[Mini Album] IU - iu...im & [Single] DNT - The Love In My Heart
[Mini Album] IU - iu...im
Release date: 2009.11.12
Genre: Pop, Ballad, Reggae+R&B-ish.
Label: Loen Entertainment
Sounds like: Girls Generation (SNSD), 4minute, Kara, T-ara
Language: Korean
Bit rate: 320kbps
01 Love attack
02 기차를 타고 Riding the Train
03 마쉬멜로우 Marshmallow (MV@YT)
04 아침 눈물 Morning Tears
05 두근 두근 데이트 Dugeun Dougeun Date (preview@YT)
06 기차를 타고 Riding the Train (Inst.)
07 아침 눈물 Morning Tears (Inst.)
The title track Marshmallow is quirky and cute to the point where it employs the help of chipmunk backup vocals and not-so-subtle "oh"/"ooo" expressions. Fortunately, IU's voice is able to carry of this sickly sweet number without causing gag reflexes. It constantly reminds me off images of dancing boys and girls in musical movies such as High School Musical and Hairspray. Note the retro feel in the beginning indicated by low blown horns that was also used in the start of Christina Aguilera's Ain't No Other Man. But that's where the similarity ends. It's either a love it or hate it song. So far, after 2 listens I'm starting to find it endearing.
Track 02 기차를 타고 Riding the Train soothes the head after intensely poppish "love attack". I do wished she did more ballads such as this. It's feminine without the high pitched unbearableness. Instead, IU's vocals are clear and untainted against an orchestra-like arrangement. Basically, she kicks ass at ballads but appears average at pop songs.
Track 04 아침 눈물 Morning Tears is another ballad that deserves to be on the OST of a drama. This time the musical arrangement is less busy allowing her soft yet capable vocals to carry out the song's climax during the bridge.
The reggae number is track 05 두근 두근 데이트 that tells the story of a first date. It does have a more R&B vibe to it with her vocals taking center stage in both the chorus and bridge. An excellent show-off material that's fun but still comprises a certain level of difficulty if you're looking for music with a certain substance that is.
You don't need to be in an excellent frame of mind in order to brave this album. Although it seems as though IU's musical direction is headed straight for the girlish charms battleground title currently held by certain k-pop girl groups whose names I shall not disclose for fear of rotten tomatoes. It does however lighten the severely gloomy atmosphere surrounding k-pop these days. Need a pick me up? Try IU.
DOWNLOAD
Multiupload (updated link with all tracks)
Multiupload track 06 (previously not included)
[Single] DNT - 가슴이 사랑하는 법 The Love in My Heart 3rd Single
Release date: 2009.11.12
Genre: Ballad, Pop-R&B
Label: Orange Entertainment
Sounds like: Fly to the Sky, SS501, Park Hyo Shin, Sung Si Kyung, Jo Sung Mo
Language: Korean
Bitrate: 320kbps
01 가슴이 사랑하는 법 The Love in My Heart
02 내가 죽어도 (preview@YT)
03 To 18 Girl
04 가슴이 사랑하는 법 The Love in My Heart Inst
05 내가 죽어 Inst
Concentrating on ballads with the exception of track 03, this time, DNT (Dragon N Tiger) tries hard to break into the already highly saturated boy band scene. The opening song - The Love in My Heart is possibly the best track on this single. It starts of with slow piano chords and builds into a crescendo chorus. Heartfelt and melodic, it sounds almost as if you could hear someone's heart breaking. As mellow as that seems, it's actually quite comforting to know that this group (in this single) doesn't need to rely on auto-tune or any of that fancy glitter/eye-liner get-up. ;) We're talking real vocals here.
To 18 Girl is probably a what a stripped R&B number would be without vocal alteration. With no auto-tune, you can hear the slight coarseness, stress and quivering in the vocals. Such imperfection however may not settle well with some listeners. There's your usual bridge rap and the collective group chorus though. Overall, DNT definitely stands out of the crowd although lacking in the promotion and exposure department.
DOWNLOAD
Multiupload Updated All Tracks link
Multiupload Instrumental Tracks only
C .O M. M E. N T
- I. T H A N K. Y O U. 4. D O I N G. S O.