[MV & Album Review] Block B � 'Montage'

AKP STAFF

BLOCK B � MONTAGE

Track List:

1. My Zone
2. Shall We Dance
3. One Way
4. Like This (Vocal Unit)
5. Give & Take (B-BOMB Solo)

After some impressive solo activities, Block B is back as a full group again. This time, they're headed your way with the 'Montage' mini-album. This contains 5 hot off the press tracks, including a solo by member B-Bomb!

The album kicks off with the R&B tune "My Zone." This has all the hallmarks of Block B; it's loud, in-your-face, and a great banger. The title track is "Shall We Dance," another R&B tune, but very different, with some more of an urban feel in the main verses. B-Bomb, U-Kwon, Jaehyo, and Taeil's falsetto is in fine form here. The song is almost electro-funk, and it is a fantastic bop.�

"One Way" is a reggae-inspired song, and they do a good job of emulating that style. The only thing that gives it away is the raps, but it's still a wonderful tune. "Like This" (Vocal Unit) is a very artsy ballad. It's entirely not my thing, just a style that doesn't appeal to me. It's a tender and heartfelt piece, and vocally they kill it. "Give & Take" (B-Bomb Solo) is modern R&B, and B-Bomb does the form justice and more. Very danceable and smooth.

Block B usually manages to impress me, and this album is no exception. They even make extremely danceable hits out of styles that might not easily lend themselves to that. This is a top-notch way to spend your time if you're sitting there staring at the rain. Feeling down? Cue this one up. You won't be down anymore.

MV REVIEW

The MV is meant to emulate a block party in the projects. At least, that's what it looks like, with towering concrete people farms, complete with balconies. And people down below, dancing in the streets, following Block B as if in the spell of some Korean Pied Piper.

It really didn't look like they shelled out much cash for this, but they tried hard. Appearances might be deceiving, though. Dancing in the high-rises' alcoves was amusing (and probably dangerous), and the attitude they put off is sheer gold. It's still all done with tongue firmly in cheek, though, and they let slip a few smiles in this MV.

It's not meant to be "Gangsta's Paradise" -- it's more a celebration of music, of life. They make it look like it's fun to be alive, and there are few things better than that. It may not have any kind of narrative, but the message is clear.

The only issue I had was when the scene would shift and become blurry and indistinct. I thought something was wrong with my monitor, and it gave me a headache.