Album Review: "Crossroad ~ history of fade" by fade

Band: fade

Album: Crossroad ~ history of fade
Release Date: 26/02/2014
Tracks: 16
JRB rating: ☀☀☀☀☼
Official Website
Buy: CDJapan (Regular and Limited)

YesAsia (Regular and Limited)

Fade's first major album release is a best of album. However, the CD contains three new songs in Japanese. First up is “Cross Road”. There is also an English version of this song, which was released on the “Crossroad” single on iTunes. Like in most of fade's songs, there is a strong message. There are many cross roads in our lives but we have to trust our hearts and follow our dreams before it is too late. The music itself is very fade-like. It has a steady pace but slowly builds up to “explode” right before the chorus.

The second new song is called “ユレノナカ” (Yure no Naka) and has a heavier atmosphere than “Cross Road”. It has a sadder tone and has a similar music style as “Pain Inside” from their 2012 album “天～TEN～”. It's not completely the same since the band keeps on experimenting. The diversity keeps their albums interesting.

The third song is “One Shot Dealer”. This song was produced by Akira Yamaoka, who is best known for creating the music in the Silent Hill series. “One Shot Dealer” sounds like it could be the soundtrack for a movie or game. It also has the heaviest sound of the three new songs.

After the new songs, the old ones are placed in the order they were released. We start with “Beautiful” and “She” from the 2005 album “Moment of Truth” and end with “Ever Free”, “Close To You (JP)” and “Ten” from album “天～TEN～”. Unless you have the Limited Edition, then you have fade's cover of “Livin' on a Prayer” as a bonus track.

I can recommend this album to people who already know and love fade, but also to those who don't know them yet. You will get to know fade's history. It shows how much they have grown as a band over the years. Their style is constantly evolving and it's exciting to hear what they come up with next.