Tohoshinki- TRI (17th, 18th and 19th singles)

I noticed I do not have many actual reviews on this blog. *cringe* I also notice that vox really pushes (that's the only way I could say it) ones blog into search engines. I keep getting this blog when I  search things- it's creepy!! Last observation is that I spelt voice wrong in the last review, so sorry!

So- I've recently listened to the TRI singles from Tohoshinki, and I must say it's a mix of OK songs, a complete TRICK rip off and a really good pop-rock thing.  I'll be reviewing TRI, and I'll try to be more proffesional, though I can't help but rant on a bit. Sorry- here goes!

The song TRICK on their album T was a mash up of 5 songs, the 5 trick singles. the TRICK project by tohoshinki  is where the 5 singles would be released between febuary and march 2008, with each single containing a member solo. I must say, it's interesting to hear the solo talent of the boys.

1: Two Hearts/ WILD SOUL (changmin)
The first track, Two hearts is a nice, laid back ballad with a RnB feel to it. The song starts with a beautiful english line "I love you" and the vocals are really smooth. The random english lines continue to appear throughout the song, and I think they add a nice element to the song.  There is a backing instrumental part which really annoys me though, this song also sounds really familiar: as if they've done something the same or similiar in the past. Even the chorus, sounds exactly like one of their other songs. However, Two hearts is a nice listen even if nothing special or stand-out.

WILD SOUL is a bit of a surprise, and it's a bit "meh". This is Changmins solo, and it's a venture into pop-rock: much like Runaway would be. I know changmin has a good voice, but he pushes it when trying to sound "rock". He sounds screechy in the chorus, and I think if he sang lower he would also be able to save the song. The guitar is really good though, creates a good fast paced pop rock song. However, changmin didn't show his talent well- at all.

overall: 3/5

As the first of the TRICK series, and after the fairly good T I'm a bit dissapointed with this single.  Both songs  felt like they had something lacking from them, and WILD SOUL just totally destroyed Changmins voice.  The guitars were awesome, but they should have allowed Changmin to slow his part down and also allowed him to sing lower. Also told him not to try and be "rock" and just sing pop. Definitly. However, the next single is far better in comparison.

2: Runaway/My Girlfriend (Yoochun)
Runaway, like WILD SOUL opens with fast paced guitar, however it's not trying to be "rock" and instead presents itself as a catchy pop-rock tune influenced by their dance numbers like purple line, and  rising sun. It's awesome, and really addictive. The boys sounds really good, as they are not trying to sing too high (I'm looking at you changmin). The chorus is the highlight of the song with the repeatition of "try again" really carving itself in a persons memory. The last line of the chorus "I don't want to know" sounds really smooth and deep so comes across as  very "whatever", fitting to the line sung. Similiary "what do you want" sounds really annoyed and adds good emotion to the song. The transition from rap, to vocie, to english, to synth- all these elements come together to make the song really interesting and keep me listening. Overall, awesomness and much more unique than Two hearts will ever be. I would love to see a PV for this.

My girlfriend is a RnB /dance influenced ballad by yoochun. In this song Yoochun's voice is a bit quite  in the verses, and he doesn't feature much in the chorus. The rap/talking part is compeltly unnecasry though and sounds a bit awkward and out of place. However, the ending makes this song  as Yoochun adds alot more power to his voice. Overall, if we ignore the rap/talking part the song comes across as a poppy, mature ballad. Certainly a better listen than WILD SOUL.

overall: (4/5)

Runway/my girlfriend is much, much better than two hearts/WILD SOUL. Runaway is a good dance/rock/pop song that is insanely addictive, whilst My girlfriend presents a mature ballad from Yoochun. I do feel that My girlfriend could have had more of a chorus, without the backing vocals overpowering whatever Yoochun does sing, and that the talking/rap part should have been taken out. I just hope that the TRICK series continues to get better!

3: If...?! (JUNSU)
Don't you just love the way punctation works? Without the "?!" on this title I would expect a balld, but the "?!" makes me think of pop. If...?! is very, very similiar to TRICK. I love the bad-guy feel to it though with the english lines being stuff like "bad girl" (i think) and "don't let me down" and stuff.  The chorus sounds exactly like the one from trick, exaclty the same- and I thought TRICK was mash-up of the member solors, gues I was wrong. I think TRICK got it's micheal Jackson sounding parts from this song too, though it's stronger in parts of TRICK than i If...?!. They do sing the classic micheal Jackson "heehhe" thing though!! lol. Back to If...?! and it's decent, but a let down compared to  runaway, because it sounds so much like TRICK.

The B side Rainy night is a ballad from Junsu. It starts with incredibly cheesy instrumental part, but the verses are beautiful with  a sad feel to them. Junsu's voice is brilliant. His english is not so good when he sings "I miss you" as it comes out "I mish you" however ignoring that, the chorus is lovely and emotional with Junsu putting alot of power into it. Junsu may not have the  best english, but his is the most emotional sounding of the member solors and his voice is gorgeous. There's nothing annoying about this track, and the only flaw I could think of is the " I mish you". Funny, he sings "baby I miss you" and "i love you" OK.  The "mish you" really really does let the song down if you think about it too much ^_^  However, Well done to Junsu for presenting a balld even a ballad hater like me can love. Similiar to Love in the ice, this is going to be played alot. It's beautiful. Absolutly gorgeous, emotional and sad. He genuinly sounds like he's in love and he misses that person. This is the strongerst member solo, and the only one I would say is "5/5".

overall: 5/5 (for rainy night alone, even with the "mish you")

If...?! was shit but Rainy night is gorgeous. I really want to buy this single now! Are the trick singles being put on a album?? I want to buy!! Also, I think I may make Junsu my second favourite after Hero ^_^ Well, If was a TRICK rip-off that, like TRICK is a bit weird but catchy. Rainy night is a beautiful, emotional ballad and the best song out of all three singles.

So, I'm really excited now as to what  Yunho and Jaejoons solos will be like. the TRI singles  have presented some amazing songs, Rainy night. A OK song, Runaway and My girlfriend. And then there's crap like WILD SOUL and If...?!. I do hope that the next one is good. I'm really excited about it now!!!

I wish I had some money. I want to buy some CDS :(