[April 21, 2012] MBC Music Core Highlights + Commentary

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.

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[April 20, 2012] KBS Music Bank Highlights + Commentary

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.

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[April 15, 2012] SBS Inkigayo Highlights + Commentary

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.

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[April 14, 2012] MBC Music Core Highlights + Commentary

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.

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[April 13, 2012] KBS Music Bank Highlights + Commentary

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.

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Girl Group Showdown: 4Minute's "Volume Up" vs. SISTAR's "Alone"

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.

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EXO-K - "MAMA"

This entire weekend has been EXO EXO EXO EXOOOOOOOO for me, and many others, so originally I wasn't planning on writing a full review for MAMA the album because I wanted to give my brain, and my fingers, a rest. However, by some stroke of brilliance and desperation, here we are!

We're doing things differently for this review, however,  as I've employed the help of a very, very close writer/blogger friend of mine, who many of you probably know, if not from my long-winded Twitter conversations with her and McRoth, from from her work over at Seoulbeats, and her own blog. I've known Ree long enough to discover that we're practically twins in terms of a lot of things, our taste in music included. That and Ree is an amazing writer, hilarious, and she's also younger than me, which I for one can't believe most of the time because she writes so well.

We'll be doing a lot of talking for the rest of the post, so I won't stall anymore. Knock yourselves out!

“MAMA”

Nikki: When I first heard the chanting at the beginning I giggled at the English.
Ree: ...It's in English?
Nikki: LOL yeah. something about "heartless motherless shoot anonymousklsafjsh", I think.
Ree: For me the problem with this song is that it tries to be an epic and rising-gods song, but in the end it just comes off as overbearing and tacky. I mean it's K-POP! Who's going to listen to this on the radio? Can you just imagine poor civilians going on with their lives then this ominous chanting comes out of nowhere?
Nikki: I'd start freaking out. Their vocals are so stiff. I mean I get that it's supposed to be edgy and whatever, but they sound bored. And again, we don't even know if they can even actually sing it.
Ree: The song also sounds rather outdated for today's K-pop. I thought SM were over SMP, but apparently not. I could give this to DBSK back in 2004 and no one would blink an eye.
Nikki:Was it you who was telling me that it sounds like Tri-Angle with modern production?
Ree: I've said a derivative of that?
Nikki: I was honestly kind of waiting for BoA to pop out of nowhere.
Ree: Hahaha XD
Nikki: But then, I don't know if it's just me but DBSK did it with much more conviction and emotion.
Ree: Personally though, I hated Tri-angle.
Nikki: I was neutral. It's okay, but they've done far better.
Ree: The only "SMP" track I sort of like is Don't Don, and that's because they toned down the 'epic' a bit.
Nikki: Oooh Don't Don. I liked that too. It's as if MAMA's some sort of satire of the two. Whenever I listen to it, the chanting and a lot of the other elements like the growling are more funny than they are "epic".
Ree: I think the MV sort of adds to how hysterical the whole thing is. I mean, Kai's facepaint. Boy, I won't lie, you're so hot, you get my blood running. But seriously???
Nikki: I was genuinely shocked when I saw that part. And the legend with the "tree of life" and the planets aligning (?) was borderline ridiculous
Ree: It reminded me of the opening for Avatar. The only good thing to come out of the MV is the elemental!EXO inspired fanfictions that I expect to come out.
Nikki: I know! Avatar or Kung Fu Panda.

“What Is Love”

Ree: Anyway, I think we've torn into MAMA enough. What do you think of What Is Love? Yoo Young Jin ft. EXO-K
Nikki: It was the first "prologue" single, and honestly, I thought I was listening to a Yoo Young Jin demo. This was the first full EXO track SME put out, and people equate it more to Yoo Young Jin than EXO themselves. Which is stupid.
Ree: I think I may have been more impressed if YYJ's RnB compositions didn't all sound exactly the same. I feel like I've heard this song at least a million times before.
Nikki: He just changed a few synths and notes here and there and BAM, you have What Is Love. Even with the vocals -- the technique, the modulation, everything. They don't sound like the teenagers they're supposed to be, honestly.
Ree: Actually, you make a really good point. This is what I wrote when I heard the song for the first time

But What Is Love could be sang by any other SM power-vocal group, SM The Ballad, KRY, SHINee, DBSK, and I wouldn’t even blink an eye — but that’s that’s pretty much the deal with most of YYJ’s RnB creations. In fact, I think the latter four bands would do a better job of making it their own. Which although expected since they’re more experienced, is also not wanted because this is meant to be EXO’s song. … Everything about this song is so obviously from YYJ’s womb, there’s nothing about it that makes it special to EXO.

Nikki: Which I half-expected from SM, honestly, but the other half of me was hoping that since EXO are SM's shiny new boy band, they'd put in a bit more effort and originality. Honestly, I'm more concerned with their vocals than I am with the song.
Ree: How so?
Nikki: Because I don't think it's humanly possible for someone to sound exactly like someone else, down to modulation and enunciation. I close my eyes when I listen to this song and all I hear is Yoo Young Jin.
Ree: So you don't think it's really their vocals?
Nikki: I have absolutely no idea. Which again frustrates me because add this to the fact that SM is making them lip-synch everything, and it makes me extremely suspicious that they're hiding something.
Ree: Oooh, maybe it's all a conspiracy?
Nikki: That was what I was thinking! I mean, EXO debuted. People thought they were fit to debut. It's so easy to give them six, working, microphones and shove them on stage. And yet they didn't do it.
Ree: To be fair, SNSD and Super Junior, neither of them sang their first stage live, and DBSK only did half of their debut live.
Nikki: Yeah.
Ree: And SHINee has been lip synching for this promo cycle too. The almighty SHINee!
Nikki: But I was saying the other day that EXO have so much to prove with their debut. SM made it seem like they're THE big thing this year. But we haven't really seen what that actually is, and they've already made their debut.
Ree: Understandable, but at the same time, SM has always been one of those companies that hype me up and then let me down. So I wouldn't be surprised if this is just another booboo on their part. I mean, do you remember all their troll teasers? Like the amazing teasers for Run Devil Run and Mr. Simple, compared to the full song?
Nikki: Mr. Simple LOL
Ree: DO YOU NOT REMEMBER HOW SEXY THIS WAS?
Nikki: I DO! And then we got Mr Simple and it was indescribably... sad.
Ree: Exactly! So basically, I wouldn't be surprised if this is just another case of hype and little delivery. Except on a grander scale.
Nikki: Which is standard SM.

“History”

Nikki: Anyway. History?
Ree: Okay. I love it. The production for it is so top-notch, and it actually reminds me of SHINee back in their Juliette days
Nikki: Surprisingly, I do too. It's my second favorite on the album on personal preference, but actually my favorite if we were talking strictly music.
Ree: Everything about this song is just so clean and tight. It's put together so well, like every little detail is perfected.
Nikki: I love how the melody is smooth, despite the very rough instruments running around all over the place. And it has bite. Much, much more than MAMA. At this stage, I think EXO needs a song that will carry them, like what History did, and not a song they have to carry, like MAMA.
Ree: I agree completely. I think what I also love about it, is that it has kick. It's very modern, and also very rhythmic, but it doesn't try too hard. Not to mention everything about it is catchy, but not redundant. Old school SHINee fit for 2012!
Nikki: It has the potential to be effortless if they continue performing it in the future, which I hope they do.
Ree: So we agree History is a job well done?
Nikki: Yup!
Ree: I actually think History would make a great debut had EXO not been so hyped.
Nikki: Yeah. It sounds very confident. The performance is another thing, but as far as the song itself goes, it's confident without being arrogant.

“Angel”

Ree: Now, how about Angel? Personally, it's my favourite off the album
Nikki: It's my personal favorite too. But I hear too much SHINee in it, honestly. With the "hey hey"s in the background, and some of the vocals sounding like Onew. Apart from that, the bridge is gorgeous, and the chorus literally soars. I was listening to it all afternoon.
Ree: That's what I wrote about it too, back when I only heard the two second snippet, it made my heart soar. It's very uplifting and epic, but in the way that it's very unassuming and soft. As for the SHINee comparison, I will have to disagree there. I think that's up to discretion, but I think this sounds very distinct to them. SHINee's ballads tend to be more... colourful, because of their voices.
Nikki: Hmmm. That's true too. And I do agree that it's unassuming. I like that it's sure of itself, even if it reminds me of something else. And of course, you can never go wrong with a gorgeous melody.
Ree: Of course, and the boys deliver really well too. So they can sound great recorded without YYJ backing them, at least.
Nikki: Yeah. I'd pay to see this live.

“Two Moons” 
with Key (SHINee)

Ree: I'm guessing Two Moons is your least favourite song. If only because there's no actual singing?
Nikki: Yes. I can't wrap my head around it, mainly because of that. All I hear is "two moooooons two moooooons" 
Ree: Well, it has attitude, I'll give it that. And lots of spunk, and I'm actually digging how grungy it is. But what sets it back for me is mainly that I feel like it has pretty much no direction.
Nikki: It goes nowhere, I agree, but now that I think about it, the hook was pretty effective. Annoying, but effective.
Ree: The hook is all that I can remember. I think the whole messy aspect is part of the 'grunge' think they were going for, though. But as a whole, I'm not digging the track.
Nikki: Yes but messy can have direction. Kind of.
Ree: I guess either way I'm not feeling this song.
Nikki: Me neither.
Ree: SM doesn't have a track record of great rappers either. Maybe someone fantastic as a rapper could have brought this to another level, but as it is it doesn't stand out. It's pretty much the album's designated filler. It's like it exists to compensate for the rapper's lack of lines in every other track.
Nikki: Which is a pretty okay idea, it's just that they didn't execute it properly.
Ree: I gets pretty good near the end though, at around 2:02
Nikki: When Key shows up?
Ree: Honestly, all of SM's male rappers sound the same to me. But sure, when Key shows up. After the beat kind of drops?
Nikki: HAHAH. At least I think that's Key. Yeah. When the English comes in.
Ree: Speaking of English, what happened to "roll like a buffalo"? I heard it in the teaser but it's not on this track. I'm not pleased. The slightest.
Nikki: LOL. I didn't listen to the teasers.
Ree: ROLL LIKE A BUFFALO. You can hear it clearly.

Nikki: The comments section is all over it LOL.
Ree: Actually, I feel like Two Moons was made exclusively for the teasers, and then SM just decided to extend it at the last minute.
Nikki: It's a pretty short song compared to the others...or not. But in any case, it's the shortest song on the EP
Ree: Speaking of which, why the heck is this an EP? They released like 50 teasers, and only 6 songs come out of it?!?
Nikki: Maybe they ran out of money. Used it all on the teasers. Yeah but the rap on the teaser isn't in the final song at all. Oh, Key's part is there. But the one before it isn't.
Ree: ROLL LIKE A BUFFALO ;_;
Nikki: Why would anyone want to roll like a buffalo? Do buffalos even roll in the first place?
Ree:

Nikki: Oh. Okay.
Ree: It's struggling. Maybe it's symbolism, rolling like a buffalo is symbolic for the struggle met by EXO when splitting those moons to make that tree of life or whatever they said in that MAMA MV prologue.
Nikki: It's an ugly metaphor though. I'd take Dante over this any day. OMG. Ree. That's hilarious. Maybe the buffalos split the moons.
Ree: :O MAYBE THEY'RE ALL BUFFALOS POSING AS HUMANS?
Ree: WHICH IS WHY THEY CAN'T SING LIVE!
Nikki: THAT'S THE CONSPIRACY!
Ree: It makes so much sense. That's why YYJ is whoring himself out on What Is Love -- to hide their distinct buffalo wails.
Nikki: Maybe their mothers were killed so to take revenge they became humans and MAMA is their revenge. O.O
Ree: THAT EXPLAINS THE ENGRIS -- BUFFALOS CAN'T SPEAK ENGLISH
Nikki: ...they speak Korean?
Ree: They were trainees at SM for how many years? They probably picked a fair bit up.
Nikki: Yeah and they didn't write their lyrics so it's just like everyone trying to sing in Japanese.
Ree: SM Entertainment: Slave mongers and buffalo herders. Exactamundo. Such is the power of the Hallyu wave, its even gone interspecies.
Nikki: And to buffalos of all animals.

“Machine”

Ree: Well, we've cracked the SM conspiracy. You know, maybe they're robotic buffalos? Which is why they're so efficient and robotic with their performances.
Nikki: Maybe they're not lip-synching.
Ree: And hence the song Machine
Nikki: Machine went through me at first, but it's growing on me.
Ree: Agreed. I don't think the melody is strong or distinct enough to stand out on first listen. It's one of those songs you actually have to "listen" to. Not one of those songs that catch your attention.
Nikki: Exactly! The production is actually pretty strong, and the verses are tight.
Ree: The production on Machine is amazing through, it's so nicely packaged and tight. Yes! And I really like the pre-chorus too, there's a lot of strength and conviction in it. I think the hook isn't distinct enough to carry it though. Nor is the melody really catchy enough.
Nikki: It's sing-able though, which I like too.
Ree: It's a good song, but it's the kind that you have to listen for to like.
Nikki: It ends up pretty good though.
Ree: Also, I like the rap portion. It's gritty, but so is the song, so I think it blends in well.
Nikki: Hmm yeah. And I like the middle 8 that comes after it too.
Ree: It's a strong song, in how it sounds. Like History it's confident but not overbearing, ala MAMA.
Nikki: It's definitely in the top half of the album.
Ree: I agree, I'd place it as my third favourite.


Nikki: As a whole, I'm pretty neutral towards MAMA.
Ree: Same here. It's not a bad song exactly, but it isn't really good either.
Nikki: I really like half of the album, but the other half brings my interest down.
Ree: On top of that it's only an EP, so half is only three songs, which isn't that much.
Nikki: Yeah, but seeing how this EP is, I prefer this over a full-length. If they were to stretch this to 10/11 tracks the other 5 would be fillers. And we already have several of them on this.
Ree:  I feel like starting with MAMA was a bad choice, because I have trouble listening to it all the way through.
Nikki: Definitely. I wouldn't listen to this album from start to finish again, unless I had to.
Ree: Like for a review. It depends though, I mean really, only one of the songs is a "filler". Well two, if you count Machine which is a good filler. MAMA and What Is Love, I think, were intended to be the 'better' songs on the album but they kind of fell through.
Nikki: MAMA was definitely pushed as a good song. But alas.

Ree: I think the EP as a whole was really underwhelming. First of all, because of all the teasers I've been exposed to, just having 6 songs makes it feel like an incomplete work. Second of all, the title track is probably the second worst on the album. And only three songs actually catchy me attention, and the other three, whist not 'bad', are pretty forgettable. The production is fantastic, but the EP still feels very incomplete and it doesn't really deliver to this whole image we're meant to have of EXO.
Nikki: Agreed. Of course they're a new act so you don't expect them to show a comprehensive report of their sound, but I don't feel like they're making an effort to go towards that. Them, or SM, whoever.
Ree: True, I don't expect perfection, honestly I don't. And for a standard rookie this EP is pretty decent. But the fact is SM didn't push them as 'standard rookies', they pushed them as these apocalyptical demi-god beings.
Nikki: Yeah. Like DBSK. They were pushed as strong vocalists, and their first release did a pretty decent job of showing that, albeit a bit boring around the edges. You had a capella tracks, ballads, the works. And now EXO are supposed to be the complete package, but the album doesn't feel like it.
Ree: Exactly, they just aren't living up to what they're meant to be. Also, it doesn't exactly feel like an official "debut" either-- that 'wow' factor that BAP had going, isn't happening with EXO. And it all comes down to poor marketing really. I mean, it definitely worked to some extent, looking at their already big fanbase. But from a musical perspective, EXO is losing out.
Nikki: It's because they dragged the teasers on for way too long. Sure it built a fan base, but it also raised expectations by a lot more than usual. And SM is already known for not living up to hype.

Ree: Hype hype hype, that's all it comes down to. Anyway, it wasn't a bad EP
Nikki: Everything else aside, it wasn't.
Ree: And the production was amazing, but that's standard SM by now. Also, apparently I'm a minority in this, but I don't think it's as cohesive as I'd liked it to be. MAMA and What Is Love kind of throw things off.
Nikki: It's not cohesive. But come to think about it, when have SM albums ever been cohesive?
Ree: ummm, Lucifer wasn't bad? Sorry Sorry was a great album, though not exactly cohesive.
Nikki: Yes but that's two out of 935835748967489. DBSK's Korean stuff are definitely not cohesive at all.
Ree: True, true. And even then, they weren't cohesive, but it was forgivable because the tracks were great.

Nikki: I'm kind of hoping "it can only get better" applies to EXO.
Ree: Honestly though, they're debuting as "perfection", with this strange apocalyptical sound defining them, how are they going to grow?
Nikki: Yeah. That's true. Although if this is perfection I'm afraid to know what imperfection is.
Ree: I think imperfection is kind of endearing in a way. I prefer my perfection subtle, like Replay
Nikki: I LOVE Replay!
Ree: And even then, SHINee's image was as these bumbly teenagers who had a crush on a pretty noona. There was definitely room to grow with that image.
Nikki: And yes. They pulled it off, that's what matters to a new group, honestly. That you pull off whatever it is you're supposed to be.
Ree: Even f(x) pulled that off, as the quirky little dance group
Nikki: Lachata was decent!
Ree: Too bad it was a downhill slope from there :x But hopefully you're right, EXO can only get better.
Nikki: They should. Fingers crossed.

Our favorite: Angel
Song(s) we'd listen to again: History and Machine
Our least favorite: Two Moons with Key (SHINee)
The final verdict: 3.5/5

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[April 8, 2012] SBS Inkigayo Highlights+Commentary

Guess who's back?! ME! It's officially summer over here, so I've been stuck at home doing nothing, which means I have all the time in the world to work on a truckload of posts, and the return of my music show recaps!

I meant to start recaps last Friday, but I decided to wait until the shows became just that much more interesting, courtesy of EXO-K and upcoming comebacks from 4Minute and SISTAR.

EXO-K - "MAMA"
Where to start, where to start. Oho, this is gonna be fun. :D I've expressed my dislike for EXO, and while I'm not going to defend myself for it, this "performance" just solidifies the fact that I don't like them. First of all, the purpose of a live performance as a measure of talent and skill is based around the concept that live performances are live. That you only have one chance to perform a song from start to finish, and regardless of whatever mistakes you make, what's done is done. Making mistakes doesn't make you untalented, it makes you human. But trying to hide those mistakes makes people suspicious. If I wanted to watch a perfect performance with studio vocals and no mistakes, I'd watch the music video. Better cinematography, better quality, no screaming fans so I can listen to the song in peace. This performance was pre-recorded, repeated more than five times, and lip-synched. Let's end it at that. Second, if they keep this up, this bad habit of lip-synching, it's yet another strike on their stage deportment. The SBS Gayo Daejun was a big, fat, strike one -- being disrespectful to their seniors, and the audience -- and this is another one. Okay, fine, DBSK, Super Junior, SNSD, SHINee and f(x) have all done it at certain points of their careers, and some of them continue to, but EXO have a lot to prove. Just for the record, DBSK did not lip-synch their debut performance, and anyone who thinks that way should go learn their history. They're also debuting in a time where technology is incredibly sophisticated and broadcast stations readily have the needed equipment to handle live performances. Although SBS isn't the best out of the three, the other acts on today show that they're perfectly capable of handling live performances. EXO have so much hype to live up to, and continuing to lip-synch and pre-record their way out of things will turn a lot of people off. Me included.

BTOB - "Insane"
I've heard a lot about BTOB, but like a few of the other acts on today, I've never seen them perform. Bad "Love In the Ice" cover aside (whichever of the members were singing it), BTOB are okay. They're not amazing or anything, but the song makes them sound like decent live singers, and it's catchy in certain parts. I'm not impressed, but I'm not turned off either.

NU'EST - "FACE"
I watched one of NU'EST's earlier performances a few weeks ago, and to say it was painful would be an understatement, so I stopped following them altogether. But I was genuinely and pleasantly surprised to see that they've greatly improved! I thought they were forever doomed as the male AS in every sense of the word, including live performances, but I see I was wrong. The vocals are still rough around the edges, but they sound, and look, much more comfortable on stage. I'll be keeping my eye on these guys.

Spica - "Painkiller"
I have actually never heard any Spica material, nor have I seen any performances, but this was pretty good! Strong vocals over-all, okay material, and actual stage presence! This is what I've been saying about being comfortable on stage -- it shows when you not only know what you're doing, but when you're sincere about it as well. That and pink hair and black pants girls can really sing!

B1A4 - "BABY I'M SORRY"
I wasn't really impressed with the recording of this, but I actually enjoyed today's performance! It's good to know that B1A4 have abandoned that horrid excuse for a song they were promoting last year, and have moved on to much better things. It's not the best song, or the best performance, but it's catchy, it works, and it's ever so slightly effortless. We're making progress, B1A4! Progress!

Nine Muses - "Ticket"
So I see we're still not very decent live singers, Nine Muses. The performance itself was okay, the song is on the bland side of being okay, and there's nothing really outstanding or interesting about anything.

CN Blue - "Hey You"
It was an okay performance, and the song is very CN Blue, but above all, it's good to know that someone finally put the drummer close to the rest of the band. Took you guys long enough!

Big Bang - "Bad Boy" + "Fantastic Baby"
Everyone had better be taking notes during Big Bang's performance, or else! They sounded a bit strained today, and as usual, someone turned their backing track way too high, but even if you're just watching the YouTube video you can really see and feel the performance. It's effortless but precise, it's fun when it's supposed to be, but it's not out of control.

SHINee - "Sherlock"(WINNER)
I don't know if it's just me, but something about this performance is off. Sure, everything was done almost perfectly, and there's no doubt that SHINee have become amazing performers, but it's as if the intensity of the vocals didn't match the intensity of the rest of the performance. It's not the technicals, because the notes were pretty much all there, it's not the emotion either because everyone sang with conviction, and it's obviously not in the volume because if that was the case I could've just turned it up. The levels didn't match this time around, I'm afraid.

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EXO shows us what's wrong with K-Pop

Well guys, this is it. After 92498574983 million teasers and a bunch of irrelevant, overdubbed "live performances", EXO are formally debuting. While it's very easy to be blinded by all the flashy CGI and the "cool" superpowers they each have, at the end of the day they're debuting in music, so they have to be treated as musicians. "MAMA", the video and the song itself, is really the epitome of what SM Entertainment is now, all problems included. So before we all get swept off our feet (if you haven't already), let's take a look at what's wrong with EXO, shall we?

Honestly, I'm quite amused at how well EXO have managed to bring forth several of K-Pop's major problems in a concise, slightly obvious, and "creative" way. The whole idea of "MAMA" is a K-Pop crash course in itself. Of course they're still problems that need to be fixed, and I wouldn't really call SM brilliant for doing it, but it's pretty cool.

So we start from that "legend" at the beginning. The story itself is your average, commercial "tree of life" and super power/force legend, and if it was a movie it would be perfectly fine. But the problem is that this isn't a movie, this is a music video for EXO, and that's where the first problem lies. K-Pop tends to sensationalize and exaggerate everything it runs into. Not just in music videos, but in news items, so-called "scandals", and even talent itself. If you show even just a pea's worth of talent, you're the biggest thing since anything. And even if you don't have any talent whatsoever, you can become the biggest thing since anything. I understand that EXO need a big push to be able to succeed in the competitive industry today, bigger than the pushes SME gave the bands before them, and bigger than f(x), who didn't really turn out the smash-hits they were supposed to be at the beginning, but this is overdoing it. From what I'm getting, the superpowers they gave everyone are similar to giving band members colors or distinct personalities ala-Spice Girls, and while it's a good idea, I just hope they don't keep using it for every single release, judging by how badly SME does A&R after the first few releases, and before bands become legendary.

And another thing. I get that EXO is "global" and all, being halved into K and M and all, but the intro was also in English. As someone who isn't fluent in either Korean or Mandarin, it's convenient, but when you think about it, EXO-K is Korean and EXO-M is Chinese. Their main markets are supposedly Korea and China. Now this is obviously for Hallyu, but I don't know about you guys, I got into K-Pop because it was Korean. There comes a point when, in trying so hard to appeal to international audiences, K-Pop loses the qualities that made it appealing in the first place.

"MAMA" itself is another reflection of what's wrong with K-Pop -- all style, no substance. All flash, no foundation. Of course at this point we're not sure if EXO have actual talent, because SM just overdubs everything on the grounds that "it sounds better", but from what we get in the video, they are all style and no substance. It's a "visual" song in the sense that you have to watch it for it to sound better, but neither the audio nor the visuals really give off the impression of mastery or effortlessness.

They don't look like a group, they look, and perform, like six (or twelve, whatever) arrogant, self-centered brats. With emphasis on look, because obviously I don't personally know them.While confidence is vital to a new act, there is a fine line between confidence and arrogance. Which leads us to another problem. You cannot manufacture art and expect it to be perfect. No matter how perfect it looks, if it doesn't feel perfect, it will always be flawed. Yeah sure the dancing was probably practiced to oblivion and the video looks perfect, but you can't just put practice into group dynamic, you have to put sincerity and emotion into it. It's kind of like cooking. A possible reason why home-cooked food tastes better to a lot of people is not because of the ingredients or the recipe per se, but because of the sincerity put into the cooking, as opposed to fast food.

To be in any art form, whether it be song, dance or literature, you need sincerity, something you simply cannot manufacture. And it's human nature for us to recognize a lack of sincerity, which is something K-Pop has to realize. Humans are not robots because while you can work them like one, what you show on stage doesn't lie.

And not just in the way they move, but in the song alone -- I felt nothing. My heart didn't race, I didn't get goosebumps, I wasn't smiling like a madwoman, none of the standard feelings I get from amazing releases. "MAMA" is supposed to be this epic, world domination song, but it has absolutely no personality. Even all these cute-fests K-Pop gives us have more personality than this. You hear the bass line perfectly fine, but it's not powerful enough to be felt. The vocals are very bold and intense, but they're not sincere. You have so many things going on -- electric guitars, synths, screaming, chanting -- but everything sounds so stiff and over-rehearsed that they managed to suck every bit of emotion out of the song.

EXO, as shown by "MAMA", is basically what everyone else in K-Pop wants to be -- perfect. But they have shown us that even perfection comes with compromises. Emotions, or outstanding technicals? Overflowing style, or solid substance? Commercial success, or artistry?

Note (6/23/2012): I originally wanted to keep my mouth shut and just take everything, but there are too many comments saying the same things over and over again -- I'm going to end things here. To everyone calling me out for saying that EXO are arrogant, no, I do not know them personally, and I probably never will. However, you seem to forget the context in which I say those things. I am looking at the music. I am not looking at the members, I am not looking at their attitude towards other people and themselves -- I am looking at their attitude towards their music, and their performances. No one is perfect, and that's one of the most important points I take into consideration. However, everyone can improve, and that's the purpose of this article -- to take apart the concept of EXO, and see what can be corrected. In the same way, the purpose of my writing is for me to improve, and I value comments that both respect and criticize my writing. This is a blog that is grounded on musical criticism, not entertainment gossip or news-based op-eds -- if you want to read those kinds of things, this is not the place to go to. So please, before you start disproving my worth, at least bother to read and understand everything I say and everything this blog is, because I bothered to watch and follow EXO before I wrote this article, regardless of what I said.

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It's been four years!

I originally wanted to stay away from all the mush that would come, on the grounds that I'm mushy enough to start with, but then just now I realized that there's no point hiding that I am mushy when it comes to things like this. You've all seen it before, it's not like it's anything new!

From the bottom of my heart, thank you all so much for four of the most amazing years of my life. Thank you for bearing with all my shortcomings, for all the friends I've made, but most of all, thank you for listening to that insecure twelve year-old back in 2008, thank you for giving her a chance. To say that this blog changed my life would be an understatement, because it is my life, and it embodies everything I want to do now and in the future.

If you had asked me back in 2008 if I thought I'd last this long, I'd laugh at you for thinking this was something serious. But things happened, and everything about this blog -- the readers included -- made me realize that this is something I love doing so much that I'd pursue a career in it. Pop Reviews Now is an adventure, and while I myself was struggling with myself and my writing (still am!), this was the one thing that reminded me of why I allow myself to go through all that. And it will continue to be.

Honestly it may seem a bit arrogant for me to say this, but I have high hopes for the future. Rest assured, like I always say I'm not going anywhere.

(I'll be doing a live tweet of tonight's KBS Music Bank, to go along with the return of my music show recaps! YES!)

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The Importance of a Sense of History in K-Pop

Shinhwa made their comeback last month, and while there were a good number of fans freaking out, me included, the other half of the K-Pop fandom was nonchalant, even negative towards them. I'd hear things like "why are they still around" or "who are those old guys" and honestly, if these fans had just bothered to do a simple google search, then maybe they'd know the significance of Shinhwa's comeback to K-Pop as a whole. I understand that newer K-Pop fans have no affinity to Shinhwa, that they weren't round during their golden days, but just a reminder, neither was I. Not having experienced a Shinhwa comeback is no excuse for not bothering to look up the very basic facts and figures. Just because they weren't around when you became a fan, doesn't mean they don't deserve the same treatment as other acts.

Sure, fine, living in the present is great and the past should stay in the past and all that, but you will only be able to understand the present if you know what happened in the past. "Write the present, master the past" -- that was what I always told the writers under me back when I was working in K-Pop news. Whether you like it or not, the past has affected the present, and as writers and fans who live in the present, it's only right that you understand what's happening. Of course, as a music writer I had to learn and listen to practically everything, and as casual fans who don't really plan on a career in this you don't need to be an expert, but what we're going for here is a sense of understanding.

It's a double-edged sword -- the biggest problems of K-Pop are that the industry has no sense of longevity when it comes to idols, and the fans don't have a sense of history. Now until one of those sides is fixed, the other will remain and of course as fans, the easiest way is to start with ourselves. I've tried breaking the importance of this historical mindset within the K-Pop news writers, and honestly, none of them want it to happen, because they think the fans won't understand it. If the news writers don't want to start it, then it has to come from the fans. I don't think anyone wants to be considered stupid by anyone.

Shinhwa lasting fourteen years together is huge and practically unheard of, but in other countries other bands have lasted for much longer. Of course when we talk of "idol" equivalents abroad the standard lifespan has always been five years, but you see, these foreign industries only built themselves around groups for a short period of time and showcase a very wide variety of chart-topping, mainstream acts, whereas idols and idol groups are K-Pop. And because idols are the majority of the industry, everyone has to invest as much as they can -- from the people on top, all the way to the fans.

Everything starts with a sense of history. If K-Pop wants to continue pushing idols as the majority of the industry, fans have to know why, and they have to at least be able to understand how everything works, and how things came to be.

I completely understand that a lot of people don't like the idea of "history", and as a kid I despised history class too. I didn't like memorizing names and dates and places and listening to lectures about wars and colonization, and I'm sure there are a lot of people who felt the same way. However, I realize now that I hated history because I didn't understand it, because I was just memorizing empty facts and not using it in everyday situations.

The history that K-Pop fans have to learn is very basic and extremely relevant. You don't have to religiously follow every single act that ever existed, you don't even have to go all the way back several decades and know everything about everything -- you just have to make an effort better understand your present.  This so-called "history" you need in K-Pop doesn't have to feel so much like history, because of modern technology. It's so easy to look up facts and events now, much easier than it was several years ago. Watch a few YouTube videos, look at a few pictures -- all of those are historic, and entertaining. They don't have to be boring news items or Wikipedia articles, because watching the actual videos is even better.

All you have to do is go back a little over a decade and start from there. Earlier idol groups like H.O.T., G.o.d., S.E.S., Fin.K.L. Shinhwa and of course Seo Taiji & Boys were massively successful with local consumers, and sold albums in the millions. Look up a video of an H.O.T. concert and you'll know why. Because of their success, newer generations of idols and idol groups were launched -- Rain, BoA, DBSK, CSJH, and later Super Junior, SS501 and Big Bang. DBSK's debut was significant because it was a time when solo artists ruled music shows -- watch even just one of their Mutizen song wins and observe the other contenders for the prize. BoA and DBSK worked for years in Japan before cementing themselves as the frontrunners of the Hallyu wave -- DBSK became the first Korean group to make it to the Kouhaku Uta Gassen in 2008, after three years, three albums, and over twenty singles.

In more "current" times we have fandom wars, never-ending plagiarism claims, acts suing their agencies, and countless member re-shuffles. Know that the KARA we know today isn't the KARA that debuted in 2007, and the same goes for the Wonder Girls, 2PM, and even DBSK, Super Junior and CSJH. People have come and gone, have moved groups and changed paths, and groups have built their names around very different things. Trace histories of groups you already know, and you'll be surprised at what you'll find out.

Knowing all this will help you understand why everyone's moving to Japan, why fans are up in arms over something, why this person said that, and basically everything that's happening in K-Pop these days. Honestly, don't you want that? A sense of history and understanding?

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