[Album Review] SHINee - 'Odd'

Track list:

Odd Eye
Lovesick
View
Romance
Trigger
??? ? (Farewell My Love)
?? ??? ?? ( An Ode to You)
Alive
Woof
Black Hole
?? (An Encore)

'Odd' is oddly pleasant. It is an album packed with rich R&B jams, dance anthems, and soppy, melodic ballads (and more), taking the listener on an unforgettable emotional roller coaster ride. Released on May 18, 'Odd' features the SHINee 'staples' of addicting dance beats and sing-along-ready hooks that will have you working your vocal cords in the car on the way to work.

An important note for this album is Jonghyun's involvement in the song composition process. He wrote the lyrics for and composed the opening track, "Odd Eye," and the lyrics for the title song "View" was written by Jonghyun, as well. Unlike the other members, Jonghyun seems to display a keener interest in the production side, especially as he also partook in the composition for the third studio album, 'The Misconception of Us.'

Let's hope Jonghyun continues honing his composition skills. Time to jump back into discussing 'Odd,' as I have digressed just a bit.

The album begins slowly with "Odd Eye," a track that builds with a combination of synths and a subtle cello tune in the backdrop. The song maintains its lingering tempo all throughout and isn't 'jumpy' like certain other tracks on the album. If I may take the liberty to nit-pick a little bit, it is with the awkward peppering of English in the very beginning. I honestly thought Key whispered "show me the prize the white" when in fact he said "Show me your eyes don't hide." I must be going deaf.

"Lovesick," the subsequent track on the album, is the more mature cousin of "Replay." The boys of SHINee are no longer boys; they are now grown men who bask in their manly manhood. The 'noona' that they so admired and yearned for in "Replay" doesn't see SHINee as innocent 'dongsaengs' to dote on. In fact, that same noona is now the one being doted on by SHINee who is man enough to take care of a lady.

Up next is one of my favorite songs, "View," a memorable house number with slight traces of contemporary urban. Upon listen, one can immediately hear why it has been designated as the title track. The catchy, radio-friendly keyboard chords immediately grab your attention and doesn't loosen its hold until the bass drops in the hook. Wait, what...I don't remember getting up to dance!?! Yeah, SHINee's music does that to you.

The MV for the title song was probably the most 'adult-themed' SHINee video thus far. Amidst its confusing array of cuts and half of the footage wasted on people pulling shirts over their heads, we witness SHINee practice for a marathon as they sprint from place to place. What's the rush guise? Oh yeah, and Onew looks at a pair of bewbs and reacts in disgust by raising his hand to his mouth. "Whet are you doing hot girl who is throwing herself at me? No, I don't want youuuuuu...where is my chicken?!?" And that's pretty much the most accurate interpretation of the video.

If you can't really jam to the faster songs, no need to get anxious Shawols! Sentimental ballads may not really be my cup of tea, but they could be right up your alley. SHINee gets in touch with their soft sides with a soulful urban track "Farewell My Love," warbling lines practically dripping with bathos: "At the dead end of this love / lies the path of farewell without you there / I keep walking to the end that I can't see / We keep growing further apart / You keep growing distant." "An Ode to You" is yet another sappy song that is beautifully simple but I simply can't grow to like. Sorry folks, not a big ballad fan here.

Other favorites of mine on the album include "Alive" and "Woof Woof." "Alive" was particularly pleasant for me to listen to because of its noticeable 'hip-hop' feel. Contrary to its heavy bass and electrifying synths, the lyrics--written by MC Meta, a highly respected lyricist in the under hip-hop scene--are quite maudlin. They go, "When you shine bright / The world comes alive / When that blue light shines / I can feel that I'm alive / I am more my true self / You are a rare gift / You haven't wanted a better me / With your bright reflection I shine brighter."

Another noteworthy song on the album was "Woof Woof." "Woof Woof" is a buoyant jazzy piece that leaves you breathless with its speedy tempo. The brazen brass instruments and the steady, thrumming bass in the background doesn't relent until around the 2:15 mark. After the brief intermission, the song picks right back up and you are left again trying to keep up.

"Trigger" is a colorfully discordant track that I have to mention just because Deez was one of the producers. Deez is an R&B/Urban singer so it's no surprise that the song contains hints of R&B elements. The verses are mellower and toned down, then the chorus gets heavier with an overwhelming cacophony of synths, guitar, and some florid, tinkling instrument that adds pizzazz.

"Black Hole" may not be my favorite but is still worth talking about thanks to its addictive chorus. In the song the boys--uh, I mean the men--of SHINee exult in that inexplicable, tingling sensation of falling in love. They belt out, "You're my black hole / I can't escape your charms." Likening a lady to a black hole is indeed an odd compliment, but hey, if it's coming from SHINee, how poetic right?

Overall, the album is a solid effort and if you haven't already done so, go listen to the album now!

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