It's no surprise that I like TEEN TOP to a degree. I featured them in the first segment of my ongoing series of K-pop that could make it in the U.S. for their song "Super Luv" it's also no secret that I'm a huge fan of old school K-pop. So I was happily surprised when I saw the teaser for their new single "Don't spray perfume" . The video that caught my ear was the R&B version of the song below
from the start I was taken back to the 90's with the tinny guitar chords with the smooth melody and old school drum beat (man the 90s were good times). This song would be a welcome break from the extremely autotuned "electro" and "techno" type of music that seems to be all the rage these last couple of years ( and still raging on).
I had been secretly wishing that someone would bring out a old school type song ( * cough*Jang Woo Hyuk* cough) to no avail. Maybe the fact that Eric ( from old school band Shinhwa) who had a hand in forming TEEN TOP had an influence of this song's direction?
Even the cover eludes back to the old school days when groups(both female and male) often wore the same outfit sometimes in different colors. Bold colors were also very prominent in the 90's (something the younger generation makes fun of).
The next day they released another version of the same song this "cool" version sounds very much like the electronic pop of today and I'm pretty sure ( and dissapointed) that this will be the version they will make their comeback with. I can only hope that they will perform the R&B version and bring old skool back!!!
What's wrong with this picture? How long have fans been complaining that there has been a lack of creativity in Idol's images and music, tired of the same old same old? So why are fans complaining? Wouldn't a unusual style like this make your beloved idol standout among the clones?
Or is it a double standard? Its ok for female Idols to dress in strange colors and costumes but wrong if a male attempts the same? What do you think? (no really what do you think?)
I personally like the photo it sure did attract my eye (which I'm pretty sure is it's purpose). I can only hope the album this photo is promoting is just as interesting.
I was admittedly excited when Tony An mentioned he would release a new mini album, his first since his return from the Army. So I ordered it as soon as I could and got the one that came with a poster.
After I went and picked up my package from the post office (-_-) and opened the package I was pleased with the quality of the packaging. Despite being a mini album the cd wasn't housed in a regular cd case but a small book like case with a little photo booklet of high quality photos of Tony An glued in (so it cant be lost I assume) even the cd had a nice design on it.
I know that I am more than likely in the minority on the theme of this mini album. As an occasional ten gallon hat wearer myself, I appreciate when others take the style and use it as a theme for a non country based music single. Also in the world of k-pop where everything is fashion based Tony An's theme stood out like a green dot on a red sheet of paper which is probably what he wanted.
As for the tracks this mini album is a big departure from his previous works like Believe (1st album) and Yutzpracachia's Love (2nd album) where his commercial hits had a more sad/smooth sound with the exception of "Melody" (which was pop rock). The title track "Top Star" is incredibly upbeat with its simple melody and almost completely synthesized music is most definitely meant to be a pop dance song. I do like the fact that they try to make it more interesting adding layers of digitized drum loops and background vocals and I detected a disco beat in the bridge before Tony's rap section. Sadly like usual I didn't really enjoy the title track I guess I was expecting a more deeper or thoughtful song but it came out just in time to be a fun spring/summer song. Also I must admit is great to see him perform it with the dances it seems to brighten the audiences mood.
After Top Star is Truble Maker that's right Truble not trouble. Tony changes it up again going in the pop rock direction like "Melody". The chorus of the song is were I think Tony shines greatly (except the I'm so trouble maker part ). Lastly Thank You feat. Simon D is an interesting song music wise. I like how it starts off with marching drums and a piano medley and the the background drums speed up which is usual (to have a fast beat with a slow piano medley) on the chorus Tony's vocal tone reminded me of his older works which is a plus for me. The following track is not a new song but a remix of his single I am going to see youright now that he released after leaving the army. The original version of this song gives you a feel of some of Tony's older works if you haven't heard any. The remix however tried to "update" it adding in the high pitched synthesizers taking away the surprising smoothness the original had. I would recommend you give the original a listen. The last track is the instrumental version of Top Star which I didn't think would be interesting at all but was slightly surprised. In the instrumental it is easier to hear the layers of synth and digital drums and the work that was put into the song.
The mini album as a whole is a definite departure from his old style its too early to see if he will stay completely with this new style of music but hopefully he'll release a song or two in his previous styles that gained him so many fans.
Recently the group 4MEN made their comeback to positive fanfare and its no surprise why when you hear the vocals on the tracks. Their intro track to their new album The Artist should have been a song (a full length one) with its high quality vocals and soulful but low key music. If this was a full length song I do believe that they could have a success with this song on U.S. Radio.
Why it may succeed in the U.S
The entire song (all 54 seconds) is in English which is an aspect that alot of international fans consider important for being a success in the U.S. Not only is the song in English their English is without an accent so radio listeners wouldn't guess that they were listening to an non American artist ( sadly some listeners are prejudice this way) so that's a barrier they wouldn't have to worry about radio wise.
Secondly the song sounds like an old school American R&B song, a ound some urban and R&B artists are trying to get back to, hence making it more than likely a song a trend following listen would actually listen to. If not 90s R&B lovers would definitely give this track a listen.
Who it may succeedwith
As stated above old school R&B lovers I believe would be the target audience as the song has all the elements of 90s R&B; strong non auto-tuned vocals and non- electronic music . Someone had heard me play this song and became interested asking "who was the group?" and when I told them who they were and showed them a photo they were very surprised but still liked the song. I would assume the same could happen if this song was to be played on the radio.
Radio or Video
With the music and great English vocals this song would fit right in along with all the other R&B songs and on a opposite end it would most definately stand out amongst the American pop songs with their extremly autotuned and electronic backgrounds 4MEN's organic sound maybe what one weary listen is looking for!!
Take a listen to the track!! Do you think if the song were longer that it could make a impact on U.S. radio stations? What do you think?
Hello Readers!
I have created another (and hopefully better) facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/pages/Kandy-Pop-Blog/108951145861751 so please go check it and out and "like" it while your there. I also will be putting up some questions and polls there too so if you can answer those as well ^^.
I see that people are reading my reviews and that makes me glad but no one is leaving any responses! As a writer/reviewer I like to know what others think about the music/ topics as well, don't be afraid to leave a decent comment.
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Don't forget about the player in the corner!! Its not just there to play cool music!! Sometime soon I will be doing another contest like the G.D. & T.O.P one in which a reader won a T.O.P. phone strap! So be on the lookout for another contest soon!
As a fan of old school kpop and H.O.T. I'm excited to see yet another member making a comeback!! (read Tony An review <=). I really like the retro robot/ space explorer theme pretty unique in the world of kpop. I love the use of the green lights and his glowing eyes those effects were well done. Music wise it has more of light rock sound very different than his last too harder hip hip albums. So hopefully this music change will be a good one? However from this well done teaser I am looking forward to it!!
Here is the now belated review of Moon Hee Jun's first solo Album. It was to be posted in March because his birthday is in March but alas.... Alone caused quite a bit of controversy when released due to MHJ's drastic change from pop idol to "rock" artist. It seemed that despite the fact the MHJ was no longer in H.O.T. (as H.O.T. was no more) the music public expected him to do the same type of music. Hearing the criticisms of MHJ's rock music may lead others believe that the album would be "not up to standards" musically. Well below is my review of the album and I suggest you hear it for yourself. The first thing I always look at is the packaging, its the first thing that you see and gets you ready for the album. The packaging of Alone very detail orientated. On first look you see a picture of MHJ holding a young boy with the title Alone written faintly through the photo in cursive. Upon sliding the outer cover off I realize the photo is on the cover and the word alone is written on the cd case itself.
The cd case by itself if I may say is luxurious in its simplicity. The world alone is written in gold foil on a rich black paper ,very classy. However the CD was not so pretty kinda plain but alas….. there was also a photo of MHJ with the young boy he was hold on a cardboard piece I think was meant to act a buffer between the cd booklet and cd.
The booklet was very nice and dark but poses a problem as fingerprints show up easily on it!!! I’m not really sure about the theme of the photos in the booklet. The booklet features a few potrait shots of MHJ there are also a few photos of MHJ holding a young boy or watching him sleep on the floor. Not sure what this has to do with “Alone” but the photos are of good quality.
Now on the the album......Electric H.I.T. Worldthe introduction to the album is a even mix of electronic (not dance) music with bits of rock. Music you would hear in a dystopian movie. The song fades outs in the end beginning you on the journey to the album.
Muse Over the Sunset picks off as H.I.T world fades off it gradually builds up into a soft and ethereal melody. MHJ’s soft voice fits perfectly with this type of music. As soon as you think "wow this is a nice soft song” the bridge gets a little “harder” and MHJ uses his "rock voice”. I appreciate how the guitars are used it this song as a “soft” element as certain points. The pace of the song picks up near the end and despite opening on such a soft note it ends quite harshly.
Our Story opens with an orchestral interlude setting a romantic tone very fitting for the only duet on the album. The female vocals surprisingly par well with MHJ’s soft voice.
The title track Alone begins with a robotic voice followed by a morphed a sample from NWA which is weird but prepares us for the mixture of genres that make this title track stand out the rest of the album. Alone makes great uses of electric guitars and drums, orchestral music and a slight hip hop drum loop. This song also has a “ballad break” a section in the song when the music changes and he sings ballad style a pattern which he will repeat in the future. I appreciate how the song doesn't end simply after the dramatic note like a lot of songs but has a minute long orchestrated prelude to end the song giving the song a more dramatic feel (like a movie soundtrack).
Following is another more mainstream pop oriented song The Loss of sadness. The soft chimes and melody at the start of this song make it stand out along with Alone. The music is very 90’s R&B , This song would be the type of music I supposed his anti’s expected him to come out with in his whole album.
After the slow and slightly calming loss of sadness TNT flips the script, its high energy tempo very reminiscent of 90s Euro beat dance music. It was quite interesting with MHJ’s light voice and slightly mournful voice layered over such a throbbing beat (euro beat songs usually have power singers over such tracks).
Jumping genres again we land on Red & White, which opens with a twangy guitar tune with MHJ’s staticy (morphed of course) voice soon this little stanza ends and we are introduced to “rock” MHJ. A welcome contrast to MHJ “rock MHJ’s" voice is very strong and gravelly when needed and works very well. I have heard many artists (even some rock artist) try to sound more "rock" by adding rasp and gravel to their voice and it doesn't work to say the least. Love the end of this song as well.
Aria of the Will starts off as an instrumental that may remind someone of an action movie. The second rock song on the album MHJ adds more of the orchestral instrumentation as well as choral vocals which amps up the dramatic effect of the song. Once again his “rock” voice is spot on. But this time he also uses his “singing voice” at the end of the song.
The very next song is that's right you guessed it, another rock influenced song Persia Black Hole is actually most fans introduction to “Rock Heejun”. The music itself is very guitar heavy and is more nu-metal/hip-rock (hip-hop rock hybrid) than rock. MHJ raps through out the song as well as using his “rock voice”. This time there is “headbanging breaks” within the song (moments of heavy guitar solos to which everyone headbangs or whips their hair around together). I know from seeing recordings that this song is great live.
Continuing the pattern Devil of an Angel welcomes us with a “dirty” gutair rift. Again orchestral music is layered with the guitars for dramatic effect. MHJ alternates between shouting and his slightly creepy talk/singing. At one point his “death voice” is very convincing adding to the slight creepiness of the song. I once again like the unexpected ending with sorrowful violin solo a very different way to end such a rough song.
Coming out of nowhere is I still believe this is my wth song from this album ( the one song that makes you say why is this here?). The song itsself is not a bad song its placement is a bit defeating of the three “heavy” rock songs before it. I still believe is pretty much a pop song with some staticy vocals and guitars compared to its processors. It probably would have been better to put this song before the “heavy three” to showcase MHJ’s ability to do pop rock to “heavier rock”. On a positive note the slight echo and fade out of the melody was a great way to end the song.
Expected Farewell Sung to the tune of Auld Lang Lyne (a favorite of mine that always moves me) even though his lyrics are different it still fits the theme of the song remembering old friends and people of times past and moving on but never forgetting . On the last stanza his voice sounds so sorrowful i thought he was crying which added to the overall feel to the song.
One of the best endings of an album I ever heard ...........
But we’re not done yet there is a bonus song!! MHJ comes back with a old school korean pop (trot) “ rock style song” entitled strangely Button Hole. MHJ’s voice much more deep and husky adds to the slightly dramatic song ( the tune reminds me of Gerudo valley in the legend of Zelda ocarina of time). check out these MVs/ from Alone
