Roller Coaster
The trio Roller Coaster is back with a new album called Everyday Living. You might recall Roller Coaster's debut single, Come to Me [ASX]. The video for Come to Me was ultra-disco in style, with images taken from retro video games and pop art. Looking back, the video looks a little choppy, but the introduction of Roller Coaster's jazz stylings to the pop music world can only be a good thing. Fans of the first album will not be disappointed with this new collection.
In a recent interview [RealVideo], the group discussed the philosophy behind their latest work. The interview opens with a clip of their new single, Have Strength, Mr. Kim [ASX] then segues into a chat session. They classify their style of music as "acid pop," a combination of jazz, pop and hip hop. This album is heavy on the jazz influence, and is really more of a fusion of jazz and funk. The group listens to a lot of acid jazz for inspiration.
While listening to Have Strength, Mr. Kim [MP3] or watching the Mr. Kim video [RealVideo], it's possible to fool oneself into thinking that Roller Coaster is actually a pop group. However, this illusion is shattered only a few measures into the instrumental cut, Breezy [MP3]. No way is this pop, or even acid pop. We're talking jazz derivative here, and frankly, Roller Coaster is selling itself short by trying to climb charts often characterized by vapid, synthesized, manufactured pop.
Looking at the title, you might think Love Virus [MP3] would be a techno song, but in fact, it's more sultry jazz. This song is more sultry and soulful than Breezy, and reminds me of some of the instrumental work my parents used to listen to in the 1970s.
The songs on this album really hang together. Aside from tempo changes, both Gamanhi Doosaeyo [MP3] and Neoehgeh Bonaeneun Norae [MP3] are continuations of Breezy and Love Virus in concept and sound. Sometimes albums that don't have a lot of variety in style can be boring, but this one is really just a long-lasting listening pleasure.
The group hopes to do more concerts and touring to cultivate a team sound. They weren't able to do as many concerts as they'd hoped to do with their first album. Right now, you can see them around Seoul performing with other groups, but they will have begun their solo engagements at the end of September.
By Denise Ahn
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