan/ Tower Records)
DVD: "Yellow Gold Tour 3011" @ Saitama Super Arena (120 min)
Photobook: 39P Hardcover (Original shot photos + live + interview)

and

Regular Edition (DVD) (cdjapan/ yesasia/ Amazon Japan/ HMV Japan/ Tower Records)
DVD: "Yellow Gold Tour 3011" @ Saitama Super Arena (120 min)
+ mini poster

I believe he will do much better in the future though.

以上、
～ieja-ちゃん でした。

Note: Links are directed straight to the appropriate editions.