CD Reviews, August 2004

Well, it's been well overdue. These are what I have bought since the last time.

o. "Another world..." by Happyband Well

They are Lee ChangHyeon (vocal), Neo (guitar), Kim SangJin (bass), and Lee YunMan (drums). A soft rock band (reminds a bit of BuHwal). Not too keen about the vocal. Well-made, but NMCoT.

o. "Prana" by NaeGwiE DoCheongJangChi

They are Lee Hyeok (vocal), Lee JuWon (guitar), Hwang UiJun (bass), and Jeong JaeHun (drums). A rock/hard-rock band (with some electronica thrown in sometimes). Well-made, but NMCoT.

o. "Mozosonyon" by Dalpalan & Byungjun

Both former members of Pipiband. Electronica/pop, I think. I think their musical sensibility and ability are top quality, but I am not sure about their "pop" sensibility (or I am not getting it).

o. "YuRiGaMyeon" by Kim YunA

Not too sure about her solo projects. This time, her musical focus was on Tango, but I am not sure it suits her voice overall. I just can't get "excited" about her moodiness (I think it's worse than that of Lee Sora).

o. "Songs in Air" by Sweater

They are Im YeJin (keyboards), Lee ARip (vocal), Shin JiHyeon (bass), and Shin SeCheol (drums). Made up of songs they wrote to the words that their fans sent in for some radio shows. I think their second album is still their best.

o. "Sunsick" by Roller Coaster

They are Cho WonSeon (vocal, keyboards), Lee SangSun (guitar), Jinu (bass, programming), and Son GyeongHo (drums). I think the group might be on their last life. They may need some other infusion of ideas and/or energy (especially energy), or split up do something else on their own.

o. "Dorothy in Wonderland" by Dorothy

They are Dorothy (vocal, guitar), Andi (guitar), Jonathan (guitar), and Isaac (drums). An interesting pop/rock work. Their single, "SoPung", surely has very good feel. I don't think there is enough marketing "push", though. Maybe, this was just a project work.

o. First Album by Daylight

They are Kang YeonGyeong (vocal), Im SeongO (guitar, bass), and Shin DongWu (acoustic guitar, keyboards). I think this is also one of many bands that formed around a female vocal (is this a trend in Korean pop bands?). Not bad overall, but I thought the second track, "Angel Song", sounded familiar and it turns out this seems to be a remake of a The Brilliant Green song. And why do they still put "instrument version" tracks (just without the vocal track) on the CDs? Having nine tracks aren't that bad.

o. "Infield Fly" by DalBitYoJeongYeokJeonManLuHomReon (or just DalBitYoJeong)

One man project. I'd say folk/rock. Not bad, but really, he is too obsessed with baseball.

o. "HaNeulE PiNeun Ggot" and "DalESeoUi 9 Nyeon" by Sweetpea

They are solo project albums by Kim MinGyu from DeliSpice. Although it is a re-issue, I liked the songs on "Nine Years on Moon" better. More raw, lively and energetic.

o. Self-titled by Rockstone

They are Park GyeongHun (vocal, bass, programming) and Seok WonYong (vocal, guitar). I guess, it's rock/hard-rock stuff. Musically, it sounds a bit passé, although recording seems to be done fairly well. NMCoT.

o. "Speed Graphic" and "Sunny 16" by Ben Folds

These are two of the three EPs that Ben Folds are planning (actually the last one, "Super D" is almost out and on order). The only complaint is that each only has 5 tracks. Each ends too soon. Maybe, I should burn all of them in a single CD...

o. Self-titled by The Bens (Ben Folds, Ben Lee, and Ben Kweller)

Three singers with the first name "Ben". I don't know about Ben Lee or Ben Kweller. And it didn't turn out the way I imagined. Wasn't too impressed.