Album reviewsRadiohead ‘The King of Limbs’ (WARNER MUSIC KOREA) When one comes across the rare person who adamantly insists that no, they do not like Radiohead, it’s usually a simple matter: they obviously don’t know what they’re talking about. Radiohead unveiled their eighth album over the weekend, their first fully independent release since they cut ties with longtime distributor EMI. “The King of Limbs,” which supposedly found titular inspiration from the ancient oaks of the U.K.’s Savernake Forest, sees the group branch further down the road of (loosely) ambient electronic. While the sound may not be immediately explosive, its winning trait is still in that literary element most comfortable in the niche of darkly honest humor. Long gone are the days of lively electro-rock, replaced by endless amalgamations of jazz elements, electronic-based beats, guitar plucking and disjointed portraits of a minimalist dystopia. “Lotus Flower,” which the band revealed last year, is perhaps the most representative number of the short, eight-track album. The hook on that sharp note, the lighFeb 22, 2011
Though worn, Clapton captures crowds thrice overBy Ines Min It was in the tense hunch of a shoulder, the slow rhythm of the head bang, the foot tapping to the beat — the unmistakable signs of a musician going full throttle, into the classic melodies that defined an era. Eric Clapton moved the Korean audience once more in his third concert here Sunday, at the Gymnastics Stadium of Olympic Park. His latest international tour kicked off on Feb. 11 in the United Arab Emirates, and his third show revealed a still timeless, if weary, Clapton. Enthused fans entered the sold-out venue in pairs, weaving lines in front of each entrance minutes before the curtain rose. Clapton and his band — a tour lineup that includes the famed Steve Gadd on drums, Chris Stainton and Tim Carmon on keys, and Willie Weeks on bass — jumped straight into the show with “Key to the Highway.” The opening number saw Clapton warm up to the stage immediately, as he rocked and plucked on his characteristic sky blue Fender Stratocaster. Dressed in a casual blue plaid shirt and black denim, the guitarist rang clear across the packed house,Feb 21, 2011
A crossover of music and culturesSeoul Pops Orchestra to take classical pop to China By Lee Hyo-won There’s nothing as invisible yet gripping as music, even transcending the limits of the spoken word, to unite different cultures. China’s National Centre for the Performing Arts awed the audience here with its Korean opera debut piece, “Turandot,” and beginning next week the Seoul Pops Orchestra will bring the flair of Korean classical music by touring four cities across the neighboring country. The orchestra will kick off the tour with performances in Beijing on Feb. 23 followed by Tianjin on Feb. 24; Qingdao on Feb. 26 and last but not least Lianyungang on Feb. 28. The tour comes in time for the 19th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic exchange between Korea and China, and is also part of Seoul Pops’ New Year’s campaign themed to share messages of hope and community values through music. “Due to recent conflicts between North and South Korea, there is noticeable tension in the East Asian region. We hope the upcoming concert will uplift the mood through music and promote more artistic exFeb 18, 2011
Weekender Korean indie bands to rock North AmericaBy Ines Min It’s the ultimate band roadtrip. Except this isn’t your typical, Americana garage-band straight from Smalltown, U.S.A., it’s post-rock indie group Apollo 18 from the capital of South Korea. “We’re nervous in general about going to the U.S., playing at South by Southwest (SXSW), the clubs, the venue ambiance and the people inside those venues,” bassist Kim Dae-inn laughed. It will be the first time any of the band members have stepped foot on North American soil. This spring, Apollo 18 and four of the country’s most-buzzed underground names will enter the American scene by touring some of the most prestigious festivals this March and April, shattering the idea that Korean music holds a mere wisp of a presence worldwide. Kim and his bandmates, Galaxy Express, Vidulgi OoyoO, Idiotape and EE will go west to make a stand for Korean music either by DIY or with corporate backing. The move records both the marked increase of local bands at SXSW (March 16-20) and the official debut of Korean music at Coachella (April 15-17). “This (rock) sound is originally from Feb 17, 2011
Schiff to bring to life late Beethoven mystiqueBy Lee Hyo-won In his Korean concert debut in 2008, Andras Schiff delighted fans that had waited so long to hear him live with a colorful variety of programs, ranging from duos with the cellist Miklos Perenyi to masterclasses. His Bach was pristine — without the use of the damper pedals of course — and the performance was crowned with three encores. The talented pianist will return for his second visit next week, bringing this time the mystical sonatas from Beethoven’s later period. The Grammy Award-winning artist has explored composers in comprehensive projects, and is particularly renowned for recording and performing nearly all of Bach’s solo keyboard works. His latest passion has been Beethoven, and the pianist will finally present the last three pieces in the sonata cycle — Nos. 30, 31 and 32 — at Seoul Arts Center on Feb. 23. “Part of what makes Mr. Schiff’s Beethoven so engrossing is that his interpretive approach eludes definition. An artful blend of intuition and analysis has gone into his preparation. Yet the results are constantly surpriFeb 16, 2011
Album reviewsBruno Mars ‘Doo-wops & Hooligans’ (Warner Music Korea) Why we recommend it: Coke, community service or whatever, Bruno Mars knows how to perk up ears: hook, line and sinker. Best tracks: “The Other Side,” “Count on Me” and “Grenade” Bruno Mars is pure fun. The singing sensation boasts his versatility in a beguiling debut album, sliding from R&B to sunny West Coast pop in the course of eight minutes. The 25-year-old singer-songwriter finds his influence from everything: doo-wop to Michael Jackson. Mars (real name Peter Hernandez) has been singing since childhood, doing Elvis impersonations and the like, but didn’t make his steps toward L.A. big times until B.o.B.’s “Nothin’ on You,” quickly followed by Travis McCoy’s “Billionaire.” The longtime musician managed to work his way up based on his writing skills (Mars co-wrote Cee-Lo’s “F-ck You”) and vocal flair, and his U.S. release made way last October. Opener and single “Grenade” promises a thrilling ride from the outset. The unrequited love-driven number shows an enthusiastic launch, fFeb 15, 2011
Yamaha to host piano fairYamaha Music Korea will hold its annual Grand Piano Fair from Feb. 25 to 27 at Coex, Samsung-dong, southern Seoul. This year’s event will feature the grand piano model CFX, which was used by the winner of the 2010 Chopin Piano Competition, as well as Disklavier instruments, which feature an auto-playing function. The fair will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. throughout the period. In conjunction with the fair, famed musicians will give performances: pianists Lim Dong-hyek, Cho Jae-hyuck and Chugye University for the Arts professor Kim Young-bae; as well as violinist and dean of Ewha Womans University’s College of Music Lee Tae-ju. Make reservations for the performances online at www.yamaha-music.co.kr. Call (02) 3467-3341.Feb 15, 2011
Seil gagok competition to openThe Seil Music & Culture Foundation will hold the 3rd Seil Korean Art Song Competition in Seoul this summer. The competition is a showcase of “gagok” or traditional lyrical songs that date back to the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910). The art was included on the UNESCO world heritage list last year. The competition will feature two categories; for vocals and composition. The top prizewinner will be awarded 15 million won. The main event will take place on June 1 at the Sejong Chamber Hall, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, central Seoul. Those wishing to take part in the event should submit applications between March 8 and 15 for compositions or May 9 to 16 for vocals. Application fee costs 150,000 won. Visit www.seilmcf.org or call (02) 555-4713 for more information.Feb 15, 2011
Taylor Swift charms Korea in styleBy Ines Min Devoted fans here welcomed Taylor Swift in her first concert in Korea, Friday. The four-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter provided a polished, if underwhelming, show replete with model looks. Though the Gymnastics Stadium at Olympic Park was only half-full, the fervor of the fans, which flocked from as far as Busan, made it sound like a packed house. The crowd was comprised of eight-year-olds to married businessmen and couples on dates, but the show was dominated by youths, many wearing matching handmade, Swift T-shirts. The Seoul performance was Swift’s second on a world tour that kicked off in Singapore last week, to promote her third album, and continues on to more than 90 countries. The 21-year-old performer kicked off the show with “Spark’s Fly,” for a 14-song set. “Annyeonghaseyo,” Swift greeted her fans. “Hi Seoul... This is actually the very first time that I have ever been to Korea. Thank you for having us.” Radiant in a 1920s-inspired gold-fringed dress and black knee-high boots — the first of three outfits making their way throughFeb 13, 2011
Angelique Kidjo brings African music to SeoulBy Kwon Mee-yoo African diva Angelique Kidjo transports the rhythm and sounds of Africa to Seoul in a special performance at the LG Art Center, on March 13. There are numerous kinds of music across the globe but Kidjo’s is contagious. Her music makes everyone dance and she promises the audience will experience this at her upcoming concert. Though not well-known in Korea, Kidjo is recognized for her unique style that combines African rhythm with R&B, jazz and pop with a twist of Latin American flavor mixed in. After her debut in the 1980s, Kidjo released several albums, rich with African traditional sounds influenced by other genres. Her album “Djin Djin” won the 2008 Grammy Awards Best Contemporary World Music Album. The title denotes the sound of a bell in Africa, welcoming each new day. Her newest album “Oyo” has also been nominated for a Grammy, which will be announced Sunday. The 2010 album mixes traditional African music with soul from the 60s and 70s, suffused with the nostalgia of her childhood in Benin, a small country in Western Africa. U2’s Bono, John LegenFeb 11, 2011