Vixx - Eternity

1. Eternity
I've been looking forward to this. Vixx is back. After emerging at as one of the top boys groups of 2013, I was keen to hear their music again. This song is different from Vixx's unusual title track style. It lacks the creepiness and the catchy chorus. Because of that it doesn't feel like a complete Vixx song and seems to be lacking. There are no 'I need therapy' or 'I feel, I feel fantastic' lines. But none the less the song is still a good song. The ohhh off, parts of the song are still haunting and give me chills.

4.3/5

2. Love LaLa
This song is more laid back. I don't have any strong opinions on this song. For me it's just there. I don't like it but I don't hate. I find it extremely forgettable and a bit boring.

3.5/5

3. Sad Ending
For a song called sad ending, this is a happy sounding song. Again this song doesn't grab me. It's not bad but it's good but I think I was honestly expecting more from Vixx, maybe that's the problem. The song is good song.

3.7/5

Overall I think I was expected to much. I give it 3.9/5

 

LiSa - Rising Hope

1. Rising Hope
As you guys may know, I quite like Anime music. I like this song. It's pretty awesome. It has a good rock beat and the singing, which I usually find the problem, is good. At times the shouting gets a bit annoying but otherwise a good song.

4/5

2. Poker Face
I like this song too, it's a bit slower paced then the title song, but the beat makes up for it.

3.9/5

3. (Limited and Regular Edition) Footprints Compass

This song is different then the previous tracks as it has a haapy feel to it. The rock is minimised and replaced by a feel good happy tune.

4.1/5

3. (Anime Edition) You And The Sky After Rain

This song is again different being a ballad. It's forgettable and I don't really like it because I'm not a ballad person and this song hasn't changed that.

3.5/5

Overall this single gets a 3.9/5.

 

T-ARA - Gossip Girl

1. Just Now
I'm so excited to review this. I really like T-ARA and I'm sure this album will be as good as I expect it to be. I'm not looking forward to paying for this album though. Anyway this first song, it's a good song to open the album with. It's upbeat and happy, with the electric pop I associate with T-ARA. the song is T-ARA with the Japanese sound. It's an good album track.

4/5

2. Lucky Wanabeee!
This song has that T-ARA sound. It's got a heavy electric beat and electric sounds, and a darker undertone. Then the chorus is upbeat and has a fast tempo. It has that hook, 'lalalala lucky lucky wanabeeeeeee' I love T-ARA hooks. This song is catchy but not as catchy as some of their other releases.

4.5/5

3. Number Nine (Japanese Version)
The Japanese version of their Korean hit. I'll be honest I prefer the Korean version, because the lyrics don't seem to quite fit in the Japanese version and the singing seems not as heartful, it sounds slightly subdued at times.

4.8/5

Pearl Edition, CD Only

4. Lead The Way
Previously released as a single. I didn't like it then and things haven't changed. I feel this is one of the weaker songs on the album. The song lacks that awesomeness I expect and the song is just flat and boring which is a shame because T-ARA can do ballads really well, this song is just meh.

2.6/5

5. Keep On Walking
This song reminds me of a video game, it has that 8-bit music. I like this song. It's not my favourite on the album but it's not the worse. A song good enough to be on the album.

3.6/5

6. Knockin' On My Heart
This is the typical T-ARA song. It's okay. Not the best but not the best. I like the 'nanana' and the song includes a range of tempo's to make it interesting. The chorus is a bit meh but the verses make up for it.

3.8/5

7. Musica Musica
Another electric song, this song seems a bit plain with nothing to make it stand out against other songs. Not really much else to say.

3.5/5

Sapphire Edition, CD + DVD

8. Watashidoshiyou (Japanese Version)
Again, similar to Number Nine the Japanese version of Do You Know Me, isn't as good. Although this could be because I'm so used to listening to the Korean version, the Japanese version sounds too different. The English in the chorus, I find quite distracting but that is probably just me.

4.7/5

9. La'boon
Again, this song was realeased as a single with Lead The Way and I don't really like that much. I find it average and the repeaing of La'boon fails as a hook and is just annoying.

3/5

Diamond Edition, CD + DVD + Photobook

10. A-Ha
On iTunes this was the least popular song. It's not as bad as I expected it to be. I love the jazzy, old time feel this song has. It sticks out on the album as it's doesn't mash with the other songs on the album and it just seems out of place.

3.5/5

11. Kioku - Kimigu Kureta Michishirube
A ballad to close the album. It's not the strongest T-ARA ballad but it's pleasant enough I guess.

3.3/5

12. T.T.L. Time To Love (Japanese Version) (Dj Hanmin Remix)
If you want this track on the album your going to have to hurry because it's only available on First Pressed Editions. The song is the remix Japanese version of the Korean track. The Korean of this song was perfect and I think this remix version is a bit messy. At times there are just too many sounds going on, taking away from the original version.

4/5

Overall, this is not the best T-ARA album, it's far from it. But it still gets a 3.7, good for most groups but I would imagine far below the normal T-ARA album.

 

AKB48 - Labrador Retriever

1. Labrador Retriever
So AKB48 are back with their new single. The title being Labrador Retriever. I always find AKB48 and all the 48 groups to be a bit hit and miss. This song is defiantly a miss for me. It's bland, boring and pretty forgettable... but I expected it because the title tracks are usually pretty bad.

2.9/3

2.  The Melody Until Today (Yuko Oshima's Graduation Song)
This song is sad, clearly. Yuko Oshima has been a member since Aitakatta and is one of the most popular members singing in every A-side since Aitakatta (except the Rock/Paper/Scissors singles). Overall, while I don't like the song, it's not my style. I can see why this song could be a favourite due to it's sentimental feelings it brings.

3.5/5

3. (Type A) You Are Fickle

Okay, since AKB48, is a Japanese groups naturally we have several versions of the single, a grand total of 9 different version. 5 different versions, 4 of them limited editions. The first is Type A, where the song is sung by Team A. The normal edition is the one where the girls are wearing the pastel dresses while the limited edition is the one the girls are sitting down. I'm not sure on this song. It's better then the title but I think it's still fairly average. It's very forgettable and not the best AKB48 song.

3.4/5

3. (Type K) My Dear Rival
I was expecting more from this track, as Team K, is my favourite Team because their songs just ttend to suit my taste more. I wasn't disappointed. The best song on the single. It's an upbeat dance track with everything I like about AKB48, including the awesome Guitar break. I may even be tempted to buy this version, although I would have to get the normal because I think my parents would have qustions if I got the limited edition.

3.9/5

3. (Type B) B Garden
This song is the happy cheery song, I expect from Team B. It really is just fun and simply, not the best, but not the worse.

3.6/5

 

3. (Type 4) The Heart Escape Game
Team 4 is still trying to find their place in AKB48, and this song helps. The group's concept is cute and you can see it very clearly. It an average cute song and doesn't really make me interested.

3/5

 

3. (Theatre Edition) We Were Cheating
The song is sung by Kojima Haruna (Team A) and a member of staff Kitagawa Kenji. The song is very un AKB sounding. It's sounds older and there is no bubblegum pop to this song. I don't think I have ever heard an AKB song sound like this. I quite like it.

3.6/5

Overall this single gets 3.4. I just want to know what the next Team will be called since while they haven't released any music, Team 8 does exist.... or does this mean no more teams?

 

M.Pire - Rumour

 

1. Not That Kind Of Person
The rookie group is back and this song was used as their title track. It's a happy song. The underline jazz beat is great. It's a sound not heard often in K-Pop. However, the song doesn't grab me. It's not bad but I find it quite forgettable. It may grow on me but at this point I'm not sure on it.

3.7/5

2. 0324 (Becoming A Star)
This a slower song, which I expected from M.Pire because they gravitate towards this sort of song. Unfortunitly, I don't like this kind of song. And this song is really unremarkable. It's such a shame because I want to love this group. From what I've seen they seem so normal and likable guys and obviously Lumin, used to be a member of F.Cuz which is a group I couldn't stan harder if I tried. I'll keep a look out for their next release and hope it's not as mediocre as this.

3/5

Overall 3.4/5

Jiyeon (T-ARA) - Never Ever

1. 1 Minute, 1 second
This is the time for solo's and singles. JiYeon from T-ARA also released her single. But this title song falls flat. I find it boring and forgettable. It doesn't have the catchiness that I think I was expecting from a member of T-ARA. The lyrics, do stick with me. The song is about a girl who can't stand to be away from a boy and says that she can never ever be without him, not for 1 miniute or even a second. JiYeon told the press she wanted to show that T-ara weren't going away and I wonder if that what she was thinking thoughout this song. Either way, I don't really like it.

3.6/5

2. Yeouido Cherry Blossom Road
This song is instantly more catchy then the previous. The beat is a lot more interesting and the instruments are those you usually year. The chorus's ;I don't know I don't know; is catchy, not as catchy as some other recent solo's but catchy enough.

3.7/5

3. Marionette
However, this is the best song on the single, in my opinion. It managers to keep the soft sound but adds power to the song so it doesn't put me to sleep. I really like the chorus. The whole single isn't my style but this song could be a grower.

3.8/5

Overall, this album was the music I was expecting, but T-ara recently released a Japanese album which I imagine I'll rate better then 3.7/5

 

Hyosung (Secret) - Top Secret

1. You Don't Know Women (feat J'Kyun)
The solo single from the member of Secret. Two versions of the singe were releases the limited edition (Pink) and normal edition (Black) I personally think the black cover is a lot better. I really like this song. I love how it has a saxophone in it, the whole sing has an electric jazz sound and it's really different, not something I can say I've really heard often. The rapper J'Kyun does well, his voice and style fits the song really well. Hyosung herself really pulls the song off, I wasn't sure if she had the presence to sing songs by herself but she does.

4.3/5

2. Good-Night Kiss
At first I hated this song, the annoying high pitched voice really put me off this song, but as time has gone on this song has grown on me. Still not overly fan of that squeaky voice or the contrast deeper voice that appear after the chorus but I've grown to ignore it because the song is great. The chorus is super catchy 'kiss on my, kiss on my lips' It instantly gets stuck in my head and if I hear it I spend the rest of the day singing the chorus. It's a fun song, that's memorable and I don't want anything else.

4.7/5

3. I Hate The Night
 Before checking out the single, this seemed to be the favourite song. The verse starts slow but builds up into a chorus that then falls slightly flat. But it's okay because the beat keeps the it from sinking. I think the chorus falls slightly short and it's not as awesome I was hoping fall after the build up to it. I like the bridge but for me this song isn't as good as the other songs on the single.

4/5

Overall I give this single 4.5/5

 

G.NA - Pretty Lingerie

 

This song is cute. It's nice and it has a catchy beat. It's not the most hooking song and to me sounds like an Album track, not a promotional song. I was expecting better and recently G.NA's songs just don't make an impact on me. They aren't bad but they are bland and a do worry if at this point G.NA can re gain the popularity she used to have. Also once again it seems the music video has tried to be funny but it doesn't work and just looks bad. I think Cube should stop trying to make 'funny' music videos because they aren't good at it.

3.9/5

McBusted Concert

Hello everyone.

Once again, I'm writing a post, it isn't a review, they will start again next week and the list of albums and singles on the to do list is long.

But last night I went to a concert to see MCBUSTED.

You don't how excited I was. For those that don't know who McBusted are I shall explain. They are a super band. Late last year the two mega bands McFly and Busted announced that they would be teaming up to go on tour and it was announced would be making an album together.

McFly and Busted were the groups of my childhood. McFly became popular by touring as the opening act for Busted. In 2005 Busted spilt after Charlie decieded he know wanted to be in Busted. I was only 8 when this happened but it broke my little heart. McFly have been around since 2003 and have continued to have lasting fame. James and Matt from Busted joined with Tom, Dougie, Harry and Danny to form McBusted.

As you can imagine I was overwhelmed. It was like all my childhood dreams had come true. Two of my favourite band forming one, natural I had to get tickets to see this.

The group performed both McFly and Busted hit songs including, 'Obviously', '5 Colours in Her Hair', 'Thunderbirds Are Go', 'All About', 'Crashed the Wedding' and the classic hit 'Year 3000'

It was amazing.

While the songs are and will forever be great, and listening to a group of drunk lads singing along to the songs, and then pulling the emergency stop on the train was an experience. My favourite part of the concert was just seeing how much fun the members had on stage. The ran and jumped around like a bunch of crazy people and you could tell that they just love being able to play and perform music. Even if they weren't way they were today, you could tell that they would still be rocking out and having the time of their lives and seeing them be so happy, made me happy. Their happiness was infectious and even now I'm still smiling.

If anyone needs cheering up, the group performed some impressive covers including a memorable cover of Celine Dion and the Jackson 5. Check them out here.

 

 

Thank you, for an amazing night and I personally can't wait for the album

 

Kris Leaving EXO, my thoughts.

Hello everyone.

I don't often make posts like this and I am on some kind of hiatus, (my exams are going mostly okay, except during a exam on the Crusaders and got asked to right 2 pages on castles, but that's off topic), but this news of Kris, filing a lawsuit against SM because he wants out of his contract has not only shocked me but shocked the Kpop community as a whole. I feel like some people aren't looking at the situation with an open mind and I feel like there are lots of fingers being pointed and rumours running wild and I just want to share my thoughts.

First, it seems no one saw this coming. Not fans or even the other members themselves I was shocked that this happened but we can't say there haven't been signs. Kris returned to Canada for 2 months randomly last year? I think, and maybe it was a sign that for whatever reasons Kris wasn't happy in EXO.

We don't know what these reasons are, and we probably never will. There are rumours that Kris was getting acting roles but SM was turning them down other rumours saying that Kris just wasn't enjoying the idol life and give it a couple more days I'm sure there will be some ridiculous rumour, like he's a lizard and someone discovered it and he had to leave the group or else be exposed. These are all just hear says and looking at past groups we can be sure that only the people directly involved in the matter will know the truth.

Since the news was announce there have been lots of people looking for someone to blame. The main person getting the blame is SM. I can honestly say that this was my first thought as well. Members wanting out of contracts seems to be an SM only thing. I seriously can't think of any other company that has had members file lawsuits to get out of contracts. Both Hangeng from Super Junior and JYJ from TVXQ filed lawsuits against SM in 2009/2010. These past incidents natural make many think that SM is clearly the problem and they could be. In both cases the members leaving their groups won the lawsuit. However, maybe SM is innocent this time, it would be the first time, but they are innocent until proven otherwise. The rumours that SM have been denying Kris acting jobs, seems to many as a reason for him wanting to leave and other artists under SM have also said that SM has been rejecting them acting offers so this claim is certainly valid. However they are just rumours and that must be remembered throughout the case.

I'm also seeing many blame the fellow members of EXO, with some saying that they clearly weren't supporting Kris enough if he wants to leave and now after he has filled his lawsuit they are trying to isolate him by unfollowing him on social networks. There are many things we need to consider here. The first that EXO weren't supporting Kris. Only they know if they were or not, that is again something that we will probably never know. If they weren't supporting Kris then yes, it could be there fault that he wants to leave the group, if they were supporting him then it's not there fault, but as I've said we don't, and will probably never will know this information. The members of EXO have expressed that they did not now this was going to happen and many are using this to say that Kris wasn't close to the group because if he was close to the group then he would have stated his intentions. I would presume that Kris wouldn't of told the members for fear that it might of got out and then SM would have taken actions before he could file the lawsuits. It is also possible that the members of EXO knew this was going to happen but are pretending to be shocked because they don't want SM to know that they already knew. Or it's also possible that SM are telling the members to say they didn't know in an attempt to isolate Kris.

Isolating Kris is something that SM may be doing. They have done similar things in the past to members that have left the company in similar manners. The social media posts may well be being controlled by SM and not the members of EXO themselves. It's not unusual for managements to take control of celebrities social media accounts, I can safely say this happens all other the world and wouldn't be isolated just to SM. If SM is controlling social media it's unfair for people to presume that things being posted their directly reflect how the members of EXO are feeling and SM could be trying to create a him or us feel among fans forcing them to pick sides. Regardless weather this is their aim of not, many fans are picking sides between EXO or Kris.

While SM may be controlling social media accounts it is equally possible that they are not and the members are in complete control of these accounts and the actions. I feel like the members of EXO have the right to be angry with Kris. EXO, like all idol groups have worked extremely hard to get to where they are, countless hours of training with very little rest and I will argue that EXO has had to deal with some of the worse saesungs in history, which adds to the hardships they have had to endue. With only around 9 days till there first concert I can imagine the members feeling angry at Kris's decision to quit halfway though promoting and so close to their first solo concert. I know if it was me I would be extremely disappointed to have worked so hard only to now risk loosing everything over this scandal. Kris really couldn't have picked a worse time to file the lawsuit and I wonder after all these years why he couldn't wait till after the group had had their concert and finished promotions for 'Overdose'. And if he couldn't wait any longer, if the situation was that bad why wait so long to file a lawsuit in the first place. I know this sounds like an attack on Kris but I'm just trying to show that his timing for the lawsuit seems extremely bad and that maybe he is the one in the wrong.

But I can also see why he would want to quit. Being an idol is hard and the rumours are that Kris just didn't like the idol life. Working for so many hours, being so far away family, having to always seem happy and being with the same people all day everyday. I can totally see why Kris would want out. As much as I enjoy K-Idol music, I would never, ever want to be one because I know that I could never handle the pressure. Just being with the same people day in day out would drive me insane and there's nothing to rule out Kris just not getting along with other members. This wouldn't be the first case of members leaving (quit or kicked) a group because of the tense relationships between members in the groups. I know that while not always made public, members in groups are constantly falling out. These people do not choose to be with these group of people, they are placed there, just like school or work. You don't choose who you work with and won't always like the people you work with. It's easy to see how this may have affected the members of EXO.

My final, and also my main point is, it doesn't matter who we try and blame. No one here is winning. Everyone is this situation is a loser. Fans are loosing an idol, the members of EXO are loosing someone whom they have worked with for several years and face potential repercussions because of this. SM now have a huge crisis on their hands, I can't imagine they wanted another idol filling a lawsuit futher ruining there reputation because for us outsiders we have to question what's going on in there. Kris probably doesn't gain anything, just because he was sad in his current situation doesn't necessarily mean he wanted to leave the group, but maybe he felt he had no other choice and the decision is crushing him too. It's unfair to everyone to pick sides and try and find someone to blame, which seems to be what most fans are trying to do. It's a sad event but there is nothing to stop people supporting both Kris and EXO. So I'll wish Kris my best, I hope he gets out of the contract and finds happiness somewhere else since that seems to be what he wants and I hope the members of EXO will be able to continue without him while staying friends if they want to be.

And after this happy post please think of me trying to revise for my English Literature exam tomorrow which I have no doubt I'm going to do terrible at.







 

Exo - Overdose

1. Overdose

Exo have finally released there new mini album after weeks of delay. Due to various leaks I had already heard this song before the music video official came out. I love this song.  It's got the excitement of MaMa combined with the slowness of growl to create this piece of perfection. The chorus is great, the break in the music at the start where the music dies down a bit is just perfect. Since this Exo there are two versions of every song. For this song I actually prefer the K version. Something about the M version isn't right. Maybe it's just that Mandarin doesn't suit this song as well it still gets the same score.

K= 5/5 M=5/5

2. Moonlight
This song is slower and the whole album is generally more RnB style then previous albums. For those who like that style you'll like this album more then some of their albums. I don't like this style as much and moonlight is a good example at that. This song is a really nice slow RnB style song if you like that style this is probably great, but I don't and I find this song a bit bland compared to what I've come to expect from Exo. For this song I once again think that the K version is better. It's seems to flow better and have more power that the M version lacks.

K=4/5 M=3.9

3. Thunder
As I've already said, I don't like this style but this song... I can see it growing on me. It's smooth and just more likable then Moonlight. The Thunder, Thunder melts me and the bridge literally perfect. Even listening to it again I can feel myself liking it more. The ooh ooh's are just really nice. As too which group I prefer I think it's a tie.

K=4.8 M=4.8

4. Run

Okay, looking around this doesn't seem to be a popular song.  It's very similar to 3.6.5, which was in their full length album. It's a fun light-hearted song and it's very good at being a light hearted and fun song and I fully enjoy this song.

K=4.5 M=4.5

5. Love Love Love

Similar to Thunder I can see this song growing on me. This song sounds like a cross between Run and Thunder. It has the laid back ness of Thunder but the fun of Run mixed into it. I can also safely say that the M version is better then the K

K=4.6/5 M=4.8/5

 

Overall both versions get 4.6/5