So… finally, the album release that I had been anticipating to the point of excitement that exceeded that during New Year. Kim Jaejoong’s rock album “MINE” has been released and it’s opening 2013 with a blast. Here’s my own review of the album please bear in mind that I’m no way a music expert or whatnots to the point my opinion is very relevant or valid. I’m writing it as a fan so some viewpoints might be biased.
I’m not even joking, when the MV was released, I was doing a countdown 14 hours before. And don’t ask about 30 minutes to the release, I was getting very frantic. Anyway, yes. Review. Before continuing with my review, please support him by buying the album! JYJ3.net has done a great job by listing the stores that sell it.
(Here you go, the amazing photoshoot with death stare that makes me flap my arms helplessly. I am judging the usage of Monotype Corsiva typeface though. Out of numerous typefaces, why oh why?)
1. ONE KISS: 5/5
I am sorry I just had to give this song a perfect score. The first time I listened to it which was a week ago or so, I was combusted with feelings. I was hugely impressed with the whole song and his voice is such a perfect addition to the dramatic BGM. The song is a dramatic rock ballad that gives me similar vibe like Hitomi no Jyuunin by L’arc~en~Ciel.
I feel like Jaejoong himself is most proud of this song, hence the twitter name @bornfreeonekiss. I wouldn’t blame him, this song itself scored 193 play counts in such a short time.
2. MINE: 4.5/5
This is the title track of the album, the teaser was unveiled before. And the MV got me excited as I said earlier! Please watch first before proceeding:
Yep the MV is indeed so symbolic and some fan on tumblr even wrote a long analysis. The whole song was first broadcasted along with the MV so I kinda got distracted. For the MV, I love the darkness of it. The only thing that bothers me is maybe the silence during the slow motion scenes, it screams “awkward” to me. But I love the CG effects.
As for the song, I am having too many L’arc~en~Ciel references but I am honestly impressed by his impersonation of singing a rock song. He sounds different from any songs he sang in the past.
3. 내안 가득히 (There’s Only You): 3.0/5
This is the track that makes me go “Aaahh this is Kim Jaejoong”. This is probably the track that is in his comfort zone, in which I mean it as he has no problem doing it whereas ONE KISS and MINE were much more challenging.
4. 나만의 위로 (My Only Comfort): 3.0/5
Opened with soothing accoustic guitar, this is the kind of ballad song that usually topped my playlist whenever my favorite J-Rock bands release a single or album. Another song aside from ONE KISS that has dramatic BGM and vocal. And his vocal abilities, of course are not to be doubted.
5. ALL ALONE: 3.0/5
ALL ALONE is the song that makes me want to give him a pat in the back. What makes this song more memorable is probably the easily sung along English lyrics in the chorus “I feel so all alone…” and “I’m saving all my love for you“. This song has very bittersweet lyrics that make me wonder what kind of occurrences that Jaejoong went through to be able to convey such lyrics.
Overall
I LOVE THE ALBUM. Like really love it. Especially ONE KISS and MINE surpass my expectations and at the same time satiate my cravings for rock songs. In case anyone doesn’t know, I used to be an avid J-Rock fan. I listened to a lot of bands but this whole album awakens my love for L’arc~en~Ciel and their epic old stuff.
I am hugely impressed by Jaejoong. This album and the MV are like his very own creation, coming straight out from his feelings. He’s delivering them very well. I really wish he would promote the album overseas and somehow list Jakarta as one of his stops. My inner is bursting with joy thinking how would he sing those songs live.
