Tasty - Spectrum Review

Tasty, the twins (Jung Daeryong and Jung Soryong) from Woollim Entertainment, better known as the company which produced Infinite, finally dropped their debut mini album.

The boys of Infinite, along with Miss A's Min and Fei have been tweeting about them prior to the release of the album. Free promotion's great, but it is the music that will make people stay. For me, honestly, I'm still quite undecided about this debut.

Spectrum is the introduction to this album and preps listeners for what is to come. I was a little apprehensive at the beginning when I heard 'so sexy' and 'so hot' but when the beatbox came in I eventually got into it. Lots of electro-pop sounds and dubstep going on in this track. It then transits ever so smoothly into the title track, You Know Me.

The track is no different from what the teaser offered - electric drums, dubstep, and lots of synths. The beginning of the track was a little weird though, and I was really glad that it was over when the 'neona ara' hook as heard from the teaser came on. This track is basically a club jam, and unlike many K-Pop singles nowadays, it does not have a tasteful (no pun intended) melody or tune. In other words, this song is almost un-singable (the only part you actually hear them sing is the bridge). I find the song somewhat lacklustre - and don't even get me started on the lack of lyrics. The only thing memorable about this song is the 'neona ara' hook (and I have already listened to it around five times).
Bad points aside though, this song is a definite crowd-pumper. Just look at the amazing choreography and the charisma of these boys!

Solo is the whiff of fresh air to this mini album. Still retaining the synth, this song is based on R&B beats and is definitely my favourite. It showcases their vocals much, much more than any of the other tracks - and damn, these boys do have the voice!

Buster, an upbeat track (the beginning kind of reminds me of Nicki Minaj's Stupid Hoe oh why) provides a good closing to the album. While many may argue that this should be the title track, I beg to differ, even though I prefer this song. I feel like this song will not be able to bring out their charisma as much as You Know Me and it somehow does not pack as much punch. I really dig this song if not for the overbearing and over-repetitive 'buster buster buster' going on in the background.

All in all, I feel that this is a really mediocre debut, but I do believe that Tasty is capable of more than this. I sincerely hope that their next single will be one that showcases their vocals. They are amazing dancers and I am sure Woollim Entertainment will be able to stretch these guys to their full potential, as they have done with Infinite.

P.S. I think I like Soryong already. Hahahaha.

Kyle Patrick - Kyle Patrick EP Review

Just like the album cover, Kyle Patrick's very first solo EP is bright, happy and about as pop as you can get.
Kyle Patrick, better known as the lead singer of powerpop band, The Click Five, embarked on a solo project which has been in the works for five years. The result? A well-produced album with five tracks written, arranged and performed by this talented man.

Follow Your Heartbeat is the opener for this EP and it starts with Nintendo-like digital sounds. The song is wholly about having fun and basically following your heart. The song did not really leave an impression on me but after a few listens, the chorus, the 'ready now, ready now, ready now' hook, and the reggae-inspired instrumental were stuck in my head.

Go For Gold is the lead single from this EP and is easily my favourite track. Uplifting lyrics, a catchy tune and the 'ohhh ohhh ohhh' hooks are definitely what makes the song so enjoyable. With Kyle writing this song in line with the 2012 London Olympics in mind, he has achieved his purpose. I personally enjoy this song more than the theme song for London Olympics (Muse's Survival).

The track is accompanied by a not-as-stellar music video but it is enjoyable all the same. There was also a 3D version released so that fans can watch it with the personalised 3D glasses shipped out by the man himself (Mine's still in great condition, accompanied with the envelope). What I found interesting about the video was that it was done in (almost) one take. The flashing lights towards the end of the video were really distracting and it hurt my eyes a little though. That aside, have I mentioned that Kyle looks absolutely dapper in that full blue suit?

Wild Ways is the last of the upbeat tracks in this EP. The song is catchy but predictable. As soon as the track started, I expected a few 'HEY!'s and 'HO!'s and the first one comes within 5 seconds of the song. The constant beat and synths in the backing track complement Kyle's vocals and he displays some neat falsetto in the chorus. It is one of those feelgood songs which makes you want to jump around your room in a gig and just let your hair down.

The mood changes drastically with the next song, Baby Don't Board That Plane. It did not really do it for me at first, but as the track went on, I started to appreciate it. Kyle's deep voice brings out the emotions in the song really well and the use of the instruments is amazing. For example, the use of the percussion in the beginning was not as significant and fades off during the chorus but as the song progresses, it builds up and the military-like beats from the snare drum adds on the to desperation as depicted by the lyrics of the song. If Kyle ever sung this to me, I'd definitely not board that plane.

The EP closes with a cover of Bill Withers' Ain't No Sunshine. I personally love the original and I feel that I may like this version even more - it has the same feel as the previous track and Kyle's vocals were showcased so well thanks to the stripped down percussion in the instrumental. A strong finish to an amazing EP.

Honestly I wasn't expecting much from this album but trust me, I was totally floored by it! Definitely one of the best albums this year. Here's to more good music from Kyle!

Get this EP on Bandcamp or iTunes!

P.S. I really hope I get to see him perform for MTV Sessions in Singapore next month!

All Time Low 'Dirty Work' Album Review

Gonna try writing an album review. Don't be harsh yeah? Lol.

___________________________________________________________________

Not gonna lie, I'm a huge fan of All Time Low and I was really stoked for this fourth studio album. This is also their major label debut (Universal).

Let me first compare this album to the previous album. In my opinion this album is more pop-pish than Nothing Personal, but still pop punk nonetheless.

1. Do You Want Me (Dead)?

Simple plucking of an electric guitar at the beginning of the song while Alex starts singing. And just like any typical pop punk song, the drums and bass come in and the lead singer goes one octave higher. Short (it's only 2:46mins long) but great song to start the album.

2. I Feel Like Dancin'

The lead single from the album with a distinctively more pop-pish sound as compared to their usual stuff. Written by Alex Garskath and Rivers Cuomo (the lead singer of Weezer), it definitely has a different sound from their previous single, Lost in Stereo from their Nothing Personal album. Not all ATL fans will dig this song but I love it! I love the little random dialogues in the verses. Since when did pop punk start using words and phrases like, 'shawty', and 'everybody getting kinda crunk, I think some dude just grabbed my junk' though? But I'm not gonna deny, that's my favourite line in the whole song. Lol.

The music video for the song is really entertaining too and just like the song itself, it has lots of pop references, from Katy Perry, Justin Bieber to Lady Gaga, mocking the major sellouts in the pop industry. And it is so funny that Jack was totally agreeing with the 'selling sex' part but he gets the men instead of the women. Hahaha poor Jack! Really glad the boys are having fun doing their thing though!

P.S. Alex looks hella sexy at 1:25 and I really would buy that product. Hahaha.

3. Forget About It

Okay the guitar melody of this song has been stuck in head since I listened to it. This song's really catchy and there's this part after the second chorus where Alex speaks LOL I'm such a sucker for dialogues in songs. I immediately fell in love with this song once '1, 2, 3, 4!' came out. One of my highly recommended tracks from this album.

4. Guts

This song features Maja Ivarsson of The Sounds who does the harmonies in the song. I love it when bands with a male lead singer does collabs with a female singer but she seems a lil redundant in this song lol, just like Taylor Swift in Two is Better Than One. It's just that kind of song that All Time Low can perform without even needing to have a female singer with them, unlike Remembering Sunday.

And yup, as the title suggests, the songs kinda about courage (from what I understand by looking at the lyrics) and it's a good message so props to ATL for that.

5. Time Bomb

This was the first track that was leaked off the album! Alex leaked it onto the net and said that 'the sound is a bridge between Nothing Personal and Dirty Work'. This one is one of the stronger songs in the record and it still leans towards the punk rock genre. I really don't have anything else to say about this song except I really like it a lot.

6. Just The Way I'm Not

A typical crowd pumper song with 'Woah-ohs' and 'No-ohs' where the audience can sing shout along. I like the whole song in general but the bridge of the song is a bit of a letdown. I don't know, it just doesn't seem to match up to the rest of the song. I still think it's a good song though!

7. Under A Paper Moon

One of the more 'rock' songs in the album but not one of my favourite tracks. I'm just not really digging the tune of the song. Good job to Rian on the hi-hat there though.

8. Return the Favour

Has a similar sound to that of Under A Paper Moon but I kinda like this one, especially the acoustic guitar intro and the piano outro. It sounds like a song that I know though but I can't put a finger onto which song it is. Uh well.

9. No Idea

A string orchestra intro. Classy! I like the song in general but the pre-chorus sounds like the chorus of Maroon 5's Never Gonna Leave This Bed. I swear when I first heard it I almost sang to Never Gonna Leave This Bed. If I had to compare this song with one from Nothing Personal it'd be Too Much. Just one complaint, 'no idea' is sung wayyy too many times in the song. Gets a bit boring after a few listens.

10. A Daydream Away

The only ballad in the whole album. And I love it! I'm a sucker for ballads and I wished this album had more ballads. I really love this phrase 'I'll keep you a daydream away, just watch from a safe place so I never have to lose'. So sweet! Good song, but it definitely still loses out to Remembering Sunday. That's arguably the best song that All Time Low has.

11. That Girl

My favourite track of the album! It's catchy and it always makes me bop to it no matter how many times I listen to (I think I have listened to it at least 30 times today). I love how the song can still sound so happy even with a drug name and the word 'bitch' in there. And I can totally picture a music video for this song. I hope this song will be the next single. It deserves it! It is too cute! Heh.

12. Heroes

Okay the beginning of this song reminds me of F.T. Island's Marry Me. I love the changes in drum beats and rhythms, especially the second part of the second verse. Love the use of the toms to create a forward-driving kind of feel.

13. Get Down on Your Knees and Tell Me You Love Me

LOL okay am I the only one who thinks this title sounds a bit..wrong? Heh. I love the chorus of this song. Looking for something to headbang to? This is the song. Nice guitar/bass solo at the beginning too!

14. My Only One

I don't love this song but I don't hate it either. Really neutral to this song but I like the chorus :) And the hur-hur-hurt part before it. LOL.

15. Merry Christmas, Kiss My Ass

HAH. I love the title. And true to its title, yes you can hear sleigh bells in there. A really catchy song. And I cracked up at the end of the song where there is dialogue. I really love it when bands inject humour and fun into their songs :)

Yup so I guess that's that. Not a better album than Nothing Personal but still a good one on its own. You can see how hardcore Hustlers are, ATL beat Adele on the iTunes charts! Sick!

And I really wanna see them live. Alex, Jack, Zack, Rian please come soon :'(