[kendelle]

I don't see how this guy is really pushing KPOP against Ayu and JPOP - what he says is true in the beginning.

KPOP focuses on catchy "hooks" in their songs, expensive and clean cut production values and gimmicks to sell craploads of music for 3 weeks, then the group goes on hiatus. KPOP is extremely fast, fickle, and is the "now" movement of Asian music. I like KPOP. Some of my favourite songs are from KPOP artists, but if I listen to my non-bias groups' songs, I find myself skipping to the chorus and listening to that only. I only like the hook in many songs after a few weeks. KPOP makes itself out to be fast pasted and savvy, and in comparison, JPOP is "slower, steadier and more boring". I still love JPOP, but once you've gotten a taste for some of the Korean chart-toppers, you can see what he means by JPOP looking dull by comparison, and to an outsider, in need of "saving".

The only thing that bothers me thus far is that he never mentioned the lyrics. Either he can't comment on them for lack of space, or understanding. However, he doesn't really talk about the vocal content. He mentions that songs are "absurd", but not whether the songs themselves are unusual, or if he feels the subject matter is the strange part. The word "absurd" isn't always used in the negative, maybe he's just using it in an archaic way?

Plenty of people on AHS judge songs based on snippets, radio rips, leaks, etc without knowing a word of Japanese - this guy should probably know better, but I can't see him criticising the lyrics or saying anything that is blatantly false.

Nobody who googles Falco for more than 5 seconds can dismiss his work and effect on the industry, but not everyone has to like what his work is. You can appreciate the legacy but not like his actual work that much. Disliking Falco's rapping doesn't instantly discredit someone as a reviewer.

I see this review as a standard review from a non-follower who's coming into Ayu knowing little background. His feelings reflect what a standard listener probably feels picking up the album expecting a fun, upbeat party album based on the title and alluring covers. Of course he's disappointed as the title and cover of the album is misleading to the uninitiated. Casual listeners won't bother to look for a deeper meaning. After all, it's a lot of work just to enjoy a roughly 1-hour album...

Not every reviewer will spend hours listening to the entire back catalogue to be able to write a 500 word puff piece on the latest albums coming out. Most likely, this guy turned up at work on Thursday morning with this on his desk and a note saying "plz rvw 4 tmrws ppr THX!".

You have to take reviews with a pinch of salt. I just view them as interesting opinions. A review in a paper has never made me go and buy an album without previewing or knowing 100% that I want it to support the artist (I only do this for Ayu, SNSD, B1A4, Gorillaz and Lenka) - has anyone here read an album review and gone an bought the album based SOLELY on the reviewer's thoughts?

Sorry for the scroller - as usual, didn't realise how much I wrote ;__;