Post by Cesar Supernova! on Sept 20, 2008 11:33:25 GMT -5
Where does one even begin? SMiLE.dk's new album not only gets me excited because it's been so long since they've released music, but it's actually really good too! No one really knew what to expect. New singer, new production team and new sound. It was either going to be great, or be a giant flop. I'm glad to say that it doesn't even come close to being the latter. The album offers the same great "Japanese" sound that SMiLE.dk was made famous for, while still bringing a fresh, new sound to the group that doesn't make it sound like a bad rehashing of old work.
The album consists of three different kinds of songs: Bubblegum Dance Tracks, Europop Tracks & Ballads. This keeps the album more interesting than others that just stick to the same formula for each track (CASCADA!!!). Listening to it all the way through is a fun experience and overall it's a very cohesive album. Here's a track by track review:
SMiLE.dk - Party Around the World (2008)
01. Doki Doki
(Bubblegum Dance) SMiLE.dk's debut single is PERFECT! Wonderful, fun lyrics, amazing vocals from Veronica and of course Ms. Malin and spot on production. This song, in my opinion, has become the quintessential SMiLE.dk track. It really wraps up their sound and what their music is all about perfectly. It was love at first sight with this song, and I don't think I'll ever get enough. And for the record, the winding down at the very is kinda funky and I like it (lol, that one is to you, Mitch).
02. Japanese Boy
(Bubblegum Dance) Since this track has already been made at least two time before SMiLE.dk's version, I wasn't sure if it would really "wow" me. After listening to it the first time, I knew that I liked it a hell of a lot more than the original, lol, but I couldn't get Shanadoo's version out of my head. It was hard to listen to it subjectively without comparing the two. After clearing my mind of Shanadoo's version, I gave it a really good, honest listen. The vocals in SMiLE.dk's version top those of the other two, without a doubt. I won't lie though, I REALLY like Shanadoo's production. It's very hard dance music and I absolutely love it. Their version isn't the best though because their english isn't too easy to understand or sing along to. And although I love their production, it's not SMiLE.dk's sound, so it wouldn't have fit well on the album. The way the team produced it is very fitting for the group and the track turned out great and is now my overall favorite version of the song. It's a cover that outshines the original and is TOTALLY SMiLE.dk material.
03. Temptation Island
(Europop) When I heard a snippet of this track in a V-SMiLE video, I wasn't very impressed. Now that I have got my hands on it, it's SO much fun! It's a very cute pop song and I'm excited that it's going to be their next single, although I must admit, there are some stronger tracks that may have been better follow up singles to "Doki Doki" and "Summer Party" (KOKO SOKO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) I love the part of the song where they go "Dig, dig, digga-dig..." SO much fun! :-)
04. Nothing's Missing (For Once in My Life) (feat. Lasse Wellander)
(Ballad) Many artists have the "obligatory ballad" on their albums, and that's kind of what I expected when this song began. I was wrong. The first time I listened to it, I wanted to cry. It's such a beautifully written song that is PERFECTLY sung by the girls. The production is nothing out of the ordinary, but the lyrics and vocals really hold this song together and make such a beautiful addition to the album. Although I think it came a little soon, I would have rather hit this song at tracks 5 or 6.
05. Koko Soko
(Bubblegum Dance) HANDS DOWN, MY FAVORITE SONG ON THE ALBUM!!! We all knew it, this song was going to be amazing. How couldn't we expect it to be? I heard the snippet on their site and that was all the convincing I needed. This song is catchy as all hell, wonderfully sung, perfectly produced (sigh) I couldn't have asked for more. This song along makes their comeback worth it. It is the super hero track of this album that you must hear to believe. A perfect ten! (When I hear that quick clap in the very beginning, I go nuts.)
06. Summer Party
(Bubblegum Dance/Eurodance) This track isn't my favorite, it's not terrible, but nothing that really got me too excited. The chorus is so so, I guess it's the reason the song doesn't wow me. I verses are good and remind of "Boys", but then the chorus just doesn't really deliver. Production is good too, hmm, just needs a little bit of a catchier chorus and then it'd hit home for me. Don't get me wrong, I do like the song and you'll catch me singing it, it just doesn't pop out at me.
07. It's in Your Melody
(Bubblegum Dance) Another one of my TOTAL favorites! I love how this song has such a fun, catchy chorus in combination with serene verses. The combination of the upbeat chorus and more mellow verses make such a delectable song, I love it! "You are the strings on my guitar..."
08. Chicks Tricks
(Europop) My favorite pop song on the album! Whoever wrote these lyrics deserves a gold star or something. The lyrics are SO cute and catchy: "It's your kiss, fingertips on my hips, and your sexy lips, doin' all the chicks tricks to me!" (sigh) I love it so much, I think it's the perfect "I have an innocent crush on you" song. It captures that cute state you're in when you first meet someone and are head over heels for them. The production is fun and poppy too. I love the guy in the background "chicka-chicka-chicka, chicks tricks". And the vocals, could these ladies possibly sound any better?!
09. Hummingbird
(Bubblegum Dance) For some reason this reminds of something that you would hear on their second album "Future Girls". It's so typically SMiLE.dk and as a result will have you singing and dancing along. A perfect track to show that although they have tweaked their sound, they are still bringin' that same on SMiLE love!
10. Paradise
(Ballad) While "Nothing's Missing" was not by any stretch an obligatory ballad, "Paradise" kind of feels like it. Again, not a terrible song, just very typical. This song reminds me of something you'd hear on any pop album of any other pop artist. I won't give it a thumbs down, because it is not a disaster, I'll just give it a "neutral" rating. It's a cute song for those of us like me who do enjoy ballads, but will not sway any of the others who typically skip over them
11. Tomoe
(Bubblegum Dance) The BGD tracks that this album offers are just so scrumptious from start to finish! The song is about an adventure to a "little castle" and is just so fun, and for some reason the chorus just feels inspirational. Not the lyrics, just the way it's sung and produced. The bridge is also hot too, "Stop, look, what do you see?...It's just the same old tree!" One of the most fun songs (lyrically) on the album. Another job well done!
12. Around the World
(Europop) A PERFECT song to end the album. Just like Aqua's "Goodbye to the Circus", it goes perfect right at the end. A cute pop song that makes you all warm and fuzzy inside. It's about how you can experience tons of other things and move on, but in the end, "home" is where the heart is. The literal translation of this song is about lovers, but could a deeper interpretation be that Veronica has returned to make more SMiLE.dk music because although she has done and experienced many other things, this will always just feel so right? Hmm...
13. Heal My Broken Heart (Almighty Definitive Mix)
(Bubblegum Dance/Eurodance) A great remake of one of their underrated tracks. The new vocals seem stronger and more articulate and sound great. The intro is a little long, but the same can be said for almost every other remix out there. It's a great new way to experience such a "meaty" track from SMiLE.dk's past. Only one song would have been a better choice to remake, LOVE & DEVOTION!!! Lol, I'm just being a pest. It's one of my all-time SMiLE.dk favs. and I was SO hoping that when Jay hinted that they'd be remaking a beautiful old SMiLE song that wasn't too popular, I thought for sure it'd be that one. Oh well, "Heal My Broken Heart" has done the job :-)
This album isn't exactly what I was expecting. I thought it was just going to be non-stop thumpa thumpa BGD tracks, but after listening, I'm glad it wasn't. It would have seemed too forced and wouldn't have had much variety or personality to it. This is album is a must have for any fans of SMiLE.dk or the europop/eurodance genres. If you don't have it, BUY IT! If you do have it, TELL YOUR FRIENDS!
Your Dedicated SMiLE.dk Fan,
Cesar A. Fernandez
The album consists of three different kinds of songs: Bubblegum Dance Tracks, Europop Tracks & Ballads. This keeps the album more interesting than others that just stick to the same formula for each track (CASCADA!!!). Listening to it all the way through is a fun experience and overall it's a very cohesive album. Here's a track by track review:
SMiLE.dk - Party Around the World (2008)
01. Doki Doki
(Bubblegum Dance) SMiLE.dk's debut single is PERFECT! Wonderful, fun lyrics, amazing vocals from Veronica and of course Ms. Malin and spot on production. This song, in my opinion, has become the quintessential SMiLE.dk track. It really wraps up their sound and what their music is all about perfectly. It was love at first sight with this song, and I don't think I'll ever get enough. And for the record, the winding down at the very is kinda funky and I like it (lol, that one is to you, Mitch).
02. Japanese Boy
(Bubblegum Dance) Since this track has already been made at least two time before SMiLE.dk's version, I wasn't sure if it would really "wow" me. After listening to it the first time, I knew that I liked it a hell of a lot more than the original, lol, but I couldn't get Shanadoo's version out of my head. It was hard to listen to it subjectively without comparing the two. After clearing my mind of Shanadoo's version, I gave it a really good, honest listen. The vocals in SMiLE.dk's version top those of the other two, without a doubt. I won't lie though, I REALLY like Shanadoo's production. It's very hard dance music and I absolutely love it. Their version isn't the best though because their english isn't too easy to understand or sing along to. And although I love their production, it's not SMiLE.dk's sound, so it wouldn't have fit well on the album. The way the team produced it is very fitting for the group and the track turned out great and is now my overall favorite version of the song. It's a cover that outshines the original and is TOTALLY SMiLE.dk material.
03. Temptation Island
(Europop) When I heard a snippet of this track in a V-SMiLE video, I wasn't very impressed. Now that I have got my hands on it, it's SO much fun! It's a very cute pop song and I'm excited that it's going to be their next single, although I must admit, there are some stronger tracks that may have been better follow up singles to "Doki Doki" and "Summer Party" (KOKO SOKO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) I love the part of the song where they go "Dig, dig, digga-dig..." SO much fun! :-)
04. Nothing's Missing (For Once in My Life) (feat. Lasse Wellander)
(Ballad) Many artists have the "obligatory ballad" on their albums, and that's kind of what I expected when this song began. I was wrong. The first time I listened to it, I wanted to cry. It's such a beautifully written song that is PERFECTLY sung by the girls. The production is nothing out of the ordinary, but the lyrics and vocals really hold this song together and make such a beautiful addition to the album. Although I think it came a little soon, I would have rather hit this song at tracks 5 or 6.
05. Koko Soko
(Bubblegum Dance) HANDS DOWN, MY FAVORITE SONG ON THE ALBUM!!! We all knew it, this song was going to be amazing. How couldn't we expect it to be? I heard the snippet on their site and that was all the convincing I needed. This song is catchy as all hell, wonderfully sung, perfectly produced (sigh) I couldn't have asked for more. This song along makes their comeback worth it. It is the super hero track of this album that you must hear to believe. A perfect ten! (When I hear that quick clap in the very beginning, I go nuts.)
06. Summer Party
(Bubblegum Dance/Eurodance) This track isn't my favorite, it's not terrible, but nothing that really got me too excited. The chorus is so so, I guess it's the reason the song doesn't wow me. I verses are good and remind of "Boys", but then the chorus just doesn't really deliver. Production is good too, hmm, just needs a little bit of a catchier chorus and then it'd hit home for me. Don't get me wrong, I do like the song and you'll catch me singing it, it just doesn't pop out at me.
07. It's in Your Melody
(Bubblegum Dance) Another one of my TOTAL favorites! I love how this song has such a fun, catchy chorus in combination with serene verses. The combination of the upbeat chorus and more mellow verses make such a delectable song, I love it! "You are the strings on my guitar..."
08. Chicks Tricks
(Europop) My favorite pop song on the album! Whoever wrote these lyrics deserves a gold star or something. The lyrics are SO cute and catchy: "It's your kiss, fingertips on my hips, and your sexy lips, doin' all the chicks tricks to me!" (sigh) I love it so much, I think it's the perfect "I have an innocent crush on you" song. It captures that cute state you're in when you first meet someone and are head over heels for them. The production is fun and poppy too. I love the guy in the background "chicka-chicka-chicka, chicks tricks". And the vocals, could these ladies possibly sound any better?!
09. Hummingbird
(Bubblegum Dance) For some reason this reminds of something that you would hear on their second album "Future Girls". It's so typically SMiLE.dk and as a result will have you singing and dancing along. A perfect track to show that although they have tweaked their sound, they are still bringin' that same on SMiLE love!
10. Paradise
(Ballad) While "Nothing's Missing" was not by any stretch an obligatory ballad, "Paradise" kind of feels like it. Again, not a terrible song, just very typical. This song reminds me of something you'd hear on any pop album of any other pop artist. I won't give it a thumbs down, because it is not a disaster, I'll just give it a "neutral" rating. It's a cute song for those of us like me who do enjoy ballads, but will not sway any of the others who typically skip over them
11. Tomoe
(Bubblegum Dance) The BGD tracks that this album offers are just so scrumptious from start to finish! The song is about an adventure to a "little castle" and is just so fun, and for some reason the chorus just feels inspirational. Not the lyrics, just the way it's sung and produced. The bridge is also hot too, "Stop, look, what do you see?...It's just the same old tree!" One of the most fun songs (lyrically) on the album. Another job well done!
12. Around the World
(Europop) A PERFECT song to end the album. Just like Aqua's "Goodbye to the Circus", it goes perfect right at the end. A cute pop song that makes you all warm and fuzzy inside. It's about how you can experience tons of other things and move on, but in the end, "home" is where the heart is. The literal translation of this song is about lovers, but could a deeper interpretation be that Veronica has returned to make more SMiLE.dk music because although she has done and experienced many other things, this will always just feel so right? Hmm...
13. Heal My Broken Heart (Almighty Definitive Mix)
(Bubblegum Dance/Eurodance) A great remake of one of their underrated tracks. The new vocals seem stronger and more articulate and sound great. The intro is a little long, but the same can be said for almost every other remix out there. It's a great new way to experience such a "meaty" track from SMiLE.dk's past. Only one song would have been a better choice to remake, LOVE & DEVOTION!!! Lol, I'm just being a pest. It's one of my all-time SMiLE.dk favs. and I was SO hoping that when Jay hinted that they'd be remaking a beautiful old SMiLE song that wasn't too popular, I thought for sure it'd be that one. Oh well, "Heal My Broken Heart" has done the job :-)
This album isn't exactly what I was expecting. I thought it was just going to be non-stop thumpa thumpa BGD tracks, but after listening, I'm glad it wasn't. It would have seemed too forced and wouldn't have had much variety or personality to it. This is album is a must have for any fans of SMiLE.dk or the europop/eurodance genres. If you don't have it, BUY IT! If you do have it, TELL YOUR FRIENDS!
Your Dedicated SMiLE.dk Fan,
Cesar A. Fernandez
!!for help this wonderful band i bought 3 copy of the album in i tunes ;D!i want that smile dk sale a lot of copy and i want to let know to the world this wonderful group!this is a way to spread bubblegum dance!!(i know i'm crazy ;D
)
