Tears of Paradise

I’m sick of hearing about Shinee. So I checked out the other new boybands on the scene. I don’t particulary like 2PM or 2Am (they come together for new day or something like that right?) and so I was left with Smash. After watching the PV for Emergencey I’d say they present nothing new, but they do their genre well even so.The song is very catchy too.

This is Smash’s debut mini-album/single released on 2008-08-21. It’s only 3 tracks so I’ll review it like a single : )

Tracklisting:
1: Never ending story
2: 비상(飛上)
3: 너로 보인다

The mini-album single thing opens with a ballad, Never ending story. After some rather cute twinkling sort of piano the beat comes in. It’s a pretty laid back RnB ballad. Some of the members have really nice voices, and they sound sincere. In the very beginning the one who was singing sounded a little flat though. And the guy in the bridge- who knows what he’s trying to do. This is not a bad song though. It’s got quite pretty instrumentation and a good beat. The vocals are OK- some of the members have really nice voices- and atleast they are sincere. The rapping fits in nicely too. I really like the bit just before the end where the song changes. Not a bad song at all. It has a nice feeling to it. Pretty standard and rather forgettable though.

비상(飛上) is a fast RnB dance type song. It’s really infectious. I first went to find the PV for this to try them out and somehow I couldn’t stop watching. In many ways it’s rubbish. The dancing was really cool but they didn’t give enough eyecandy. Perhaps they should have had more rain? More closeups? Better hairstyles, less clothes…somehow their look didn’t appeal. They seem cute enough but it wasn’t really highlighted here. I mean looking at their predebut pics they are stunning (so girly <3), the PV did nothing really. Just some guys dancing and nothing to drool, no story…meh.  The dancing was awesome though. Loved some of the more technical stuff they did.

And…the song was catchy. Although much like anything I’ve heard from kpop boybands it was pretty decent and not annoying- and that’s always good. You’ve heard this sort of thing a million times, yet they do it really well. Their vocals are good, the song has a nice beat and overall it sounds pretty good. The song has a darker feeling too, which is rather interesting. It also relies alot of vocals with a simple beat giving them a chance to show they can indeed sing pretty well.  The song goes through some cool variations throughout too. I really like the electronic effects. Basically despite myself, I find myself really liking the song. The chorus gets me especially : )

The last track on the mini-album is 너로 보인다. It’s a very meloncholic ballad with hints of RnB. I really like the opening instrumentation, and throughout the instrumentation is simple letting vocals dominate but still very pretty complimenting their voices. I like the synth and the guitar is nice. It’s extremly pretty and sets a good mood. The boys sound really beautiful, and I love how much emotion they put into it. Their voices sound very light and pure. The rap comes in really well and I love how they distort it slightly. This is a really pretty song- it has a very light almost ethereal feeling but in the rather sad “oh woe I’m heartbroken” way. Gorgeous instrumentation and stunning vocals create a very beautiful atmosphere. The song really carries alot of emotion in it which really makes it wonderful to hear. Very sad song, I don’t think it is powerful enough to be called touching but it’s still extremly pretty. It lingers in my memory to- so perhaps it could be called haunting? Haunting, and slighlty ethereal with a soft RnB beat. Ha.

This mini album single thing presents an uptempo ballad, a dark dance number and a sad and extremly beautiful ballad. Each was tied together with a rather mature sound, and a RnB beat. I think these songs were very nice. Never ending story was the weakest, and the last track was definitly the best. Technically you’ve heard it all before, but they do it well. Their voices for the most part are wonderful (actually apart from some weakness’ in the first song their voices are gorgeous) and they incorporate the rap in their songs nicely.

Overall I’d say SMASH have potential. I think they could either continue to be just OK, or they could start experimenting and start to present something a little new on their next release. I think though this was a good release, but it doesn’t really give them a strong identity and it’s not enough to really get them attention. They have nice voices and a potential to be beautiful… they just aren’t really there yet. Right now they are good- but with all the boybands around they could just be a little better. I look forward to what they do next though. I really liked this mini-album single thingy.

Overall rating: 7/8 (For a boyband they aren’t cheesy, their vocals are good and somehow I’ve decided I love them. lose a point for the forgettable Never ending story though)

I remember it being Christmas last episode. and I read somewhere something dramatic happens here. But that is about all. Here is Antique Bakery episode eight.

Recipe 8: A girl has a rather uncaring mother who is absorbed in her work and gets annoyed when her daughter comes near her. Meanwhile Eiji is trying to bake cakes on his own, but Tachibana calls them plain. He tries it anyway and to his and everyone elses surprise it tastes good. Then the girl arrives and you know.. she’s Chikage’s daughter.

Thoughts: After so long since the last episode I’m glad things are mainly stand alone. This was a very amusing episode (so many dirty jokes ) which I suppose I should have found dramatic but having already watched the drama, I was expecting and waiting for this. All I can say is yay!! They still had Chikage have a daughter. I love how Ono and Eiji reacted. But that girl really is slutty- wait… she’s only like 10. As if that’s really believable. She’d have to be shorter for that to be believable, never mind other stuff. And I don’t like the backstory they gave to the whole Chikage and Sakurako story. Although I guess stuff like that happens.

Antique Bakery has a way of mixing serious stuff into itself, with the whole Ono thing a couple episodes back and now this. Yet it doesn’t feel serious at all. It’s also got this pacing where it starts all unhappy, get the revelations then it ends all happy happy. Next ep totally different. All ep’s mention atleast once something to do with Tachibana and kidnapping. I guess that’s how it goes. As long as the comedy stays it’s pretty good. No more than mild entertainment. I still really prefer the drama but this is OK. Sometimes I feel a bit bored watching it though…

And the animaton was pretty bad this episode. I get the style but sometimes it was just pretty terrible despite that.

But good sorta cliffhanger at the end. There’s only a few more episodes left so I suppose there’s gonna be something big happening soon. Maybe.

This is the last of the 5 singles involved in the TRICK project released on 2008.03.12. The single features a solo by Hero <3

Tracklisting:
1: Keyword
2: Maze (Jaejoong solo)
3: Keyword -Less Vocal-
4: Maze -Less Vocal- (Jaejoong solo)

Keyword starts with a very wierd instrumentation, and this unfortunatly lingers however one the beat comes in it’s not bad. The song reveals itself to be a pretty laid-back RnB number sort of a ballad. I love the adlibbing in the beginning and throughout the vocals are really nice. The song feels pretty romantic, sometimes quite sexy. Overall it’s pretty relaxing. However it drags a bit. The instrumentation is OK, got a nice beat and of course this is Tohoshinki and the vocals are wonderful. That’s about all it’s got going for it. It’s a pretty average song really. And omg- this is where the gasp from TRICK comes from! lol. So random..

Maze is an amazing soft rock song. The song starts with slow and meloncholic synth string before the fast paced, gritty rock instrumentation comes in. Jaejoong comes in and he sounds perfect, his vocals are rich and emotional. I love how raspy he gets sometime. It’s really sexy…umm no it really adds something cool to the song. The instrumentation really compliments his voice too. A fast and bitter song. I love the lyrics too. My only complaint is they could have given a slightly more interesting instrumentation/rythmns, after a while it does sound pretty much the same: however JaeJoong’s vocals are stunning and really suit the genre. He really drives the song forward with his beautiful and emotional vocals. This is one of my favourite songs from the TRICK project. And no I’m not being biased out of my love for Hero OK?

This is a pretty good way to end the TRICK project. Keyword was a laid-back RnB number with beautiful vocals and a nice feeling. Maze gets repetetive, but I love the rock instrumentation and the darker feeling to it. Hero’s vocals are gorgeous too. And can I just say that Jaejoong looks amazing for this single? The cover and the booklet (or was it a sticker?). Gah..so beautiful. He should totally become a jrocker! XD But really he looks stunning. Makes it even more worth it owning the single.

Overall rating: 4.5/5 (Nice A-side, Awesome B-side and Hero looking sexy)Overall thoughts on TRICK: I’d say the TRICK project was pretty cool. All the singles were nicely packaged, and the member solo’s were a good idea. I really liked the covers and how they were panoramic (sp?). Tohoshinki looked very sexy for this photoshoot The actual songs were a mixture of the bad, the okay and the awesome. The singles have been pretty inconsistent in quality but overall there’s been enough decent or amazing songs to make this a succesful project. It’s a shame about the worse songs, because all the members have rather beautiful voices that could have really shone on their own.

A BALLADS is the amazing Ayu album, which unfortunatly didn’t do very well. Released on 12.03.2003 it includes older songs remade as well as some originals and the previously unreleased RAINBOW (I think it was a bonus track on the first press edition of the album though),  lastly a cover song Sotsugyou Sashin.

The album opens with the light, ethereal RAINBOW. The song starts with such an airy, light feeling and this continues throughout the song. There’s hints of rock in there too, but the song stays very light. When I first heard this song., I was surprised it was Ayu. Her voice takes on a whole new tone, very sweet,  soft and breathy.  This song really shows another Hamasaki Ayumi. The song is light with a breezy feeling, but still very powerful. Somehow listening to it is relaxing, and there’s no denying it’s a beautiful song. The instrumentation, backing vocals and Ayu’s wonderful vocals come together for a gorgeous song with a very upbeat, hopeful feeling. “No rain- can’t get the rainbow” - isn’t that just inspiring?

Next is appears- HAL’s progress. I really like this version compared to the original. Still retains the very odd opening, but the more orchestral instrumentation that comes in after the opening is really beautiful. The song is absolutly gorgeous with a very nice feeling to it.  It’s very long, and slightly boring to listen to for listen sakes but it has such a beautiful instrumenation and feeling that it’s very calming to listen to when occupied with something else.

Then it’s Key~eternal tie ver.~ - the original version of Key. A very soft and pretty ballad with sweet and sincere vocals from ayu and a nice relaxing instrumentation. My original commentary here in the duty review. I will say that the album is flowing nicely, Key really fits in after appears which fits in nicely after RAINBOW.

Track 4 is YOU-northern breeze-. Still that familiar instrumentation, but with much better vocals from Ayu. The better vocals really make this song- I was never able to tolerate squeaky song for xx Ayu. The instrumentation is very pretty too, not sure how different it is but it’s got a nice beat and I like the flute that comes in. This is a sweet and calming ballad. It’s got a very soft and romantic feeling to it. I think the lyrics totally contrast this feeling though…if I remember that is!

To be follows, a 2003 rebirth mix. However in reality though marked a remix, this is actually no different from the original! See my original commentary here in the loveAPPEARS review : ) In short To be to me is a very bittersweet song, with lovely vocals from Ayu and pretty instrumenation.

A unmixed HANABI is next. HANABI is a signature Ayu song, and a very beautiful one even if it lacks the same power as episode two. I love the instrumentation and Ayu’s vocals take on an interesting tone. The song has a wonderful feeling to it. Like always, check out my original comments here on the RAINBOW review.

Then it’s M- HAL’s progress. I’ve never been a fan of M. This version is certainly pretty different, and still retains the grand feeling of the old M. I do find the instrumentation very pretty here- almost ethereal feeling to it. I definitly prefer this version, dramatic but not OTT like old M. This version really has a wonderful feeling. Ayu’s vocals of course are beautiful. This is a very gorgeous rendetion of a song which the original I find rather “meh”.

The original Dearest follows. This is a favourite Ayu song of mine, with wonderful instrumentation and stunning vocals from Ayu. The song has alot of emotion in it, and it’s just wonderfully romantic with such a hopeful feeling to it. See the original commentary here in the I am… review.

Another original Dolls is next. A very dramatic song with a wonderful feeling. See original commentary here in the RAINBOW review.

Track 10 is SEASONS - 2003 ReBirth mix. Like the To Be remix it’s actually not changed at all. And I still hate this song so much. Sounds like such a rip off of some other song. Ayu can do so much better!!

Original Voyage follows. I’ve never been a fan of Voyage. Like the original version of M it feels so OTT- strings and all. The instrumentation is quite pretty I guess and Ayu gives a lovely vocal performance. Personally though it ain’t my thing.

A rather out of place rock song is next, A Song for XX - 030213 Session take II. Regardless, as a stand alone this is an amazing retake on an already powerful song. The starts with a few random sounds, like they are in a studio preparing for the song. When the song starts proper it’s just a couple of guitars and some synth building up to be a soft rock number before building up even more becoming loud and gritty. I love how it dies off at the end too. The blend of rock and synth is pretty awesome. Ayu gives a very raw vocal performance, really letting herself go and belting it out with all she’s got. Sometimes her voice breaks, but somehow it really works here- adding to the raw feeling to the song. The ad-libbing at the end just makes the song. This is incredible. I loved the strings and stuff of the original, but this version proves the song really makes a brilliant fast and angry rock song packed with all those emotions Ayu presented in the original, amplified by the instrumentation and the rough feeling to the song.
Back to ballads with Who…- Across the Universe-. Who… is still a very pretty ballad. I think the difference between this and the old who… is very subtle too, to the point where I can’t really tell. I do like the hints at rock that become apparent in the song, as well as the piano bits. Either way it’s a soft and gentle song, I really like Ayu’s vocals especially her sweet adlibbing bits. The backing vocals are used well to, aka aren’t annoying. This is an equally beautiful rendition of an already beautiful ballad.

The album ends with 卒業写真, originally a Yumi Matsutoya song. The instrumentation is very beautiful, and along with Ayu’s soft and beautiful vocals the song has a wonderful atmosphere. Sometimes Ayu’s vocals break but it’s not too distracting. I really do love the ending instrumental too. The strings and the piano blended with the synth is really very pretty. Overall it’s a very slow and calming song.  It also feels very appropriate for the end of an album, with a very final feeling to it. A sense of remeniscing back before moving on.

This album is for the most part not one you sit down and listen to. However it is very beautiful and quite relaxing just to put on in the background. And I mean that in the nicest possible way. The album has a wonderful flow to, if you discount the rather shockingly different song for xx. I love the remix of song for xx, but it doesn’t quite fit! This is a beautiful album though. Each song is extremly pretty with wonderful instrumentation and Ayu’s vocals are beautiful and sincere. I really appreciate the songs that are redone, as often I didn’t really like the originals (eg You and M).  I think overall this is a wonderful package. The album is very soft, very relaxing. The photos and booklet are also extremly pretty. I just think this is very nice and a rather unique idea too- to package all the ballads together and remake a few songs. Not something every artist does.

Overall rating: 10/10 (Amazing. Highly Reccomended)

Somehow this review felt like advertising though- with all the external links. Sorry (_ _) And I think I repeated the words “nice” “pretty” and “beatiful” far far too much. lol ; )