Ten songs by artists that are part of a duo/group, but for whatever reason have released solo material.
Not Alone - Park Jung Min
Korean | Pop
This is the song that inspired this theme. I've always liked SS501, but never really paid attention to its individual members. The only one I could have recognized by name/face was Kim Hyun Joong. I think Park Jung Min of SS501 has caught the attention of many, myself included, with his latest single. Not Alone is the title track. I love the utilization of strings, ranging from the staccato of the dark, dramatic opening to the long, melodic lines of the brighter chorus. It's catchy without relying on the synths and auto-tune that define so much of recent k-pop, which is refreshing. I've had this song on repeat for the last couple days.
You and I - Park Bom
Korean | Pop
I really wish Park Bom released more solo material. She has such a great voice, and it doesn't really get a chance to shine in 2NE1's songs. The music video has an interesting twist, by the way. Park Bom sounds great, her voice is strong without being overpowering and has a really nice richness to it.
VVIP - Seungri
Korean | Dance/Pop
Seungri was one of those members of Big Bang I never really noticed until he released his first mini-album. My qualm with Big Bang's music (and GD & TOP's mini-album) is that their songs, while extremely infectious, get stale quite quickly. It's a bit too early to tell with VVIP, but I think it has a bit more staying power. There's a nice contrast between the bright, melodic chorus and the rapping verses. There's something youthful and fresh about the song in general, emphasized by the touches of brass, that separates it from other uptempo tracks.
小樹 - Lara
Mandarin | Pop/Ballad
Lara was a member of Nan Quan Mama, before leaving to pursue a solo career. To be honest, I'm not really fond of her solo album. She has a really delicate voice that worked well with Nan Quan Mama's style of music and mixed group concept, but alone with the cuter, more standard-pop based sound that she has in her solo album, it's quite forgettable. I do like 小樹 though, I think the light, acoustic accompaniment compliments her voice nicely.
Sorry - Lee Jin Sung ft. Heritage
Korean | R&B/Ballad
Lee Jin Sung was half of the original duo of Monday Kiz (the other half was Kim Min Soo, who passed away in 2008). Monday Kiz was known for their ballads, so it's no surprise that Lee Jin Sung has a great voice. This song is a bit more upbeat than the ballads they were famous for. I love the harmonies.
문이 닫히면 - 윤두준 & 손동운 of Beast
Korean | R&B/Ballad
Beast's songs have always been a bit hit-or-miss with me, but I really like this duet. It's got a really nice acoustic feel that's different from their usual style.
Wonderful Life - Minwoo
Korean | Pop
I think that out of Shinhwa's members, Minwoo's solo songs are my favourite. The others have released songs that I've really liked too, but excluding a few of his most recent songs, I really like most of what Minwoo has done. His music has so much energy and flair, and Wonderful Life is the perfect example of this. The confident brass riffs and bass line work so well with the depth and slight rough edge to his voice.
Persona - Kangta
Korean | Ballad
H.O.T.'s prime was way before I got into k-pop, but I'm pretty familiar with Kangta's solo material. Persona was released in 2005, and I don't know how to explain it exactly, but there's something about it that's different from more recent ballads. Whatever it is, I love it. It's a bit dark without being overly dramatic or exaggerated, and there's a sense of yearning to it. I like the subtle harmonies as well.
못 잊어 - Kim Jong Kook
Korean | Pop
I'm a big fan of Kim Jong Kook, formerly of Turbo. He's known for his high voice. While in a couple of his songs - especially some on his first/second solo albums - it comes across as thin, I think he's really developed because overall, it's clear and warm. 못 잊어 has a great melody and uses synths subtly.
덩크슛 - JoKwon & Whale
Korean | Pop
This song is a collaboration between 2AM's JoKwon and W&Whale's Whale. It's a cover of Lee Sung Hwan's Dunk Shot (which I've never actually heard, so I can't make any comparison). It has a really unique flavour and beat, modernized by well-utilized synths.
Labels: 2AM, Beast, Kangta, Kim Jong Kook, Lara, Lee Jin Sung, Lee Min Woo, Park Bom, Park Jung Min, Seungri, W and Whale
[rotation 56] christmas mixtape
Wednesday, December 22, 2010 posted at 6:28 PM
Sorry it's been so long since my last update! The last few weeks have been a little hectic. I know this is a little late, but I've made a small mixtape of holiday music. To be honest, I can't stand Christmas music. I don't know what it is, I've just never liked listening to Christmas songs. The only exceptions are Last Christmas, Winter Wonderland, and Happy Christmas (War is Over). These are some covers of Christmas classics and some original songs that I do like, and I hope you'll enjoy them too. Happy holidays!
♪ I Wish It Was Christmas Today - Julian Casablancas
♪ Amazing Grace - Sufjan Stevens
♪ Last Christmas - Florence & the Machine
♪ White Christmas - Michael Buble
♪ All I Want for Christmas is You - Lady Antebellum
♪ Christmas Lights - Coldplay
♪ Jingle Bells - Lisa Loeb
♪ I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - AAA
♪ Last Christmas - Foxxi misQ
♪ We Need A Little Christmas - Glee
♪ The First Noel (사랑해 그리고 기억해) - Son Ho Young
♪ Winter Wonderland - Kangta
♪ Happy Christmas (War is Over) - Maroon 5
Julian Casablancas' I Wish It Was Christmas Today perfectly captures the impatience of waiting for Christmas with its energy, while Sufjan Stevens' folk-influenced rendition of Amazing Grace is as unique as the rest of his music. I love how he keeps true to the original while really putting his own, identifying touch on it. I'm a huge Florence & the Machine fan, and Florence's rich voice is simply gorgeous in their cover of Last Christmas, and the acoustic guitar backdrop allows it to shine through even more. I think this is one of the best covers I've heard. Speaking of great singers, you can't go wrong with Michael Buble. I think every Christmas needs a smooth, chocolatey jazz song, and Buble delivers. Lady Antebellum's cover of All I Want for Christmas is You is another favourite of mine, Hillary's clear-cut voice is flawless. Coldplay's Christmas Lights explores another side of Christmas, saying that "it doesn't really feel like Christmas at all", but at the same time, there's a note of hope. Lisa Loeb delivers a completely transformed Jingle Bells, while AAA's I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus is sugary, cute, and quite true to the original. Foxxi misQ, an all-female Japanese hip-hop/urban trio, delivers a pretty, modernized Last Christmas. The modern beat and smooth vocals work well together. I don't really follow Glee, but I do like listening to the show's soundtracks. Son Ho Young's The First Noel is a gorgeous winter ballad, it's a bit slow but his strong voice really makes up for it. Another Korean singer, Kangta's cover of Winter Wonderland works quite well; his English is pretty good. I love Happy Christmas (War is Over), but most covers I hear don't do it justice. Maroon 5's cover is lovely though, it really keeps the message of the original clear.
Labels: AAA, Coldplay, Florence and the Machine, Foxxi misQ, Glee, Julian Casablancas, Kangta, Lady Antebellum, Lisa Loeb, Maroon 5, Michael Buble, mixtape, Son Ho Young, Sufjan Stevens
