*contains the urge to totally fan girl* In all honesty I’m not a massive fan of SHINee, but recently they made their comeback with their newest album and single of the same name “Lucifer”, and it totally blew me away. SHINee is a five member boy band containing Onew, Key, Jonghyun, Minho and Taemin.
The band was formed by SM Entertainment and in 2008 made their promotional single “Noonam Neomu Yeppeo“ but known to the English speaking as “Replay”. SHINee are considered to be fashion icons as they started off the “Shinee Trend”. Their fashion consisted of high-top sneakers, colourful sweaters, skinny jeans, and bright colours; this style has led them to product endorsements such as Reebok.
In 2008 SHINee featured in their own Korean variety show called “YuHaNam” which ran for 12 episodes and featured the 5 boys going on dates with older girls to be voted on at the end of the episode for a solo date. Then in 2010 SHINee starred in the second season of “Hello Baby” where the SHINee boys had to take care of a 3 year old boy named “Jung Yoogeum”. I recommend both shows, as I have watched them myself and laughed through both of them till I have had tears in my eyes.
On may 23rd 2008 SHINee’s first Mini-Album “Replay” was released, debuting at number 10 and peaking at number 8 on the Korean music charts. In the first half of 2008 it sold 17,957 copies. The boys then went on to perform at the 2008 Dream Concert, performing with a lot of big named bands. Along with performing at the Dream Concert, they also debuted themselves at the “SM Town Live 2008” which showcases all the SM Entertainment singers. Along with doing mini concerts, the boys won the June 2008 “Rookie Of The Month” award, then won the Mnet 20’s Choice Awards “Hot New Star 2008” award.
On august 28th 2008, SHINee released their first full album “The SHINee World” which debuted in the charts at number 3 selling just over 30,000 copies. The first song to be released from the album was “Love Like Oxygen” which was a cover of Martin Hoberg Hedegarrd’s “Show The World”. No guessing on which version was better in my opinion. From the whole album there is one song that i absolutely adore, it’s called “Y Si Fuera Ella” and is actually sung by Jonghyun. It is definitely a song for your more romantic/chilled out times. On September 18th 2008, SHINee’s “Love Like Oxygen” was number 1 on M!Countdown! (One of Koreas versions of Tops Of The Pops). The song then went on to win a “Mutizen” award on SBS’s “Popular Songs”. 2008 seemed a very good year for the 5 shining boys as they then went on to receive a “Best Style Icon Award” from the 2008 Style Awards, and a “Best New Artist” award along with Japanese girl group Berryz Kobo from the 5th Asian Song Festival. To top off 2008, SHINee then went on to win the “Best Male Rookie” award at the 10th annual MNET Music Festival beating highly anticipated newcomers 2PM,2AM, and U-Kiss.
on May 2009 “Juliette” was the first single released from their newest 2nd Mini-Album “Romeo”. After some health problems and minor setbacks to the comeback date, SHINee managed to perform their newest single on stage, and managed to receive a award for “Juliette” ranking first place. On October only 5 months after releasing their 2nd Mini-Album, SHINee then released a 3rd Mini-Album titled “2009: Year Of Us”. The single from this Mini-Album was the big hit “Ring Ding Dong”. This song has a very addictive tune, and sounds similar to the Crazy Frog song. This then brings me upon the newest album “Lucifer” which was released in the middle part of July 2010. The new album definitely shows a new image, although they had a big change in style for their “Amigo” days, it just seems to me that the boys are trying to show that they are growing into men; and boy oh boy do they know how to impact that. At the moment SHINee are getting lots of praise for their live singing, as usually with vigorous dance routines and with lots of words to sing, you get a breathless voice, and sometimes what u hear on a CD never sounds the same live. But the boys have proven it can be done.
Track 1) - Up & Down : - The intro song in honesty doesnt really set the begining for me , it doesnt edge you into the album, but instead plonks u directly into what your about to whitness. It does have one very unusual style to itself, and sounds slightlyly christmas like dureing the chorus. Not one of my favorites on the album but it does give a nice relief to find that this song is COMPLETELY different to what they usually do.
Track 2) - Lucifer :- I cannot get enough of this song!! Period!! The beat and rythm is continous throughout the song, apart from the interval where they repeat the words "Loverholic, Robotronic", dont ask me what they mean, as i have no clue, i just know that this song is perfect. The catchy tune and lyrics are deffinately a Hook-Line-And Sinker job. If you dont find yourself dancing or singing along to this, then there is personally something terribly wrong with you! (i joke, honestly ><)
Lucifer - Official Music Video
Track 3) - Electric Heart :- The beginging of the song reminds me of a Justin Timberlake song (shoot me now for actually knowing who he is ><), but as the song goes on it seems to go into a slow/sensual chorus, you can hear each indavidual voice very clearly and determine who is who. Vocally i dont think this song does much, beat wise, ive heard better, as for being a different style it definately has a misture of different styles, but i cant put my finger on which one is more prominent.
Track 4) - A-YO :- The opening to the song is very unique, and really set the mood for the song, as the beat and rythm sets in, it make sit slighly hiphop/gangster-ish with the "hey"'s in the background. again, vocals are strong, but this time the tune and beat really gets you tapping your feet and in no time you find yourself singing "A-Yo"
Track 5) - Obsession :- This song is one of my personal favorites on this album. Apparently there is a hidden message in the lyrics, and things arn't as obvious as they seem. The begining knocks me every time, and as soon as i hear it i get excited. The actually rythm is slow, the electronic musical style is continuous, and the vocals are just beautiful. If any of the previous songs didnt manage to get you hooked, then this song will.
Track 6) - Quasimodo :- Not one of my favorites, unfortunately it reminds me too much of their previous albums, instead of showing a different style with their whole album, they revert back to their Ballad days. Obviously if your very good in one area, include it in the album, and seeing as this is possibly the only one i dont like listening to they havent done to bad. The song starts slow, with soft vocals and works up louder with a slightly increased pace for the chorus's, again vocals are possibly the only things that really take me on this song, as for the backing of the song, its nothing i havent heard before.
Track 7) - Shout Out :- The begining part with the monkey screaming, it was instant id like this. Then to hear Jonghyuns "Moans" in the background, this whole song is a Turn-Me-On type song. the raps and lyrics a fresh and clean, and again a style i havent heard before. Its so different from what they usually do, and really has a more adult theme to it. The base and beats are very storng, yet the vocals over ride it which prooved the backing music isnt always needed.
Track 8) - WowWowWow :- A lot of auto tuning and computerisation on the voices and background music was used on this song, but then it still gives a fresh feel and makes u want to listen to it. It doesn't sound like all the recent song that have auto tunning in it, and doesnt have a sound that sounds like its from a mould. vocals in this are quiet sweet, and is deffinately a summer chill out style.
Track 9) - You're Name :- To start with all the "lalala's" gives it a very chilled summertime ballad feel, birds tweeting in the background, gorjous voices serenading you into the medium beat, with a occasional high pitch tone that reminds you of birds singing along. Its a very pretty song for when driving, and one song i listen to when im just trying to relax.
Track 10) - Life :- This song has a similar feel to "Y Si Fuera Ella" but includes all members of the group. It has a ballad feel, but then the old style Love song attributes are there to. This is still newer than those that have been on previous albums, but still has similarities to other works. Especially 2AM's work, but with the vocals, they make this song their own, and with a slight beat increase it makes the song fit enough for a K-Drama OST.
Track 11) - Ready Of Not :- This is some style i have never heard of before, instead of singing they sound like they are saying there words but in tune, until u get to the chorus where they belt out those vocals. It sounds slightly dancey,electro,rap. Its hard to put my finger on it, but it instantly grabs you due to not hearing a song remotely similar to this. this is deffinately a unique style and a unique song.
Track 12) - Love Pain :- In expressing how their love hurts, the lyrics are very smooth, the rythm, tuneage, and beat are all relaxed yet upbeat. It has a similarity to older songs, but its more grown up.
Track 13) - Love Should Go On :- For a ending song, this deffinately delivers, and does have a good send of vibe. This has more of a 80's mixed with Millenium beat, possibly a kind of "on holiday" kind of feel.
On whole, the album is a deffinate breakthrough for the boys, as for showing a new side to them, there are some songs that could possibly be improved slilghtly to show a more masculine side, and there are a few songs that seem to want to revert back to their "colourful" days, but apart from a few blunders, this is one Extremely good album. Other SHINee songs for you to look out for are “A.Mi.Go” and “Jo Jo”. SHINee give a very fresh look, but sometimes can feel a little too old school boyband. Obviously its not a bad thing, but for my personal tastes it can go on a little to much, but with the new album they certainly give off a new vibe, and one that i like VERY much.
Well next week i shall be reviewing SNSD (Girls Generation) which i know a few of you fan boys out there will enjoy. But for know i thank you for taking the time in reading, and look foreward to seeing or hearing from you in the near future.
Xx Kimi-Chan xX
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