This fangirl has already ordered both versions of EXO's new (and first) full-length album, but I found the tracks online to listen ahead. This a fair warning that I am no music critic. I do have 7 years of piano, cello, percussion, and flute, and a few voice lessons, under my belt so I do know something about music, but I am certainly no expert. :)
I have to say that I am absolutely pleased with the album! After about a year and a half with not a single peep, this is a very satisfying reward. Since I refused to listen to the leaked version, I do not know how much they polished up these tracks up from the original. Also, I have no desire to sit through all of EXO's twelve billion pre-debut teasers to match them up. From what I recall though, the teasers were pretty much mostly instrumentals with a few single lines thrown in here and there.
Regardless, I feel this was a fairly well-done. The whole album does really give me a school vibe (good call for the school theme for the photo teasers). I feel the album sounds a lot like something N*SYNC or The Backstreet Boys would have released with, of course, a few exceptions like "Black Pearl", "My Lady", and "Wolf." Except with a bit more of an electronic influence, "Let Out the Beast" and "3. 6. 5." really sound like 90's Western pop. hehe. I really feel like a little kid again...
It became apparent almost immediately that SM is still carrying on with the whole subunit concepts. With the exception of "Wolf", EXO-M sings in the Hug version and EXO-K sings in the Kiss version. It makes perfect sense since that would be a lot to memorize. Then, so what in the world has EXO been doing for the past 18 months that they couldn't spend memorizing 10 songs in 2 languages?
June 11, 2013
June 3, 2013
SM Town Collaborations and Subunits I'd Like to See
I know I mentioned a few under my blurb about SM Predictions, but here's a place where I can let my imagination run wild with my ideas for SMTown subunits or collaborations. Please bare with me.
EXO
EXO
Members: Kris, Chanyeol, Tao and Xiumin
Possible Names: EXO-B
Why: This would be a là U-KISS's subunit, uBEAT, guesting Kevin. It's rap-oriented but pulls in a member who's a good singer to make it more acceptable in the K-Pop mainstream. Xiumin would be able to come out from under the shadow of Chen, Baekhyun, Luhan, and D.O. and show off the pipes he's got. Heck, the boy got contracted by SM for winning second place at one of their contests. He can sing.
Members: Chen, Baekhyun
Possible Names: CheBae (pronounced Chibi, like the cute Japanese cartoon characters)
Why: This would the EXO version of Super Junior KRY. Focused on ballads, like Super Junior they would have frequent guest appearances by Luhan and D.O.
I would definitely listen to this group. Great voices.
Members: Kris, Tao, Lay, and Luhan
Possible Names:
Why: Unless they try to stagger the army departures like Super Junior (which I don't feel is working very well...they could have done a Shinhwa and come back even stronger), it's bound to happen. These four, since they are Chinese and Canadian citizens, do not do mandatory military service. Unless them gets the acting bug or a lucrative modeling career, they'll have nothing to do for 2 years!
May 31, 2013
Let's Learn Together: 늑대와 미녀 (Wolf) // EXO
Let's Learn Together: 늑대와 미녀 (Wolf) // EXO
Song: 늑대와 미녀 (Wolf)
Artist: EXO
Please credit: "auditionadviceandthoughts@blogspot.com" or "angelsfallfast"
[Edit: 3/27/14]
Just A Few Words:
I really didn't think I'd like this songs since I really didn't like the original leak from way back when. But after listening to it for awhile, I really like it (kind of the way "IGAB" grew on me).
An interesting few notes on the translation: I think that it was interesting that the one line the girl "says" (저 더러운 늑대놈이 결국 날 잡아먹겠지?) is done in a higher pitch. It makes it easier to distinguish that she says the line, rather than relying on the grammar to figure that out. I also don't think the English translation shows the reader enough of the wolf's soft side. After she wonders if she'll get eaten, he speaks to her in honorifics! (그게 아닌데 사랑에 빠진겁니다)
I just like their use of the word "잡아먹다"...it literally means "grab and eat" and sound so much more wolfish. Good job, SM.
Also, good job on the lack of nonscencial English! (Let's forget about "Careless, careless, shoot, anonymous, no one who care about me?" - yes there's a question mark printed at the end of "me" in the Chinese MV...><) Sure you mispronounced "wolf" in a way that makes the English teacher in me cringe, but at least you tried...
Lastly, SM, why is the song title "늑대와 미녀" but the lyrics read "늑대고 미녀"? Wouldn't it just make sense to keep the song title the same as the song lyrics? Oh well, hopefully you have your reason (or the guy doing the printing didn't really listen to the song...)
English: 0 / 10
-- Really? One word and you can't pronounce it right? Hara will probably disagree with me, but since they already use 늑대 in the title I don't know why they would also use 울프. I'm going to side with the lyrics, which use "wolf" in English and the fact I distinctly hear an "f" at the end of "wolf" and not "프".
Translation Difficulty: 6 / 10
10 Words:
Song: 늑대와 미녀 (Wolf)
Artist: EXO
Album: XOXO (Kiss&Hug) [Kiss Version]
Lyrics: Mnet Countdown - 05/30/13
Photo: naver.com
Company: SM Entertainment
Company: SM Entertainment
English: 0 / 10
Translation Difficulty: 6 / 10
Translation Difficulty: 6 / 10
Please credit: "auditionadviceandthoughts@blogspot.com" or "angelsfallfast"
[Edit: 3/27/14]
Just A Few Words:
I really didn't think I'd like this songs since I really didn't like the original leak from way back when. But after listening to it for awhile, I really like it (kind of the way "IGAB" grew on me).
An interesting few notes on the translation: I think that it was interesting that the one line the girl "says" (저 더러운 늑대놈이 결국 날 잡아먹겠지?) is done in a higher pitch. It makes it easier to distinguish that she says the line, rather than relying on the grammar to figure that out. I also don't think the English translation shows the reader enough of the wolf's soft side. After she wonders if she'll get eaten, he speaks to her in honorifics! (그게 아닌데 사랑에 빠진겁니다)
I just like their use of the word "잡아먹다"...it literally means "grab and eat" and sound so much more wolfish. Good job, SM.
Also, good job on the lack of nonscencial English! (Let's forget about "Careless, careless, shoot, anonymous, no one who care about me?" - yes there's a question mark printed at the end of "me" in the Chinese MV...><) Sure you mispronounced "wolf" in a way that makes the English teacher in me cringe, but at least you tried...
Lastly, SM, why is the song title "늑대와 미녀" but the lyrics read "늑대고 미녀"? Wouldn't it just make sense to keep the song title the same as the song lyrics? Oh well, hopefully you have your reason (or the guy doing the printing didn't really listen to the song...)
English: 0 / 10
-- Really? One word and you can't pronounce it right? Hara will probably disagree with me, but since they already use 늑대 in the title I don't know why they would also use 울프. I'm going to side with the lyrics, which use "wolf" in English and the fact I distinctly hear an "f" at the end of "wolf" and not "프".
Translation Difficulty: 6 / 10
10 Words:
- 미녀 (noun): "beauty" or "beautiful woman"
- 색깔 (noun): "color" (i.e. "one's true colors"). Also: "color" (i.e. I like the color pink.)
- 잡아먹다 (verb): "prey on; feed on". Also: "consume"
- 발톱 (noun): "claw" or "toenail" or "talon"
- 병 (noun): "weakness; fault". Also: "disease, sickness, ailment, disorder"
- 물다 (verb): "bite" or "snap" or "nip". Also: "have [hold] sth in one's mouth"
- 다음 (preposition): "(the) next, the following)"
- 보름달 (noun): "the full moon"
- 늑대 (noun): "wolf"
- 특별 (adverb): "special"
Politeness Level:
Casual
The singer(s) are comfortable to the audience. They are close friends, family, or in a relationship.
May 28, 2013
EXO's Wolf - Teasers - MVs
EXO's teasers for "Wolf" have been unleashed!
First of all, I didn't think I'd like "Wolf". The leaked version (which you can no longer access on YouTube) was definitely my least favorite EXO song. But they seemed to have revamped it a little.
However, I do take issue with their pronunciation of "wolf". With a host of native English speakers under their belt (Tiffany, Henry, Amber, Jessica - heck even Krystal, BoA, and Kris have good enough pronunciation), you think they'd have SOMEONE checking pronunciation and grammar for their studio releases.
Seeing as my dad constantly hammered pronunciation into my head (it bothers me how people can say "well" and "whale" exactly the same way), it is laughable the way they say "oolf".
"I'm a oolf, I'm a oolf!" ....*fail* -_-
Anyway I am excited for the music video! Finally we might get a music video from SM with a story line, a là Zhang Liyin's "I will" and "Timeless"!
A drama version and dance version would be lovely!
First of all, I didn't think I'd like "Wolf". The leaked version (which you can no longer access on YouTube) was definitely my least favorite EXO song. But they seemed to have revamped it a little.
However, I do take issue with their pronunciation of "wolf". With a host of native English speakers under their belt (Tiffany, Henry, Amber, Jessica - heck even Krystal, BoA, and Kris have good enough pronunciation), you think they'd have SOMEONE checking pronunciation and grammar for their studio releases.
Seeing as my dad constantly hammered pronunciation into my head (it bothers me how people can say "well" and "whale" exactly the same way), it is laughable the way they say "oolf".
"I'm a oolf, I'm a oolf!" ....*fail* -_-
Anyway I am excited for the music video! Finally we might get a music video from SM with a story line, a là Zhang Liyin's "I will" and "Timeless"!
A drama version and dance version would be lovely!
May 17, 2013
What's Popular Right Now
For those of you interested, the songs that I keep hearing over and over are:
- Secret's "YooHoo"
- 4Minute's "What's Your Name?"
- HELLOVENUS's "Would You Like Some Tea?"
- B1A4's "What's Going On?"
- Younha's "The Real Reason We Broke Up"
- Lee Hyori's "Miss Korea"
- T-ARA N-4's "Courtylife Diary"
We got here on the tail end of SHINee's promotions so we're not hearing as much from them, but they're still getting airtime!
With the amount of times I've seem the music videos and/or reruns of their live stages, who needs YouTube to learn their dances? I'm pretty sure I can dance to the chorus of "YooHoo" right now after seeing it 15 million times on TV...
Also, with the catchy formula of most K-Pop songs, I'm learning that after listening to a song enough you can easily come to like/tolerate it. I hadn't really given much thought to HELLOVENUS or Secret before but now I am totally in love with "Would You Like Some Tea?" and "YooHoo". Same goes for Younha's "The Real Reason We Broke Up'!
With the amount of times I've seem the music videos and/or reruns of their live stages, who needs YouTube to learn their dances? I'm pretty sure I can dance to the chorus of "YooHoo" right now after seeing it 15 million times on TV...
Also, with the catchy formula of most K-Pop songs, I'm learning that after listening to a song enough you can easily come to like/tolerate it. I hadn't really given much thought to HELLOVENUS or Secret before but now I am totally in love with "Would You Like Some Tea?" and "YooHoo". Same goes for Younha's "The Real Reason We Broke Up'!
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