Perfume: Complete Best

{{Infobox album

| name = Perfume: Complete Best

| type = compilation

| artist = Perfume

| cover = Perfume -Complete Best-.jpg

| alt =

| caption = Cardboard sleeve and digital artwork.

| released = August 2, 2006{{cite web | title=Perfume ~Complete Best~| url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/325277/products/661847/1/|publisher=Oricon |accessdate=August 4, 2022}}
February 14, 2007 (re-release){{cite web | title=Perfume ~Complete Best~ (07.02)| url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/325277/products/690770/1/|publisher=Oricon |accessdate=August 4, 2022}}

| recorded = 2003–2006; Contemode Studio, Tokyo, Japan

| venue =

| studio =

| genre = J-pop

| length = 50:47

| label = Tokuma Japan Communications

| producer = Yasutaka Nakata

| prev_title =

| prev_year =

| next_title = Game

| next_year = 2008

| misc = {{Singles

| name = Perfume: Complete Best

| type = compilation

| single1 = Linear Motor Girl

| single1date = September 21, 2005

| single2 = Computer City

| single2date = January 11, 2006

| single3 = Electro World

| single3date = June 28, 2006

}}

}}

Perfume: Complete Best (stylized as Perfume ~Complete Best~) is the first greatest hits album{{refn|group=nb|Perfume (Complete Best) is officially considered to be the first studio album by the group according to their management Amuse and their then-record label Tokuma Japan Communications. However, this is technically Perfume's first greatest hits album or compilation album, compiling their singles and at least one B-side track from them overall, from Sweet Donuts (2003) up to Electro World (2006).}} by Japanese girl group Perfume. It was released on August 2, 2006 by Tokuma Japan Communications. The greatest hits album includes work released from their previous record label Bee-hive Records, and previous work with Tokuma Japan Communications. The album also included b-side and one newly recorded track. It was released in three different formats; a CD and DVD bundle, a digital release, and a double 12-inch vinyl LP. The LP was released through Perfume's February 2016 box set Perfume Complete LP Box, and a singular limited release.

Upon its release, Perfume: Complete Best was met with generally positive reviews from music critics. Many critics admitted their disapproval of the album's material at first, but retrospectively commended the album's composition and production. Commercially, Perfume: Complete Best was a moderate success. The album reached number 33 on Japan's Oricon Albums Chart, whilst a limited edition reached number 66. After Perfume's 2008 debut studio album Game reached the top of the Oricon Albums Chart, Perfume: Complete Best reached number 25 on the same chart.

Background

In 2003, following their graduation from the Actors School in Hiroshima, Perfume moved to Tokyo to further establish themselves as a musical project. There, they became a part of Bee-Hive and signed with the management office Amuse, Inc.{{cite web | title=宇多丸×掟対談【第1章 出会い】| url=http://blog.yomiuri.co.jp/popstyle/2007/10/post_fefc.html|publisher=Yomiuri Online Pop Style Blog |accessdate=February 22, 2016}} In Tokyo, they met Japanese producer and Capsule member Yasutaka Nakata; Bee-Hive later hired Nakata to produce the groups beginning material.{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/367245-Yasutaka-Nakata|title=Yasutaka Nakata Discography|publisher=Discogs.com|accessdate=February 12, 2016}} Between the years of 2003 and 2004, Nakata produced three singles; "Sweet Donuts", "Monochrome Effect", and "Vitamin Drop" under Bee-Hive Records.{{cite AV media notes |title=Sweet Donuts|others=Perfume|year=2003|type=Liner notes|publisher=Bee-Hive Records|id=BEHV-0006|location=Japan}}{{cite AV media notes |title=Monochrome Effect|others=Perfume|year=2004|type=Liner notes|publisher=Bee-Hive Records|id=BEHV-0008|location=Japan}}{{cite AV media notes |title=Vitamin Drop|others=Perfume|year=2004|type=Liner notes|publisher=Tokuma Japan Communications|id=BEHV-0009|location=Japan}} Commercially, none of the singles were particularly successful prior to their release, barely scraping the top 100 on Japan's Oricon Singles Chart.{{cite web|author=Oricon Style|author-link=Oricon|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/325277/products/519485/1/|title=Perfume – Sweet Donuts|publisher=Oricon|date=August 3, 2003|accessdate=February 22, 2016}}{{cite web|author=Oricon Style|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/325277/products/537284/2/|title=Perfume – Monochrome Effect|publisher=Oricon|date=March 17, 2004|accessdate=February 22, 2016}}{{cite web|author=Oricon Style|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/325277/products/565617/1/|title=Perfume – Vitamin Drop|publisher=Oricon|date=September 8, 2004|accessdate=February 22, 2016}}

Because of the lack of success from the first three singles, Bee-Hive Records decided to release Perfume and give them to Tokuma Japan Communications for bigger prospects.{{cite web|author=Robson, Daniel|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2012/05/18/music/will-the-world-soon-wake-up-to-the-scent-of-perfume/|title=Will the world soon wake up to the scent of Perfume?|publisher=The Japan Times|date=May 18, 2012|accessdate=February 22, 2016}} Working with Nakata through Tokuma Japan Communications and Contemode (his label with Yahama Music Communications), the collaboration spawned a series of singles including "Linear Motor Girl", "Computer City", and "Electro World".{{cite AV media notes |title=Linear Motor Girl|others=Perfume|year=2006|type=Liner notes|publisher=Tokuma Japan Communications|id=TKCA-72902P|location=Japan}}{{cite AV media notes |title=Computer City|others=Perfume|year=2006|type=Liner notes|publisher=Tokuma Japan Communications|id=TKCA-72971|location=Japan}}{{cite AV media notes |title=Electro World|others=Perfume|year=2006|type=Liner notes|publisher=Tokuma Japan Communications|id=TKCA-73017|location=Japan}} The result was slightly more successful, giving Perfume their first three top 100 singles and one top 50 with "Computer City".{{cite web|author=Oricon Style|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/325277/products/614704/1/|title=Perfume – Linear Motor Girl|publisher=Oricon|date=September 21, 2005|accessdate=February 22, 2016}}{{cite web|author=Oricon Style|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/325277/products/629011/1/|title=Perfume – Computer City|publisher=Oricon|date=January 11, 2006|accessdate=February 22, 2016}}{{cite web|author=Oricon Style|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/325277/products/646868/1/|title=Perfume – Electro World|publisher=Oricon|date=June 28, 2006|accessdate=February 22, 2016}} In July 2006, Perfume confirmed they would release a compilation album consisting of one new recording, plus their previous work.{{cite web|author=CD Journal Staff|url=http://www.cdjournal.com/main/news/perfume/12372|title=テクノ・アイドル"Perfume"、メジャー第1弾アルバムを発表!|publisher=CD Journal|date=July 31, 2006|accessdate=February 22, 2016}}

Composition

Perfume: Complete Best is an electronic dance album that borrows numerous musical elements including technopop, electro house and J-pop.{{cite web|author=CD Journal Staff|url=http://artist.cdjournal.com/d/perfume---complete-best--/4106060429|title=Perfume / Perfume: Complete Best [CD + DVD]|publisher=CD Journal|date=August 8, 2006|accessdate=February 22, 2016}}{{cite web|author=Greg|url=http://selective-hearing.com/perfume-complete-best|title=Perfume – Perfume: Complete Best|publisher=Selective Hearing|date=August 8, 2006|accessdate=February 22, 2016}}{{cite web|author=Channel Ai Staff|url=http://www.channel-ai.com/blog/2008/03/17/perfume-complete-best/|title=Perfume – Perfume: Complete Best|publisher=Channel Ai|date=March 17, 2008|accessdate=February 22, 2016}}{{cite web|author=Amazon Japan Staff|url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/Perfume-Complete-Best-Perfume/dp/B000LPRLEM|title=Perfume – Perfume: Complete Best|publisher=Amazon Japan|date=August 8, 2006|accessdate=February 22, 2016}} According to staff reviews from CD Journal and Greg from Selective Hearing, every track includes electronic music elements; Greg commented "Everything but the last track is an uptempo, happy pop kind of song. You figure hearing 11 tracks of that kind of music would be annoying but it’s not. There’s enough variety in each track to make the journey worthwhile." Perfume: Complete Best includes singles released from their previous record label Bee-hive Records ("Sweet Donuts", "Monochrome Effect", "Vitamin Drop"), and previous work with Tokuma Japan Communications ("Linear Motor Girl", "Computer City", "Electro World").{{cite AV media notes |title=Perfume: Complete Best|others=Perfume|year=2006|type=Liner notes|publisher=Tokuma Japan Communications|id=TKCA-73167|location=Japan}} The album features four b-side tracks from their previous singles; "Inryoku", "Foundation", "Computer Driving", "Perfume", and "Wonder2", and one new song; "Perfect Star Perfect Style".

Release and packaging

Perfume: Complete Best was released in three different formats on August 2, 2006 by Tokuma Japan Communications. The CD and DVD format features the twelve tracks in a jewel case and a bonus DVD that includes music videos to "Linear Motor Girl", "Computer City", "Electro World", and "Vitamin Drop". First press editions including an obi and a cardboard sleeve case. A limited edition CD and DVD format features the twelve tracks, and a bonus DVD includes music videos to "Linear Motor Girl", "Computer City", "Electro World", and "Vitamin Drop".{{cite AV media notes |title=Perfume: Complete Best|others=Perfume|year=2006|type=Liner notes|publisher=Tokuma Japan Communications|id=TKCA-73086|location=Japan}} It was published in a jewel case with some editions with a cardboard sleeve; First press editions included an obi. The final format was a digital release that was released in Japan only on that same release date.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/jp/album/perfume-complete-best/657660761|title=Perfume: Complete Best – Album – By Perfume|publisher=iTunes Store Japan|date=April 2, 2006|access-date=February 22, 2016|language=Japanese}} One cover sleeve for Perfume: Complete Best has Perfume inside a white room, posing towards the camera. This booklet was featured on all three formats.

In February 2012, the group had signed a record contract with Universal Music Japan after leaving Tokuma Japan Communications to record their third album JPN.{{Cite web|title =Perfume世界展開に向けレーベル移籍!今春CM曲リリース |publisher=Natalie |date=February 28, 2012|url=http://natalie.mu/music/news/65241 |accessdate=February 28, 2012 |language=Japanese}} They signed a global record contract with Universal Music Group to release JPN globally, but received rights by Tokuma Communications to release their discography globally, and Perfume: Complete Best was subsequently released worldwide in March 2012 digitally.{{cite web|url=http://www.perfume-global.com/whatsnew_01.html|title=Album JPN now available at iTunes Music Store|publisher=Perfume's Official International Site|accessdate=August 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120413144959/http://perfume-global.com/whatsnew_01.html|archive-date=April 13, 2012|url-status=dead}} In November 2015, Perfume and Universal (with publishing rights from Tokuma and Crown Tokuma) announced the re-release of all their studio albums, including Perfume: Complete Best, in the form of vinyl LPs in a collective 0box set.{{cite web |author=Shemue, Alex|url=http://perfumedisco.com/perfume-complete-lp-box-featuring-all-of-perfumes-albums-on-vinyl-announced/|title=Perfume Complete LP Box featuring all of Perfume's albums on Vinyl announced!|publisher=Perfume Disco|date=November 2, 2015|accessdate=February 20, 2016}} The LP edition of Perfume: Complete Best was released in two editions; part of the box set entitled Perfume Complete LP Box, and a limited edition singular release on February 17, 2016.{{cite AV media notes |title=Perfume: Complete Best|others=Perfume|year=2016|type=Vinyl; Liner notes|publisher=Crown Tokuma|id=TKJA-10061|location=Japan}}{{cite AV media notes |title=Perfume Complete LP Box|others=Perfume|year=2016|type=Vinyl; Liner notes|publisher=Crown Tokuma|id=TKJA-10066|location=Japan}}{{cite web |author=CD Japan Staff|url=http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/TKJA-10061|title=Perfume: Complete Best – Perfume|publisher=CD Japan|date=February 17, 2016|accessdate=February 20, 2016}}{{cite web |author=CD Japan Staff|url=http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/TKJA-10066|title=Perfume Complete LP Box – Perfume|publisher=CD Japan|date=February 17, 2016|accessdate=February 20, 2016}}

Critical reception

{{Music ratings

| rev1 = Amazon Japan

| rev1score = (positive)

| rev2 = CDJournal

| rev2score = (positive)

| rev3 = Channel-Ai

| rev3score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}

| rev4 = Selective Hearing

| rev4score = (positive)

}}

Perfume: Complete Best received favourable reviews from most music critics. A reviewer from Channel-Ai awarded the album three-and-a-half stars out of five. The reviewer stated "For people who just can’t stand techno, Perfume won’t be to their liking no matter how catchy the songs are. However, for those who find electronica tolerable or enjoyable, Perfume will be a group to their liking." The reviewer concluded, "Even though it is a best of collection, the album has a sense of continuity. Despite having misses in this album, particularly amongst the not so stellar b-sides included, Perfume: Complete Best remains an{{sic |nolink=yes}} unique and enjoyable j-pop experience." A reviewer from CD Journal was positive, who commended the album's different mixture of genres and the groups "techno-idol" image.

Greg from Selective Hearing was fairly positive, though he stated "I only have one issue with this group. That has to do with the processed vocals in some of the songs. When the effect is on I can’t really tell who’s singing. I find it a little distracting, but not enough to make me hit the stop button." In conclusion, he stated "This is a great album & a perfect introduction to their music. I’m glad I gave them another shot." A reviewer from Amazon Japan was positive, who highlighted "Linear Motor Girl", "Computer City", and "Electro World" as the album's best tracks.

Commercial performances

The standard format of Perfume: Complete Best debuted at number 53 on the Japanese Daily Oricon Albums Chart.{{cite web | script-title=ja:香水リリース一覧 |trans-title=List of Perfume's Releases |url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/325277/products/ |language=Japanese | work=Oricon | accessdate=January 5, 2015}} This resulted in the album debuting at number 66 the Japanese Weekly Oricon Albums Chart.{{cite web|author=Oricon Style|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/325277/products/661847/1/|title=Perfume – Perfume: Complete Best|publisher=Oricon|date=August 14, 2006|accessdate=February 22, 2016}}{{cite web|author=Oricon Style|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/ja/w/2006-08-14/|title=Oricon Weekly Album Chart – Week August 14, 2006|publisher=Oricon|date=August 14, 2006|accessdate=February 22, 2016}} The album lasted four weeks in the top 300 chart, and sold an estimated 6,672 by 2006.{{cite web | title=オリコンランキング情報サービス「you大樹」 |trans-title=Oricon Ranking Information Service 'You Big Tree' | url=http://ranking.oricon.co.jp |language=Japanese | work=Oricon |url-access=subscription | accessdate=May 21, 2014}} After Perfume's 2008 debut studio album Game reached the top of the Oricon Albums Chart, Perfume: Complete Best reached number 25 on the same chart.{{cite web|author=Oricon Style|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/325277/products/690770/1/|title=Perfume – Perfume: Complete Best|publisher=Oricon|date=May 19, 2008|accessdate=February 22, 2016}}{{cite web|author=Oricon Style|url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/ja/w/2008-05-19/|title=Oricon Weekly Album Chart – Week May 19, 2008|publisher=Oricon|date=May 19, 2008|accessdate=February 22, 2016}} The album spent over 100 weeks in the top 300 chart, and sold over 170,000 units by 2008. Recognized as a single release by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ), Perfume: Complete Best sold over 177,000 units in Japan and was certified platinum by RIAJ for physical shipments of 250,000 units in that region.{{cite web | title=ゴールド等認定作品一覧 2015年4月 |trans-title=Works Receiving Certifications List (Gold, etc) (April 2015) | url=http://www.riaj.or.jp/data/others/gold/201504.html | publisher=Recording Industry Association of Japan |language=Japanese | date=May 15, 2015 | accessdate=May 15, 2015}}

Concert tours

Whilst promoting Game and amidst its 2008 release, Perfume went on two promotional tours to promote both Game and Perfume: Complete Best; the Seventh Heaven tour at the Liquidroom in Japan, and the Perfume Socks Fix Makes Tour in Shibyua, Tokyo.{{cite web|author=Hiraga, Tetsuo|url=http://www.hotexpress.co.jp/live_report/perfume_071108/|title=Perfume Seventh Heaven Tour: Live Report|publisher=Hot Express|date=November 8, 2007|accessdate=February 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305013235/http://www.hotexpress.co.jp/live_report/perfume_071108/|archive-date=March 5, 2016|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|author=Hiraga, Tetsuo|url=http://www.hotexpress.co.jp/live_report/perfume_080212/|title=Perfume Socks Fixs Make: Live Report|publisher=Hot Express|date=November 8, 2007|accessdate=February 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405084046/http://www.hotexpress.co.jp/live_report/perfume_080212/|archive-date=April 5, 2016|url-status=dead}} For the Seventh Heaven tour, the album tracks: "Computer Driving", "Computer City", "Perfect Star Perfect Style", "Sweet Donuts", "Perfume", "Wonder2", and other tracks "Oishii Recipe", "Imitation World", "Counter Attraction", "Kareshi Boshuuchuu", "Jenny wa Gokigen Naname", and "Attraction" were included on the set list. The tour received positive reviews from music critics; Tetuso Hiraga from Hot Express commended the tour, praising certain tracks and the overall stage production. For the Socks Fix Makes, the album tracks: "Electro World", "Sweet Donuts", "Foundation", "Perfect Star Perfect Style", "Computer City", "Perfume", "Wonder2", and the b-side tracks "Oishii Recipe", and "Imitation World" were included on the set list. The tour received positive reviews from music critics; Hiraga felt the Shibuya concert was an improvement from the Seventh Heaven tour, and commended the sufficiency in material.

Track listing

{{Track listing

| all_writing = Yasutaka Nakata; lyrics for tracks 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 by Emi Kinoko

| headline = CD

| title1 = Perfect Star Perfect Style

| note1 = {{nihongo2|パーフェクトスター・パーフェクトスタイル}}; Pāfekuto Sutā Pāfekuto Sutairu

| length1 = 4:18

| title2 = Linear Motor Girl

| note2 = {{Nihongo2|リニアモーターガール}}; Rinia Mōtā Gāru

| length2 = 4:07

| title3 = Computer City

| note3 = {{nihongo2|コンピューターシティ}}; Konpyūtā Shiti

| length3 = 4:45

| title4 = Electro World

| note4 = {{Nihongo2|エレクトロ・ワールド}}; Erekutoro Wārudo

| length4 = 4:21

| title5 = Inryoku

| note5 = {{Nihongo2|引力}}; Inryoku

| length5 = 3:35

| title6 = Monochrome Effect

| note6 = {{Nihongo2|モノクロームエフェクト}}; Monokurōmu Efekuto

| length6 = 4:17

| title7 = Vitamin Drop

| note7 = {{Nihongo2|ビタミンドロップ}}; Bitamin Doroppu

| length7 = 4:55

| title8 = Sweet Donuts

| note8 = {{Nihongo2|スウィートドーナッツ}}; {{lang|ja-Latn|Suwīto Dōnattsu}}

| length8 = 2:57

| title9 = Foundation

| note9 = {{nihongo2|ファンデーション}}; {{lang|ja-Latn|Fandēshon}}

| length9 = 3:57

| title10 = Computer Driving

| note10 = {{nihongo2|コンピュータードライビング}}; {{lang|ja-Latn|Konpyūtā Doraibingu}}

| length10 = 4:26

| title11 = Perfume

| length11 = 5:15

| title12 = Wonder2

| length12 = 3:49

| total_length =

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Regular edition DVD

| title1 = Linear Motor Girl

| length1 = 4:31

| title2 = Computer City

| length2 = 3:43

| title3 = Electro World

| length3 = 4:06

| title4 = Vitamin Drop

| length4 = 4:01

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Limited edition DVD

| title1 = Linear Motor Girl

| length1 = 4:31

| title2 = Computer City

| length2 = 3:43

| title3 = Electro World

| length3 = 4:06

| title4 = Monochrome Effect

| length4 = 4:29

}}

=All formats=

  • Standard CD and DVD – Consists of twelve songs on one disc, and four music videos.
  • First pressing standard CD and DVD – Consists of twelve songs on one disc, and four music videos. First pressing issues include a bonus obi strip and a cardboard sleeve case.{{cite web |author=CD Japan Staff|url=http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/TKCA-73167|title=Perfume: Complete Best [Regular Edition] by Perfume|publisher=CD Japan|date=August 2, 2006|accessdate=February 22, 2016}}
  • Limited CD and DVD – Consists of twelve songs on one disc, and four different music videos.
  • First pressing limited CD and DVD – Consists of twelve songs on one disc, and four different music videos. First pressing issues include a bonus obi strip and a cardboard sleeve case.{{cite web |author=CD Japan Staff|url=http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/TKJA-10061|title=Perfume: Complete Best [Limited Edition] by Perfume|publisher=CD Japan|date=August 2, 2006|accessdate=February 22, 2016}}
  • LP – Consists of six tracks on one vinyl disc, and another six tracks on the second.
  • Digital download – Consists of twelve songs on one disc.

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Perfume: Complete Best.

  • Ayano Ōmoto (Nocchi) – lead vocals, background vocals
  • Ayaka Nishiwaki (A-Chan) – lead vocals, background vocals
  • Yuka Kashino (Kashiyuka) – lead vocals, background vocals
  • Yasutaka Nakata – song writing, producing, composing, arranging, engineer, mixing, recorded by
  • Emi Kinoko – song writing
  • Bee-Hive Records – Perfume's previous record label
  • Tokuma Japan Communications – Perfume's distribution and record label
  • Universal Music Japan – Perfume's 2012–present label; distribution co-rights
  • Contemode – Nakata's distribution label, co-rights
  • Yamaha Music Communications – Nakata's distribution label, co-rights

Charts

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"

!Chart (2006–2009)

!Peak
position

scope="row"|Japan Daily Albums Chart (Oricon)

|align="center"|15

scope="row"|Japan Weekly Albums Chart (Oricon)

|align="center"|24

scope="row"|Japan Monthly Albums Chart (Oricon)

|align="center"|36

Certifications

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|type=album|artist=Perfume|title=Perfume ~ Complete Best ~|award=Platinum|relyear=2008|certyear=2015|certmonth=4}}

{{Certification Table Bottom | nosales=true}}

Notes

{{reflist|group=nb}}

References

{{Reflist|2}}