X-RAY shout CI-31
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Artist = X-RAY
Title = shout
Label = CONTINENTAL
Catalog# = CI-31
Barcode = none
Release = JAPAN
Year = 1984
RPM = 33rpm
Disc Size = 12"
Number of Discs = 1
Mono/Stereo = stereo
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A New Dimension of Melody: X-Ray’s ‘Shout!’ (CI-31)
Let’s explore the third full-length album from Japanese melodic metal pioneers X-Ray, titled “Shout!”. Released on December 5, 1984, via the Continental label (Teichiku Records), this 12-inch vinyl LP carries the catalog number CI-31. This particular copy includes the original obi strip.
Following their first two albums and the “Outsider” mini-album (which introduced him), “Shout!” was the first full-length to feature the band as a five-piece, permanently adding keyboardist Takahiro Fujiyama to the lineup. This addition significantly impacted their sound, adding depth, texture, and a more pronounced melodic and pop sensibility, moving them towards a polished hard-pop or American-influenced hard rock style.
The album features a collection of highly melodic and catchy tracks, showcasing a refined sound with a polished production. The newly added keyboards are prominent, complementing the band’s signature elements: soaring clean vocals, and the skillful, song-oriented guitar playing of Shin Yuasa, who continues to deliver tasteful, melodic phrases. Bassist Takafumi Usui also stepped up as a songwriter on this release. Highlights often cited by fans include the anthemic opener “Stardust Way,” the dynamic “Anyday! Anytime!,” and the standout ballad “Tell Me About Yourself,” which became a major live favorite.
While some fans of their rawer debut noted the shift towards a poppier, more “American” sound, “Shout!” (CI-31) is widely regarded as a high-quality album showcasing the band’s musical evolution and maturity. It successfully shed any remaining unpolished feel, achieving a major-label sound that propelled their popularity. It remains a key release for fans of sophisticated, 80s melodic J-Rock.