Insensible is an awkward name for a song, but I love me a big power rock ballad. Hongki is the lead vocal of Korean rock group FTIsland, and because of this I was expecting a straight-up rock sound from his new solo album. To my surprise (and delight), the album incorporates a lot more dance and pop influences than I would have thought. In fact, despite being a ballad, Insensible is probably the rockiest track on the album. It's total bombast, from the squealing guitar solo, to the soaring chorus, to the punctuations of lightning and rain in the video. It helps that the guy's got an amazing voice, and this track really puts that on display. In short, this release was hardly on my radar but I find myself utterly taken with it. Here's to nice surprises!
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There really aren't many popular idol rock bands in Korea. In fact, I can only think of two who have had major success, and they're both under the same label. FTIsland is one, and they're a group I've checked in with here and there. I love lead singer Hongki's voice, but not all of their output has been geared to my taste. Puppy, however, is amazing. It's funny and upbeat and super addictive, and the simple music video reminds me of the late 90's. There's an element of funk in the melody and production, which is very welcome after the band's heavier material earlier this year. It's certainly different from most of their material. I'm probably in the minority, but I wish they'd release a full album in this vein.
I'm enamored by K-Pop mostly for its pop/dance/hip-hop scene, but I have an incredibly strong and deep love for rock music as well. I'm just a little pickier when it comes to this genre. Rock isn't nearly as prevalent in Korea as dance and hip-hop, and what little there is in the idol scene hasn't fully clicked with me yet. That's the case with FTIsland's latest album as well, with the exception of this song. I feel like most of their music is of the more typical American style (which is probably why I don't like it), but To The Light has a far more anthemic, power ballad feel to it. It actually reminds me a lot of 30 Seconds To Mars' excellent Closer To The Edge. The song was originally released as a Japanese single before being rerecorded in Korean. I haven't heard the original version and probably won't seek it out, but I hope the band has more material with this sound. The vocals are incredibly powerful and that chorus just soars.
(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. Buy the album here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.
...Transmissions come in from outposts all over the universe... Unfamiliar melodies stream into our radios... Fronted by colorful aliens with big voices... The music begins to catch on ... It's in our heads and it refuses to leave... And we like it...
