CNBLUE � 2GETHER (VOL. 2)
Track List:
1. Cinderella
2. Hide and Seek
3. Roller Coaster
4. Domino
5. Hero
6. Drunken Night
7. Catch Me
8. Hold My Hand
9. Control
10. Radio
11. Footsteps
CNBLUE is back '2gether' again and have dropped their second LP. Since the boys have mostly concentrated on their solo efforts, it's been 18 months since their last release. The boys showcase their talents on 11 new tracks, all of them self-written and composed.
The LP starts out with the title track, "Cinderella," a pop-rock-disco offering. Composed and written by member Yonghwa, this tune is actually more than the fairy tale title might suggest, with layered effects and even-handed guitar work. The boys' voices work well here, and the hook is pretty awesome: "Somebody help me!" As the title indicates, the song is about the search for a perfect girl, and how they feel lost without her.
"Hide and Seek" starts out with funky r&b horns and a jangly beat that gives way to piano during the main verses. The chorus is pretty pure pop. It's a fusion, and one that works extremely well. The guitars fair scream during the solo and the whole effect is an aural feast.
"Roller Coaster" begins as a bit of naughty, stripped-down funk, and transitions to a little more pop in the chorus, which makes for a great hook. The singer is saying that not only is he ready to ride the emotional roller coaster again but also that he's a glutton for punishment.
The third track, "Domino," is one of the more danceable songs on the album, having more in common with dance pop than anything else. It's repetitive, but I think that's part of its strength. The silky harmonies are used to great effect here. I can hear keyboards and electric guitars, and even a female soloist at the end. It's soothing and body-moving all at the same time. What's it about?
"My love is gone
You break me down
Just let it go
Like them dominos"
"Hero" is sung to a folksy guitar, which gives way to electric guitars once the chorus kicks in, and then transitions back to acoustic again. It's got a smooth bridge and a belted chorus. It's a pop rock tune that seems to pay homage to fathers, talking about "childhood hands" and other sentiments. I can totally buy the idea of a father as a hero.��
"Drunken Night" was totally not what I expected; I thought the lyrics might talk about a lost love and trying to dull the pain, but the lyrics are more playful than that, to a point. There's a tinge of regret in there with the lyric "time lost can't be won again." Other than that, it's all about party time from the melody to the verses, chorus, and lyrics.
"Catch Me" starts out as a fierce rock tune with a garage band sensibility. Blazing guitars, a relentless beat and belted vocals complete the song. The lyrics are about being a star, and no one can stop them. The line "catch me now" is pretty much saying "check out my show when I'm in town."
"Hold My Hand" has got some jazz swing to it with a snappy beat and horns keeping time. There's even a hint of clarinet and bassoon. It's very different song from what we've heard so far on this LP. It's a head-nodding, toe-tapping tune with a nice sentiment as well. �
Track 9, "Control," amps it back up with sweeping guitars and a sense of urgency, almost like the singer's fighting for control. It's a definite rocker, energetic, and fierce. The lyrics tell us that they're trying to let go of all the things that are beyond their control.�
"Radio" keeps things in the same vein as "Control," but with even more passion. Yonghwa's voice is pretty pleasant, whether he's injected it with energy and anger or is singing in a more even tone. Here he really belts it out. The song is about hearing a song on the radio and remembering. �
"Footsteps" is a contemplative rocker, starting out soft and even, but builds to a fever pitch with the chorus, and then alternates back again. Each time the verses get a few more beats, a little harder. The song cleverly uses walking as a metaphor for living, how far you've gone, and what you've left behind.
Each and every one of these songs reached out and grabbed me. In an industry where one band largely sounds like another, CNBLUE stands out from the rest. While the sound is not strictly original, they still borrow from the best while keeping the formula fresh and throwing out an atypical tune here and there. This album in particular is a must-have for fans. If you missed them, here they are in all their glory, CNBLUE and fans, '2gether' once more.� �
MV REVIEW
The boys from CNBLUE try to catch an elusive lover in "Cinderella."
The scene is set in many places: a car, an apartment, a laundromat. Each time one of the members tries to lean in for a kiss or at least to ask her out, she vanishes, leaving behind a sparkly, high-heeled shoe. Like the prince in the fairy tale, they have only that to go on when searching for the girl of their dreams.
The fetching girl here is Seo Yi An ('Hotel King,' 'Warm and Cozy'). Apparently Jonghyun was nervous since he was told to pose as if he was about to kiss her, and that was the first time they met. Yonghwa enjoyed his shirtless scene, though, even pushing it on Instagram. Jungshin felt a little slighted since all the other members got skinship and he didn't.
I enjoyed it. It's not just the song. Seo Yi An did a pretty good job expression-wise, and the nonplussed looks on the boys' faces are priceless. It helps, of course, that she's completely hot. But I've heard that CNBLUE is pretty amazing live, and here we get a small taste of it in the performance bits. One good thing about this "Cinderella" is that there were no evil stepsisters to get in the way.��
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