5 posts tagged “tohoshinki”
I've always hated my Tohoshinki T review- it totally doesn't reflect my feelings on the album and because I wrote it at a time when I had only started reviewing- it frankly sucked. So I spent the good part of an hour rewriting it now!!
It's a Para-500 exclusive though!! And it's very very long. Whereas before I had not written as much, and I also didn't review any of the bonus tracks which I did just now. I also haven't really reviewd the TRICK singles, apart from giving my opinons on the first three here so I decided I would review each one seperatly!
Tohoshinki- Two Hearts/ Wild Soul
Tohoshinki- Runaway/ My Girlfriend
Tohoshinki- If...?!/ Rainy Night
But..only done the first two. Have started the third two. Again, a Para-500 exclusive!!
so yeah. Tohoshinki are one of my favourite boybands so I wanna make sure my reviews reflect this. Or perhaps I just have too much time on my hands!!
As promised I'm here with Tohoshinki's latest, "Doushite Kimi wo Suki ni Natte Shimattandarou?" or why did I end up falling for you? (another translation being why did I fall in love with you? etc). This single hit one on the oricon, sending Tohoshinki into the record books (evidence). I'm happy to hear this, as this is one amazing amazing single. The A-side leaked very early, but the actual single was released on the 16/07/08.
Tracklisting: (combining the versions together)
1: Doushite Kimi wo Suki ni Natte Shimattandarou?
2: Box in the Ship (aka boxing the sheep)
3: Doushite Kimi wo Suki ni Natte Shimattandarou? (accapella)
4: Doushite Kimi wo Suki ni Natte Shimattandarou? (less vocal)
5: Box in the Ship (less vocal)
Doushite Kimi wo Suki ni Natte Shimattandarou? is an amazing track. It's a beautiful ballad with a steady RnB beat. It opens with a pretty ethereal little part before introducing the vocal and the main beat. All members sing with so much emotion, enough to move (even) me to tears (at first, I have become immune now :P ). The song is incredibly sad, about two childhood friends. In a typical manga situation the guy hasn't been able to confess, and now the woman is getting married. The lyrics are absolutly stunning. This song is just perfect, coming together so well. Everything just sounds so beautiful and sad.
Two versions of the PV were made for this- a drama version which did not feat Tohoshinki and another version which included scenes of Tohoshinki. The drama version is excuted well, with scenes fitting the lyrics and pretty decent acting. The Tohoshinki version slides in scenes of each band member, and then a group shot. Their faces can be a ltitle overacted, but otherwise they look very pretty in white.
Box in the Ship (aka boxing the sheep) takes a 360 from Doushite etc and is a fun, upbeat summery tune. It's complete with Island like instrumentals and happy vocals. I love the adlibbing little thing they do- the "ahoy" thingies. It's very typical little pop tune, but I'm a sucker for their vocals and the "boxing the sheep" is pretty amusing (if slighlty strange... they should really tell them how to say these things! Pronounce your engrish properly!). The instrumental break is a little dark sounding for the song but still adds a little bit of variation. The bit just before the ending, where they overlay their vocals, is very nice.
Lastly there is an Accapella version of Doushite etc on the CD only version. Accapella pretty much annoys me, but this one is quite pretty. Apart from the overly pronounced "ohs" the vocals are still beautiful and emotional. They keep good rythmn and the dynamics are good. The accapella version certainly captures the emotion of the song. To be honest I love the song, so another version is quite appreciated.
I'll also note that I like both the instrumentals for Doushite etc and Boxing the Sheep. It does bring to light how repetetive both isntrumentals are, and how Tohoshinki drive the song forward by themselves for the most part.
The single balances a heart-breaking and beautiful ballad, with an upbeat and fun little summer number. This contrast works rather well, if it was too ballads or "sad tracks" it would be down right depressing right? Tohoshinki showed a very mature side of them with their last single, beautiful you and they continue to improve and show this mature side with Doushite etc. It's a beautiful, and memorable track filled with alot of emotion. Box in the Ship is cute without being annoyingly so, and their engrish is lol worthy. It's nice to listen to and very catchy. Overall this single is a must listen. It's amazing. Tohoshinki are clearly a talented and mature boyband. (atleast now...)
Even though I'm far from calm here is the review of Tohoshinki's 22nd single (ironically, their Japanese Discography is bigger than their korean one). Released on 2008.04.23 it has a riduculous amount of versions: a basic type A with the two songs and the DVD with the PV of Beautiful You and making of clip, a type B which is CD only but has an extra track (a remix of something older) and a a type C which includes the PV for the B-side as well as the A-side and a korean version of sennen Koi Uta. I will be reviewing type C.
Tracklist: (TYPE C ONLY!)
1: Beautiful you
2: Sennen Koi Uta
3: Sennen Koi Uta Korean ver.
4: Sennen Koi Uta (Japanese Karaoke)
5: Sennen Koi Uta (Korean Karaoke)
6: Beautiful You (less vocal)
7: Sennen Koi Uta (less vocal)
Beautiful You has a sleazy opening but when the voice comes in that annoying sound is dropped and it becomes a sexy sounding delicious song with a laid back RnB feel. Though it took a little while to grow on me, Tohoshinki sound really great, and very sexy. The lyrics are appealing to the fangirls with lines like "you're such a beautiful woman" heartfully sung. Like always, the singing is fantastic. There is also use of voice distortion after the chorus which adds to the "cool" feel of this song. It's nothing special but certainly not unpleasant to listen to. Tohoshinki are certainly displaying a very mature side of them with this song.
Sennen Koi Uta has yet to grow on me. It's a sad sounding ballad that for me comes across a little boring. It opens with a piano part then introduces some synth before soft and restrained vocals, as if holding back emotion. By the second verse the full instrumentation is introduced, and it's perfectly lovely sounding with great singing: but really nothing attention grabbing. I do quite like the instrumentation of it, especially the heavy bass with the strings. The Korean version of Sennen Koi Uta does not sound much different from the Japanese.
Overall a very mature single from Tohoshinki, carrying on their success from T and TRICK campaign. Tohoshinki display some very beautiful vocals in this single, and alot of emotion too. Beautiful You is a smooth RnB number, whilst Sennen Koi Uta is a slighlty sadder ballad. Overall a good single, which is nice to put on and listen to even if nothing outwrdly special.
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 :(
T is Tohoshinki's third album released on January 22nd. It comes in a riduculous money-grabbing three versions, all of which have different track listings. Even more clever, there are songs exclusive to the CD only and there is a Bonus CD to another version. Lastly there is a 2CD and 2DVD addition, which I assume is limited edition. To make the review of "T" easier on me I'll begin first with a review of the bonus disk. It's a shame this bonus CD is probably only limited edition, as it is quite nice. The bonus CD is mainly centered on Ballads, both upbeat and slow.
1: Song for you
2: Day moon ~Harudal~
3: Beautiful Life
4: You're my miracle
5: Kiss Shita Mama, Sayonara
The bonus disk opens with the upbeat ballad- "song for you". On the version that I downloaded, this was the first song that played and it really helped me fall in love with the CD. Song for you features beautiful, heartfelt vocals and brilliant arrangement. It's a nice, easy listen- the way pop should be. The next track is the RnB influenced ballad: Day moon ~Harudal~. This track has a strange opening with thunder that soon goes to the main arrangement. This ballad is a little slower, with RnB influence. Once again, gorgeous and emotional vocals. This track is similiar in style to Song for you, but is still nice to listen to: and is quite relaxing. The strings are a nice addition. There is even more RnB influence with Beautiful life, which actually...isn't really a ballad. Nvm. I think arrangement of this song is really good. The chorus is a little annoying with the strange sounding instrument in the background- and I don't like it as much as the first too tracks however the vocals are still really good- especially during the bridge. The one guys voice (the one who sings first) really suits the song. This is a nice, laid back RnB track. 4th up is "You're my miracle"- another heartfelt ballad. I like the dynamics, the way it starts quiet then goes loud. The chorus is one of the best on the CD, with lots of emotion. Once again, excellent use of strings and brilliant vocals. The last track "Kiss Shita Mama, Sayonara" is very very sad- and it wants to be. The opening is quite beautiful though, with the simple piano chords and the strings that are eventually added. It is a classic sad ballad with piano and strings. However, even though the vocals are gorgeous (They do mess up sometimes though) and feature just the right amount of pain I think the song goes on a little too much. If the lament was shorter, it may be better. However, there is no denying that the chorus is even better than You're my miracle. The ending of this song is just too cheesy...though quite nice. Brilliant use of silence and emotion throughout this over the top ballad.
Overall, this CD is a nice listen. The vocals, arrangement and whatnot are really good- there are some quality ballads and pop oriented tunes here. I reccomend you listen : ) overall rating: 4.7/5 (this is a plausible rating!)
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