F.O.X.'s Rul-ling FREE MP3 & RealAudio Downloads
In the tradition of S.E.S. and Fin.K.L. we now have a new girl quartet, F.O.X. (For Our X-Generation). Leaving aside the point that no one in this group can possibly be old enough to be a member of the X-Generation, I am going to admit I like their debut album, Rul-ling, much more than I liked the recent releases S.E.S. 2 or Fin.K.L. 2.5.
I had my speakers turned up high on the Intro [MP3] and nearly jumped out of my skin when the pounding started. The first full track on the album is Geuraedoh Taeyangeun Dashiddeundah (The Sun Will Rise Tommorrow) [MP3] and I liked it. This is a pop song in the best sense of the word -- it's bright with shiny vocal sounds that you can dance to.
Jumping Love I [MP3] is a hip-hop tune. The orchestration of this piece gives it character and although some of the vocals were a bit thin in the upper registers, the rapping was strong. I will probably be harassed by Fin.K.L. fans, but I think the Fine Killing Liberty could take some rhythm lessons from For Our X-Generation (and they could both find better names for their groups).
I think the thin vocals are the only drawback to Nae Chingooreul Bootaekhae (Take Care of My Friend) [MP3]. Other than the melody at the outset of the piece is smile inducing. I love the way the tune climbs the scale and the way the melody circles back.
With a little more effort, Tohyohilui Ahgmah (Devil of Saturday) [MP3] could be a ska song. They backed off it right away, but the potential was there and I wish they had taken it in that direction. What I like about F.O.X. is that they don't wimp out with their voices. They might need a little more coaching, but at least they don't have that limp, weak song that other girl groups cultivate.
In track six, F.O.X. revisits Jumping Love II [MP3]. The original is a little more intense than this second part, and I think I like it a little better, but this one is fine too with its nice melody.
Cheoeum Geu Mohseubcheoreom (Like the First) [MP3] opens with a dance beat and that same frantic pace continues throughout the song. If you're into dance music, give it a whirl.
Unfortunately, the same beat (but possibly even faster) underlies I Don't Need You [MP3]. It sounds like their having a contest to see who can talk the quickest without choking on their own tongue but it does eventually level off into something more melodic.
I confess I find the title of Ah1x Hyeonshin Gahmjeong (Ah1x Real Feeling) [MP3] to be neater than the song itself. The song is pretty, however, the harmony is a little on the shaky side, and the blend of voices just isn't happening on this one. Hopefully that will come with time.
Jiltoo & Haengbok (Jealousy & Happiness) [MP3] is made in a single moment at the :14 mark with a cute little sound. It reappears a couple more times in the song. The vocals in this piece remind me of Han's Family sometimes.
Overall, I give the album good marks and I look forward to hearing another F.O.X. album in the future.
By Denise Ahn
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