Girls’ Generation’s Korean album hits JapanK-pop group Girls’ Generation’s Korean language album, “Hoot,” ranked second in Japan’s Oricon Chart, Tuesday. Some 61,000 copies were sold there, according to the best known music chart in the neighboring country. In addition to its titular track “Hoot,” the recording features “Genie,” “Gee,” “Run Devil Run,” “Oh!” and other hit songs by the nine-member girl band. Also included are a clip of the group’s first showcase at the Tokyo Coliseum and the music video for “Hoot.” Meanwhile the band’s new album “Into the World” is due to be released here Thursday. It is a recording of their first solo live concert held in Seoul on Dec. 19 and 20, and includes special mixes produced for the occasion, “Beautiful Girls” and “Singin’ in the Rain,” of which a studio version was recorded for the CD. Dec 28, 2010
Maestros daughter-in-law makes US debutBy Kwon Mee-yoo Yeahwon Shin, Korean jazz vocalist and daughter-in-law of famed conductor Chung Myung-whun, is finally releasing her successful United States debut album for local fans this month. The self-titled record was released last September in the U.S. and recieved rave reviews for her jazzy vocals with a mix of Brazilian tunes. Shin had released an album titled “Lovely” in Korea in 2001. Later, she entered New School University’s Jazz and Contemporary Music program in New York where she graduated with honors in 2006. For the U.S. disc, she collaborated with various highly acclaimed musicians including Brazilian composer Egberto Gismonti, bassist Ben Street, drummer Jeff Ballard, pianists Kevin Hays and Alon Yavnai, accordionist Rob Curto and percussionist Cyro Baptista. Along with Brazilian numbers such as “Travessia” and “Chovendo Na Roseira,” she also sang the Korean folk song “Sae Ya Sae Ya,” interpreted in her own way and featuring tenor saxophonist Mark Turner. Shin’s album was released by the label Artistshare, which allows musicians and other creaDec 22, 2010By Kwon Mee-yoo
Album reviewsMichael Jackson ‘Michael’ (SONY MUSIC KOREA) Michael Jackson is back. Sort of. The King of Pop’s first posthumous album (one of 10 to be commissioned by Sony through 2017) compiles clips, pre-recordings, notes, scratches and semblances of the legend — though without the perfected posh and gleam. The 10-track album pulls from within its archives of Jackson footage, finding audio clips from the “Thriller” days to more recent collaborations. The tackled time frame allows for a genre-diverse release that captures R&B ballads and that staccato falsetto voice with carefully punctuating melodies. The release and its future follow-ups have reigned in criticism from the Black Eyed Peas’ will.i.am to the singer’s family, but it’s difficult to ignore the assuaging quality of the album for still-pained ultra-fans. “Michael” boasts that all vocals are purely Jackson — if, perhaps, manipulated at times for a cleaner sound a la Auto-Tune — and tracks provide a keener insight into the unfinished work of the legend. “Hollywood Tonight” sees Jackson beatboxingDec 21, 2010
Melodies befitting Yuletide seasonBy Lee Hyo-won, Han Sang-hee, Kwon Mee-yoo, Ines Min The holidays never feel quite complete without the celebratory seasonal tunes ― whether it’s the typical annual carols or a more nondenominational Christmas melody. Here are a few of this year’s selections, from pop inspirations to baroque scores that can double as a timely holiday gift for family and friends. Mariah Carey `Merry Christmas II You’ (Universal Music Korea) Mariah Carey releases her long-awaited sophomore holiday album since its predecessor in 1994. Sixteen years, nine studio albums and a new era later, the diva returns for a recollection of the nostalgic. Four original songs mix with a medley of familiar, welcome covers (from ``Auld Lang Syne’’ to ``Charlie Brown Christmas’’). ``Christmas Time is in the Air Again’’ recalls the dulcet tones of Carey’s ballads, while the booming ``Oh Santa!’’ wakens the sleep from any drowsy wintry crowd. Though nothing reaches the staying power of the famed ``All I Want for Christmas,’’ which sees a revival of Carey’s ‘90s hit, the album proves nevertheless a sweet inclusioDec 14, 2010
Susan Boyles dream still in the making‘People like me exist all over the world and sometimes our determination is not allowed to be brought out.’ By Han Sang-hee There are numerous variations of the Cinderella story all over the world, but nothing quite touches the heart like the tale of Scottish singer Susan Boyle. Although the 49-year-old made her first television appearance just over a year ago, she has already become a household name around the world and also has popular albums to prove that it wasn’t just publicity that pushed her to the top. Boyle’s new Christmas album “The Gift” topped the Billboard charts in both the United Kingdom and the United States, while her debut album “I Dreamed a Dream” was the fastest selling U.K. debut CD of all time. It sold some 701,000 copies in the first week in the U.S. — the best opening week for a debut artist in over a decade. “It’s a bit breathtaking, you know,” she told The Korea Times through an email interview. “For me, it’s not about album sales or chart positions. It is that the people buying my music are enjoying it. They are the ones who will Dec 13, 2010
Album reviewsMy Chemical Romance ‘Danger Days’ (WARNER MUSIC KOREA) Why we recommend it: My Chemical Romance is certainly not a favorite among all, but their progession stands as a record of modern music times. Recommended track: “SING,” “Save Yourself, I’ll Hold Them Back” The year is 2019. The heroes: a band of desert roamers, the Killjoys. Alt-rock/pop punk group My Chemical Romance takes an entertaining turn with their latest album, shedding their signature over-the-top theatrical performance for comic book dusty costumed superheroes and villains, fighting alongside DJ Death Defying (voiced by Steve Montano, collaborator with Mindless Self Indulgence), and leader Korse (noted comic book writer Grant Morrison). Making a much-needed return to simpler roots with cleverer premises, the group explores a world of post-apocalyptic radio communications and good vs. evil, tracing vignettes of their adventures on each track. Given their contribution to the OST of Zach Snyder’s film adaptation of “Watchmen,” the progression into story-book form seems natural for the hit group, particDec 7, 2010
Local rock bands to warm up New Years eveBy Ines Min If you’re in search of live Korean music shows to celebrate New Year’s eve and happen to love the forever-nostalgic cues of “Fantasia,” music agency Mint Paper is looking to satiate. The first Countdown Fantasy 2010-2011 kicks off Dec. 30 for a two-day festival at AX-Korea, eastern Seoul, leading right up to and past the start of the new year. Local acts ranging from the well-known Jaurim to Guckkasten will play until dawn with a range of other talented bands. With the help of such indie labels as MPMG, Rubysalon and Soundholic, the event closes the gap between major international rock festivals thriving in Korea and the smaller scene of all-Korean concerts. While Jisan Rock Valley Festival and Pentaport dominate during the sweltering summer months, Mint Paper’s biannual Grand Mint and Beautiful Mint festivals have already hammered their stakes in fall and spring. An in-door and an out-door stage will host the majority of the acts, while a second floor “Ghost Dancing” arena will contribute to the festive ambiance. Day one features bands such as Peterpan CDec 7, 2010
Lang Lang meets pop art in SeoulBy Lee Hyo-won Lang Lang recently made headlines when a video clip showed the Chinese piano prodigy working his “11 fingers” (as Barenboim put it) on an iPad piano game. The National Museum of Contemporary Art, Korea took notice of the pianist’s popular appeal and appointed him Thursday in Seoul as the honorary ambassador for an Asian pop art exhibition, “Made in Popland.” “Lang Lang is a powerful culture icon and we are very excited to have him represent this exhibition, which features artworks by Korean, Chinese and Japanese pop artists,” Ki Hei-kyung, who curated the event, said during a private ceremony with VIP guests. “I’m very honored to be honorary ambassador for this great exhibition at this great museum,” said Lang, who came straight from the airport to accept the position, which is only one of his engagements during his recital tour here. The 28-year-old arrived late due to a delayed flight from China, but fans waited patiently to meet the artist for a sneak preview of his concert Saturday at Seoul Arts Center. He played snippets of Chopin’s Etude, Op. 2Dec 3, 2010
Album reviewsJimmy Strain ‘Human to Human’ (SAIL MUSIC) Why we recommend it: Jimmy Strain isn’t just a catchy name; his genre-hopping tunes have a way of sticking in your head. Best tracks: “Lucky,” “Goodbye” Emerging Korean artist Jimmy Strain — a stage name comprised of idols Page and Morrison, and the word for a musical phrase — takes a new direction for his third studio album, combining all his talents for a release ringing with earnestness. The self-taught musician, who once played hooky from the Seoul Jazz Academy, dives into his own native cultural fodder for inspiration. Dedicated to his father’s 60th birthday, a milestone event in Korea, “Human to Human” deals with those well-discussed social topics indicative of the national perspective: from high suicide rates to the priority of self-image and appearance. Another twist is the language: Korean. Though born and raised here, Strain previously marked his albums with his all-English lyrics. The budding musician shows his diversity in the genre-exploratory ambiance of the album, with tracks quickly moving Nov 30, 2010
MTVs concert to raise awareness on AIDSBy Han Sang-hee Dec. 1 marks World AIDS Day and MTV is holding a special concert and campaign to raise awareness. A total of 13 K-pop artists will appear at MTV’s Live Wow Special Wednesday evening to perform their catchy tunes and also inform the audience about the devastating and contagious disease. “Two people are infected with HIV every day on average in Korea, and some 6,000 patients are suffering in Korea. (The concert) is aimed to offer more information on the disease and also actively raise awareness,” MTV said through a press release. Singers Horan, Tim and pop group W&Whale were appointed as goodwill ambassadors for the concert, and they will perform with fellow singers Kim Tae-woo, Secret and 8eight. The music channel will also air a special documentary “Me, Myself and HIV,” which features young patients of AIDS talking about their lives and also their illness openly to the public. The program follows the lives of two individuals, one from the United States and another from Zambia, who are HIV positive. They both explain the complicated layer thatNov 29, 2010