The idea of sub-units has always been both a blessing and a curse for me, because on the one hand it gives more of the spotlight to some talented members, but on the other hand either they're stuck in the same box their original group is in, or their "new sound" isn't developed and refined enough, so they remain inferior to their original band. Which is why most of the time when I deal with sub-groups I skip everything else and just make a beeline for the music itself.
There are times when approaching a release with zero musical expectations confuses me (as the case of another review I'm writing), but there are also times when that same approach gives me the chance to see the music better, as the case of 2YOON's "Harvest Moon". I didn't listen to any of the teasers, I haven't even seen the video (I will though, after I write this ;D), and because of the fact that this is Cube, I only expected, and hoped, that their vocals be done justice.
I got that, and more. I got great vocals outside of the shadow of 4Minute, I got interesting tracks, but also tracks that made for a dynamically cohesive album. "Harvest Moon" was the kind of album I first listened to from start to finish, knowing when the songs transitioned from one another, but afterwards I remembered the flow of the entire album just as much as I did the individual tracks. If this is Cube's one good album quota for the year (as BEAST's releases were in the past), I'm perfectly okay with that.
When I heard that their lead single would be "country-inspired", I was a bit worried because I really do doubt Cube's A&R most of the time, but now I regret every worrying. Honestly, "24/7" really intrigues me because I never thought Cube could do something like this, let alone pull it off. It's really interesting because you actually do hear the country in it, with the cowbell and the banjo, and also melodically and in their choice of chords -- the people who put this song together clearly knew what they were doing. But what hit the nail on the head for me was how instead of just being a country-rip off, this still sounds like a K-Pop song, in the best possible way. You hear it in the bridges, you hear it in majority of the melody, but you hear it best when it gets mixed up with the country elements. It's striking not because it's a stark contrast, it's striking because it's not something you expect to work. That's why this, my friends, is what I call creativity. Well-executed creativity.
Underneath all that though, "24/7" is not only a sonically well-done song, it's also technically proficient. Considering how brilliantly the sound was put together, I'm not surprised. The structure is your standard verse-bridge-chorus, but the elements themselves are dynamic enough to one, keep you on your toes, and two, sound less "boring" than the structure should've made the song out to be. There are so many things going on, yes, but the shifts are both natural and swift, giving the song a sense of conviction. This song knows exactly what it has to do, and it knows exactly what it's doing. And in the end, you get an effortlessly creative song, with that same effortlessness channeled in the brevity of it all. It's a song that's good from all angles and depths -- fun on the outside, intriguing in the middle, and ridiculously creative on the inside.
When I heard "24/7" and how good it was, obviously I was falling over in awe, but at the back of my mind I was also really worried about how the rest of the album was going to fall into place, if it even was. I mean here you have this genuinely creative song that's both out of the box and firmly grounded -- to get four other songs that match that would be a challenge at the very least. Which is why, for the second time this afternoon, I was pleasantly surprised.
The rest of the EP is hardly country-influenced (I'd say it isn't), and usually that would instantly be a downside for me because that's the simplest way to deliver cohesion and it's what majority of acts do, but we have to remember that "24/7" is half-country, half-K-Pop. And I love Cube for getting a hold of the K-Pop, and clinging on to it, because regardless of whether they did it on purpose or because they couldn't keep up the country influences, they delivered a solid EP.
This is what I mean when I say that it's okay to take the easy way out, but you have to make sure that you can deliver with brevity. Contrary to popular belief, easy isn't always the safest choice. But anyway, I really do love the rest of the EP because I didn't get an EP with four filler tracks and a lead single -- I got one with five, strong tracks.
"Nightmare", which features BTOB's Ilhoon, is one of those songs that go for the subdued epic sound, with the flat, gentle melody, and all these generic instruments made to sound bigger and fuller. But I like how they took that template and instead of singing it like other people who hide behind it and let the song do the work (which works too sometimes), their vocals gave the melody some intensity, and created some good friction between the melody and the instrumental. There were some really gorgeous moments when their vocals smoothed out but retained the intensity -- brilliant. 2YOON's vocals are hard to do A&R for, honestly, because there are times when their vocals end up making the song cheap, and what I expected to happen on this song was that the producers try to cover up the intensity, which is a really, really bad idea. Instead they did the complete opposite, and it actually worked. This isn't only a good A&R decision, it's also an aptly-executed song.
"Why Not" sounds very Cube, and that's not always a bad thing. The synth line reminds me a lot of the ones on the intro of 4Minute's debut EP, the only track I actually liked. I love the melody, and I love how even if this is obviously a really heavy song, the melody has this jumpy, light quality to it. It packs a punch, yes, but it's also effortless. The rest of the song is pretty much the same -- it's all very intense, but when you look under all the electric guitars and synths, the elements are actually really beautiful.
I love "Clap Clap Clap", because it's the type of song that could have been a filler track, but it turned out anything from that. It's a welcome break, not from good songs, but from intense ones. It's laid-back, not lazy. Those verses are gorgeous and that chorus is so unassumingly pretty, and unlike the other songs, the vocals don't give it intensity, they give it body. I also really like all the little details they threw in -- the pretty harmonies, the gentle, but audible ad-libs behind -- they keep you interested, but they don't distract you.
When I like a song, I usually like it for the melody, then everything follows, but with "Black Swan", I really liked the instrumental and the arrangement more than I did the melody at first. But that's not to say the melody isn't gorgeous when it has to be -- it is. This is a song that's well-rounded, another one of those songs that are good from all angles, but because of that this is also the type that shows you something new every time you hear it, every listen gives you a different angle. The entire song is really fresh, and it sort of synthesizes the entire album. The dynamism, the creativity, the familiarity and the proficiency of the delivery -- they're all there.
"Harvest Moon" is one of the rare albums that prove the value of not only a cohesive repertoire, but also an album that delivers that cohesion in the right order. Track order matters more than people think it does, and it's good to know that Cube seems to think that way too.
Did KBS and SBS switch sound guys or something? For the first time in forever (or at least since I started music show recaps, which was a long time ago), SBS had better sound than KBS this week! Which I hope doesn't happen again next week, because MuBank is the only music show I can actually watch on an actual TV, and it might as well be the one with the best sound. But moving on, today's line-up is pretty much the same, with the exception of EXO-M joining EXO-K on their performance, which I assume was pre-recorded because SM TOWN is in LA right now.
Hello Venus - "Venus" One of the things I like about Hello Venus is that their rapper can sing. What's her name again? Lime? Kiwi? I just know it's a fruit. But yeah, she can sing, which is always good. Today's performance was consistent with the previous ones -- the vocals are pretty much all there, the stage presence is getting a bit stronger, but their group dynamics are still off.
EXO-K+M - "MAMA" Excuse me while I cry over the fact that this was lip-synched again, so now I have to spend the entire time complaining about it. Ever since I found out from Ree that EXO-M were going to join in a couple of music show performances, I've been really excited because now I can actually gauge who the better group is. I haven't seen the other performances, but just with this alone, all that has gone down the drain. But I must say, I like EXO-M's group dynamic and stage deportment much, much better than EXO-K's. M already has the foundations of a good group dynamic, and they move with much more effortlessness and less of that Lee Joon "I'm so great, I'll exaggerate everything I do on stage" complex that I hate so much.
B.A.P. - "Power" In terms of what I think of them, B.A.P. are slowly turning into a Big Bang. I've said this before -- there are basically two types of groups I like. The first is obviously, the DBSKs of the world, the bands who I really like for everything they are -- material, performance, vocals, the works. The second, however, are the Big Bangs -- the bands who I don't necessarily like material-wise, but who have my respect because they do put good material out, and above that, they are really talented individuals and a well-rounded group. That's what B.A.P. are. Their music isn't my taste, but seeing them perform today, and in the past few weeks, has made me admire them, at the very least. The stage presence is there, the group dynamics are good, and most of all, they know what they do well, and they stick to it. Respect is something else, but they're moving towards that. We'll see.
A Pink - "Hush" Did A Cube somehow not get the memo that these retro-inspired songs were last year's thing? Or are they really just stuck in a time warp? Either way, "Hush" is the kind of song that needs really strong performers to be able to salvage whatever goodness is left in it, and while A Pink aren't horribly bad performers like they were when they debuted, they aren't exactly outstanding either. I liked their outfits today though, but that's it. Can we please just move on to whatever's next? Please?
Dalmatian - "ER" Here we go again with the whispering during the verses, guys. Is that how you were taught to sing, or are you really that shy? The chorus is much better than the verse, and lightyears better than last Friday's performance, but I'm not really convinced. I hear some voices now, and they all pretty much have some kind of stage presence, but this sounds more like a filler track or an intermission number to me.
Infinite - "Only Tear" + "The Chaser" I watched yesterday's performance (for my ill-fated MuCore recap, which will probably never see the light of being published), and their "Only Tear" performance today is definitely a lot better than the previous days. It's still pretty average, the unnecessary vibrato has pretty much been cleared out now, and the high notes are much clearer. Their performance of "The Chaster" today was my favorite of all their comeback stages, for a variety of reasons. First off, they used my favorite set and my favorite outfits from the video! So classy. Today's performance also made me realize why I like watching Infinite so much -- because even if they don't all have amazing vocals, they're all pretty stable, and even if their choreography is very heavy and they keep moving, they do so with a spring in their step, with a sense of effortlessness. They literally prance around stage. First, and probably only, round of goosebumps I got tonight. And the only performance I genuinely enjoyed watching from start to finish.
SISTAR - "Alone" Oh SISTAR. I've tried to like you, time and time again, and Hyorin has a gorgeous voice, but whenever I think I'm about to like you, you put out a cheap song with a cheap performance and move with little grace. Being sophisticated isn't just about putting on these supposedly "expensive-looking" dresses, diamonds, pearls, and releasing a song with so-called "high instruments". It's not in what you do, it's in how you do it, and that's where you always fail. In all honesty, I'd much prefer it if they stopped trying to look sophisticated, because "Shady Girl" was my favorite single of theirs, and it was actually really good.
4Minute - "Volume Up" What did I say? I knew it was goodbye week, I just knew it. If anything, Jiyoon and Gayoon have obviously gotten really comfortable with the song. I wish I could say the same for useless leader (whatever her name is) and HyunA, but I can't, because it wouldn't be true. In terms of performance though, I liked their auras today -- they were happy, and it's not just because they were all smiling, but the way they moved was very springy and bright, a nice contrast to the very dark sound of the song.
SNSD (Taeyeon, Tiffany, Seohyun) - "Twinkle"(WINNER) I loved the outfits today -- the cut, the color, how they looked on the girls. Other than that, it was more of the usual. Competent vocals, competent presence, command of the audience -- the works.
Guess who's back! *insert sobbing over Junsu's obvious and predictable absence from music shows* But on the bright side, this week's line-up seems to be a fair mix of good and meh acts+singles, so I'm not complaining! The only problem is, it seems like the KBS sound guy either hates everyone on today, or is just too lazy to do his job, because today's show was a backing track fest! Focus, KBS, focus!
I don't own any of the videos, and I got them from everywhere this week.
Hello Venus - "Venus"
I watched one of their debut performances last week, and just like what happened today, I had a hard time figuring out whether or not they were lip-syncing the performance. However, high notes and ad-libs are always a giveaway, and I've come to the conclusion that KBS turned their backing track too high, but they're singing live during the choruses, and most probably drowned out by the backing track during the chorus. You lied to me -- I thought we'd never have this problem, KBS! Individually the girls are pretty confident, fluid and natural on stage, and considering the new groups we've seen so far this year, they're actually pretty high-up the group dynamics chain. There are still portions where they don't look like a group, and the chorus can be a bit uncomfortable to watch if you don't already like the song, but they're not ridiculously bad. Performane-wise, they're right between meh and okay right now.
B.A.P. - "Power"
"Power" is a very idol performance, and reminds me a lot of late 90's/early 2000's boy band "world domination" singles. This song in particular isn't really my taste, but as performers I'm completely drawn in to these guys. Their average singing today is half their fault, half KBS', but since majority of the song is rapping and semi-screams mixed with growls, it's not that obvious that KBS has totally screwed up the sound today. I'm keeping my eye on you guys.
A Pink - "Hush"
Sometimes, I wonder how Cube can ruin it's acts this well. "Hush" isn't a ridiculously bad song for K-Pop standards, but aside from being average and un-singable, they're a year late in terms of sound! This is the problem when you copy another group who also copied something else -- if you do it right after them, you'll be called a copycat, but if you do it much, much later, you'll be called late. And it's not like this is a big re-arrangement or they're outstanding singers or anything. You were going in the right direction with "MY MY" Cube, but you just had to break that streak! The performance was painful vocally, and so boring.
Dalmatian - "ER"
Wow, okay. I've never seen any Dalmatian performances prior to this, and I haven't heard their new EP yet, but this is pretty bad. Apart from the distracting guy who is literally prettier and thinner than me, when sounds actually come out of their mouths, they come out as whispers. Or wails. Apart from the blondish guy who sings the first line of the middle 8. Apart from that, the vocals are pretty much a disaster. Performance-wise they're okay, but nothing out of the ordinary for a band of their stature.
Girls' Day - "Oh! My God"
Whenever I hear this song I suddenly have the urge to strangle something, or someone. Preferably whoever thought it was a good idea to let humans hear something like this. But even after all the pain, they're a bunch of girls in their late teens/early twenties prancing around, sounding like my 4 month-old nephew. Cute, but ridiculously inappropriate, so much so that it just gets annoying. I'm kind of proud to say that I've never wanted to try and like Girls' Day.
Infinite - "Only Tear" + "The Chaser"
"Only Tear" was okay, a few slips here and there, but I most definitely prefer these guys doing an all-out idol singing and dancing extravaganza. I mean okay, some of them can sing, but the rest are very, very unstable live, what more doing a ballad. Boring around the edges, and not something I particularly enjoyed. "The Chaser" is a completely different story though. I love their outfits, because on other groups they would actually look really cheap, what with the red, yellow and black combination, but they carry it well, just like they carry the performance and literally hold the audience in their hands now. I mean listen to the screams in relation to the noisy instrumental -- they don't stop. They've gotten very comfortable with their music, something a lot of groups never get the chance to do, and it shows in their vocals. Sunggyu and Woohyun sound amazing (yes, I've learned their faces already!), and everyone else is comfortably stable. Best performance of the show.
SISTAR - "Alone"
I know those huge slits on their dresses are the main points of the choreography and whatever, but they also contribute to the reason why everything about this performance looks so cheap. Their vocals are gotten surprisingly stable, which is probably the only good thing with this performance. Otherwise, I'm not sold. At all.
4Minute - "Volume Up"
So I see Hyun A still hasn't learned how to sing. Other than that, their performances of this are beginning to bore me, which means that one, promo is almost over, and two, this song is getting stale. Not that it was that amazing a song to begin with (better than "Alone" though), but you get my point.
U-Kiss - "DORADORA"
Before they came on stage, I completely forgot what "DORADORA" sounded like -- it's so bad, it's not even memorable in the annoying way. This entire song lacks kick, and while U-Kiss are pretty competent performers and they do have stable vocals in the band, as shown by today's performance, it's just not enough to save a song as flat as this.
I have come to the conclusion that that's really all Seohyun can push, which is a pity. She has a voice, a really pretty one for K-Pop standards, but it's just not cut out for this song. The technique is all there, complete with vibratos and sliding notes, but her voice just really doesn't have enough power for these songs. However, I'm glad Tiffany no longer sounds like a three year-old, and that Taeyeon hasn't regressed.
Today's show featured comebacks from Girls' Day and Supernova, and goodbye stages from CN Blue, who I'm not recapping today, and SHINee.
And before we start, I just really want to thank you all for the support you've put in to the return of these recaps, all your comments and the discussions you engage in because of my posts somewhat drive me to keep writing these recaps. To know that people still actually take time to read my work means a lot to me. But enough of the mush.
EXO-K - "MAMA"
I've half-figured out and made sure of why EXO look so stiff on stage -- it's because they've overdoing it, to the point where, again, they don't enjoy it. While I understand that it's natural to over think performances, and it's actually for that reason that I stopped performing, EXO are supposed to be in it for the long run. Or at least that's what I assume. If they themselves cannot start genuinely enjoying their performances, then their audience won't either.
BTOB - "Insane"
Now the problem with BTOB has something to do with dynamics again. There are seven of them on stage, but it seems like there are more, like the stage is crowded, because they're not moving as a group. Their vocals are fine, their song is so-so but fits them, but they have to work on their group dynamic.
Spica - "Painkiller"
Their vocals were ever so slightly slipping today, but nothing majorly bad and/or painful happened, and the song is still as bland as it was yesterday, despite the girls' efforts.
Girls' Day - "Oh My God"
I'd love to say that their vocals were actually consistent and that I just really hate them, but then... what vocals? They sound like three year-olds begging you to buy them something. All of them.
SISTAR - "Alone"
In fairness to SISTAR, Soyu (is that her name?) sounds a lot better, and thus that much more relevant today. At least Hyorin's not the only one properly carrying the melody during live performances anymore. Other than that though, I practically fell asleep during today's performance. The song itself is a song that needs to be carried with both grace and attitude, and while SISTAR do have attitude, it's not coupled with grace, so it just becomes boring.
Supernova - "Stupid Love"
When Supernova were promoting "On The Days I Missed You", I adored them. They were a b-list group with lots of potential, and above all, brilliant material. It was a shame that they weren't more famous in Korea. However, this time around, it seems like they've degraded, and now they're just another b-list band with sub-par, generic material. "Stupid Love" sounds a BEAST reject, rejected because it was too cheap, even for Cube. And it's obvious that this song doesn't fit them, because they can't sing it live. It's not that they're completely untalented, because they're actually all pretty okay, and Sungje reminds me of a cross between a young Hyesung and a young Jaejoong, who are both gods in their own right, it's that they need good material or else they'll just disappear in the sea of b-list acts.
4Minute - "Volume Up"
So I see we're still turning the backing track way too high during the parts that matter, huh, Music Core? The performance itself was consistently okay today, and if there's one thing 4Minute knows how to do, it's carry a song with the right kind of attitude.
SHINee - "Sherlock"
I liked the camera effects they put in today's performance, a lot more than the spinning cameras everyone used to use. It's subtle and tasteful, it wasn't over-the-top and that sense of "live" still remained. Vocals were consistent today -- again, not as powerful as I'd like them to be, but good enough for me not to be in any pain.
Shinhwa - "Venus"
In all honesty, for the songs that Shinhwa are doing now, Minwoo should take over lead vocals. While Hyesung's voice is godly and we should all worship it, it's very picky, and rather shaky live. They need a lead singer who can not only sing well, but who is versatile and stable enough to carry the band, regardless of what kind of material they get. But that's just me. On the performance side, again, they are so good at performing that it looks effortless, it feels effortless, and they have total control over the audience.
Significantly less major comebacks this week, and actually the only idol comebacks were from 5tion, who I'm not going to cover on today's recap, and Girls' Day, who are all lower-profile idol groups. But, it was still a pretty good show, what with 4Minute and SISTAR getting used to stage again, Shinhwa being around, and SHINee and CN Blue leaving with a bang, CN Blue in particular.
Credit for the videos goes to shu35151224@YouTube. (Other videos to follow)
EXO-K - "MAMA" The good thing is, at least their vocals are that much more bearable this week -- I'm glad they're showing signs of improving, at least in terms of vocals. However, as I was watching the performance today, they're not only stiff and ungraceful, they're also still very all over the place. You can argue that the choreography itself is very edgy, but the way they present themselves and move on stage has no grace whatsoever. They're not yet at the point where they look like they're enjoying the stage.
NU'EST - "FACE" I like NU'EST, I'm confident enough to admit it. They have emotion, they have grace, and again, they can pull off their material. Heavily choreographed, yes, but this early on, they know how to show that they genuinely enjoy being on stage. Another consistently strong performance today, and an absolute pleasure to watch, for rookie standards.
Spica - "Painkiller" Strong vocals, good stage presence and delivery, but really, these girls need a much, much more interesting and powerful single to match what they already have in the bag.
Girls' Day - "Oh My God" It's been a year since they last had something new out, and I still feel like strangling all of them, AND their song. Looks like my "well talk when you get decent" line will never get done, because I doubt they're gonna get decent within the next few years. They don't even sound like they're singing, it's more like they're talking.
SISTAR - "Alone" And I see we're back to tacky gold dresses to match the cheap choreography this week. Really, the dresses are so distracting because not only is there a huge slit in front, it's also a really awkward length and bad, stiff material, so when the girls dance it makes them look fatter than the sticks they most probably are. That said, considering that Hyomin has been sick for ages now, the vocals were pretty okay, and at least the other girls are singing too.
4Minute - "Volume Up" Is it just me or was today's performance flat? I mean in terms of vocals everyone, Hyun A maybe a bit, was consistent, and Jiyoon's high notes were pretty much spot-on, but as a whole they lacked intensity, and the leader's middle 8 was of no help to break the lack of intensity. They carried themselves well, but it just lacked that spark.
SHINee - "Sherlock" Honestly? Today's performance wasn't their best, but it's a lot better than when I first saw them perform this. All-around strong vocals, and the stage presence is just overflowing. It was an enjoyable performance.
Shinhwa - "Venus" The purple outfits are... interesting, to say the least, but distracting, especially the unlucky members who got purple pants to match. Not as distracting as SISTAR's outfits though. The way they carry themselves on stage is really something else, the song is as choreographed as everyone else, and even without prancing around stage, they hold the audience in the palm of their hands -- the fan chants are so, so loud, and everyone revels in the performance. It's such a joy to watch a Shinhwa performance, it really is.
CN Blue - "In My Head" + "Hey You"(WINNER) No big breakthroughs in today's performance, just the same old complaints. First off, I know they're not really playing, and that itself is a problem, but really, couldn't you give off some semblance of them being a band like say I don't know, putting them near each other so they can mock-hear each other? In other news, Jonghyun sounds more and more amazing each time I hear him.
Is this real life? Have I actually finished an entire weekend's worth of music show recaps for the first time since last year? Yes! Comeback week for SISTAR and 4Minute come to and end, and EXO are on to regular promotions (as in one song only) today.
Before we start though, there's something I'd like to clarify. I, personally and "professionally", do not believe in the concept of "MR Removed" videos as a basis for vocal talent and outstanding live performance. The reason why live performances can be used as a measure of ability is because anything can happen in those five minutes, and everything does happen. Compared to a studio where almost everything can be controlled, live performances are unpredictable, and it's an act's ability to perform along with, and over, those unpredictable events, that I critique on my music show recaps. The minute you tamper with any part of that performance, or any music or video file for that matter, so much can happen, and you lose a part of the original performance. And besides, I also judge performances based on the amount of variables in a given time frame. Take them away, and no considerations, and less complaints, will be made.
Now, if you watch them and personally see merit in them, I have no problem with that -- you are entitled to a choice, and you should take it. I respect you and your decision, however, when you comment on these recaps, please also take my stand into consideration, the same way I take yours in writing my recaps.
EXO-K - "MAMA" And I see we're back to lip-syncing, EXO. Before you all crawl out and correct me again, I know that this was pre-recorded last week. And yes, I have yet another complaint. EXO are a new group. We're all at the edge of our seats trying to calculate how good they are, and more importantly, how fast and how much they improve. How are we supposed to do that when the people upstairs insist on one, hiding their real, live vocals, two, keeping them in controlled environments, and three, pre-recording performances weeks before airing? Yes, we've seen them sing live. Twice. But at this stage the most important thing is that we are able to track their progress. This performance is one week old. So much has happened between then and now -- they could have improved, or not. But, nevertheless, my general comments on their performances still stand. They look robotic, and they don't look enthusiastic.
BTOB - "Insane" The best way to improve is to keep performing, and that's what I like about BTOB -- always singing live, always trying. Though they have so many things to iron out, and their group dynamic isn't that obvious, what's obvious though is that they're trying, and if you remember, it's that same effort that made BEAST into what they are today. We'll see.
NU'EST - "FACE" NU'EST is another group who shows effort and has managed to impress me in the process. My standards have definitely dropped over time, but honestly, all these new groups have to show me is one, consistent, actual, live vocals, and they also have to show me that they want to be on stage, that standing there is a privilege they want. It's one thing to feel that way, and I understand that everyone probably feels that way, but it's another thing to actually show it on stage. A little crack there from the guy who sang before the bridge, which also gave away the fact that this is live, but other than that, another strong performance.
Spica - "Painkiller" Strong vocals like this really need better material, because again, while they can carry the song perfectly fine, the song still does nothing for them in return.
SISTAR - "Lead Me" + "Alone" Judging by today's performance of "Lead Me", which was actually pretty good, I get the impression that SISTAR not only need more classy choreography, but they should move less. The set was actually really quaint, and the entire performance is much better when they just walk here and there and occasionally dance. As usual, Hyorin sounded great on both songs, and actually, "Alone" sounds a lot better live than it does recorded -- it has just that much more character and punch. Not bad, SISTAR, not bad.
4Minute - "Dream Racer" + "Volume Up" Compared to these 4Minute performances, SISTAR's are so boring, to be honest. "Dream Racer" may not be brilliant, but it's upbeat, and the girls carry it with conviction -- you know they're enjoying it, and the smiles are genuine. And I adored the set of "Volume Up" today. Classy with attitude, like the rest of the performance. And, this is one of the few performances today, and in a long time, that actually gave me actual goosebumps, despite Hyun A's sad attempts at singing. I know, I can't believe it either, but it did.
Big Bang - "Fantastic Baby" + "Bad Boy" Very few groups can give me goosebumps by just walking, but Big Bang are one of them. They are the definition of holding the audience in the palm of your hand, and they do it with such grace, so little effort, but so much enthusiasm. I don't even particularly like "Bad Boy", but their performance managed to make me genuinely smile for the first time since I started watching Inki today. It's so obvious that they not only show they're happy to be on stage, but they really make it look like it's such a privilege, even if they've stood on much bigger stages before. A true performer should be able to connect with an audience, even through a computer screen. I'm reminded of why I have such immense respect for Big Bang, because they really are performers in the truest sense of the word.
SHINee - "Sherlock"(WINNER) SHINee's wins have been well-deserved, despite my neutrality towards "Sherlock" as a song. Strong, consistent, vocals, a strong performance, and so much attitude. SHINee have come to that stage where the song doesn't carry them, they carry the song, and they do it well.
And we move on to today's episode of Music Core. Music shows are getting more and more enjoyable these days, which is really good! And, surprise, surprise, MBC's sound system seems to be getting better as well. Or, they put someone better behind the system. Today's show features EXO's debut, and comebacks from 4Minute and SISTAR.
Video credit goes to shu35151224@YouTube.
EXO-K - "History" + "MAMA" Looks like someone took my comment on them singing together too seriously, because now it's 80 percent backing track, 10 percent random mumbling in the background, and another 10 percent belting out unnecessary notes. However, the parts which weren't drowned out by the backing track were much, much, better today. There are still so many major problems with their performance though. First off, the six of them are still singing and moving for themselves rather than for EXO as a whole, and so the performance is so robotic. I believe I said this before, but they don't look like they're happy to be on stage, like it's a privilege -- they look like they were pushed on stage against their will. You don't need to smile to show joy, or prance around not caring about anything to show effortlessness, but their performance has no emotion whatsoever. Which leads me to believe that these guys aren't in it for the music, but for the popularity. And I'm extremely disturbed by that. And secondly, I was telling Ree just a while ago that pretty much all of the SM bands have a very obvious "lead singer" figure from the very beginning. While that figure can change through time (like Junsu and Jaejoong in DBSK), it is always present, and very obvious, even to the untrained ear. I don't see that with EXO. In fact, listening to them now, if I didn't know any better I wouldn't think they were an SM group. They don't move like one, they don't act like one, and they don't even sing like one either. All of this is very strange.
BTOB - "Insane" I never thought I'd say this, but honestly, BTOB sound much better than EXO, because for one thing, at least they, or some of them, can sing their own song. Yeah sure they murdered DBSK's Love In The Ice, but EXO murdered their own song.
NU'EST - "FACE" NU'EST fulfill one of the most important traits in a new group -- if you don't have good material, if you don't have amazing voices, at least pull of what you have, so much that you keep people's attention on you until the day you do get good material and you do become brilliant singers. And really, they pull this song off so well, that I had to do a double-take to see if they were lip-synching, which they were not. I have my eyes on you, NU'EST, you better not disappoint.
Spica - "Painkiller" Another strong performance, however, again, I'm more concerned with what they're going to release next than I am the song they're currently promoting. These girls need an explosion of a song to show off their vocals!
B1A4 - "BABY I'M SORRY" Seriously, B1A4, after a disastrous singles last year, you're quickly turning into a band I'm keeping my eye on for quite a long time! They all look like they genuinely enjoy being on stage, on top of consistently pulling off a strong performance. The song matches their vocals, and they all know how to perform it as well. Pretty good, B1A4!
SISTAR - "Lead Me" + "Alone" To answer the reactions to my comment on their performance yesterday, there are three other members in SISTAR, are there not? Hyorin is not the only member of SISTAR. But, I'm glad they didn't lip-sync Alone today. My problem with SISTAR has always been the combination of their performances and their material, and how they can never seem to pull them off with a sense of finesse. The same goes for today's performance.
4Minute - "Dream Racer" + "Volume Up" So far, 4Minute are creaming SISTAR in terms of live performances -- from song selection to stage presence and the consistency of their vocals. The middle 8 of Dream Racer was really sloppily done, but the rest of it was pretty good. And for a second there I was really surprised at HyunA's not painful vocals, then I realized that this performance was overdubbed and double-tracked, very badly may I add. Which is suspicious because this could possibly mean that they can't pull this song off for three days straight, which will ultimately make them lose to SISTAR, who we know can pull their single off. Hmmm. We'll see.
SHINee - "Sherlock" Strong, consistent performance today. Very effortless but accurate and snappy at the same time. Everyone sounds good, Taemin and Onew in particular. But then again, I expect nothing less from SHINee.
Shinhwa - "Venus" A lot more stable than yesterday, but of course, performance-wise they're still consistently effortless, as individuals and as a group. They look not only like they belong on stage, but like they love being on it, they love performing. That's something new groups have to learn and take to heart, because it's one of the most important aspects of a live performance -- if you can't sell what you have, no matter how good you are people won't be convinced.
Why hello there! (^_^) Music show recaps are now in full-swing after re-starting with Inkigayo last Sunday, and today's show was full of comebacks! If you haven't already, acquaint yourself with new offerings from EXO-K, 4Minute and SISTAR before we go on to the show itself.
Today's show was actually pretty good, and I was pleasantly surprised to hear very few extremely painful moments. However, we weren't completely free of them.
Video credit goes to shu35151224@YouTube.
EXO-K - "History" + "MAMA" YES! They finally sing live! However, like everything else SME does, it's once again a huge disappointment. I thought you guys could sing? You're even worse than DBSK when everyone but Yoochun sounded painful. When they hit the chorus of History, I literally started laughing. What is this? A screaming contest? What are you, a bunch of starving 3 year-olds during lunch time? I admire you all for singing at the choruses, but that was just painful. That high note at the beginning of the second chorus is MAMA was painful beyond words. Whoever did that should be sent back to SME bootcamp. It was even more painful than Changmin's wail during their performance of Mideoyo back in 2004, because at least that had some semblance of a note. The problem is that by themselves they're not exactly brilliant live performers, so when you put them together, it's not enough that you put six new vocals together, they also have little group dynamic, and they don't have a concept of just standing back and letting someone else bask in the spotlight. They have to learn that they're now in a group with five other guys -- they can't go prancing around like the "star trainees" they used to be, because the most important thing now is not standing alone, but helping other guys stand. It's like a human pyramid, if the guys below are shaky, everything else becomes a total disaster.
NU'EST - "FACE" If there's something Pledis has done right, it's giving NU'EST this song. From the performances you can tell that they're not the world's best singers, and if they sang something from more vocally capable bands they'd probably sound like dying chickens too (I'm looking at you BTOB), but they got the right song for their vocals, so they actually sound pretty good. A few slips here and there, but over-all they've gotten to a point where they can all pull this song off well. I'm keeping my eyes on you, NU'EST.
Spica - "Painkiller" I should really get to listening to their album. After the show, I will. That said, it's another strong performance today, but I think I know why that's all I ever say about them. The song itself is not really made for performance, even if it's an okay song when you think about it. Therefore, although they do a really confident and consistent job at pulling it off, and they themselves have wow factors of their own, the song is pretty flat when performed in front of a live audience, and goes right through us.
B1A4 - "BABY I'M SORRY" B1A4, you're slowly inching back into my good books. Today's performance was strong, and even if I was in the middle of writing my EXO comment when they came on, I stopped to watch and I definitely wasn't disappointed. The vocals were consistently strong, and they're beginning to show that attitude of holding the audience in their hands. Good job, B1A4, good job.
Nine Muses - "Ticket" Everyone sounds pretty okay today, surprise surprise, and it's a solid performance over-all, they have presence and all that, but that's all this will every be -- just okay at best. And that's what bores me, because it's the same thing every week and they're not good enough to draw us in every single time.
Seo In Guk - "Tease Me" I usually only recap idols, but I was really drawn in with Seo In Guk's performance today. I was aware that he does have a voice, but this song reminds me so much of the Hwanhee songs I adore. It has groove, and despite not hearing the recording before today's show, it drew me in amidst writing comments for Spica -- I had to stop and watch. Well-sung, well-performed, amazing song.
SISTAR - "Lead Me" + "Alone" I, once, again, predicted the accompanying song. What can I say, it's a talent. Will this get me hired as an A&R person now? (;D) Lead Me was done pretty well, and I liked the cute set design, plus, it's a good thing they didn't make tutu girl (who I see is still wearing frilly skirts) sing live, because that would ruin everything. Let her hide behind her backing track, that would be less painful, thank you. Now, Alone. I love the set, but hate the outfits and the choreography. And, why, may I ask, are you girls lip-synching? You can try hiding it, but you're forgetting that I have ears. Someone turn on their mics or face death! NOW!
CN Blue - "Hey You" Aaaaand they pushed the drummer back again. Just when we were beginning to get along about this matter, Korea! I'm disappointed. And also, while you're at it, please plug in their instruments. Thanks!
4Minute - "Dream Racer" + "Volume Up" Guess who predicted their second song? Me! It's a performance song, and even if the verses are kind of meh, I genuinely like the melody of the chorus. Volume Up was how I expected it to be, and while Hyun A sounded whiny and the leader's voice was non-existent, the magnae did a pretty decent job, Gayoon was consistent as always, and Jiyoon hit those notes pretty well considering that they're pretty high to be doing more than one or two times. Not bad at all, 4Minute.
Shinhwa - "Venus" Now I'm sure we've pretty much acknowledged that Shinhwa are not exactly the most amazing live vocalists, but what they do in spite of that fact is what makes them such amazing performers. No one's perfect, and there were slips with the vocals today, but as a whole it was really a show. And note, they're using the standard-issue KBS handsfree mics that everyone but DBSK seems to sound horrible with. The stage presence they have, the fact that when they all sing together they sound like a whole (take notes, EXO), and how they confidently carry their not really amazing live vocals -- that's what makes the performance a pleasure to watch.
SHINee - "Sherlock"(WINNER) It's good to know that after last Sunday's meh performance, SHINee haven't entirely lost it. Everyone was much better today, and the intensity of their presence is back with a vengeance. Always a good thing, SHINee, always a good thing.
SISTAR and 4Minute will go neck-and-neck with their comebacks on tomorrow's KBS Music Bank, so as a sort of preface to this weekend's series of recaps, let's see how these girls fair in the music department.
I've been pretty neutral towards both groups' previous material as a whole, but there have been moments of glory from both groups in the past - HuH and Shady Girl in particular. But I guess because of those two amazing singles, I still keep my eye on both of them. This time around, I'm not entirely let-down, which is a good thing, but I'm also not entirely amazed and blown away.
4Minute - "Volume Up"
The Lead Single: At first glance, Volume Up is okay at best. It's a lot better than what we got from 4Minute last year, that's for sure, but at the rate they were going, anything would be better. I've been listening to it throughout the week, and honestly, it grew on me. It's still not stunning or anything, but it gets more and more interesting as the days pass. It's not deep like Big Bang's Blue, but you do have to look at how the elements come together, and really make an effort -- Volume Up won't sweep your feet away on it's own. The production is very strong, and the vocal treatment sounds very natural, but still clean -- you hear some lisps here and there, but it makes the song sound as if the girls were singing right beside you. Of course, the downfall of this kind of treatment is that the bad singers, the leader in particular, sound more vulnerable, and because of this I'm sort of worried for their live performances. Not just with the leader, but with the fact that Hyuna not only sings, but sings first. We'll see. The melody itself is pretty, and even if I find the saxophone loop at the beginning and at certain parts quite cheap-sounding, I like how it's actually a vital part of the song and not some random loop they threw in just because -- Jiyoon and Gayoon's high notes mirror the notes of the sax loop. As a whole, Volume Up is a logical step for 4Minute, it's not something out of character for them, and because of that they're quite comfortable with it, enough to give the song punch where it's needed. It works, and that's what matters.
The Music Video: The video made me like Volume Up a lot more, actually. Everyone looks really good, but in the tasteful way, with their outfits and the sets they chose. The magnae looks gorgeous, and it’s one of those rare times that I actually notice looks. The cinematography is gorgeous as well, and it gives the video character. It isn't easy to make a video with character that still looks flashy and tasteful.
The Rest of the EP: The rest of Volume Up is also okay at best, but it takes time and a lot of effort to get to that best. I heard it for the first time a few days ago when I was burned out from writing all day, and it went right through me. When I listened to it again a few days later, it got better. The production is very solid and consistent throughout, the songs themselves aren’t really bad, the material is cohesive, and the execution is fine, but there’s something missing, and that’s my main problem with the EP. It has punch around the edges, but it lacks a wow factor. There are no stunning, show-stopping melodies, and nothing that really blows you off your seat. It’s just okay.
The Notable Tracks:Femme Fatale, and the melodic parts of Dream Racer
The Final Score: 3.5/5
SISTAR - "Alone"
The Lead Single: When news of SISTAR's supposed "new sound" broke, I was really skeptical, and the teasers were of no help, but I was pleasantly surprised to hear Alone this morning, because it really is a different style from their previous singles. I wouldn't say it's a new sound, which is actually a good thing because I'm glad they've managed to keep the SISTAR sound despite shifting styles. Which means that it's the girls themselves who've made their sound, and not the producers behind them. Though I'm really impressed, it's more of a personal preference that I really don't like the SISTAR sound in the first place, because to me it lacks finesse. But "Alone" is one of the better sell-able songs out at the moment, which is always a good thing. I do like how they're shifting towards more real-sounding instruments and singable melodies. I like the piano and drum lines because for once, they don't just sound real, they feel real. Alone (the song) sounds bare if you compare it to in-your-face synth-fests, but I like that about it -- it's a song that's really centered around the melody and how people can sing it, the key words being people, and sing.
The Music Video:Alone is the exact opposite of Volume Up -- it's very sharp, with solid colors, black and white dresses, pumps, red lipstick, and clean cinematography -- but honestly, after seeing both videos I prefer Volume Up, because it's the more creative one of the two. I mean I like the sharpness of Alone, and they were most probably going for classy with it, but again, my problem with SISTAR since day one is that whatever grace they have looks cheap and contrived. They chose the right elements in the cinematography and styling, but they didn't deliver it well. There's a fine line between tasteful and cheap.
The Rest of the EP: I personally enjoyed listening to the rest of Alone more than I did Volume Up. Or rather, I wasn't bored to death listening to Alone. The rest of the album doesn't echo this "new style" they're going for with the lead single, and actually the uptempos sound very generic Brave Brothers, but at least the album is cohesive in the sense that it's still SISTAR. I really like Come Closer, even if it's short, because that melody is gorgeous, and it acts like a bridge from their previous material towards Alone, it sounds like their old material, but it's already on the same wavelength as Alone. No Mercy is okay, it's very SISTAR with the synths, melody and vocal treatment, and it's not boring, but it's also just okay. I'm a bit disturbed by the the title Lead Me, but the song itself is gorgeous. It reminds me a lot of Rania’s “Goodbye”, but with smoother, gentler vocals. I adore the harmonies and vocal treatment, and of course Hyorin’s vocals give the song much-needed attitude. Gorgeous melody, gorgeous vocals, and attitude to boot? I’m convinced.
The Notable Tracks:Lead Me, I Choose To Love You
The Final Score: 3.5/5
Yes, it’s a tie! Honestly, I didn’t expect it either, but everything considered, 4Minute and SISTAR both have their own merits and faults that differ from each other, and equal each other out. On a personal level though, I prefer Volume Up as a single, but Alone as an EP.
I think the title alone is a big giveaway of how the KBS Gayo Daejun was. Sometimes sleep-incuding, most of the time boring, and occasionally okay. Yup, that's about right. It was a smaller venue than the SBS and KBS ones, which means that KBS should've had an easier time handling the sound quality and such, but I'm afraid that was not the case, because vocals during the latter parts of the show were horrid. Plus the fact that the people in the audience were practically zombies, and the acts looked bored out of their wits, as if they were forced to appear on the show. Which they probably were.
I wanted the acts jumping through hoops and fire, KBS, HOOPS AND FIRE. I got none of that. At all. Even from my beloved DBSK. How dare you.
Two things before we start. This recap focuses only on idols, so the other acts who appeared on the show, rappers and the like, will not be included in the selection. And also, I wanted to get this out as fast as possible before everyone forgets about the Gayo Daejuns. So due to the fact that today is a school night and I have a mountain of readings to tackle (ALREADY!! *sobs*), plus I'm about to collapse from fatigue and stress and general exhaustion, the videos and other formatting details will have to wait until tomorrow when I'm a bit more alive. Please don't ask me for the videos, because writing this up took a so much effort, and a lot of strong coffee.
Before we get to the three main categories of this recap, there is one performance that deserves a special mention. Not because it's amazingly good, but because it was horribly blasphemous.
Kim Hyun Joong - "Rainism" If Rain saw this, he'd bawl his eyes out because it's so bad. It's even too bad to be a parody, because parodies are deliberately made bad, so they can be funny (did anyone see that Kim Shin Young parody where the lyrics were about food?), but Kim Hyun Joong was as serious as serious can be. And really now, even if Rain wasn't exactly K-Pop's best singer, at least he could sing his own songs! This performance was LIP-SYNCHED, and it was STILL bad. The dancing wasn't that hot, the vocals were pathetic and painful, especially towards the end when he tried to do those runs, and this was a useless performance. Absolutely useless.
THE BORING
Davichi - "Don't Say Goobye" It's a gorgeous song, and a gorgeous arrangement, with those epic drums and the stunning and flawless harmonies, but it was soooooooooo boring. The only thing keeping me awake was the thought that their voices were really gorgeous, and the harmonies kinda gave me little slaps on the face to keep me from drifting to sleep. And it didn't help that they were the only ones on stage and they were just standing there. I don't talk about it much, but I've always believed that the visual aspect of a performance is important too. Always second to the music, yes, but without the visuals you get performances like this.
4Minute - "Mirror Mirror" It was interesting enough until they started singing, with all the back-up dancers behind them and the white coats against the dark backdrop, but it just got boring once they started singing. The dance break was okay, and Gayoon standing alone on stage kinda woke me up a bit, but once the singing started again there were nothing special, even with the remix and all the flashing lights.
U-Kiss - "Neverland" I understand that they were trying to do the "epic" sound with this re-arrangement, but it completely sucked all the life out of the song. That's not just because their vocals were muffled, but because the instrumental was so one-dimensional. They tried to put some kick in it, but failed miserably. The entire performance sounded like U-Kiss were submerged in a tub of jello, and all you hear are muffled screams.
f(x) - "Danger" Everything about this performance looked, and sounded, so robotic. Except Luna's line, but everything was so stiff, and Amber looked bored. There's a difference between orchestrated down to the last detail and robotic, and this performance was robotic.
Secret - "Shy Boy"+"Love is MOVE" I adore the re-arrangement of "Shy Boy", it had spunk to it, but what ultimately bored me to death was the fact that "Shy Boy" was lip-synched. Their vocals were too clean for the performance, too smooth for something that should be really high-energy and lively, because of the nature of the processing. But on the other hand, their live vocals on "Love is MOVE" were weak, and that bored me too, because it sounded just like a regular weekly music show. I'm better off watching an episode of MuBank, the sound might even be better.
SNSD - "The Boys" This was just like any other performance of "The Boys", and it wasn't even done extraordinarily well, in fact, they sounded even more strangled than they usually do, and that was the only thing that kept me awake, to be honest with you.
2PM - "Electricity"+"Hands Up" "Electricity" was okay, but when you slow "Hands Up" down, it sounds even worse. It's repetitive, it's monotonous, and the instrument is very one-dimensional, so it literally sounds like you just slowed the song down at home and played it at a New Year's Eve party with your family and friends. It just goes on and on and on and on. If not for their stage presence, this would've put me to sleep from the very beginning.
THE SLEEP INDUCING
f(x), 4Minute, Infinite, IU, Super Junior, - K-Pop Shuffle Dance Special/K-Pop To The World Oh dear. The lights gave me a headache, and the dubstep overload just put me to sleep. Gee, thanks KBS. You clearly didn't want me to watch the rest of your show. Seriously, even with the hooks under the heavy looping, the thing just went on and on and on and oooooooooooon. And they were essentially just doing a bunch of dance steps over and over and over and overrrrrrr. Although, the one thing that amused me was the fact that "Mr. Simple", without the heavy remixing, fit right in to the medley. That just goes to show how shallow that song is.
BEAST - "Fiction" You know, when the performers themselves look like they're bored out of their wits and scream half-hearted "let's go!"'s, it affects their entire performance. Everything. And BEAST performed - sang, danced - like zombies. It's not even funny or incredibly bad, it's so pitiful that I just wanted to sleep through it to not see it. And it doesn't help that Hyunseung completely destroyed his high note. Even when they changed the arrangement towards the end, they still looked half-asleep, and the guy singing looked like he was about to cry. There was absolutely no kick to this performance, and it's such a shame because I expect a lot from BEAST.
Kim Hyun Joong - "Lucky Guy" This is definitely a better choice, over "Break Down", because it's just that much more lively and fits Hyun Joong's vocals, but it STILL put me to sleep. It didn't help that this came over that horrid shuffle dance medley, so I was still half asleep. Even if it's a lively song, Hyun Joong's vocals have absolutely no sense of dynamics, nor do they have any body, and so he effectively made this performance flat. The best part was the end.
IU - "Good Day"+"You and I" Strong, consistent, vocals, but the remix was so boring and generic that, once again, it sucked out all the life out of the song. And even if IU's vocals are nice, they're pretty thin around the edges, and so she needs kick to her arrangements. This was just flat, so her vocals turned too cute and too weak, albeit okay. And it put me off for the rest of the performance, so when "You and I" came on I was already knocked out and asleep. And no amount of bouncy, IU could've erased the boring arrangement she just did beforehand.
The Okay
Infinite - "Paradise"+"Be Mine" The lights on the suits, although not exactly original, were a nice touch and an okay way to open the show. Nothing especially spectacular happened on this performance, but their vocals were pretty solid for Infinite standards, the dance intro was well-prepared and practiced (no one forgot anything), and the transitions, from the dance to the remix of "Paradise", to another dance break and finally to "Be Mine", were clean. The fact that this is one of the best performances of the night should not only be a compliment to Infinite, but an insult to KBS.
SISTAR - "SO COOL" I never thought I'd see the day where I'd put a SISTAR performance among the best, but really, after the boring performances that came before, this was a welcome relief. And it's not like SISTAR are completely talentless, only 3/4 of them! Hyorin's vocals were incredibly strong as usual, and for the first time I didn't notice their lack of grace that much. I see improvement!
Miss A - "Goodbye Baby" Brilliant re-arrangement. I loved the drums during the intro, even if they were pretty useless for the rest of the song, but I also adore the arrangement of the song itself, with just that hint of rock elements, including real drums (!!), but also enough of the original, familiar, arrangement! And they pulled this off much, much better than the SBS re-arrangement! Strong vocals, good concept, fitting re-arrangement. Best performance of the night? Best performance of the night.
Wonder Girls - "Be My Baby" The beginning was messy, I don't know if it was on purpose or what, but their choreography was all over the place. Their vocals were strong, and up until the dance break it was actually really boring. All I could think of was that if I wanted to see a performance like this, I could've watched a weekly music show. Even their comeback was more flashy than that. But the end kind of resurrected them, and it was so amusing to hear Ye Eun and Sun Ye actually singing what should've been autotuned. I'd say, as a whole, this is okay verging on boring.
DBSK/HoMin - "Before U Go"+"Why? (Keep Your Head Down)" This was not their best. It wasn't, and I'm disappointed, but their heavily overdubbed vocals could've been because this was pre-recorded and SME couldn't help but show off their flashy studios. HOWEVER, if you listen well enough (like I know many of you did!), it's rather clear that they're actually singing and not just relying on the overdub because their vocals were actually consistent. And that's something these new acts have to learn. Like what I said about their SBS performance, DBSK are, first and foremost, singers, and so even with the overdub, it's courtesy to the audience to sing live for a live performance. And that's what separates them from their back-up dancers, that's why they're the featured artist on their albums. Not because they look good, go on variety shows, and dance on stage, but because they sing.
It's January first pretty much everywhere now, I guess, so happy new year to all you guys! Thank you for making 2011 such an amazing year for me, without you guys and your constant pestering and all your tear-jerking comments, as well as all the trolling I got this year, I would've never been able to get through the year in one piece, and win my very first Philippine Blog Award! Thank you so much for taking time out of your lives to read my work, and even more time out to comment on my posts. I may not answer your comments, but I read every single one of them. You've made Pop Reviews Now one of the leading critical K-Pop review blogs, and although I still have a long way to go, I promise to make an effort to repay you guys this year for all your support. Also, thank you for reading this, because it means you're sticking with me this 2012!
Allow me to explain this post first though. I really meant to do a recap of the 2011 Gayo Daejuns, but the original plan was throwing everything in to one huge post with all three networks' shows divided into several categories. However, due to the fact that I want to get the Gayo Daejun post out as fast as possible before it becomes stale news, and also the fact that I'm still in the process of getting a copy of the MBC show (which I've heard is the best out of the three), I've decided to split the posts by network. Today's recap is of the SBS show, which was broadcast on December 29th. Tomorrow I will be recapping the KBS show, and on Tuesday the MBC show (hopefully I have a copy of it by then), if everything goes as planned.
The first of the three Gayo Daejuns this year, SBS delivered a solid show with 170 singers packed in to three and a half hours of running around stage. The show was divided into several themed stages, including a special suite for SM Entertainment artists (and the debut of several EXO members), one which featured CN Blue and FT Island collaborating with f(x) and the Wonder Girls, and a hip-hop stage. The SBS show was a balance of familiar, hit singles from 2011, and special stages.
But that doesn't mean it was immune to disasters, because there were quite a few. And there were those performances that could've been really amazing, but didn't really come out right. I won't be recapping the entire show, instead, we'll talk about the best, worst, and the most promising performances.
THE BAD
B1A4 - Beautiful Target And the award for the worst performance of the night? Well, that goes to none other than B1A4. For several reasons. First, obviously the song itself is a complete and utter disaster. It's all over the place in the most spread-out way possible. You look away for a while and the song sounds completely different, plus, about 99% of the song has to utilize a backing track, because the vocal treatment changes every five seconds, so basically all these guys are doing is screaming "yeah!" and running around stage. I'd hardly call that a performance. Second, what is with that choreography? My eyes. And third, when you put the song, together with the horrid choreography, and the fact that they're actually trying desperately, it's hilarious.
Gain (Brown Eyed Girls), Jiyeon (T-Ara), Hyun A (4Minute), Sunhwa (Secret), Fei (Miss A), G.NA - "Run the World" Oh wow. Where do I start. Well, I appreciate the effort, and I appreciate the fact that they included Ga-In (even if she forgot some of the choreography), but this performance was another mess. Too many girls, and I guess they didn't have enough time to learn the whole song, because for the majority of the song they danced in shifts, and yeah, choreography was forgotten. The dancing in shifts really irritated me though, because it really shows how unprepared they were, and it's like the performance was half gyrating all over the place, and half dead air. At the same time. It's inconsistent, three or four of them are dancing, then there are two or three just standing there on the side. What are they, mannequins? If they didn't have enough time, then they should've just done one verse and a chorus or something. I'd rather they did that then haphazardly do a full, 3-minute performance. And really, people can only take so much of that kind of dancing.
G.NA - "Top Girl"+"Black&White" It really breaks my heart to see G.NA like this. With that horrid choreography at the beginning, those pretty weak vocals throughout, and the cheap repertoire. She's talented, she shouldn't be singing songs like this, because they do her absolutely no justice.
KARA and 2PM - "Every Little Step" Everyone was so dead during this performance. I mean I understand that KARA and 2PM aren't the best singers around, but what makes this so bad is that it was already lip-synced for heaven's sake, and yet the singing was wimpy and lifeless. I would've written it off anyway if the vocals were fixed up, but not as much as I am now. If you're going to lip-sync a performance anyway, at least use all those studio tricks to make the track sound damn good. Such lazy, lazy people.
THE PROMISING
Miss A - "Goodbye Baby" I adore this arrangement, I really do. It's so fierce, and it matches the melody so well. It's obvious that this was thought about. However, their vocals on this were so disappointing, bad almost. Like, really, they were weak and everyone sounded like they were being strangled all the way through. I've dealt with the regular Miss A breathlessness since they debuted, and they got better this year, but this performance was so painful to listen to. It's such a waste though, because the arrangement was really good.
After School - "Diva" This was a really interesting song choice, but also a very logical one, because "Shampoo" would bore people to death. Just the idea of hearing them perform "Diva" after so long is enough to get people interested, but in true After School fashion, they failed to deliver. Add the fact that line-stealer Raina struck again, STEALING LINES FROM JUNG AH (HOW DARE SHE), and that they didn't do the entire song and it just disappeared into them and Pledis boys dancing to dubstep (snore..), the originally good idea turned into bad execution.
KARA - "Step" This is another arrangement I really like. "Step" in itself is already a big performance-ready song, and there's little you can do, but I like how they made the percussion sound a lot more real as if they had a live band behind them. They didn't lose that high-energy, yet girly, sound, but they made it a lot more apt for a live performance, and the transition to and from the dance break was very smoothly done. The let down? Again, the vocals. I'm not surprised, in fact I was expecting worst, but just because this is the best they can do, doesn't mean I'll forgive them for being inferior. They can't sing live, and it's such a shame because their material is really, really good, fun, pop.
T-Ara - "Cry Cry" If this was done completely live and pulled off just as well as it was lip-synced, this would've been one of the best performances. But no, the backing track wins and you hear next to no live vocals. The arrangement is brilliant, the dance break is different but not disjointed and they kept the distinct piano line, even a bit of the original feel of the song, but made it fresher, and interesting. And believe me, after looping this for over 200 times this year, thus making the original arrangement pretty stale for me, this is really a strong, new, but faithful take on the song. It's an amazing arrangement ruined by bad production decisions and possibly the lack of solid live vocals.
CN Blue and The Wonder Girls - "Tainted Love" First of all, Yoobin shouldn't have been the first to sing, because I was turned off right away. Yoobin isn't a bad singer, but you have to have a certain level of proficiency to sing songs like this, and she doesn't have that. She sounded like she was drunk and singing this on karaoke or something, not on stage. But Sohee and Lim don't have that proficiency either. Lim needs more power and this is a song she can't get away with because she has an American accent. And really now Sohee, why do you even try. Her line was all air and no singing, she was useless. It should have been just Ye Eun and Sun Ye doing this, because if it was it would've been an amazing performance.
Wonder Girls - "Be My Baby" It was a classy performance, with decent vocals and a very polished arrangement, but even if the arrangement was fresh, it was boring. Pretty piano line, yes, and if you think really hard it's actually not a bad performance or anything, it surprisingly matches the lesser members' vocals even if it's now more dependent on the melody, but this is a performance, it's supposed to really catch your attention from the very beginning. In a sense, this arrangement was so predictable, but on the other hand, had they done a rock remix it would've been boring too considering all the other rock-ish arrangements that came before them. But actually, I liked the track that was playing during the intro, if they turned that into the remix things would've been interesting. Basically, what this performance lacks is shock. I know I have very high expectations of them, but after "Wonder World", why wouldn't I?
SMTOWN - "The Sound of Hallyu" I loved the idea of this, and I loved how, even if majority of them weren't playing live, it was made very obvious that the people who played instruments actually know how to play them in real life. And I like how the people who sang were actually the people who can sing, and they didn't force people who are dancers, not singers, to sing. Like Taeyeon and Changmin's duet. Even if Changmin out-screamed Taeyeon, she was definitely the right choice for the song. If it had been Jessica I would have raised hell. The Shinhwa and H.O.T. covers were tame, and that's one of the two reasons why this is a "promising", but not one of the best performances. The songs they chose need savage vocals. Raw, powerful, with minimal processing, but seeing as the people they got to sing those parts, although good singers, simply don't have the vocals to do those songs justice. Of course the Exo members were a big part of the thrill of this suite, but they, or actually just one of them, are the second reason I didn't put this down as one of the best performances. Towards the end, the second guy to the left of Changmin, I think he was the one who danced after Victoria, was TALKING to the other Exo guy beside him. That's such horrid stage deportment. It may not be a lot to you guys, because the standard reaction is "So what's wrong with that? They're just talking.", but this is one of the most basic forms of courtesy towards not only the audience, because they have a responsibility to give their full attention to the audience and their performance, but also towards the other artists on stage. How would you like it if the guy beside you was talking to someone during your big solo? If, this early, that kind of behavior is just let go, forgiven and forgotten, it will get worse. Trust me, I've seen it happen, and it definitely doesn't end pretty. And considering how Exo are being hyped to be extremely talented, if they don't have basic stage manners it will be a huge waste of their talent.
THE GOOD
Yoon Mirae with Gary, Dynamic Duo, Jun Hyung (BEAST), Hoya (Infinite), Mir (MBLAQ), Taecyeon (2PM) - "Get It In"+"Monster" And the award for the best singing of the night goes to Yoon Mirae. All these idols should be ashamed to call themselves singers after Yoon Mirae, who I believe raps majority of the time (the new times I've heard her material), out-sings them all without lifting a finger, by just by singing a few lines. Backing track, yes, but you know she's rapping and SINGING live, it's so obvious, but she does it so well that to untrained ears it may be a bit confusing. But apart from the strong vocals, she has the stage presence to not have to jump around too much. She still does towards the end, but she has a certain air to her that you know she's having so much fun and you want some of it too, but she still commands the stage, and all the guys sharing it with her. This, my friends, is a true performance.
2NE1 - "I Am The Best"+"Ugly" I didn't like "I Am The Best", but like I always say, you have to watch 2NE1 for their material to make sense. It's not that their recordings are bad, because the production on them is outstanding, it's not that they can't sing, because my God can Minzy and CL sing, it's that their material is made to show off their strengths, and 2NE1's strengths lie in performance. They don't exactly run around stage because the majority of their performances are choreographed, but they have a command of it that's like no other. It's not just stage manners, or presence, it's really a command and it shows in everything -- the way they move, the way they sing. Pair that with a very creative and accommodating talent agency, and you have familiar, but stellar performance.
Brown Eyed Girls - "Sixth Sense" I noticed that hardly any of my favorite performances were full remixes. But I guess that it's harder to perform a familiar arrangement and still make it sound interesting. But that's exactly what the Brown Eyed Girls did. Apart from adding a few bits and pieces (literally pits and pieces) all over the place, and adding a dance break, the base is still the same. This is one of the best girl group performances, and, like the entirety of their "Sixth Sense" promotions, performances, songs, singles, this is girl group master class. To all the girl groups trying to be sexy with skimpy, but cheap, outfits, to all the girl groups trying to be fierce but failing, to all the girl groups trying to sing while dancing, this, girls, is how it's done. Watch and learn.
BEAST - "Fiction" They didn't really do much to the arrangement of "Fiction", just softened a few parts, added bits and pieces here and there, and switched some things around, but the basic mould of the song is still the same. And that's the selling point of the performance -- it's familiar. However, despite it being pretty simple, the modifications were enough to keep things fresh and not bore people to death. It's also a very straightforward performance, but in being simple it's also very well-sung. And considering how good a song "Fiction" is to start with, it's a good thing that they didn't experiment too much, but still had the foresight to prepare for it. Like I said a while ago, I prefer a simple, but prepared performance over an elaborate but haphazard one.
DBSK/HoMin - "Keep Your Head Down"+"MAXIMUM" Call it unoriginal, because the dance part most probably is, call it boring, because there were no significant changes to the arrangements, but what you can't deny is that Yunho and Changmin know how to perform, and they showed it. They hold the audience in the palm of their hands and they know exactly what to do to make them go wild, but they never, ever, forget the musical aspect of it all. Screaming, yes, chanting and interacting, yes, but stopping to sing just for the sake of it? Never. That's the kind of stage deportment that newer acts, even Super Junior and SNSD, lack -- they lack concentration and choose dancing, waving and being cute over singing. Image is important, yes, and they take care of that too, but they are singers before anything else, and singing should always be first priority. Yunho and Changmin are what idols should be, and THIS is how it should be done.
When I heard that their lead single would be "country-inspired", I was a bit worried because I really do doubt Cube's A&R most of the time, but now I regret every worrying. Honestly, "24/7" really intrigues me because I never thought Cube could do something like this, let alone pull it off. It's really interesting because you actually do hear the country in it, with the cowbell and the banjo, and also melodically and in their choice of chords -- the people who put this song together clearly knew what they were doing. But what hit the nail on the head for me was how instead of just being a country-rip off, this still sounds like a K-Pop song, in the best possible way. You hear it in the bridges, you hear it in majority of the melody, but you hear it best when it gets mixed up with the country elements. It's striking not because it's a stark contrast, it's striking because it's not something you expect to work. That's why this, my friends, is what I call creativity. Well-executed creativity. 
