Reinventing Tohoshinki with ‘Tone’
Tohoshinki, also known as TVXQ or DBSK, released their fifth Japanese album "Tone" (Link: http://ph.omg.yahoo.com/blogs/okpop/tvxq-dominates-japan-album-chart-releases-christmas-single-094850610.html) last September in Japan and last week in the Philippines. "Tone" is the first Japanese album release of TVXQ as a duo. Fans of the popular five-member TVXQ know that there has been a split in the original group with Yunho and Changmin now known as TVXQ while the other three members, Jaejoong, Yoochun and Junsu continue on as "JYJ". It is very clear from the way "Tone" sounds that this is a moment of reinvention for TVXQ as a duo. Yunho and Changmin embraces this opportunity to showcase their talents and they did.
The album's title "Tone" serves as a clue to the heavy use of electronica, autotuning and synthesizers for this particular project. Although I am not a big fan of heavily touched-up songs, I would have to admit that the signature high voice of Yunho, who did most of the singing in this album, lends itself beautifully to this type of treatment. The output does not come across as artificial but more of an appropriate enhancement of his vocal abilities. Changmin's voice is also heard in many of the tracks and he has clearly improved in the singing department.
If there is one thing that needs to be said about "Tone", it is that the singing is impeccable. I am not saying that all the tracks are good. Just like any other album, there are standout tracks and some which may be called "album fillers". Nonetheless, after listening to "Tone" five times for this review, I cannot find fault in the vocal performances of Yunho and Changmin except for the occasional Engrish problem (Listen for it in "Back to Tomorrow").
"Tone" starts with a lullaby-like introduction entitled "magenta". This introduction, however, is not indicative of the music that is to come. The R&B single B.U.T. (BE-AU-TY) follows with its staccato rap beats. I am not a big fan of this track but I liked the succeeding dance-inspired track "I Think U Know". It just makes me feel like going to a club and dancing my heart out. Since when did TVXQ do dance music? It was good, though. "Duet," the next track, is to me, the standout of the album. This ballad offers a melody that is just so beautiful and coupled with the spot-on vocals of Yunho and supporting vocals of Changmin, "Duet" shines. I can listen to this gem of a song over and over again and not get tired of it. "Thank you my girl" and "Telephone" moves the album to a more "pop-py" place. "Thank you my girl" sounds really refreshing but I wish they minimized the "synthesizing" because the song really did not need it. I imagine this song being a lot better with just the pure vocals of HoMin. "Telephone" is a good song but it is not a standout. It would be good to add to your "beach sounds" playlist, though. Like "Telephone", "Back to Tomorrow", "I Don't Know", and "Superstar" are more of "album fillers" to me. These songs just sounded "too busy" but I guess it fits the whole idea of "Tone". "I Don't Know" and "Superstar" have music videos so they are probably not "album fillers" but to me, they are. The tracks "Why? Keep Your Head Down" and "MAXIMUM" are, of course, familiar as these were originally released in Korean. I like the Japanese version of "Why? Keep Your Head Down" but I still prefer the original Korean version. Somehow, the Korean version sounds "angrier". For MAXIMUM, I prefer the Japanese version. The tone of the language seem to fit the melody better. "Flowers with the Color of Happiness", a 6-minute ballad, seem to be TVXQ's answer to JYJ's 8-minute "Unnamed song, Part 1". Ok...ok...the songs have completely different themes (and language for that matter) but come on, the off-standard song length is similar. "Flowers..." sound good but its just too long for my taste. "Easy Mind" is a fun "happy song" that makes you want to bob your head while "Weep" conjures an atmosphere that is contrary to its title. "Weep" actually sounds quite optimistic. I wonder why the title is such.
I said it earlier and I'll say it again, the strength of "Tone" lies on TVXQ's impeccable vocals. Although it is quite obvious that most of the vocals were performed by Yunho, maknae Changmin also sang very well. Overall, the album is satisfying in that one cannot deny the sheer vocal chops of Tohoshinki. They are not the superstars they are for nothing.
Cohesion is a bit elusive, however, since "Tone" is more of a collection of their recent Japanese singles. There is no unifying concept felt across the songs. "Tone" is a smorgasbord of R&B, pop, dance, and ballad music. The use of technology in engineering the songs is probably the only unifying factor, hence the title "Tone". Still, the tracks were performed and sang so well that it makes up for the lack of general cohesion.
I have to admit, though, that listening to "Tone" makes me yearn for what could have been. The re-recording of "Somebody to Love" with two voices solidifies how much the five-member TVXQ is far superior to the new TVXQ with only Yunho and Changmin. I know there is no use griping over spilled milk but I just can't help it and I am sure other Cassies can't help it either.
"Tone" is available in three versions. "Tone" Version A (Pink) includes a DVD with the music videos of "Why? Keep Your Head Down", "I Don't Know", "Superstar", and "B.U.T. (BE-AU-TY)" as well as dance versions of "I Don't Know", "Superstar" and "B.U.T. (BE-AU-TY)". "Tone" Version B (Blue) includes a DVD with live performances of "MAXIMUM" and "Why? Keep Your Head Down". It also contains mini movies of TVXQ's album photo shoots. "Tone" Version C (Yellow) contains only the CD. If you can only purchase one version, I'll get Version A.
Catherine Deen blogs for Yahoo! Philippines OMG! She lives, eats and breathes Korean music, cuisine, telenovelas, and pop culture. Follow her on Twitter @cathsdeen.
