This album is a hidden "best-of" collection selected by Tatsuro Yamashita himself, featuring rare recordings that have not been included in any albums. These include singles released only as singles, coupling tracks, unreleased self-covers, and more.

Highlights include:
- <2> (2001), a song tied to an NTT campaign, expressing longing to hear a loved one's voice even if unable to meet.
- <3>, an upbeat number with a colorful horn section, written as the ending theme for Fuji TV's program "Sata★Suma" (first time on CD).
- <4>, a self-cover of a song originally provided to KinKi Kids, performed lightly and breezily.
- <9>, a song imagining future dreams while basking in morning sunlight, from the B-side of the 1991 single "Sayonara Natsu no Hi."
- <15>, a version transformed into a wistful, acoustic guitar solo with a moody atmosphere, from a 1998 single.

A wide range of classic songs from various eras have been reimagined with fresh vitality and vibrant sound quality. (Takako Takemura)

Media Coverage and Reviews:
The joy of an album review lies in providing a perspective (or interpretation) that the artist themselves might not see or notice. From this viewpoint, an artist like Tatsuro Yamashita, who meticulously handles track explanations and production details, can be somewhat challenging for critics. There is a risk of falling into discussions about whether our interpretation aligns with the artist’s intent.

As the title "RARITIES" suggests, this album compiles rare tracks—singles-only works, B-sides, unreleased self-covers, and other recordings not included in previous albums. In that sense, it offers the pleasure of tracing Yamashita’s journey over the past 20 years from a slightly behind perspective.

According to Yamashita himself, none of the tracks are simply re-recordings of previously unreleased songs; rather, they have been carefully refined and edited with his perfectionist attention to detail. It is undeniable that his current "now" is condensed into these versions, transcending mere nostalgia.

It is also well known that Yamashita has maintained a strong attachment to certain genres from the 1960s and early 1970s, and this consistency is reflected here. However, upon listening to the entire collection, I noticed—and once again felt—that as the sound is polished and refined, the impact of the original lyrics diminishes, giving a sense of "the times" passing. Compared to the rapid consumption of music as a disposable commodity today, the fading of words over time seems even more pronounced.

For his next challenge, perhaps he should consider how to approach the lyrics themselves. (Hisahito Aikura) — November 2002 issue — Content (from "CD Journal Review")
A collection of previously unreleased recordings, including singles, B-sides, and self-covers, plus new tracks, that had not been compiled into an album before. The first edition is a two-disc set with karaoke (stacks of tracks) on the second disc, so be sure to get it before it’s gone.

— Content (from "CD Journal" database)

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