[Single] Tohoshinki’s ‘Two Hearts’

SINGLE REVIEW: Tohoshinki- Two Hearts

Less than a month since the release of Tohoshinki’s ‘T’, Avex has already concocted a scheme to promote Tohoshinki even further. Does everyone remember the mess that was Trick on the T album? Well I found out (I’m slow) that it’s actually a big medley of the five songs of the ‘TRICK‘ singles project. What a stupid idea. All the members of Tohoshinki are going to die before they can release another album. Especially since there is already allegedly another single for after the TRICK project on April 30th. Good god. [Album] September 17th 2008- Remembering Tohoshinki. Umm, that would suck. Here’s Tohoshinki’s ‘Two Hearts’ and a silent prayer that they don’t collapse from exhaustion.

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I like the unique synth put to use in Two Hearts, but I have some major issues with the song as well. The verses present a very appealing R&B sound that promotes a nice feeling, but the chorus is a mess. I hate it for a couple of reasons. One, the composition is hideous, and not at all pleasing to the ears, and two, the melody is dreadful. The rushed into these singles way too much in my opinion. The vocals are mediocre, and they didn’t get soulful enough to pull off the rhythm and blues feeling of the song. Although the music is engaging and unique, the composition of their voices is pathetic. If there was just a slight tweak to the order of notes in the chorus, I think the song would have been a parallel track to You’re My Miracle from their T album. However, the boring and ugly way that it flows ruins that possibility. If all of the singles end up like this then I’ll be really depressed. Tohoshinki has proved their worth to me, and I don’t understand why they’d suddenly suck after putting out the best album in their discography a mere month ago. Unless of course they’re dying and can’t sing. Which sounds like it might actually be a possibility. However, I think I can safely pin most of the blame on whoever composed it. If it was them, then they’re stupid. It’s probably not quite that bad, but the fact that I was so impressed with their album puts me in a pissy mood when hearing this. I guess I’ll try to grade it technically.

Vocal Performance Grade: B — Musical Performance Grade: A — Composition Grade: C

Overall Grade: B-

Wow, bad, bad, bad choice. Up next is Changmin’s solo song WILD SOUL. The song begins with mechanical synth and some rock elements (drums, electric guitar). If there is anyone in Tohoshinki who can handle rock, it is surely not Changmin (Maybe Jaejoong or Yoochun). Throughout the entire song he works his ass of to add some edge to his delivery, but fails miserably. This song is really hard to listen to. When singing powerfully, Changmin’s upper register is absolutely out of control and generally awful. The sad part about that is that he’s supposed to be Tohoshinki’s master of high notes. Yeah… The song is definitely an attempt at rock. The tough guitar riffs and full arrangement scream nothing more than attempt. Sad attempt. I honestly think that he pulled off the rap better than he did the complete execution, which is saying something considering I hate rap without it being delivered pitifully by an amateur. Changmin should never do two things ever again: try and sing rock with upper-register power-notes and rap. Both were miserable, although the latter more bearable in the long run. I don’t know exactly what to say. I don’t think Changmin is a weak vocalist in general, though I do feel he is the weakest in Tohoshinki, but I think they chose completely wrong when giving him a solo song. They should have done something slow where he could show off his range. In general his high notes are pretty flimsy, but everything is just amplified and made so much worse in this song. I really feel bad, but Changmin just can’t pull it off. There are sweet notes mixed in which are really pleasing to listen to, but they’re surrounded by Changmin trying to scream out his composition and failing. Again, it’s probably made worse considering how much I liked their album… but it’s still bad.

Vocal Performance Grade: C+ — Musical Performance Grade: A — Composition Grade: B

Overall Grade: C+

SINGLE GRADE: B-