[Album & MV Review] Mad Town - 'Emotion'

AKP STAFF

MAD TOWN - EMOTION

Track List:

1. Intro
2. Emptiness
3. Yah! (Song by Lee Geon, Buffy)
4. Get Out
5. Lie

Mad Town will have you feeling plenty of 'Emotion' as you listen to their newest summer release. This is their first new material since last November's digital single "OMGT" (Oh My God Thanks). 'Emotion' is the third mini-album for the seven-member group, and their first comeback in more than a year.

The title track, "Emptiness," is a slow-burner. It has an undeniable feeling of loss and regret that matches the lyrics well. It's well put together. While I wasn't blown away by this song, I didn't hate it either. It's just not really my kind of tune.

"Yah!" definitely jumped out at me. A song by members Lee Geon and Buffy, this is a delightful piece of electro funk. The main riff almost sounds like a harmonica! What I love about this is that the rap parts take center stage in this production, and Buffy's flow here is pristine. Probably my favorite song on the album.

"Get Out" is another that really speaks to me. It's a lush electronic production, with hooks galore and an overall serious feel. There's certainly some hints of anger on this track, and at times Buffy's lines have a playful vibe. Totally love the energy here.

Ultimately it's a decent album. The official press talks of how Mad Town is "trendy yet emotional," and I think that about sums it up. Theirs is a quieter, more subdued emotion, preferring to express itself in melody and lyrics than screaming to be heard in a ballad. Though there's a tinge of regret to some of the songs, it doesn't cross over into morose. Overall, this is a pretty good disc -- fans should enjoy it, and if you haven't heard Mad Town you might want to give them a listen.

MV REVIEW

Unlike many MVs these days, "Emptiness" has a lot to do with the song. Member Jota plays a dramatic part, as the second half of a couple who has broken up. The boys sing of the empty space needing to be filled by a lover.

So the MV is probably cheap -- but it doesn't look cheap. There are some really nice shots here, dramatic scenes that highlight the overall theme well.� The charisma of the actors and the stylish symbolism help offset any low-budget follies. Overall, it was pretty well done.

Thankfully, there were no crotch-grabbing shots or gratuitous abs shown here. And while these guys really needed to fix their ragged undercuts, there were no egregious fashion don'ts.

I'd like to see more MVs like this. There's a lesson here: you don't need elaborate sets or high-tech special effects to tell a good story.